News And Views
News Of Moves
Paul Foutz has moved from Midland, Texas, to labor with the Bellaire church in Houston, Texas....John Iverson is moving from Bessemer, Alabama, to work with a new congregation in Port Arthur, Texas. This new congregation meets in Electrician's Hall, 6245 Orange Hwy.... Dorris Radar is moving to Campbellsville, Kentucky, from Chapel Hill, Tennessee. ...Jack Frost, Jr. is now with the Ingelwood church in Birmingham. He went there from Cleburne, Texas.... Hershel Patton is moving from Shelbyville to Lewisburg, Tennessee, where he will work with the Hickory Heights church.... W. L. Wharton, Jr. is moving from Wichita Falls, Texas, to San Antonio, Texas, where he will work with the Highland church. Maurice Barnett is also with the Highland church. — Marshall Patton is moving to labor with the Par Avenue church in Orlando, Florida. He has been with the Holden Heights church in the same city for two or three years....The Wallace-Holt Debate is selling real good. I have received several commendations from those who have read the book. It sells for $3.50 per copy and I will be glad to fill your order. Send for a copy today. Address me as above....Roy Cogdill has just closed a meeting with the East Florence church. We had a good meeting. The attendance was good and the preaching was excellent. Cog-dill entered the hospital in Oklahoma City last Monday (Nov. 7) for some minor surgery.... Weldon Warnock is soon to leave Grove City, Ohio, and move to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to labor with the First Street church.... Robert M. Pressnell has been with the First Street church for two or three years and has done a good work there. He will remain in Lawrenceburg, but will live on his farm and continue his work as a General Contractor. He will preach at various places in that area....Vaughn Shofner is now living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has purchased a grocery store there, so I am told. He will preach at various places in that section, and churches in that area would do well to take note of this....Aude McKee, of Plainfield, Indiana, is planning to go to Nigeria in June when the Leslie Diestelkamps' come home. McKee has done a good work in Plainfield. I understand that he is yet in need of some financial help to complete his arrangements to go to Nigeria ....Albert Mclnroe is moving from Seminole to Midland, Texas, where he will labor with the Southside church.... Truth Seeker is the name of a new monthly, printed publication. It is published by the Westside church in Fort Worth, Texas, with R. L. Burns as the editor. The first issue looks good. It will be sent free to all who desire it.
A Statement To Whom It May Concern:
In the Sept. 29, 1960, issue of the GOSPEL GUARD IAN, there appeared the following statement in NEWS AND NOTES by Charles A. Holt:
"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."
Brother Holt and those who gave him the information that the Terry Mill School brethren are "the only church in the Atlanta area which is standing solidly against institutionalism in all its forms" have misrepresented this matter. We claim the right to speak for ourselves, and wish it clearly understood that the Glenwood Road, Decatur, Ga., stands "solidly against institutionalism in all its forms." Furthermore, we believe that the other congregations in the Atlanta area have the right to speak for themselves.
The above statement was signed by J. Ed Nowlin and twenty-one other brethren of the Glenwood church. The statement is self-explanatory in the main. It is certainly not my desire to misrepresent any work, person or group. I am always glad to make any proper correction in any matter in which I have a part. In the statement quoted from me above, I stated plainly that "as far as I can learn, this (the Terry Mill School House group) is the only church in the Atlanta area which is standing solidly against institutionalism in all its forms." I did not propose to set this forth as being positively the situation; hence, I said that it was true "as far as I can learn." Well, I am glad to learn that Glenwood Hills also "stands solidly against institutionalism in all its forms;" and they certainly do have "the right to speak for themselves." I am willing for them to be heard and rejoice to know that this is the case. There were many in doubt about this point, and a few may still have some misgivings about how "solidly" they stand, but perhaps this clear-cut statement and some other demonstrations of this on their part will remove all doubt. I sincerely hope so. Time will tell for certain about this phase of the matter, and I have no reason to believe that it will be otherwise than stated by brother Nowlin.
