Diversions in our neighborhood
By Bruce Keisling June 14, 2006
Aaron is going to give the four of us who read this blog whip lash from his diversions. First we go to the penguins, then Wednesday nights, and now 19th century Baptists. Who can keep up? If he weren’t going to be unavailable for a couple days, I would upbraid him. Instead, I will follow his diversion and bring it to our neighborhood.
When Southern Seminary moved to Louisville in 1879 it was located near 5th and 6th Streets and Broadway. Basically, very near the current main branch of Louisville Free Public and Brown Cadillac. One of John Broadus’ daughters married one of his students, a man named A. T. Robertson. Robertson became well known for his accomplishments in NT studies. The Robertsons lived in a house on Third Street. They were members of Fourth Ave. Baptist Church, which is at the corner of Fourth and Oak and is still active but in decline.
Their children would walk down to the Seminary and one of their daughters even learned Greek at an early age. I was interested to read one day how Robertson’s children played in Central Park where my children now often go to play. I have often wondered if those children played under some of the same trees that I walk under and my children play under. Robertson’s daughter (Broadus’ granddaughter) who learned Greek was named Charlotte. Charlotte also took part in some of the mission work of the Seminary that met the needs of folks in this part of Louisville. When she was a teenager, Charlotte became ill and died after a few months. The Seminary community was stricken by her death.
As I walk in Central Park, I often think of Charlotte who played there and of the parents and grandparents who loved her. But even her brothers and sisters who lived to adulthood are now dead. All flesh is like grass. We would all do well to remember, as one preacher said in a sermon that I’ll never forget, “We are free falling into eternity.”