by Charles L Alligood

(First published in November 2015)

This week family and friends laid to rest in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, the body of Edward M. Abbott III.

The world at large took no special notice of his death on November 22, 2015. Had they a working acquaintance with this longtime missionary to Mexico, they probably still would have seen him only as an enigmatic, somewhat eccentric, older man who had wasted his life in the hot, dusty villages of rural Mexico. They would have recognized his well-educated mind, his above average native intelligence, and his skilled musical talents. But they would have lamented the squandering of such abilities.

There is no doubt in my mind, however, that in the Kingdom of God this obscure-to-many, self-denying follower of the Lord Jesus Christ stood as a giant. I have met many preachers of the Gospel and many missionaries, but few have equaled the unflagging commitment of Edward Abbott to the calling of God on his life.

For almost fifty years he labored. There were mountain-top experiences and victories and the satisfaction of simply doing the will of God. But there were also valleys of disappointment and misunderstandings, of genuine sorrow and heartache, of long dark nights and difficult days.

Through it all, the Edward Abbott I knew was steadfast, always keeping his eyes on the prize before him.

In some ways he was a perfectionist. Long before personal computers became commonplace, he manually justified on an old typewriter the newsy prayer letters he sent to those who prayed for him, his family, and their work.

He pastored, did the work of an evangelist, taught pastors in a Bible institute, wrote Sunday School lessons for publication, wrote songs, and did just about everything a missionary could do in communicating the gospel to a people he dearly loved.

He expended himself and his finances in the gospel ministry. Aging and health problems did limit his abilities to carry on as he had begun in the ministry, but his passion for preaching the gospel in Mexico was tied to neither health nor money. I feel certain that he did a lot more with a whole lot less than many others.

Edward Abbott was what he was. And that was a man of God. He sought neither fame nor fortune. His convictions did not change based on his company. He was consistent in front of all.

He saw the crippling danger of trusting numbers as a gauge of success in God’s work. He knew the difference between a person attempting to sell Jesus Christ and a person striving to preach Jesus Christ. He understood that, regardless of theological accuracy and noble intentions, the true witness of Jesus Christ is always dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit to convert sinners. Otherwise, mere professions make up little more than a meaningless number used to enhance a misguided missionary’s misleading resume.

Edward Abbott loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his adopted homeland. Those who knew him, knew that his life confirmed that love.

I was saddened to hear of this missionary’s death, but I also rejoiced. This battle-scarred saint was faithful until death! What more could be asked of a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ?

He leaves behind a dear wife, Flossie; three daughters, Ginger, Crystal, and Victoria; and five sons, Edward IV, Philip, Timothy, David, and Juan.

He also leaves behind for his family and friends an instructive memory of how a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ should live.

Brother Edward M. Abbott was a friend through the years. We praise the Lord for the privilege of getting to know him almost four decades ago.

Our Lord told His disciples in Matthew 16:24: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”