Gospel Guardian Tell-Al-Gram
229 North 18th St. Muskogee, Oklahoma — The Church at this location is badly in need of a full time preacher. We need a man who can spend some time in the field of personal work. The congregation would be able to support him $125.00 - $150.00 a month, possibly more after a while. The city of Muskogee has several congregations who are on the liberal side but we are very small and having trouble gaining any ground. We have never had a full time preacher so don't know really what could be accomplished by having a full time man. Anyone interested in coming to Muskogee please contact us by writing: Church of Christ, P. O. Box 921, Muskogee, Okla. 74401, or Gene Falwell, Rt. 1, Box 166, Ft. Gibson, Okla. 74434, or call 1-918-682-0957.
J. W. Middleton, Sr. — I began work with the church at Southside in Azle on the fifteenth of November. The first week we had a meeting with a different speaker each night. The last night of the meetings there was one restoration and one baptism. This is not a large congregation, but it is a friendly one. It seems that the members are just about as they are in most other places where I have worked; they do not all think that it is of much value for them to attend the services at night. Yesterday morning there were forty eight present, but for the evening service there were only twenty four. The preacher would have a much easier task if all the ones who claim to be members of the church of the Lord were just Christians. The preacher would not have to put in so much of his time trying to save the ones who think they are saved.
I am to be with the church on the corner of Coke and Irene Streets, in San Angelo, Texas; beginning December 28, and lasting through January 3, 1971. If anyone has friends in that area, please let them know of the series of meetings which are to be conducted at that time. — 134 Manor Drive, Azle, Texas 76020.
Jimmy Tuten, Jr. — During 1970 I preached meetings in Blytheville, Ark., Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Rantoul, Ill., High School Road and 40th and Emerson in Indianapolis, Ind., Champaign Ill., Lilbourn, Mo., Lufkin, Texas, Dyersburg, Tenn., Benton, Ill., Connersville, Ind. and Barberton, Ohio. I participated in lectureships in Rantoul, Ill., Harrison, Ark., and Owensboro, Ky. I also moderated in the Halley-Lewis Debate at Sandwich, Ill.
After eight years at Spring & Blaine in St. Louis, Mo., I moved in August to High School Road in Indianapolis, Ind. The physical facilities and opportunities at High School Road appear great. However, during the five years of their existence they have not had a constructive arrangement of work. Things are very slow at the present, but we are hoping that by working together we can get things moving. I have agreed to hold only four meetings in 1971. In this way I can concentrate on the work at High School Road.
I have received numerous letters asking whether I will publish a bulletin while in Indianapolis. At the present there are no plans for such, but in several months if finances permit, we hope to off-set one. An announcement will be made to this effect and all who wish to be placed on the mailing list will be added. Even though I have been unable to reply to all letters concerning the bulletin that I have received, I appreciate the interest in this respect.
Debate: There will be a public debate at the Spring & Blaine Church of Christ, St. Louis, Mo., January 11, 12, 14 and 15. Brother Larry Ray Halley will affirm that water baptism is in order to obtain remission of sins. Mr. Roy Burkett, of the Bible Church, Dittmer, Mo., will affirm that salvation is by grace, through faith alone. All four nights will be at Spring & Blaine. — Gordon Wilson
Books Needed:
I desperately need to borrow or buy the following books: The Shattered Chain by A. B. Barrett; The Baptist Way Book by Ben M. Bogard; The Smith-Ballard Debate; The Ballard-Fugua Debate; The Borden-Bogard Debate. I need these books to prepare for a discussion with Wayne Camp, President of the Illinois Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary, on the general church question and the perpetuity of the church. Any one who can help me secure these books should contact me at 602 W. Lee St., Plano, DI 60545. Your help is needed and will be greatly appreciated. I promise a return of all borrowed books! — Larry Ray Hafley HERBERT KNIGHT, 1616 Clay Street, Paducah, Ky. 42001.
