"A Meeting Of Minds"
The foregoing was the caption of an article by Guy N. Woods in the Advocate of May 8, 1958. According to Brother Woods' article, Lanier, Woods, Goodpasture, Lemmons, et al, along with "these two great papers," Firm Foundation and Gospel Advocate, are all agreed that such orphan homes as "Boles, Tennessee, Childhaven, etc.," have a right to exist as they are now, and may be supported by funds taken from the treasuries of the churches, though the elders have no oversight, or control, over said homes. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
Not only do all these great men and papers agree that churches may establish and support human institutions (donations to be made to the institution from the church treasury) over which the elders have no oversight or control; but David Lipscomb also stood squarely on that position — according to Woods. The argument is unanswerable — also, according to Brother Woods.
"Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed." Where is Nicodemus? John 7:31,43.
Brother Woods "kindly" urges the Guardian to take due notice of certain facts, the substance of which (he claims) shows that the overwhelming majority of the "brotherhood" is lined up with him and the Advocate. It may not matter to anybody but me, but I urge all to take due notice of this: If the Guardian, Advocate, Firm Foundation, and all the others — "great papers" and great men — line up with Brother Woods, it will prove absolutely NOTHING to me about the scripturalness of such institutions. And I will not let a Charley McCarthy on any Burgin's {Bergen's} lap. I want a New Testament proof.