Jon Appleton's preaching notes were crafted for proclamation rather than publication. But, fortunately, they were preserved.

Some of his sermons were written in outline form--with phrases and single words to trigger Jon's mind--more so than as manuscripts. As for most preachers in the final stages of preparation before delivery, there are handwritten notes in the margins and changes to the typed text. These notations included self-reminders such as "tell the Alpine story." It is likely that Jon's beloved wife, Virginia, and some of the congregants in Athens, Georgia, could tell those...