News And Views
Bill Crews has moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he will work with the Westside church. He has been with the West Orange, Texas, church for several years. He has edited a very fine bulletin called "The Gospel Messenger," which I hope that he will continue in Fort Worth... John Collins, who has been working with the church near Stanley, Louisiana, has moved to work with the West Orange church... R. L. Burns, who has been with the Westside church in Fort Worth since its beginning, has moved back to Grand Prairie, Texas, where he will again labor with saints in that place Grover Stevens, who has been with the Spring and Blaine church in St. Louis for some time, is moving back to Louisville, Kentucky (where he spent several years with the Taylor Blvd. church) to labor with the Wendell Avenue church .. .... In June it was my pleasure to assist the good Eastside church in Russellville, Alabama, in a meeting. The interest was high and the attendance was excellent. Raymond Harville is the preacher and he has done a fine work with that group and in that entire area. He edits a little paper called "Scripture Studies," which is having a telling effect for the truth The new College View church in Florence, Alabama, got off to a very fine start some time ago. They are now in the process of building a nice building. They stand solidly for the truth and will be recognized as a tower of strength in that area. Curtis Platt is the preacher Huey Hartsell has now moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he is laboring with a new congregation in that city. This new group will stand solidly opposed to the innovations of the day... This finds me in the midst of a good meeting with the Calmont church here in Fort Worth. I assisted this church in two meetings some years ago. Since that time this church has been subjected to some vicious treatment led by some outsiders (that is, preachers who were not members of this group) and some insiders. Every effort possible was made to throw out the elders and take over the church and the property. They have been through some real battles. Three different times there have been groups to leave this church, who had been swayed and influenced by the ones bent on destroying this church if they could not take it over. However, these efforts have all failed and the church still stands and stands for the truth and against all the institutional and modernistic errors of the day. It seems that they can now settle down to trying to rebuild. The majority of the members were swept away in one or the other of the three major efforts made to take over this church or destroy it. Of course, the blessings of all the liberal churches in this area were given to any and all who were engaged in trying to destroy this church. The liberal churches would only be too happy to take them into their fold after they had failed to take control here. It has been especially disappointing to see some men, whom I have loved and respected in days past, become victims of the folly and used as tools by the liberal forces to take over this church. But such is the way of some men. What a pity and what a shame. The interest for the meeting has been good and the attendance has been fine considering all the circumstances. It appears that Calmont is again ready to go on to greater growth. Jesse G. Jenkins is the faithful evangelist for this church now. It has been a delight for me to be with this church again The Lord willing, I will assist the church in Medina, Tennessee, just north of Jackson, in a gospel meeting, July 24-30. This is one sound church over in the midst of a "desert of digression." I am looking for- ward to being with this church. If you know of people in that area, drop them a note and urge them to attend the meeting. Loyce Pearce, of Jackson, preaches for this congregation From Lee Belser's column in the Los Angeles Mirror, I lift the following: "The Hollywood Beat: Several members of Pat Boone's church basketball team asked him for reservations for his show at the Cocoanut Grove. Pat says of his teammates, 'None of them drink but they can all dribble' " I do appreciate all the bulletins, magazines, and even books which are sent to me. I try to make mention of every publication sent to me for review. Please put me on the mailing list for your bulletin. It would be nearly financially impossible for me to subscribe to EACH and EVERY one of the papers published by my brethren, even though I would like very much to receive each one. I try to pass on to the readers of this column information of all the publications and latest books as I can.
Luther's Principle
Martin Luther declared somewhere that no matter how many truths a man might asseverate, he was none the less a coward and a renegade unless he took his stand at that point in the battle line of truth where the attack was being made. It is not enough to stay within the confines of truth, but it is necessary to carry the attack to the sector where the onslaught is being made. These battle points are not chosen at our convenience. Indeed, they are generally chosen at our greatest inconvenience. That is the essence of good strategy on the part of an enemy. This means that it is always hard to meet these sieges. Of course it is. Fire does not break out at our convenience. Disease does not strike at our convenience. Spiritual warfare is not declared just when we are awaiting it and wanting it. But there is always this to be said: Satan never bothers with a dead issue. — The Presbyterian.
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Correction And Apology
In May 14 issue of this bulletin, I wrote of the Florida Christian College "Chorus:"
"This 'Chorus' is not unlike the others touring the country-side. Although the article did not say so, we are confident they sang for varied churches. I would like to think they did not, but who else would afford them an audience? It simply is not healthy for the colleges to seek favors from congregations of the Lord. We have criticized this thing because we have seen the ugly fruits of such. Now, FCC is following the same errant pattern in this 'Chorus' business."
