LIFE AND WORn OF DR. A. A. MURPHREE


but he was not a bigot. He was sympathetic and broad in
mind and generously considerate of those who did not share
all of his religious beliefs. Yet he left no doubt as to his own
faith. He was a diligent student of the Bible which he loved
and which he loved to teach. For a number of years he had
been the inspiring and beloved teacher of the Business Men's
Bible class of the First Baptist church at Gainesville and his


ministry in this
come Christians
expounder of th
ing the week it
preparing his B
his class ready


truth.
said,


 Referrin
'I shall ne


this great under
wnrkr of mv life


great class led a goodly number of men to be-
and members of the church. He was a mighty
e Scriptures. In addition to other hours dur-
was his custom to spend Saturday evenings
ible class lesson, and he always came before
for a fresh and vigorous presentation of the
ig to his Bible class in a recent letter to me he
ed your prayers and the prayers of others in
taking. I want to make this the most effective
SI have no greater ambition under Heaven


than to do the Master's will.'
 "Dr. Murphree was a devoted member of i
a faithful and active deacon. He was loyal to ]
a recent letter to him he wrote, 'The success


uis church and
his pastor. In
of our church


and its work is constantly on my heart and in my prayers. I
am trying always to hold up your hands and to co-operate
with you to the extent of my ability.' I heard him say one day,
'I am going to follow my pastor right or wrong.'
 "As his minister it was my great privilege to enjoy a sweet
and intimate fellowship with him in the things of his inner
life and to visit with him the holy of holies of his soul. I
saw there the purity of his purposes, the holy desires of his
heart, and the high and unselfish ambitions of his life. I saw
that all these were grounded in his simple but positive faith in
Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. I saw there something of
his deep concern for the moral and spiritual welfare of the
students of the University of Florida, every one of whom was
dear to his heart. He was jealous of their well-being and
courageously and fearlessly opposed every evil influence that
would injure them or others. He despised littleness and mean-
ness and hated sin. He loved righteousness, truth, honor, his
fellowmen and his God.