"He being dead, yet speaketh"

These are appropriate words with which to begin my peculiar preface.  And it is the prayerful desire of the writer, by means of this book, even after he is dead, to speak for the edification and comfort of christian readers.

Moses DeWitt Denman, son of Jackson H. and Ann W. Denman, was born at Larissa, Cherokee Co., Texas, Aug. 11, 1850, and died Jan. 8, 1907 of pneumonia.

In early child-hood he greatly enjoyed the company and conversation of christian men and women, and was often moved to tears when the subject of Jesus and his crucifixion was mentioned.  He remained with his parents and proved himself a dutiful son.

In the year 1865, he was with his parents moved to Bell Co., Texas.  In 1872 he professed a hope in Christ, and joined the Old School Baptist Church at Cedar Grove, Bell Co., Texas, and was baptized by his Grandfather, Moses H. Denman.

Having acquired a liberal education, he chose Medicine as a profession.  Consequently he worked on farm, and taught several schools in the country, enabling him to pay his way.  He entered the Medical department of the university at Nashville, Tenn., graduating with honors in 1882.  He located and practiced medicine in Bell Co., Texas, fifteen or twenty years, living with his parents, as he was never married.

He gave up his chosen profession so he could fulfill a duty he owed to his Heavenly Father, being impressed to travel and speak and write comfortably to the children of God, being licensed by his brethren.

He came to Beaver Co., Okla., in 1904.  He filed on a quarter section of land, one-half mile from his father's home.  His father died a short time after coming to Okla., leaving his mother alone.  Ever loyal and devoted to her, he spent much of his time with her, to cheer and comfort her in her declining years, she being 79 years old.

He was improving and preparing his land to rent out, thereby enabling him to devote all his time, talent and effects to the cause of Christ and his people, the Primitive Baptist, without money and without price.

In view of this, he began editing the Old School Baptist Quarterly, writing and getting it ready for publication when not at work on his place.

On his deathbed he told his brothers, that he wanted all his property used for the benefit of the Old School Baptist.

He has often times said to me "that he wanted to help build church houses, and assist the needy, especially the needy of the household of faith."

Now for the preservation of this work, it is most prayerfully and affectionately dedicated to the Old School Baptists, who by the will of God, I trust, will preserve it.

August 13, 1907.         HIS MOTHER.