Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 14
NEED_DATE
NUMBER 28, PAGE 6-7,9

News And Views

Charles A. Holt, 4662 University Dr. Wichita Falls Texas

Notes Of Interest

After several years with the Bellview Heights church in Birmingham, Alabama, Bob Crawley has moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he will assist the saints in that city...., J. F. Dancer is the preacher working with the West End church in Louisville, Kentucky.... Norman Fultz has moved to Louisville, where he will follow A. C. Crider at Preston Highway, from Beaver Dam, Kentucky.... Grover Stevens has moved from Wendell Avenue church in Louisville, to work with the Park Blvd. church in the same city. David Claypool, who was at Park Blvd., has moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to labor with the Franklin Road church.... Ben Shropshire, who has been with the Central church in Louisville for some time, is planning to go back to the Hawaiian Islands to preach the gospel of Christ. It is certainly good to know of men like him going into this field to help hold the line for truth and build up the cause of Christ. He is a man worthy of support, and will be glad to tell anyone of his plans... it is also cause for great rejoicing to know that H. Osby Weaver, who has done such a fine job with the Forest Lane church in Dallas, Texas, also has made plans to return to Honolulu — or at least, to the Islands, to live and labor for the Lord there. Weaver spent some time there several years ago and it will really be worth a lot to have him back over there. He has arranged for his regular 'support, but is still in need of some help with his moving expenses. Let's back these good men in this good work.....After four years with the Redline church in Kirkman, Iowa, Harley E. Amick is moving to Macon, Missouri, to work with the church there. The little group in Macon is only able to pay Amick $190 per month, out of which he must pay all of his expenses including rent. He certainly needs some additional support. Here is a good man in a hard field deserving of help. Is there not a church somewhere which can assist him? He has agreed to go and help these brethren. He can yet be reached at the Redline church in Kirkman, Iowa. Write him....After over four years with the Southside church in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Robert Bolton has plans to move to Lancaster, Texas, right after the first of the year. He will work with the Pleasant Run church in that city....From Leslie E. Sloan, a very able preacher now trying to establish the work of the Lord in Jasper, Georgia, comes the following: "There is a practice among churches of Christ represented by the groups known as sound churches, which puzzled me for sometime. I am thinking about the practice of selling bonds.... I would like to have your analysis of the practice. There is something about the practice which I am unable to recognize as scriptural. However, I am open minded and want the truth".... Brother Sloan raises a question about the scripturalness of a practice that is growing more common among us. I do not know much about the practice or what all is involved; and am in a poor position to discuss It at this time. Are there others who have wondered about it? Is there someone who will write a short article in, defense of the scriptural right of churches to sell bonds for the purpose of raising the necessary funds to build a church building? Several have been a part of this and certainly should be in a position to KNOW what is involved. Surely they are at least satisfied in their own minds that such is right or else they never would have had part in the practice. I should like for one of them to favor us with an article on the matter. Sloan is not the only one who has questioned the practice. I am giving below a short article from Bill McMurry which deals with this matter. Be sure to read it....I note in the bulletin from Canoga Park, California, that Roy E. Cogdill is to move there around the first of February to work with the saints there M. M. Chaffin is the preacher there but is leaving.... Glenn Burt, who has been with the church in Hawkins Texas, has moved to work with a new congregation in Comanche, Texas ....I have received several requests for sample copies of the new song book "Sacred Selections For The Church," which I recommended recently in this column. It is a dandy song book and will be an asset to any church. It contains every singable song that I can recall. Many of the popular and likable songs have been reworded so as to make them scripturally correct and to remove any doubt. The book contains 665 songs — the largest number of any book published among any "segment" of our brethren. It sells for $1.75 per copy in any quantity, which is some higher than other books, but it is worth the difference — in my opinion. The book is often purchased by churches for use at funerals and young people's gatherings, even where the church may already have new books. Ellis J. Crum is the compiler and publisher of the book. I am a distributor for it and would be glad to send you a sample copy — for the regular price, of course — and send you any further information about It that you may desire. I urge you to look this book over real good before you buy new books. However, I can supply almost every other song book published by any of our brethren and will be glad to do so....Have you ordered your copy of "Sermons For Saints and Sinners," by Eugene Clevenger? It is an excellent book of sermon outlines, and sells for $3 per copy. Send me your order today.

