News

Choice L. Bryant, 165 South 15th St., Salem, Oregon, April 15: "April 6-19 I served the church in Albany, Oregon, in a protracted meeting. This campaign was designed to revive the church members and not to teach the nonmembers, necessarily. There were eight responses (confessions of wrongs) during the two weeks. It is believed much good was accomplished toward reestablishing New Testament Christianity in that congregation. The possibilities are great for a successful and prosperous church of Christ in Albany, if the congregation there now will pursue the proper course henceforth. The Albany brethren need help and encouragement in order for them to take courage and go forward."

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Ralph R. Givens, 555 - 12th St., Yuma, Arizona, April 27: "I have been with the church here one year this week. We have baptized 27 and restored 12. We are having refrigeration installed in the church building. It is just as necessary here as a good heating system in places where it really gets cold. However it never gets over 125 degrees here, so come on out you may worship with us in comfort this summer."

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William O. Hall, 306 W. Taliaferro, Madill, Oklahoma, April 29: "We had three restorations and one baptism recently."

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W. H. Dorriety, 226 Third St., Crestview, Florida, May 1: "Last August I moved my family to LaGrange, Georgia, to work with the Park Avenue church. Our stay there was very short, about six months. Two of the elders insisted that I join the ministerial alliance; I was told by one of them that I would be expected to join up. The ground of his contention was that the preachers before me had been members. After checking with the other preachers I found that two of them had not been members. The other elder told me that he would not demand that I join this denominational alliance, but that he would try to sell me on the idea; his contention was that the end justifies the means. I did not feel that I could violate the word of God to please pleasure loving elders. I got a lick in the eye from one of them for contending for the truth, after which two of the men had to hold him in a business meeting to keep him from jumping on me. This elder resigned in this same business meeting, stating that he had never been qualified for an elder. Just as we were about to get an apartment and go into secular work for support, five different congregations called and offered to support us in full time work. All I could do was to get on my knees and thank God for certainly He was watching over us. Crestview, Florida, was chosen because it was more of a mission field than the other four. Since we have been here sixteen have responded to the invitation. We have redecorated the building inside and plans are underway to build a new educational building. This report is not made to hurt anyone, neither am I looking for sympathy. I am not a 'professional' preacher; therefore, I am not looking for a job. I can make a living out of the pulpit for my family. I have never asked a congregation to support me to preach, neither have I asked a congregation to let me preach in a meeting for them. For the past few years I have had more invitations to preach in meetings each year than I could get to. God has wonderfully blessed my weak efforts, and to Him I give the praise. This report is made because everywhere I go someone wants to know why we did not stay in LaGrange."

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James W. Reynolds, 135 Vernon Place, Pueblo, Colorado, May 1: "Since my last report eight have been baptized, four restored, and three identified with the Broadway and Orman congregation. Brother C. E. McGaughey closed a meeting with us the 29th of April. The attendance of nonmembers was exceptionally fine. The church here was greatly encouraged by this evangelistic effort. I'll be in a meeting in Fort Collin, Colorado, beginning May 4th. If you are coming this way worship with the Broadway and Orman congregation, Pueblo, Colorado."

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Texas H. Stevens, 1815 Melbourne, Dallas 8, Texas, May 1: "The month of April saw this fine group of two hundred saints twice exceed the $400 per week budget. Bids are in on our new building; we hope construction will start soon. Wilson M. Coon preaches in our meeting scheduled for May 17-24. Some were added to the forces here during April, and the spirit of love and peace in the Lord continues to prevail. God is very good to us all."

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: (April 17)

Jesse M. Kelley has labored with this congregation for approximately the past two years. We heartily recommend him as a faithful and loyal gospel evangelist. He is zealous in denunciation of error both in and out of the church without consideration of personal unpopularity or consequences, yet in the spirit of love and the fear of the Lord. He is sound in both life and teaching, and while here with us has conducted himself as a Christian gentleman. To those who may wish to consider Brother Kelley for local work elsewhere, we recommend him without reservation. He will be leaving us with our good will and that of the congregation."

Signed:

L. S. Fairets J. L. Shook Elders, church of Christ Jacksboro, Texas

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Jesse M. Kelley, Jacksboro, Texas, April 17: "The termination of my work with the church at Jacksboro will come after school is out in May and not later than August 1st. We have labored with these brethren here for approximately two years and have enjoyed every minute of it. Considerable growth in all phases of the work has been evidenced, and we are happy to have had a part in it. We have made no definite arrangements concerning future work. If any should wish to correspond with me concerning local work my address is P. O. Box 793, Jacksboro, Texas. Phone 4459. My successor has not been named."

