In 1966, when I was a sixteen year old boy, I met C. L. (Charles) Sawyer, a man who had a profound influence on my life. He was a tall, strong, quiet man, but a man of firm conviction. Occasionally, he taught a teenage Sunday School class I had just begun to attend. Shortly after we met, the Lord was pleased to reveal Christ to me; and Charles took an interest in me. Though he was almost twenty years my senior, we became good friends.
In those earliest days of my pilgrimage Charles Sawyer had a profound and lasting effect upon my life, for which I am ever his debtor. He set before a teenage boy an example of devotion, gentleness, and conviction, and effortlessly displayed the joy and peace that comes to those who take Christ’s yoke upon themselves. I can clearly see his broad smile and beaming eyes, as I write. In fact, that was the first thing about my friend that caught my attention. The first time I saw him I thought to myself, “I wonder what makes that man so happy.”
Throughout my high school and college years, Charles was a constant example and encouragement. The difference in our ages allowed us only brief social contact on a day by day basis; but we saw one another several times a week. I was never in his company without profit to my soul.
After college, I did not see or hear from Charles for twenty-five years. Then, in October 1995 I was asked to preach for a few days in Newport News, VA. Much to my delight and surprise, shortly after Shelby and I checked into our motel room someone knocked at the door. When I opened the door, there stood that man, with the same broad smile and beaming eyes I had seen in my mind for all those years, for whom I had often given thanks to God.
We never lost contact again. Charles graciously proofed some of my manuscripts. We corresponded with one another periodically, and talked occasionally, but only saw one another one more time, when he and his wife, Helen, came to Danville for a conference. I received a note from Helen this week telling me that the Lord took my beloved friend home to glory. Immediately, I asked the Lord to grant me the grace possessed by Charles to exemplify to others the blessedness of faith in Christ that my friend exemplified before me. Today, my friend’s eyes are sparkling brighter and his smile is broader than can be imagined. He is ravished with the Christ; and Christ is ravished with him! How I envy him!
Don Fortner