An Interesting Bit Of Information

From the Hobbs (New Mexico) News-Sun (Sept. 28, 1962), a local newspaper, I copy the following information:

"Blonde Patty Bentley is 'little sister' to all the members of the Sub-Deb Club.

"Patty is seven years old. She lives in the Christian Children's Home in Lubbock, Texas, where she is attending her first year of school. She has no father, and her mother is not financially able to support her daughter. Therefore, the Sub-Debs are her second family. The local club 'adopted' Patty two years ago. Since that time, they have sent her necessary requirements.

"At Easter-time the Sub-Debs play Easter Bunny, at Christmas, her Santa Claus, and so on, throughout the year.

"During Christmas holidays Patty is brought to Hobbs, her second home, and stays with each of her senior Sub-Debs sisters. In this way, each Sub-Deb has the opportunity to really know Patty and Patty to know each of them. Whenever a Sub-Deb is in Lubbock, she makes a special effort to visit Patty.

"The little girl has attended two Sub-Deb presentations and one 'coming out.'

"After the Hobbs-Brownfield football game Friday night, a Sub-Deb dance was held at the Women's Civic Club. The entire profit, $93, was put into Patty's fund. This fund covers the cost of all her clothing (coat, shoes, dresses, etc.), toys, and extra spending money. Increases in the fund are made through various projects such as bake sales, rummage sales, doughnut drives, dances,...."

In the above article, I have taken the liberty to emphasize two or three points especially. This article does furnish us with some interesting information indeed. I expect that this practice could be multiplied several times if we had all the facts concerning all of these benevolent societies and how and from whom they raise money. It appears that this little girl belongs to and is being reared by this Sub-Deb club; and like sorry parents, this benevolent society in Lubbock is willing for such to be, just so they can retain their "hold" on the child. The child is a SOURCE OF REVENUE for them. She is a victim of commercialism!

In this fashion they would "make merchandise" of an innocent child. (Cf. 2 Peter 2:3) This little seven year old girl is allowed by her "in loco parentis" to attend a "coming out," and they gladly accept INCOME through Patty which has been raised by a dance! This should help all to see the extremes to which these COMMERCIALIZED institutions will go in order to get funds.

I Am Wondering — Is It Scriptural?

I see an increasing number of churches using various bond programs to finance the building of their meeting houses. This practice is not at all restricted to the "liberals" among us. Many who consider themselves conservative in their attitude toward the New Testament are also "swallowing the bait" and going in for the bond program idea "hook, line and sinker." I am not challenging the sincerity, honesty or integrity of any of these brethren, but I am wondering just how much consideration they have given to this matter? I am wondering, in the words of our title, is it Scriptural?

Now to be Scriptural, a thing must meet the requirements of, or fall within the bounds of, the teaching of the New Testament. It is our only rule in matters of life and godliness. (2 Pet. 1:3) We find in 1 Cor. 16:1-2 the manner in which God directed the churches to raise their finances. Do we consider this a binding pattern? If so, then any work done by the church must of necessity be supported entirely by the free will offerings of Christians who give on the first day of each week. Is building a building for worship an authorized expenditure from that contribution? Certainly, and this in spite of the liberal arguments to the contrary — for a building is a necessity in carrying out the command of Heb. 10:25. But the question is just this. Is the selling of bonds and the laying by in store of 1 Cor. 16:1-2 the same? If not, one of them is wrong. Which is it??

— Bill McMurry, West Avenue Helper, Oklahoma City

Pointing Up The Crisis

The two following articles appeared in recent issues of Gospel Minutes, a weekly paper published in Fort Worth, and edited by Dillard Thurman. It is my understanding that the two articles were written by Lloyd Frederick, the preacher at Arlington Heights in Fort Worth. However. I am reasonably sure that Thurman shares the same view. These two articles certainly help focus attention upon the coming crisis over church support of schools and colleges. This movement is well underway and it will not be stopped. There are yet a few men — able and good men — who have gone along partly with some of the practices of liberal churches, who just cannot "swallow" this digressive practice. They have frequently spoken out — even if they were sorta treading lightly in doing so — against such a practice. However, the situation has about reached the point where they will have to come out "swinging" and thus be branded with other "antis"; or else they will have to "swallow" and go along with this practice. I personally hope that the "parting" comes soon and strong. This May help to awaken these men to the gravity of the situation and FORCE them to put other similar practices in their rightful place also. Read these articles carefully.

