The 1958 Freed-Hardeman College Lectures!
I am writing this article for the good it might do and with malice toward none.
I attended the F. H. C. Lectures, January 12-16, and was saddened to hear and see what I did. Things have changed in the last ten years at my old Alma Mater. This supposed lectureship, to discuss the work of the church, turned out to be no more than a "rally" for the champions of institutionalism. It was sickening to hear the pitiful and weak-kneed style of preaching on every hand. Men like Gus Nichols, Guy N. Woods, G. K. Wallace, E. R. Harper and II. A. Dixon all made "tearful" pleas for their favorite institution.
I came away feeling as though we had made a mistake in establishing churches across the land; but instead should have spent our time and money in setting up colleges, orphanages, hospitals, old-maid homes and such like. No, instead of feeling that way I am glad that I have taught the truth on the above matters. I know the Bible teaches that the church of the Lord is complete and sufficient to do the work Christ intended for Her to do.
I feel sorry for many of the young preachers at F. H. C. that sit and absorb the hobbies that these men expound, without studying the Bible for themselves.
Brother G. K. Wallace "hopped" up and down during the open forum giving advice to these "young preachers," as he called them. He advised us many times to read the Wallace-Barber or Wallace-Ketcherside debate in order to get the truth on some passage. There was a time when I thought G. K. and Guy N. were really my ideal when it came to preaching and debating. Since both of these men have changed positions relative to human institutions, without being honest enough to state the fact that they have changed, I have been made to wonder if some preachers will do anything for popularity and praises of men.
It was a shameful spectacle indeed on Tuesday night of the lectures to hear Brother H. A. Dixon trying to beg money for the school. With "tearful" voice he stood like an auctioneer trying to get first $500.00, then dropping to $100, and on down to $1 per month. No sectarian preacher or "Fake healer" ever made a more pathetic appeal for money. I was thinking during his speech about changes that I have seen in my life-time in the Lord's church. I would expect such "high powered" begging in a sectarian group or among the "Holiness groups," but never thought my brethren would resort to such tactics.
After Brother Dixon finished his "tear-jerking" plea, Brother G. K. got up trying to auction off the obligation to furnish furniture for the Girls' Dormitory. He made a pathetic plea and several poor souls stood up and promised to help furnish one room each. Can you, dear reader, see how a gospel preacher, some in the mission field, could and should scrape up $350.00 to furnish a dormitory room? Does God require him to make such sacrifice? Will God reward him for such giving to spread "secular education?"
What I saw at F. H. C. simply confirms the truth that many of my brethren have been preaching — that it is later than we think and that maybe the tide of digression is moving more rapidly than I had even realized. Some one might say, "What does all of this have to do with the church and the truth?" It has much to do with the Kingdom of God, when we realize that hundreds of young preachers have their thinking and concepts moulded by some of these institutionally minded brethren.
My hope and prayer is that all of us will study for ourselves and when we know the truth that we will speak out — even if it means being unpopular or being branded a hobbyist.