Santee Baptist Association

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WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

The first time I met Gene Franklin, I admired his tall, erect bearing, his boyish good looks, and the strength of his preaching, but there was much more to him than that. And there is much that we can learn from him.

More than his outward appearance and abilities, there was the character of the man. There was much about Gene that would have made a lesser man proud, but he wasn't, and his was not the self-effacing, false humility affected by some. He knew his worth as a man of God, but he also understood and appreciated the worth of others. (Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12: 10 (KJV)

Gene was an honorable man. Here was no hypocrite. He lived by his principles. He did what he thought was right, and He did it right. The churches he served for more than 40 years (High Hills of the Santee and Calvary Baptist) were small in attendance, but they were a big part of his life and ministry. I found no slackness in his preparation, no sloth in his service, no sloppiness in his deportment. (Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9: 10 (KJV).

Gene was a man of truth. He uncompromisingly preached and lived the truth of the gospel. In a world that does not recognize truth as absolute, there was no denying the truth of a life well lived before the whole community. He was not a Sunday Christian. He stood for truth beyond the walls of the church. At the Wateree Prison, at the fire station, at home or around town, he lived the truth of what he preached to others. (But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 (KJV)

I am going to miss Gene. I was moved by the demonstration of honor and respect by firemen for one of their own who had fallen. Members of the churches mourned his death as they would one of their own family members, as well they should for we Christians are members of one family. Family and friends from far and wide came to pay respects to a man among men. He still stands tall.

In Memory

of

Rev. Gene Franklin

Richard

D. Min. Director of Missions