Letter from T.J. Delaughter of New Zion Baptist Church, St. Helena Parish
File submitted by Bonnie Bridges McMillan
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Many thanks goes to Bonnie Bridges McMillan, author of "New
Zion Baptist Church, 1869-1994" from which this file was taken.

Dr. Thomas J. Delaughter
Pastor 1934-1935

We joyously dedicate this section about pastors to Dr. Thomas J.
Delaughter.  This man of God began his long and successful minis-
try at New Zion when he was only 19 - a "boy preacher".  Long
after he was called elsewhere to serve, he continued to have the
best interest of our church at heart.  The church minutes reflect
that the members held him in a place of high esteem as he was con-
sulted about both prospective pastors and evangelists to conduct
revivals.  He has been a good friend!  Dr. Delaughter we salute
you!

Thomas J. Delaughter
Picayune, Miss
Nove. 13, 1993

Professor Emertius
Hebrew and Old Testament
New Orleans Baptist Seminary

To: Mrs. Bonnie Bridges McMillan

Dear Bonnie:

     New Zion was my first church.  I was pastor there for two years
while I was a student at Baptist Bible Institute, now New Orleans
Baptist Theological Seminary.

     At that time, New Zion was a quarter time church, having services
on Sunday each month.

     I served Bethel and Red Bluff once each month.  Because New Zion
was the larger of the three churches, I asked the people to let me
preach for them two Sundays of the month.

     The people referred to me as their boy preacher because I was
then at the ripe age of 19.  When I think of this, I am amazed at 
the respect those dear Saints had for me.

     Gillsburg, Mount Vernon, Glading and Robinson churches called me
to be their pastor.  I agreed to preach at Glading and Robinson on the
same weekend each month.  New Zion was kind enough to let me continue
preaching for them one Sunday each month.  I resigned Bethel and Red
Bluff.

     In the fall of 1936, the Gillsburg and Mount Vernon churches be-
came half time churches and called me to continue serving these two
churches as pastor.

     I resigned as pastor of New Zion, Robinson and Glading in order 
to focus all my ministry on the two neighboring churches, Gillsburg
and Mount Vernon.

     I recall a great revival in New Zion church under the preaching
of Brother Fred McLelland.  Church members renewed their commitments 
to Jesus as Lord, many began tithing, souls were saved.  This was a
glorious experience!  There was a new spirit among the people and the
church began to move forward.

     Lest I fail to pay tribute where tribute is due by calling names,
may I say I owe so much to so many of New Zion's Saints of other days
who loved the Lord Jesus and his young servant, helping me to get
started in the right direction as their boy preacher.  I thank them
and thank God for all of you who serve Him at New Zion today.

     With kindest regards,

     Thomas J. Delaughter