The Youth's Instructor for 1968

SEPTEMBER 10, 1968 THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR ® THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR is a non- fiction weekly. It is published for young adults who are capable of asking sincere questions, and who seek to know the counsels of Scripture. Its contents are U.S. Congressman From chosen to serve readers who want to reach maturity—spiritually, socially, in- tellectually, and physically. Its staff holds that God is man's heavenly Fa- ther; that Jesus is man's Saviour; that genuine Christians will strive to love District Thirty-three God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. Its pages reflect an expanding ob- jective from 1852 to 1968. First it by VIRGIL ROBINSON was essentially a vehicle for providing youth Sabbath school lessons. Now it also provides many added services for a generation that should witness the literal return of Jesus and the restora- ROMPTLY at ten o'clock on a Pettis never found it necessary to fire tion of a sinless world to the universe Friday morning, Congressman a gun. of God. P Jerry L. Pettis ushered me into his The day came when an election Washington office, where I learned that ushered in a new administration. Mr. he had just returned from a quick trip Pettis, finding himself no longer State Editor WALTER T. CRANDALL to his California district. He had flown game warden, returned to teaching. Associate Editor JAMES JOINER to California on Thursday afternoon, Feeling that opportunities for his chil- Art Editor T. K. MARTIN delivered a speech at a Loma Linda dren were better in California, he Layout Artist ALAN FORQUER alumni banquet Thursday evening, moved to that State—first to Se- and arrived back in Washington Friday bastapol, later to Healdsburg, where SHARE Editor MILDRED LEE JOHNSON morning to attend two Congressional Jerry completed his first two years of Editorial Secretary MILDRED ADAMS Committees prior to meeting with me high school. Editorial Consultants for this YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR interview! Because he loved the wide open THOMAS S. GERATY It's a great life if you don't weaken, spaces of Arizona, Jerry decided to re- THEODORE LUCAS, DONALD E. MAN- I thought, but on second glance, Con- turn to finish his academy work. At SELL, CALVIN E. MOSELEY, JR., GERALD gressman Pettis' alert bearing convinced the age of fourteen he left the family R. NASH, F. DONALD YOST me that he isn't going to weaken. shelter, realizing that his father, with Circulation Manager S. L. CLARK "You've come a long way, Jerry," I four younger children, was hard Field Representatives C. M. WILLIS remarked, "since we first met at Pacific pressed to feed, clothe, and educate CLIFFORD OKUNO Union College more than thirty years them on the salary of a church school ago." I was a senior, and he a fresh- teacher. man. I asked him to tell me about it. Back in Arizona he found work with Published by the Seventh-day Advent- Jerry Pettis was born in Phoenix, an Adventist farmer. For two years his ists. Printed every Tuesday by the Re- after-school hours were occupied with view and Herald Publishing Association, Arizona, four months before the re- at Takoma Park, Washington, D.C. election of President Woodrow Wilson. milking cows and cultivating a farm. 20012, U.S.A. Second-class postage paid at Washington, D.C. Copyright, 1968, His father was principal of an inte- In the spring of 1933 he graduated Review and Herald Publishing Associa- grated Mexican-American Seventh-day from the academy, filled with a strong tion, Washington, D.C. 20012. Adventist school—the first of its kind determination to go on to college. To contact the editorial staff, wri:e, or telephone Area Code 202, 723.3700. in the country—and his mother was a It was not a prosperous year. The Subscription rates to U.S. and U.S. member of the teaching staff. The great depression was at its height. Fa- possessions: one year, 57.95; in clubs of three or more, one year, each 56.25. family consisted of the parents and five ther Pettis regretfully informed his son Rates slightly higher in Canada. All children—four boys, of whom Jerry that it would be impossible to supply other countries: add 80 cents postage each year per subscription. was the oldest, and one girl. him with money for college. With faith A month be/ore you move, notify His father did not particularly enjoy in his heart and determination in his THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR of both your old and new address. Any cor- teaching. To him the confinement of eye, Jerry went to Pacific Union Col- respondence about your subscription the classroom was irksome. Therefore lege and presented