Robert Orr
I write a few lines in memory and respect of our beloved brother Paul Elliott. He is going to be keenly missed by his dear wife, Bena, the family and by the saints here in these parts where he labored faithfully for the Lord.
From the time he was saved on December 14, 1927 to his homecall, Paul manifested his love to Christ. Following baptism in the spring of 1928, he was soon received into the fellowship of the Hitesville Assembly. Paul was in happy fellowship with the Hitesville Assembly for seventy years. His appreciation for the assembly and his burden for the lost continued to the end of his life. Paul always had a few gospel tracts in his pocket. His ability to make conversation with souls and to present a tract was admired by all who labored with him. His love to see the gospel proclaimed began early in his Christian experience. While he was a barber by trade, he was often engaged in gospel meetings in the area. His father in the faith, Oliver Smith, often encouraged him in gospel efforts which Paul shared with others of the younger brethren in the area.
Following his army service in World War II, Paul went into full time service for the Lord commended by the Hitesville Assembly in November 1945. He labored primarily with Oliver Smith for about seven years. In August of 1952 Paul, with the help of Alex Studnicka, began tent meetings in Ontario, Wisconsin. He was to labor in that area along with some others consistently for about five years. An assembly was planted there in which Paul kept an interest until his homecall.
Over the years, Paul labored with many brethren, a number already in the glory. He was an encouragement to a number of younger men as to the work of the Lord. The writer of these lines looks back to the summer of 1952 when I first shared in a series with Oliver Smith and Paul in gospel meetings near my home. I had many series of meetings with Paul over the years. His last series to my knowledge was in February and March of 1992 with the assembly in Ontario, Wisconsin, in which I shared. Several souls were saved at that time.
Our brother was a faithful visitor among the saints. He served his generation well, His gospel preaching was simple and in ministry it was usually a practical word. The words echo in our hearts, "Whose faith follow."