Pinky's poem

 

A daughter remembers

Written from Fort Lauderdale a month after her father's death to "Letters of Interest"

Dear Letters of Interest,

    My father's silence seems to be pounding within my pulse. For years I had quietly prayed for this assembly movement and now my bones wax old because of my silence. 

    Claude Bulander was my Daddy, Father, Pastor, and Friend. He Loved the Lord so much that he was ready to die in God's service, and that is just what he did when a paralyzing stroke stopped him. 

    He pounded the pavements with thousands of tracts and witnessed at every opportunity he could find because of his love for the Lord and compassion for the sinful and misunderstood. He loved the Christians with all his heart. He fought unrighteouseness with a fervor that would not let him be still. He had to be on the go til he could hardly get where he was going; he walked though his feet had begun to drag; and he dared to drive though he could hardly see at times. 

    Any wonder that God called him to his side to be at rest!

    My mother could hardly eat because of anxiety during those last few weeks of his life where he was out serving the King, for she suspected that he was "undertaking" more than his body could endure, more than their love could stand through weeks of separation. 

    But he "kept looking up" and so did she till the martyr of Delamatyr Drive had trudged on and collapsed, seeing that God's work and leading were accomplished.

    Truly my mother has had a lonely, suffering heart from time to time through the years as she sacrificed their companionship so that others might hear Dad tell of Christ. She prayed with such a  burden at times that her heart had almost given out, too. But God was always first in their lives beyond personal and temporal needs.

    He was a wonderful father. There was never any doubt in my mind as to whom I should serve in this life. When I was only six years old his preaching left me with such a burden of sin and fear of hell that I accepted Christ as my Saviour then. His prayers and influence have seen me through my lifetime with a peaceful joy in the Lord, a dread of sin, and an unconquerable desire to honor and serve my Lord and Master. 

    Years ago his dedication to the work of the assemblies challenged me, and I have spent most of my life praying and working in and out of the closet in this regard.

    He treated my husband Larry like his own son, and they shared many happy times in Christian fellowship. 

    Mother and Dad were responsible for the human efforts that led our children Randy and Chrissie to faith in Christ and into the sacred waters of baptism. 

    Dad's armour in this fight for Christ is now stopped. "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, Giving Glory to God." Romans 4:20.

    May God raise up young men to take the place of these great fathers whom He has taken from our midst into His presence. 

    Sincerely in Christ, (Mrs.) Dorothy Larson, November 11, 1968

What the Lord Hath Done, 1914--1917

 

    It was in 1914 that I was saved and baptized in the 4th Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Then in October 1917 after hearing a group of missionaries singing the song "Where He Leadeth Me I'll Follow" I yielded my all to our Lord. It was a battle in my soul but I at last said "Yes, Lord, I'll go with Him all the way." That was a wonderful night. 

    Then I thought of the Moody Bible Institute and sent for literature. 

    I had a good job and was to be promoted to the payroll cage in a few weeks.

    The pastor of the church told me I wasn't strong enough to go as a missionary or leave home. My father was a wonderful Christian. 

    My godly mother told me she would pray and believed I should go.

    I heard from the Moody Bible school and was accepted for the January term. 

    I resigned from my job and really was "out on a limb" and the promises of the Word.

    When I came home that Saturday night I had a card from the Y.W.C.A. and in the top of the card were the words printed "Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit Saith the Lord." Zech. 4:6. 

    On my knees in my room I just said "Thank you, Lord. I believe what you said."

    I had only saved up $20. I needed $100. Mother was much in prayer and I really in simple faith took the Lord at His Word. Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." 

    The following Sunday in December 1917 I received from the mission Sunday school which met on Sunday afternoons a gift of $35.00. That same Sunday in the evening the Sunday school class at church, of which I was a member, gave me a gift of $35.00 The girls said, "We heard you wanted to go to the Moody Bible School." 

    In two weeks I was in Chicago at the Instititute with all needs supplied for one term.
    After the first term without money I was very much burdened before the Lord as to what to do. At the end of that week of much prayer--and no one knew my need--the Lord spoke to me. I was going past the music building and from the fourth floor I heard as if it were from heaven a voice singing "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

    I went up to my room and on my knees said, "Thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord."

