Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 10
October 2, 1958
NUMBER 22, PAGE 11a

I Visited Italy

Leamon Flatt, Lansing, Michigan

My friends will be amazed to read of this trip since no previous announcement had been made to its effect.

Yes, I visited Italy, without a visa, or even without boarding a ship! Actually I was suddenly caused to know that Italy wasn't so far or distantly located. In my automobile I travelled approximately 40 miles from my home in Lansing, Michigan and found Italy!

It was on the evening of July 31, 1958 when I, accompanied by brethren and sisters from the Forest Avenue church, made my way to Battle Creek, Michigan in view of hearing Bro. O. C. Lambert lecture on Catholicism. Little did we know that Italy was so near our community, our friends, and our children. For each of you who have been informed of the various trials of persecution of our brethren in the country of Italy, will you please check to see if my episode isn't a page from the same book?

On the night above specified, some unusual guests appeared in the West Michigan church building apparently to listen to Bro. Lambert speak — three Catholic priests. One entered and proceeded to the front of the church building puffing a cigarette. Another of the "Fathers" was smelling noticeably with a strange type "perfume" applied within and not without the body, and has been known to be manufactured in the hills where I was born! As Bro. Lambert made preliminary remarks to his basic speech, he kindly acknowledged the presence of the priests and behaved very hospitably toward them.

Bro. O. C. Lambert, in his carefully guarded manner, had been speaking possibly less than 10 minutes when our visitors began to get restless. They first indicated this by talking to one another and laughing. It was at this point that we suddenly realized the "Fathers" had brought along their offspring in the form of approximately 30-40 other hecklers. That which immediately transpired within the next few minutes reminded me of the mobbish arousal at the trial of my Lord 2,000 years back in the dismal past. At least three ministers, Jerry Davidson and Charles Prince, both working in that city, and the primary speaker on the occasion, pleaded with the gangsterish-acting group to behave and allow the scheduled, publicized speaker to finish. Bro. Lambert begged the three "clergymen" to agree to deny his statements either in civil court or in public debate. Even though their "lay-members" were ready to set the time and place for the public debate, the big boys had "reasons" for not debating. One such was that he had a two-week vacation due! By this time shouts were ringing through the audience toward Bro. Lambert, "Ah, shut up," "Sit down," etc.

If you think this sounds like Italy, wait until I tell you about the Police intervention! Since the worship service had been completely disrupted the police were called to expel all those from the building (our building) who were disrupting public worship. Two patrolmen answered the summons . As one of them approached the front of the auditorium, he glanced in my direction and winked. I had never seen the man before to my knowledge, but one of the priests was sitting beside me! Likewise, beside him, as one of the noise-makers, was a plain-clothes policeman of several years! Immediately the little lawmen wilted and said they hadn't read the ordinance about disturbing public worship and that they hadn't been there anyway when we said the trouble occurred.

Now does this sound like America to you? If you had been where I was, would you have supposed you were in the land where "Lord God, the Pope" reigns supreme, and where opposing churches are suppressed? Was this the "land of the free, and the home of the brave"?

May the God of the universe cause you to listen as I make this humble, fervent, and well-grounded plea. My brethren, make a declaration to yourself that you will be another lively stone against this force of Satan in sheep's clothing. Pray hold up the hands of men like Bro. Lambert, and all those who defend unreservedly the way of the cross. God help us to awake while there is time! For our posterity, which will it be, Communism, Catholicism, or Christianity? Only one is worth living, and dying for.