Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 3
January 24, 1952
NUMBER 37, PAGE 14b-15

News

L. Arnold Watson, 7450 Chase Rd., Dearborn, Mich., Jan. 11: "The Dearborn congregation enters 1952 with a budget of $25,000. Of this, $7,500 will be spent in mission work and $1,630 in benevolence. Our mission expenditure will exceed the local preaching by $1,000. We feel these figures represent great encouragement, in view of a membership of 350, approximate. Perry Cotham of Paris, Texas, will conduct our spring meeting in April."

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Thomas Allen Robertson, 610 La Deney Drive, Ontario, California, Jan. 15: "The work here in Ontario, Calif., is very pleasant and is progressing in a most encouraging way. There have been seven baptisms, five restorations, and seven have placed membership since I last wrote to the Guardian. Since I have been in California I have spoken at many of the congregations, and I have found the work in Southern California to be in better shape generally than I had been led to expect. From February 6 through 17 I will be in a meeting at Fullerton, Calif. When passing through Ontario, Calif., worship with us. The church meets at Laurel Ave and "E" Streets in Ontario."

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John H. Gerrard, Box 735, Aurora, Illinois, Jan. 14: "Records for both our Bible classes and regular worship hour attendance were broken yesterday; also one of the best contributions. A man from whom the church bad withdrawn a few weeks ago was restored last Wednesday evening. We rejoice to see him return. When discipline is properly exercised it will result in the salvation of men and women and the church made stronger."

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Luther Blackmon, 4010 Lanork Lane, Houston 25, Texas, Jan. 21: "Good work at Bellaire. Nothing spectacular but steady growth. My work began with this congregation December 1, 1951."

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B. G. Hope, Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 14: "Twelfth Street closed one of its best years with 1951. The contribution for the year was $23,954; the Bible School attendance was the best in the history of the church; a number were baptized, and we have every reason to believe that the members as a whole have grown spiritually. Seventy five dollars per week will be set aside during 1952 to purchase a lot for the purpose of establishing another congregation in Bowling Green as soon as the elders think wise. Two were baptized January 9 at the mid-week service."

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W. Curtis Porter, Monette, Ark., Jan. 3: "From October 23-26, 1961, I moderated for brother Bill L. Rogers, Memphis, Tenn., in his debate with D. L. Welch, Oneness Pentecostal, of Pensacola, Florida, at the Skyline church, Tupelo, Miss. Brother Rogers is a young man, 23 years of age, and this was his second debate, but he debated like a veteran. He knew his position well, knew how to press an argument, and made Mr. Welch realize that he had been in a debate. Questions concerning the Godhead and Holy Spirit baptism were discussed. Brethren will hear more of Bill Rogers in the years ahead ... November 16-18 I engaged Mr. W. W. McMicken, Seventh Day Church of God, in a four nights' debate at Athens, Ala. The Sabbath and the Lord's Day were the subjects of discussion .. . Then from December 4-7 I met Cecil Abercrombie, Anti-Class Hobbyist, in a discussion of four nights at East Point, Ga. Class Teaching and Women Teachers were the questions at issue during this debate . . . And December 11-14 were spent in a discussion at Memphis, Tenn., with Hoyt Chastain, Missionary Baptist. We debated the questions of Hereditary Depravity, Baptism, Security of the Believer, and the Establishment of the Church . . . I am scheduled to meet Vernon L. Barr, Missionary Baptist, in a debate of six sessions at Pensacola, Florida, beginning February 19 . . . A number of other debates are under arrangement but nothing is definite about them yet."

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Steve Hudgins, Box 762, Gainesville, Georgia, Jan. 15: "I concluded two and one-half years work with the churl at Charlotte, Tenn, the last Sunday of the year. While in Charlotte, in addition to the work there, I preached every Sunday afternoon, dividing the time between Glenwood and Pruitts Chapel in Humphries county and Salmons Branch in Houston county. Salmons Branch is the only congregation in Houston county and at the present time there are only seven members there. The last Lord's day in the Tennessee work there were five responses, two baptisms and three to confess sins. I have moved now to Gainesville, Georgia, a real mission field in North East Georgia. The work here started the first of September, 1949 when two sisters started meeting together for worship. Since that time eight others have started meeting with these, all of them sisters. Brother R. B. Clements of Atlanta has been faithful to come over each Sunday morning and preach to these sisters in a rented hotel room. He was with us Sunday to help in the service. To our knowledge there has never been a gospel meeting here for miles around. Gainesville is a prosperous city with about 22,000 souls in and around the city who are in desperate need of the truth. We believe with the help and blessings of God and with the help of faithful brethren elsewhere sending to our need that a good work can be done here. At the present time several congregations in Tennessee, one in Kentucky, and one in Georgia, have promised to help us.

However, this help amounts to a little more than half of what is badly needed to carry on here like we hope to be able to do, and this does not include anything in the way of a building fund. This is a fine opportunity for congregations who want to have a part in mission work but are not able to fully support a work. Any help can be sent to the church at Box 762, Gainesville, Georgia. We meet at 687 Academy St. When down this way worship with us."

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Oscar Ellison, 511 Pearl St., Denton, Texas, Jan. 8: "Brother Charles Nelson, who teaches music in the high school at Carthage, Texas, would like to lead singing in meetings this summer. I have worked with Charles over a period of several years. He is one of the best as a song leader and is a genuine Christian in character. He may be contacted at Carthage, Texas." — (I am glad to add my endorsement of brother Charles Nelson. He is one of the finest singers I have ever heard and a most worthy young man in every respect. I hope he may be kept busy.—R.E.C.)

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W. F. Showers, Box 104, Pleasanton, Texas, Jan. 17: "I began teaching a class in Bible at the high school this week for credit. Twenty-two enrolled at present. We hear of more and more listeners to our two broadcasts on Sundays: fifteen minutes at 8:30 and forty-five minutes at 11:00, 1380 on the dial. P. D. Wilmeth will preach in our spring meeting March 17-26."

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J. T. Marlin, Mayfield, Ky., Jan. 14: "One was baptized and two placed membership yesterday. Our Sunday school set an all time record for regular attendance the first Sunday of this year."

Obituary

MRS. ALLIE MATLOCK DOUTHITT Many hearts were made to mourn when Mrs. Allie Matlock Douthitt peacefully departed this life at her home in Wingo, Kentucky, on December 29, 1951, after an illness of three months. She was born March 4, 1866, and was married July 2, 1882 to L. J. Douthitt. She and her husband obeyed the gospel shortly after their marriage and had influenced many people for good. Three of their sons and two grandsons are gospel preachers.

Although advancing age had greatly curtailed her activity, the large number of friends who called and the many floral offerings indicated that she was known and loved by many. Her deep religious convictions, her simplicity and humility, and her perpetual optimism made and preserved friendships for her.

The funeral was exactly as she had requested that it be. A part of Solomon's description of a worthy woman was read by brother Harvey Elder. Brother Benton Carman led a prayer. Revelation 21:1-4 was the text for a very comforting funeral address delivered by brother Alonzo Williams.

She is survived by her ninety-two year old husband, L. J. Douthitt; two daughters, Mrs. Clyde Lester of Bard-well, Ky., and Mrs. W. T. Grogan of New Orleans, La.; five sons, E. H. Douthitt and N. E. Douthitt of Wingo, Ky., I. A. Douthitt of Chattanooga, Tenn., C. B. Douthitt of Brownwood, Texas, and B. L. Douthitt of Nashville, Tenn.; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

— T. Coy Porter