"The Names Are Different . . . ."
We have received scores of letters the last two months from brethren who have written to express their feelings about "J. D. Tant — Texas Preacher." The biography is being widely read, and for that, of course, we are grateful. Nannie Yater Tant has received more than 200 letters and cards from people all over the nation who have read the book, and have wanted to express their appreciation to her for the major part she had in writing it — and in living the life she lived to help J. D. Tant do the work he did.
One note has occurred over and over again in the letters that have come: "The names and faces are different — but the problems are the same!" Nearly everyone who reads the book is aware that we have had in our day a resurgence of the old, old problems of digressionism. They recognize in the problems Tant met the same problems that are confronting the church in our day. J. D. Tant fought against a society set up by sincere brethren to do the church's work of evangelization; faithful preachers today are struggling against societies set up by sincere men for the purpose of doing the church's benevolence. It is the same old story told all over again.
We have seen comments on the biography in a great number of church bulletins. They have been more than kind in evaluation of the book. Because it comes from one who knew him and loved him, we reproduce here the comment made by Brother James W. Adams in the "Gospel Visitor," weekly publication of the Tenth & Francis Streets Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was written by Brother Adams without any advance knowledge of the author.
"J. D. Tant — Texas Preacher"
Brother Fanning Yater Tant, a member of the Tenth and Francis congregation and an outstanding preacher of the gospel, has recently published a book on the life of his illustrious father, J. D. Tant, bearing the above title. It is an engrossing, poignant story of the joys and accomplishments, the heartaches and sorrows of two of the noblest of God's elect, Jefferson Davis Tant and Nannie Yater Tant. Those of us who are the heirs of the fruits of the labors of such dedicated souls in the kingdom of God know little of the toil and the sacrifice, the disappointment and heartaches of a preacher of the Ancient Gospel on the frontiers of Texas and Oklahoma a generation or so ago. This book will make your heart throb with sorrow, thrill with joy, and ache with compassion. It is brilliantly written, tastefully printed, and beautifully bound. It cannot be read without a greater appreciation for New Testament Christianity, a better understanding of present issues, and an uplifting of the spirit. You will laugh at the antics of an uninhibited Irishman schooled in the humor of a rougher day as he struggled for God's truth at the forks of country roads, under brush arbors, in hot and dimly lit schoolhouses, and on the polemic platform. You will weep with him at the dying couch and the lonely grave of those whom he loved. You will suffer with him and his loved ones as he struggled to keep body and soul together through the labors of his own hands that he might go preach the gospel whenever and wherever called without regard to the ability of those who called him to support him.
I knew J. D. Tant personally and loved him. Underneath a rough exterior there dwelled in him a gentle and lovable spirit. He never knew what it meant to be afraid of any issue or adversary. He was dedicated unreservedly to the gospel of Christ and the church for which He died. I cherish the memory of our friendship, and rejoice that Yater has now written this beautiful, moving story that posterity might know them as they have been known. You will not want to miss the reading of this book.
Through the past few years this editor has received several letters from brethren with some pretty sharp criticism of the stand we have taken against extra organizations to do the work of the church; and every now and then one of these brethren will suggest that J. D. Tant would be ashamed of his son, and that the editor ought to change his name so as not to sully the memory of a great man who is gone. Such letters have never been a source even of irritation, much less resentment. Of regret, yes; but nothing more than that. We have regretted that these brethren who professed to know so much of J. D. Tant were unable to understand the real things for which Tant fought. The whole course of this man's life was against outside organizations to do the work of the church. Whatever failure he may have made in application of the principles for which he stood can not detract from the fact that he fought with all the strength at his command for the all-sufficiency of the New Testament church. We believe those who read the biography will understand what we are talking about.
We would like to write to all of you who have told of your pleasure in reading the book, but the task is too great. We will just have to let such a notice as this suffice. If you have enjoyed the book, and think it worth anything in giving a "lift" to those who may be burdened and distressed in trying to serve our Lord, then pass it on to some one else to read. Do not put it on your library shelf until it has been read by five or six others.
— F. Y. T.