News

Doyle Banta, 1309 - 9th Ave. S.E., Decatur, Alabama, Nov. 18: "During September and October we had 15 by membership, eight baptized and three restored at Sommerville Road. For 17 successive weeks we have had records set in some service. We now have 162 active members. In October we averaged 184 in classes, 240 in morning services and 203 in the evening and 173 on Wednesday night. The contributions averaged $260.44. We hope to begin enlarging the building before long or go to two morning services. Decatur is a fine town in which to work. All the preachers are cooperative and harmony exists among all the congregations. In addition to a daily radio program, we are now on Channel 23 each Sunday at 5:00 p.m."

F. B. Shepherd, 1925 Makiki St., Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 16: "The church here now has two projects on hand that will tax its ability to carry through. One is the erection of the new building at 1732 Keaumoku; the other the beginning of a new congregation' on the windward side of the island. Ben Guillermo, who is supported by Tenth and Frances in Oklahoma City, began worship in the Kailua High School building last week. The Honolulu Church is meeting temporarily in the auditorium of the Lincoln School, Beretania and Victoria. We ask your prayers and your financial assistance on this building program. Contract is let and work is going forward on the building. Thus far we do not have funds available for furniture or finishing the basement for class rooms. Former friends and service people could be a tremendous help to us if they would put us in their personal budget for a monthly contribution toward our furniture."

O. E Correll, Kinmundy, Illinois, Nov. 15: "Just closed an eight-day meeting at Odin, Illinois, November 7th. This is a very small group of brethren, meeting in the midst of very strong opposition. But they are slowly gaining in attendance — from 10 to 20 or 25. While there were no additions during the meeting, the brethren expressed their appreciation of the lessons we presented, and also for the encouragement they received from them. This little group of brethren have built a cozy little meeting house which they have almost paid for. It will seat about 60 people, but it is built so they can add more to it when needed. We closed the meeting with almost a full house, and very best of attention."

Holt-Wall Debate

Charles A. Holt, Box 365, Franklin, Tennessee, Nov. 18: "I am scheduled to meet Mr. A. J. Wall, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Turley, Oklahoma, in a four-day debate, December 6-9. The debate is to be held in Turley (just out of Tulsa) in the building of the First Baptist Church. This will be the second time Mr. Wall and I have met. There will be a day session each morning. Tuesday- Thursday, at 10 a.m. At the evening sessions we will discuss total depravity and the operation of the Spirit. The morning sessions will deal with a different subject. Brother J. Early Arceneaux will moderate for me. The good church in Turley is backing me in this debate. The discussion of total depravity and the operation of the Spirit is to be published in book form."

W. Wallace Layton, Box 10086, Houston 18, Texas: "Yater Tant conducted a wonderful meeting at Garden Oaks, with two baptized. He was invited to return in 1956. I just soldier of the Cross for many years, and I hope the brethren will 'flood' the mail as they 'bombard' him with cards and letters. The work goes well here. Contribution highest last Sunday in several months. I have time for some meetings. Write me soon if you need me."

William R. Ward, 1021 Termino Ave., Long Beach, California, Nov. 15: "During the past three weeks we have had five to respond to the invitation here at East Long Beach. Two were identified with the congregation, two restored, and one was baptized. The work is pleasing and very encouraging. We have had a total of twenty eight responses in the last three months."

William Strout, 3866 - 37th Street, San Diego, California, Nov. 13: "The church at Central and University in San Diego is growing and the workers are full of zeal. We had five baptisms this Lord's day, making a total of seven since the establishment of this congregation six weeks ago. The attendance on Sunday fluctuates from between 75 to 100 with visitors from many of the congregations in and around San Diego. We are now getting ready to begin looking for a lot on which to build. Most of those baptized were contacted by house to house canvassing and two of them were Catholics and three were men. We expect the work to continue to expand at a rapid rate because of the zeal and love of the members for the souls of the lost. God has indeed blessed our labors and to Him we give the glory. We ask to be remembered in your prayers. closed a meeting at Cumberland, Kentucky, with four baptized, and am presently engaged in Harlan, Kentucky through November 25th."

Robert C. Copeland, Jr., 410 S. College Ave., Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Nov. 16: "Brother C. R. Nichol recently returned home from the hospital where he underwent major surgery. I suggest that all his friends remember him with cards, letters and prayers. Brother Nichol has been a true