Report By Brother Gateley
Readers of this paper will recall that nearly a year ago we carried the story of five little boys in Kentucky whose mother was dying, and whose father was in the penitentiary under a life sentence. We asked if any of our readers knew of a Christian home, or homes, that would be willing to take one or more of these unfortunate children. In response to this request letters, telegrams, and telephone calls from all over the nation poured in upon Brother Huston Gateley, pleading for one or more of the boys. Twelve Christian families were anxious to adopt all five of the boys; and a total of 86 children could have been provided with Christian homes had the children been available.
Since then we have received several letters from Brother Sterl Watson and Brother W. L. Totty urging us to tell the readers of the Gospel Guardian what finally happened to the boys. The letters, as well as numerous references in bulletins issued by the churches where these brethren teach, suggested that we were "afraid" to tell our readers the full story, and hinted at some dark and nefarious plots or intrigues on our part to rob these children of the tender care of loving Christian homes. Frankly, we were puzzled by the letters, and hardly knew how to respond to them. So we responded not at all. We had not heard from Brother Gateley, and did not know what had been the final outcome of the case.
This week we carry a full explanation from Brother Gateley, with official authorized statements from the various relatives and others in the case. This report by Brother Gateley will serve as a complete rejoinder to the false accusations, the wild charges, the unrestrained and unchristian attacks made by Brethren Watson, Totty, and the Gospel Advocate. It will increase rather than diminish the evil reputation Brother Totty has managed to acquire in the last twenty years as a man who is habitually careless with the truth.
We hope there will be those among our readers who will be willing to help somewhat in keeping such a man as Huston Gateley in full time gospel work in eastern Kentucky. He has the courage, the willingness, and the ability to be a tremendous factor in the spread of the cause of Christ in that section which for generations has been almost abandoned to the Christian Church. It is tragic indeed that at this crucial hour some of our own brethren, because of their infatuation with the "institutions," are trying to pressure such a man and force him into secular work for a livelihood. Don't let it happen? Eastern Kentucky is a rich and fertile field for the truth; and Huston Gateley is a man whose influence will grow through the years if he is able to remain in that field. Churches or individuals who wish to correspond with him may address him at Route 1, Box 85, Irvine, Kentucky.
— F. Y. T.
Good Books
Books are the "tools of the trade" for any man who hopes to be useful or effective as a gospel preacher or Bible teacher. They are to the teacher what the hammer and saw are to the carpenter, the broom and mop to the housekeeper, the plow and tractor to the farmer. It is a foolish economy to try to cut the budget and save on such tools. But there is wisdom to be exercised in this area as in all such fields of judgment. A huge stock of books for a preacher may mean nothing more nor less than a big freight bill at moving time — which comes far too often for most men. The answer to this problem is simple: few books, good books, and those few thoroughly mastered. This was the advice given to the editor by J. D. Tant, his father, who had learned by experience. One good book, read, studied, digested, and thoroughly mastered can be more useful than a twenty-volume set of handsomely bound books 'gathering dust on the shelf. Brother John Allen Hudson and others who have re-printed some of the greatest books of the past should be given a vote of thanks by all of us. These classics do not get out of date. They deal with truth which is not subject to the erosion of time, and are as vital and useful to us as if they had been written but yesterday.
The Gospel Guardian is in the process of adding to this fine collection of good books, both new and old, which will help the Bible teacher to be more effective. The two immediately available are "Exegetical Analysis" by Isaiah B. Grubbs, first published in 1893, and "Debate Notes on Bible Classes and Women Teachers" by Gene Frost. Each of these books is an example of what we mean by good books. The first sets forth some clearly defined rules for Bible study (including some excellent help on that currently hot question, "when is a Bible example binding?"), and then shows how these rules are applied in a detailed study of some of the epistles; the second book, "Debate Notes," is one of the clearest, most thorough, and most easily understood treatises we have ever seen on the question of "Bible 'Classes and Women Teachers." (See back page ad for pre-publication prices, etc.)
Within the next two or three months we hope to have in publication the new book by Roy E. Cogdill (a follow-up to his "New Testament Church") dealing with the mission, organization, evangelism, benevolence, and congregational relationships of the church. This will be a book for class use, and we believe will be in tremendous demand by hundreds of congregations who have been so highly pleased with his "New Testament Church." Further announcement will be made soon as to date of publication.