Christmas Jewels and Winding Roads

About the Book

This is a compilation of poems written by H. Orland Payne over the course of his life. They are presented as he had prepared them for publication. He had divided his work into two sections. “Christmas Jewels” are the poems included with his annual Christmas greetings. These describe the meaning of Christmas, discussing the secular, religious, and spiritual impact of the season. “Winding Roads” is a series of poems on the meaning of life. The earliest were written in 1936. Some are prayers and some are commemorative of people and events.

About the Author

H. Orland Payne was born March 18, 1917 in Mercer County, West Virginia. His was typical of working families there during the 20”s and 30’s. While in High School, Orland experienced a religious calling which defined his life’s work. He began preaching the Gospel at age 19 and was ordained at age 21 in the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, in West Virginia. He graduated from Alderson Broaddus College, WV in 1941 and Colgate Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, NY, in 1944. He returned to West Virginia where he served in churches in Bridgeport, Parkersburg and Mannington until 1954. Seeking better opportunities for his family, he moved first to Pennsylvania and then to New York State, serving churches in Palmyra, Bath, New Hartford, and Syracuse. Orland never wavered in his belief that he was doing God’s work on earth and his love for life touched all those who knew him.