"Furthermore, we believe that the other congregations in the Atlanta area have the right to speak for themselves," so reads the statement. And who doesn't believe this? Does this imply that someone is attempting to speak for them? By all means I am in favor of them speaking up, and if there is another church in that area which is "standing solidly against institutionalism in all its forms," I urge them to "speak for themselves" and say so. The matter is certainly in doubt at this time. Many who visit Atlanta and some who will move there would be glad to know of all the churches in that area which take such a stand.
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Cefa Plans Kindergartens
From the Crusader, October, 1960, a publication of the Atlanta (Georgia) Bible Camp, Inc., I see that there are some big plans being made for Atlanta. Here is the essential information relative to this big project (taken from The Crusader):
The Board of Directors of Atlanta Bible Camp, Incorporated, recently decided to establish its CEFA (Christian Education For Atlanta) Program under a separate charter. A committee of six men was appointed to begin work on the charter for the new corporation and to commence such work as deemed expedient to initiate a program of Christian Education in the metropolitan area of Greater Atlanta. These men are Burton Landers (Chairman), Melvin J. Wise, Elmer Utley, Francis Burkett, Harding Paine and Ralph A. Casey.
This committee has determined:
1. That hardly any obstacles are involved in the beginning and perpetuation of kindergartens in the area.
2. That several churches in the Atlanta area will consider allowing their facilities to be used for such a purpose.
With such encouraging findings the committee moved to publish this issue of THE CRUSADER to:
1. Inform the people of Atlanta of its plan to begin one or more kindergartens in January of 1961, if possible.
2. To make a survey of available students.
3. To make a survey of available teachers.
Of course, the response to this announcement and the survey will determine:
1. In which church buildings the kindergartens should be located.
2. How many students will be available for each kindergarten.
3. Who and how many teachers will be available.
Where Located?
Although none of these congregation has committed itself definitely, there is some reason to believe that kindergartens can be located in one or more of the following church buildings: Northwest, Smyrna, Druid Hills, Cascade Heights, Hapeville, and Kirkwood — and there may be others.
We are also informed in this paper that "Very little investment will be required in beginning at the kindergarten level and especially is this true if church facilities are available." Who can deny that this is a "church-sponsored" project and that such kindergartens are church-related? If "church facilities" can be appropriated for these schools, why not appropriate "church funds?" What is the real difference? These school projects are about to overwhelm us, and the end is not yet. These ambitious brethren are promoting the churches out of their "facilities," and that is only a step away from promoting them out of their funds! Just give them time.
Church Support Of Schools
Church support of schools such as referred to above, and even in a more forthright way, is very common now. I understand that The Christian Schools, Inc. uses certain church buildings in the Dallas, Texas area, in which to conduct classes in all kinds of purely secular subjects. Of course, some Bible classes are taught also, which is likely the quibble used in an attempt to justify their (miss) use of church facilities. I am told that the school board emphatically denies that the schools are a part of the church and that the churches make contributions to the school. Yet they do not hesitate to use the church buildings and even express appreciation for the "cooperation" (contribution) of local churches with the school. Here is a sample, taken from the August 21, 1960 bulletin of the 8th & Austin Streets church in Garland, Texas:
"Christian School News — Garland and Richardson schools will combine this year and classes will be held at Jupiter and Walnut Streets in Garland. Call Trevelyn Hess, BR 6-2186, for information. The school board expresses sincere appreciation for the use of the building and the cooperation of the congregation at Eighth & Austin last year."
The Paralyzing Effects Of Sin
Sin paralyzes the eye that it cannot see.
"But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Pet. 1:9)
Sin paralyzes the mouth that it cannot speak.
"He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness." (1 Sam 2.9, ASV.)
Sin paralyzes the hand that it cannot work.
"I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord." (Psalms 101:8)
Sin paralyzes the feet that they cannot go.
"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: wither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21)
Sin paralyzes the ear that it cannot hear.
"Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word." (John 8:43)
Sin paralyzes the heart that it cannot trust.
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:13)
— Bible Exalter, 77th St. church Birmingham, Alabama.