News
Vorholzstr 36 Karlsruhe March 17,1953 Dear Friends in Christ:
This is just a word to let you know about an eight-day meeting which has just been concluded here. Dieter Alten of Mannheim did the preaching in a very fine way. He held an excellent meeting here a year ago as well. The messages were powerfully given with much emphasis on the relationship of Grace and Obedience. Previously we had done a great deal of preaching exposing error, the false doctrines of the State church, etc. However, it weighed a little too much on the negative side. The approach this time was more from the viewpoint of showing what was right and only could be right with the Gospel rather than what was wrong with everything else. Of course many errors were exposed during the meeting but in a skillful and effective fashion.
One man who says he has been scripturally baptized wants to work and worship with us. His wife wants to be baptized. They have a family of six children, two of whom are grown. We will talk to this couple in their home tomorrow afternoon. We have also arranged to visit with another large family Thursday night and talk with them about the Bible. A doctor and his wife being unable to come to the evening meetings asked that we come talk with them in their home. Two other women have expressed the desire to render obedience in baptism. These are the more or less immediate effects of the weeks preaching.
During the week Reiner Kallus (young German evangelist here with us) and I made about 30 calls and visits, in some cases extending invitations to the meeting and in others doing personal teaching in the homes. We also passed out invitations in the city park and had just given out about several hundred when officials forbid us to do so further. We hadn't known that it wasn't allowed but I'm glad we didn't find out until we had covered the park! The brethren here also did their part not only in regularly attending but in bringing others. One, Sister Mueller (widow of a professor) succeeded in bringing 10-12 different ones of her friends and relatives. One night she had seven there at the same time. Most of them are well-educated people out of a higher social bracket. They are harder to reach with the simple Gospel, yet we rejoice at their interest. One of the most regular attendees from Sister Mueller's friends was 80 yeas old, Miss Guntzman, music teacher and former opera singer. She seemed — oddly enough — about the most receptive of them all. Horst Knorr, one of the young men in the church, got people to come from the store where he works as well as the place where he eats.
One night after the preaching the young people remained and sang together for quite a while. On Sunday afternoon of the last day we got together again and this time half were American young people and half German. So for an hour we sat with two songbooks singing first in German and then in English alternately. It was great fellowship and enjoyed by all. On the same evening after the preaching those of the members who lingered after all outsiders had left, met together briefly to pray for those who had heard the word that it might produce fruit in the hearts where the seed had been sown.
The week was a strenuous but gratifying experience for all of us. One very encouraging thing was the attendance. With 75 the first night and 83 the last we averaged 65 present for the eight nights. This is quite encouraging when you realize that the church here numbers about 15.
Yours faithfully, Dick Smith
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Elvis E. Bozarth, Staff Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps, H. & S. Co., 2nd Inf. Trg. Refit, Camp Pendleton, California, March 21: "During the last part of May I will be transferred to Korea for duty with the First Marine Division. It is of course most difficult to leave my wife, but aside from that I consider this but another opportunity of serving the Lord where others may not have the chance. My plans are to canvass the Division for members of the church. The Chaplain will make it possible for me, with others, to worship, as we know the New Testament teaches us. I expect to preach just as I have for the past six years. In addition to work with the Marines and other members of the armed forces we may contact, I want to do what I can to take the gospel to the Koreans. As a member of the Fontana, California, church, I shall report to the elders and I know they will provide me with whatever assistance they can. They, like other American churches are limited in money as well as knowledge of the Korean needs. However, when I give them a more accurate report of conditions and needs, they can make whatever facts generally known as they deem appropriate. The only general request I have is that those knowing of members of the church serving with the First Marine Division, please send me the names and addresses immediately. Finally, the prayers of brethren are solicited, especially of those among whom I have labored."
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W. E. Fortney, 162 Harrison, Clarksburg, West Virginia, March 31: "The meeting at Weirton, W. Va., resulted in seven restorations and three baptisms. Five of these responded at the beginning of the meeting, with Brother Denver Cooper doing the preaching. I enjoyed working with Brother Cooper and this good congregation."
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W. F. Showers, Box 104, Pleasanton, Texas, April 3: "The spring meeting with Robert C. Welch preaching closed with six responses — three of these for baptism. A record in attendance for a worship service was set. His sermons were delivered in all sincerity and simplicity. Much good will come from this meeting."
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Arthur L. Golden, Box 365, Perryton, Texas, April 2: "Closed our work at Eastside in Amarillo last Lord's day with three baptized and one restored and placing membership. The work at Amarillo is very good. The membership here is small (100 or less) but they are fine group of brethren and we look forward to a profitable and pleasant labor."
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W. H. Neill, Box 905, Seminole, Texas, March 30: "The work in Seminole is progressing nicely. Our general attendance and contribution is very good. Brother John T. Smith, minister of the Colgate Street church in Lubbock, Texas, did the preaching in our first series of meetings this year. The attendance and interest during the meeting were very good. One confessed Christ and was baptized."
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Wilbur Hunt, 417 Sixth Ave., Palmetto, Florida, April 27: "I have several copies of a religious booklet entitled "Justice and Reconciliation" by me. The price is 50 cents per copy."
