Saved By The Silence Of The Scriptures
In an editorial of the Firm Foundation, July 11, 1961, brother Lemmons says:
"About a year ago, one of the more rabid of the radicals among the brethren in Kentucky ran on the front page of his bulletin (we say his, because it reflected only his opinions — not the entire congregation's) the following: If my brother will cite me to the command or approved example, or some other way in the Bible to prove that it is scriptural for one church to send money to another church to preach the gospel, I will donate my salary for the next five years to Herald of Truth."
Brother Lemmons said, "He was safe when he inserted that little word "money."
There was a time when gospel preachers invited and welcomed people to ask for scripture for our practice. Now the liberal preachers, if they cannot give Bible authority for their practice, call us "antis," "radicals," or if pressed hard may call us "rabid radicals." Such terms help their standing with the Gospel Advocate, which does not like some of brother Lemmons' editorials. For instance in the October 13, 1959, issue of the Firm Foundation, speaking of schools, he said:
"If a preacher or an eider does not fall in line and beat the drum enthusiastically he may be branded as an opposer of schools. Wire-pulling and politicking are employed to 'line' up everyone, and in some areas it reaches the place where one must contribute in much the same vein as he would pay for protection if he lived in an area bossed by the underworld.
We have so many pet projects abroad that many are losing sight of the church and its all-sufficiency altogether. Why can't we be simply Christians; worship God, and live the Christian life, and be left free to make up our own minds about these matters that are not matter's of faith?"
I believe brother Lemmons would do just that if the pressure were not put on him! Brother Lemmons rejects those who do what he said, calls them radicals and associates with the wrong people. I was in Pocahontas, Arkansas, last year during a meeting in which the preacher said it is easy to do right so long as the crowd goes right; but if the crowd goes the other way it is not so easy. He knows, he has been there! The man? Brother Earl West.
In the May 2, 1961, issue of the Firm Foundation we have these words from brother Lemmons:
Maybe we are forgetting the purpose and mission of the church. The church was never intended to be institutional fodder. While the church may be benefitted by many institutions, it is dependent upon none of them, and obligated to support none of them. Let us always bear in mind that our, projects are simply that — our projects. The church does not depend upon any of them for either its existence or its growth. When any of these projects reach the point where they pose a danger to the unity of the church, it is time for them to be disbanded and folded up.
Some one said brother Lemmons was liable to be run over in the middle of the road. That is just what is happening. They are using the Firm Foundation to do it. In the May 12, 1959, issue, page 297, is an article about a church sponsoring preachers to direct Bible colleges in the Philippines. In the October 15, 1957, issue, page 662, after a statement that there are 24 faithful congregations in the Philippines, we have the following:
"Head Quarters In Baguia.
The headquarters of this work are in Baguia City, several hours journey north of Manila."
Brother Lemmons has more good things to say. In his editorial of June 13, 1961, we have the following from him, emphasis his:
"One of the tricks of crafty debating is to start with such a harmless 'association' of individuals together; call it a 'human organization' and then contend that since this 'human organization' is acceptable, all other 'human organizations' are acceptable. We cannot believe it ....
"What could be more dangerous for the local autonomy of the congregation than for a generation of young preachers to be taught in our colleges that a "human organization' outside the local church can appoint elders in several? One thing we could work on is a much closer supervision of what is being taught."
Amen! Why did he not tell us that the teaching he referred to is on pages 154 and 155 of We Be Brethren? On page 137 of his book brother Thomas tells us that the "one and only thing wrong with the missionary society" is that it controls the church. According to the teaching referred to above, why did he not tell us that there is not one thing wrong with the missionary society?
Brother Lemmons is a member of the board of directors of the college and could try to use his influence against such teaching. He might not have influence left, with them, after he tried. Besides, he has run with the wrong company too long. He cannot undo the damage he has done in encouraging such teaching. But if he gets in trouble with Nashville headquarters by his editorials he can smooth it over by jumping on us and calling us radicals. We shall continue to call for Scriptures for their practices.