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(Recorded by Mrs. Jimie Hicks) Rev. Edmondson was born in North Carolina in 1869, to godly parents of the Free Will Baptist Church. At an early age, Edmondson migrated to Alapaha, Georgia, and he worked as a turpentine hand there for several years. In 1889, he was converted under the Gospel preaching of Rev. J. H. Isler, D. D. at Sutton Chappel Church, Kinston, North Carolina. Rev. Edmondson made his divine confession of being called to preach, and began a Free Will Baptist Church in South Georgia. From the starting point in Wilsonville, Georgia that work has reached as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Rev. Edmondson was married three times: Mrs. Mamie Patterson Edmondson was the mother of Willie B. Edmondson, Della Edmondson Johnson and Clarence N. Edmondson. Mrs. Maudie Chambers Edmondson was the mother of Roosevelt Edmondson and Gaade Edmondson. Mrs. Amelia McLean Edmondson was the third wife. Poem for the General Conference (composed 1920 by Rev. S. H. P. Edmondson) Behold the General Conference comes, To the Old Empire State, God is their Captain, they proclaim God’s will they came to do. Ocilla Free Will Baptist Church, Saint, come, you are welcome here. The Delegates from North and South, From West and East may come. The General Conference ‘Watch Word’ is, United in their Lord, Hodge and Suggs, and Davis too, Are all God fearing men. The General Conference now in parade, For God and all mankind, Thomas and Bryant and Ben McLean, Are all God fearing men. Behold the Free Will Baptists wants, More men like Smith and Brown, The Publishing House, and Colleges, too, Need more prepared men. Old Patrick, Henry said of old, Give Liberty or give me death, That’s what the Free Will Baptist cry, To God and all Mankind. |
