News
E. M. Borden, Jr., Springer, N. M., March 4, 1951: "The work here looks very promising at present. We believe that much good can be accomplished in the future. We would like for faithful members of the church to consider moving to Springer. There are several opportunities at the present. There is a good variety store for sale, a cafe for lease. A new hospital is to be built, there will be an opening for a doctor and perhaps some nurses. A man who understands radio, refrigeration and electrical appliance repairs should be able to make a good living. This part of the country is very beautiful, with a good climate. If you would like more information, write me Box 7, Springer, New Mexico."
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Floyd Embree, 412 W. Centoe, Artesia, N. M., Feb. 26: "During the past eight Lord's days, 14 have been baptized, 4 restored and 16 have placed membership. We're having the largest crowds for Bible study in the history of this congregation. Our spring meeting begins March 28 with Robert Foutz of Sweetwater, Texas."
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Ted Norton, 5646 Rockhill Road, Kansas City 4, Mo.: "Brother G. K. Wallace is to be with the 39th and Flora church in a meeting, March 18 to 25. He was formerly evangelist for this church and he is held in the highest esteem. Last Sunday marked the beginning of my second year's work with this good church."
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Roy Burgess, 855 Pipestone, Benton Harbor, Mich., March 5: "We rejoiced again Sunday when a member of the Baptist church left its unscriptural doctrines and was baptized into Christ as the Bible says. Dear Soul, if you are a Baptist, this is exactly what you must do if you expect to make heaven your home. (Matt 15:9-13; 16:18; Eph. 4:1-6) Also one was restored. A warning to the erring is found in Matt. 25:1-13; James 5:19; Acts 8:22."
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Frank Trayler (Chaplain, USAF), 1406 Clower Street, San Antonio, Texas, March 5: "It was my privilege to baptize a candidate from our Officer Training School yesterday, and also his bride-to-be. Next Friday he will graduate as a 2nd Lieutenant, and on Sunday I shall read their marriage ceremony. The young lady was an active Baptist, but he was reared in the faith in Florence, Ala. They will leave immediately for Selfridge Air Force Base, to begin a Christian home. Attendance at Chapel No. 4 at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays now hovers around the one hundred mark, since more men are going out than are coming in. Please pray for our work and call on me when I can serve."
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M. C. Cuthbertson, 1220 Elden Ave., Los Angeles 5, Cal., March 2: "Brother Luther Blackmon closed a good meeting with Central church, 12th & Hoover, here in Los Angeles, last Sunday. The preaching was the very best. It was the first work on the west coast for brother Blackmon, but he was well received by all who heard him. He will be coming back to the west coast for work if he so desires. Central is grateful for the splendid work he did in this meeting. Brother Yater Tant has just closed a good meeting with the Santa Ana church. Brother C. R. Nichol is now with the church in San Bernardino. I will be in Eugene, Oregon, for a meeting beginning the 14. They have a new church building in which to conduct this meeting. Clinton Storm is the regular preacher there."
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Wm. H. Parsons, Box 496, Magnolia, Ark., March 3: "Brother Horace Busby recently closed a ten day meeting here that resulted in six being baptized. Brother Earl Richardson led the song service. Since then two have been restored and three placed membership. I enter my second year with the church here this month. On March 12 I begin a meeting with the Springhill, Louisiana, congregation."
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R. Ervin Driskill, 2509 Gould St., Columbus, Ga., March 8: "The work with the Rose Hill church is going nicely. Our attendance and contributions are better than at any time in the history of the church. We do not mean this as a "brag" but just as news to those who know this church. Plans are under way to begin a new congregation, within the city, at the earliest possible time. A considerate eldership and fine people, composing the membership, make this a pleasant work. I will have time for a two-Sunday meeting this spring or summer and would be especially glad to assist any congregation in the state of Texas. I shall be glad to hear from any interested congregation."
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Joe H. Morris, 2707 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, Ky., March 5: "We enjoyed another good day at Clements Street yesterday. Overflow crowds attended both Lord's day services. Three were identified with us by transfer of membership. On March 6 I resigned as a member of the board of trustees at Potter Orphan Home at Bowling Green, Ky. I am now in no way connected with the Home."
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G. K. Wallace, 944 Perry, Wichita, Kan., March 6: "I recently closed meetings at Paragould, Ark., and the Overland congregation in St. Louis, Mo. At present I am preaching to fine crowds at Fort Cobb, 0kla. March 18 I shall begin with the 39th & Flora congregation in Kansas City, Mo."
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James D. Bales, Searcy, Ark.: "Tune in to my program on WHBQ (56 on the dial), Memphis, Tenn. It is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Monday through Friday each week, with the exception of the nights when a game is broadcast. The daily program starting March 1, over a short wave station on the island of Haiti, will be heard every night at 7:00-7:15 p.m. (E.S.T.), station 4 V E H, frequency 9730."
