Behind The Headlines
We think this story of what went on "behind the headlines" will be of interest to all.
Last June while Brother Roy E. Cogdill was preaching in Jordan, Ontario, he had a lengthy conference with Brother Joseph Cannon, who was just back from Japan. Brother Cannon was intensely interested in the discussion concerning "sponsoring churches" and had himself gone to Japan under some such arrangement. He came to Jordan where Brother Cogdill was, and for several hours they discussed the Bible teaching relative to this matter. Brother Cogdill took a piece of chalk, and marked down on the blackboard several passages of scripture, which show that contributions were sent from individual congregations to the needy field, and stated, "This is the kind of plan I work under. Now I want you, Brother Cannon, to take this piece of chalk and write down the passages of scripture which describe the kind of plan under which you have been working — the 'sponsoring church' plan."
Brother Cannon was unable to cite the passages that set forth such a plan. Brother Cogdill then suggested to him that perhaps others, older in the gospel than he, might be able to help him, and proposed that he write Brother G. C. Brewer and others, asking their help. Brother Cannon agreed to do this; and assured Brother Cogdill, "I will either find the scripture justifying what I am doing, OR I WILL CHANGE WHAT I AM DOING."
Readers of the Gospel Guardian as well as of the Gospel Advocate know that Brother Cannon did indeed write Brother Brewer, and received a lengthy answer from Brother Brewer on the pages of the Advocate.
Some two or three weeks after that article appeared, Brother Cannon wrote to Brother Cogdill, as follows:
"After serious consideration, and prayers to God, I have decided that the safe course to pursue is to use the method described in Philippians 4:14-20. In our discussion at Jordan, your best point was this scripture, and when you pressed me to find similar justification for the 'sponsoring church' method, you know how miserably I failed. Now, if the New Testament was silent concerning the method used in supporting men in the field, then of course, we would be free to use the most expedient, and practical one. But we do have a method described by the apostle Paul, and I believe that the principle there should be used.
"I have no desire to be 'cocksure' or 'factious' about any of these matters, and I believe that discussions should be held on the high plane of brotherly kindness. I appreciate the considerate way in which you dealt with me at Jordan. If brethren would always deal with one another in this way, I believe that unity and harmony would be quickly achieved on many issues.
"There are many details involved in doing foreign evangelistic work which need to be worked out, and congregations cooperating in these endeavors should be careful concerning the autonomy of each, and do their work within the framework of God's word."
In keeping with the decision expressed in that letter, Brother Cannon immediately contacted every church which had contributed to his support, explained the matter to them, and asked each of them to continue their help to the Japanese field, but to do it directly, and not through a "sponsoring church" as had been done hitherto. In a forthright and clear-cut statement to these congregations he wrote:
"Due to certain convictions that I have relating to the Japanese work, and the work of the church in general, I have thought it necessary to bring about a change in the method that has been used up to the present time."
He then described the way the work had been done, and suggested the changes what would be necessary to bring such work into harmony with the New Testament pattern.
We thought our readers would be interested in the story of Joe Cannon. He is currently studying in Harding College at Searcy, Arkansas, and expects to return to his field of labor in Japan when his schooling is completed. He was in Japan for five years, and this is his first visit back to the States and to his home (Toronto, Canada). We are confident that when he takes up his labors again in a foreign field he will not lack for support. His sincerity and conviction have been demonstrated, and we rejoice in the courage that has enabled him to seek so earnestly for a safe and sure foundation on which to base his work.
This example of Brother Cannon is one we can commend to all. He has dealt honestly, openly, and in a truly Christian spirit with the problem that was faced. And facing that problem honestly, he has come to a positive and impregnable position relative to it. He wants his work to be on such sure and unquestionable ground that there can be not a shade of doubt in anybody's mint as to its scripturalness.
We doubt not that there are many others, both in the foreign fields and here at home, who are of the same disposition and mind as Brother Cannon. Why can we not have the free, open, and brotherly discussions generally that he and Brother Cogdill had? Why must such ugly words as "factionist" and "anti-missionary" be bandied about so glibly and carelessly? We believe that an honest study of the question cannot but bring conviction to honest hearts. And we pray that many others may bring to the question the same open mind and willing spirit that has characterized Brother Cannon in his study. That way lays peace, and unity, and progress. Any other way lays heartache and disaster.
— F.Y.T.