Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 3
October 25, 1951
NUMBER 25, PAGE 14

Advice To Young Men

C. G. Caldwell, Sr., Louisville, Kentucky

"He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise." (Prov. 13:20) The one great problem which overshadows, and involves all others, is the problem of life—how to make it a success. Young men are sometimes discouraged when they read how few comparatively succeed in any one pursuit or avocation of life. This, however, should not discourage you, but should, on the contrary, stimulate you to discover the reason or reasons why so many fail, and thereby cause their failure to become the assurance of your success. A little straight thinking on your part may suffice to show that they were not possessed of the necessary outfit. There are certain elements which enter into this composition, and if any of them is wanting, failure is apt to follow.

First comes thorough preparation for your particular calling, whatever that may be. A man should not rest until he is master of it. Then come the necessary qualifications to conduct that craft or profession to a successful termination. These qualifications are, first of all, PRINCIPLE, and without that no one has a right to succeed. Good judgment, quick and clear perception, and an indomitable will power, that will push, together with perseverance, are qualities which usually insure success in almost any undertaking.

Few men are aware of the latent powers they possess. Young men seldom realize their own capabilities, and hence we find many with an ill defined purpose in their minds, which is not strong enough to control them. They are ever fluctuating; never finding any solid anchorage anywhere. They are driven hither and thither impelled always by outward and external circumstances. Impressed by a good sermon, or by some pious associations, they form good resolutions, and are sincere in such resolves. But when temptation arises, or when they begin to count the cost of success in a high and holy calling, they stumble and fall; they have no root in themselves. Satan is apt to get the blame of it all, but usually it is will power they lack. And this will-power can be cultivated and strengthened until it becomes invincible, or it can be neglected, wasted, and destroyed, leaving a moral wreck and a dismal failure behind.

James says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." And "He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed." Young men, if you learn how to govern yourselves, there are vast possibilities within your reach that may be unfolded in your lives. There are prizes along life's highway, but they are for men of thought and action, for men who are willing to pay the price necessary to reach and obtain them.

But worldly achievements, no matter how prosperous, do not constitute a successful life. You may achieve the popularity of a Franklin D. Roosevelt, or acquire the wealth of a Gould or a Vanderbilt, and your life may be after all a conspicuous failure. You may count that man poor who has not learned to study God's Word intelligently. You may count that man a failure who does not reverence and obey the Divine will.

The Bible is God's storehouse, and what an inexhaustible treasure house it is! To it we may ever go for fresh supplies. We are impure, and there we learn how to cleanse our ways. We are ignorant, and the "entrance" of His word gives light. We are weak, and there we get spiritual strength. How our hearts should rise in gratitude to God for His great kindness and condescension in giving us a revelation of His mind and will, in making known to us His character and attributes, as well as His wise and gracious purposes concerning our race, and the world we inhabit.

The Bible is the greatest Book that has ever been written. A knowledge of its contents is the greatest and most valuable prize after which any young man may seek. No man is truly educated until he has acquired a knowledge of this Book, an understanding of how to use it. Read it daily. Study it with a reverent and earnest desire to understand its meaning. No prejudice or preconceived opinions must be allowed to stand in the way. Never do violence to the known rules of language. Never sacrifice plain scriptures to the obscure, or bend the general tenor of a passage to fit in with one's interpretation of a few isolated texts. Believe its teachings, obey its precepts, and to the best of your ability proclaim its truths unto others. This is my advice to young men. May God bless you in the study and preaching of His Word.

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Hoyt Bailey, Enid, Okla.: "The new building at Eighth and East Maine Streets, Enid, Okla., was opened for worship services on Sunday, Sept. 30, 1951. Hoyt Bailey, local preacher, spoke at both the morning and evening services. G. R. Tinius began a ten day meeting Oct. 1, which resulted in one baptism and two placing membership. The building is constructed of buff brick and stone, with a concrete and rubber tile floor in the auditorium and a concrete floor in the basement. The auditorium wall is finished in rose beige, furnished with blond oak pews and has indirect lighting and radiant heat. A nursery and cloak room are provided by the vestibule. Seven class rooms, rest rooms, and a kitchen are provided in the basement. Seven class rooms, two dressing rooms, and the office are at the rear of the auditorium. It was during the ministry of K. C. Moser in April, 1949, that the $4,000 in the building fund was used to pay on the lots at Eighth and East Maine, which cost $8,000. These lots were paid out by January, 1950. When Hoyt Bailey began work with the congregation in June, 1950, there was approximately $1,000 in the building fund. A special drive was made to build so that by October a building committee was appointed, and a special effort made among members to raise money for a new building. About $10,000 cash was raised by January 1, 1951. C. C. Easterling, a building contractor and church deacon, accepted the responsibility of overseeing construction of the new building free of charge, so the first shovel of dirt was moved January 1, 1951. Fifty or more men have donated nearly 8,000 hours of labor on the building. Ladies of the congregation served refreshments almost every evening that the men worked on the structure. The lots, building and furnishings are valued at more than $90,000, and the church owes a little more than a third of this amount. Seventy three have responded to the invitation during the sixteen months I have preached here. Now that the building is up, I am to begin with the congregation at Irving Blvd. and Delaware, Irving, Texas, on Nov. 1. My new work will be under the oversight of seven elders."

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Preacher Available

"An outstanding young preacher, now doing evangelistic work, but who has had more than ten year experience in local work, desires to locate with a good congregation. He is sound in the faith, has a pleasing personality, is an eloquent and forceful speaker, and is fully qualified to serve in an acceptable way any congregation desiring the services of a full time preacher. If you are interested in contacting such a man, write or call the editor or publisher of this journal and we will put you in touch with him."