    Later that day in the Institute post office was an envelope in my box. As I opened it there was $45, enough for one-half term. I never did know who sent it, only the Lord.

    So it was the beginning of a life of faith and trust and rest in our wonderful Savior and Lord.

    It was in the first term at Moody's that I met the man who was to be my companion and beloved husband, Claude Bulander.

and a little backstory

from Mr. & Mrs. Wm James Moore, Cedar Falls, Iowa written to Claude's younger daughter

Dear Mrs. Larson,

    We are very sorry we have not written to you before this time. We have just become parents of a sweet little boy, moved into a new apartment etc.--which all seemed to delay our correspondence.

    We had expected 2 men when your dad arrived--but he came all alone. We felt he was quite shaky & had a shuffle in his step when he walked. I was amazed that a man that appeared to be physically weak had driven such a distance & was engaged in this type of work. He worked just one day at the fair--Thursday. He had arrived Wed. afternoon & spoke at the chapel that evening. We believe he spoke on 1 John 1. We were not able to attend that evening & as yet have not been able to find anyone who could remember what he said. 

    Thursday evening he vomited during the night quite a few times. We woke up & heard him about 4:30 AM. He said he was definitely ill & didn't resist when I called the doctor. Our doctor said it was just a flue bug going around & not to worry. I told the doctor your dad had a bad heart & maybe he should see him--but he (the doctor) said no. I then called another doctor and he said the same thing, just to keep him warm & get liquids down him. Friday noon he requested to see a chiropractor. Dr. Nesbit--the Christian Chiropractor & Assembly brother, was on vacation in Minn, so we had to call another--He is well recommended by many of the people who to go to our chapel. Dr. Hanson was warned of his heart condition & he had him rest quite awhile after he adjusted him. Dr. Hanson made no statement, but said he wanted to see him again. We took him back Sat. too. Your dad felt better after his adjustments. He did some more vomiting, about 3 times between Friday & Sat. morn. Then Sat. eve. he felt pretty good. He called Carol Woods in Mason City that eve. Sunday morn he ate a little toast & tea & went back to bed. He ate very well at noon during which your sister from Chicago called to see if we felt he could be flown there. We put him on the plane all in good order. 

    Friday he had told me that when he was so sick Thursday nite he felt he wanted to be with the Lord except he kept thinking--what would his dear wife do without him. He also said that this would be his last trip away from home. He talked so much about his wife and also said a memorable thing--we were discussing the assemblies & were a little critical of a few areas.--He said "The assemblies are a fine thing out of a bad lot." He discussed how if the chapel wasn't getting the unsaved out we should lock the doors of the assembly on Sunday eve & go out door to door by twos, to just read the Bible to the unsaved, leave your names & leave. He told Bill he always used notes when he spoke--consequently you might be able to locate in his briefcase his notes on 1 John 1.  

    He related to us how he had made contact with a man at the Cattle Congress who was very interested in being saved & had left literature with him after a good talk. 

    He encouraged us the whole time he was there.

    --Oh he thought Nixon would win the election.

    Bill had known Mr. Bulander before. He had visited his home in Davenport, Iowa when Bill was a youngster. Bill felt he was a very mature Christian & certainly wasted no words on himself & his doings--a humble man who felt badly that he would have to give up going out distributing literature when he was such a young man compared to some of the 85 year olds who worked up til their last days for the Lord.

    If you have any more questions we will certainly try to help. Margaret Dunkerton had seen your mother & had requested we write her. Would you please forward this letter to her.

                Yours in Christ,

            Carol & Bill Moore                                      

Claude's last letter

 written during the night just before his stroke of October 3, 1968

March [sic] 1, 1968

Dear Brother and Sister Moore,

    I got into Chicago, O'Hare Airport about 3:00 PM. The ride was quite envigorating [?]. My daughter and her husband met me there. I will leave here for home tomorrow. My wife's sister is coming tonight & my wife will take us both home tomorrow morning.

    I am feeling much better only a little nervous as you can see by my writing.

