News And Views
News Of Moves
Conway Skinner has moved from Valdosta, Ga. to Mayo, Florida....Thomas G. O'Neal has moved from Butler, Alabama to labor with a small congregation just out of Jasper, Alabama. ...Ben Parrish has moved to labor with the church in Yoakum, Texas....Woodrow Plyler has moved from Clanton, Alabama to work with the church in Lockland, Ohio.... Peter J. Wilson has moved from Ontario to work with the church in Bellflower, California ....W. C. Hinton, Jr. has moved from Perry, Florida to labor with a new congregation in Decatur Ga. Decatur is just out of Atlanta. The new church is meeting in the Terry School House, 1975 Fayetteville Road, S. E. This new church will really take a stand for the truth and in opposition to all the modern innovations. As far as I can learn, this is the only church in the Atlanta area which is standing solidly against institutionalism in all its forms. People who live in the Atlanta area and those who may be visiting there are urged to worship with these people.... C. W. Scott, who has been connected with Florida Christian College for several years, has moved to Louisville, Kentucky to work with the Haldeman Avenue church....Amos Davenport, who has been with the Central church in Louisville for several years, has begun work with the new Shepherdville church on the outskirts of Louisville....Ben Shropshire has moved from Horse Cave, Kentucky to labor with the Central church in Louisville....B. J. Thomas has moved from Bellaire, Texas to work with the church in Haynesville, Louisiana.
Church Supported Colleges
The question of supporting colleges from the church treasury is not a new one, nor is it a dead one. Many of the colleges have received funds from churches in times past and some are still accepting such support. Such men as the late G. C. Brewer has contended that such work is Scriptural and that those who oppose the church — supported — colleges are Anti College Men.
Alexander Campbell made a tour through Illinois and Missouri in 1853 in an all out effort to raise funds for Bethany College. Another strong effort was made in 1858. Many churches made contributions to Bethany. Appeals for church finance were made in 1907-1909 by brethren E A Ham and David Lipscomb in behalf of the Nashville Bible School. Churches sent funds to this school. G. C. Brewer made the statement in 1947 that Abilene Christian College had solicited and accepted funds from local churches.
In 1933 brother G. A. Dunn framed a number of questions and published them, challenging for Scriptural proof for such practices. In 1938 W. W. Otey raised his voice against church-supported-colleges and challenged G. C. Brewer for public debate on the question. Other men came to the front and strongly protested against churches supporting the schools and were instrumental in stemming a tide of digression.
The fight is not over and the questions are not settled. Brethren merely backed away because of strong opposition, bidding their time for greater opportunities to dip their fingers in church finance. They have very patiently waited for the resistance to weaken in the preachers and churches, and from the general looks of things, the time is here for the kill.
There is not a preacher alive who can oppose church-financed institutions as Boles Home in Texas or Sunny Dale Home in Phoenix. LET THEM TRY.
— Wilson M. Coon, Phoenix, Arizona
The Floodgates Are Open
"Another matter of faith involved is the right and responsibility of the church to support the teaching of the word of God. The word of God is taught in the Christian schools. To the degree and extent that the word is taught, churches may underwrite that expense by church contributions." (Rex A. Turner, President, Alabama Christian College, in Lipscomb Spring Lectures, p. 89.)
No danger here, we are told. Schools in the budget was supposedly a settled issue. Well, it may have been under ground, but it certainly wasn't dead. As the locks were opened just wide enough, is was through, to let the orphan homes through, the schools came a rushing as waters jetted from hidden springs to surge through the very same opening. The pressure is now too great to close the locks; the floodgates are open!
The top water looked calm enough, and it seemed shallow enough to be harmless. Then the gates were eased ajar; those expressing concern and disapproval were excited alarmists. They counted it too important as the rising waters covered some of the old landmarks. Relax! No danger! Besides, it is so shallow; and we'll never forget the old landmarks, anyway. And so the gates are opened wide, and bottomless waters fed by the springs of human wisdom gush through deluging a once peaceful people.
Weep as you see the flood of church gymnasiums, kitchens and banquet halls. Shed a tear as you behold human enterprises that feast on the church — hobby shops and hospitals, schools and benevolent societies — we are deluged! As pertains particularly to schools and orphan homes, it is now obvious that the orphan home served as a front to get the school in. That took a rather wide opening, and anything that wide is wide enough for anything. Yes, the floodgates are open and human wisdom is in command.
— Jere E. Frost, Birmingham, Ala.
On Public Discussions
Error, superstition, bigotry, and fanaticism attempt to repress free discussion, by saying that there are certain things which are too sacred in their nature, or which have been long held, or which are sanctioned by too many great and holy names, to permit their being subjected to the scrutiny of common eyes, or to be handled by common hands. In opposition to all this, Christianity requires us to examine everything — no matter by whom held; by what councils ordained; or by what sacredness it may be invested. No popular current in favor of any doctrine; no influence which name and rank and learning can give it, is to commend it to us as certainly worthy of belief. By whomever held, we are to examine it freely before we embrace it; but when we are convinced that it is true, it is to be held, no matter what current or popular opinion of prejudice may be against it; no matter though the belief of it may require us to die a martyr's death.
— Albert E. Barnes, 1932, Via The Sinton (Texas) Review.
A Good Gossip Recipe
1. Take a harmless event.
2. Add an ugly motive.
3. Stir in own opinion.
4. Add a suspicious tone.
5. Put in a measure of, "they say!'
6. Add imaginary details to heighten the taste.
7. Sprinkle well with spice of rumor.
8. Heat slowly over the flame of envy.
9. Serve secretly and as often as possible to any who will give attention.
— Bulletin, Taylor Blvd. Louisville, Ky.
Revenge
Revenge promises more and pays less than anything under the sun. A man may think that revenge is good but God says, "Avenge not yourselves....Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Vengeance is a terrible thing — so terrible that no poor, frail, ignorant man has any business to tamper with it. Let it alone; leave it in the hands of him who knows what is needed in the case, and who himself has promised to take care of all our interests.
— J. T. Poe.
Heritage
God gave you a body that's sturdy and strong, He gave you your choice to do right or wrong;
You can make, you can break, cherish or kill, Be brute man, a true man — it's just as you will.
God gave you a brain to do your part, Make it lead a nation, or draw a cart;
You can fill it with gems or stuff it with slime, Make it live for a day, or live for all time.
God gave you a soul that can grow or shrink, Make it white or black by the thoughts you think;
It can sink to the level of the dirtiest sod, Or climb to the mountains and talk with God.
— The Sower.