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L. Arnold Watson, 7350 Chase Rd., Dearborn, Michigan, March 26: "Hugo McCord closed a very successful meeting with us last night in which three were baptized and one confessed wrongs. Interest and attendance ran high throughout the meeting, perhaps the best from the local membership since I've been here. Brother McCord did his work splendidly and endeared himself to all. Bids are now out for our expansion program which will enlarge and add new classrooms to our building. Last Lord's day we set a new record in class attendance since we've moved here. During the week of April 6 I am to speak four times on the Irvington Lectureship. Indianapolis, on "The Church and Personal Work." April 13 I begin a meeting at Northside, Wichita, Kansas. Then to Twin City, Kansas City, Kansas, April 23, and to Taylor Center, Mich., beginning May 11."
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D. M. McQuiddy, 821 Heil Ave., El Centro, California, March 24: "Meeting at Holtville came to an end last Lord's day with much rejoicing. Two were baptized — one a man of 78 summers who was much beloved by members of the congregation but had never accepted his Lord. My next meeting will be at Beaumont."
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Maurice A. Meredith, 1507 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho, March 31: "The work here goes well. The elders would be interested in hearing from anyone interested in locating here after June 1, as I plan to move to Richland, Wash. Brother Frank Pack will be in Spokane for their lectureship which begins tomorrow, and will go on to a meeting with Brother J. C. Bunn and the Annapolis (Wash.) church, which begins next Lord's day."
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Judsonia, Arkansas March 26, 1953 Dear Brother Tant:
I still receive the Guardian and appreciate the great work you brethren are doing. I would to God that all the religious periodicals of the "brotherhood" would follow the same course. The time of camouflage and whitewashing is over. The truth lays bare before us. We are in the midst of one of the most heart-rending apostasies the church has ever known.
Even though I do not agree with all the articles and views appearing in the Guardian, I honestly admit that you have found the needle in the haystack. Again I say, lay on the lash; let the truth be known.
Your brother in Christ, Guthrie Dean Minister Judsonia Church of Christ P. S. — I attended college with Keith Thompson and Dick Smith. They will stand for what they believe to be the truth in spite of the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy. They are men, not puppets!
(Editor's Note: This letter from Brother Dean is typical of a great number we have received. Several of them sound notes of warning and caution about efforts that may be made to discredit brethren Smith and Watson and destroy confidence in them. That is the course usually followed by unscrupulous men; but we honestly do not anticipate any such development at all in this case. The brethren seeking to recall Brother Smith are sincere and earnest men who are simply mistaken; we do not for a moment question their sincerity. Nor can we share the apprehension of those who fear an attack on brethren Smith and Watson.)
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THE BIBLE SCHOOL OF THE AIR, a radio broadcast of the gospel, supported by churches of Christ in Lometa, Star and Lake Victor, and conducted by Robert A. Bolton of Lometa under the oversight of the Lometa elders, can now be heard in Central Texas over station KCYL, Lampasas, 1450 on the dial, each day, Monday through Friday at 1:00 p.m. This is in addition to the weekly Sunday morning broadcast of the hour of worship heard at 10:45 a.m. over the same station. We thank God for this unusual opportunity of sowing the seed of the kingdom and pray that we may not become weary in well doing, but press on toward the goal."
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Clint Lovelady, 1833 Twenty Second St., Merced, California: "The annual Yosemite National Park Encampment is to be held this year July 19th through July 31st. Brother Wm. S. Irvine of Bellflowers, Calif., and Brother C. E. McGaughey of Springfield, Mo., will be the evening speakers in the Church Bowl. In Camp 9 there will be a different speaker each morning and a vacation Bible school. Why not plan to spend your vacation at the Yosemite Encampment this year. The Encampment is under the direction of the elders of the Livingston and Merced churches of Christ."
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Roy E. Gulley, Atascadero, California, March 31: "I have been with the small congregation here since last September. Progress has been slow but we believe steady and solid. This is a young church and very little personal work has been done in the past because there was no one to do it. Much more needs to be done as my time is limited. We are having a house full on Sunday morning and good attendance at other services. I am supporting myself by working for the California Youth Authority. I work with delinquent boys age 14-16. I find this to be an interesting work though quite trying at times. It is civil service work and there'll be several openings soon. I'd like to see Christians fill these. Write me for information."
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Lloyd Moyer, 416 Lewis Ave., San Leandro, California: "The work here goes along well. Twenty-nine people responded to the invitation during the month of March. Of this number eighteen were baptisms. We are getting ready to begin work on our new building. We hope to be in this building by fall. Harrell Collard of Childress, Texas, begins a meeting with us next Sunday."
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Texas H. Stevens, 1815 Melbourne, Dallas, Texas, April 3: "The Lord has given us an increase of four during the month of March, three baptized and one identified with us. Plans have been distributed for bids on our new building. The ties of Christian love among the saints grow ever stronger. We praise God for all His blessings."
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Floyd H. Horton, Los Angeles, California, March 30: "During the month of March, there has been one baptism two restorations, and several to place their fellowship with the Central church, 12th and Hoover, in Los Angeles. We plan a lectureship lasting eight days from April 26th to May 3rd. When in Los Angeles, stop and worship with us."
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J. T. Marlin, 1503 McCaulley, Sweetwater, Texas, March 23: "Our meeting with Trine Starnes of Waco, Texas closed with 14 responses, of this number two were baptized. We enjoyed our association with Brother Starnes. New records were set in Bible school attendance during the meeting. I am beginning a meeting tonight with the church at Crawfordsville, Indiana."