Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 5
September 10, 1953
NUMBER 18, PAGE 15

The Overflow

— F. Y. T.

Suit Withdrawn

We are happy to report that the suit by the liquor interests against Brother Kenneth Fielder, gospel preacher of Franklin, Tennessee, has been withdrawn. A lengthy article dealing with the matter has been received by us from Brother J. M. Powell, which we will publish shortly.

The New Testament Church

It seems likely that the book by Brother Cogdill, "The New Testament Church" is destined to be the most widely used book of its kind in our generation written by a Christian. Already in its seventh printing, the book has been translated, or is being translated, into the German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish languages. Hundreds of churches have used the book in class-work, and there are few gospel preachers in the nation who do not have it in their libraries. It is a perennial best seller among the books we handle.

"Child" And "Children"

Can a man with one child rightly meet the qualification that an elder must have believing "children"? This is a question that has been debated almost endlessly. We were shown a new passage on it the other day — at least new to us in that connection. Harold Sharp of Conway, Arkansas, cited us to Genesis 21:7, "And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? For I have born him a son in his old age." So the "children" to whom Sarah gave suck amounted to "a son," Isaac. Any comments from anybody?

Resigned Because Of Illness

Then there was the preacher who had to resign because of illness — the church got sick of him.

An Ounce Of Prevention

"There is an important lesson in the comment made by a murderer who was recently hanged, upon the instruction and care bestowed upon him by missionaries and ministers during the last days of his life: "If I had received as much attention before being put in prison as I have since, I should never have been here at all."

— Harper's, Weekly, 1872

Indubitably

An unsigned card from California, but in the familiar chirography of Floyd Thompson, asks the question, "Does Nehemiah 10:37 refer to the collection? Why, of course. Does it not say plainly, "And that we should bring the first fruits of our dough ...!"

August 20

The day came and went. And so far as we've been able to find out, Armageddon's battle did not convulse the world. For many years now the Anglo-Israel cult has been promising that on August 20, 1953, some world-shaking event would electrify the race of men into terror and paroxysms' of agitation. They all but said that that even would be the coming of Christ. The whole silly theory is based on certain measurements in the Great Pyramid at Cheops, Egypt. Supposedly the measurements in this monument are a prophecy of the history of the world. And on August 20, the "line of measurement" abruptly runs into a blank stone wall.' Hence, the wild speculations and guesses. A relatively high degree of idiocy is not absolutely essential for the acceptance of Anglo-Israelism, but it does help.

Bargaining

Then there was another preacher (or maybe it was the same one who resigned because of illness) who one day came to his friend considerably agitated over an insult he had received from one of the church officials. Seems this parishioner had offered the parson $500.00 for his resignation. "Don't you accept it," said the friend. "I'm confident you can get more."

Ready To Burst

Sometimes brethren get so "het up" in controversial matters that they feel they will simply burst if they don't get a chance to let off a little steam. They are like young Elihu, when he said, "I will answer also my part, I also will show mine opinion. For I am full of words, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my breast is as the wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer." (Job 32:17)

Letters

"I know that you will be interested in hearing that I have had at least a half dozen letters, from young men and old men, expressing appreciation for the teaching in recent articles. This is proof of the attention the G.G. is commanding, and not as one young man presumed to declare, just as a spoiled child. Furthermore. I have not received a single letter from irate brethren, such as used to be common. I therefore think the brotherhood as a whole is awakening to the realities of a drifting church. Keep up the good work."

Vaughn D. Shofner Lubbock, Texas

"Brother G. C. Brewer's recent outburst on the pages of the Gospel Advocate (July 16): "The Direct and Indirect Method of Supporting Missionaries," is indeed a classic! His efforts to justify the "Indirect Method" by "scripture reference" reminds me of a Methodist preacher trying to prove sprinkling and infant membership by citing a whole array of scriptures which mention neither!"

John T. Overbey Tulsa, Oklahoma

"Here is an excerpt from a letter I received last. July: 'We had Brother B______ from W___________ , who brought loads of books to talk about — this one was 100 years old, that one was the history of all his ancestors, another one gave the genealogy of all the old residents of C______ county; another was a picture book, large size, containing some man's idea of the patriarchs and the prophets along with the apostles. One book contained the laws of his home state from the beginning to the present date; another was the constitution of the United States and how it was first started. Well, I do hope that he has finished this discourse. If not, let us pray that no one asks him to continue it."

Luther Savage Fort Worth, Texas

"Out Of Yesterday"

"Order from us church deed with restrictive clause at ten cents a copy

. . . . Order from us the 'Preachers'

Yearbook For 1909.' Price 10 cents."

— Firm Foundation, 1909