Gospel Guardian Tell-Al- Gram
Reporter — Robert A. Bolton
(All news involving churches and preachers in the Western States of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington should be sent to me at 126 West "E" Street, Ontario, California 91761.)
Preaching The Word:
Arizona: BOB NICHOLS, of Mesa, at Ashfork, May 20-24; GARRETH L. CLAIR, of Brawley, California, at 7161 N. 55th St., in Glendale, July 6-12.
California: JOHN W. WILSON, of Chico, at 22019 Bear Valley Cut-off in Apple Valley, June 21 — July 3; H. OSBY WEAVER, of Canoga Park, at Torrance, June 22-28; STANLEY J. LOVETT, of San Antonio, Texas, at Oceanside, June 22-28, and at Merced, June 29 — July 5; DOUGLAS MATLOCK, of Birmingham, Alabama, at Calimesa, June 28 — July 5; JAMES R. COPE, of Temple Terrace, Florida, at Huntington Beach, July 6-12; JOHN C. COFFMAN, of San Diego, at Southside in Brady, Texas, July 20-26; HOMER HAILEY, of Temple Terrace, Florida, at Fairview in Garden Grove, August 2-9; FLOYD THOMPSON, of Fairview in Garden Grove, at Lodi August 15-20; R. J. STEVENS, of Mt. View in San Bernardino, at Garden Valley Road in Tyler, Texas, August 17-23, and at Rosenberg, Texas, August 24-30.
Oregon: LUTHER G. ROBERTS, of Texas, at Albany, June 17-21; LOWELL WILLIAMS, of Kirkland Washington, at Eugene, August 2-9.
Datelines:
San Diego, California — July 10, 1970: "... We are moving to St. Louis, Missouri the first of August, where I shall be working with the Spring and Blaine congregation. Brother ALBERT A. PHILLIPS will begin work with the church here (Clairemont Mesa in San Diego) during the month of August.
"The work here has been a very pleasant one for me during the past five years. The congregation has increased from a membership of 22 to 55; usual Sunday attendance has increased from 30 to 75; and contributions have moved from an average of $95 weekly to $200. We have grown slightly during each of the five years, due to losing a large number of members through transfer — a condition typical of Navy communities. The members have grown tremendously in knowledge and ability; so the struggle has been worthwhile.
"The move to St. Louis will not affect publication of FACTS FOR FAITH; it will continue to be published from there." — GORDON WILSON, 3451 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, California 92117.
Lodi, California — June 30, 1970: "The church that has been meeting in Stockton, California, in the Stockton Inn, has moved to Lodi and has the Senior Citizen's Building for the next year with an option for another year. The opportunities have been much greater in the Lodi area which is only 12 miles north of Stockton. We have been blessed with 14 baptisms and much seed has been sown. Because of building problems, we have only had one gospel meeting which was held by MILTON ANDERSON, of Roseburg, Oregon, early in 1969.
"We are looking forward to a meeting with FLOYD THOMPSON, of Garden Grove, August 15th — 20th. Also, we have brother FRANK THOMPSON, of Santa Barbara, coming for a meeting October 28th — November 3rd.
"The address of the church in Lodi is, Senior Citizen Building, 113 N. School St. All correspondence should come to my address." — GEORGE C. GARRISON, 1200 E. Kettleman Ln., Lodi, California 95240.
Douglas, Arizona — June 30, 1970: From "ALONG THE FAR WESTERN U.S. - MEXICO BORDER" — June Report, by Charles F. House, comes the following two items of interest:
LAS PALAMOS, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO — THESE BRETHREN BUY NEW BUILDING: "ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ, P. O. Box 417, Columbus, New Mexico, USA 88029, has sold his car and is now working 'on foot,' but he made the payment on the $800 building he had bought. Our March, April and May reports carried stories of their building 'overflowing' and plans to buy the present one. He is still looking for interested individuals who will help him 'sacrifice' and who will help him pay for this building. WHERE COULD A PREACHER IN THE USA FIND A MEETING HOUSE AND LIVING QUARTERS FOR $800? How many Americans would sell their possessions to advance the cause of the church? Write this worthy man and include regular checks to him to help during this 'trying time."
TECATE, CALIFORNIA, USA — TONSILLECTOMY EMERGENCY STILL EXISTS: "Our March report carried an appeal for help to SANTOS GOMEZ, P. O. Box 344, Tecate, California 92080 to help him pay for a tonsillectomy for his youngest child. He states that the Dr. will accept $80 down payment and two $30 payments for two consecutive months, or a total of $140 in full. 'Since ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' you remember JESUS said? The child still has had no operation to date." — CHARLES F. HOUSE, P. O. Box 1031, Douglas, Arizona 85607.
