Birmingham "Special"
The five cities in the nation in which the Gospel Guardian is most widely circulated are Nashville, Tennessee; Houston, and Dallas, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Los Angeles, California. While Birmingham probably has fewer subscribers than any of the other four, she is rapidly overcoming that condition, and if the present trend continues might conceivably even head the list in time.
Beginning shortly we plan to publish the first in a series of articles by Birmingham and Alabama preachers on the general subject of "The Church." These articles grew out of a lectureship at Berney Points last year in which a dozen or more faithful preachers participated. In view of the grave crisis facing the church, these men determined to explore the whole field of New Testament Christianity in historical perspective, setting forth exactly what the primitive church taught, showing how the congregations were organized, what work they were authorized to do, what dangers they faced in doing that work, and how God's provisions for the church are to be applied to our contemporary situations.
We believe these articles will create wide-spread interest not only in Alabama, but wherever they are read. All things considered, there is probably no city in the nation of comparable size where the cause of Christ is on a more sure and stable basis than in Birmingham. While they have their local problems, as any other city has, there is not the general laxity in doctrinal teaching and practice which is so disturbing in some cities. The preachers of Birmingham are in a most excellent strategic position to give worthwhile lessons on "The Church."
— F. Y. T.
"Mission Far East"
Elsewhere in this issue we print a letter from Brother Roland Johnson, as it appeared in the Firm Foundation of January 5. Following the publication of this letter in the Firm Foundation, Brother Coffman wrote Brother Showalter protesting its publication, and saying it was filled with "some truth, more half-truth, and a number of absolute inaccuracies." But Brother Showalter pointed out in an editorial accompanying the letter that Brother Coffman had failed to state what parts of the Johnson letter were true, and what parts were untrue. The edi torial further declared that in a recent interview in Houston Brother Coffman stated his actual views on the instrumental music question, and that these views, "do not give as well as they should, the pleadings and teachings and practice of the church of Christ" on this question. And Brother Showalter added, "We believe that Brother Coffman will have the Christian humility and manhood to correct these errors before it is too late."
In this connection we call your attention to the statement in this issue of the Gospel Guardian from the elders of Norhill congregation in Houston. It is sad for fellowship not to be free and fervent between congregations in a city. But when the doctrine of Christ is being compromised in any way, it is inevitable that faithful congregation should "Mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them." We are informed that one significant factor in Brother Carl Spain's resignation from the work at Central church in Houston was Brother Coffman's continuing influence in that congregation — an influence that Spain must have felt was not wholesome. We have had no chance to ask Brother Spain about this, but in view of his earnest efforts to encourage the elders to "clean up" Central Church (they withdrew fellowship from more than half a hundred people last year who were "walking disorderly"), and in view of Brother Coffman's laxity in both his teaching and practice, it at least sounds plausible. Just how much bearing it had, we of course would not know.
There are many fine Christians in Central Church. It has the opportunities for becoming one of the truly strong congregations in the land. We pray that it may move in that direction. But continuing to encourage and back up Brother Coffman when his course is toward liberalism and digressive lines is moving in the opposite direction.
— F. Y. T.