The Overflow
Concerning criticism We guess we're fairly well qualified to write on the subject of "criticism," since we get quite a bit of it, as well as giving some on occasion. But this little item we picked up out of a church bulletin somewhere pretty well expresses our attitude on the subject: "Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if it is unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, ignore it; and if it is true, learn from it."
Christian Standard pattern Excluding from its pages all articles save those advocating one side of a controverted question is not a new thing in Christian journalism. In 1867 the Gospel Advocate complained that the Christian Standard "is the only weekly now that is an advocate of the organization of human societies in religion. Whether from a refusal upon the part of the conductors or not, articles upon but one side of this question ever appear in the Standard." To this sally Isaac Errett responded with the anguished wail of injured innocence, "It seems difficult for the Advocate to tell a straight story about the Standard ..." No doubt Errett would be flattered to know that he has made some modern converts to his type of journalism. For some years now the Advocate has followed the pattern he set. Not only the Advocate, but other journals as well.
Has he changed?
Once again Brother E. R. Harper defends himself with an article in this issue. The matter seems quite clear to us; the explanation is very simple: In his own heart Brother Harper has in principle opposed church contributions to schools; but his solicitations for Freed-Hardeman College were so urgent, and made under such circumstances (i.e., the church being assembled for worship, the appeal made, a collection taken, and the check for the full amount being made out to the college and signed by the church treasurer) that the people who gave thought their gift was going as a contribution from the church. Those who have followed Brother Harper's writings in defense of "Herald of Truth" will not find it difficult to believe that there might be an occasion now and then when his language is susceptible of two or more interpretations.
Debate on "Dispensationalism"
The Rogers-Baker debate on dispensationalism is being published, and will be off the press about October 1. It will be cloth-bound and have about three hundred pages. Prepublication price is $2.50; and the book can be ordered from Bill L. Rogers, 4009 Reenie Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. After October the price will be $3.00.
Word and Work
"As an editor, Brother Boll has the strange and amazing record of having never, in the thirty years he has edited his paper, admitted one single article from an opponent, giving the other side." — Jas. A. Allen (Apostolic Times, 1947)
"That the Brethren May Know"
Beginning next week Brother Cecil B. Douthitt presents a carefully written analysis of the brochure sent out by the "Herald of Truth" brethren under the above title. He shows from their own statements that the good elders at Highland Church claim authority and assume powers which no New Testament elders ever were given or attempted to exercise. The study will extend through several articles.
The problem changes
"A few years ago gospel preachers particularly and faithful Christians in general were much concerned with keeping "modernism" out of the churches. That is no longer the problem. A new one has arisen to take its place. The problem facing us now is GETTING modernism out of the churches." — Floyd Thompson, Santa Ana, California.
Peter or Paul?
"I believe that marriage, as the great apostle said, is, in many cases, a cross a Christian must bear, together with all of its joys." — Jas. L. Lovell (California Christian)
No such meeting Incidentally, Brother Harper has mentioned several times a conference in which he claims to have come to Brother Glenn Wallace and this writer and talked with us concerning "Herald of Truth" before it ever started in Abilene. Brother Wallace and I have searched our memories trying to recall such a conference. We are both certain it never took place. Apparently Brother Harper has us confused with some others to whom he may have talked about the matter.
Dinner-dance Someone from Fort Worth sends us a newspaper clipping showing a picture of three men who participated in a "dinner-dance" celebration of the Optimist Club. Master of Ceremonies for the dinner-dance celebration was a gospel (?) preacher — minister of the Central Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas. This is the congregation whose former preacher gave a couple of sermons against dancing — and was invited to resign. No comment.
California This page is being written in California — the place where anything can happen, and usually does. For instance one big Catholic Church in Hollywood not long ago gave a bazaar and took in more than $10,000 from the gambling concessions alone . . . . This too in a country where many types of gambling are outlawed. If the place had been "wide-open" as are the clubs in Nevada, the "take" might have been many times the amount it was.
"Superior" minds C. Wayland James, the modernistic preacher for Uptown Church in Long Beach, has announced his resignation from that work to accept a teaching job with Lafayette College, a Presbyterian boys' school in Easton, Pennsylvania. In announcing his resignation Brother James said he was leaving the ministry of Uptown to become a teacher in an institution "where minds are superior" and where he can enjoy, "academic, ecclesiastical, and spiritual freedom." Anybody want to hazard a guess as to how long it will be before Brother James follows the pattern set by Carl Etter, William P. Reedy, Ralph Wilburn, James Arthur Warren, and a few other "Pepperdiners" who have left the Church of Christ and have joined various liberalistic denominations?