Remembering those words of Jesus was something the children and grandchildren often heard in the home of Reverend Ben and Emerline Foster Sadler. Many residents of the Scotlandville community remember Reverend Sadler for his delicious potato pies, and meals delivered to Standard Oil (Exxon). However, many may not have known that the Sadler's also had a ministry of giving that went far beyond the S
cotlandville community. At their home you could always find a meal if you were hungry and clothing if you were without. Growing up it was nothing unusual to see a strange face (black or white) knocking on the door for a pie, a sandwich, a few dollars, or clothing - all given free of charge. This was their ministry for as long as most of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can remember. When race relations was at its worst in the 1940's and 50's this couple seemed to not know there was a problem. Even at the little church located on Jay Street in Scotlandville in the 1950's everyone was welcomed to come and preach, and white ministers often did. Ben Sadler grew up never knowing who his real parents were and was raised by relatives in the Ethel, Louisiana area. As an adult he could not read but he certainly knew how to count money. He became a business owner, Minister as a young man and later the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Scotlandville where he remained so until his death in 1972. After his passing, Emerline, his wife of 65 years, took over the free clothing ministry and with the assistance of her daughter-in-law and grandchildren maintained that ministry until her death. Today the clothing ministry still thrives along with a vegetable garden and other projects, now spearheaded some 50 years later by a granddaughter, daughter-in-law and great-grandchildren.