    My dear wife joins me in thanking you for all the kindness you showed me. We want to thank you in the worthy name of our Lord that you paid the Chiropractor & also the transportation on the plane. We shall ever be grateful to you both for your kindness.

    Your Christian love bears witness to the marvelous grace of Go [sic]

From Logansport to Wheaton

The following is edited from notes written by Ruth Bulander

It was those ten years in Logansport, Indiana that we as a family had so many rich experiences. The Depression of 1930 did much to teach us the values of life and gave us a great love for the salvation of men and women. We were blessed to see the physical care of people to the Christians [sic]. 

Marian was saved one Sunday night after we had come home from the church service where her father had been preaching. She said "Daddy, I don't want to go to hell" and was crying. That evening her father led her to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dorothy was saved at the age of six and a half years as she was listening to her father preaching on the rapture of the church.

Marian graduated from the senior high school in 1940 receiving a certificate of membership in the National Honor Society based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The same week Dorothy graduated as valedictorian of her junior high graduating class. Now the girls were talking of the future.

Our daughters wanted to go to Wheaton College. The Lord sold our home for us in Logansport, Indiana and we moved to Wheaton in June of 1941. We were able to buy a two-story house near the school allowing us to offer rooms to five college girls. The Bulander home was a very happy and busy place for all who came and went, especially on weekends.

A new phase of the Lord's work was opening up for us. Little did we realize what or where the work would be. The second world war had thrust the U.S. into its conflict and with it wide open doors to serve the Lord.  Soon we would be involved in giving the Word of God to our soldiers at the Pacific Garden Mission's Servicemen's Center in Chicago.

In 1944, Lieutenant Larry Larson, Dorothy's future husband, was in Saipan on one o fhis missions. The bombs would not release from his B29 bomber and he had to climb out of the bomb pit and hang suspended some two thousand feet in the air between the plane above and Japan below in order to release the bombs. Either he or his plane was about to meet death. At that very same time I was awakened about 4 a.m. feeling a terrible burden for Larry's safety. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" came with tremendous force from the Lord as I lay awake praying. Larry released the bombs, pulled himself into the plane and saved the plane and crew. Praise the Lord.

Dorothy married Larry at the College Church in Wheaton on November 13, 1945 in a candlelight ceremony. George Beverly Shea opened up the service singing “I Love You Truly” and later sang “Because You Come to Me.” Claude first gave the bride away and then performed the ceremony with Mr. T. B. Gilbert assisting. The bride had an ivory satin gown with long train, and veil held by headpiece of orange blossoms. Her bouquet was an orchid with white pompons. The two bridesmaids and the maid of honor were dressed in orchid, carrying bouquets of yellow pompons. The best man and attendants were all return war veterans of only a few weeks who wore their different uniforms from the navy and the air corps. It was a lovely wedding with relatives and college friends attending.

And in 1945 a navy lieutenant, serving in the Far East, became very sick with pneumonia while in Shanghai at the end of the war. I was walking to the train in Wheaton on my way to the servicemen's center when I became burdened for the man that was to be Marian's husband. I prayed aloud as I walked the lonely street, asking that the Lord would take care of this man whoever he was and wherever he might be. The Lord healed Lieutenant Arthur Melvin and brought him back to Wheaton in 1946 where he met Marian as she sold tickets to the college alumni banquet.

Three months later on October 20, 1946 Marian married Art at Wheaton Bible Church. George Beverly Shea opened the wedding ceremony by singing “I Love You Truly” and “A Marriage Prayer.” Claude performed the ceremony assisted by Pastor Lloyd Fesmire. The bride wore a white dress of skinner satin with long train and veil, carrying a bouquet of red roses with a white orchid in the center. The maid of honor and the two bridesmaids wore royal blue velvet dresses and matching hats and carried bouquets of yellow daisies. The best man and the two attendants were college mates who had just returned from the war. The wedding took place on a Sunday afternoon followed by refreshments served by the Bible Church. The church was full of relatives, friends, and college classmates who had returned to the campus for Homecoming. 