himself to President should enclose the address label from the magazine or wrapper. If the post when the office of State game warden W. E. Nelson, who alone had the au- office is unable to make delivery, your thority to permit a student without subscription will be suspended until a became vacant, Mr. Pettis applied for it correct address is supplied. and received the appointment. This visible resources to enroll. job took him all over Arizona, and The president was surprised to learn frequently young Jerry went with him. that anyone thought he could enter Photo credits: Cover, Teuvo Kanerva; p. 3, cour- The latter remembers the thrill of rid- college with no cash down payment. tesy of Virgil Robinson; pp. 9, 10, courtesy of Eileen Mayberry Lantry; p. 12, Religious News ing behind his father on a motorcycle Something about Jerry's attitude made Service Photo; pp. 15, 16, 18, courtesy of the Gen- eral Conference Missionary Volunteer Department. to some far-distant mountain to inspect the president pause. game sanctuaries and look for signs of "You are willing to work ?" asked VOLUME 116, NUMBER 37 SEPTEMBER 10, 1968 poachers. During his term of office, Mr. Professor Nelson. 2 The Youth's Instructor, September 10, 1968 program, he found it necessary to utilize every available spare minute on his books. Religion and speech were his majors. In spite of the fact that his work program often kept him away from college social events, he made many friends and was chosen president of both the junior and senior classes. He graduated in 1938. Life at the college was not all work, even for Jerry. Sunday afternoons he joined in the baseball game on the lot between the barn and the normal building. Hearing of a farmer living near St. Helena (a small town in the valley seven miles from the college) who owned a small plane, Jerry went to in- vestigate. The farmer gladly accepted the young man's offer to work a cer- tain number of hours on the farm in return for flying lessons. Quite regu- larly the student began hitchhiking to the valley where he came to know the thrill that comes from solo flight. Word of what he was doing reached the ears of the college president. Jerry was called in to explain. "You didn't come to this college to risk your neck learning to fly," Profes- sor Nelson protested. "You came here Congressman Jerry L. Pettis, of California. to get an education. If anything should happen to you, the school might be held responsible." "That is what I expect to do," was money to help with his sister's first Rather than jeopardize his college the quiet reply. year's expenses at Pacific Union Col- education, Jerry agreed to discontinue "What can you do? What experience lege when she arrived his second year. flying. In 1934 there was a change of have you had?" Keeping his eye on the goal he had set college presidents, and to Professor "I worked on a dairy farm in Arizona for himself, he persevered with his Smith, Jerry's flying seemed a much for two years." rugged program. There were no vaca- less important matter than it had to "Very well. I will give you a note to tions; every summer was spent building his predecessor. The flying lessons were Mr. Baldwin, our farm manager. He credit for the next school year. Since resumed and successfully concluded. will tell you what to do." the pay was only eighteen cents an Pettis received his flying papers, and With the president's note in his hour to start, it was important that was now in a position to teach others. pocket, Jerry went in search of Mr. he put in as much time as possible. With his long-dreamed-of college Baldwin. Of the students attending His early rising enabled him to do this. diploma in hand, Jerry wished to enter Pacific Union College, more and more Jerry learned the meaning of the law school. But when church leaders were from the cities, and had little or word economize. He not only learned pointed out that this was not a logical no knowledge of farmwork. Mr. Bald- to do with less; he learned to do with- subject for a theological graduate to win was happy to have workers who out. The dairy boys were given all the pursue, he gave up the plan. He never had had farm experience. milk they could drink. From a friend lost his interest in the study of law, His first assignment was one he was he frequently purchased for a dollar a however, for he enrolled in and com- destined to keep all through his col- large bag of broken shredded wheat pleted a law course taught by the La lege years—milking cows. Although this biscuits, and thus provided himself Salle Correspondence School, thereby meant getting up at three o'clock in with many a meal of cereal and milk.

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