Gates Of Hades Shall Not Prevail
It is my sincere judgment that the "Special Issue" of the Gospel Guardian is the greatest document in support of the New Testament church that has appeared in more than half a century. Its value to the defense of pure New Testament Christianity none can know save God himself. At no other time during the history of the Restoration has the question of "institutionalism" been so ably and so thoroughly discussed.
The church of the Lord in its glory, unmarred by human scaffolding, perfect as God's last and greatest work in man's redemption, is set forth. Its mission to preach the gospel and care for the needy is clearly shown. Indeed, this "Special Issue" is such a product as can be expected only when some great crisis confronts the church of the Lord. As these articles have set forth the church in its perfection as God's only institution or organization for the performing of those things God wants His children to do as a body of believers, all of us who fully trust the wisdom and goodness of God will find our hearts filled with unalloyed joy.
Each essay is a model of sincerity, clearness of expression, logical argumentation, and Christian dignity.
The theme running through the essays may be summed up in the following: The church originated in the mind of God before the world was; it was inspired by His love; planned in His infinite wisdom; executed or built by Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the apostles. Its purpose is the preaching of the gospel, the caring for its needy, and the edifying of itself. The church is sufficient to do everything God has planned. Otherwise God has failed in His work.
The manner and spirit of every article is on the high plane of fairness, honor, and dignity that should always characterize the servant of the Lord. The serious crisis that now confronts the Lord's church seems to be fully realized by each writer. No personal attacks are in evidence; no questioning of the motives of others; no extraneous issues are introduced. It seems to this writer that no careful reader of these essays can have the least doubt that the writers have no desire other than to know and do what the Lord desires.
Beyond question, the "Special Issue" is a historic document. It will aid sincere searchers after the New Testament order for generations to come. Not later perhaps than five years from this date enough suitable material to bring it up to that date should be added, and the entire material should be permanently preserved in book form. Future generations will need it. The battle for truth and righteousness does not stay won. It must be won anew with each succeeding generation.
The sixteen writers who produced the "Special Issue" are by no means all the writers of much ability who will stand for the unmarred church of the Lord — let the cost be what it may. Several lists of sixteen can be made up of men of fine ability, deep consecration, and true courage. Many of them are in the front ranks among gospel preachers, and have been for years. Yes, and many young men are just starting now to develop their talents as writers. Then there are a great host of able gospel preachers who are faithful to the Book, but who do not aspire to write. These are men, old and young, those who write and those who do not, who will battle valiantly to hold the line against the ever-present drift toward the port of denominationalism.
Those who fight for the truth are often grieved and sad, yes. But discouraged and cast down, never! Christ is still on his throne; the seed of the kingdom is not bound. The world is lost in sin. Every servant of Christ has the opportunity and responsibility to labor in the vineyard. And the church will still be here when the Lord returns. His message to his servants is, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Paul could do no more than "be faithful"; and we should do no less. The pathway of obedience to God has been always strewn with thorns and filled with obstacles. Such will not be absent till entrance through the gates into the city of God is granted to us. Yes, the sacrifices will be great; but the reward will be immeasurably greater. Our faith must never falter; our courage must never weaken; our zeal must never grow cold.
What few sacrifices I have made during seventy years as a gospel preacher have been a joy and not a sorrow. Had I seventy more years allotted to me to labor in His vineyard, I would gladly devote them all to defending the church of the Lord against all attempts of men to improve upon it, or to add to it. My course was set in those far off days gone bye: I am unalterably and forever in opposition to anything and everything that would dim the glory of the Lord's church or mar or impair its perfection. So with deep joy and a sense of gratitude to God I salute the "Special Issue" and thank our Father that His church has in it so many fine and faithful servants who are set, as I am, for the defense of "the faith once delivered."