Last letters home

Webster City, Iowa
Sept. 16

Next address 2742 Pierce St. N.E., Minneapolis, Minn 55418

My dear Ruth, About time I wrote you a letter. Up until now I have written Postal Cards. Have been pretty busy studying preaching and going out to dinners. On Tuesday it was to Thompsons. On Wed it was to Haines and on Thurs & Friday at Verne Pigsleys. Have had a nice time.

Tomorrow (Sunday the meeting has an outdoor S.S. picnic after morning meeting and no meeting in the evening. The interest has been good. Last Tue and Wed we had the meeting at Fort Dodge and Thurs & Fri at Woods home.

Yeseterday Mr. Wood sold their house and will move into their new home which will be finished about Nov. 1st. He got $21,000 for the old one. It had six bedrooms besides large family room, Kitchen, living room, dining room & breakfast nook & utility room & basement.

Their new house will have four bed rooms besides family, dining, living, kitchen, & breakfast room. Also a basement and double garage.

Carroll is busy in his law business. He is also prosecuting attorney for the County.

The oldest girl is in Nursing Training, Connie is in College. And Chrissie & Timmie are in school here. They have a fine group of polite & well behaved kiddies. All are saved.

I feel very much at home. I have a suite of two rooms and a private bath, all upstairs, besides the kitchen where I have my desk.

Webster City is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. I would like to live here. It is a rich farming community. Lots of Swed mon [sic?]. Nearly every body I meet on down town greets me with a hello.  No hillbillies . . .

Lancelot Johnson who lived out in country passed away a short time ago. Mr. Roland Thompson's wife also passed away a while ago. She was the one who was so "beat up" with arthritis.

I got your letter this morning stating that Art's father has also passed away. I wll write Art a letter next week. When you see him extend to him my sympathy.

I wrote a letter to the Downing St Assembly to find me lodging while I will be in Waterloo. It seems that the Lord is opening up work to keep me busy.

Had a nice time in Atlantic. I see by the Letters of Interest that Waterloo has a conference this week end. I will not go.

Your schedule of my activities is correct. Will keep you posted if I make any changes.

Glad to hear that you are getting on so well, & that you are not lonesome. It's nice that Aults are taking you places & that the Whites took you to Miss Fagners funeral.

Thanks for the blank to fill out for the Workers Conference. I will answer it right away.

My train leaves here about 2:36 on Monday. Philis will take me to Iowa folks to catch the Rocket to Mnlps.

I love you my dear.

Lovingly, Claude

You will probably remember that near Iowa Falls is where I nearly got involved in a train wreck when were ar K.C.K. & on my way to Truman to candidate for the Bpt.Ch.


M'p'ls - Sept. 20. Fri

Darling Ruth,--We are having good meetings [at the mission]. I have a room engaged for me at Waterloo during the Cattle Congress will be there Wed Sept 25 thru Sun. Sept 29. Probably will be speaking at the Downing St. Chapel.

Don Osbeck will join me at the Farm Progress show on Tue Oct 1--Thurs Oct 3. I will ride ride back wtih him to Mn'lp's. Then, the Workers Conference Oct 8-10 [in Minneapolis].

This Sunday [last time he preached] I speak at N.E. in the morning. In the evening at the Mission Sunday the Osbecks & I have been invited to Ediths & Esthers [his wife's sisters] for dinner

Last night I spoke on the Holiness of God. About 36 present.

Tonight I expect to speak on Our Great High Priest in Hebrews.

Did I write you that Woods at  Web Cty sold their house. He asked $21,000.00 for it. They are building a new on on the first St south of them.

I got $100.00 from Ft. Dodge meeting & $25.00 from Atlantic Conference.

Nice letter from Dorothy [his younger daughter]. It is encouraging how the women in Florida are having prayer. It seems like from your letter that some of the faithful women in your prayer meeting are moving away. Probably the Lord will send you others. Don't give up.

Will have to close now. Will pinch hit for Gene Osbeck at the office at 2 o'clock. Thisnew office is aout a half block west of his house. Mrs. Osbeck is going to a baby shower. Barbara Walker, Frank's wife is going to have a baby.

We sure had some good music last night. Two men, one a violin & the other a mouth-harp. It was beautiful.

