Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 11
November 19, 1959
NUMBER 28, PAGE 1,12-14

"Brotherhood" Busybodies

Elders, Church Of Christ, Tenth And Francis Sts., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Siamese twin of the "brotherhood" promoter is the "brotherhood" busybody. Many times these individuals are not twins at all. They are not two individuals, but one. The "brotherhood" promoter who aspires to obtain for the use and oversight of his congregation the funds of many churches finds it very easy indeed to become a meddler in other men's matters — a "brotherhood" busybody. Such are the elders of the Fifth and Highland church in Abilene, Texas, promoters of the Herald of Truth. Most of our "promoting" brethren oppose the missionary society on the grounds that it "dominates churches." Yet, through pressure tactics, they seek to coerce churches and individuals into an endorsement and support of their projects in the well known manner and degree of the missionary societies.

The following letter was received recently from the 'Church of Christ Fifth and Highland, Abilene, Texas" over the signature of one of her elders, Brother John F. Reese:

See Letter At The Right Chart Goes Here

The reader will observe that carbon copies of this letter were mailed to the Lyons and Majestic congregation in Houston, Texas, the 25th and Geraldine congregation in Oklahoma City, and Mr. O.B. Proctor, Abilene, Texas. It is not difficult for us to see why carbons were mailed to the two churches since they were mentioned by Brother Reese in the letter, but Why was a copy mailed to Brother Proctor? Informed persons know the answer. Brother Proctor is the evangelist for the North Park congregation in Abilene, Texas. For a number of years now, the North Park church and Brother Proctor have withstood the most intense pressure from "institutional promotional" brethren in Abilene to line up with current, popular, promotional activities in the "brotherhood" and especially with those emanating from Abilene. This is but another effort on the part of the Fifth and Highland church to meddle, not only in the affairs of the Tenth and Francis congregation in Oklahoma City, but also in the affairs of the North Park congregation in Abilene.

About one year ago, the elders of the Tenth and Francis church made a statement in their weekly publication, the Gospel Visitor, concerning the future policy of the congregation with reference to the support of "human institutions" in the fields of evangelism, benevolence, and/or edification and with reference to the support of such "brotherhood" projects as the Herald of Truth. In this statement, we set forth our belief that such institutions and promotions could not be sustained by the Scriptures, hence that the Tenth and Francis congregation would not endorse or support them.

From that time until the present, we have had a super-abundance of "brotherhood" meddlers seeking to inject themselves into the affairs of the Tenth and Francis church, among them, as the reader can see, is the Fifth and Highland church, Abilene, Texas, via John F. Reese.

We suppose the elders of the Fifth and Highland church will acknowledge that the duly constituted elders of the Tenth Ad Francis congregation have the scriptural right to determine and state the policy of the congregation over which they "rule" as bishops — in the absence of any evidence to show that their course is either unscriptural or anti-scriptural. Let it be observed that the strongest ground the brethren at Fifth and Highland have been willing to occupy on these matters is that their promotion — the Herald of Truth — and the "human institutions" of the "brotherhood" are "permissible expedients." This being true, from their own analysis of that which they promote, faithfulness to Christ cannot depend upon either the endorsement or support of such "human arrangements."

Why, then, should the decision of the elders of an independent, New Testament church to make it the policy of that church not to endorse or support such arrangements be the occasion of such widespread opposition, misrepresentation, vilification, and meddling on the part of so many individuals, and churches? The elders of the Tenth and Francis church have made no effort as elders of this church to determine the course taken in these matters by any other congregation save that over which and in which they serve as elders. They have decided the course of the Tenth and Francis congregation! With this decision, Brother John F. Reese, Brother J. Porter Wilhite, and others, not members of this church, are very unhappy, and through various media seek to pressure the congregation and her elders into a course compatible with their desires and ambitions. Really, we are being entirely too charitable when we style them simply, meddlers and busybodies. There are other terms more appropriate and less complimentary that could well be employed.

Re: J. Porter Wilhite.

Brother I. Porter Wilhite has made several efforts during the past year to project himself into the affairs of the Tenth and Francis congregation relative to these matters. Each effort has been characterized by gross, willful misrepresentations. Since, however, the "great" congregation meeting at Fifth and Highland in Abilene, Texas, promoters of the internationally "famous (?)" Herald of Truth cooperative, has taken note of Wilhite's misrepresentations and has become so "deeply" interested in our affairs, we deem it wise to make reply. Since Wilhite's statements have been mailed throughout the nation, we have asked the editor of the Gospel Guardian to give space to our reply.

The quotations from Brother Wilhite contained in the Reese letter is taken from a small monthly publication, "Peace," emanating from the "Church of Christ, 6717 Lyons Avenue, Houston, Texas." Its editor, J. Porter Wilhite, is one of the evangelists of this church. The quotation is from the September 1959 issue, page 3, paragraph 3. We recognize the fact that anyone might be in receipt of false information and, therefore, be led to incorrectly represent a matter. If such were the case, we could and would overlook Brother Wilhite's representation of us. Such, however, is not the case. Brother Wilhite knew better when he made his accusation. This is not only inexcusable but sinful. Brother Wilhite is an old man and the grave will soon be his home. After the grave will be the judgment. We commend these considerations to Brother Wilhite's attention in view of the solemn warning of Revelation 21:8.

