Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
January 15, 1970
NUMBER 36, PAGE 8

I Have Changed Some

Frank Reeder

Some have changed and said so. I believe I had a right to change when I found I was wrong. I once thought homes for children under elders were right, but I could not claim the one hundred dollars offered for the scripture that would justify it. Afterwards, I believed like G. C. Brewer taught in his book published about 1920 or near that year and as the Gospel Advocate writers taught that homes were alright if kept apart from the churches — Homes for Children and those for Old People.

I have learned by experience — the hard way. I worked in a home for old folk awhile and I never heard a patient get a "bawling out" or tongue lashing. But all homes are not like that. I have known some patients or victims being spitefully treated and, of course, there was no one to whom they could appeal. Who would believe a patient who is old and, of course, of unsound mind if he has lived there long, and usually they don't live long in a so called rest home. The attendant or the manager could say "Oh, she is such a sweet thing. We would not mistreat her for anything."

I would like to say something, but if brother Tant should print what I would like to say he might be sued. I talked to a woman who had lived in an orphan's home, a prominent one. She said all the milk the little children received was one glass per day per child. She said the larger ones did not get that much, and she argued in favor of churches supporting the homes. She said that is the only way for children in them being cared for. Suppose one working in the home wants to mistreat the children, what could a child do? It would have no one to whom to complain.

Even in our public schools a teacher can slap a child and who would believe the child instead of that teacher? "Oh, no, he's mistaken. He is a sweet little fellow. I would not mistreat him for anything." What chance would a child in an orphan's home have of defending himself? I now do not believe in small children or helpless old people being victims of people who wish to make money of them. I have no objection to people taking a number of children or old folks if they take no more than that which they can care and provide for. Yes, there is a difference in size. A small crumb of bread thrown into your front yard might not offend, but suppose the same person dumps a garbage can of trash in your yard? The difference would be in the amount.

How to care for children is not what troubles the church. It is the what that is cared for. If you have a friend in a so called rest home and would like to give ten thousand dollars ($10,000), it would not help your friend. He would not know it unless someone told him. If you wish to help children help them — not the rich benevolent society.

Shady Oaks No. 1, 2722 Old Anson Road Abilene, Texas 79603