To Martin Luther King, Sr.
23 June 1940
Atlanta, Ga.
King's letter to his father mentions activities
at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In King, Sr.'s absence, other Baptist
ministers assisted with pastoral duties. The Reverend John Henry Edwards,
a member of Ebenezer since 1914, preached at the morning and evening
services. The Reverend C. S. Jackson, pastor of Atlanta's Israel and
Salem Baptist churches, and the Reverend J. D. Sims of Piney Grove
Baptist Church conducted Mother Holley's funeral on Sunday afternoon.Atlanta
Constitution, 23 June 1940. The "June drive" mentioned
in the letter refers to a church fundraising campaign conducted by
Ebenezer members born in the month. "Aunt Florence and uncle
Joel" are King, Sr.'s brother, the Reverend Joel King, and his
wife, Florence King. "Ida" is King, Jr.'s great-aunt, Ida
Worthem, the sister of Jennie Celeste Parks Williams. The Reverend
Roland Smith's request refers to the Baptist Young Peoples Union convention
of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, which will
begin on 3 July.Atlanta Daily World, 3 July 1940. "Emnit"
is King's boyhood friend Emmett Proctor, the grandson of C. L. Harper,
the first principal of Booker T. Washington High School.
Dear Daddy:
How are you feeling, fine I hope. I am being a good boy while
you
are away. We had good church services all day today. No one joined the
church but Rev. Edward brought too good sermon. Mother Holleys funral
was today and Rev Sims and Rev C. S. Jackson preached the funral. We are
working hard to makt the June drive tune out like you wont it. Give love
to Aunt Florence and uncle Joel. Mama Lillian and aunt Ida are doing fine.
Rev. Smith wonts to know how many, dalegates are coming to the convention
from Ebernezer. Tell mother dear helo and tell her I made 35?
off of my paper this week and have some more to colect. Today we
raised $11.86 in Sunday today Emnit came back today and his mother to.
Your Son
[signed] Martin Luther King Jr
ALS. CKFC.
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