MY FAVORITE CURRENT EVENTS AND COMMENTS COLUMN:
It was Convention Thursday. The new film on the life of Aimee Semple
McPherson had just concluded. Mrs. Harold Helme approached informing,
"Esther Fricke Stuart passed away last night."
That name means little to most who have entered Foursquaredom since
1944. But it was definitely a "household word" in myriads of homes during
Angelus Temple's first twenty one years when Esther's musical ministry won
her a place probably second only to Sister's in the love of the
congregation and radio
audience. She was the only person uninterruptedly on staff from the
Temple's first year until the year of Sister's passing.
When Winona gave me the news my mind embarked on a nostalgia binge. I
rejoiced that Dr. Evelyn Thompson had loaned me her auto two days earlier
so I could drive to Sherman Oaks and see Esther. I recalled Sister
McPherson's statement about the Kimball: "That organ--of all inanimate
things I love it the most." The Los Angeles RECORD had captioned a four
column picture of Esther at the console on its June 25, 1926 front page:
"Angelus Temple organist plays hymns of praise at the console of the
tabernacle organ, in celebration of Aimee Semple McPherson's escape from
the hands of kidnappers..." And Sister hurried into the Temple to pray
and praise as soon as she arrived home. "Esther Fricke," she wrote, "was
in her place at the organ, her skilled fingers caressing the keys, rousing
the chiming bells into rhapsodies and paeans of thanksgiving."
Esther had come to the Temple when the organ was finally installed at
Eastertime 1923. At her funeral Dr. Rolf McPherson reminisced, "When she
first came she hardly knew any of the church songs, and she was fearful as
she sat down to the organ the first time." Dr. Guy Duffield added that
Esther was not dressed properly for church at her first service and that
Sister suggested she come the next time more appropriately attired. A
friend told me that Esther's earrings dangled almost to her shoulders on
that first appearance.
Very soon the organist was thriving amid church activities. Dr.
Duffield told the funeral audience: "Esther had a part in what I regard
as the greatest church revival of all history. . . She was a great part of
that blessing the Lord sent and used to win many souls to himself. You
just can't think of those early great days without thinking of Esther at
the organ." And Dr. McPherson shared, "My mother's ministry was enhanced
and blessed by her ability."
Altogether Esther played for many more than 5000 services and over
2200 one hour radio organ recitals, rendering thousands of requests of
listeners, often complemented by soloists like Joseph Waugh and Evelyn
Petit. Dr. Duffield recalled how from time to time "we'd have a number
from that indomitable group of young ladies that we lovingly called
'Fricke's Follies'!" The real name was "Melody Girls." Dr. McPherson
mentioned that Esther played for his wedding to Lorna Dee and how she "was
really a great inspiration to many lives that are in the ministry today
and that have developed musical talents that they are using in the church
work." She certainly inspired and helped me.
Esther served on the LIFE Bible College faculty for a number of
years. She also kept track of the count of water baptisms every Thursday
night. I well recall her signaling Sister when the figure reached 40,000!
Esther resigned in 1944 because of health and the wish of her
husband. After Mac's tragic death in the early 1960's she began to work
like a beaver, even though approaching age 70, to pay off pressing debts.
At times she had to play in churches definitely not evangelical.
Sometimes she heard suggestions not to use numbers about the blood of
Jesus. But she often included Sister's songs and people really expressed
enjoyment of unfamiliar melodies like "Calvary's Rose," "The Key to
Paradise," and others.
Financial needs continued. I well recall regrets she expressed that
she had no way to come to my Bible prophecy series at Angelus Temple in
1976 and could not even listen to the KFSG broadcasts because she had no radio.
Esther treasured memories of Temple ministry. She wrote to the
Duffields, "The years I spent at Angelus Temple were indeed the happiest
years of my life, and I loved every minute of my work with Sister
McPherson. Sister McPherson still remains the most talented lady I have
ever met."
Perhaps the most stirring statement I ever heard at a funeral was Dr.
McPherson's at Esther's service: "I've travelled in some countries where
they pay people to mourn and to wail at the loss of some family member,
but you know, we who know Jesus Christ--if anything--I'd like to pay for
somebody to be of good cheer and to rejoice at my funeral because there's
a difference when you know the Lord." He concluded, "We'll say farewell
to our dear sister, but we expect to say hello again in the presence of
God."
Many have already said hello to Esther in heaven. In my remarks at
the funeral I alluded to the reunion at her arrival. What glorious
greetings must have been exchanged with Sister, Dr. Walkem, Viola
Anderson, Brother Arthur, Dr. Gurden, Sister Sarah Cohen, Ruth Clawson,
Thomas Johnson, and multiplied thousands more who loved Esther and whom
she loved, but most of all with Jesus who alone makes it possible for
anyone to enter Glory.
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