News
We the undersigned, because of the disunity that prevails in the North Union Street church at Whitesboro, Texas, and the hopelessness of the situation, believe that it will be for the best of all concerned to start another congregation in the community.
We believe that the New Testament church should teach and practice discipline as the New Testament teaches. (Titus 3:10-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-3; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Matt. 18:15-17.)
We believe that it is wrong in principle for congregations to do their teaching and benevolent work through centralized brotherhood agencies. We have pleaded for a discussion on these issues and have been refused.
At the last business meeting, December 7th, a division of the church property was asked. Brother Chester Gaddie, saying that he was speaking for the majority of the congregation, refused to even consider or discuss the division of this property.
We believe that due to the unsettled past, there is little or no hope seen for future unity and therefore it is better for the sake of the church that we separate ourselves and start another work. This will be in accordance to any new congregation and will be known as the "West Main Street Church of Christ." As men become qualified leaders, elders and deacons will be ordained. The first meeting of this congregation was December 11th at 7:00 P.M. at 501 West Main Street, Whitesboro, Texas.
Signed,
David G. McNeal Marybell Norman
Mrs. Verdell Butts Mrs. C. G. Long
Mrs. Paul Briley Walter P. Mackoy
David R. Cathey Mrs. George McChesney
Forrest E. Coulson Mrs. Susie Bennett
H. W. Seely C. W. Haston
Guy M. Stewart Mrs. Bob Ots
Millard Varley Mrs. Josie Greer Rex Johnson
E. E. Groff, 1463 Filbert, Chico, California, Dec. 27: "You have heard of the devastation concerning Yuba City. The writer contacted Brother Walter J. Dobbs, the faithful minister there, only to learn that the congregation was scattered by the flood and will be unable to return to begin rehabilitation until the latter part of this week. The location of the church building and the homes of the members are such that they are in the area of maximum damage. The full extent of damage will be unknown for some time but be assured it will be extensive. Any financial assistance anyone may be able to furnish may be sent to the Elders, Yuba City Church of Christ, in care of M. W. Goostree, 727 - 13th Street, Marysville, California. This assistance should be furnished immediately. Their needs are financial, clothing, groceries, and all manner of households. You may be interested to learn that Northern California is actually an area of weakness insofar as the church is concerned in terms of members. The Yuba congregation is one of the largest north of Sacramento with a membership of around 125."
A Worthy Call
Jesse Brookshire, Morton, Texas It was my good pleasure to be with the small group of disciples meeting in Port Angeles, Washington in a meeting during the past summer. About thirty in number at that time, all laboring people had done much more for the cause of Christ than many of us who are far more able. Through much sacrifice and labor on their part they were meeting in the basement of the building they had erected. The basement was not completed and very little work had been done on the auditorium because of lack of finances.
They are badly in need of a little help to buy materials to complete their building, which is a must in that section of our country. They have a number of good wood workmen in the congregation and are doing the work themselves as they have the money available.
Port Angeles is the gateway to the Olympic National Park, with an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 tourists visiting the area yearly. The local chamber of commerce in Port Angeles expects a million tourists each year after the completion of the new all weather, high gear, road into the center of the park. This road is to be completed within the next year to 18 months.
The church in Morton sent me there for a meeting this past summer, and I have never been associated with a more deserving group of people. People who are trying to help themselves. Any individuals or congregation that can help them may rest assured that your money is being invested in a worthy place.
Send all contributions to C. A. Noble, or Jim Pollard, Route 3, Port Angeles, Washington. These men serve as the elders of the church there.
Bert Wilson, 1917 Crestwood Dr., Antioch, California, Dec. 22: "I would like to report a gospel meeting just finished here in Antioch. Brother Lloyd Moyer, of Richmond preached. Attendance was very good and the church was greatly edified, as well as four responses during the meeting. This included three being baptized into Christ and one confessing error. Brother Moyer was liked so well, and the preaching of Christ appreciated so much that he has been invited to be back with us again in September of 1956. I'm sure I speak for the elders here as well as myself when we say that we could well recommend him to any congregation that is interested in the whole counsel of God being proclaimed. If we only had more preachers today as fearless as he is in preaching the truth, the controversy in the church today would be short lived I'm sure."
J. A. Copeland Passes
On Thanksgiving day at 2 p.m. J. A. Copeland of Delight, Arkansas passed on to his reward. He had just finished lunch at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Flanoy Alexander, when the end came for him. He passed away in his sleep while napping on the couch.
Brother Copeland had preached the gospel for more than 52 years, most of his work having been done in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas and Missouri. He preached most of his life as a "farmer-preacher" holding meetings all summer and preaching for congregations by monthly appointment throughout the winter months. However he did do "local work" for churches in Delight, Prescott and Hope, Arkansas, and Arp, Texas. After working for these churches, he had moved back to his home in Delight, Arkansas and was still preaching regularly at the time of his death. Brother Copeland had been in failing health for about four years, but the sudden cause of his death was a heart attack, according to the doctor's report.
Brother Copeland served as editor of the Gospel Light, a weekly gospel paper, for several years from its beginning in 1930. The paper was published by Grady Alexander. When Brother Alexander died in 1939 Brother Copeland again assumed the duties as editor at which time Brother Flanoy Alexander, son of the former editor and publisher, became publisher. Soon, however, Brother Copeland relinquished his duties as editor to Brother Alexander, due to other work and failing health. The Gospel Light was then and still is published in Delight, Arkansas where Brother Copeland has lived with the exception of brief intervals, for the past 29 years.
Brother Copeland did much to stem the tide of digression in Southwest Arkansas when many churches were adding mechanical music and missionary societies. He leaves behind his widow and 12 children, all of whom are faithful to the church, and among whom are three gospel preachers, Gilbert, of Wichita Falls, Ordis, of Elk City, Oklahoma, and Jady of Center, Texas.
W. E. Fortney, 162 Harrison, Clarksburg, West Virginia, Dec. 28: "Our meeting at Cloverdale, West Virginia was successful. Two precious souls were baptized into Christ, and one was restored. On December 18 I preached at Cameron, West Virginia and baptized one man into Christ. I plan to teach a few singing schools this winter before taking up my regular meeting schedule the last of February."