Concerning The Nigerian Work

From the beginning of Brother Wendell Broom's work in Nigeria, the Tenth and Francis congregation has paid, from her own treasury, his personal support. Other congregations aided him with other expenses, such as: travel money; a house in which to live; literature; etc. This money has been sent directly to Brother Broom and deposited in the Liberty National Bank of Oklahoma City. The Tenth and Francis has never, does not now, nor will she ever have any relationship whatsoever to this fund. From time to time, members of the Tenth and Francis church have made contributions to the fund as individuals, but, apart from this, no relationship to this church exists or ever has. The elders of the Tenth and Francis church cannot write a check upon the fund, nor do they, nor have they ever, had any oversight whatsoever of it. As Brother Broom went among the churches raising this money, the manner in which it was to be handled was made clear by him to each participating church. The money which has come to Oklahoma City since Brother Broom's departure is deposited in the Liberty National Bank to the "Wendell Broom Travel Fund." Before leaving the States, Brother Broom selected Brother O. T. Lowry, a lifelong friend and member of the Tenth and Francis church, to receive these contributions and deposit them. Brother Lowry was also empowered by Brother Broom to write checks upon his fund in an amount sufficient to pay for the postage of the 'Nigerian Newsletter," a mimeographed letter reporting on the Nigerian field and prepared by Brother Broom. In a letter which we wrote to the Lyons and Majestic congregation (a copy follows), we referred to Brother Lowry as Brother Broom's "agent." Be it understood that this is the extent of Brother Lowry's "agency."

When Brother Broom went forth raising funds, the elders of the Tenth and Francis congregation, Brother Broom's home congregation, sent out a letter recommending Brother Broom and his plans to labor in. Nigeria. In this letter, sent to churches and individuals, we clearly stated that "your contributions would be mailed or given directly to him (Broom) at 1523 N. W. 42, Oklahoma City." Photostatic copies of the forms from which the church secretary prepared these letters follow:

2 Chart Goes Here

After Brother Broom had left for Nigeria, checks began to arrive from the Lyons and Majestic congregation in Houston, Texas made out to the "Tenth and Francis Church of Christ — Nigeria." Brother Lowry, supposing that the Houston church did not understand the arrangement, simply endorsed these checks to the "Wendell Broom Travel Fund" and deposited them to that fund in the Liberty National Bank. Then, on two different occasions, letters were written by Brother Lowry to the Lyons and Majestic church calling attention to their error in drawing their checks. Finally, noting that the Houston church continued to draw their checks in this fashion and hearing that Brother Wilhite was branding the Tenth and Francis church to various preachers in Houston with being a "sponsoring" church, we sent such a check as those mentioned above back to the Lyons and Majestic church with the following letter:

Chart Goes Here

Following the receipt of this letter, one of the male members (probably an elder) of the Lyons and Majestic church called Brother Lowry via telephone to inquire concerning the return of the check and the manner of handling the Broom funds. Brother Lowry, in great detail, told the brother precisely how the funds had been handled from the beginning. The brother demurred at sending the checks to Brother Lowry and was told to send them directly to the Liberty National Bank of Oklahoma City for deposit to the "Wendell Broom Travel Fund."

It was after our letter to the Lyons and Majestic church and after Brother Lowry's conversation with one of her members, who represented the congregation, that Brother Wilhite wrote his little piece in "Peace." Having complete information concerning the matter, our brother deliberately misrepresented the church at Tenth and Francis as having until recently been a "sponsoring church." Surely, Brother Wilhite does not suppose that he will promote "peace" among brethren or "peace" on his part with God by such willful falsification!

It may be of interest to our readers to see the letter written by us in answer to the inquiry from Highland Church, Abilene, Texas. A copy follows:

Chart Goes Here Concerning The Newspaper Advertisement

Brother Reese's question relative to this matter is concerning an ad appearing in one of the daily papers of Oklahoma City each week in which the locations of a number of the congregations of the city are listed. Tenth and Francis is represented as sending "monthly checks to the Twenty-fifth and Geraldine congregation in Oklahoma City to pay for cooperative ads in the local paper." ("Peace" — September 1959.) This is false. Tenth and Francis sends no money to Twenty-fifth and Geraldine for any purpose. Brother Rex Westerfield, a member, elder, of the Twenty-fifth and Geraldine congregation, sends out reminders to each congregation involved advising them of the amount each church owes the publishing company each month. Each participating church makes out a check, as instructed in the reminder, to the Oklahoma Publishing Co. for the amount it owes the publishing company for the listing of the congregation in the ad in question. These checks are sent to the Oklahoma Publishing Co. to pay for the ad. May we repeat, the check of the Tenth and Francis church is made payable to the Oklahoma Publishing Co. A photostatic copy of the check and the reminder follows:

Chart Goes Here Chart Goes Here Chart Goes Here Conclusion.

We humbly suggest that about the best way we know to promote "peace" in spiritual Zion today would be for each congregation to attend to her own affairs in harmony with scriptural principles. Certainly, no congregation should expect to be free from criticism if she espouses and promotes that which is contrary to the will of Christ. Nor can she or should she be free from criticism and opposition if she promotes that which infringes upon the autonomy, independence, and equality of churches and New Testament bishops. Let each church do her own work, to the limit of her own ability, under Christ and her own elders, and much of the confusion and unhappiness of our day will pass.

Yours for truth and the preservation of the Divine order in the work and worship of the church. Elders Tenth and Francis church of Christ. 901 N. W. 10th St. Oklahoma City.