Special Assignment
For several years this writer has been trying to gather material for a biography of his father, J. D. Tant. A heavy schedule of meetings, involving travel all over the nation, plus the weekly task of getting out the Gospel Guardian, has made the work of writing a biography seem almost an impossibility. But we are determined to finish the job, if possible, within the lifetime of J. D. Tant's widow, soon to pass her eighty-sixth birthday. We have, therefore, sought and obtained the help of Brother Charles A. Holt to relieve us temporarily of the editorial job connected with the Gospel Guardian. He will take over the entire responsibility of that position until at least the major work on the biography is completed — probably about three months. We have scheduled only one meeting per month for December, January, February, and March instead of the usual two, hoping this will give the time needed to do the book. Brother Holt's address is Box 493, Florence, Alabama. Send your articles to him for the next two or three months, rather than to this editor. We hope by the first of April to have completed our "special assignment," and will resume the editorial responsibility. Meanwhile, if any reader has any letter, document, or personal knowledge of any incident or experience in the life of J. D. Tant which you think might be of interest, please send it to 717 E.N. 13th, Abilene, Texas. Thanks.
— F. Y. T.
Woods Cogdill Debate
We have had many inquiries as to whether the Woods-Cogdill debate of recent date in Birmingham, Alabama, will be published. The answer is YES! The debate was truly a momentous one, and will go a long, long way, we believe, toward healing the breach that has developed among the brethren in recent years over centralized cooperative efforts and benevolent organizations. Each man was truly representative of the position he held, and each conducted himself on a high plane of Christian conduct. We do not know how many gospel preachers were in attendance, but we personally counted and took the names of well over 300, and would guess that we missed at least half that many more.
The book will be a classic, and will be seriously studied by many thousands. If you want a copy, send your name and address immediately to the Gospel Guardian, Box 980, Lufkin, Texas. Price of the book has not been determined yet, but it will probably be not less than $3.00 and not more than $5.00. Announcement as to price will be made as quickly as possible. Your advance order will help us in determining how many to print.
"Be Thou An Example"
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity." (I Tim. 4:12.) These words of Paul, addressed to Timothy initially, but preserved by the Holy Spirit for all Christians of every generation, are fraught with peculiar and compelling urgency in times of crisis such as we are witnessing. It is surely not without significance that Timothy was urged to "take heed to thyself" as well as "to thy teaching."'
No degree of purity in doctrine can compensate for a lack of it in the life — just as no degree of sanctity in personal character can excuse or counterbalance a doctrine that is false. The faithful Christian is to be constantly aware of both — his life and his teaching. He is to show himself "an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity." Not only must he retain integrity and purity in his own character, but the qualities of his life must be such that all who know him can recognize and be influenced by his manner of life.
Paul's admonition is desperately needed in the church today. For we know men who were once faithful gospel preachers, but who rarely go into a pulpit anymore without deceitfulness and lying. Times of turbulence and controversy often reveal traits of character which would not have been known in calmer days. No amount of zeal for "a good work," nor diligence in stirring up others to participate in that good work can excuse a lie. The liar is an abomination to all right thinking men as well as to the Lord. Zeal for party, zeal even for a true doctrine, cannot excuse a lie. It is particularly important for all of us in these days of controversial writing and speaking that we never forget the primary and fundamental duty of every Christian is to "take heed" to himself.
We have been saddened beyond measure to see the way in which some Christians have made shipwreck of their integrity. The tragedy has taken different faces — with some it has been open and flagrant dishonesty, with some personal immorality, with others it has assumed a guise of righteousness, and under the cloak of "zeal" has brought forth lies and misrepresentation. But whatever the nature of that shipwreck, the end result is eternal perdition. It will come alike to the man who has the truth but whose personal life is ungodly as it will to the man who is in error but whose personal character is untainted. Neither can be excused; the weakness of neither can be condoned. God has set the standard, both in doctrine and in life. No man can afford to ignore it.
The Gospel Guardian is as open and positive in her condemnation of sin in life as in her condemnation of error in doctrine — and it makes no difference where the sin or error be found. No matter how great the reputation, nor how wide the influence, the man who SINS is to be reproved.
F. Y. T.