Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 7
October 6, 1955
NUMBER 22, PAGE 3

Unquotable Quotes

Luther W. Martin, St. James, Missouri

(NOTE: The contents of this article have been copied from various 'brotherhood' publications. All names used are fictitious. Locations are indicated only by States.)

The following excerpt bespeaks such a simpering and mincing attitude toward the preaching of God's word that we refrain even from indicating the State from which it was written.

"The church in Sensitive City has just closed a meeting in which Brother O. U. Stench did the preaching. The consensus of the congregation, including the preachers connected with the college, is that we were presented with some of the best proclamation of the gospel in the history of the church. Brother Stench with his humbleness, earnestness, and devout spirit; in conjunction with his wide knowledge of the Scriptures, literature and human nature, presented the truth as we think it should be. His excellent choice of English, and his ability to present Biblical truths, made the preaching unique. The discourses were free from vilification, sarcasm and extravagant statements. We were exceedingly happy to have this model preaching before the host of young preachers attending the college ...."

Let's Let The Words Of Paul Make A Fitting Reply:

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Cor. 2:1-5.)

From Missouri Comes This Solicitation:

"The church here is looking for a minister. We have a home for the preacher. This man must not be a hobbyist. We want someone who will preach the gospel and let the orphans' home alone, also the Herald of Truth."

This reminds me of some Baptist congregations that advertise which Church Manual they subscribe to . . . such as Hiscox or Pendleton. We also wonder why they didn't indicate what their `creed' is concerning putting colleges in the church budget?

A Texas Report States:

"In the mid-week service last night we baptized the church custodian and his son...."

A 'church-custodian'? No . . . THE 'church custodian'. Thought at first that their ONLY overseer had been baptized. But, I guess the report means the church BUILDING custodian. We're sounding very sectarian-ish when we refer to the meeting house as `the church'.

The more an expression is used, the more accepted it becomes. Finally, it's a full-fledged custom or tradition. This next excerpt from a preacher's report is of that order.

.... Next Sunday I begin a meeting with Joe Blow and the Gopher Street Church, Bare Knuckle, Tenn."

In this type of expression, just WHY is Joe Blow mentioned and the other members of the Gopher Street Church slighted? Now, if Joe Blow is ONE of the elders, why single Bro. Blow out for honorable mention and ignore the other elders? Or .. . is it really, that Bro. Blow is for all practical purposes 'the pastor'?

From Alabama, A 'Preaching-Brother' Writes:

"I stay busy filling in for churches without preachers.... "

This too, is a very common and accepted practice among `us' . . . but does such an admission indicate the 'state of the churches'? We're afraid that it does ... . i.e., churches whose overseers either can not, or do not, feed the flock' ... and are thus, `up the creek' without a boat, while 'their minister' is away in meetings.

Yessir . . . what this Country needs is MORE QUALIFIED ELDERS who will see that the members (which includes the preacher) toe the mark.

We copy this next report, in order to express our appreciation for the truth which it demonstrates. Since it is of a complimentary nature, we give accurate names and locations.

From Amory, Miss., November 1, 1954 — "Yesterday was the fiftieth anniversary of Christian Chapel. It was on that day, during a meeting held by C. R. Nichol, following a debate with the Seventh-Day Adventists in this community that fifty-three were baptized. Four of this number still worship here. Through the years Christian Chapel has been responsible for establishing several congregations in this section...."

The above excerpt was taken from the pen of Brother John L. Wheeler. If more reports were submitted concerning the excellent results of a properly conducted religious discussion, perhaps some of the timid souls among us would not be so hesitant about arranging and encouraging public debates.