The Overflow
Now we know!
At a speech in Oklahoma City last month Dr. Maury Massler of the University of Illinois School of Dentistry said that the business tycoon who chews on a cigar is motivated by exactly the same thing that causes a baby to suck its thumb — feelings of frustration and inadequacy relieved by oral sensations.
Same goes for the stenographer who furiously chews her gum. They all want to bite their nails in nervous excitement, but suck the thumb, chew gum, or smoke a cigar or cigarette instead . . . . And what hap pens to an editor who does not suck his thumb, chew gum, or smoke cigars? Maybe he works it off by writing those vicious editorials!
Douthitt's reply
Brother Cecil B. Douthitt has written a series of five articles completely exposing the sophistry of Brother Thomas B. Warren's "total situation, constituent elements" argument. We will very shortly run the entire series. The articles are already in tract form, and may be obtained from Brother Douthitt (Box 67, Brownwood, Texas) at 25 cents per single copy; $2.50 per dozen.
Interesting side-light
Not that it is of any importance, but we got a smile out of the letter sent out by the Broadway producer who for fifteen years has been producing and directing "The Land of the Free," the radio program at Harding College at Searcy, Arkansas. After that experience this producer is launching immediately into a new program (also public service) entitled, "The Bridge," which is sponsored by wealthy ex-alcoholics working through the Carmelite Fathers (Catholic). Some wags in the land may try to make something funny out of "from Campbellite to Carmelite," but we would guess "The Bridge" will be good entertainment and maybe helpful to drunks. If we have any among our readers (which we doubt) we suggest they listen in.
How do they do it?
The promoters of "Herald of Truth" have lately filled the papers with their glowing stories of "expansion" — new radio stations being added, new TV stations being added, new listeners by the thousands being added, etc. And their financial report shows that financial contributions to them are the lowest in their five years of operations! The contribution for March, the latest figure we have seen, was only about one-half the average contribution for 1954. How can they add new stations all the time with constantly dwindling income? Are they reporting ALL the contributions? Could it be that they are dropping stations at the same time they are adding new ones (drop two, add one) and only tell us of the ones they add, and not of the ones they drop? What is the explanation of an expanding program on a diminishing income?
$10,000.00 units
The old folks home being promoted by the Central Church of Christ in Houston proposes to build accommodations for fifty aged people — at $10,000.00 per person. That is pretty fancy housing. Not many Christians can afford anything so luxurious. That would mean an average $60,000.00 for each family with four children, or a $20,000.00 home for each childless couple. Elders of Central Church emphasize that the home is to cater to "all denominations," but will solicit funds only from churches of Christ. Why? If they are going to care for aged Jews, Catholics, atheists, and Moslems, why not solicit funds from those groups?
Things to come?
The year is 1970. A big limousine pulls up in front of the nuthouse and a portly, aristocratic looking gentleman gets out and speaks to the gatekeeper. "Is this an asylum for the insane?" The gateman replies "Yes, sir." "And do you take inmates here upon their own recommendation?" asks the gentleman. "How should I know? Why? says the gatekeeper. "Well some years ago the brethren were having quite a discussion about orphan homes and centralized control, and I wrote several articles for the Gospel Advocate, and the other day I happened to run across some of those old papers and re-read my articles, and — "
"Secretary-church"
The Tenth and Rockford Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, wanted to "sponsor" a TV program for that area — something considerably beyond her ability to pay for. So the local preacher announced that Tenth and Rockford would be the "secretary-church" for the project, receiving funds, keeping books, and sending regular financial statements to the contributing churches. If a sufficient number of "contributing" churches can be promoted, then maybe the "secretary-church" won't have to put up any of her own money — she'll just keep the books!
Get your order in!
The "Special Issue" of the Gospel Guardian is going fast. It has received a tremendously hearty welcome all over the nation — and brethren generally feel that it is one of the most constructive and helpful steps in several years looking toward unity and a solution of current problems among us. Scores of congregations have ordered bundles for distribution to every family. Only $15.00 per one hundred copies. We ask all who will to place your order NOW.
The smell of coffee
Then there is the well known Texas preacher who states that the good Biblical word "fellowship" has been so abused and kicked around by brethren who want to identify it with "eating and drinking" in the church building that he can smell coffee now every time he hears the word!
"Could," not "should"
In absolute fairness to Brother John Dickey of Fort Worth, we wish to change one word in our editorial of April 5. We stated that Brother Dickey had expressed his conviction that "all the colleges should be put in the budgets of the churches and receive regular contributions." What Brother Dickey actually said was "could be put in the budgets" rather that "should be" The mistake was ours, not that of Brother Paul Foutz who reported the incident. Every other statement relative to Brother Dickey's teaching mentioned in that letter (his endorsement of all orphan homes, the Herald of Truth, and his statement that instrumental music was not sufficient reason for a division within the church) is correct and accurate — and can be verified by men of unquestioned integrity who heard the statements made publicly and thrice repeated privately.
Segregation — with a vengeance!
Brother Reuel Lemmons, editor of the Firm Foundation, has come out with a vehement, blistering, belligerent endorsement of segregation. Not segregation between races, but between brethren. Scores of brethren in a recent lectureship were shocked and distressed to hear him declare with great heat that all the brethren who oppose orphan homes (any orphan homes!) ought to be isolated, "put off in a little bunch by themselves," and withdrawn from as provided in Romans 16:17! Those who heard him tell us that his statement qualifies him to first rank in the brotherhood as the apostle and promoter of division.