'We Heard Brother Keeble Speak"

On Thursday evening of last week a large number from Arlington Heights attended the special gathering at the Will Rogers Exhibit building to hear Bro. Marshall Keeble speak. In many ways it was a glorious occasion. To enjoy the fellowship of a thousand brethren at once is a blessing indeed. The occasion was called in the interest of Christian education....and who among us is not in favor of Christian education. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to take advantage of some of the blessings that a Christian school had to offer. I wish that I could have received more. I trust that some day my two boys will be able to attend a school of higher learning where all the teachers are Christians and the Bible is taught daily in the classes. Surely there are none among us that do not love and respect Brother Keeble for his good life and work's sake. He has indeed been an "apostle to the colored people" in our age. Many whites as well have been led to Christ by his powerful preaching of the gospel. We thank God for him and the wide influence he has had for good in this modem and sinful age.

I realize that the things that I am about to say may be misunderstood or misused by some. Nevertheless, I feel constrained to say them and I assure you that they come from a heart of love and deepest concern. I feel further compelled to say them because I encouraged your presence at the occasion and know of the possibility that you would think that I endorsed everything that was said and done. With deepest regret, that is not true. May I state then, first of all, that I do not believe in the church support of our private schools. Many efforts have been made in the past and will continue to be made to get them in the budgets of the churches. If this is accomplished it will be perhaps the greatest step toward digression in our generation. Because of its continued emphasis it seemed to be the main effort of Bro. Keeble's speech....that is, to sell the audience on the church support of colleges idea. We understand that this idea is becoming rather popular "east of the Mississippi."

We are aware of the fact that Bro. Keeble is getting old and perhaps his thinking is not as clear as it once was but we regret that his, popularity is being used to advocate a principle that the brotherhood was once so united on as being unscriptural and sinful....and I still believe contrary to the principles and teaching of God's word. Another thing that sickened our hearts was that just about every reference he made to the "Church of Christ" was derogatory, while every reference to "Christian Colleges" was that of praise and glory. As a Christian, I cannot help but resent that. It is a sad state when we get to the point that the church is hidden in the shadow of our "great schools." I do not believe that the "hope of the world" lies in Christian education....as offered in our schools as was advocated on the occasion. I believe that Christ is still the hope of the world and the gospel that the church is commissioned to preach is still the only power in the world to save. May we all continue our support of Christian education. But let's be sure that our schools are kept in their place. A generous individual support of them will go a long way to stay the tide of efforts to get them into the budgets.

Read This — If You Read The Bulletin Last Week

You will recall reading in the bulletin last week an article entitled "We Heard Brother Keeble Speak." At that time we called in question and disagreed with some of the things that Bro. Keeble said. It is never pleasant to have to do such things, but there are times when it must be done. It is with deep gratitude that the article was received in the spirit in which it was written. A flood of phone calls and mail, even from out of state, represented the feeling of brethren from far and near as being opposed to the things the article condemned.

It is always much more pleasant to write things that are good and encouraging. I am most happy to be able to do that at this time. After receiving and reading the article last week, Brother Claude Guild, President of Fort Worth Christian College, called and expressed his appreciation of it. He also requested that I run these few words of explanation in the bulletin this week He stated that he too, did not agree with Bro. Keeble on his stand for the church support of our schools. Also, that it is contrary to the conviction and policy of Fort Worth Christian to accept money from the church treasury. He expressed regret that things happened as they did and would have publicly expressed his disagreement had it not been for his respect for Bro. Keeble and his age, and that it was perhaps not the appropriate time to do it. He further stated that Bro. Keeble was requested in advance not to promote the idea of church support of the school and that he personally expressed his disappointment in Bro. Keeble for not respecting the request.

We want to commend Bro. Guild for his straight forward and firm stand on this issue. We believe it cannot but help Fort Worth Christian and the support of it by Christians in this area. We are glad to be able to help correct the wrong impressions left by Bro. Keeble — that Fort Worth Christian was seeking support from the churches. There are many others who do not read this bulletin that got the same impression. We trust that some way they will be able to know of the stand taken by Bro. Guild and the school. Our only desire is for the furtherance of Christian Education in the right way through such fine schools as Fort Worth Christian.