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0. Colley, 5730 Junius, Dallas, Texas, March 6: "The Church of Christ, 7003 Oak Street, known as the Vickey Place Church of Christ, is now enjoying a season of rejoicing. They have their new auditorium completed and have what was the church building partitioned off for classrooms for more efficient Bible teaching. Flavil L. Colley preached the "Formal Opening" sermons which were followed by five nights of gospel preaching, using a different speaker each night. From this series of meetings there were eight baptisms and three transfers of membership. Others have expressed great interest in the Lord's work and we believe they will obey the gospel soon. When you chance to be in Dallas come to 7003 Fair Oak Street and worship with us. Directions to are: Drive out Ross Avenue to Greenville Avenue, then north to Vickey. We are two blocks east of the highway."
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Chas. Degenhart, Jr., 672 - 19th Street, San Diego, Cal., March 8: "The work goes forward at Central although somewhat hindered by the current flu epidemic. I baptized one March 3. From February 11 through 26 I was with the Main Street church at Caldwell, Idaho, in a meeting. Good interest was manifested and five responded to the gospel invitation. Ben Paxton labors with them and they are holding true to "the old paths wherein is the good way." I enjoyed meeting old friends there among the town folk."
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Ovis T. McLeod, Box 263, Grapeland, Texas, March 9: "On July 15, 1950, I began my work with the church at Grape-land, Texas, with a five day gospel meeting at which time two people were baptized. Since I came to work with this congregation, there has been a noticeable increase in the attendance and the contributions; three have been baptized; three have been restored; two have been disfellowshipped because of ungodly living. Four have requested that their names be withdrawn from the church roll because they could not endure sound doctrine. Those restored included a man and woman who had been out of duty for some sixteen years, and one brother denounced the masonic lodge, sold his rings, pins, etc., and expressed his decision to serve Christ and Him only. During the month of November the church conducted a Lectureship program for seven nights with a different speaker each night. At the close of the preaching service on January 14, 90 percent of the church membership (about 60 people), including the two elders, came forward and acknowledged sin and neglect in their lives, and expressed a desire and determination to do more for the Lord. This is all very encouraging to me as a young preacher, and we are expecting a great victory for Christ here because of the new stand taken by the church as a whole. Many of the people in the denominations in this small town are being made aware of the power of the Truth. Some are attending the services of the church, and have expressed a desire to know more about God's word; these we hope to baptize as time goes on. We give God all the praise for what has been accomplished here, and ask your earnest prayers that we might continue to serve Him always in an acceptable manner. I shall be available for two or three meetings from July 15 through August 31 and can, be contacted at the above address. Please remember me in your prayers, brother Tant, and may God's richest blessings be yours as you serve Him through the publication of the Gospel Guardian."
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John F. Lilly, Comanche, Texas, March 9: "On March 2 we laid to rest the poor, frail and worn-out body of Grandma Manchester. She is the mother of brother M. H. (Mont) Manchester one of our best gospel preachers. She was almost eighty-eight years old when she departed this life. She lingered between life and death for several weeks before departing and going to her Maker. It was sad indeed to look at her poor tired body while she was yet alive. Really there is nothing for a Christian to grieve about when our loved ones who have lived their time out and are tired and worn out. It is really a relief, a peace of mind that they have shuffled off their mortal coil and have slipped away to be with the Creator to await the resurrection of their bodies who will give them a new and incorruptible body. I esteem brother Manchester very highly. I conducted her funeral at the Church of Christ at Desdemonia, Texas."
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James W. Reynolds, 135 Vernon Place, Pueblo, Colo., Feb. 28: "The meeting at Salem, Oregon, which closed on January 28, was a very interesting experience for me. I found a very faithful and zealous group that compose the church there. They seem to be a united group of workers, and should be highly recommended for their faithfulness. The attendance was good from the beginning and continued to increase. Brother Choice Bryant, the local minister, did a fine job directing the singing for this meeting. He is held in high esteem by that congregation for his work's sake. Ten have responded to the invitation here in Pueblo in the last few weeks. At least half of these have been baptisms."
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Beware Of False Churches In Enid, Okla.
Hoyt Bailey, 517 West State, Enid, Okla.: "A large number of church members are moving to Enid, but some are being lost to the church, because there are false churches here bearing the name "church of Christ." The so-called "Washington Avenue Church of Christ" is neither the Church of Christ nor the Christian Church. That church teaches salvation by faith alone, premillennialism, child membership, open membership, uses mechanical instruments, and Fred Hanna, their preacher, preaches for any denominational group which will permit him to do so. Hanna's group advertises extensively in the local paper and over the local radio stations as the "Washington Avenue Church of Christ." The so-called "Davis Park Church of Christ" here is the Christian Church, but the group advertises in the paper part time as "Davis Park Church of Christ" and part time as "Davis Park Christian Church." The preacher there has led away several weak members of the church by telling them "that there's not much difference." All the Christian churches here have "Church of Christ" on their corner stones, but "Christian Church" on their bulletin boards. The "University Place Christian Church" recently obtained a building permit as the "University Place Church of Christ." The Central Christian Church has encouraged several members of the Church of Christ to start attending their services. Phillips University, the Christian Church School, is located here. The congregation which meets at Independence and Wabash is the group in Enid which tries to carry on the work in a scriptural manner. We have recently had ten more responses, five more deacons have been appointed, both attendance and contribution are on the increase, and we hope to have our new building ready for use around the first of May. Our new building is located at Eighth and East Maine. I am to be engaged in a meeting with Belview Heights, Birmingham, Alabama, during the first two Sundays of June."
