The Overflow
Neely's Bend
These lines are being written from the home of the gifted and beloved Andy T. Ritchie, who for more than two score years has lived and labored in the Neely's Bend community some twelve miles northeast of Nashville. There is a fine congregation of Christians here; there is also a Methodist church in the community. But we'll guarantee this is one of the strangest Methodist churches in the nation. For many years now, almost without exception, every new convert to the Methodist church has demanded immersion. So powerful has been the influence of gospel preaching in this area that on one point, at least, the Methodists have capitulated.
—O—
Lucky One of those loud-mouthed, ranting preachers was having no little trouble keeping order in his congregation. Finally he stopped the sermon and addressed himself directly to two young men who were making the most disturbance. "Will you gentlemen please be a little quieter," he requested, "you're making so much noise I can't even hear what I'm talking about." "Brother," replied one of the offenders, "You just don't know how lucky you are!"
—O—
When Unity Ceases We call your attention to a series of articles, beginning in this issue, entitled, "When Unity Ceases." These articles present a calm and factual analysis of the factors involved in a breech of the fellowship that ought to exist between Christians. J. Herman Campbell, a teacher in George Pepperdine College, is in a strategic position to recognize and evaluate the dangers inherent in a softening-up policy toward the doctrine. The material in these scholarly articles was first used in a lecture at Pepperdine college last winter.
—O—
The drinker's epitaph
"On a tomb by the church near the trees Is a legend with sentiments these:
'His drinking was rife, And he danced all his life, And he danced in his death — with d. t. 's."
—Jack Dunn
—O—
That baptistry picture
"I note what you say about this Congregation (Central Church) having a picture of Christ being baptized by John in Jordan. I think this picture is entirely out of place... (it) does not represent the truth with regard to Christ's baptism as contained in the New Testament. In this picture Jesus is shown to be standing in the water, John with his hand upraised, supposedly reciting the ceremony preparatory to immersing him, the dove in the background in the air with a "dunce-cap" looking apparatus in its beak, represents the Holy Spirit. This representation is greatly at variance with the New Testament account, because it says after Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended upon him. The picture really forcibly represents the Baptist doctrine, which saves a person before he is baptized."
—R. 0. Kenley
—O—
The bride's bouquet In a thought provoking letter from Bro. Peter J. Wilson of Compton, California, Bro. Wilson says, "When the Christian church opened the door to instrumental music in the worship and to missionary societies... it was predicted by many that they would never be able to close that door, but that through it would pour more and more innovations and false doctrines. About four years ago one of their own preachers wrote: "Someone has said that when our movement began, the denominations said, 'We will ignore them'. But we grew like wildfire. Then the denominations said, 'We had better debate them'. They did; and lost time and time again. Then they said, 'We will try loving them', and they have courted us until there is real danger of a marriage with the denominations." The truth of that Christian church preacher's prediction was made manifest a few weeks ago when the 61st annual convention of the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) gave serious consideration to a merger with the Northern Baptists. Brethren, the marriage ceremony is being arranged. Let us be certain that we are not the one to catch the bride's bouquet.
—O—
Where is the emphasis?
Recently we wrote something about the tremendous emphasis many congregations are putting on the erection of fine new buildings. It seemed to us that some of them were in danger of overemphasizing the worth and the purpose of a "building program". Evidently, we were not alone in that fear. The following letter is typical of several we have received: "I get
'regusted' over this current building craze that has gripped so many congregations. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being wasted just to build something fine and 'out of this world', when there are countless multitudes of people right here in these United States who have never heard a gospel sermon, and never will."
—Will W. Slater
—O—
Water baptism excluded?
From Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bro. Felix W. Tarbet writes, "Recently I have been flooded with questions and literature from some of the "Moody Bible Institute" adherents, These folks admit that the baptism of John, the baptism of the great commission, and of Pentecost, and of the Book of Acts was essential to salvation. But they claim that water baptism ended with the Book of Acts, when Jesus gave up the idea of establishing the kingdom of Israel Paul, they say, was given a new commission, preached to the Gentiles, established the church, preached the grace of God, which excluded water baptism. Therefore, water baptism is not to be practiced at all in this age, It is premillennialism gone to seed." Bro. Tarbet has prepared a series of articles on this false teaching which will appear very soon in the Gospel Guardian. Watch for them.
—O—
Spellman-Roosevelt again So bitter and so widespread the protest raised by Cardinal Spellman's attack on Mrs. Roosevelt that many prominent Catholics have issued statements disavowing that the Cardinal's stand is that of the general run of Catholics. But let no one be deceived. Spellman spoke for the Catholic church; he presented the official attitude and position of the hierarchy. And, in the last analysis, that is all that counts. For all Catholics will submit to it. His bitter denunciation of those who oppose giving tax money to support parochial schools was noted and is not, the "private opinion" of one man; it is the fixed and permanent attitude of Catholicism.