The Overflow
Echoes from Paragould
On the lighter side of the dark picture at Paragould a few weeks ago was Brother Ira Douthitt's reply to the question somebody put to him, "Which side are you on?" Douthitt's reply: "I've got no side at all — I'm all front!"
Located preacher
Also overheard at Paragould: "Do you know what the 'Rev.' in front of a preacher's name means? Those are the initials for 'Rest,' 'Eat; and 'Visit' — the three main functions of a preacher."
Can you help?
Book needed: Dr. A. T. DeGroot of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, tries to keep a full and complete file of all papers and periodicals published by any man or group of men in the broad stream of the "Restoration movement." He does not have, and needs, Volume Six of the Gospel Guardian. Can anybody help him? If so, write him at the above address.
Desegregation
The Gospel Guardian has carried a few articles on the currently explosive question of "integration or segregation." It is the judgment of the editor and the advice of men in whom he has confidence that further discussion of this question would not be wise at this time. Feelings run deep and unlimited discussion of it might well do more harm than good. In this issue we close the discussion, at least for the time being, with an excellent article by Brother James R. Wilburn, giving brief summaries of the two opposing views.
Those "surveys"
Recently the Bureau of Economic and Business Research of the University of Illinois conducted a "survey on surveys." They discovered that the more ignorant a man is of a question, the more likely he is to be dogmatic in his expression of convictions on it. He dislikes to acknowledge ignorance, and supposes that vehemence and dogmatism will be accepted 'as indicating profound knowledge. Someone has defined "absolutely certain" as "being mistaken at the top of one's voice." Could be.
Cartoon of the week
Best cartoon we've seen recently was "The Neighbors" by George Clarke, showing a chubby four year old, dressed in his sleepers and ready for bed, being rocked by grandma, and watching a "children's program" on the television. Caption under the picture quotes Junior's disgusted snort as the bank robber is overwhelmed by the police, "That stupid goon! He shoulda knocked off the guards, then locked the tellers in the vault."
Schedule
Itinerary for this writer for the next few weeks: St. Louis, Missouri, (Kirkwood) March 10-17; Jasper, Alabama, (Mt. Zion) March 24-31; New Albana, Indiana, April 21 - May 1; Columbus, Ohio, May 5-12; Grand Saline, Texas, June 2-9; Campbellsville, Kentucky, June 16-26; Locust Bayou, Arkansas, June 30 - July 7; Broaddus, Texas, July 8-14; Portales, New Mexico, July 21-28.
"Walking By Faith"
Brother Cogdill's new book "Walking By Faith" is about ready for mailing. It is a companion book, a follow-up, to his universally popular "New Testament Church." Every congregation which has used that book in class study will want the new one. It deals with questions of current interest and eternal importance. Order today. Per copy: $1.00.
A divine institution
Brethren attending the Paragould debate last month heard it stoutly argued that the corporation providing an orphan home is a "divine institution" because it exists only to "restore the home which the orphan lost." Brother Luther W. Martin from Rolla, Missouri, sends us the following clipping from Harper's Magazine of 1852: "The Bloomer Marriage Association will hold its regular meeting on Friday at half past seven. Those who appreciate the advantages of a good wife, at small cost, with reliable men as trustees, will not fail to attend. The stock is now nearly all taken. A few shares are left. Several new names of modest and marriageable young ladies — also two thriving widows with small families — are registered upon the books of the Association. Every information supplied. Jedediah Ruletheroost, Secretary." Now since the Bloomer Marriage Association exists only to "set up" a divine institution — the home — who can or will deny that the Association itself is a "divine institution"!
"Educational Director"
In one of the "brotherhood" papers recently appeared this notice: "The Rabbit Run Church in Clothespin, Texas, has an opening for a qualified educational director. A. D. Seever, one of the elders, will be glad to interview, or correspond with, any interested parties . . . ." (Fictitious names are used to protect the guilty.) Is an "educational director" the same thing that the Baptists call their "Sunday School Superintendent"? In the local newspaper, we see the name of the Baptist 'Pastor' listed, and then another name with the initials S.S.S., meaning Sunday School Superintendent. I remember a few years ago some of the young preacher-boys under Brother Ketcherside's influence sent in their 'field reports' with their names, followed by the letters, "E.I.C.," meaning Evangelist-In-Charge." No doubt it won't be long till we will be seeing reports from some of the boys, or girls, as the case may be, with the letters "E.D." after their names — meaning "Educational Director."
— Luther W. Martin "Healer Prays — Woman Dies"
The above headline, in huge letters clear across the top of the page, was the way The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) captioned the story of the death in the "healing tent" of a cancer victim who had come to the "faith-healer", A. A. Allen, to be cured. It actually happened. The woman, Mrs. Irene Henry, 55, of San Francisco, California, died right in the tent where she had gone to be "healed" by the sensationalist. Which reminds us of the time Oral Roberts' tent blew down and a number of people were critically injured, and the more recent death in Dallas of Jack Coe, another "faith-healer" of bulbar polio. It looks like the "fake-healers" have come on bad days.
Covington, Georgia
Remember the editorial we ran late last summer about the gallant little group at Covington, Georgia ? Response to the appeal we made was far from gratifying — but the brethren at Covington did not lose heart. Within the last six months they have baptized nineteen souls into Christ. Their Sunday morning attendance now averages about 45 and the Sunday evening attendance about 40. We believe one year's help would be sufficient to get this zealous little group entirely self-supporting. Who can help? This is a thrilling challenge, and would bring rich rewards in satisfaction and the knowledge of good accomplished to any who will help. For information write to: John Gasaway, Jr., 212 Hartsook Drive, Covington, Georgia.
Split within "Christian Church"
It is becoming increasingly evident that a cleavage of serious proportions and apparently irreconcilable nature is developing within the "Disciples of Christ" denomination. The split is between the liberals and the conservatives, with approximately one-third of the denomination (perhaps 400,000 members) severing all connection with the International Convention. A recent small booklet "Churches of Christ, Number Two" by Dr. A. T. DeGroot of Texas Christian University (price $1.00) gives a highly interesting (and, incidentally, biased) report of the developing schism.
Time for meetings
"I have time open that I would like to devote to preaching in gospel meetings during the last of August and first of September. I am willing to go anywhere in the United States for mission work, or for established congregations. Also I would like to lead singings for meetings."