1. JOSEPH (C LINE-Immigrant father) (1682 / 1741) IMMIGRANT FATHER FROM ZWEIBRUCKEN, (PALATINATE) GERMANY. (POSSIBLY BORN IN LANGNAU, OR, JURA REGION OF SWITZERLAND) M - ANNA MARIA BUGH (BUCH / PUGH ?) (1693 / )

2D. - JOHN (FIRST) (1718 / 1781) IMMIGRANT SON M-ANNA MARY

3G. JOHN (SECOND) 5-3-1753 / 5-12-1831 M-SUSANNA

4F. JOHN (THIRD) 8-3-1797 / 6-15-1881 M-ANNA 1796 / 1871

5E. DANIEL 7-27-1824 / 7-2-1889 M- CATHERINE EBY 11-5-1820 / 8-5-1880

7A. EBY HOMER 10-4-1880 / 12-16-1940

M-LIZZIE H. GREENLEY 3-4-1879 / 2-12-1907 (2 CHILDREN) (RUFUS & ROY)

Benjamin E. Flory wrote the attached volume and dissertation of thoughts. While it is unclear when it was written by him, it was submitted and published in a collection of letters in a publication entitled “Good Tidings”, which was published quarterly from 1922 to 1932 by the Reformed Mennonite Church. This from Benjamin’s hand was published in January, 1923,when Benjamin was 67 years old. Benjamin passed away 4 months later, at the age of 67 years, 9 months, and 7 days on this earth. Personally, Benjamin was my Great, Great Grandfather. He was the father of Eby, who was the father of Roy. You can each count back and see as to what his relationship was to you. Upon reviewing our direct line family tree, his designation on the tree is “6E” from the immigrant father, Joseph. (6th generation, 5th child born to Daniel) Attached is the letter as it appeared in the publication in 1923.

EXPERIENCE

I relate my experience in the hope of doing a little good to others. I remember that in my childhood I asked my mother questions concerning the creation. When I became older, I know that the wonders in God’s works were above my understanding. Some argued evolution. I knew that if human being evolved from an inferior beginning the development was due to an intelligence that the system planned. I learned that there were opposing influences to cause conflict in us. I saw the demonstration in the visible world of one thing preying on another, and I was conscious of the preying of evil upon me. The good influence prevailed with me and I began reading the Scriptures, which condemned my carnal life. This standard of truth seemed so high that I was impressed that to follow it would hinder me in making my living. In my trouble I wished I had not known the Scriptures, yet I was impelled to read them. For want of correct understanding, I became tempted with infidelity. From this dangerous device of Satan I was delivered by gaining better knowledge of some of the darker parts of the Book of God, and I resolved to obey what knowledge I had. I became concerned about baptism, but in looking for a blameless church I found that many professors lived no better than I did. I tried to be a Christian without uniting with a church, but felt the need of fellowship. I heard preaching and could discern sound doctrine and that there must be love among God’s people, and obedience to His word. I was so tossed about that I ceased considering others, and the question of baptism or the church, and became convinced that I must first learn of Christ in myself. This gave me rest. I then united with the church that I believed to be ruled by the Spirit of Christ. I am impressed that the more we know of God’s will the more we feel constrained to obey Him. By our trials we become fitted to bear spiritual fruit, as the soil must be prepared by different processes to yield fruit. God has promised us His guidance here, if we obey, that we may be fitted for the incorruptible inheritance. We are directed to the example of Abraham. He obeyed by leaving his own country through faith, and was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac, under command, believing that God could raise him from the dead to fulfill His promise. The purpose of Christ’s mission is to reconcile all men unto God and us to one another. The Savior prayed for perfect oneness among His disciples. It is said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” The thought is, many are convicted to forsake their sins, yet few are willing. The reply is, “We will not have this man to rule over us.” For Christ to rule over us we must be willing to obey His commandments with true purpose of heart, then we can enter into the glorious liberty of God and in the church of Christ where visible. Christ called his followers out of the world, they are in the world but not of the world, where church and state are separate.

Pequea, Pa. B.E.F.

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