A Great Opportunity Beckons
Sept. 1, 1960
Open Letter To:
My Dear Brethren:
Here is YOUR opportunity to get behind a real good work! Please don't throw this letter into your "circular file" just because it is mimeographed. (Many big works have started in this way before an office staff and better equipment was available ) Surely you wouldn't willfully refuse our request, knowing the Bible says you are "to be ready unto every good work." Cooperation, brethren, will put this idea of mine over! Here it is!
For years, brethren, I, Lett John Dooit, have contemplated marriage! home! family! But I have lacked the financial ability myself to support a wife. But in reading some "brotherhood publications" I have come up with a wonderful idea — I will simply sponsor a wife since I am unable to support one. How about that? Why have I not seen this thing before?
You know God ordained marriage. I must fulfill my responsibility and get married soon. But getting married is not just one man's responsibility! Since it is all of our responsibility I'm soliciting the fellowship of all you brethren in this matter of "our responsibility." You can assist me in my sponsorship of a wife and we'll both get credit for doing God's will. Incidentally, you'll make me and a certain lady mighty happy! Knowing I could count on you, beloved brethren, I have decided to sponsor a wife!!!
With such confidence in you brethren I assumed it proper to start negotiations with one Miss Iva Hope, a lady you would all love and recommend for the job. On presenting the idea to her of marriage, my plans crystallized more rapidly than I had anticipated. (Say! Was she ever enthusiastic about it!) Now, brethren, I hesitate to ask you (it really embarrasses me!) but this has created a sort of emergency, and will be needing funds IMMEDIATELY instead of the thirty days I had hoped to allow you. Brethren, remember, I am under obligation as her SPONSOR to see she is provided for. Right now I don't have funds for the rent. Please rush into this matter — er, I mean, please rush your contribution to me at once. I would not want Iva to lose confidence in me, her sponsor, nor in you, her supporters! Remember our joint responsibility! Put us in your budget. Send us all the Fifth Sunday's contributions (or half, at least). Show the world and the "antis" (those old bachelors and spinsters) that you believe in doing things rather than arguing over "methods!"
Brethren, that you may see that this is YOUR work, we list here some items that you may check and your funds will be used that way.
1. Provide house for my (I mean our) wife.
2. Provide food, clothing, cosmetics, entertainment, etc. To be used to defray office expense of the "sponsoring" husband.
3. To be used to care for increased growth of family (children) if and/or when.
Brethren, my humility almost forbids me saying that you will notice I asked nothing for myself. In sponsoring a wife I am doing a great and good work personally, and providing the brotherhood with an opportunity to support a work that God ordains — marriage! (You know, a church is not her own marriage society!) I am willing to make this sacrifice and assume this responsibility. My remuneration is that we might hold hands together (I mean us brothers, not Iva and me) in fellowship with those like-minded.
I suspect some carping critic will question the sincerity of my appeal and the scripturalness of my position. Some pigmy souls have no love for women, spinsters, children or home! (Oh, excuse those tear-stains on the letter, but such harshness grieves me greatly!) But my answer to them is this: the apostle Paul himself contemplated this very idea when he said that he had the right to marry a wife and be supported by the churches (plural! brotherhood!) (1 Cor. 9:3-6). Those examples you find of one man supporting one wife directly are not binding examples. Of course, such would be alright, but brethren that would greatly limit the support! Let's think big! BIG! BIG!!!
Brethren, I'm available for speaking appointments to explain long-range plans. Iva will accompany me as I know you'll all want to see her, and thus know your money is being well-spent.
Yours fraternally and expectantly, Iva Hope & Lett John Dooit.
(Otherwise known as E. L. Flannery)