Breaking news: Monument removed
As 100 or so protesters prayed, restrained by city police and ordered by organizers not to rush the building, a moving crew hauled the 5,280-pound Ten Commandments monument out of Alabama's Judicial Building this morning. It took them about 90 minutes. More tomorrow.

Melvin Graham, farmer and lay evangelist, dies
One day before his 79th birthday, Melvin Graham, "Billy's country brother," died of cardiac arrest.

"Melvin was not only my brother, but was one of the closest and most loyal friends I ever had," Billy Graham said in a press release.

I had the opportunity to spend two days with Melvin last week. He was a great storyteller. He made people feel good. I never knew him to have a bad moment. My only suggestion to him was not to work so hard. I have never known a man to love work like he did.

Melvin was one of the best men in terms of personal life. He was a man of spiritual dedication and moral purity. He was generous with his time and money for the Kingdom of God, and assisted many needy people that no one ever knew about.

The third of four Graham children, Melvin followed in his parents' farming footsteps and served as a board member of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association from 1985 until 1999, when he became a board member emeritus. He also preached.

"He was very good-natured," evangelist Leighton Ford, who is married to Billy Graham's younger sister, told The Charlotte Observer. "But he had a serious side to him. He had a depth to him."

A memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow evening at Charlotte's Central Church of God. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a audio of Melvin's testimony from Hour of Decision. The Luis Palau Association used to have a version of the testimony, ...