At the end of October, I was privileged to
share a long-awaited presentation at Greater
Atlanta Christian School. This was the first
time I had the opportunity to tell the story
of the Loyd Homeplace and the accompanying
stories of the Civil War and Atlanta to a group
of students who actually lived near the historical
setting of the book.
This mural about reading was an appropriate
welcome to the school. Their emphasis on
reading and language arts is readily apparent.
The welcome by the students was even
better. 130 fifth graders, primed for today's
event by their own study of the Civil War,
quietly filled the media center.
Many gasped when I told them that the
headwaters of Peachtree Creek began just
a couple of miles from their school, and could
be followed all the way to the Loyd Homeplace
in neighboring DeKalb County. I told them that
in just two years, Atlantans will mark the 150th
anniversary of both the Battle of Peachtree Creek
and the Battle of Atlanta.
The children's attention was commendable
as I sought to interweave the themes of
Family, Christian Faith, and Atlanta's Civil
War legacy.
Early on, we sang together the song
"The Circuit-Riding Preacher." I referenced
the fact that my own Loyd ancestors set
aside a special room in their home for such
traveling preachers to reside during their
stop-overs at Prospect Methodist Church
in Chamblee, Georgia.
I showed them on maps how the Loyd
family had lived in the area since the first
Georgia Land Lottery of 1821. I pointed
out present-day locations of their school,
the Loyd Homeplace, Civil War railroads,
and modern Atlanta.
The focused gazes of these students affirmed
for me, yet again, that the study of history is
a highly motivating means of leading students
to apply all their learning skills.
While there was not sufficient time to read
the book in its entirety, I chose a couple of
passages to share. Including the one where
my grandmother, Mama Loyd, casually
mentioned the family story of Civil War treasure!
I told about my 98 year-old father, who in
his own time had become custodian of a
wealth of history about Atlanta and our
family, just as his mother did until her
death at age 96. I encourage students to
interview their oldest relatives about "the
way things were" and see history come alive.
And finally, we came to the mystery!
Was there really a Loyd treasure?
Was it ever found?
Why would those who hid it not retrieve it
once the danger of an invading army was past?
The suspense builds . . . what secrets can
a 150 year-old house hold?
And then, the treasure!
Was the treasure silver and gold, or a
few bills of Confederate money?
The letter from Jabez Loyd and his three
sons explains. These sons were all just
children at the time of the Civil War.
They trusted the Lord to bring them
through the coming tribulation --
the invasion of Atlanta, and their homeland.
But a major theme of my book is that there
are other forms of treasure, even more precious.
...and if you look for it as for silver and search
for it as for hidden treasure, the you will
understand the fear of the Lord and
find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2: 4-5
Several students purchased their own copies
of my book. In each one I inscribed this blessing:
May your search for treasure
lead you to Life's True Riches.
Perhaps the most gratifying moment of the
day was when an exuberant young lady came
forward to tell me of her own pursuit of learning
her family's heritage and where it was leading.
These fine young students received the
multiple messages of my book enthusiastically.
My story may be of only fleeting interest to
them. But if it sparks a burning desire to seek out
their own family story, and perhaps someday to
write it out for others, my purpose will be fulfilled.
Greater Atlanta Christian School, I thank you.
I hope to make this an annual event!
