Samuel E. Milam
1857 ~ 1945

The Life of S. E. Milam
As printed in the Pacific Coast Baptist ~ August 1942

One day recently I called upon Brother and Sister S. E. Milam at their humble home in Klamath Falls, Oregon for a time of fellowship and prayer. During my visit the Milam’s recounted their glorious experiences in the service of the Lord and rejoiced in His present providences and care. The flames of zeal were rekindled in Brother Milam‘s heart as he reviewed the high points in his life. His eyes flashed the old fire of faith and courage and his voice frequently broke with emotion as he relived for a while the scenes of the past.

Brother Milam was born in Marion County, Arkansas, in 1857. He was a member of a large family of nine boys and three girls. There were three preacher boys in this family. When two years old, his father moved to Texas, where the family was reared.

It was the summer of 1880 that S. E. Milam was converted from a fierce and sinful life. Of his conversion he has often said: "The Lord Jesus Christ is the only person who ever conquered me." He was baptized in a little Baptist church on the Colorado near Austin. In 1886 he answered the call of God to preach the Gospel and was licensed by the Dripping Springs Baptist church while attending the Academy at that place.

The call of the West became irresistible and in 1887 at the age of thirty the young preacher arrived at Lakeview, Oregon. Two years later he was ordained to the Gospel ministry by that church. About this time he" married Jennie Reeder. Later he was called to his first pastorate at the First Baptist Church of Springfield, Oregon, which was at that time a Missionary Baptist Church. Brother Milam enrolled at the University of Oregon while at Springfield and attended part of two years. When he surrendered to the Lord, he gave Christ his all and sought to improve his talents at every opportunity.

The Milam family located at Rosland, Washington, where Brother Milam had been called to the Baptist Church. It was here that sorrow cast its deep shadows upon his life. Death called his wife, leaving him with their three children. In 1894 he returned to Texas, where he spent about nine years in evangelistic and missionary work. This was one of the most fruitful periods of his ministry, and many souls were won to Christ in West Texas.
S. E. Milam and Anna Lou Hornburg were married in 1897 and they came to the Pacific Northwest in 1903. After spending four years in Washington, they returned to Texas where Brother Milam again entered the evangelistic field. They returned to the coast in 1911 and settled at Silver Lake, Oregon. The church at Silver Lake called Brother Milam as pastor and a year later he became Associational Missionary for the Missionary Baptist Churches. This work was then in its pioneer stages and it was necessary for the missionary to spend much of his time away from home, leaving Mrs. Milam and the children on the old homestead at Silver Lake. Mrs. Milam spent nearly all of one winter on the little ranch. Her husband had gone afield for revival meetings and the snow clogged the roads making them impassible for many months.

The Milam’s came to Klamath Falls in 1918 and united with the First Baptist Church. The Lord‘s hand was upon the servants mightily and He blessed them in helping to lead the church through some of its most critical years. In order to give their sons, Robert and Oran the advantages of a Christian education, they moved back to Texas in 1923, where they resided until 1927. This was their last trip to the South and the rest of their active service has been given to the churches of the West Coast. For several years Brother Milam supplied the pulpit at the First Church of Klamath Falls whenever needed and conducted meetings among the churches. His last pastorate was at Madras, Oregon. He was called there in 1936 when past eighty years of age. He gave this church two and one-half years of his life’s energy and strength. Again the Lord blessed his servant and the church which had been inactive for several years was revived and became able to support a full-time pastor.

The body that had been as strong as steel finally began to fail. Only the rugged constitution of the pioneer could have endured the years of strenuous labor necessitated by the circumstances of his ministry. When his physical condition made it impossible to longer continue in active service, Brother and Sister Milam returned to Klamath Falls in 1939, where they now live in retirement. Retirement does not mean inactivity altogether for they both continued to work as much as possible at the mission stations and at the church. Sister Milam still does active work, but poor health will not permit Brother Milam to do more than attend a service occasionally.

Sitting in that little, plainly furnished cottage, my soul was stirred by the testimony of these saints of the Lord. Brother Milam reminded me of Elijah at Cherith. They are poor in worldly goods. The little cottage is old, unpainted, and un-repaired. It is furnished with worn, outmoded furniture. The floors lack the thick, cheerful coverings of our modern houses. Yet there is a radiant glow of spiritual warmth that is worth more than all the wealth of the world. The unaffected simplicity, the Christian hospitality and the genuine spirit of Christ give this home more beauty than all the architecture of time. No draperies or tapestries could enhance the ornaments of these Christian lives. Christ lives there and every guest of that home feels that He is ever present.

Like Elijah, Brother Milam waits upon the Lord. While he waits he prays, prays for the pastor and churches all over the field. He prays for lost souls. He is waiting and praying for the Lord’s return and  daily watches for the glorious appearing of the Savior, as he listens for the trumpet sound. The Lord has constantly supplied their needs as though by the raven. At the age of 85, Brother Milam reflects the strength and power of former years when he begin to tell of God‘s grace. His faith sets his face aglow with divine light, and the eyes sparkle their complete satisfaction with the will of God.

Evening comes and the night shades fall upon this cottage. The soft summer skies are starlit and the gems of heaven twinkle from above. The pilgrims: are another day nearer home and must rest for tomorrow‘s toil. Sister Milam sits at the old Piano and sings several of the old favorite hymns.

The passerby might hear, "On Jordan’s Stormy Banks." or "Amazing Grace." or "Jesus Lover or My Soul." Then two hearts unite in prayer and thanksgiving and two lives are committed up to the providence of God. Above the shadows the Guardians of Heaven keep silent watch while the stillness of peace fills their trustful hearts.