News

Choice L. Bryant, 165 South 15th St., Salem, Oregon, Dec. 8: "The Central Church in Salem continues to press forward. We closed a very successful campaign November 18, in which we conducted a lecture program (Nov. 4-10) with twenty-seven preachers and one elder speaking, and a protracted meeting (Nov. 11-18) with W. Wallace Layton doing a very efficient job of preaching. There were two baptisms and one confession of wrongs during the time. The church is looking forward now to greatly enlarging our "program of work" for the new year over what we had the past year. Our attendance at all services is steadily on the increase and the prospects are bright for continued growth and development."

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R. Ervin Driskill, 2509 Gould St., Columbus, Georgia, Dec. 17: "One has been baptized, three were identified, and six restored thus far during December. Also on the 9th I baptized twelve Korean officers and yesterday one of the elders baptized four more of them. Brother S. K. Dong is teaching these men at Fort Benning, and to date there have been twenty-eight of these officers to obey the gospel. These officers are among the most intelligent of Korea and some of them, no doubt, (we wish we could say all of them) will be a wonderful influence for New Testament Christianity when they return. Eighteen have been restored, thirty-seven identified, and nineteen have been baptized during the year."

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Jimmy Bays, 2639 Mason Terrace, Wichita, Kansas, Dec. 13: "After six months at Southside we have the following weekly averages: Bible Study, 226; Worship, 325; Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 118; Collection, $580.00. Thirty have responded to invitation. Some of these figures represent one hundred percent increase over a comparable period in 1950. An accelerated and challenging program has been accepted for 1952. We continue to aid Manhattan, Kansas, and Planeview here in Wichita as well as other worthy places and the mission fields. The brethren will support me in two out of state mission meetings this summer. It would be difficult to find a congregation more cooperative and more willing to work which work is so pleasant. Success to the Guardian as you continue to give us BOTH SIDES."

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Joe H. Morris, 2707 Ky. Ave., Paducah, Kentucky, Dec. 17: "The work at Clements St. moves on with rapidity. One a Roman Catholic, one a Baptist, and one who had made no pretense of religion obeyed the gospel last week and four came by transfer of membership. The roof is on, the plumbing and glass is in our new building. Finishing begins immediately. I know an outstanding preacher among us who desires a change to within 150 or 200 miles of Nashville or Henderson, Tenn., that his only son may enter Bible school. Has this only son at home, one daughter married, no preacher ever had a better wife and helpmeet. His ability is great, his character above reproach, his age middle, his past record is his best commendation. The work where he now lives goes well. Write me and I will put you in touch with him."

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C. R. Mansfield, Box 905, Seminole, Texas, Dec. 17: "Two confessed faults here yesterday. This brings the number of responses to the invitation here to around 160 over the past thirty-two and one-half months since I began working with the brethren here. Of this number around sixty have been baptized, forty have confessed faults and three have renounced the errors of the Christian Church; the rest have been those who have come to us from other localities where they were in full fellowship with the saints. The net gain during this time has been about ninety-five. There were but four or five men here who could take public part in the worship acceptably when I came. Through extended teaching and training, plus those added from other places, there are now around thirty or more who can do just about anything needed of them. In many other ways the spiritual strength of this congregation has grown much. A new auditorium has been built to accommodate the growth and the increase in attendance from friends and neighbors. The congregation is in good condition and physically is capable of handling its indebtedness in a good way. Classrooms are adequate for present needs as more were supplied in building program. This report is not to "blow up" the present evangelist for it has been the hard and faithful work of all of us here that made it possible. It has been also a hard work for this preacher but a pleasant and profitable one. I am leaving it the first of January to begin with the brethren in Ranger, Texas. Please note the change of address. Wife and I anticipate another pleasant and profitable work with those brethren. Brother Floyd Spivey has done a fine work there. I am set to serve my Lord anywhere I am needed, anytime. May we all be humbled before Him and He will lift us up in due time."

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Sidney Astin, 820 N. Ury St., Union City, Tennessee, Dec. 22: "Our work here in Union City has gotten off to a good start. Interest is good, attendance is up especially for the weather to have been like it has. Contributions are not what they should be, but are climbing slowly. There has been one baptism and one restored from the Christian Church since we came. Our plans for '52 include two meetings, a vacation Bible school, and our daily radio Program. The radio work is supported by the churches of the county and the preaching work is shared by brother E. Lacy Porter and myself. The broadcast goes out 365 days per year. Recently, the church in Obion, Tenn., began a broadcast of their evening services over WENK, 1240 kc. This service is heard from 5:30 to 6:30 each Sunday. We have just installed our new public address system and purchased a fine tape recorder. The work is interesting and encouraging. A spirit of cooperation and a willingness to "look to the future" prevails. The church building is located just one block off US 45-W and US 51. Sunday evening service through the winter months is at 5:00 p.m. Visit with us when passing."

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About two months ago a thin fellow about medium build named Edward Marsh made several calls on our minister, Robert Byrd, telling him about being in a condition of distress. That evening we investigated and found that they lived in a trailer and had virtually nothing to eat. They had a baby about six weeks old and a child about two years old. The man claimed he had used his gas money while out looking for work. Wednesday evening he came to services and we gave him some money for milk for the babies and gas and also a basket of food. The following day we contacted the employment service and the man told us to send him in and perhaps he could do something for him. He was given a job. On the following Lord's Day he came to services and we decided to give him enough money to last until payday. However, a few days later we went to visit him and found that they had moved. Just the other day we received a letter from E. Ray Rayburn, minister of the church in Antioch, California, stating that brother Edward Marsh was headed back to Bellflower but had lost or misplaced the money they had for traveling so they gave him $25.00. So far as we know this man has never obeyed the Gospel. Please warn the churches of Christ through your paper regarding this man. Apparently he is just a transient and has decided to prey upon the churches.

Brotherly yours, J. H. Lomax Lawrence R. Prince H. M. Chaffin Edward F. Engel

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Cecil B. Douthitt, Box 67, Brownwood, Texas, Dec. 24: "Beginning on January 6, the Southside church of Christ, Brownwood, will present a quarter hour Bible lesson over radio station KBWD, 1380 kc, every Sunday morning from 8:00 to 8:15. During the past 18 weeks there have been 24 additions to the Southside Church. We hope to begin construction of our new auditorium before spring. Herbert Newman of San Antonio will preach in our spring meeting beginning March 21st."

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Walter W. Leamons, Junction, Texas, Dec. 24: "We continue with weekly preaching services at London and Cleo, a Sunday morning program over KMBL, several Bible classes over the county, the use of literature, etc., to do all the good we can. Brother H. B. Gist of San Antonio gave us a good lesson at Cleo last Wednesday night. Brother Henry Behrens, Baytown, has helped us much at London, where he visits occasionally."