Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 12
August 18, 1960
NUMBER 15, PAGE 8-9,14b

News And Views

(Charies A. Holt, Box 80, Florence, Alabama)

News From Here And There

O. C. Birdwell is soon to move from Lisbon, Ohio to work with the Vivion Road church in Kansas City . . . . Paul Williams is soon to begin his labors with the West Broad church in Columbus, Ohio .... I see by the papa that Don Hardage has been indicted by the grand jury as the leader of a six-man robbery gang. He had part in several robberies. "Hardage was graduated in 1948 from ACC, summa cum laude with a BA in Bible. He was co-captain of the ACC football team in 1947." He was greatly hailed as a sensational find as a preacher. One of his classmates reports that everyone at the college in those days "was freely predicting that Hardage would become one of the top Church of Christ preachers in the nation." "Hardage was at one time an associate minister of the Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas." He had really developed the gambling fever and, according to the newspaper account, he said that he started gambling when several members of his Dallas congregation took him to Las Vegas. According to Hardage's account of his experience, he has really been a "rounder." What a pity and shame to see such an end for anyone. This is but another example of what "too much too soon" will do for one. Also, it shows how ballyhoo and publicity can sometimes destroy. Moreover, if the report is true, it shows that "evil companions (still) corrupt good morals." What must the members of "his Dallas congregation," who took him to Las Vegas and got him started on his gambling career, think of their influence and action now? No doubt he was already "primed" for an overthrow by all the other factors, but it certainly doesn't speak well for those who took him to Las Vegas. Gambling can be a very deadly "bug," as Hardage speaks of it. Many others may be as susceptible to it as he was, which is all the more reason why it should be avoided in all its forms — great and small . . . . When Hardage was in his "hey-day" in the church, promoted and exploited by the schools and promoters, he was then about what Bobby Morrow and Pat Boone are now; and they will likely come to more or less the same end — complete apostasy. The "on the march," promotional, soft, modernistic spirits of our day will exploit these young men as they have others. Boone has been steadily weakening and how he can retain his faith in midst of his surroundings is more than I can figure out. In fact, I do not think he can possibly do so. The weak, worldly influence of so many within the church, have contributed to the destruction of his character and made him a ready victim for other evils ....One other word: Hardage was for sometime the "Youth Minister" of the 'Uptown Church of Christ in Long Beach, and he advocated in a big, big way all the youth programs, recreation, church dinners, parties, etc. I think he had the imposing title of "Director of Youth Activities." . . . . Sometime ago the editor of the Gospel Advocate talked about the shortcomings of two men who in years past (before their shortcomings) were identified with the GG... Perhaps it is not amiss to cite Hardage as "Exhibit A" for the full and proper results of the GA's "social gospel." The GA is the chief proponent of and outlet for "the social gospel," which is nothing short of full-grown modernism. Hardage is a sample of the results to which it leads. Let this editor recognize and admit the legitimate fruit of his position. . . . Bob Nichols, who is preaching the gospel in the vicinity of Osaka, Japan continues to do a fine work. He recently baptized two more men; one 18 and the other 43 years old. Nichols is a fine preacher and is determined to build up the Cause in a scriptural way. He does not believe it is necessary to build schools and colleges through which to teach people. He is not under the control of any "sponsoring church" set-up. He works hard and does his best to teach the people in Japan the truth of God, make them Christians and thus establish the N.T. church. You would enjoy reading his report each month; and letters to him and his wife, Joanne, would mean so much. Why not drop him a line? Address: C.P.O. Box 821, Osaka, Japan...The Instructor is a new monthly paper published by the Pruett & Lobit Streets church in Baytown, Texas. W.R. Jones is the able editor. It is a paper for "outsiders," to teach them the way of the Lord. It is neat and will have solid teaching in it . . . . Robert H. West sent me a copy of the advertising concerning a big "Fellowship Dinner ....in the interest of the 'Million For The Billion' campaign for the Far East." Speakers were A. R. Holton, H. R. Fox, Jr., and James E. Smythe. "The dinner is under the sponsorship of three congregations: Broadway & Walnut, Santa Ana; Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles; Southwest, Los Angeles."

The "price of the dinner was $1.50." West added his own very appropriate footnote about this sort of an affair and other such things "sponsored" by churches. His footnote was: "It's enough to gag a maggot, isn't it?" Well, don't you agree, too?

Signs Of The Times

"HEAR! Brother Jimmy Allen and The Sky Rockets. YOUTH MEETING. Sponsored by Biggers (Ark.) Church of Christ. April 19, 1960. The Sky Rockets are recording artists of Harding College. Their music includes ballads, classics, hymns, popular tunes, and spirituals."

The above quotation is from a circular which we received. What right does a church have to "sponsor" such a meeting? In Ohio, Kentucky, and other places these same movements in the Christian Churches have evolved into "Junior Churches" with their own officers, programs, and works. We already have some State-wide meetings.

"3-HOUR GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE PLANNED AT HOXIE,. Hoxie Methodist Church will observe Good Friday in a service from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. The theme of the worship service is 'The Words From the Cross.' Seven outstanding ministers and one layman, representing different churches, will speak on the 'Seven Last Words that Jesus spoke from the Cross'.

"The speakers will be J. D. Hamilton, minister of the Church of Christ, Walnut Ridge..... Mrs.____________ will serve as organist."

(THE TIMES DISPATCH, Walnut Ridge, Ark., 414-60) — Via The Apostolic Voice

Church Sponsors Youth Camp

MID-STATE YOUTH CAMP — The Mid-State Youth sponsored by the Capitol Street Church of Christ, Jackson, Mississippi, will be conducted at the Roosevelt State Park, Morton, Mississippi, August 15-21. Young people between the ages of 10 and 16 are eligible for this encampment. The cost will be $20 per person, plus $.75 for insurance. Application blanks for this camp may be secured from the office secretary.