Our work with the Fifth and Jackson Street church of Christ, 600 South 5th Street is moving forward in a fine way. We were formerly known as the Clay Street church of Christ, but recently purchased the Temple Baptist Church building and have moved to the new location. When I moved here on August 1, 1968, it was necessary for me to raise all of my personal support from other sources. We began laying plans right then to get the work on a self supporting basis and our plans are now materializing. Our intentions are for us to become completely self supporting by July, 1971. The attendance averages between forty and fifty, and the contribution averages about $200 per week. Last Sunday night I notified the brethren of my intentions to terminate my work with them next summer and move elsewhere. My plans at the present are indefinite. Churches desiring my services may contact me at the above address. Preachers interested in the work "here may contact Carl Moore, Route 1, Melber, Ky. 42069.
BAKER CHURCH OF CHRIST, Baker Louisiana The church in Baker, La., recently concluded a meeting with Bill Crews of Beaumont, Texas doing some excellent preaching. Meetings are scheduled for 1971 with Paul Keller and Leslie Diestelkamp.
Baker is a few miles north of Baton Rouge city limits, near the Baton Rouge Ryan Airport. The meeting house (Boy Scout building) is located on Magnolia Avenue approximately three blocks off Louisiana State Highway 19. This is a temporary meeting place for the Baker church. A lot is being purchased in the Northeast section of Baton Rouge, and plans are being made for a building soon.
We are small in number, but we wish to make it known that we stand against all error, unscriptural teachings and liberal practices. This is the only church in Baton Rouge which does so.
We invite faithful brethren who may be in the Baton Rouge area to seek us out and worship with us. For further information write or phone T. B. Smitherman, 1167 Aurora Place, Baton Rouge, La. 70806, or FLORIDA COLLEGE'S 25th ANNIVERSARY LECTURES TO FEATURE FORMER STUDENTS
Every scheduled speaker on the 1970 Florida College Lecture Series except Homer Hailey and James R. Cope is a former student of the school. Hailey will conduct a class for women teachers and Cope will speak about the college.
This particular arrangement is one of several features of the 25th Anniversary Year's Celebration.
The theme of this year's series is "All-Sufficient Christianity." One period will be given to open discussion of Biblical matters. In addition to the Biblical subjects to be discussed, the College Music Division will present "The Music Man" and the full College Chorus will close the week's activities. Other activities are the Alumni Association's annual salad luncheon for visitors, a tea for visiting women at the President's home, and the annual homecoming basketball game on Alumni Day.
Due to crowded dormitory conditions persons who have not already arranged for rooms should not expect to stay in a college dormitory. L. G. Copeland, College Librarian, will be glad to assist as far as possible in securing motel reservations in the Tampa area for visitors though he can guarantee nothing. Visitors should make every effort to make their own reservations direct and as soon as possible. Chain motels near the College are Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, and Howard Johnson. — James R. Cope, President NOTE: Date is Jan. 25-29.
At the turn of the century a son was born into the H. M. Raines family. Sixty-five years later, as a Gospel preacher, this son became a rallying force in a fight against digression and apostasy in the Indianapolis Churches of Christ.
Loren Raines was born July 1, 1895. In 1914 he graduated from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Indiana. Several years later he married Opal Stivers, whose father was a gospel preacher for many years in Southern Illinois and Indiana. To this union were born two children. One died at the age of five weeks and the other now teaches at Michigan State University. Brother Raines' education for that day and time was very extensive. He first entered into Indiana State Teacher's College at Terre Haute and later attended Indiana University. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees. His serious Bible study began with a twelve-week Bible Reading under Daniel Sommer. A year later he sat at the feet of the brilliant A. M. Morris at Kinsley, Kansas. He preached his first sermon at Pratt, Kansas in 1917. From that time until now he has been known as teacher and preacher.
After a brief stay in the Military (May 1918 to September 1919) brother Raines became a school teacher and later a principal. His vocation in this field of education was Industrial Arts. In this capacity he gave loyal service to those with whom he worked. His colleagues looked upon him as being kind, firm, sincere and straightforward. A former student refers to him in the following manner:
"Loren Raines, brother in Christ to some, Mister to others, and friend to both. A very special side of this dedicated Christian is that of public servant, teacher and principal. On many diplomas, in a small rural community in Southern Indiana, is the carefully composed signature of L. N. Raines, High School Principal. Proudly displayed in homes of that same community are pieces of furniture built in this educator's Industrial Arts Class. A home, built by him, also stands on a hill facing the East, greeting the rise of every sun. . . I know of no one who stands taller, carries greater respect and is more qualified than he."