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Marvine Kelley, Raymondville, Texas, April 22: "I left Shadyvale January 13, 1953 after staying with them one year. In this period we had 231 responses. The greater part of this number was restorations. We came to Raymondville January 1953, and since coming have been blessed by having the privilege of working with three of the best elders I have ever known. These men would be a credit to any church. We have had 12 responses-6 baptisms, 4 restorations, and 2 memberships. I have met L. L. Brown and Isaac J. Smith twice in debates since the first of the year. There is now a debate pending with Dr. Albert Garner. We met Isaac J. Smith in his home congregation and we have learned that there was a visible result of this debate. We closed out early because of the lack of interest but on the night we left one of the members of the Baptist Church requested that he be baptized into Christ. I am to be with the church in South San Antonio in June for my last meeting of the year. I have time for a fall meeting and my elders have agreed to send me on one mission meeting. If you are looking for some one to conduct your meeting I am open. Please address any letters concerning a mission meeting to the elders at Raymondville. My address is South 9th at Norman."

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Frank Trayler, Chaplain (Major) USAF, AO-426143, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing, APO 970, Care of Postmaster, San Francisco, California, April 25: "The church meets at 3:00 p.m. in the I & E Office, near 8th Wing Theatre, here at this base. This is near Suwen, and we would like to have visitors from all over Korea. Lt. Mac Fitzgerald, grandson of the late E. S. Fitzgerald, has led the services the past few months. He, as well as others, deserves our love and respect for such devotion to duty. I shall miss our publications. A lone paper would hardly come so far by itself. Please pray for our efforts to extend the Cause of Christ in this needy country."

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Earl Dale, McAllen, Texas: "H. I. Taylor of Austin was with us in a gospel meeting April 13 through 22. From the standpoint of interest, attendance, and results (visible) this was the best meeting in the history of the church here. Twelve souls were baptized into Christ. Previous to the meeting two Roman Catholics were baptized and two men, heads of homes, acknowledged unfaithfulness. The Sunday following the meeting, after Bible study, a man arose from his seat and came forward confessing his unfaithfulness. That evening another was baptized and another acknowledged unfaithfulness. This afternoon (Tuesday, April 28) a man called and asked to be baptized. We baptized him. The McAllen church is in the midst of a great awakening. Many physical improvements are being made. The carpeting from wall-to-wall has been installed throughout all the floor space (including class rooms), new oak pews have been installed, and four new classrooms are nearing completion. The Mexican church building is almost completed. The church is in better condition in every way than at any time since I have been here these 16 months. Still, we all recognize there is much to be done and many improvements to be made. We conduct a 15-minute radio program over KSON, Harlingen, 1530 on the dial each Sunday morning at 8:00. This is a 50,000 watt station. Brother Taylor did his part well in the meeting. His lessons were brought right home to us. Day services were at 7:00 in the morning. One hundred and seven attended the last morning service. Many outsiders attended. We rejoice, give God the glory, and press on."

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R. L. Colley, Box 207, West Memphis, Arkansas, April 29: "Tonight brings to a close a ten-day meeting with the Merton Street church in Memphis in which I did the preaching; crowds have been good. Brother W. W. Heflin, Jr., their minister, is doing a fine work with the church. Our meeting here begins the first of June continuing to the tenth, with Brother H. I. Taylor of the North Austin congregation doing the preaching. Our work is going along in a good way."

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W. S. Boyett, 1416 N. Hudson, Altus, Oklahoma: "The month of April was a good one for the congregation here. There were 10 added to our number. A new membership list is being made which reveals that we now have a total membership of about 780. We are constantly increasing our program of preaching the gospel outside of Altus. The elders just recently agreed to underwrite the support of Brother Ward Stevens, who is moving to Buffalo, Oklahoma, and a colored preacher in Altus. Beginning June 1st, we will be spending about $735 per month in this type work. I did the preaching in a 10-day meeting at Headrick recently. The interest was excellent throughout but none obeyed the gospel during the meeting. Our daily vacation Bible school will be from June 25 through the 30th."

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M. C. Cuthbertson, 18478 Fleetwood Ave., Castro Valley, California, April 26: "I am here in a meeting with the church in Hayward, California. I began the 19th. Attendance is good and many visitors from various places have attended the services. Brother Erven Harris is the regular preacher here and is doing a fine work. Brother Harris left the Christian Church some years past. He has worked much in Oregon, where the church is weak as compared to many sections. He is a fine dependable preacher. I will, the Lord willing, be back with the Country Club church next Lord's day. Two were baptized there just before coming to this meeting. New records have been established in our work there."