The Mid-State Youth Camp provides an excellent opportunity for those who desire a brief session close to Jackson. We urge all parents who plan to send their children to Mid-State Youth Camp to secure a form from the office and file your application immediately. — Bulletin, Central church, Jackson, Mississippi.

This short report is in response to your request in Gospel Guardian for information regarding new congregations of the church being started in different parts of the country. Thus, in January of this year, a small group (eleven in number) could no longer worship with the 10th and Washington Street church because the elders with the encouragement of their preacher, Jesse W. Stephens, put "Herald of Truth" in their budget. We started to work, meeting at first in a private home. After a few services we rented the Ladies' Club building. Soon outgrowing the facilities there, we moved to a larger building in a different part of the city. We now have 58 members and an attendance of almost 100 each Lord's day; with a contribution averaging more than $225. Last week, July 9, we made a down payment on property located at 6th and Lincoln in Eugene, which we hope will give us adequate facilities for at least a year or more. From the beginning of this effort, Brother Erven Harris preached for us until recently. Brother Choice L. Bryant, who was preaching for the church meeting at 12th & 0 Streets in Springfield, Oregon, was forced to resign because of similar circumstances, is now with us, relieving Brother Harris who, because of a heart condition, is not able to do full time work. Thus, you see what faith, zeal, courage, and a desire for truth will cause true Christians to do in manifestation of their love for the Lord and His cause. May their number continue to increase, is our prayer in His name.

Our location is 288 West Sixth on Highway 99 through the city. We cordially welcome visitors coming our way to stop and worship with us.

L. R. Goodwin 2054 City View

Eugene, Oregon

More Signs Of Liberalism

Recently in the Times Herald under the heading "Ministers Organize" and under a Royse City, Texas date line the following appeared:

"Pastors of all five churches in Royse City have organized a ministerial alliance." After mentioning the various preachers and their offices, the article went on to say: "The other members of the alliance are Lowell Brown, minister of the Church of Christ.....

Have gospel preachers forgotten that ministerial alliances are organizations composed of factions, divisions, and parties which are condemned in Galatians 5: 1-2? Are they willing to "give them greeting and partake of their evil work"? — H. Osby Weaver — Via Faith and Facts.

They Don't Preach On It

There are a number of things which are not authorized in the Bible which we of necessity oppose because others are practicing them. The church is thereby kept pure. But some think that it is so good that others say nothing about those things. Observe, though, that they practice it already. How long has it been since a Methodist has heard his preacher preach on sprinkling. They already have it, and are not going to quit it, so he does not need to try to justify it. It may have been decades since the people of the Christian Church in town have heard a sermon on instrumental music. They have it, won't quit, don't preach on it. Congregations who support human societies of charity, education and evangelism may not preach on it. They have it, won't quit it, and for the same reasons given above don't preach on it

My Experience With A Kleptomaniac

A kleptomaniac is a person who has the urge to steal and cannot resist the temptation to lift articles from even his friends. Some of them have been known to steal matches and leave everything else alone. They make their way into your home, gain your confidence and then take your belongings.

A few years ago a well dressed man came to my door posing as a magazine salesman. He was invited in and we looked at his samples and demonstrations and when he was ready to leave he asked for an invitation to return for personal visits. The next night he was back entertaining my family with his pleasant conversation. His visits were regular and he soon wormed his way into the hearts of my wife and children. He told some hair raising stories that kept the boys so excited that they were in a sort of different world. A few times the man told some shady things and I had to correct him, warning that we just could not allow such things to be told in our house. He would ease around the vulgar remarks and the next thing you know we had forgotten that he had ever said anything out of the way.

Weeks went by and this fellow had become a part of the family. We cancelled appointments with friends and neighbors and were giving most of our time to this more than interesting visitor. The children were so absorbed with his conversations that they forgot some of their friends and former relations and finally began to lose interest in their school work and studies. I suspected that something should be done about this visitor but I just didn't have the heart to order him out of my house.

One day I reached for my Bible but it was gone. I searched the whole house but it was not to be found. Then I began to miss some religious magazines and a few prize books. This visitor had stolen these books but had not touched the silverware or other items that had a resale value. He had not stolen for profits.

I began to make an investigation in the neighborhood and found that this character had made his way into nearly every house on my street. I began to ask questions and found that he had stolen articles from all the other homes. I walked into one house one night and found him entertaining the neighbors. He paid no attention to me, ignoring me as though I were a total stranger. After he left I found that the children of this home were unbalanced, having been so affected by this strange character.

Further investigations revealed that this character had visited people day and night with an untiring and never ending entertainment scheme. Most of the folks had missed the Wednesday night prayer meeting to be in company with this gentleman. Others had even neglected the Sunday night services and a few were missing the morning services. A number of times the neighbors would get together and give him a public audience. Church activities began to lag and meeting houses were less than half full on Sunday night. Gospel meetings began to lag and it became harder and harder to convince people of the need of preaching and teaching. I learned that this strange visitor had no respect for the Bible or religion and that he was an anti-Christ, a wolf in sheep's clothing. I was terribly let down and hurt to uncover these facts.

It seemed that we could not charge this fellow with stealing nor could we have him arrested by the law of the land. A few years went by and I had almost forgotten the man. In fact, I don't even recall his name. Come to think of it, I don't recall that he ever really told me what his name was. I do faintly remember that his initials were T. V. — Wilson Coon, The Perk-Up, Phoenix, Arizona