The Overflow
Dear Abby
Recently in Birmingham we clipped this from the lovelorn column of Abigail Van Buren: "Dear Abby — I am 44 years old, well fixed financially, and would like to get married. I would like to meet a man about my age who enjoys going to church. I belong to the First Methodist Church, Blessed Angels Catholic Church, and the Mount Zion Jewish Temple. I also attend the Christian Science Church regularly, but do take an aspirin occasionally. Please help me find a man of good character who is interested in marriage, and who belongs to any or all of the above mentioned churches. (Signed) Ida J." That reminds us of a statement from a gospel preacher that-the mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, once held membership in the West End Church of Christ in that city — and a fashionable Presbyterian Church of Nashville at the same time. The brother who related this to us was working with the West End Church at the time.
"Impressive" indeed!
The Gospel Advocate recently boasted that "an impressive number" of preachers had sent in their confessions, telling how they had changed their convictions. Well, as nearly as we can recall there have been eight. And four of them swear they "have NOT changed"! Peter calls the number eight "few" 1 Pet. 3:20); but after two years of ballyhoo, pressure, threats, pleadings and cajoling, the Advocate thinks it an "IMPRESSIVE" number! Ha! Actually, most of the Advocate's vaunted "changers" are but a group of fence-riders who were having trouble deciding which way to flop, and who finally yielded to the pressure and jumped off in the Advocate cow-pasture.
It took him two years
A well known north Alabama preacher who some time ago sent in his "confession" to the Gospel Advocate has related to a brother preacher in his city that it was impossible for him to write such a confession as long as he took the Gospel Guardian; but that he stopped his subscription to the Gospel Guardian, and after two full years of reading only ONE side of the issues (through the Gospel Advocate) he was able to bring himself to the point of writing his "confession". He says he was also unable to promote a kitchen for the church where he preaches until he had stopped the Gospel Guardian. But by closing his eyes, stopping his ears, and hardening his heart, he is now able to have a fine kitchen in the church. Oh, yes, his church bulletin also promises all who come that "the entire evening service will not consume more than forty-five minutes." And it emphasizes that "This is a promise."
Its just their nature
We have received voluminous documents concerning the split between brethren W. L. Totty and Sterl Watson. The hard and bitter things that are being said in that split-up are of little interest to us. Both these men are extremists and hatchet-men; they are experts in the hurling of charge and counter charge. That is the way they "arguefy." So far as we can judge after wading through several pages of the mess, Totty has distinctly the better of the argument as of now. But don't underestimate Sterl. No doubt he will be back in their swinging soon — with his favorite weapon. And what is that? Well, he said a few years ago that the only way he knows to argue with some folks is to "beat them in the face with the entrails of a dead buzzard." Having been figuratively on the receiving end of that kind of argumentation, we now gladly surrender the honor to Brother Totty.
"Finally
The Gospel Advocate reports that it "finally" received the manuscript for the Woods-Cogdill debate. Brother Cogdill comments that they "finally" would "never have received it from him at all if Brother Guy N. Woods had not "finally" sent his charts! The manuscript was sent to the Gospel Advocate on the very same day it was turned over to the printer for Brother Cogdill. This day was nearly four months later than it could have been had Brother Woods sent his charts. He delayed, and delayed, and delayed — until Cogdill "finally" bluntly told him that the Gospel Advocate would NEVER receive the manuscripts from him until and unless the Woods charts were produced. Under that pressure the charts "finally" came. The book is now in print, and can be ordered from the Gospel Guardian, Box 980, Lufkin, Texas. The price is $4.00.
Travel notes
Since the first of the year the editor has held gospel meetings in California, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina and Alabama. We are much impressed with the fine way in which congregations in all these sections are settling down to the great task of meeting the challenge of modernism. We are finding scores of gospel preachers who have been somewhat undecided on the orphan home and "Herald of Truth" issues — but who are alarmed and aroused at the extremes of liberalism, worldliness, and secularist materialism which are flooding the churches in the wake of the "big promotions". They are discovering that the preachers who condone dancing, social drinking, church recreational centers, youth rallies and all the worldly "appeal to the flesh, to pride, and to vanity" are the very ones who are most vociferous in promoting the "big show" that can be made by benevolent societies, hospitals, and centralized promotions. They all go together.
Alabama churches — of Christ
Riding down the street in Birmingham last month we saw a neat little church building with a sign attractively displayed out front: "Sanctified Church of Christ." Two days later on the road between Cullman and Jasper, we passed a well kept little country church house with a big sign down by the roadside: "Pine Grove Holy Church of Christ." Is this something new under the sun?
