The Overflow
Sister Cled Wallace Friends of Brother Cled Wallace throughout the nation will sorrow with him in the tragic death of his wife. She was killed in a highway accident near Sanger, Texas, on January 19. This is the third time swift and violent death has invaded this home within the last eighteen months. In the summer of 1952 the oldest son of the family, Dow, died of a heart attack on a Missouri highway, after being invalided out of the army; little more than a year later Henry, another son, was killed in action while flying a jet plane in Korea. Still another son, John, had been killed a decade ago while flying a mission in Europe in World War II. When the boys were taken, one by one, Brother Cled told this writer that he felt he could not have endured the grief without the strong comfort and support of his companion. It was she who sustained him and upheld him. And now that she, too, is taken, the blow will be a cruel one indeed. The prayer of every Christian will be with him in his grief.
West's tracts We continue to receive advance orders for the Earl West tract on "Congregational Cooperation — A Historical Study." Publication of the material seems now to be assured. Rut we ask you to write immediately, telling us how many you will want.
Questionnaire for preachers Brother Charles Heron was describing to us a "questionnaire" he had received the other day from a church looking for a preacher. This form letter had apparently been sent out to a number of preachers; and from the replies received, no doubt, the elders would pick out a few for further investigation and consideration. Among the items about which information was desired was one question asking, "Do you use intoxicating liquors? How much?
Logan Buchanan's article We carry on the front page this week an article by Brother Logan Buchanan, "More About the Herald of 'Truth." The reader will see that Brother Buchanan is not making an argument in this writing, but rather an exhortation. We have still another article from him, which we will publish in a subsequent issue, in which he responds to the first four articles in Brother James Adams' series of articles, the last of which was published last week. One thing needs to be said about a statement in Brother Buchanan's article in this issue. And that is concerning the connection of an advertising agency with a radio program. The radio men with whom we have discussed the matter inform us that the normal procedure is for all clients to work through an agency; the networks much prefer this; and there is a sort of mutual understanding between advertising agencies and radio networks that pressure will be brought to bear on prospective clients to induce such an arrangement. BUT, if the client has a big enough business, and if he is adamant in refusing an agency, the contract can be negotiated independently — at a saving of fifteen percent of the contract price to the client. Either we are misinformed by these men, or else Brother Buchanan is misinformed.
"If such can be found"
"Did you see a recent issue of Charles Holt's bulletin from Franklin, Tennessee, in which he said, 'We need a lady or two to help with the typing if such can be found'? Are ladies that scarce in Middle Judea?" — Mary Callicoatte, Pittsburg, Texas. Or could it be that Charles fires such heavy artillery through that West End Contender that ladies (of which there is no dearth in Middle Judea) are frightened by it? Hum.
"Response"
Preachers who love to report their "responses" through the papers will enjoy this one: The preacher at Brownsville, Texas, (so it was reported to us) was pleased not long ago to see a stranger walking down the aisle at the invitation song. The man told the preacher that he was a member of the body of Christ, and that in response to the invitation he had come forward, but would like to make his own statement. The preacher consented. Whereupon the "penitent sinner" got to his feet and jumped into a raving Ketcherside - Garrett harangue about the sinfulness of paying the preacher, "pastors," etc., etc. Well, that's one way to get the floor!
Censored!
Brother Pickup has received a letter from Professor George H. Dunne which states that the priest's censors have declined to give clearance to his last article as it was written; and that he must rewrite certain portions of it. The problem arose over certain documentation on some of the points raised. We are hopeful that the matter can be adjusted, and that we will shortly be able to bring the second round of articles in the Dunne - Pickup discussion on the question: Resolved that the Roman Catholic Church today is the church established by Jesus Christ."
Foy Smith's sermons We have received a supply of the excellent little books of sermons by Brother Foy L. Smith of Cleburne, Texas, entitled "Lord's Day Evening Sermons." Volume One and Volume Two. When the first book came out a few years ago it skyrocketed to a phenomenal sale of over 5,000 copies — a phenomenal figure for an author's first volume of sermons. The second volume is now in print, and is likewise enjoying a fast sale. The books are excellent; thought provoking, and a real treasure for those interested in sermon reading. The style is lively and interest holding; material is fresh, and so far as we have observed true to the scriptures in every respect. Volume One sells for $1.25; Volume Two is priced at $2.00. We can supply them both for you.
Jehovah's Witnesses' complaint From Texas, California, Canada, North Carolina, Kentucky, and maybe a few more places we've received mail enclosing or commenting on the "Watchtower" five and a half page editorial which takes Eugene S. Smith and his Gospel Broadcast to task for flagrant, extended, and repeated plagiarisms. We make no defense of Brother Smith's action; it is not defensible. But the biggest insult we saw in the whole thing was Brother Ochoa's statement to the "Watchtower" that the reason he stole their articles and took credit for them himself was that members of the Church of Christ were "too prejudiced" to accept the truth contained in the articles if they had been credited to "Watchtower." Now how do you like that?