Editorial Notes And Reviews
C.E.I. Business As Usual
No, not exactly as usual. With the loss of Bennie Lee Fudge it cannot be as usual. But we are in business and moving along well under the leadership of one who is well-schooled for the responsibilities now resting upon her - Sybil Fudge. Sister Fudge has been at the side of Bennie Lee throughout the history of the C.E.I. Publishing Company. She knows her business, and the business. She has the strength of character to carry on, and this she is doing. C.E.I. Publishing Company is blessed with a loyal, dedicated and efficient office staff, and each one in the C.E.I. family is doing the personal part in helping to sustain Sister Fudge in her loss and providing the necessary involvement to keep the business running efficiently. Members of the staff include two who have been with the business from the beginning - Virginia Dale Holder, bookkeeper, and Mamie Brackeen who is on the board of directors. Three others on the staff have served many years in the business: Lucille Grubbs, assistant bookkeeper, Donna Barksdale and Loveta Hall whose duties are quite varied. Curtis Fudge, brother of Bennie Lee, has also been with the company for many years. There are five sons of Bennie Lee and Sybil: Edward, Henry, Robert, Benjamin, and Paul. Henry and Benjamin are on hand to help in the company operation. Henry's wife, Jo-Ann, is a secretary in the company.
So, you see, C.E.I. is in position to continue and do well. No one can quite fill the shoes of Bennie Lee Fudge, but they all have learned well in serving with him. The prognosis for the future perpetuation of the C.E.I. - Gospel Guardian operation is, "all systems go."
Churches and individuals are encouraged to stay with us as customers and to look for good quality service.
Automatic Renewal Subscription
We are pleased that so many of our subscribers are writing to ask to be placed on ARS - automatic renewal subscription list. This simply means that when your subscription runs out, we send you a bill for renewal rather than a notice of expiration! This way you won't miss any papers...so if you want on the ARS list, just write and let us know.
Brother Fudge's Last Promotion
On the back page of this week's paper you will see a special promotion of a book of sermons by Benjamin Lee Fudge. As the ad states, this book is not for sale. It was published as a promotion for subscriptions to The Gospel Guardian. It is given as a free bonus with a six-month's subscription at the regular half-price of $3.00, or of course with a twelve month subscription of $6.00. Good for renewals too? Yes indeed. Send in your renewal and we'll send the sermon book, so long as the present supply lasts.
Bennie Lee was a man of humour. Those who have known him will appreciate an observation he made about this promotion. Said he, "I'm going to offer a sermon outline book by my favorite author...me."
Letters To Editor
One of the factors making editorial work an exciting challenge is the daily mail. One of the biggest problems we have is getting it all answered! It is with some vanity that we say that most of it is uplifting and encouraging, and it is with a little "false modesty" that we say we appreciate the critical and censorial! We read all the mail, that comes to the Lufkin address, including the brief notes in orders, subscriptions and address changes.
We like to print "letters to the editor" occasionally. If you want yours printed we suggest you give us permission when you write, and make the letter brief as possible. This week we print a few selected letters on various matters.
LOSS: "The death of Bennie Lee Fudge is a loss to this generation. I have known him for almost one-third of a century, and was impressed by his dedication to his conviction of Truth. He had a brilliant mind. He was sternly independent in his thinking, and counted no cost too great to be suffered in remaining true to his conviction. He was an energetic worker in the Kingdom of Christ. While I sympathize with his family in their great loss, I could not but also sympathize with you, Bill, and the Gospel Guardian in this loss of Bennie Lee's help in your recent merger with C.E.I. Publishing Company..." - E. L. Flannery, Kent, Washington.
COLLEGE: This one came from Mrs. Shirley Wilburn of Brazoria, Texas. It came as a personal letter so I asked permission to print the letter and she granted same: "I read your article in Gospel Guardian recommending Christian's support of Florida College. You state it is an organization serving in its 'academic way.' Such a service would be very desirable and one I could support wholeheartedly. But it is my understanding Florida College REQUIRES each student to (1) enroll in Bible Study classes and (2) attend and participate in Chapel Services (under the direction of the college). Also Florida College provides for and promotes the Florida College lectureship or series of Gospel Meetings. Such activities as listed above tend to indicate to me Florida College is in organization doing other than serving in an academic way or even 'selling a service.' Obviously, it is an organization doing the work of the church. Therefore, I cannot as a Christian use its services or support its work."
MUSIC: "I have been following with serious interest the articles of brethren Clarence R. Johnson and Howard Winters...Would you please have these men (or others) give their opinions on the playing of hymns on an instrument (e.g. piano) WITHOUT any vocal accompaniment. Now I wonder if I am doing wrong in this. Please forgive me for not signing this letter. I am a woman and do not want attention focused on me. The Guardian has been a welcomed and enjoyed paper in our home for many years. May God continue to bless your efforts." (We have some interesting articles coming up on this matter and related problems - look for them in a week or so. - Ed)
HOUSES TO EAT IN: "I have just finished reading Leo Rogol's disclaimer that I Cor. 11 is sufficient scripture to preclude our having 'eating socials,' or 'Love Feasts,' when the church assembles. The profaning of the Lord's Supper is not the only consideration in this passage of scripture. The primary consideration is that since those Corinthians were not able to carry out instructions to eat the Lord's Supper appropriately, the apostle Paul, with one full sweep, took care of the possibility of further abuse by giving precept to all Christians in the 34th verse. ' And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation, And the rest I will set in Order when I come.' Since these fellowship luncheons and suppers are but contrivances of man, Christians are constrained by conscience (and common sense) not to do things which Paul said the Corinthian Christians could not do without bringing themselves unto condemnation. Paul DID NOT say the following:
1. You people who got drunk eat at home.
2. You who would not tarry one for another eat at home.
3. You who have better and more food than the poor eat at home.
Paul DID say the following:
1. If there is any among you whose belly needs filling because he is hungry, let him fill it at home. Then, he will not have occasion to worship wrongly.
The simplicity of this apostolic injunction is rhetorically beautiful. How anyone can fail to see that this injunction is for all Christians for all time, and for their own benefit (that they come not together unto condemnation) is simply beyond my grasp..." - James W. Davis, 203 W. James, Fayette, Alabama 35555.