Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 14
May 4, 1962
NUMBER 8, PAGE 5,12a

Fort Knox, Kentucky

Editor, The Gospel Guardian, Lufkin, Texas

Dear Sir:

I wonder if your attention was called to an article in the May 11, 1962, issue of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, concerning Pat Boone? The article was titled "Hollywood Seduces a Teen-Age Idol ...and the Kids Love It!"

I quote the article in full:

"Once upon a time, Pat Boone refreshed many hearts because of his strong stand for decency. He wrote three books for teen-agers in which he espoused high Christian ideals. He pursued church activities faithfully and gained the reputation of a model husband. In his first movie, "April Love," Boone refused to do more than hold the hand of the heroine.

"With this in mind, one views his latest film, `State Fair,' with indignation and then with profound sorrow. Here is a sordid Hollywood product, and Boone is the leading participant.

"There is a sideshow girl who dances with seductive abandon, capturing Boone in the process. With Boone stripped to the waist, the pair engage in as torrid and violent love-making as is possible to depict on a screen. Suggestive dialogue is interspersed throughout. The payoff is when Boone comes home drunk.

"Some of the picture is meant to be funny, but it is hard to laugh. Instead, we weep for Boone because Hollywood has seduced him. There is also heartbreak in that the film was shown in Washington during the height of the high-school tourist season, and the theater was packed with shrieking teen-agers. They yelled the loudest when Boone came home drunk.

"A fallen idol and reveling worshippers. It is to weep."

I have been a reader of Gospel Guardian for several years, and had noticed several warnings therein concerning Pat Boone, with the admonition that we should follow Christ as an example, and that Boone was not always an example to follow, contrary to that expressed by some preachers. I was surprised to note a large advertisement of his book, "The Real Christmas," in the Gospel Advocate last year, prior to Christmas.

I cannot say that I have always agreed with all the contents of the Gospel Guardian, but I do have a great respect for the way you have been so fair in handling controversial issues. Of the 19 periodicals I read and subscribe to, the Gospel Guardian goes farthest in being fair and in presenting both sides.

I am not associated in anyway with any of the groups claiming to be the church of Christ, and have been more or less an outsider studying the Restoration movement and noting the trends and developments. The simplicity of the New Testament church which you stress is something that can be appreciated in these days when the religious world and especially professing Christendom has bogged the church down with human innovations.

One watches the trends in the movement known as "the churches of Christ" and wonders what will be the outcome, if the simplicity as formerly stressed will be maintained, or if the churches will go the way of the larger religious groups and become just another denomination among the denominations. National radio and television programs, "Church of Christ colleges," "Church of Christ orphanages," that one can hardly distinguish from similar set-ups in established denominations, does cause one to wonder how far this trend will lead.

Sincerely, Talmadge F. McNabb

Chaplain (Capt.) U. S. Army


Harding College Searcy, Arkansas April 29, 1962 Dear Yater:

Concerning your editorial of April 28, 1982, I wonder whether you will be pleased to know that General Campbell does not occupy the second highest office in the Administration of Harding College. As a matter of fact, he is not an officer of Harding College. He is one of the Vice Presidents of the National Education Program which is a separate organization. It is devoted to the spread of information concerning free enterprise and against Socialism and Communism. Being an officer in that organization does not give him a voice in the administration of the school.

Cordially yours, James D. Bales


1421 Milton Street Dayton, Ohio May 8, 1962

Dear Brother Tant:

I have preached the gospel for over twelve years, preaching on Sundays by appointment, and holding meetings during my vacation each year. In May, 1981, I sustained a back injury which has caused me to be unable to do the kind of public work which I have hitherto done all my life. I am 38 years of age, married and with four children. I would like to devote all of my time to the preaching of the gospel; and will gladly furnish references to any congregation which may be interested. I read of a serious shortage of preachers; however, I know of one congregation recently which was looking for a man — and had 31 preachers to write in wanting to work with them! That doesn't sound like much of a shortage to me. I believe the church was set up to do all the work God wants it to do, and is fully equipped and adequate for that task, being able to accomplish it without outside aids and organizations. I am a member of the church at Franklin, Ohio, where I preach some. If any church is interested in contacting me, they can reach me here in Dayton. I would like to be located by fall, or next school term.

Thank you, John W. Pitman


Rogers, Arkansas May 10, 1962 Brother Tant:

In my article: "Society's Care Of Dependent And Neglected Children — No. 1," which appeared in the May 1st issue of the Guardian, page 10, I quoted some figures from the 1961 Statistical Abstract of the United States, No. 395, page 259, comparing the number of "orphans" in the United States for the years 1920 and 1960 (January). I failed to state that the figures quoted were "in thousands."

Victor H. Sellers


Ruskin, Florida May 14, 1962 Editor, The Gospel Guardian Dear Brother:

Ruskin, Florida, is a community of some 6,000 people. We have a good influx of tourists in the winter; and three miles east of here, Del E. Webb Corporation (owner of the New York Yankee Baseball Club) is building a city of some 12,000 acres for retirement age citizens. They anticipate a population very soon of some 10,000 people.

Here in Ruskin we are trying to start a church. At present we have two families plus a few backsliders. What we need is a good gospel preacher (retired or on a pension) to come here and live and do personal work and help us build a congregation. At present we can add about $100.00 per month to whatever other income he may have. Of course, we are optimistic that the church here would grow rapidly; and, in that event, his salary could be increased rapidly.

This town, Ruskin, is about 20 miles south of Tampa, Florida. We are conservative (not liberal); and if you know of anyone who might be interested, would you be good enough to ask him to get in touch with me here at Ruskin.

Sincerely, a brother in Christ, D. E. Lively


Lowell, Indiana May 18, 1962 Dear Brother Tant:

The church here in Lowell is in need of a full time preacher. Could you make a short statement in the Gospel Guardian, asking any faithful brother who is interested to get in touch with us? Have him write to Enos Pratte, Route # 1, Box 82, Lowell, Indiana.

Thank you, Church of Christ Lowell, Indiana