On October 18, I received a call informing me that Paul Keller had passed from this life. My family and I were deeply saddened to learn of brother Keller's death. At the early age of twenty I began preaching in Kennett, Missouri about thirty miles from Paragould, Arkansas where Brother Keller preached at Second and Walnut for many years. After four years we moved to Piggott, Arkansas still only about thirty miles from Paragould and remained in Piggott for ten years before moving to Lancaster, California. During this time we became well acquainted with brother Keller and Miss Elizabeth, as we affectionately called his beloved wife. Of-ten we were together in their home enjoying refreshments after gospel meetings. On one of our visits to the Keller's home both of my daughters spilled their drinks on the table-cloth. It was a standing joke from then on that we were invited to their house only if we brought our own tablecloth. I will cherish the kind humor and wise counsel of brother Keller. He was a friend to a young preacher.

I suppose I will miss most brother Keller's knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. Evidence of his knowledge and understanding abounds in the fine articles he published for years in the church bulletin Pause-Ponder-Profit. His teaching through this medium circulated from coast to coast in the United States and abroad. I have many times talked with him about the meaning of some particular scripture or its application. I have called him for advice when difficulty arose in a Bible study I was conducting. He was always willing to patiently encourage and offer helpful suggestions. The wisdom writer said, "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel" (Prov. 27:9). He was a friend to a young preacher.

Those who knew him best will long remember his love for the truth, his determination to stand and boldly declare the truth even in the face of adversity. He will be remembered for his kindness and his dignified disposition. The influence of brother Keller will live on through time and eternity. His children and his grandchildren bear testimony to his godly life. My family was enriched by our association with his family.

Truly, a great soldier in Israel has fallen. There is danger with the passing of such warriors of the faith. History bears record of the departures of new generations. "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, or yet the work which he had wrought for Israel" (Judg. 2:10). I pray that we will take note of them that so walk and that we will be encouraged by this man's godly life. I am thankful to brother Keller and others like him who take the time to be a friend to a young preacher.

Guardian of Truth XL: 5 p. 15
March 7, 1996