A Veteran Speaks Out: Otey To Adams
Dear Brother Adams:
I don't want to burden you with letters, but I cannot suppress my desire to tell you of my deep appreciation for your recent articles on the "Herald of Truth." I am sure much good, more than either of us imagines, will result from your writings. I never am tempted to flatter any one (bestowment of unmerited praise for advantages) but I do express my sincere commendation, hoping that it may aid in some measure to encourage faithful men. Yater Tant is, in my opinion, fitted for an editor. He also writes well. But whether right or wrong, I feel that you are the best qualified to take the lead in opposing the present movement. Few think as clearly; few can stage things so succinctly, forcibly. and persuasively. And, not least, with a dignity and a sincerity that no one can call in question. You are at the age now that your greatest work lies ahead.
I have said nothing in our papers about the "Herald of Truth." For two special reasons. I wanted younger men to show its unscripturalness; secondly, I thought, and still think, that another year will see its end. The digressives never did anything with such a flare of showmanship as that thing; or with less scriptural basis. If someone had predicted 25 years ago that a young man, not long out of his teens, could so propagandize the churches as to raise more than $800,000.00 in some 20 months, for such an exhibition, such a one would have been thought demented. And now they are proposing to add another $500,000.00 to give an opportunity to perform on TV! Surely many churches will see the folly as well as the unscripturalness, and turn from it. But the world is largely moved by high pressure propaganda, political, economic, and religious. The disease lies deep in world unrest, dissatisfaction with old things, the Bible in particular, and the craze for new methods. Worldliness in the church is the root from which the tree grows.
Of course many wonder what will be the results in the churches of the Lord. Unless these movements, just a little off the straight path, are abandoned. or unless those who are warning against such movements yield to the pressure, only a separation can result. It will not be like the last division in a sudden rupture of fellowship. While then "Institutionalism" was the greatest innovation, separation came only when, and as, the instrument was introduced into the worship. Instrumental music corrupted the worship. Organizations corrupted the whole organic form of the church. When the UCMS was completely formed, the Christian Standard and its supporters refused to cooperate. The separation which then took place within the Digressive church was slow, gradual, and is not entirely completed yet.
Among the churches of Christ we will see the same pattern. Discrimination will be made against those who do not endorse the centralized set-ups; and those who openly oppose these things will be more quickly discriminated against. In truth, there is even now some measure of such discrimination taking place. It is not a pleasant picture. The schools can be depended upon to throw their influence in teaching young preachers in that direction. Perhaps some of the younger schools may not follow in that way.
The controversy, in my opinion, will last fully twenty five years. It will require all the faith of which men are capable to stand for the New Testament order of things. Many, yes, very many, will just move with the current. It is so easy to float with a smooth current!
As best I was able, I made my choice more than sixty five years ago. It did require rowing against the swift current of digression. I have been sustained all these years because I actually BELIEVED it was the safe course and that God really approved.
I started to write a few simple words of encouragement. But now I wonder if the picture I have tried to present may not be in some measure discouraging. But I remember that Jesus said it is with "much tribulation" that people would enter into the kingdom. But I need not quote to you what he said about the difficulties of discipleship. What Paul said, the whole history of persecution and martyrdom — you have dwelt on these things many times. Yes, those who gave up their lives for Christ and the church in its purity were victors. I have well up toward 1,000 letters of comparatively recent date from gospel preachers all over the nation, expressing their determination to advocate and defend the New Testament model till the end. Many of them are young preachers and some college students. This is several times as many as the number of preachers who were saved from the last apostasy.
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his."
Your question "What is wrong with the Missionary Society?" might well be printed in big letters across the top of the Gospel Guardian in every issue.
In faith, hope, and love, W. W. OTEY