Harper And Wallace
Elsewhere in this issue is found an article by Brother E. R. Harper, "For the Record," which seeks to justify "Herald of Truth" on the basis that it is simply the full fruition of the kind of "cooperation" practiced and endorsed by many brethren in years past. This is the best article Brother Harper has written on the subject, and it is about the only reasonable defense of "Herald of Truth" we have seen undertaken by anyone. We think it worthy of note that Brother Harper does not even attempt a scriptural defense of the project, contenting himself rather with a defense from past practices among us.
Nearly four years ago Brother Foy E. Wallace wrote on this very point. We publish two of his articles in this issue, and are content to let them serve as a full rejoinder to everything Brother Harper has mentioned. Regardless of what mistakes may, or may not, have been made in past cooperative efforts, the present truth is that "Herald of Truth" is so dangerously close to the Missionary Society in principle that it simply cannot be defended from the scriptures. Brother Harper wisely refrains from any such attempt.
— F.Y.T.
Lufkin, Texas
When the tragic split occurred here in the Lufkin Church three years ago, it was pretty obvious that the trouble was purely local, and could soon be worked out if left to local efforts. The breach would have unquestionably been healed in short order had not "outside" interests suddenly injected themselves into the picture, seizing upon this local difficulty as a golden opportunity (they thought) to embarrass the Gospel Guardian's publisher and thus cripple him and the paper in the vigorous fight that was being waged against certain growing dangerous trends within the church — trends these brethren were bent on encouraging and promoting.
The result of that outside meddling was that the local situation became almost hopelessly complicated and involved. Three long years were to pass before it was to be finally resolved. But today, by God's grace, the trouble has been settled. Full fellowship now exists between and among the three fine congregations in Lufkin; and I know of no city anywhere in which a better feeling prevails, a more generous and whole-hearted spirit of cooperation is evident, and Christian good-will between congregations reigns to a greater degree than is now the case in Lufkin.
And what of Brother Roy E. Cogdill, the publisher whom these outside influences gleefully hoped to destroy by exploiting this local trouble? I think it would probably be accurate to say that there is no gospel preacher in the brotherhood who is held in higher honor and respect by the three Lufkin churches right now than is Brother Cogdill. The efforts which were made to ruin him have come to naught; and he is a stronger and a greater man for the ordeal of these past three years. With neither bitterness nor resentment against those who tried to cripple him, he is doing the greatest and most constructive preaching and teaching of his life. Within the past year he has spent some eight or nine months in Canada, working in cities and villages where no congregation of Christians existed at all. Three new churches have resulted from these efforts, and all of Ontario Province has felt the impact of his powerful preaching. He is in Canada right now, and will not know of this editorial till he sees it on this page.
As for me, personally, I want to express my deep gratitude to the scores of friends who wrote me when I announced my decision to come to Lufkin fourteen months ago. Some sought to dissuade me; others commended me, and assured me of their prayers and good wishes. My coming to the work here was planned for a limited time, and with a definite objective in view . . . . that objective being that I might somehow, and in some fashion, make a contribution looking toward the settlement of the trouble in Lufkin. Especially am I grateful to the several churches who were sympathetic toward my plans in coming here, and who were willing either to postpone the meetings I had scheduled with them, or else to release me from them entirely until some indefinite time in the future.
Now that the churches in Lufkin are in perfect fellowship again, with peace, good-will, and a truly Christian love existing, I am ready to resume my meeting schedule, Personally, I feel that several others contributed considerably more than did I toward the final solution of the problem. But I did what I could. And I have no regrets at all for the efforts that have been made.
In the weeks immediately ahead I have meetings booked for San Bernardino, California; Portales, New Mexico; Elkton, Kentucky; Cleveland, Port Arthur, and Houston, all in Texas; and Haynesville, Louisiana. Then in January I hope to return to California, coming back to Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee for the months of April and May.
I will continue to make my home in Lufkin for some little time, at least, where I can devote a day now and then (when at home) to the business of the Gospel Guardian. My editorial work will of course continue as usual without interruption.
— F.Y.T.