The Overflow
Debates
We do not as of now have information on all the dates for the following discussions, but we are informed that these debates on the current issues have either been already arranged or are in process of being arranged: (1) W. Curtis Porter and Guy N. Woods at Paragould, Arkansas; (2) Tommy McClure and Harbert D. Hooker; (3) Lyle McCollum and Bob Melear at West Culver City, California, November 20-23.
Tant-Harper?
Still trying. We can't get even one syllable from Brother Harper in response to our letters to him regarding the debate at San Antonio, proposed by him, and accepted by this editor and by the San Antonio elders. We do hear, however, that he continues to advance his arguments for Herald of Truth everywhere in the nation that he can — after making sure that no one in the area will have a chance to meet him on the same platform and expose the absurdity of his "principle eternal" nonsense.
"The Work of the Church"
Brother George T. Jones, 810 S. Houston St., Kilgore, Texas, has written a most excellent tract on the above subject, which in a brief, positive way gives the "why and wherefore" of present controversies over benevolence and evangelism. This tract can't be excelled as a gift for the sincere Christian friend who is disturbed over current issues. Price fifteen cents per copy; ten cents each in lots of 100 or more. Order from Brother Jones at the above address.
At it again
When the Missionary Society was in its infancy, and before the division had taken place, one of the bitterest and most provocative of all actions taken was the notorious "war resolution" in which the Society made a gratuitous and deeply resented insult against the South as rebels and traitors against the government. And now this year, nearly a century later, we note that the international Convention of the Disciples of Christ has taken a strong and bristling stand for integration at all costs, even the employment of force. Thus another affront is offered to those thousands of faithful Christians in the South who stand strongly opposed to force or violence to bring about a mixing of the races.
Only yesterday
"Christian Unity — How Promoted, How Destroyed; Faith and Opinion" is the name of a series of editorials by David Lipscomb, first published in the 1890's, and republished some twenty years later by the Gospel Advocate in booklet form. The Advocate declared that it "is the most complete, the clearest, and the ablest discussion of the question of faith and opinion, written by an uninspired man ... Congregations would do well to buy them and distribute them among the members." With that endorsement the Gospel Guardian is heartily in agreement. So much so that we reprinted the entire Lipscomb series a few weeks ago. It is fairly obvious that the Gospel Advocate under its present management repudiates and rejects the position Lipscomb set forth in those editorials.
Get in line
A certain Neanderthal idiot writes that he longs for the early demise of this editor so that he may have the unallayed pleasure of spitting on his grave. Hold on there, little buddy. You'll have to get in line. The tobacco-juice of many another "sponsoring" brother has priority over yours. But we'll let you in on a secret — the more contact we have with brethren like yourself, the more fervently we share your wish for our early departure.
Even trade
That reminds us of the incident of several years ago in which a good sister informed this editor that if she were married to him, she would put arsenic in his coffee. To which we replied that under those conditions we'd drink the coffee — instantly.
No "encouragement"
Ten years ago there was no gospel preacher in the land more positive, unyielding, and articulate in his conviction that a church contribution to a Christian college was in violation of New Testament teaching than Brother G. K. Wallace. That was ten years ago. And now? Under the mellowing influence of "Old Reliable" Brother Wallace's present position, stated in his own well-chosen words is that, "I do not encourage church contributions to the colleges." No comment.
Thanks
Without any special fanfare or drive the paid individual subscription list of the Gospel Guardian continues to make steady progress upward. Each month sees an advance over the month before, sometimes slight, sometimes quite appreciable, 'but always upward. This is particularly heartening to us in view of the violent and unremitting efforts of some to discredit the paper and prejudice brethren against it. By the loyal help of thousands of readers we will continue to grow. Why not make a real effort to get your friends to subscribe? Set yourself a quota of one new subscription per week, per month, or even per year! How about it? And thanks to all who so faithfully continue to send in new subs.
Grenada, Mississippi
This page is written in Grenada, Mississippi, where the editor is engaged in a fine gospel meeting. Lowell Blasingame, the local preacher, has had a regular daily radio program here for three years, and has had a wonderful response to it. As a matter of fact, we visit very few congregations these days which do not have some sort of local radio broadcast. For some reason these programs seem much more effective in small towns and cities than in the metropolitan areas.
"In the harness"
Not long before his death, J. D. Tant went to hold a meeting in a little town in the foot-hills of the Arkansas Ozarks. He was met at the depot by a grizzled old tobacco-chewing brother who gave him the sad history of the little congregation as they drove out to the brother's home. Said he, "Brother Tant, I've been in the harness here for nigh on to forty years, and this church just ain't made no growth at all." After staying for several days in that little town, Tant publicly related what the brother had told him, and said, "Before God, brethren, I've been looking at that harness Brother _____ has been in for the last forty years, and the only piece of it that shows any signs of wear at all is the backing strap!"
Good advice
We got a chuckle out of a recent newspaper cartoon showing a lawyer advising his client, who was being sued by a lady who had been driving the car involved in an accident with the client's car. Said the lawyer, "I think you'd better settle out of court. After all, it will only be your word against thousands of hers."