News And Views
News From Here And There
Nolon N. Wallace has moved from Springhill, Louisiana to Cottage Grove, Oregon, where he will be working with the church ... Reuel Lemmons is the biggest enigma in the way of a human being that I have ever seen! I just can not understand him. He can write some of the finest editorials one can read. Then he can turn around and write in direct contradiction to it — and his practice is certainly in contradiction to much that he writes. That is, relative to the current problems. Did you read his recent editorial under the heading, My Kingdom Is Not Of This World? It was excellent and it read like someone had torn a page from the GUARDIAN. Now he will have to write one real soon upholding the practices he therein condemned or else he might lose more than the 250 subs that he gained when he compromised and sold out to H. A. Dixon, Guy N. Woods and the others at the Freed-Hardeman lectures. What he said in that editorial will not be taken well by them. Lemmons claims, of course, that he is in "the middle of the road" and that is a good place to get run over by everybody! H. O. Hutto, of Birmingham, writes me that he has at last learned what it means to be in "the middle of the road." He says that is the place where one can talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time! Certainly Lemmons has been trying to do just that. He is going to have to make up his mind to do his own THINKING, stand on his feet, quit trying to bow and scrape to the GOSPEL ADVOCATE-COLLEGE combine, and get in the fight against all the things going on which he KNOWS to be wrong. Of course, he will be stigmatized as being aligned with the GUARDIAN and that would be quite some "odor" for him and he has been very much afraid of this; but perhaps he is getting stronger. I certainly hope so . . . NEW BOOK: "THINGS MOST SURELY BELIEVED." This is the title of a new book of sixteen brief sermons by Forrest D. Moyer. It is an excellent book of lessons, well-arranged and easily read. The preacher can take the lessons and use them readily. I can not better describe them than does Yater Taut in the INTRODUCTION to the book: "In these sixteen brief sermons Forrest D. Moyer has stated with beautiful clarity and simplicity, yet with compelling force, the Christian's 'reason for the hope' that is in him. He deals with the greatest themes the race has known — God, Christ, the cross, sin and redemption, the church, heaven, and hell — yet he does it in language that the man in the pew, unskilled in the intricacies of theological vocabularies, can easily grasp. These sermons partake of that same quality which characterized the initial preaching of the gospel by Christ himself, of whom it was said, 'And the common people heard him gladly.' " The book sells for $2.50 in cloth and $1.75 in paper binding. You can order direct from the author at Box 822, Sunnyvale, California or from the Gospel Guardian. . . I read this fine statement some place: "It is better to debate a question without settling it, than to settle it without debating it." How true .. . PREACHERS ON THE MARCH is the name of a rather long jingle written by Wilson Coon, preacher for the West-side church in Phoenix, Arizona. It has some dandy verses in it. I am lifting a few at random to give a sample of what it is like (and these are not in order nor necessarily the best):
And who is that marching along with his wife?
Why that's Gayle Oler running for his life.
His hide is tough, his conscience is seared In everybody's business his nose has appeared.
There must be a voice from the Great West Coast Who is polished and refined and can give the toast.
"That's me", said Young with a mouth full of mush
"Just say Norvel, even the birds will hush."
Look at that straggler, he must be from Dallas Could it be John Bannister from Skillman Palace?
Tell us brother John, if you feel that you can Who is now boss of the Dallas clan?
"I'm from Fort Worth", said a voice with a boom
"Have you bought my book about Flowers That Bloom?"
Leroy is the name, Brownlow if you please His sermons are as mild as Philadelphia cream cheese.
"I'm an Insurance man, my name is Hogue Let me insure your belongings against that rogue."
That's Lewis all right, he's after the money You can just be assured he's as sweet as honey.
Marching and singing goes a man named Kelley Whose god is now his own dear belly.
He has changed his convictions a dozen times For a hundred and a quarter he'll preach nursery rhymes.
Well, as I said these are only some samples of the verses that appear in this pun. Yet anyone who reads it knows that there is far more "truth than poetry" in what Coon has written. If you would like a copy (there are eight pages of it) then write to him in care of the above church, West Indian School Road. It would be good to send along a few cents to at least pay for the postage. You will enjoy reading the poem . . . Tom O'Neal, Butler, Alabama, is trying to complete his sets of the GOSPEL ADVOCATE. He needs the following: 1943, No. 9, 23, 25; 1944, No. 13, 15, 23, 24, 31; 1945, No. 40, 46, 47; 1946, No. 37, 40; 1947, No 9, 12, 20, 25; 1949, No 24, 38; 1950, No. 7, 8, 19, 34, 37; 1951, No. 52; 1952, No. 9, 16, 17. Can you help supply these papers? He will gladly pay the postage. There are several others who are trying to complete their sets of various papers and I shall be glad to lend assistance in such through this column. Of course, that is within reasonable space. O'Neal has some extra copies that he would trade. If the others of you will send me a brief statement of the papers you need, I will gladly make such known by this means and maybe help all to secure the papers they need. Send your statement. I have a list from M. T Bishop, Earl Roberson and Cecil Willis and unless they need to change it and bring it up-to-date, I will carry them are I have them.
A NEEDED PRAYER
Teach me, 0 God, to think straight. When issues are confused, help me to see things as they are, not attempting to bend circumstances to my purpose. Let not my own desires so muddy the waters that I cannot see clearly what course I should pursue.
Let me understand how unsatisfactory is subterfuge, how short-sighted is all defeat of truth. In clear, quiet moments I know that whatever is thus gained cannot be enjoyed. But when there is turmoil about me and I must think quickly let me not fail.
Teach me to be the kind of person whom other people will trust instinctively. Let me never fall short of the confidence that has been given me.
Known to me, as it is, how easily one slips into unfairness and dishonesty, let me not judge harshly the persons who fail in their trust. Let me not think them different from myself, nor beneath me in standards, for in their circumstances I might have been weaker than they. Let me forgive as I am forgiven.
Let me so do my work this day that I can face each person squarely and without fear. Let me not look back upon this day through the long vista of years with regret.
Let me keep myself free to think and to live.
— Shell Happytime, via Nuggets
AN "ON THE MARCH CHURCH"
Perhaps you might be interested in the following information concerning the Sunnyvale church for your News column in the Guardian. The church began here about nine years ago with 26 members and now numbers 300. Our Sunday morning attendance runs about 385. We are supporting two men locally and helping to support two other men in other fields. Within a month or two we shall enter our new building which will give us greater opportunities. Of course, we receive much opposition from the liberal churches in the area because of our contending for the faith. This only encourages us to be stronger. This is a church "on the march" for the Lord and not "on the march" toward Rome.
— Forrest D Moyer, Sunnyvale, California
Con-Controversial:
A New Mexico congregation announced the beginning of a training class for the men. One of the characteristics of this class was: "We want it understood that nothing controversial will be discussed during this series of meetings". It has been known for a long time that many brethren have been opposed to any kind of controversy. They are becoming more and more brazen in their attitude. They hesitate not to declare their position. One is made to wonder just how the Lord or the apostles could have gotten along with this kind of attitude. Jesus disputed with the Jews; Paul disputed with all who contradicted him. Every faithful gospel preacher, in every age has dared to dispute with all opposers. When any man refuses controversy, or to discuss things controversial, he is immediately identified as one who dis-respects the word of God, and is unfaithful in his duty. They are like the unfaithful prophet who said; ". . . Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isa. 30:10). God says; "I am against the prophets that smooth their tongues." (Jer. 23:31).
Jesus said; ". . . Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." (Mt. 22:29).
— Wright Randolph via the Messenger