News
Mack Kercheville, Box 3487. El Paso, Texas: "We have had four baptisms at the El Paso Mexican church since January 1st. At present we are having cottage Bible classes or public church services every day in the week except Monday and Saturday. The number of students of the Bible Correspondence Course offered in the Spanish language is growing. We invite you to send us the names of Spanish speaking friends for this free Bible course."
They Voted Down The Bible
Herbert L. Coffman, Houston, Texas: "During the first part of December (1958) I preached in a gospel meeting conducted by the church of Christ in Balboa, Canal Zone. There were some good crowds highlighted by 70 people (the record) being in attendance on Lord's Day morning. There were no visible results. We enjoyed meeting and being with some very fine people.
However, the one drawback was the way that the business meeting voted down the Bible. The men in their business meeting voted to make a "firm offer to Brother _______to come work with us as a full time preacher subject arranging details for support, etc." An overwhelming majority approved this. Then when they learned that the preacher desired the outside support be sent to him directly (rather than to the church) as was done in 2 Cor. 11:8 and Phil. 4:15-18, the business meeting voted down the Bible.
"A motion was made by Brother_______ that any outside support for a preacher's salary be sent directly to the preacher rather than to the congregation. Motion seconded by Brother________. Voting 1 (one) yes, 8 (eight) no, 2 (two) abstained." (Two more abstained due to parliamentary procedure.) This particular voting was led by two who believe in the innovations of institutionalism and centralization as practiced by some in the church today. It is a sad day when the word of God is voted down in favor of men's commandments.
We are in our fourth year with the church in East Houston, Houston, Texas. During the last three years the Lord blessed the work here with 70 baptisms and 108 restorations."
New Congregation Meets in Jacksonville, Texas On December 7, 1958, a new congregation of the Lord was formed in Jacksonville, Texas with a total of 31 present. From that time attendance has averaged about 30 for Sunday morning services. Several weeks previous to this, Brother R. L. Burns, of Grand Prairie, came and taught a class in the V. L. McLeroy home, on Thursday nights. After 3 or 4 such meetings it was decided to begin meeting on the Lord's day. Brother Burns continues to come on Thursday nights, while various others preach for us on the Lord's day. This class is at 7 P.M. Sunday services are at 10 and 11 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. The meeting house is located at 411 E. Commerce.
Jacksonville is a trade center in this area and is about 12,000 in population. Prospects for building a strong congregation here are good, while the work is a real challenge. Our greatest need for the present seems to be a man to work full-time with us. Any church that might be interest ed in sending support to a preacher here would find this a fruitful field. For information, contact V. L. McLeroy, 608 Cherokee St. or H. D. Stallings, Tyler Hwy. Route 2, Jacksonville, Texas.
Billy T. Jones, Box 506, Apache. Oklahoma: "On June 1, 1958, a small group of faithful Christians began meeting in the American Legion Hall here in Apache. This was done because of the overruling vote of the liberal element in the church which meets at N. Oak St. building, that there would be no more teaching contrary to the support of human benevolent institutions out of the church treasury. When efforts to reconcile differences on the part of the ones opposed to such support (The ones in favor of the support made no efforts at resolving the differences), were ignored by the elders of the N. Oak church, two meetings were arranged with Brother Bryan Vinson of Tulsa. Oklahoma and Brother J. P. Lusby of Amarillo, Texas doing the preaching in the Legion Hall. Even though every member of the N. Oak church was invited to the meeting, only two attended. Since that time the faithful few have purchased some property with a two-story house on it which has been remodeled into a home for the preacher and an auditorium, class rooms and a Preacher's study. At present there are about twelve members with an attendance of thirty to forty on Sunday morning. The liberal brethren have used every deceitful means at their disposal, from slander to boycott, to destroy the new congregation. All their efforts has tended to strengthen the faithful. In order to support a preacher full time they will need about $75 a week. Any one or any church desiring to help in this worthwhile effort can contact O. E. Roberts, Box 63, Apache, Oklahoma.
