Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
October 19, 1967
NUMBER 24, PAGE 5b

Rue Porter's Farewell

(Rue Porter, long-time gospel preacher and writer, passed from this life on August 25 near Joplin, Mo. The following article was written by him and appeared in the July 7, 1967, issue of the Christian Worker magazine.)

After more than fifty years as an accepted preacher of the gospel, I am becoming fearful that we — as a body of preachers — are slipping from this great fundamental of the Restoration Movement. Time Was — in our ranks — that a man's reputation and standing as a preacher did not hinge so much upon his scholastic record, as upon his acquaintance with the gospel as recorded in the Bible, and his willingness to defend it with all his ability regardless of cost or consequence.

Now-a-days one is rated by the number of college degrees he holds, and by his rating among the scholars of the world, rather than by his soundness in the faith as once delivered to the saints. How many seminars has he headed? How many "campaigns" of one sort or another, has he headed? How many times has he begged enough money to pay his fare on trips around the world as a "Missionary Instructor?" It is a well known fact that this critic is no enemy of education, nor is he "anti" Missionary. Yet he sees a trend developing among preachers which is likely to end in disaster unless checked, or changed in the direction they are taking.

Our Gospel papers are filled with reports of this "campaign" or that now, instead of gospel truth. Among the converts made there are but few mature people any more. Forty to One hundred "Responses" or "additions" are often reported as the result of a "campaign" which when properly assorted usually means "of which few were baptized." The rest were persuaded to "rededicate" themselves to the Lord, at the delivery of every appealing gospel sermon they hear.

Far be it from me to say there is no need for acknowledgment of wrongdoing on the part of Christians, for I know well that such is common. I am simply saying that our preachers play upon the emotions of the listener until many are over persuaded to respond, and he is then claimed as an "addition". I suspect that the Lamented C. R. Nichol; Lee P. Mansfield; J. Will. Henley and even this writer, might well claim 2500 "Responses" or even more. The complaint is, becoming common today that "Our Preachers do not 'pour it on' like they used to." It is now considered "unethical" to mention the Sectarian bodies by name. It is unpopular to mention any other than the most flagrant sins by name. Social drinking, Gambling for small stakes, and other such sins are no longer looked upon as bars to "good standing" in 'congregations of the saints. Why? Because of what is being taught instead of gospel truth.

Of course this writer will be classified as "An old fogie" but let it be so. I must soon stand before my Maker to answer for my life. Can I say to the Judge in that day that I have "reproved, rebuked, or exhorted" unless I have done that? Space is the essence of modern journalism. If we mean to help publicize the church of the Lord, and convert the sinner from the error of this way, we can never do it by filling all the space with news items and "success stories" about modern pedantic and erudite Professors.

Be it understood here and now, that we are all glad to her of the success of any effort to spread the Good News. We solemnly aver here and now that the old-time way of chapter and verse preaching was and is the best way to convert aliens, and strengthen believers.

My day is spent. I will most likely never be able to preach another sermon. I shall breathe my last exulting in the memory that while I had the physical and mental strength, I went far and near, and without fear or favor, preached 'IT as IT is written,' that no one ever challenged what was preached and got by with it. Debates have been a part of my public life; I have been called many times by brethren to defend the principles which they found in the Bible and are held dear by true believers; as a peace maker when brethren became estranged over opinions; to bury their dead, and to marry their grown up children. There are a number of preachers among those who became christians as a result of my preaching. For forty years and more thousands have read "MUSINGS" with a sort of homespun delight.

I finish my course with a bit of sadness, and yet, I am glad that I shall soon have the distinctive honor of standing before the KING OF KINGS, and hear him say; "Son you did your best with what ability you had". Good bye dear friends; the evening shades are lengthening; but there is a glorious beam of light rising beyond. There is a sordid dread of the thing called dying; but no fear of what lies out beyond. Be true to your confession of faith in the Christ. God will be merciful to all such.