~~~
SABBATH
REVERIE
Sabbath
evening - set of sun,
All my labor - work is done.
To Thy throne come I now,
At Thy feet in reverence bow.
Toil,
heartaches, failures - all
Leave I behind - no recall.
Fill me now - let Thy Spirit be
Rest, comfort, forgiveness - free.
Thy
word is sure - come and bless
As I wait in holy quietness.
Let my life and witness tell,
That with my soul all is well.
William H. Grotheer
Top
OBITUARY
AND TRIBUTE TO
A MAN CHOSEN OF GOD
WILLIAM
HENRY GROTHEER
October 14, 1920 to May 2, 2009
Elder
Grotheer did not intend to be a prolific author; he loved doing the
work of Evangelism, and the need for his writings fell to him as a
duty that he could not ignore.
He was a profound Greek scholar and held the study and perseverance
of the Adventist pioneers, including Ellen G. White, Elder M. L. Andreasen
and other faithful voices in high regard. As the depth and scope of
his sermons and studies became known around the world, he saw the
confusion amongst longtime members who were asking questions that
were not being answered to their satisfaction, about the Church and
how the unique doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism were being compromised.
He
loved the Church, the people and his evangelism, and had no intention
of ever leaving its fellowship; however, as he became aware of changes
in the Church's doctrines, he simply and clearly revealed its history
and these facts in his sermons and discussions. At this time he was
head of the Bible and History Department at old Madison College, and
then asked to go to Andrews University to complete work on a graduate
degree.
He saw and realized the doctrinal compromises being made and so he
voluntarily requested a leave of absence which he received in good
and regular standing, so that he would be free to write and speak
without any entanglements.
Soon
after, it became important that he put pen to paper and voice to celluloid
to meet the need of so many requests for documentation and understanding
of the changes being made. That is when the Adventist Laymen's Foundation
was formed. As his ministry progressed, he and his deeply spiritual
wife Dorthea had a wonderful vision of making available a country
campus where students of the Bible could come and train and study
to be sent out as missionaries globally.
Never has the Foundation ever asked for donations yet they lacked
for nothing. Many concerned Adventists from all over sent tithes and
offerings to sustain the Foundation and its work. Common people such
as my own Grandmother, my mother and her study group gave regularly.
This
was the dream of which the Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Ozone,
Arkansas, campus was born. Many people came and enjoyed the retreat
of the quiet country spiritual atmosphere where it was conducive for
communion with God. We have enjoyed many weekends on the campus at
the Monthly Convocations and Annual Fellowships as well as other visits.
There were meetings for the little children and a beautiful airy meeting
room in the Convocation Hall for the adults. The music was an outstanding
ingredient of every service and professionally produced. There was
special music like soprano solos by his eldest daughter Nancy and
the 5 person chorus, 2 male and 3 females, with Ron Renk, Nancy's
husband, operating the mixer board.
For meals we would meet in the dining hall where there was always
plenty of delicious, wholesome vegetarian food and good conversation
which often was an extension of the topic of the service that just
finished.
Our
family spent many weekdays on the campus where our children, who were
young at the time, enjoyed the company of Ron and Nancy Renk's children
Jonathan and Jessica and others, who were about the same age. How
the children had fun running and climbing and exploring among the
trees of the lush green campus! We had much wonderful fellowship there.
At
that time the campus was a flurry of activity with people on the move.
The 800 telephone number was busy, additional buildings were constructed
as the needs grew and the message was going world wide from the Foundation.
There were many Church members internationally with study groups who
asked him to come and speak to them and answer questions and show
them how to study better. Dorthea, Ron and Nancy with a few other
staff tirelessly ran the publishing of the Thought Paper, manuscripts,
the duplication of tapes and studies, mailings, attending to correspondence,
coordinating the meals and plans for the meetings, etc.
Elder Grotheer made many speaking tours like the old time circuit-riding
preachers. He would generally go by car rather than fly or use other
public transportation. He would arrange his meetings in a circuit
so that he could meet his one criteria - he was very particular about
being back at the Foundation campus to preside over the Monthly Convocations
and Annual Fellowships.
Ron
was an engineering genius. He designed and constructed virtually all
of the buildings on the campus. We remember the large beautiful spacious
shower-bathtub that he designed in their home which was such a treat
to use, etc. Ron recruited volunteers, including my husband Ray, and
others as they were available, to help with the construction and maintenance
of the campus.
Elder
Grotheer was the Head Editor and Researcher for the Thought Paper
"Watchman, What of the Night?" which providentially continued
consecutively from 1968 to 2006 at which time it continued as historical
documents online at www.AdventistAlert.com.
Elder
Grotheer was a native of Boone, Iowa, the son of the late Henry and
Nora Bohner Grotheer. He started his evangelism before he was ten
years old, and as a young man was a Pastor and Evangelist with the
Seventh-day Adventist denomination in Canada and the United States.
He
was predeceased by his wife Dorthea and daughter Nancy Renk and remaining
immediate family members are his youngest daughter Anne Shull of Tennessee,
and her son Stephen. Also, Ron, Johnathan and Jessica Renk of Colorado.
Burial was Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Mt. Airy Cemetery under the direction
of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
He did not intend to be a prolific author, but we are grateful that
he did share a wealth of facts and spiritual insights for each of
us to search and study.
Joy
Cutts,
One of his students
and a lifetime friend,
for www.Adventist Alert.com