Will close no. I love you. In a few weeks I will be home.

With much & lots of love
Your hubby


Mon AM, Minneapolis Minn
Sept 23, 1968

My dear Ruth-- We had nice time yesterday with Edith & Esther. They had a wonderful noon-day dinner. Don hasn't got those talking about it.

We had a good series of meetings at the mission. Had about 50 out last night and about that many each night except Wednesday night. The interest was intensely good. Many told me last night how they enjoyed it. I spoke  on Rob. Chapter 2: I believe I saw tears in the eyes of some.

Had good liberty at N.E. in the morning. I spoke on 1 John 1:1, 2. I find that while many of the brethren are well taught yet there is much ground that has not been covered yet. In the evening they had a moody film "The Rocks Cry Out."

The atmosphere is kind of explosive. Some of the brethren wanted to break bread at the mission. I had quite a time convincing Don against it. I finally convinced him against it. Last night Don & I had a talk with Albert Upton about it. He told Upton that he has decided to have nothing to do with it. Don seemingly doesn't have much to say about the mission but only to do the cleaning, painting, and carrying out the waste baskets & also the funning around & calling on people (the same old story; ambitions men!) However I don't think they will do much above. The brethren at Longfellow & N.E. do not favor making an assembly.

I am leaving tomorrow (Tues) morning for Webster City. Then on Wednesday I go to Waterloo.

We have had about five days of rain. It seems to have let up now. If it does not promise any thing better for the next two weeks I will go elsewhere. (May be home) I don't feel that I should have any more meetings for a while until the brethren [?] gets settled. I do not want to get involved.

Robin has a little white, curly haired dog. Is she ever Gag Gah over it.

Today is Gene's 44th birthday. I am taking him & Don out for lunch at noon today. I felt that they have gone "overboard" for us & it would be proper to reciprocate.

I am now sitting in the office while Gene is home doing some work. Tonight she & Don are going out & I will "baby sit", with the two girls & look at Andy Griffiths wedding on the T.V.

The accident we had in front of hte Mission on Friday night when Mr. Rasmussen got hit with a speeding car as he crossed the street to the mission. He died about 11:00 oclock that night, it sure did cast a peculiar atmostphere over the meeting. He & his wife went there often. They were in that Baptist home where Mrs. Walden stayed.

Esther sure looks good. She has lost about 20 pounds. It makes her look younger and more sophisticated. She also gets around good.

Edith still plans on coming to see you. She will stop at Marian's (his older daughter) & she will bring her to you. I called the depot about the train on the Penn, R.R. THey only have two trains now & they get to Winamac & _______ so very late at night.

I am getting sleepy so will quit writing.

I enjoyed hearing your voice last evening.

I love you ever so much my dear one

Yours, Claude

Editorial

"He that goeth forth bearing precious seed" are the words that could be well applied to our brother and sister Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bulander. We became intimately acquainted with the Bulanders at the time of the Ohio Flood Disaster in 1937. We quote from a copy of Annals dated April, 1937.  "Every time I go south I pass through Logansport and find it is a convenient center for reaching the needy people..."

In those days the Bulander home in Logansport became the center of distribution. The Bulanders not only were delighted to open their home but also threw themselves wholeheartedly into the welfare work, the distribution of Christian literature, and the preaching of the gospel.

Again we quote from an editorial describing a trip which we took with brother Bulander in those days. "We have just returned from an extended trip through the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys from Jeffersonville and Louisville, down to Memphis, Tennessee, trying to reach those in the concentration camps with gospel tracts and Scripture portions and Bibles. Thousands of the inhabitants of the lowlands of Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri were forced out of their homes, and it was comparatively easy to reach them in the camps. Many of these people came from isolated sections where evangelists seldom go and the Gospel is almost unknown, Quite a few who received Bibles had never owned one before, and hundreds have sent to us since our visit asking for a free copy of God's Way of Salvation which was offered in the literature that was given away. We feel that we were a month too late in getting to the camps, but supposed that Christians in the different churches and their clergymen would at least seek to give these people the Word of God. Evidently there was little exercise among them, for it was common to hear men and women say, 'This is the first time I heard anything about the Bible since I came here.'"

