"The Devil in Pew Number Seven" Book Review

(Written by Ben)

It is a hot August day, and I am happy to have entered an air-conditioned Christian bookstore. The proprietor, whom I have known for a long time, greets me with her usual smile. I wander off to search this favorite bookstore of mine and strip it clean of any books it might have, as I am quite a bookworm!

I run across a book called The Devil in Pew Number Seven; A True Story. I picked up the book, instantly intrigued. The cover portrayed an elderly, but intimidating man in a suit and tie, with a fedora on his head, and wearing huge, thick-rimmed glasses that distorted his devilish eyes. He stood straight, fists at his side, with a demonic glare. He was in the middle of a field, with a small church in the background. I turned to the first chapter and saw the description of a young girl running, terrified, to get help after a home invasion. I was hooked.

Synopsis:

Rebecca Nichols lived in a wonderful family. In 1969, her parents had moved from Mobile, Alabama to Sellers town, North Carolina where her father was pastor at the Free Welcome Holiness church. Rebecca had loving parents, who educated and discipled her in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Yet despite these wonderful circumstances, Rebecca never felt safe as a child. Her father’s hiring at the church was the talk of the town. Everybody loved the new pastor, with the exception of Mr. Watts, the regular occupant of pew number seven. Since the great depression, Mr. Watts, a very rich man, was the self-proclaimed god of the town. All people and businesses owed him much money, making him the supreme ruler of the small community of farmers. He used terror to get his money back and ruled the town through a network of villains who the FBI could not pin down despite many attempts. And if they did, Mr. Watts would pay the bail within hours.

This all was spoiled when a 6’3”, 230-pound Navy veteran minister moved to town. He helped the church pay back all debt owed to Mr. Watts, ending his rule over the church, and then started helping individuals pay back their personal debt to Mr. Watts, ending his rule of the town. This infuriated Mr. Watts, who warned the Nichols to leave town. Rev. Nichols firmly stated that he was staying in Sellers town. Mr. Watts was not accustomed to being refuted. He used his villain network to execute a campaign of terror against the Nichols that included break-ins, threatening letters and harassing phone calls, drive-by shootings, and ten home bombings in 2 years. The whole town knew who was behind the bombings, but could not prove it. So Mr. Watts’ reign of terror continued, until an armed man barged into the family kitchen….and Rebecca’s life was forever shattered.

If anyone had the right to harbor hatred and seek personal revenge, it would be Rebecca. However, her parents had taught her the power of forgiveness and implanted this spirit deep in her heart. This would come in handy when years later, Rebecca received a phone call from her worst nightmare. The man had a question for Rebecca, and an impossible request.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven is an incredible story of the power of forgiveness and the sufficiency of God’s grace for all….even the unbearable. I would highly recommend this book for any “Christian bookworm” who is looking for a worthwhile, exciting read.

NOTE: The Devil in Pew Number Seven is not based off a real story; IT IS a real story that references real people and real locations.