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OBITUARY J. W. Bryant — Brother Bryant was born in Madison county, Ark, March 20, 1866; departed this life on Feb.
26, 1951. He was baptized into Christ at the age of 19 years. Two companions preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his going his widow, Mrs. Mattie L.
Bryant of Hoff, Okla.; five children, George Bryant, Battle Creek, Mich., Mrs. Minnie Garrett, Oklahoma City, Homer Bryant, Seminole, Okla., Mrs. Vesta Watson, Oklahoma City; three brothers, Thad Bryant, Oklahoma City, Frank Bryant, Moore, Okla., A. H. Bryant, Eufaula, Okla.; one sister, Mrs. Fannie Dudgeon, Huntsville, Ark.
He also leaves nine grandchildren and four great grand- children. Brother Bryant served as an elder of the church at Hoff, Okla., from the early 20's till the time of his death. My father served with him and their work was very agreeable. I conducted a meeting at Hoff in September, 1949 and in July 1950 and made my home while there with this great and good man. Twenty-seven and twenty-five years ago he spoke the last words over my father and mother in the flesh. Funeral services were conducted at Church of Christ, Hoff, Okla., February 28, 10:00 a.m. His body was laid to rest beside his second wife at Seminole. He has finished his course, fought a good fight and kept the faith. He has now passed from labor to reward and left a godly life for his loved ones to cherish and to follow. May God bless all the bereaved.
Brotherly, Will M. Thompson
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THE FIFTH ANNUAL LECTURE PROGRAM OF FLORIDA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE James R. Cope The fifth annual lecture program of Florida Christian College was characterized by unusual interest and attendance. Some twenty-five states were represented and more than 650 visitors were present. The theme was The Church of Christ. Thirty-one speakers from various parts of the country appeared on the program. One of the high lights of the program was the open forum discussion each afternoon. Living issues were discussed and a fine spirit prevailed throughout. Following are a few quotations from various letters received concerning the program.
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G. H. P. Showalter, Austin, Texas—"We came away with a favorable impression as to the work you are doing."
Yater Tant, Abilene, Texas—"The lectures there last week gave me one of the biggest thrills I have had in years. It was heartening beyond expression to see many good men so deeply concerned about the problems and issues that are before us. And the very existence of Florida Christian College is a reason for deep rejoicing and hope. I was particularly happy to come to know such men as you have around you."
Hugo Allmond, Detroit, Mich.—"Unquestionably, it was the best series of lectures I have ever attended anywhere. Next year Mrs. Allmond and I are planning a more extended vacation which will enable us to be there."
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C. W. Scott, Miami, Florida—"I feel that a very definite contribution has been made to the cause of Christ in the lectures delivered and touching the vital issues before the church."
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James D. Bales, head of the Bible Department of Harding College, Searcy, Ark., writes concerning the discussion of church cooperation as follows: "I want you and others to know that I feel that you have been fair in this matter."
The attitude prevailing during the lecture program is that which characterizes the campus of Florida Christian College at all times. We endeavor to instill into our students a sincere love for and loyalty to the Bible as the word of God. Though ever seeking to discourage a sectarian spirit, it is our constant purpose to exalt the distinctive teaching of the word of God and the identity of the Lord's church.
FLORIDA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE LECTURESHIP James D. Bales Recently I attended part of the Florida Christian College lectureship where, among other things, church cooperation was discussed. The brethren there showed their willingness to hear both sides, not only by scheduling speakers who were on different "sides" in this matter, but also by: (a) making room for me on the program so that I could speak for forty minutes on the subject; (b) scheduling a question period after brother Tant's speech on Thursday night. It was scheduled for an hour, but lasted until 11:30 or after. It would be excellent for all lectureships, wherein subjects which are being discussed among us are dealt with, would make provisions for both sides to be heard. Truth has nothing to fear from open discussion. Kindness and courtesy, of course, should be manifested.
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MAIN STREET CHURCH IN CALDWELL, IDAHO, ENJOYS FRUITFUL MEETING The two week period from February 11 through the 25 was indeed beneficial in many respects for the Main Street congregation here. During that time Chas. Degenhart, Jr., of San Diego preached a series of sermons which strengthened the saints and increased the membership of the congregation by three additions. Contacts were made among former strangers and we look forward to the fruition of the preaching of the gospel to them.
Brother Degenhart is well known in these parts since he formerly preached the Word among us prior to his going to Central church in San Diego. Our work here has been very pleasant and profitable in spiritual things.
Ben S. Pexton Authorized by the congregation 3-4-51.