A faithful gospel preacher in this area sends me this quote from brother James Cope, president of FCC: ".... you are correct in your understanding that we 'do not use the facilities of the churches to present our programs.' " On at least one occasion to the knowledge of this brother, FCC rented an auditorium and invited the general public to attend.
I am sorry for this error. I publish this correction and apology in the same place as the mistake. I am glad to know that the "Chorus" is not using church facilities in which to present their programs.
Please, may I say, that the using of church facilities in these affairs is not my sole objection to them. This apology and correction does not constitute an endorsement of them. I am favorably inclined toward colleges operated by Christians, but I do not endorse their errors nor ask them to endorse mine.
— M. W. Chaffin, Bulletin, Canoga Park, California
Pertinent Paragraphs
Brother Gus Nichols has been almost beside himself on his radio program the past few days. He has really been after what he terms the "antis." He has fought some straw men, and because he seemingly has destroyed them, he thinks he has won a victory. But the truth — incidentally the truth once taught by brother Nichols — still stands. Brother Nichols "madness" can be accounted for in part by a recognition of the fact that brother Nichols cannot give the scriptures that authorize his human corporations in church work. Brother Nichols would not be afraid to debate if he had the truth. He does not have the truth, he cannot, therefore, afford to debate and this condition Is causing him to make some very rash statements. It is tragic to see a man once strong in the Lord and the power of His might, become weak and beggarly. But such is the end of all who leave the Lord and lean on the arm of flesh. The weak and beggarly elements of institutionalism have robbed brother Nichols of his strength and left him a mere shell of what he once was. The Delilah of Institutionalism has shaved his locks and the "Philistines are upon him." He may raise and shake himself, and shout over the radio program but his strength has left him and brother Nichols, "wists it not." And the tragedy is that so many of his blind followers are being led into the ditch because they too know it not. Wake up, brethren. If brother Nichols has the truth why doesn't he defend it in open public debate??? why???
"Step Right Up Folks"
Yes, step right up and buy a dollars worth of fellowship. Brother Nichols has advertised a fellowship dinner in the Sixth Street church kitchen in Jasper. The price is only one buck per plate. Fellowship may now be had on a money basis. "Huckster Nichols" is peddling fun, food and frolic. And if you wish to have and enjoy the "fellowship of the saints," step right up with your dollar and it may be had — sectarian style. The poor need not apply. The Jasper area has been declared by the government as a disaster area and will receive government surplus food. Are any of the brethren at Jasper in need of food? Maybe they can borrow enough money to get into the fellowship of the Jasper communion. Read this: "What? have ye not houses to eat and drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and SHAME THEM THAT HAVE NOT?" (1 Cor. 11:22) How many poor members of the Sixth Street church in Jasper will be present for the "big meal?" I must have the same attitude as Paul toward such. "What shall I say unto you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not"
— Jack L. Holt, The Expounder, Cullman, Ala.
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Experiences Away From Home
During the three weeks I spent in western Oklahoma, I attended services with the only church of Christ in the county in which I was working. Only 17 people attended service the first Sunday I was present. The speaker was from another county. The subject for his lesson was: "The Church Should Have More Audio-Vision Aids To Sell The Gospel." In the Bible class, the whole period was spent discussing how a big church could pay an elder and how this elder could work full time for the church, and for the small churches nearby. An elderly man explained that, if the church in that locality had trouble, this elder could come and help them in that trouble.
The next Sunday the speaker spoke on the subject: "How Young Women Should Act To Be Successful In Securing A Husband." I met with the church, as I am commanded in Hebrews 10:25, but I felt that I could have just as well been with a denomination, because the Bible was not preached.
— Finis Sturgeon, Jr., Poteau (Okla.) Pen-Points
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Institutional Church From World Book (Encyclopedia, Vol. 9, P. 3792)
"Institutional Church is a name given to churches of the major Protestant denominations which seek to meet more closely the daily needs in the lives of their members. An institutional church makes a practical effort to apply Christianity to the problems of daily living. It rejects the old idea that the only purpose of a church is to provide a place for worship and spiritual uplift. It does not slight piety or worship, but it does attempt to meet the charge that the church is of little use to its members except for an hour or two on Sunday.
An institutional church provides such facilities as recreation parlors and gymnasiums, and promotes entertainments, games, dances, and social gatherings. It may offer meals for the needy, or conduct an employment bureau. The institutional church becomes a unit of social uplift in addition to being a religious organization. In doing this it often does much the same work as civil and charitable organizations. It attempts to center the interest of young people in the church, and to provide them with opportunities for self-expression."
— via Southside Visitor, Tulsa, Oklahoma