Faith Chronicles

The rush to the Louisiana border was known to the Texans as the Runaway Scrape, the Great Runaway, or the Sabine Shoot. Whatever one calls it, the wild exodus was a nightmare of terror and suffering for women and children across the Lone Star State. It was only their burning desire for retribution that made it possible for them to keep going. Dilue Rose Harris told her story for the Eagle Lake Headlight in Eagle Lake, Texas, in 1900. Delicate women trudged day after day until their shoes were literally worn out and continued their journey to the east with bare feet, lacerated and bleeding at almost every step. Their clothes were scant and provided no means of shelter from frequent drenching downpours and bitterly cold winds. Finally, the women of the Runaway Scrape, the Sabine Shoot, or the Great Runaway justifiably could regard themselves as veterans of the Texas Revolution. They endured dangers and hardships as harsh as those faced by their soldier husbands. Not as commonly lauded over the last almost 200 years, their efforts were just as important. Santa Anna had no secret of his objective. He wanted to drink a cup of coffee from the waters of the Sabine River and, on the way, rid Texas of all perfidious foreigners. His campaign ended on April 21, 1836.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV Matthew 18: 21-22) Reverend Loyce Estes with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the funeral services on December 23, 1969, addressed the congregation. "The dignified First Lady of the Louisiana Presbytery is dead. Vibrantly alive are the articles of faith that constitute our legacy. May her mantle fall on us prayerfully." Reverend Mrs. Ada Caston Slaton Bonds is one of the most colorful ministers ever produced by the great Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Beyond a doubt, she overcame more difficulties and passed through more heartaches than any minister ever known to preach the 'Whosoever Will' gospel. Miss Ada, as all affectionately called her, possessed countless prodigies. By way of the corridors of her ministerial career, she helped shape the lives and mold the character of a great number of young ministers, who, today, rise up and call her 'blessed.' God sent her His Divine calling to preach. She then learned to preach. She carved out a place for herself among the clergy that was unique, without comparison. With bottomless emotion, genuine poise, and true dignity, Miss Ada became the First Lady of the Cloth in the Louisiana Presbytery and had the highest honor bestowed upon her, the title of Mother of All Presbyteries. Brother Kerans finished the Sunday morning services by calling on Reverend Paul Covey Johnson, standing by her frail and physical body awaiting its final resting place in the Old Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery outside Coushatta, Louisiana. He began her final epitaph. "I'm walking along the seashore. A ship is floating near to me, spreading her white sails as it begins a voyage that takes Miss Ada further and further out into the ocean. She's a powerful vessel, one of beauty and strength. I watch her until she looks like a disappearing speck of a fluffy cloud where the horizon of the sea and sky intermingle with one another. Then I realized her diminished size is in me, not in her. 'Look there...She is gone!' Nelson, along with Ada's brother Lilburn are standing together with eager eyes watching from one of the twelve gates to heaven. There are beautiful angels stationed at each of the entrances. Looking more closely, she sees her mother and father standing near Lilburn. There are smiles on all of their faces and a happy and content look to their demeanor, standing and waiting there to take up the welcomed shout: 'HERE SHE COMES!' Many times throughout the writing of her memoirs, I came to respect her inner strength, her compassion, and her gentleness. Never in my life have I delved into the scriptures and analyzed what each meant more so than when I put her memoirs on paper. To bring these memoirs to a close, I attended the homecoming services at the Progress Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana as they celebrated their 100th Anniversary. Miss Ada is still spoken of highly. Her last letter written to the church on December 10, 1969, still hangs on the walls of the sanctuary. Brother Lawson led the congregation in the singing of many gospel tunes and delivered the Sunday morning message. I close this description with a quote from Brother Lawson. "Miss Ada set the standards high for being a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was an anomaly for her time. Still today, we find the bar for preaching the word of God set high for all young men and women entering the ministry!" If one listened closely, they would have heard the words echo from my namesake, Sidney Slaton, "Mamma Was a Preacher!"&l

This work on seeing the power of God became important because of what is happening today in Christendom. The children of God seem to be surrendering to the works of the devil. If I, a child of God cannot challenge the works of the devil, then l have no value. Have seen, that the people who should be working for God in great power, are busy talking about those they say are not working for God. My thought is that the child of God should be much more able to do what these workers of darkness cannot do. I mean, how can l be working for the most high God and the one who is said to be working for the devil, has more miracle capacities than l do and l am not ashamed to be saying it? They are more in number, healing the sick, casting out demons and more prosperous. God forbid! It is high time we take the bull by the horn. The child of God, who is enabled by God, is different from the others. He (Child of God), should be the one in charge and take the show from the one using any other powers. Abraham was the only man who offered God his son in a sacrifice, Noah built the ark that saved him, his family and the animals God instructed him to select. Once Moses was enabled, he took the show in Egypt and Pharaoh's magicians saw the hands of God. Elijah was able to challenge four hundred prophets of Baal, defeated and killed them at the end of it. He was fed by ravens after, he prayed to cease. He also prayed, to bring rain and prayed for the dead son of a widow to come back to life. We cannot forget Elisha, who had a double portion of the anointing that was on Elijah. Miracles followed him. Remember Joseph, when he was challenged with the dream of Pharaoh king of Egypt, Daniel was a slave and he was able to interpret the dream of the king of Babylon, David battled and killed Goliath. He (David) became a man after God's heart. Solomon his son, had wisdom like no man had or would ever have. His riches were beyond measure. Mary the mother of Jesus was the virgin who became pregnant and is called blessed. Jesus went to the cross, died and resurrected. That was what He came to do for us. Before He died, He was a wonder to the people and while they called Him names, He did more and more. His Commission to His followers is found in the book of Mark chapter 16 verses 15 and 18 which says, "15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" KJV. From that time of this Commission, the Apostles of Jesus Christ got ready to be in control and once the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were unstoppable. There were the sorcerers and diviners, but they (The Apostles), made them see a power greater than theirs. Peter and John were at the fore front and It was so obvious, that even a sorcerer had to beg for the power given by the precious Holy Spirit. What more can l say? The list is tremendous. They performed many miracles to the amazement of the unbelievers and overcame death threats from the leaders and controversies which came against them in their ministries. Our God is able!