During the winter months in the years between 1919-1925 brother Raines taught school. He attended college during the summers and preached each Lord's Day during the entire period. His first work as a "located" preacher was at the Lincoln Street Church in Bloomington, Indiana. During his six years here the Lincoln Street Church became the largest North of the Mason-Dixon Line. Beginning with the depression years up to 1950, brother Raines preached for the Bedford, Indiana Church. Even though he was also a High School Principal during these eighteen years, his devoted efforts caused the work to prosper. In spite of bad health he still managed each year to work up nine months' sermons during each three month Summer period. Brother Raines moved to Salem, Indiana and began preaching in 1951. In May, 1957 he began preaching for the Emerson Avenue Church in Indianapolis. At this time the Indianapolis churches were beginning to feel the effects of various innovations of men and as a result lines were beginning to be drawn. Now sixty-five, a time when most men leave the fight to younger preachers, brother Raines was in the forefront, standing firm against digression. Through his influence 40th and Emerson has stood firm for the old paths. When the High School Road Church started in 1965, brother Raines agreed to preach for the brethren with partial support. Since it began five years ago, the High School Road Church has built a commodious building, purchased a lovely preacher's house and has grown from eleven members to about one hundred twenty-five at the present. Though brother Raines retired from full-time preaching in August, 1970, most of his Sundays have been taken up in preaching appointments and meetings. He reached his seventy-fifth birthday July 1.
THE HAFLEY — LEWIS DEBATE By Jimmy Tuten
It was my good pleasure to moderate for Larry Ray Halley in his debate with Billy Lewis, who preaches for the First Apostolic Church in Aurora, Illinois. This was an unusual debate in that it covered four nights (November 9-10, 12-13) on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The conduct of brother Halley and Mr. Lewis was outstanding in every way. Even the audience conducted themselves in a refined, mild manner. With only one out-burst the first night, the audience displayed no rudeness or turbulence. A Lutheran preacher interrupted brother Halley in his second speech, stating that he had experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that he was wrong in his expression of condemnation of the experience. A point of order was called by this writer and order was restored immediately. The preacher apologized for his conduct.
It was obvious that Mr. Lewis was in trouble during this debate. A second moderator (Mr. Paul Ferguson, graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill.) was called in to assist Mr. Lewis. The Truth was defended and upheld in a commendable manner by brother Halley. The brethren at Plano, Illinois were well pleased with the outcome. The debate took place in the Federated Church Building at Sandwich, Illinois. While a review is forthcoming, the following points will be of interest:
(1) Mr. Paul Ferguson had publically stated that no Church of Christ preacher would meet him in debate. Brother Halley handed him signed propositions during the debate. Thus, silenced him.
(2) Mr. Ferguson has refused to meet brother Halley. Instead he challenges me to meet him in discussion on the Godhead and baptismal formula issue. He says: "I am returning your propositions as I indicated to you (in a letter to brother Halley). I am suggesting that the discussion take place between Mr. Tuten and myself. . . I feel that similar background and experience (an obvious reference to my notes on the Holy Spirit that were sold during the debate) of Mr. Tuten and myself are more nearly similar than yours and mine." I personally enjoyed discussions with Mr. Ferguson before and after each night of the debate. An interesting aspect is that he has also refused to meet Brother Wayne Jackson of Stockton, Calif. in a second debate. I am signing three of the four propositions he mailed to me, with the stipulation that He and I meet only after he fulfills his obligations to brother Jackson and brother Halley. It is obvious that he is trying to get the pressure off himself by trying to shift emphasis to Indianapolis, where to my knowledge, no one knows of him. It is apparent that he is running.
Even though Mr. Ferguson is well educated, having taught at Western Apostolic Bible College in Stockton, California for four years and is at the present continuing his education brother Halley is capable of handling him should the debate materialize.
I personally was impressed with the entire discussion at Sandwich, Illinois. I think if more brethren could attend more debates like this, they could have demonstrated to them that disputants can disagree without being disagreeable. The stigma that some brethren feel is attached to debates would be removed. It was an honor and a pleasure to moderate for brother Halley. I hope that I shall have the pleasure to assist brother Halley in other efforts like this.