BY THE WAY: "You never know what some folks will say next — and neither do they!"
INFORMATION REQUESTED — CORRESPONDENCE COURSE Florida College is interested in providing correspondence courses in Bible on a college level, for credit, if there is sufficient interest. If any should be interested in such, please write a card to Louis Garrett, Dean, Florida College, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617.
Greenville, South Carolina
"The Lord's church in Abbeville, South Carolina, had a meeting June 21-26 with bro. Larry L. Dickens doing the preaching. There was one baptism. Much more could be accomplished if there was a full-time gospel preacher interested in moving to the Carolinas. Contact bro. Don Smith, Rt. 4, Box 103, Abbeville, South Carolina 29620." — L. L. Dickens
Don Taaffe
"On May 5, 1970, I began working with the church in Dundee, Florida. Since that time we have started 2 new Bible classes on Sunday and 1 on Wednesday and instigated a personal work program. These activities have already resulted in approximately doubling our attendance and contribution, one restoration and one baptism. If you know of anyone in the Dundee area whom it would be profitable to contact, please notify me at once." — 3118 San Jose, Tampa, Florida 33609.
Roy L. Foutz
"Our work here continues in a very encouraging way. We had a fine meeting, in early May, with W. L. Wharton. I have recently preached in meetings in Spicewood, Texas and Cleveland, Texas. I will be with the Blue Ash church in Cincinnati, Ohio in a meeting August 17-26." — 2301 Franklin Drive, Texarkana, Arkansas.
Marshall Norman
"I would like to purchase copy of "BRADEN-KELLEY DEBATE" published by Old Paths Book Club, Rosemead, California, 1955. Will pay reasonable price for book. Write: Marshall Norman, 125 E. Rose, Helen, New Mexico 87002."
The White Street Church Of Christ
Champaign, Illinois By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.
Since my meeting at Champaign, Illinois, several have written requesting information regarding the church for which I preached. This sudden interest, plus the fact that the White Street Church of Christ has an interesting and colorful history prompts me to write this report.
Present Condition of White Street This Church is meeting at 606 E. White Street, Champaign, Illinois. It is made up of about 25 faithful members with the burden of responsibilities resting on the shoulders of good men like John Cross, Freal Herrington, Frank Hollingsworth, George Inbaden and Avery Jarrett. Giving honor to whom honor is due, Freal Herrington appears to have been the stabilizer through the years. Success would not have been maintained had he not received the cooperation of others, however.
Their present contribution is now running about $85.00 each week. Through great sacrifices they manage to operate without going in the "red" and are maintaining to the extent of their ability, their mission as a church. Out of this contribution they furnish a house and utilities for their preacher, along with some weekly support.
Victor Sellers is now preaching for them. He is the first regular preacher in the history of this church. In order to do this he supports himself by working at the Circuit Court of Champaign County as a Probation Officer. He would like very much to devote full time to this needy field, but will need outside support to do this. I am hoping that several churches will respond to this report and contact him at 505 N. Columbia Ave., Champaign, Illinois, Phone 352-4633, in order to determine his needs. He is a good man and I have no reservations about recommending him. His stabilizing influence is desperately needed at this place of labor. The arrangement (Victor working at secular work) is not an ideal arrangement. He needs to devote full time to the tasks which demand his attention at White Street.
Present Location of Building Because their building is very old and in an undesirable location, they need to move out! They hope to sell the building in the not too distant future, making this move possible. The University at Urbana is about one block away. The unrest there in recent weeks as reported in most Mid-west papers is not good. There is the threat of physical damage to property and a possible fire-bombing threat that is on the mind of these brethren, making it difficult to worship acceptably. While waiting for this sale they must continue as best they can with a hard work in a difficult field.
Brief History White Street celebrated its 50th anniversary March 31, 1953. It entered into its then newly constructed building in 1952. The work began on April 3, 1903. The old building which was torn down to make way for the present building, constructed in 1952. The old building was purchased by the late James Edwards family from the University Place Christian Church.
Documents show however, that the church began earlier, about 1885, but went into digression. The Edwards family remained faithful and it is they who purchased the building for $1500, repaired it with additional investment of $2,000 and deeded it to the late Daniel Summers. Brother Summers later deeded the building to the present congregation. This Summers transaction took place in June 19, 1915.
Much more could be said, but this is sufficient to enlighten our brethren regarding a small group of faithful brethren struggling to maintain the "old paths." It was a pleasure to be of service to these brethren during a gospel meeting which we feel did much good in building up the brethren in the most holy faith.