The Overflow
Purely coincidental
Quite a number of people have commented on the article "The Great Jerusalem Lectureship". It was not written by the editor; it was not intended as a veiled commentary on any of the recent college lectureships. The article was written by brother George Calton of Portales, New Mexico; any resemblance to lectureships of today was purely coincidental. So far as we know brother Calton attended none of the Lectureships, and his impressions of any of them were gained from the reports in the gospel journals and from conversations with those who did attend. But his article actually caused some to think he had attended a recent lectureship, and was poking fun at it. Well, Well!
From Moses Lard
"The churches of Christ in the whole land owe it to themselves, and to the high and just ground they have taken, to guard with sleepless vigilance against even a semblance of an innovation on the practices and usages of the apostolic church. Apostasies begin with things that "have no harm in them", and end in ruin. At first they creep, but in the end they stride continents at a single step. Finally, we say, Watch, Beware!"
— Lard's Quarterly, 1864
What is it?
Is Childhaven an orphan home or is it an evangelistic society? And is the money brethren and churches are sending there used to care for the children, or is it being used to support gospel preachers? The reason why we raise such a question? Well, a few weeks ago brother Guy N. Woods held a meeting in Cullman, Alabama, where Childhaven is located, and was on the local radio with a daily sermon. Announcements were made each day that the program was being brought "through the courtesy of Childhaven, sponsored by the East Cullman Church of Christ." Now somebody figure that one out if you can.
So you want to be an editor?
On the "Juniper Junction" TV program some months ago "Aunt Buney" was temporarily occupying the editor's chair of the weekly newspaper of the community. "Uncle Ned" demanded to know why she would not print it. "Well," said Aunt Buney, "First, hit ain't writ right; second, hit ain't put together right; and third, hit shouldn't a been writ in the first place." Upon hearing this Uncle Ned asked, "What do ye aim to do with hit? Throw hit in the trash-can?" "Oh, no," replied Aunt Buney. "The whole thing would have to be re-writ before hit would be fit to throw in the trash can."
Now we know
No doubt many Christians have labored under the impression that the "widow" of I Timothy 5 who was to be "enrolled" was an object of charity. Well, you are all wrong. We now have it from one of the defenders of the modern institutions that Paul is actually here only laying down the qualifications for a woman who is to serve as matron for the widows' and orphans' home maintained by the church! The enrolled widow is in simple fact a paid employee of the church, her duty being to supervise the widows and orphans in the church orphanage and widowage.
"Their fathers testify"
This one was told us for the truth. It happened in Cullman County, Ala., some time back when one of the "Pentecostal" groups was having a big revival. Quite a number of men and women got up and "testified" as to how God had cleansed their hearts, purified their lives, and sanctified them. On the front bench sat a miserable, unfortunate woman, the town harlot, who had never married but who was the mother of some four or five children. At length she arose to her feet and said, "Well, brethren and sisters, my life is pretty well known to all of you; and these little children here show that there ain't much I can say for myself. But I am glad to be here; and glad that my children can hear their fathers testify, and know what fine Christian men they are."
True love
The elders had asked this brother to tell them something about a preacher who had written them from a distant city. The brother had lived in that city and knew the preacher well. "Well, said he, "he is one of the friendliest men you ever saw, always laughs at your jokes, brags on your wife's cooking, compliments the congregation on how well they are doing, never disagrees or crosses you when you are wrong — you know, he's a real triple-plated phony."
"Walking By Faith"
All over the country we are hearing favorable reaction to brother Cog-dill's new book, "Walking By Faith". Many brethren feel that this is the most helpful, constructive step yet taken toward unity and a right approach to the present problems before the church. This approaches the whole matter from a standpoint of Biblical study. Designed for class use. Price, $1.00 per copy in any quantity. Order today from the Gospel Guardian.
First sermon
What preacher will ever forget his first real effort at preaching a full-grown sermon? Not a prayer-meeting talk, or a training class talk, or teaching a class — but a sermon! We were reminded of those agonizing moments the other day when we read of the nervous struggle of a fledgling New York lawyer pleading his first case in court. "The unfortunate client, in whose behalf I appear — " he began, and then found himself at a loss for words. "You may go on, sir," said the kindly judge after an embarrassing silence, "so far, the court is with you."
Volume nine
With this issue we begin Volume Nine of the Gospel Guardian as a weekly publication. For eight full years now brother Cogdill has served as publisher and this writer as Editor of the paper. We express our profound gratitude to all who have helped in any way — by submitting articles, by financial backing, by getting subscriptions, by buying books and literature, and even by a friendly word or a pat on the back. And we would not forget to thank our critics. They are essential to any man or journal concerned in doing that which is right and true.