Yesterday evening I received one of those phone calls that we all dread to
receive. The passing of a friend and faithful servant of the Lord. Brother Harold
Gooldin passed away Thursday, January 1, 1998. He diligently served the
congregation in Paden City, West Virginia for many years, as an elder of the flock of
God at that location. It was to my benefit to grow up and be part of that
congregation as Brother Gooldin and others served as bishops over our souls. In
particular I remember well those years that he and my father, Warren Price, worked
together in that capacity. The Proverbs taught us to not forsake the counsel of our
father’s friends. (Proverb 27:10) I always appreciated the kind words of advice that
Brother Gooldin extended while I was growing. As the apostle Paul with young
Timothy, Harold was always ready to assist me in my knowledge of the scriptures.
He was always there with an encouraging word as I began to learn how to teach and
preach God’s Word. May we learn from his example and encourage others in the
same way. I will remember fondly the opportunities that he and the elders at Paden
City provided for young men to train themselves to work in the vineyard of the
Lord. May we ever continue to encourage other young men and women in their
service to God. I remember his willingness to sacrifice his own opportunities to do
what he loved, preach God’s Word, in order that we who were younger would have
plenty of chances to work on our public speaking skills. I will never forget his
selflessness.
As an elder, Brother Gooldin served in a most difficult work. A work that too
often goes overly criticized and under appreciated. Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians
5:12-13 that we should honor those who labor for our souls sake. Too often we
forget! Those that watch out for our souls bear a weight that those of us who have
never served in that work, cannot fully appreciate. Brother Gooldin has served the
church in Paden City well. No not perfectly, as he himself would admit, but with
love and devotion that each of us who have ever been a part of that work or are a
part of that congregation today, should pause and say a word of thanks for the
good that he has done. We should all take a moment, wherever our congregation
may be, and thank those who serve as elders over the flock in which I belong. Their
labor is deserving of double honor. (1 Timothy 5:17)
In a day where it seems that fewer and fewer men are striving to qualify
themselves to serve as elders, Brother Gooldin will be sadly missed. His love and
concern for the souls in Paden City was only surpassed by his love and devotion to
the Lord. Many of those who are reading this article may have never met the man
it is dedicated too. The words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20, will give you a
glimpse of the man we called Goldy. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." I believe the
above passage speaks concerning his life, and I am convinced that the following
passage speaks to his death. "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the
Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
(Revelation 14:13)
May the same be said of all of us when it comes our time to leave this earth. May
we all live in such a way that no matter where this present life takes us, we will all
be home in the after while.