That summer Mr. Bulander again gave himself wholeheartedly for Gospel tent work in the Ohio River valley.

Claude E. Bulander was born November 28, 1893. He was the youngest of six children of pioneer parents. At the age of 24 he was deeply convicted of sin and converted to God. He met and married Ruth Nelson while preparing for service at the Moody Bible Institute. He spent some time with the American Sunday School Union in the northern woods of Minnesota, then held a few Baptist pastorates. He met the Gilbert brothers in tent meetings in Indiana. Later he attended the first workers' conference and made his decision to go forth in the name of the Lord alone. That was in 1933 less than four years before the disastrous Ohio flood.

Two years after that flood World War II commenced and a new avenue of service opened up to the Bulanders. He did a great work among the soldiers in several camps, then took over personal work at the soldiers' center of the Pacific Garden Mission. Many soldiers were brought to the Lord during those years. Mrs. Bulander shared wonderfully in this service.

His later years were spent in helping small assemblies and giving out tracts at fairs and other gatherings. Still bringing forth fruit in old age he put a stock of tracts in his car and went to a fair in Iowa. He took sick at Waterloo. Flown home to Knox he spent a week in the hospital. Form there he received his homecall on October 16, 1968 shortly before his 75th birthday. The funeral was taken by T. B. Gilbert and Robert M Majonnier at Knox, Indiana on October 19. The grave services were taken by Robert W. Majonnier, Russell Fagner, and Art Melvin.   --W., Grand Rapids, Michigan "The Up Look"

Tract ministry

Ever passionate to share the good news of reconciliation with God for sin through Christ, Claude wrote and self-published this tract, handing it out to many through many years. Please note the bottom invitation "Correspondence with troubled souls welcomed."

Obituary

He that goeth forth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing. --Psalm 126:6


Claude Bulander was a free man who enjoyed the challenge of pioneer missionary service. He began his ministry in the northern woods of Minnesota with the American Sunday School Union, followed by a period pastoring churches in the Midwest. In 1936, he began a new venture in faith which he continued throughout his life on earth, finding new paths to communicate the good news of God's grace for man.

He greatly enjoyed searching and meditating on God's Word. Then he enjoyed sharing the truths he found there in man-to-man relationships available in local Christian assemblies and Bible classes, many which he helped organize and counsel. During and after World War II he joyfully shared the saving life of Christ with many thousands of servicemen at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, at Camp Kilmer, NJ, in Columbia, SC, and in Denver.

He has broken the bread of fellowship with Christians from coast to coast. He was welcome in their midst as a man who knew and loved God and His Word. Many individuals thank God for their first taste of the bread of life at the hand of brother Bulander. He walked in faith. His material needs were always met by those who were confident that they were investing in God's work.

In recent years he added another dimension to his pioneer activity. He personally shared with hundreds of thousands of unfree men the printed page, including Gideon testaments and thought-provoking literature authored by others as well as himself. He knew the value of time. His itinerary had been scheduled in advance when his plans were altered by the call to personally enter the presence of His King for eternity.

Claude was the youngest of six children of pioneer parents from Sweden. He was born November 28, 1893 of Andrew (1833-1910) and Mary (1852-1933) Bulander at Hoopeston, Illinois. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Winamac, Indiana. There, at the age of 24, he awoke to spiritual reality and the unlimited potential of the freedom found in Christ. He dedicated himself to serve his Creator and Savior and Lord all the rest of his life. He prepared for service at Moody Bible Institute from which he was graduated in 1919. While there, he met and married Ruth Nelson, another student from Minneapolis. Later he received a degree from Kansas City Baptist Seminary with highest honor in an accelerated course. Claude Bulander died on October 16, 1968 after a brief illness, leaving behind his beloved wife, Ruth, two daughters, Dorothy and Marian, eleven grandchildren, and his sister Anna, all who "rise up and call him blessed."

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful truths Thou hast for me that all my faith and thoughts be centered and planted only in Thee." --Prayer written in front of Claude Bulander's Bible.