Exactly eighty-four years ago, the story of Joe Conlee was published in our journal. For better part of his most productive years, Joe was a drunkard, reduced to begging on the busiest streets of Los Angeles. Every penny that he got this way was spent on alcohol. Then, a chance meeting with an old acquaintance changed his life forever. He went to Alaska, became sober and turned to God again. His return to California was a gift to his wife.
Key Takeaways:
- Joseph Conlee was a Methodist minister who later declined into drunkenness.
- In seminary, Conlee was encouraged to read modern theologians, and he drifted from his faith.
- After a period of atheism, Conlee eventually regained his faith and became dean of a Bible college.
“The gifted writer transitioned easily to secular employment. He became the editor of the Santa Ana Herald and proceeded to establish his own newspapers, the East Los Angeles Exponent and the Covina Argus Independent. He sold these papers for a small fortune and became an editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Examiner.”
Read more: https://news.ag.org/Features/This-Week-in-AG-History-Dec-19-1936