C. C. Doggett, 7816 U St., Little Rock, Arkansas: "The church meeting at 201 Keightley Drive and Cantrell Road has grown since its beginning May, 1958. I began working with these brethren November, 1958. We are growing in number and are expecting a good increase during this year. We believe that the fine zeal and faith of the brethren will continue and that with the help of faithful brethren elsewhere the work will continue. These faithful brethren have rejected every innovation of false teaching and practice, and every institution not authorized by the word of God. At the present we are short of the necessary amount to pay for the services of a full-time preacher. However, I am doing my best to continue on the amount they are able to pay me. We are working and praying continually for the cause of Christ in Little Rock. We would appreciate letters of inquiry from faithful brethren with regard to the work and our needs here. We feel we are doing all we can to help ourselves. I pray that I may have sufficient support to continue with the church here as long as I can help them to build a strong congregation firmly on the New Testament pattern. Brethren, pray for us."
Andrews-Reeves Discussion
Joseph H. Cox, 1224 Ashland Avenue, Louisville 15, Kentucky: "The discussion between Brethren William H. Reeves and Tuck Andrews was conducted at Miami, Florida, during December, 1958, in the meetinghouses of 7th Avenue and Hialeah congregations respectively. There were four nights given to this discussion with two hour sessions each night.
The propositions discussed pertained to whether or not "church of Christ" could "build and maintain benevolent organizations" through which to accomplish their work of caring for the needy.
Brother Andrews obligated himself to show that churches of Christ could scripturally build and maintain such organizations. But instead of measuring up to his proposition, he chose to make the "cut and dried" quibbles of Brother Guy N. Woods. Brother Andrews made one quibble that I had never heard Brother Woods make, i. e., on Matt. 23:3--" ... they say and do not." Andrews sought to apply this scripture to Brother Reeves and those who oppose churches of Christ building and maintaining benevolent societies. Yet, in the same speech he acknowledged that we believe in the congregations meeting their own responsibilities in regard to the care of the needy. Thus he refuted his own application and quibble on Matt. 23:3.
The brethren in Miami, who believe the churches of Christ are sufficiently able to meet their obligations in caring for the needy without setting up benevolent societies, were well-pleased with the good work of Brother Bill Reeves. The discussion was held on a high plane and we believe that good was accomplished. Your reporter served as timekeeper for Brother Reeves, and Brother Stanley Blackman was timekeeper for Brother Andrews."
Forthcoming Discussion
Joseph H. Cox, 1224 Ashland Avenue, Louisville 15, Kentucky: "Arrangements have been completed and propositions have been signed for a discussion between Guy N. Woods and Joseph H. Cox to be held at Miami, Florida. The discussion is to be four days' duration with two-hour sessions nightly. The 7th Avenue and Hialeah congregations will furnish their buildings for these discussions.
The following propositions are to be discussed:
1. It is scriptural for churches of Christ to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as the Boles Home, the Tipton Home, and other orphan homes and homes for the aged which are among us.
Affirmative .. Guy N. Woods Negative ..... Joseph H. Cox
2. It is contrary to the scriptures for churches of Christ to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as the Boles Home, the Tipton Home, and other orphan homes and homes for the aged which are among us.
Affirmative .. Joseph H. Cox Negative ..... Guy N. Woods
The dates of the discussion will be October 6, 7, 8 and 9, 1959."
Public Discussion: "There will be a debate between Bro. Lyle McCollum and Bro. Glen W. Lovelady concerning the present problems facing the Church. Bro. McCollum will affirm that Churches of Christ can build, maintain and support HUMAN INSTITUTIONS as ORPHAN HOMES, OLD FOLK'S HOMES, and HOSPITALS. Bro. Lovelady will deny. We need to commend Bro. McCollum for he is CONSISTENT. He believes that if the Churches of Christ can own, operate, and support one HUMAN INSTITUTION, the Churches of Christ can own, operate and support and or all HUMAN NSTITUTIONS. More Brethren need to realize this fact and either accept ALL HUMAN INSTITUTIONS into the Church budget, or reject ALL OF THEM, (TO BE CONSISTENT). If you want further information please write to CHURCH OF CHRIST, 2167 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, California. It will be held either the last of February or the first of March."