News
Church In Merryville, Louisiana
Bob Franks, 1726 Park St., Beaumont, Texas: "The church in Merryville, La., is small. This congregation of the Lord's people has a membership of about 18. They have 'bought and paid for a nice little brick building that will seat about 150 people. They need help. By this I mean, a man that will work diligently to build up the cause of Christ in this place.
It is very difficult for any small congregation in Louisiana to get assistance in any way. I do not know the reason unless it is because we have never considered Louisiana as a mission field. South Louisiana is indeed a mission field in every sense of the word. These people like many others need help desperately.
This is written especially to interest some sound gospel preacher who is willing to support himself and work with these people or get his support from some interested congregation. The church in Merryville is only able to pay about $100 per month and furnish a house toward the support of a preacher.
These people are sound in the faith and are ready to fight against all innovations that are so popular today.
If any who read this article are interested, please contact Bro. J. A. Franks, Merryville, Louisiana. His telephone number is 4782."
A Statement To Whom It May Concern In Christ Jesus:
More than a year has elapsed since the reuniting of the brethren in St. Joseph. The church wishes to report to the brotherhood some of its accomplishments and also answer some questions asked by brethren in nearby congregations in recent months.
We realize our getting together was a very unusual happening among our brethren and for this reason we hesitated to make an earlier report to the brethren elsewhere. Efforts of brethren in other localities laboring to obtain fellowship with each other has been reported to us. May our saviour's prayer in John 17 be answered by these efforts is our prayer also.
If our experience can be beneficial to others, we are happy to pass it on to them. Only one family opposed our uniting and hasn't worked with us since the merge, otherwise there is not a dissatisfied member among us to our knowledge. We honestly and sincerely believe that the motivating factor in unity among brethren is the love for one another that Jesus taught we must have to be his disciples. Brotherly love and respect is manifested in this congregation as can be seen in our efforts.
Truly we feel there has been an accomplishment in our united effort to strengthen the cause of Christ in St. Joseph and will do so in other places if put into practice. We unanimously agreed to leave out of the church (or not to be participated in by the church) things that have been the cause of division. We agree that opinions and traditions shall not be bound upon anyone but where a Bible principal is involved, we shall obey without question.
For the present, the church is the governing body, as directed by the scriptures, to the best of our understanding of same. Our efforts are for the growth and development of the members and their needs and others also who may need aid that we feel are justified by the scriptures. Bro. Balcom is working with us and is doing some very effective work in spreading the gospel over the television, also by private contacts and public preaching. Others are getting results by their efforts also.
Bro. Balcom preaches at other places upon invitation from other congregations, approved by the brethren here. One of the local brethren fills the pulpit in his absence. We have what we consider a very stable attendance of approximately one hundred or better present on Lord's Day. Our programs are made up at our monthly business meetings.
There have been twenty two responses since the merge. Seven restorations, six baptisms and nine to place membership. When Jesus came to this world of sin, he came not to judge us but to seek and save the lost. He mixed and mingled with the people, ate and drank with them and loved them to the extent he gave his life that they might be saved. He accepted them from all walks of life in their primary obedience to the gospel and of course he does the same today.
We brethren in St. Joseph have placed a great deal of emphasis on our saviour's prayer recorded in John 17, especially the 20th and 21st verses believing he didn't utter these words in vain.
It seems, we as members of the body of Christ, in our efforts to convert others, have over looked one of the greatest instruments Christ has placed in our possession, that is, that of being of one soul and one spirit as a brotherhood. "That the world may believe."
We now bring this letter to a close for the present, welcoming any inquiry or comment which you may have regarding the success of our work in St. Joseph. May God be with each and every one of us that we might work and strive to attain the unity for which Jesus prayed and died for.
In Christian Love, Church Of Christ 20Th And Highly Sts. St. Joseph, Missouri
Jim Hunt, 600 Seneca Ave., Louisville, Kentucky: "Gospel preacher, married, three Children, desires to work with church 100 mile radius of Louisville, Ky. Good personal worker, good references."
J A. Gaston, Buffalo Gap, Texas: "The work at Wylie, (7 miles south of Abilene, Texas) is coming along very well Last Lord's day we baptized four.
This congregation is less than two years old, but we can see a good chance of it becoming a nice congregation.
Bro. Paul Foutz of Odessa, Texas starts a meeting for us June 22. If any are in this part of the country, come out and worship with us.
We assure you we need your help as we have a hard fight because of the fact we are so close to Abilene, and A. C. C."
Richard E. Donley, Box 223, White Plains, New York: "I recently assisted the church in Dexter, Maine, in a gospel meeting. Attendance and interest was very good both within and without the church. R. C. Smart works with the Dexter church, being supported by the Parkview church in Odessa, Texas. He is doing a great work in a new field. While I was gone from home, I preached in five different towns, and each time was in a rented hall. I spoke for the churches in Middletown, Rhode Island, Dexter, Maine, and Pittsfield, Maine, and did some preaching in two towns where there is no church. Every service was attended by some who were not Christians.
The church in White Plains was encouraged yesterday by the presence of several out of town visitors who were spending the week-end in New York City. We hope that in the future many others will worship with us while visiting in the City. White Plains is easily accessible from down town, and we meet in the Y.M.C.A."
"A Faithful Christian"
A member: "The time must come when every faithful Christian waves a sad farewell to loved ones and friends, and embarks for the distant shores of eternity. This sad departure was made by our beloved James Hamilton on May 3, 1959. He had lived for the past 28 years in Ontario, California. He departed on his journey at the age of 58 years. Having obeyed the gospel at the age of 20, he was a faithful member of the Lord's church for 38 years and was serving as a faithful elder of the church at Laurel and E in Ontario. James was loved by everyone who knew him. His devoted wife and a host of friends miss him, but his life was an inspiration and this pleasant memory will linger long in our hearts. The funeral was held in the Richardson Funeral Home at Ontario. There was an overflow crowd in the chapel, and a large floral offering. Brother Pete Wilson officiated. Entombment was made in Bellevue Mausoleum."