Separate items, please
Too often the editor received letters, upon a variety of subjects, with a "news report" for the Guardian embedded in a paragraph somewhere in the letter. You will help us much by putting your news reports on a separate page (or preferably a postal card) and mailing directly to the Gospel Guardian, Box 980, Lufkin, Texas.
Church of Christ Parochial School
Headline from the Wichita (Kansas) Eagle: "New Parochial Body Formed." The story tells of the formation of a new parochial school organization in that city, promoted and organized by members of the Church of Christ. We think this whole question ought to be given a lot more study than it has yet received before brethren go hog wild over it. Far from helping Christian young people, it is quite possible that such schools may seriously handicap them and injure them in the fierce competitive world in which they have to learn to live — as Christians.
The "Saints"
"The Antioch Church Softball League, newly organized with nine teams this season, got off to a slow start at city park last night, but the 'saints' of Church of Christ emerged with the debut victory over the Missionary Baptists 8-6 in 11 innings." (News item from the sports page of a California newspaper.) That reminds us of the time a Louisville (Kentucky) newspaper reported a ball game in the Catholic league of the city with the headline: "Saint Thomas Wallops Our Lady Of Sorrows."
General Chairman of Statewide Y. P. M.
Now comes a bulletin from a congregation in Fresno, California, giving a brief biographical sketch of the brother who is serving as "General Chairman of the Statewide Young People's Meetings."
That Dallas youth rally
"Now, if you think I am a bird of ill omen hunting dark clouds and deep shadows, then look to the emphasis in spiritual affairs today. The religious papers are filled with blazing headlines and large ads of "big promotional deals." To be worthy of space the project must be 'colossal, gigantic and stupendous'. We seek to catch the eye of the unsaved with banner headlines and mighty programs. This Sunday a congregation of some 200 has obtained the Dallas Memorial Auditorium for the purpose of holding a meeting in which more Christians will assemble than in any other gathering in the Southwest! Pat Boone, Bobby Morrow, Byron Nelson, Sonny James and other great names appear on the program! As yet I have not read any statement that Jesus Christ is even invited, much less expected! Matthew 18:20 is not considered a crowd-getter." — Dillard Thurman in Gospel Minutes
"Out of style"
Now comes also a letter from a reader, enclosing a clipping from the local newspaper with an AP dispatch as follows: "Milwaukee, May 23 — "St. Vincent's Infant Asylum is closing its doors because orphanages have become old fashioned. The asylum, founded in 1904, once cared for as many as 60 children at a time; but populations of orphanages have declined because child welfare experts now prefer placing children in foster homes. The Daughters-of Charity of St Vincent de Paul plan to abandon their present building in the fall. They are considering establishment of a small home for emotionally disturbed teen-age girls." Comments our reader: "You shouldn't have told people they were 'unscriptural' in supporting an orphan's home; you should have told them they were 'out of date'. Auntie used to tell me that I had just as soon be dead as 'out of style'!"
Shades of logic!
It has been called to our attention that the "master logician" among us advertizes the subscription rates on his "Spiritual Sword" as follows: "Subscription per year — $2.00; Subscription per single copy 12 cents each." Since the paper is a monthly, you can get it for $1.44 per year by ordering it each month — but you are penalized if you order it for a whole year at a time! And this is the "logician" who is going to lead the church out of the wilderness of "anti-ism". Oh, brother! It looks to us like the "total situation" has done gone off like a rocket and left the "component parts" far, far behind, subscription wise, that is. No doubt, if you want to subscribe for two years (and who would?), the price will be $5.00.
Editors' dilemma
We opine that there was editorial head scratching and puzzled indecision in the office of many a newspaper throughout the country last month when the various city editors tried to determine what to do with the wire reports of that Dallas Youth Rally of the Churches of Christ — should it go on the "Sports Page! (what with Bobby Morrow, Roddie Osborne, Eddie Southern and Oliver Jackson participating), or on the "Entertainment Page" (with Pat Boone and Sonny James being featured), or did it belong on the "Church Page" (being sponsored by a group of Dallas churches, and featuring its theme as "Living For Christ")? Incidentally, we saw it on all three pages in various papers! But there was no disagreement as to the news value of the stories — all the items gave first place to the stories to the entertainers, second place to the sports figures, and most of them gave a bare mention to the preachers, not even naming the man who was the principal speaker of the occasion!
We Know How He Felt
We've heard sermons that give us full understanding of the feelings of a certain playgoer who was seen walking out with his hat and coat during intermission. Being asked why he was leaving, he replied, "Well, I've just seen the first act, and I'm sure the fellow who wrote that also wrote the other two."