Excursion In North Carolina
During the month of July the Thayer Street congregation where I labor regularly, supported me in some work in North Carolina. The church in North Carolina is growing rapidly. Behind this rapid growth is the interest and backing of many strong congregations in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and other states. Several new buildings of fine stately construction have been erected within the last few years. Many efficient gospel preachers are devoting their best efforts to the upbuilding of the cause of Christ in this area. There are many large cities and hundreds of towns in the state that lack the New Testament church, yet the congregations are so situated now as to enable a continuing penetration into all parts of the state. With the continued help of the congregations westward, we shall see the state of North Carolina take its place as a commonwealth where New Testament Christianity prevails.
The Church At Newport
The story of the establishment, growth and development of the church at Newport, N. C. is typical of that of the other congregations in the state. Brother W. D. Cameron established this congregation in 1918. It was composed of a small number of faithful women with only one or two men capable of leadership. They purchased an old school house and for years struggled along, meeting regularly in this old building located on a lonely road out in the country. At times it was up to the sisters to conduct the services. Brother I. D. Janney of West Virginia visited the congregation periodically and through his efforts the congregation gradually began to grow. When the war came and Marine Bases were built nearby, personnel of the church elsewhere sought out the congregation and labored with it. Classrooms were built, signs on the highways were erected and new life was put into the group. Through the influence of service men, prominent gospel preachers such as Harry Pickup Sr., Foy E. and Wilson Wallace, Elam Kuykendall and others visited the congregation and it continued to grow. Soon it outgrew the old building which was rapidly deteriorating. In 1946 a building fund was started. The congregation waited Patiently while the fund gradually increased. The old school building would hardly hold the Sunday morning crowds as various service men and preachers labored with the group. Finally in 1953 the conditions were such as demanded the construction of a new edifice. The church had saved $5,000 without any outside help for the construction of a new building. They were supporting a preacher and paying his house rent. It was quite a struggle for them but through efficient leadership they strove on. In the fall of 1953 they began soliciting help to build a meeting house. They raised some $2,000 and then borrowed $8,000 from the bank. On December 7 they began building in the town of Newport and on July 4 they moved into the new building. It was a milestone in the history of the church in eastern North Carolina. It was my good privilege to preach the first sermon in the new edifice and it was with divers emotions that I looked over the crowd and peered into the faces of those who had for so long labored toward a meeting house in Newport.
Charles H. Crider is the present preacher for the congregation and an efficient one he is. He superintended the building of the house and was constantly on the job day and night working to see the finish of the construction work. Without his leadership the work would not have succeeded as it did. Since moving into the building thirteen people have been baptized. The Newport Church is well on the way to becoming a great bulwark in the defense of New Testament Christianity in eastern North Carolina. With approximately 100 members they will soon be ready to help instead of having to be helped. At this time they have accumulated bills that constitute a burden they themselves cannot handle, but with the help of interested brethren they will be able to arise to a sound financial standing. They are in somewhat of an emergency need right now for $1,000 to pay overdue bills. Their financial capacities have been exhausted. Will you help them? Address: Church of Christ, Newport, N. C.
A New Church In Newbern, North Carolina
During this stay in North Carolina this summer I conducted a tent meeting in Newbern, a city of approximately 20,000 people. We baptized three in this meeting and rounded up a few others who were members. We were by the Providence of God able to establish a congregation there. They have a temporary place to meet on Sundays and Thursdays. There are men in the congregation capable of leadership. We are seeking for a man to work full time with this new group, as well as help from several congregations for its support. The people are zealous and the prospects for growth are excellent. The Digressives are strong in this area. With proper support and efficient work this new congregation will soon take its place with the sister congregation at Newport, 27 miles away, as a bulwark in the defense of the truth in this area. Will you not help this new congregation in their development? Send them a check or pledge for monthly support for a preacher. Their address: Church of Christ c/o George Jones, 314 Crescent Street, Newbern, N. C.
An Alternate For Herald Of Truth Supporters
Many efficient elders are becoming aware of the unscriptural operation of the Highland Church in Abilene Texas with regards to this "Herald of Truth" thing Would not the support sent to them be better spent in live, personal, on the spot preaching by a good man in the Carolinas? Three or four congregations could scripturally cooperate by sending directly to this congregation in Newbern, N. C. for the support of a preacher. They would then be supporting an evangelist in a city of 20,000 people, a man preaching and working full time, not only on a radio program once a week, but in daily activity involving personal contact, teaching, et cetera. Is not this a scriptural way to do "mission" work? To be frank, is it not a more efficient work than a thirty minute radio program once a week? We respectfully suggest that alert elders and congregations drop their support of the High. land Church's missionary society and give these brethren in North Carolina a lift.