"Sticks And Stones"
"Leaves of Gold," an anthology of prayers, memorable phrases, etc., has the following: "A TEST — A cobbler at Leyden, who used to attend the public disputations held at the academy, was once asked if he understood Latin. `No"' replied the mechanic; 'but I know who is in the wrong in the argument by seeing who is angry first."
Hundreds of times, during the past thirty-five years, I have had my teaching met with a sarcastic cry of "Campbellite." But that has served only to cause me to study with a stronger desire to know God's will, teach it, and do it. "Sommerism!" Cecil Douthitt a follower of Daniel Sommer? !!! The notes of the denominational preacher at one place had this jotted on the margin: "Holler like everything here — the point's weak!"
Abraham Lincoln said, "I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he stands right, and part with him when he goes wrong." I am not a "GG man," or a FF, or GA man. I cannot afford to "line up" with any man or group. People sometimes "depart from the faith."
"The worst kind of religion is no religion at all ..." And what is that written (in the Gospel Advocate) to prove? This: If you insist that the congregation is absolutely the ONLY organization through which we may scripturally do "the work of Christ," you are assumed to be against doing it at all — "NEVER ACTUALLY VISIT THE WIDOWS AND FATHERLESS IN THEIR AFFLICTION." The church here doesn't advertise what it does, does not solicit funds from others to help it in its work for Christ; so few outside the congregation know anything at all about it.
It isn't a detailed description of HOW each congregation cared for their needy, brethren. It is this: DID THEY DO THIS WORK AS INDIVIDUALS, AND AS A CHURCH, OR DID THEY DO IT THROUGH A COMPLETELY SEPARATE ORGANIZATION, WITH SEPARATE OFFICERS, TREASURY, ETC.?
In 1935-36 I replied to some criticism of me and the Selma, Alabama, church, made by my good friend F. B. Srygley — AND MY REPLIES WERE PRINTED IN THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE!