MATURE OR ROTTEN?

Robert D. Wood, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, spoke in Nashville, Tennessee on October 16 before the Better Business Bureau. His speech was entitled "Remarks For a Mature Audience." According to the NASHVILLE BANNER story on October 17, his speech was a defense of the bolder programming now so much in evidence. Hecomplained that in the past television had been toomuch oriented to the "conventional minded and traditional bounded" public. Now, he says, they are trying to reflect a growing "maturity" in the viewingpublic. He reports that the average family spends about six hours a day viewing television

It is his contention that bolder programming is less offensive to todays audiences because such shows as"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "In Cold Blood" and "The Lie" provoked only a few thousand critical letters. He then said "My point is that we should becareful not to over-react to a relatively small number of critical letters." He warned against listening to small, vocal and organized group trying to determine programming, and said this might lead to censorship.He defended retaining in programs words, phrases,scenes and situations which are offensive to some segments of society on the ground that to remove them would destroy the artistry of the work. He said the critics of such presentations are "self-appointed guardians" who want to "make everyone else a copy ofthemselves. No individual, no group should exercise such power in a democratic society" and added that CBS would "resist censorship of the media."

Certainly, we should all defend freedom of speech.Obviously, it is not po ible to cater to the tastes of everyone in programming. But was our guarantee of freedom of speech ever intended to become license to say and do anything in public which depraved minds think is artistic? Are there no subjects too bold nor speech too coarse to pipe into the private homes of citizens? I do not watch television very much. But onoccasions when I have tried to do so, I have found itnecessary to turn it off more this season than ever before. My family has done the same thing several times when I was not home.

More and more programs are using profanity. It has come to be expected. Many scenes are suggestive of the vulgar and some leave little to the imagination.Drinking, fornication, sodomy, incest, rape, not tomention an endless parade of murders are daily pipedinto millions of homes. This poses a dilemma for everyChristian in the land who owns a television set. What shall we do? Shall we expose our minds and those of our children to this daily menu of filth and mayhemWhat are the spiritual consequences of this? How many are discriminating enough to select only thawhich is wholesome? How many have the courage to get up and cut the thing off? What guidelines, if any,do you have at your house as to what the children are permitted to watch? What do they watch when youare not around?

How can any of us hope to be any better than the thoughts upon which we feed? "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). "Finally, brethren,whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and ifthere be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8).If we are not careful we shall fall into the same trap asthose described by Paul in Romans 1:32 "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same,but have pleasure in them that do them." In the New Testament there are several catalogs of sin given, allof which are opposed to God, antagonistic to the life of the saint and which lead ultimately to eternal damnation. One such catalog is styled "works of the flesh" with the warning that "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). Paul said "For they that are after the flesh do mind thethings of the flesh; but they that are after the Spiritthe things of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:5)

Try this out the next time the whole family plans to spend an evening at home together: leave the idiot box in the corner. If the temptation to turn it on is too strong, throw a quilt over it. Get the Bible out and let each member of the family who is old enough, take a turn reading a passage. Discuss it briefly. Then leteach member of the family lead a prayer. If you have some time to spend together after that, get out some innocent game which all can enjoy and watch the fun you and your children will have. Families certainlyneed to do things together, but surely there is something better than all exposing their minds day after day and night after night to whatever the sophisticates of this world think will gratify the tastes of "mature audiences."

Nothing has interfered with neighborline , familchores, personal evangelism, good reading habits, pr ivate devotions, and family fun as much astelevision. Our letters are not going to stop them from catering to the carnal minded. Now would be a gootime for us to re-discover our families, our neighbors,good books and especially our Bibles. We need to do that anyhow. Unless protests roll in by the millions,the networks are not going to pay much attention. Youmight get the attention of some sponsors by tellinthem you will not buy their products as long as they promote such fare, but even that has its limitations. What we need more than anything else is the moral courage to turn it off and get our minds on the things which will build usup and not tear usdown.

Much of what we are being given on television todayis not mature -it is just plain rotten!

WILL FELLOWSHIP" ADVOCATE TRUE FELLOWSHIP?

Certain men who claim to be heirs of the Restoration Movement and representatives of "the three major wings of our heritage" are making determined effort to "move the stakes and lengthethe ropes" of the tent of fellowship. They feel thatmany, particularly of the "non-instrument Churches of Christ," are guilty of "exclusivism, narrowne , anself-righteousness."

The latest effort toward this broad and restructured concept of fellowship to come to my attention is a magazine called "Fellowship". It is edited by Leroy Garrett, Wilford F. Lown and Robert HayesMulkey. It is mailed from Dallas, Texas with their office in Salem, Oregon. The first i ue contains articles by Mulkey, Garrett, A. T. DeGroot, Richard Crabtree of First Christian Church, Canton, Ohio, andRobert W. Shaw of First Christian Church, Miami,Florida.

This is not intended to be a full review of all articles. I desire only to present statements which will reveal the purpose of the paper and what its influence may be. I realize that quotations lifted out of context can be misleading and amount to a misrepresentation,but I shall endeavor to be fair and honest. I shall say very little, for the statements which I give will accomplish the objective of this article.

"The W. E. Garrison 'Fork in the Road' address at the Detroit convention in 1964 delineated his position in reference to our future In brief, he said we can choose (1) to become a tight little denomination efficiently controlled by a centralized leadership, or (2aim to achieve in our own life the kind of church with variety of forms and theology such as history teaches us will have to be allowed for world-wide unity to bachieved— a unity amid diversity." (From DeGroot's article.

"The most sophisticated of these journals is MISSION, which has the reputation, right or wrong,of being the most 'liberal' influence ever to arise in our ranks, is courageously bivouacked in Dallas, which is our citadel of orthodoxy, if we have citadels. It is something like William F. Buckley, Jr. pitching tentand podium on the Berkeley campus.

"The journal is edited by a recent graduate of Union Seminary and is underwritten by a board of 40-odd business and professional people that would do justice to any enterprising corporation. They do meabusine , spiritual business to be sure, and it is evident that they are playing for keeps and intend to be around for awhile, intimidation notwithstanding.And these are all main-line Church of Christ people,albeit not necessarily all orthodox to recent traditional patterns."

"Especially noteworthy is that these brothers, some of them editors and leading ministers, are remainingwith their people even though their own views have broadened. By conviction they remain not-this or pro-that, but they now recognize a larger brotherhood than before and no longer allow their opinions or preferences to draw the lines of fellowship. An increasing number of our folk in all our groups are recognizing the difference between believing one is right and in believing that he is the only one that is right . . . The 'rebels' are mostly our young princes, products of our own institutions, who have gone on to graduate schools and now teach in our colleges (several have been dismissed), serve as editors, andfill pulpits in an increasing number of freer churches."

"T he turn toward renewal is even stronger at the grassroots level, evidenced by the growing subscription lists of maverick publications, prayer groups,and house churches. Many a minister refrains from saying all that he believes, fearing that the reigns of orthodoxy are yet too tightly drawn in his church; andnot a few of our preachers minister to two groups in one church, the 'institutional' group that continues to run the show, and, somewhat clandestinely, th'underground' group that had rather hold hands andpray in a house church than to watch the Dallas Cowboys and talk about the stock market. It is surprising that the larger group can be so ignorant of thesmaller one, and it is heartening that the latter can be so loving toward the former. One Houston church shows rare wisdom in having two Sunday morning services, an earlier one for the more creative anddaring souls, and the ordinary hour for those more inclined toward the ordinary."

"At a unity meeting in California there was not onlythe Pat Boone family on the program, who werewarmly received despite the disfavor that their charismatic experiences have brought them amongour people, but there was also a presentation onecumenicity by the pr esident of a Fr anciscan seminary. So moving was the testimony of his own struggles toward a deeper sense of brotherhood that an audience of some 600 people gave him a standingovation. Ovations, standing or not, are rare in our churches, but one for a Roman Catholic priest seemed unreal. It was surely the first time most in theaudience had ever listened to a priest, and certainly inone of their own Churches of Christ."

"We do, after all, have a common heritage, not onlyin Jesus, but in the great Campbell-Stone tradition. Part of that heritage is the conviction that free men in Christ can pray and share together, and that out of itall will come that unity in diversity that is the fellowship of the Spirit, born of love, nurtured of hope, and centered in the truth that is in Jesus and his holyWord. If we cannot stand together here, then we cannot stand separated anywhere."

The above statements are from an article by LeroyGarrett. A few brief observations are in order at this point.

First, one may believe that he is right withoubelieving that he is the only one right. If one believes that he is right, and has the proper concept of truth, he must believe that all others who are right believe whathe does. Two people cannot believe and practice different things and both be right, for truth does not contradict itself. (I Cor. 14:33.

Second, he doesn't need to refer to the "Campbelltradition" for Campbell championed the idea of UNITY in matters of faith. The slogan was: "In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty;in all things, charity." And such i ues as the church or denominationalism, instruments of music in worship,modern miracles, sprinkling for baptism, the deity oJesus and acceptance of the pope are in the realm offaith. If not, what on earth is?

The plea of the apostle is that we endeavour "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph.4:3). The "fellowship of the Spirit" is NOT "unity idiversity". "Can two walk together, except they beagreed?" (Amos 3:3) Perhaps this refers primarily toGod and man, but it impliesthe same for man and man. (I John 1:6,7.

"Searchings which are arrogant or become blindlyromantic do not bring the desired unity. Our generation searches for the Spirit of Christ expressed in His life and teachings and authentically recorded for us in the New Testament as that which alone can discipline our desires and bring oneness in His Body.Loyalty to His Lordship is desired more earnestlythan conformity to someone's opinion or tradition. And to the religious world, our 'brotherhood's' pratings about being 'born to unity' must have appeared ludicrous. While busily building partitions and nailingshut doors to separate our own family into proper rooms (denominations), we have rushed about towncirculating petitions decrying the evils of backyard fences and urging their removal. My mother andfather taught me that brotherhood should be so deep as personal loyalty to the Lordship of Christ and so broad as was personal obligation to accept the familywhich God alone could 'father'."— Robert W. Shaw

In many ways, this is a good statement. The important questions would concern what loyalty to His Lordship entails, and who is in the family over which God is father. Let us remember that Jesus said, "If yelove me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Andhe doesn't teach different things to different people!

The principle plea or slogan of these men is "unityamid diversity." To them, doctrine is of little significance. How else could they hope to unite thdenominations with their doctrinal differences? But this stance is in direct conflict with many clear and simple statements in God's word. Consider the teaching of Matt. 7:13, 14, 21, 22; Mark 7:3-8; John 8:31, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 2:8; 2 John 9-11 and Jude 3.

One voice among them, Carl Ketcherside, hacondensed and simplified the platform for unity to only two requirements which he describes as "one fact and one act." He can fellowship any person who believes in the deity of Christ and has been immersed in water. But if he is going to accept Billy Graham andthousands of other sectarians into fellowship, he must drop the act for they don't believe one must be baptized in order to be in God's family. And as he continues to drop requirements for fellowship he willeventually want to accept the Jews for his love for everybody will not allow him to alienate and condemnthem— and there goes the fact!

This proves again that once you leave the Bible and God's standard of authority, conditions of salvation,and basis of fellowship, there is no logical stoppingplace short of total rejection of truth and complete apostasy.

According to the Bible, there are seven points in God's plan for unity and they are of equal importance (Eph. 4:1-6). It is just as wrong to deny the one faithand the one body as it is to reject the one Lord or the one God. In our faith, teaching and life, may we never "think of men above that which is written" (1 Cor. 4:6).

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NOW WITH US

My friend and brother, Leon Odom preaches for the Austin Street church in Midland, Texas. In his September 30th bulletin, he tells a sad story which I feel needs to be shared with the brotherhood. It makes known to all of us that it is later than we think. I might add the preacher for the congregation under consideration, Lester Hathaway, for years objected tohaving Bible classes. Look how far he has gone in the other direction. It seems that extremes beget extremes! Now, here is brother Odom's article in its entirety.

"Even though I was totally unprepared for the effect it had on me, I saw it with my own eyes. I got out of the automobile and stood before the sign which read, "CHURCH OF CHRIST." As I looked through the doors of this neat little country town church building I saw it. It was sitting at the front next to the pulpit— a new piano. That piano was purchased recently in Pampa and the man who sold it was heard to say, "I did something today I never thought I would do. I sold the church of Christ a piano!" Well, I've got news for you— I never thought he would either! But he did.

As I stood there looking at that sight, it was like looking into the open casket of a loved one. I stood gazing in amazement; stunned, and I confess, brokenhearted, as I literally fought back the tears. This was not a so-called "conservative wing" of the Christian Church. As far as I am concerned, the Christian Church by any other name is still the Christian Church denomination and has no scriptural right to exist. But this was wher e the body of Chr ist meets in MOBEETIE, TEXAS, twenty miles east of Pampa.

It is hard to imagine how I felt having been raised "in the church" and hearing those old hard hittingpreachers of the past thunder warnings against apostasy. Preaching against the use of instrumental music in the worship, and challenging all advocates of the Missionary Society for debate. My, how thepreachers have changed, and I might add, the churches as well.

While I stood there looking at that gloomy scene, I heard a voice from the past as though it came from over my shoulder that very moment: "Leon, at therate the church is going now, brethren will have the instrument in the worship in your lifetime." That famous prophecy was uttered by the uninspired man,

J. L. Hines in the year 1951. I was just a young man of twenty-five then, and paid little attention to his point on that. Brother Hines missed one thing: thatapostasy came faster than he thought— he is still alive and living in Abilene. It came in HIS lifetime!

I have had time to ponder a little since I visited that deplorable scene in Mobeetie, Texas. I have asked over and over again, "What happened?" That is a good question. How could the church of Jesus Christ go so far into apostasy so fast? In two decades we have seen brethren form societies that they fought the Christian church over. Now we see them bring the instrument into the worship. The Highland church has divided the churches of Christ over the HERALD OF TRUTH organization that is supported by thousands of congregations over the country. Now this same bigAbilene church is plagued, in that her present elders are endorsing TONGUE SPEAKING, and preacherswho deny the need for Divine authority etc. The Mobeetie, Texas church has a rank modernist, Lester Hathaway, preaching for them, and he likewise fills in at the Holiness crowd in Pampa. What is the matter? I think I know, dear reader, brethren are reaping whatthey have sown! They have maintained that they did not have to have authority for their practice and sure enough some of them got to really believing them and especially some of the younger people and now theyhave gone down the broad way that leads to destruction.

The final question is, "How far and how many will go?" The answer to that is simple. They will go just as far away from God as they can as long as they continue to ignore the New Testament. They will take just as many in the churches as are willing to be led intoapostasy. The question is, will you go with them or will you return to Him who stands grieved at the present lack of respect for His Word. Remember these words? Do they still mean anything to us? "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1 Peter 4:11)

QUESTION: Why do the inspired New Testament writers refer to apocryphal literature of their damuch in the same way as they appeal to the inspired Old Testament? Two examples that come readily tmind are Jude's referral to "The Assumption oMoses" in Jude 9, to the "Book of Enoch" in Jude 14,15, and Paul's reference to an unknown work, omaybe an oral tradition of the Jews in 2 Tim. 3:8. All kinds of upsetting conclusions come obviously to thefore when confronted by these examples. May wefollowing apostolic example, also appeal to apocryphalliterature? (Heaven forbid!).— J.K.

ANSWER: It is obvious from the question submitted by our querist that he recognizes a difference between apocryphal and inspired literature and theuse to be made of each. Nevertheless, he has aproblem, namely, Why did the New T estament writersrefer to such literature in much the same way

In the first place, there is no evidence in thepassages cited that a New Testament writer referred to any apocryphal literature, much less make a use of it similar to the inspired. Such an idea is an assumption. Let's examine the passages in the order submitted.

Concerning Jude 9, evidence points to the existence of a book in the days of the church fathers entitled "The Assumption of Moses." I understand that afragment is yet extant, but that part which tells of this event is partially destroyed, so that a full comparison is impo ible. Three of the church fathers, ClementOrigen, and Didymus, refer to this book, but none othem say Jude quoted from it or that it is the source of his account. There is no evidence that Jude ever saw it, or that it existed in his day. The date of "The Assumption of Moses" is disputed. It is entirely po ible that Jude's inspired account came first, and that the book entitled "The Assumption of Moses" together with the traditional views among the Jews about the whole matter came later. What the dispute over the body of Moses was about, I don't know. Jude does not say. Jewish traditional views vary

Even if one could prove that Jude refers to apocryphal literature, it would not give endorsement to such literature as such. Jude's statement makes no appeal to such for authoritative purposes. Jude's reference would only prove the truthfulness of this particular traditional view in apocryphal literature. Others might be true, but Jude's statement would not prove it. Paul made reference to what certain Greek poets said (Acts 17:28) and paralleled it to the truth (that revealed under the power of the Holy Spirit), butthat does not mean that everything Greek poets say is true. Whatever men of note in the world may say, may serve as corroborating evidence, but of itself it is not proof. In the final analysis the appeal must be made to what the Holy Spirit hasrevealed (1 Cor. 2:11-13)

Concerning Jude 14, 15, notice that Jude did notappeal to some quote from any book, but rather simply stated what the prophet Enoch said. There is among apocryphal literature a writing entitled "The Book of Enoch," which contains a similar passage. However,the date of this book is also unknown. If it were written after the book of Jude, it is only natural toassume that this prophecy, in some form, would appear in it.

No doubt, many prophecies were given by God's prophets in the Antediluvian world (and at othertimes, too) which were not put in writing at the time. Perhaps some of these were never put in writing, butcame down among the Jews by oral tradition. Some were put in writing at a later date by Moses and other prophets as they wrote (by the Spirit) of the past. There is no record in the Old Testament of Enoch's prophecy, but I have no doubt that he made it. Jude said so by the Spirit. Again, there is no evidence that Jude quoted or referred to the apocryphal writing,"The Book of Enoch."

In 2 Tim. 3:8, we notice again that no appeal is made to anything written by men. Two names are given ofmen who opposed Moses. While tradition among thJews holds that these are the names of the Egyptianmagicians (Ex. 7:11,12), there is no evidence that Paul appealed to such as proof of what he said. Rather, his statement serves to confirm the truthfulness of the tradition. As already observed, such does not givendorsement to all traditions. The truthfulness of spiritual matters depends upon that which the HolSpirit reveals. If the writings and traditions of men accord therewith, well and good. If not, we have noproof of their truthfulness.

In all these instances the apostles relied upon that revealed by the Holy Spirit for truth. In this their apostolic example is worthy of imitation.

daughter-in-law to name her child ICHABOD, saying,the glory has departed. The glory has departed from the liberal cause and mighty Highland is fallen. From this day forward it will be a simple case of history repeating itself.

ICHABOD

It has been well said that the man who is ignorant of history is ver y likely to repeat it. How true this is when one church is lifted up above all others. The Roman Catholic Religion came out of this system. One church became the leader for a valley or a providence and gradually expanded its power until one church inRome became supreme.

At the time I debated Wallace and Wood, in thmiddle sixties, Highland in Abilene, was at the heighof itspower. It had literally hundredsof members and a large group of elders that ran its every affair. These elders were said to read every word that went into a sermon on the Herald of Truth broadcast to see if it was scriptural and would present the gospel in thbest po ible light. This point was made with effectand liberal brethren went out from the debate sayingthe program is safe because it is in the hands of the elders at Highland

To speak against the Highland church was likespeaking against the church at Jerusalem, and thethought nothing of spending thousands of dollars to see that their interests were protected. In the Wallace debate they flew one of the deacons to Tampa and ithe first discu ion I had with Wood they had Harper,Cawyer and the entire first team there.

God made all Christians alike and He did the same with the churches. No church has the right to differ from any other church in any way. Titus was left inCrete to appoint elders in every city. The opposite to the Herald of Truth which was a centralization of power and money that made the Highland church different from the rest. If one church could supervise a program like the Herald of Truth and dispense funds for hundreds of churches it could do all the Radio and

T.V. work for the brotherhood.

Now we see the folly of elevating one church over another. Highland has been brought low, and if you did not read it take the time to read it now, brother Bill Cavender and the Imhoff Bulletin make startling revelations.

In 1 Samuel 4, a series of events brought Israel toone of the lowest ebbs in its history. The Philistines had captured the ark of God. Eli who was 98 years old,fell from his seat and broke his neck for he was veryheavy and all of this caused Phinehas and his

"Should a Christian go to movies? What about PG-movies? Could some R-movies be okay?" If some of the older adults realized that these questions and others like them were going through young peoples' minds, Ibelieve there would be more teaching on the subject. Ibelieve it is drastically needed; if I did not I would not have spent my time studying the subject. The things which will be said in this article are my own personal beliefs. There will be those who disagree with what I have to say, but I plead with the reader to consider the matter with an honest and open heart.

In the days of the early Christians there was a typeof drama which is similar to many of our modern daymovies. This was the Roman mime. The mime had its beginning in Greek drama. The EncyclopediaBritannica tells how it entered into Roman life. "The presentation of mimes was a traditional feature of theannual Floralia festival, which being licentious in spirit, opened the popular stage to naked mime actresses." (The Floralia festival was the celebration and worship of the Roman god, Flora.) In History of theTheatre on page 62, Oscar G. Brockett wrote, "Duringthe Christian era, the mime appears to have reverted to a non-literary type, although its popularity increased until it virtually drove all other forms from the stage. Under the Empire, it became increasinglelaborate, spectacular, and obscene. Adultery was astock theme, and Heliogabalus (Emperor, 218-222 A.D.) ordered that sexual acts be realistically portrayed on stage. Violence and cruelty also aboundedand Domitian (Emperor, 81-96 A.D.) had a real crucifixion inserted into one play." Do these things sound familiar?

One can not say that the early disciples of Christ did not know of anything like our modern "flicks". Mr. Brockett stated on page 69 of his book, "Under the Roman Empire about 125 permanent theatres were built." The Christians were in every sense of the word knowledgeable about these productions. I ask thereader if he can find one instance in the Word of God or secular writings of a faithful child of God going tosuch an occurence. On the contrary, in secular writings you will find that they condemned such practices.

In our society today there are four types of movies. T he Report of the Commission on Obscenity andPornogr aphy describes how these movies ar e cla ified into their different ratings. "G-Rated Movies— Films rated "G" must be sexually pure. Little beyond conventional embracing and ki ing is allowed. No "G" film may contain anti-social themes. GP-Rated Movies— Motion pictures are rated "GP" with thematuring adolescent in mind. Moderately expliciindication of sex is permitted. Originally, no nuditywas allowed, but, as of January 1970, brief 'flashes' of partial nudity in a 'long shot' did not automaticalldisqualify a movie from a "GP" rating. R-Rated Movies— The "R" rating allows for virtually antheme. X-Rated Movies— The final cla ification, "X" serves as a catchall for motion pictures which cannot be rated "G", "GP", or "R"." These are the types of movies that some professing Christians are going to see.

It is true that a place exists for wholesome recreation in a Christian's life, and some G-rated movies may fall into this field. However, we need torealize that it is of small profit (1 Tim. 4:8), and be more concerned about godliness and righteous thinking (Phil. 4:8). Let's not be accused of beinloversof pleasure more than loversof God (2 Tim. 3:4)

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 4:9, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed todeath: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels and to men." The Greek word translated here as "spectacle" is the word THEATRON. Guesswhat word we get from that? Let us become theaters of righteous lives to show the world the greatness of God.

P.O. Box 2771, Milwaukee, Wis. 53219

FRED STACEY, 1901 Frankfort Ave., Louisville,Kentucky 40206. Ten were baptized into Christ during my recent meeting at Hairston Avenue in Conway,Arkansas. Jack Hobby is now preaching for this congregation.

FLOYD SMITH, Star Route, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165. A new congregation is now meeting inthe school lunch room in Mt. Washington, Kentuckwith twenty-four members. Gene Ward preaches for this congregation.

ED LEWIS, 213 Spartan Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401. Since February, 1973, five havobeyed the gospel in the new work in Wilmington. Jim Poppell moved here from Lake City, Florida to work as full-time evangelist. Harold Dowdy and Grover Stevens have each held meetings here since the work began with two baptized in each meeting. About thirty are now in attendance and home Bible studies are being conducted almost nightly. Please note our ad in this paper.

BOB BUCHANON, Pekin, Indiana 47165. In September, I preached in a meeting at Tenth Street inColumbus, Indiana. Attendance reached a high of 268with better than 200 average each night. Day services Monday through Friday dealt with "How to Study theBible." A special class for young people was held onSaturday morning with 82 present. Four were baptized and three restored in the meeting.

WILLIAM C. SEXTON, 2332 South Hiram, Wichita,Kansas 67213. In October, a fine gospel meeting was conducted here by Derrel Shaw of Dalhart, Texas. Each lesson was filled with scriptural quotations with immediate application of the principles found therein. The work at Southwest looks good. By spring wshould outgrow our meeting house and will either have to build or start a new work. Our next meetingwill be with Billy Moore.

PREACHER WANTED VANDUSER, MISSOURI. The church in Vanduser in the bootheel of Southeast Missouri, near Sikeston is in

need of a preacher. We have about 35 in attendance and will need for a man to find some outside support. Ifinterested contact John Engram, Vanduser, Mi ouri 63784 (phone 471-2026); or Lloyd Boley, Route 1, BellCity, Mi ouri 63735.

JAMES LOVELL, 24 Bramhope Rd., Bramhope, Port Elizabeth 6001, Republic of South Africa. In September we had a gospel meeting with Gene Tope of Pretoria, S.A. preaching. During the meeting twenty-nine visitors attended who were not members. Each of these is being contacted for further study. There are thirty-three townships which make up Port Elizabeth with need for gospel work in each.

PREACHER NEEDED FREMONT, OHIO. The church in Fremont, Ohineeds a full-time preacher to work with this nine year old congregation. The meeting house is two years old and two-thirds paid for. Attendance averages about 60 on Sunday morning. We are able to furnish full support. We will only consider someone who isopposed to the liberal trends in the church today. Write or call: Leo Bowen, 679 Pemberville Road, Woodville, Ohi43469. Phone (419) 849-3686.

RAY SMALLRIDGE, P.O. Box 866, High Springs,Florida 32643. I began work with the Santa Fe Hillschurch west of Alachua in January of this year. Duringthe year C. L. Overturf, Jr. and Ken Thomas heldmeetings here. Harold Dowdy is to be with us in ameeting next spring. Four have been baptized anthree restored here.

JEFFERY KINGRY, 5 Mohawk Ave., Glen Burnie,Maryland 21061. After two and a half years with the church in Kirkland, Illinois, I moved to Glen Burnie. Kirkland is still looking for a preacher. The church there is self-supporting and anyone interested macontact William Beasley, Kirkland, Illinois (815) 5226148. Maryland, like most northeastern states has apaucity of churches. There are some sound churches in the area but they are few and far between. Anyoncoming into the Baltimore-Washington area is encouraged to look us up. Cecil Willis was recently with us in a meeting and James P. Needham will be here next spring. If you have friends or family here whowould profit from a visit or personal work, please let usknow.

ROBERT TURNER AND HARRY PICKUP, JR. have been in Australia the past three months during whichtime they conducted eighteen meetings in Queensland,New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia andTasmania. Many brethren are anxious to hear thereports of their work there and their impre ions of that done by both American and Australian brethren who reside there.

HERBERT BRASWELL, Box 190, Richlands, Virginia24641. The fields are white to harvest in southwest Virginia, especially in Russell, Tazewell and Buchanan Counties. I moved to Richlands in March of this year and have been working with the church not only iRichlands, but also in Wardale on Wednesday nights and in Corn Valley every third Sunday. There are many congregations without a preacher. Dover D.Stacy, Jr. is now working with the church at Wardale and so I help at Corn Valley on Wednesday nights. Why don't some young men move to this area. Surely support can be found for such a fruitful field.

PAUL WILLIAMS, 56 Maud Street, Florida, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. The Johannesburgchurch is in the process of buying a house in thesection called "Brixton." It is a six-room brick structure at the back of a 50x100 ft. lot with room to park eight cars in front. We plan on changing the front of the house to look like a church building, and willremove at least one inside wall to provide a small auditorium seating about fifty people. The location is quite good. It is on a quiet street just IV2 blocks from the South African Broadcasting Company Tower, landmark easily seen from all over Johannesburg.Brixton is easy to get to from all sections of the city.

GARY D. WHITE, 7067 Fontana Drive, Columbia,South Carolina 29209 (Phone 803-776-6318). Ever since I was forced to return to the USA in 1969, due to beingfired by the liberals because of my stand against thesponsoring church arrangement and institutionalism,my family and I have never lost the desire to return under scriptural means to preach the gospel in its purity and to establish sound churches in that place.We believe that enough time has elapsed to haveestablished the necessary confidence in us by conservative brethren to ask their help in returning us to that country. I am happy with the progress the church has made in foreign fields, but it is a sad fact that the continent of South America has hardly been touchedby sound brethren. How long will this continue?

We entered Caracas, Venezuela in November, 1966, as the only two known Christians there. From September, 1967 to December, 1968 we helped toestablish four churches in Venezuela, the largest inCaracas with 25 members. During that period 743persons from all over the country enrolled in the Bible correspondence course. Ten percent had completethe course, which I visited and baptized more than 20 of them. At the peak of such progress we had to leave this work. Within a month after we left 3 more were baptized. After a two year lapse the liberals finally sent someone to replace us in 1971. I understand that two of the four churches are still there. All of those we converted and left behind in Caracas are still there. Some are even preaching. I must return soon to tryand pick up where I left off. People there are seekingthe truth. While there I was in contact through thBible Course with several people from every major city in Venezuela. I truly believe that there is muchand steady growth for the Lord's kingdom in this Spanish speaking country of over 10 million population. Caracas, the capitol, has over 2 millionpeople.

The urgent work there calls for a great amount of support. Based on recently gathered facts we will need the following financial a istance for existence there on a monthly basis: House without utilities -$450;English school for two children -$325; Personal support -$750. A travel fund of $6,200 will be neededto move the necessary household goods. Having livedthere I know it is much cheaper to take these things than to buy them there. This amount also includes tickets, pa ports, visas, duties, etc. This also includes the devaluation of the American dollar. I will be gladto meet with any church interested in helping tdiscuss this work.

Brethren, we are not planning a two to four year stay, but an indefinite one. We realize that this undertaking is a very serious task. We will do everythingwithin our ability to honor that trust and commitment to both those who support us and to the Lord. Will younot make a place for us in your new 1974 budget so we might be ready to leave by July, 1974? Phone 803-7766318. __________

WILLIAM B. MURRELL, 500 Chandler Dr., Athens,Alabama 35611. The Lord willing, we plan to movjust after the first of the year to Tunbridge Wells,England, which is about 35 miles south of London. Brother Fred Melton, the only faithful American evangelist in England, has been there about two and a half years. Soon after we arrive, he will move about200 miles west to work with the Bedminster congregation in Bristol.

E ngland is about the size of Alabama but has thirteen times as many people. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world with over 800people per square mile. They have about 35 small but very conservative congregations of the church there. The need for gospel preachers is great.

We will need $200 per week support plus about $200 per month house rent. We also need about $1,200travel and shipping expenses. After December 16thour mailing address in the states will be: % Wm. B.Murrell, Jr. 500 Chandler Dr., Athens, Ala. 35611. Bill will do our banking for us while we are in England, so all contributions can be sent to him.

We plan to spend the month of January travelingamong the chur ches r aising support. T hen onFebruary 4th, fly from Birmingham to LondonBrethren, will you support usin this great work?

INDEX FOR

ARROWS OF TRUTH FOR DENOMINATIONAL ERROR --Ward HoglandChurch Treasury, The ............................................................26Church Treasury Again, The ................................................. 83Hard Questions -No. 5.............................................................. 6Honor to Whom Honor ..........................................................265Instrumental Music Now With Us .......................................357Keeping it in Context -No. 1 ..............................................196Keeping it in Context -No. 2 ..............................................216Keeping it in Context -No. 3 ..............................................230No Dead Issue -No. 1 .........................................................133No Dead Issue -No. 2 .........................................................149No Dead Issue -No. 3 .........................................................170Only Ones Saved, T he ............................................................39Paul's Trip to Corinth .............................................................67Sabbath Today, The .............................................................102Sabbatismos, The ..................................................................183Why the Change? .................................................................122Wresting the Scriptures -No. 1 ..........................................291Wresting the Scriptures -No. 2 ..........................................329Wresting the Scriptures -No. 3 .........................................342

BACK TO THE SCRIPTURES--Jere E. FrostA Salute ................................................................................309Authority, The Crisis on ........................................................17Authority, The Foundation of ................................................33Authority -How it is Won, Respect for ......................................49Authority, Who Respects? ......................................................81Authority, The Effects of Respect for .......................................97Authority, The Roots of Disrespect for ..............................129Dusseldorf Paper, The___…………………………………… ..1Imitators ...............................................................................145Jeroboam's Arguments for Innovations ...............................177Jeroboam, The Sin of............................................................161Presumption ..........................................................................226

BIBLE LANDS AND CUSTOMS-Melvin CurrAn Ad Hominem Argument dedicated to the Brilliant, Consecrated, Questioning Students of Florida College Who may admire Br other Ketcherside ..............................70 Problem Periods in Old Testament History.................................9 Problem Periodsin Old Testament History -No. 2......................24 Weather in Palestine, T he .....................................................54

EDITORIAL-Connie W. AdamsAttitudes ...............................................................................275Church Treasury, The ..........................................................335Mature or Rotten? ................................................................353Opposition to Herald of Truth from Strange Sources ...............339Our Opportunity ................................................................307Pattern, Authority and the Herald of Truth, The.....................323When Silence is Not Golden ...................................................290

EDITORIAL-H. E. PhillipsBack Again ............................................................................ 115Beginning Another Year ....................................................... 211Beginning of Searching the Scriptures, The......................... 259Bible Meaning of Love, The ................................................. 163I Am Grateful ......................................................................... 67I Want to be Free ................................................................ 179'Ketcherside - Turner Exchange, The.....................................19Ketcherside - Turner Exchange, Concerning the ................. 131Ketcherside Doctrine, The ................................................... 147Making Havoc of the Church ...................................................3Sickening Story of Child Abuse ........................................... 241

EXAMINE YOURSELVES, WHETHER YE BE IN THE FAITH

— Ken Green

Children in Subjection .......................................................... 298Christian and Principles ....................................................... 359Giving of our Means in Spirit and Truth ............................. 118Just a Man ............................................................................. 73Praying In Spirit and In Truth...............................................86Singing In Spirit and In Truth ..............................................41

EXPOSITION: TEXT AND CONTEXT- Weldon E. Warnock

Christian's Warfare, The ...................................................... 361

I MARVEL-James P. Miller

Chickens Have Come Home, T he ......................................... 343Current Issues and the Deeper Meaning ..............................51Ichabod .................................................................................. 359Loaves and the Fishes, The.................................................... 265Our Church Bulletins ............................................................ 306What About Bus Rider Promotion? ..................................... 244What About Bus Rider Promotion? ..................................... 281Will He Find Faith? ............................................................. 195

LESSONS FROM RESTORATION HISTORY-Colly Caldwell

Restoration Attitudes - Tolbert Fanning ...............................12

SOWING THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM-J. T. SmithAccording to the Apostolic Order............................................201Calvinism Examined .............................................................. 305Calvinism Examined - No. 2 ................................................... 330Heartfelt Religion ...................................................................68Heartfelt Religion - No. 2 .......................................................87Heartfelt Religion - No. 3...................................................... 121Institutionalism -Why I Changed ..........................................25I Received the "Philippine Christian" Award .....................104Predestination and Election .................................................. 188Predestination and Election - No. 2...................................... 212With Friends Like Him - Who Needs Enemies? .................. 151

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, USING THE-Eugene BritnellBilly Graham on the Church ................................................. 213Brethren Understand the Truth - Or Do They? ............................7Can't the Baptist Read? .......................................................293Correction ..............................................................................227Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves ................................69

H. E. Philips - A Man of Integrity............................................308I Need Miracles -Now! ........................................................181Lack of Zeal and Devotion ...................................................277Letter to a Preacher ............................................................356Oxen Support Baptismal Font...............................................199Reading the Bulletins ............................................................324Short Swords Swipes ..............................................................21Short Swords Swipes ............................................................38Short Swords Swipes ............................................................119Short Swords Swipes ............................................................135Short Swords Swipes.............................................................150What is Truth? .....................................................................103Will "Fellowship" Advocate True Fellowship?......................355

THINK ON THESE THINGS--H. E. PhilipsA Worthy Man and Infallible Book .................................... 340 Congregational Competition ................................................. 273

WORD STUDIES IN HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT

-Harold Tabor Hebrew Day, The .................................................................135

WORD STUDIES IN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK

E. V. Srygely, Jr.Apecho, "I Have" ................................................................ 188Arrabon, "Earnest"............................................................... 199Authenteo, "Usurp Authority" .......................................... 348Idioms ...................................................................................217Helikia, "Stature" ................................................................233Kuriake Hemera, "Lord's Day" ...............................................6Makarios, "Blessed"...............................................................165Paul, the "Ser vant" ..............................................................116

WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH--T. G. O'Neal

Arguments for the Instrument in Worship .........................312Arguments for the Instrument in Worship - No. 2 . ..................326Educators Among Brethren Speak ......................................295Instrument is Not a Dead Issue, The .................................344Kind of Music Has Been Specified. T he ..............................243Lord's Supper, The ............................................................... 71May We Worship Together ..................................................185Objections to Instrumental Music in Worship......................262Only "Sing" Is Taught .........................................................228Scholars on Instrumental Music............................................278Some Acts of Satan in the Chur ch ....................................... 22Threat of Instrumental Music, The ......................................214Worship In Prayer .................................................................45Worship In Song ....................................................................13

Adams, Connie W. Future of Searching the Scriptures, The............................. 263 Why Not L end A Hand? ...................................................... 18

Ames, Donald P.

Woman's Day, E aster, and the Christian Church ............. .299

Bassett, Jerry F. Miracles? ...............................................................................283 Preaching and Hearing .........................................................143

Blackford, Dick

Bishop - Green Debate, The .................................................313

Bozarth, Elvis

"The Bed is Too Short--The Blanket is Too Small" (Isa. 28:20). .50

Copeland, Jady W. Three Weeks in the Philippians ..........................................345

Davis, Tommy

Spiritual Murderers ............................................................... 57

Dean, Guthrie

Tortured Scriptures ..............................................................246

Fly, Earl L.

Sinful Judging and Evil Speakings ......................................321

Fudge, EdwardBaptism of Jesus, T he ........................................................ 105 Waiting For the High Priest ...............................................153

Givens, Donald R. Awake Out of Sleep .............................................................. 93 Bait and Hook........................................................................248

Grider, A. C.

Conformable Unto His Death ...............................................257

Grushon, Mike Who Can But Prophesy?.....................................353

Hafley, Larry RayAn Interesting Quote.............................................................195In One Place Equals Unity.......................................................114Jesus Christ, The Son of God ..............................................249Pontifical Spirit, The ............................................................ 182Walking Becomingly ................................................................87

Halbrook, Ron Devil, A Master Strategist, The............................................228 Social Drinking Demythologized ........................................... 279

Himmel, Irvin

Religious Journalism in 1971 ..................................................35

Hinton, W. C. Jr.

Preaching Brethren .................................................................27

Holderby, Olen

More Than the Pulpit ..........................................................230

Houchen, Hoyt H. Do We Really Need the Bible - No. 1........................................ 168 Do We Really Need the Bible - No. 2........................................ 184

Jenkins, Jesse G. High Lights of the Bonner - Gage Debate..................................75

Johnson, Clarence R.

Abortion .................................................................................171Response to Abortion ......................................................... 218

Johnson, Patsy

Where Are Our Brothers.......................................................... 202

Keith, Barney

They Listened Up To This Statement....................................99

La Coste, Robert Wayne The Formula for Happiness ................................................. 106

Lee, Irvin

Care of the Needy, The .......................................................168Changing Styles ......................................................................88Elder's Family, The ................................................................56Finding Work ........................................................................ 266Halting .................................................................................. 234Imperfection and Attendance ............................................... 120Marriage ............................................................................... 296Mystery, The ........................................................................ 218Some Young People .............................................................. 245What God Hath Joined T ogether ............................................ 338

Little, Wallace H.

Profundity.............................................................................. 362Twenty-Eight Against the Establishment..............................66

Lovell, James O. Jr.

Here Am I, Send Me ........................................................... 202

Martin, Don

How Can I Promote Unity? ................................................. 136I Am A Mature Christian.........................................................91Knowledge, The Abused Virtue ............................................... 284Some Objections to Baptism Answered ............................... 159

Miller, James P.

Loaves and the Fishes, The ................................................. 282Problems with Human Institutions, The..............................210

Miller, John J. Jr.

Parents - Do You Love Your Child? ................................... 113

Miller, Rolf L.

Abortion Reviewed ................................................................217

Milliner, Ronny

The Roman Mime and T oday's Movies ...................................359

Morr, Philip A.

"Spread Out".........................................................................268

Mott, L. A. Jr.

Devil Made Me Do It, The .................................................... 82I Have Dreamed, I Have Dreamed .................................... 53Meaning of Obedience, The ...................................................215On Accepting Christ .............................................................232

Nowlin, J. Edward

An Open Letter ....................................................................359

O'Neal, Thomas G.

Correction ..............................................................................268Tribute to H. E. Phillips..........................................................288We can all Help Brother Phillips ........................................... 8

Patton, Marshall

A Tribute to H. E. Phillips..................................................289

Phillips, H. E.

About the Reprint of Volume One of the Gospel Guardian...........40Are We Succeeding With the Gospel?......................................193Benjamin Lee Fudge ...........................................................43How Far Will We Love God? ..............................................163Radio Editorial on Abortion .................................................191Real Meaning of Love, The ..................................................164Searching the Scriptures Has New Owner and Editor .............243

Phillips, Polly

A Tribute to an Editor...........................................................263

Sexton, William C. Leave Your Religion at the Gate Please .............................Ill

Shaver, Dennis L.

Are You Ashamed? ..............................................................235Never Satisfied .......................................................................77

Shewmaker, Fred A.

Nigeria - A Closed or Open Country - Which?............................45

Smelser, Dale

Questions ...............................................................................117

Smith, J. T.

Tribute to H. E. Phillips ......................................................288

Smith, Shelby C. Easter is Pagan ......................................................................55

Srygley, E. V. Jr.

Tribute to H. E. Phillips ......................................................288

Ward, Keith

Authority, Induction and Example ....................................... 247

Warnock, Weldon E.

Christian, Cannot Sin, The ................................................... 311Weddings and Funerals in the Meetinghouse ..................... 209Weddings and Funerals in the Meetinghouse - No. 2............327

Williams, Ralph

Weddings and Funerals - A Review................................... .292Weddings and Funerals - A Review - No. 2.......................... 357