The Ohio Independent Baptist, March 1973

Tl1irty-Thf·ee Wonder ttl Years At harJe ton , they became " Mol er and Daddy" to 80 children, nur them through 30 cases of measle~, cases of whooping cough and 2 ca, of double pneumonia the first win they were there. After 2 year and months in Charleston in what prov to be an apprenticeship for them, G opened the door for them to come Huntington to take over a new M sion organized by a group of Chli tian businessmen. For ,,,an)' )'ears, i11 tl1e pages of THE OHIO INDE– PE DE T BAPTJ T tl1ere appeared articles entitled - .. Bea111s Fro111 T lie LigJ1 tl1oi1se". Tl1ese were writte ,1 by Mrs. JValter H. Keisler. Tlzey l1ad to do wit/1 the work lie and /,er l,z,sband, Rev. Walter H. Keisler, were doing at tl,e H11ntington City Mission in Huntington , W. Va. Mrs. Keisler 1tvent to be v. 1 itl1 her Lord a little over five , ,ears ago. Brotl1er Keisler continued as Superintendent ~I tl1e Mission, /1owever, as of February 1st (this year) he retired. He now serves as Superintendent Emeritus. TJ,e following are excerpts taken from an article which appeared in a publication of The Huntington City Mission on their Thirty-Third Anniversary The Huntington City Mission "' opened February l, 1940, just years after the Keislers were savt Starting out with $98.00, a r down building and a few pieces– second hand furniture, the Keisl< built the Mission to what it is tod, Rev. Walter H. Keisler will take hi full retirement as of February l, 1973, and will relinquish the leader– ship of the Huntington City Missio11 at this time. He is one of Huntington's enior ministers in point of service at one post, having been Superintendent of the Mission from February 1, 1940 until three years ago when he be– came Superintendent Emeritus, mak– ing a total of 33 years. Walter and Vivian Keisler were a young married couple who had "every– thing", it would have seemed. In their hearts was an emptiness, their house was just that and not a home at all, and they were considering a divorce. On their way to a movie one evening, they were attracted by a sign adver– tising special meetings at the First Baptist Church, Elyria, Ohio. The sign mentioned a great Gospel tenor, and being interested in music, they decided to go to the service. The date was January 31 , 1930. The Gospel tenor was George Dibble. He sang, and his wife, Laura ' 'Mom' ' Dibble was the speaker. Her subject that night was "The Need of a Christian Home' '. This was what Walter and Rev. Walter H. Keisler Vivian Keisler both needed, and that night, God for Jesus' sake forgave them their sins and made them new creatures in Christ. It was seven years later that the Keislers unreservedly dedicated their lives to the Lord for full time service. The very next morning the call came for a couple to take over the children's work of the Union Mission, Charles– ton, W. Va. As Rev. Keisler has re– marked on many occasions , "Don't say unreservedly unless you mean it because God will take you at your word. " They put God to the test by asking that their house be sold. God sent along an engaged couple who wanted Mr. Keisler to build them a house in the future. They visited the Keislers the very evening that the Keislers had prayed about the matter of sell– ing their house, and the young couple bought the house before they left that night! The Mission has had through< the years the following work: a fee ing and sleeping program for transit men, a home for unwed mothe Bible Club for children, a playgrou in the early years and now a Yot Center, an outpost Sunday School Lewis Hollow just east of Huntir ton, clothing distribution to nee families, food baskets to needy far lies at Christmas, and a ser,,ice ea night in the Mission chapel. Lest anyone be perturbed abc it , Mr. Keisler is not retiring so co pletely from the work of the Missi that he won't be around at all. ] will continue to make his home t Huntington, and his Jove and c< cern for the Mission will go on, l the leadership of the Mission is bei passed on to other capable hands. Rev. W. H. Keisler, Superintendt . Emeritus, Miss Glenna LeMaster, I ecutive Secretary, and the Board Directors wish to thank those w, have had any part in keeping 1 doors of this Lighthouse open. TO WALTER KEISLER ON HIS RETIREMENT Once building homes and pleasure satisfied; Theh Christ came in and earth's ambitions died, For in his Lord his life was crucified. First lowly ways were found to serve in song In jails and county homes, where miseries throng, For Walter's voice was clear and true and strong. Nor must we here forget a sweeter voice Which in duet with his made all rejoice - Vivian's - whose life joined his by mutual choice. Such service led these two surrendered wills Down to the teeming West Virginian hills For larger ministries to human ills. They loved and labored long together there In song and teaching, counselling and prayer, Giving themselves to all who knew despair. Now Vivian tunes her harp to heavenly lays While Walter waits to finish out his days. For both we thank our God and offer praise. ... Ralph T. Nordlur THE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPT