"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, beingmade conformable unto his death." T hus spoke the apostle Paul in Phil. 3:10. (Emphasis is mine and the quote is from the King James Version. A.C.G.)

There are several things of interest in this statement by the apostle. First of all, there is the clear connection between the (1.) Knowing Christ, (2.The power of his resurrection, (3.) The fellowship ofhis sufferings, and (4.) Conformity unto his death. One doesn't "know" Chr ist until and unless he knows something of the power of his resurrection. One doesn't "know" Christ until and unless he knows something of the fellowship of his sufferings. Onedoesn't "know" Christ until and unless he has been made conformable unto the death of Christ.

When Christ gave the great commission he said go teach the nations and baptize the taught ones (Matt. 28:19). He said he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Now the onlthing we have going for us on these passages is that our Lord said baptize the people. Of course that would be enough to forever settle the question of the necessity of baptism — unless one came up under the teaching that baptism was not necessar y to salvation.

But when all of the teaching on the subject of baptism is considered, we learn that when one is baptized he knows Christ, he knows the power of theresurrection of Christ, he knows the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, FOR he has thus been made

conformable unto the death of Christ!

Note some passages which deal with baptism. Rom 6:4-5. Paul said we are buried by baptism into death. We are raised up from baptism to walk a new life. He declared that we are planted in the likeness of the death of Christ and that we are also in the likeness of his resurrection. In Col. 2:12, Paul declared that we are buried, quickened and raised upeven as Christ was buried, quickened and raised upThe apostle described this process as "obeying thform of doctrine delivered" (Rom. 6:17-18).

In Eph. 2:1, Paul said people who were "dead in trespasses and sins had been quickened." In verse 6' he said these people were "raised up together" withChrist. Paul told the Colossian brethren that thehad "risen with Christ" Col. 3:1.

When we get it all together, we die with Christ when we repent or make up our mind that we willcease to live in sin. What we do is die to the practice of sin. Then we are buried with Christ when we are baptized. We are quickened with Christ when God forgives our trespasses and sins. Then we are raised with Christ when we come from baptism to walk a new life. Thus we obey the form of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:17-18). We are saved through faith in the operation of God whoraised Christ from the dead (Col. 2:12). We are raised up to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4). We are thus made a new creature in Christ (II Cor.5:17).

Sprinkling and pouring and calling it baptism will not suffice. Being immersed, thinking we are alreadyalive unto God, will not suffice. But when we scripturally repent and are baptized for the remi ion ofsins, we are made conformable unto the death ofChrist and thus experience the power of his resurrection. We will have thus known the fellowship ofhis sufferings. Repent and be baptized for remission of sins or die and be buried that you may be resurrected. Be made conformable unto his death and know the power of his resurrection and you wilKNOW HIM! Baptism saves us by the resurrectionof Christ (I Pet. 3:21).

Editorial

THE BEGINNING OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

In the quiet hours of this ear ly Apr il mor ningwhile all others in my household are in bed I am preparing this final editorial to "put to bed" the last issue of Searching The Scriptures. As I wander back through the years, many delightful and gratifyinghours come to mind that were spent in preparing the paper for the press. There were the difficult andtrying moments when the pressure of meeting deadlines and finances seemed insurmountable, but by the grace of God the task was accomplished each month.

I have mixed emotions as I prepare this final editorial which will close my work as editor and publisher of Searching The Scriptures. There are no words in my vocabulary to express these feelings which I have. On the one hand there is a kind of anticipated relief from a pre ure that seems to goback to my beginning as a preacher, about a third of a century ago. But on the other hand there is the feeling that a part of me is passing away forever. Most people would laugh at this, but the pain ofsorrow is there regardless of circumstances.

Perhaps some brief facts that led to the conception and birth of Searching The Scriptures will better express my personal involvement and deep sentiment at the present time.

I moved from Lake City, Florida, to Clearwater,Florida, in 1945 to work with the church there. Some three or four years later I became aware of some i ues which were later to become very serious andprove to be a dividing wedge between many brethren and churches.

As a young preacher with no more than eight or nine years experience, I did not really understand the nature or the significance of these i ues at that time, but I knew brethren were being alienated and I was becoming involved to a degree. During 1949and 1950 I was preaching on a local radio station and trying to publish a bulletin, but at that time the ability of the church in Clearwater was limited and I could not do more. I read every thing I could find on the history of the church from the early nineteenth century to that day to try to learn, if po ible, what was happening and why. I discovered thebasis for some of the problems, but did not fully understand their consequences or know how to solve them. One thing stayed in my mind, which I believe was the seed that later produced this publication. I realized that the people would have to be encouragedto read and think for themselves and not be blindlyled by prominent preachers and self-appointed guardians of orthodox truth, which very few seemed able to define except by a ociation to a school, some exalted preacher or an established paper. The question was to me then: How can the simple, plain truth be communicated to brethren over the country by a relatively inexperienced young preacher with littleinfluence or ability beyond the circle of his own community and among his brethren in the locality where he lived?

There were those who were fighting these battles, some effectively, some not so effectively. Two orthree papers were carrying good articles on thegrowing i ues as they began to be defined, and some effective debates followed. But something was lacking. Most people aside from preachers and elders were taking sides for and against without really understanding why. I talked with many brethren while in meetings between 1949 and 1955 who did notknow what the i ues were all about, but they were aligned for one position and against another. Manyplaces where I had preached several years in meetings suddenly apologetically cancelled my meetings with no better explanation than that I was alignedwith the wrong group. When asked what was wrongwith that group, they usually answered that their preacher and elders said they were teaching error. When I asked what error they taught or what error I taught, many answered that they did not knowLiterally hundreds of people in those days wouldtalk with me in this way. I loved them and did notwant to see the breach in the church, but how couldI get the message of truth to the average Christian to encourage him to study the Word of God in making his decisions? I could not compromise truth. I could no longer preach to many of them. Many of the papers in existence at that time had such prejudiceagainst them that these people would not read them.

I suppose the anxiety, frustration and impellindrive of this editor to get the message to these uninformed saints determined that some day, some way, by the grace of God he would develop a means of communication unattached to any other paper,school, clique or party by which he hoped to sound out the clear, pur e truth that ever y man should study for himself just what God willed him to do.

No opportunities were opened and no financial funds were available until 1957. I then lived in Gainesville, Florida, and had been laboring with theUniversity Avenue church since 1953 when I moved from Clearwater, Florida. While at the lectures at Florida College in 1957 I revived the subject witJames P. Miller, with whom I had discussed this matter some six years before. We determined to join forces and jointly edit and publish a "Florida Newsletter" which soon took the name "The Southeastern Newsletter." The major objective of this endeavor was to keep brethren talking and discussing their differences and out of this we hoped to save manbrethren. We were too late with this effort, and besides we learned that it was not the right way tdeal with false teachers.

We began to write articles, and received requests for more such lessons. But with the articles came cancellations for the Newsletter from churches.

In the early fall of 1959, James P. Miller and I made plans for a new religious monthly, and arranged to meet with some brethren in Orlando, Florida, and tell them of our desire to begin a paper. Icalled it "Searching The Scriptures" because that is exactly what we intended to do. We met with these brethren and got the encouragement we needed. Wmade plans to begin in January, 1960. Several of the good brethren in Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater, StPetersburg, Palmetto, and Bradenton and other parts of the country: Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mi ouri sent lists of subscriptions andpaid for them for one year. Thus began SearchingThe Scriptures.

As I was preparing the material for the first i ue for January, 1960, my wife was in a serious auto accident near Bainbridge, Georgia, on December 241959, as she returned from Nashville, Tennessee,with my youngest brother's wife, who had beethere for the funeral of her father. She was bringingher mother back with her and her mother was killed in the accident. My wife was seriously injured and in a Tallahassee, Florida hospital for several weeks. It was during this per iod of spending most of mytime during the day at the hospital and br inginginto reality that first i ue of this publication in the early hours of morning. It first appeared in January1960, with a circulation of 2,428 and has steadilyincreased to a circulation exceeding 6,500 per month. The paper is now going into about every state in the union and into nine foreign countries. God has been good to us in providing the necessar y elements to keep this religious journal afloat.

After two years of a very wonderful relationshipbetween James P. Miller and myself, brother Miller felt the need to intensify his labors in other fields and arrangements were made whereby I would take the full responsibility editorially and financially tocontinue the publication of the paper. During ouryears together not one unkind or angry word passed between us. I believe there has been the full trust and confidence by each of us toward the other. He has continued his work in trying to increase the circulation of the paper and to write articles as he had opportunity through the years.

As the financial burden increased and the demands

by postal authorities made the mailing more difficult

and as additional responsibilities began to press

down upon me, it was inevitable that sooner or later

I would have some problem with health. From 1963

to January, 1967 when a heart attack stopped my

work for some months, I think I began to realize

that the day was coming when I would have to la

down the editorial pen. Loved ones and friends

began the almost continuous exhortation to "slow down and take it easier." Prior to this time I often worked eighteen to twenty hours, seven days a week.No human being can keep up this pace. In 1968 and 69 the pressures increased and financial responsibilities grew heavier until a rather severe heart attack in early August, 1971 stopped my work completely.Through the aid of my youngest daughter and her husband and a number of other volunteers not an i ue of the paper failed to be published.

Dr. Wayne Mitchell, my beloved brother in theLord and friend, who is a member of the Forest Hills church where I preach, saved my life and to him I owe a great deal for his genuine and constant concern about my physical health and well being. It is probably his strong urging that I "give up much of my work, including the paper" coupled with theurging by my wife, my children, my mother, mbrother and the exhortation of the elders at Forest Hills that I finally made the decision to give up this responsibility which I have loved and enjoyed for so many years.

At the present moment my health is reasonablygood so as to enable me to continue my work as anevangelist, and I shall continue to write as I have opportunity. But with proper care of myself andobedience to the direction of my physician, I hopeto be completely able to do all the things I would like to do in the kingdom of God during the next ten or fifteen years, if I am spared that long

The Word of God must be preached in its fullest and purity. This is my first love. This is the work I want to do as long as I live.

I THANK MY GOD FOR YOU ALL

I owe so much to so many good people for their encouragement during the years of publishing this journal. I shall never be able to express my profound gratitude to all these brethren and loved ones whohave meant so much to me in so many ways from the very beginning of this endeavor. My wife, Polly, has made great sacrifices in many ways to enable me to do the necessary work in editing and publishing this paper. My three daughters and their husbands, mmother, my brothers in the flesh have all contributed in one way or another by either helping to providesome of the financial support or by doing some of the necessary work in getting this paper in the mail each month. A faithful group of good men and womenhave paid for clubs or lists of subscriptions for several years. A few have done so from the very first i ue and have continued to the present time.

My grateful appreciation must go to the elders and the whole church at Forest Hills where I have endeavored to do the work of an evangelist since 1960 for their encouragement when it was most needed. There is no stronger and more faithful church than the Forest Hills church in Tampa, Florida.

I acknowledge my indebtedness and sincere gratitude to all the staff writers, several of whom havebeen with me from the very beginning. Without their valuable contribution in rich, scriptural articles written in a dignified and objective manner, Searching The Scriptures would never have attained its place in the field of religious journalism it now enjoys. All of these men have contributed of their timeand effort without remuneration and have obtained subscriptions wherever they went. Their words of encouragement have been a ble ing to me in this work.

More than all of these I am so thankful to mFather in heaven for His wonderful grace and the rare opportunity to teach the truth to so many eachmonth. Also for His providential care over me to enable this work to be done.

I am now convinced that I have gone as far as I can go. I have done my best. If I know my heart, have sought to please God, persuade men, and dgood to all men. I must therefore turn these responsibilities which I have enjoyed to another whom Ibelieve to be very capable to continue to do the goodthat has been accomplished to the glory of God.

INTRODUCING THE NEW OWNER AND EDITOR OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

I first met Connie W. Adams sometime in 1950 when he was preaching in Lake City. As I recall I was somewhere in the area in a meeting when I first met him, and it was just about the time he married. This was his first full-time work after spending two years at Florida College. At the age of fifteen, hhad preached his first sermon and had continued to do some preaching throughout his high school years. After spending a little more than a year in Lake City, he returned to Florida College for two more years and graduated in 1953 with the last class to receive a four-year degree. During the time he spent as a student at Florida College, he preached twoyears at Cortez, one year at Lake Wales, and twoyears at Palmetto, Florida; one year after finishinghis college work.

From 1954 to 1957 brother Adams lived in Atlanta where he preached with the Glenwood Hills church. At the height of the institutional conflict, GlenwoodHills was the only church to stand for the truth. Since that time several other congregations havebeen established in the Atlanta area who stand for the truth. Connie Adams stood firm against the invasion of the forces of liberalism and digressions in various forms as it appeared all over the country.During the 1950's he wrote many articles which appeared in the Gospel Guardian, and he also did other work through bulletins and by his personal preaching to expose the institutional errors.

In 1957 he and his family went to Bergen, Norway, and continued for two years. His work beganfrom nothing, but he did lay the foundation for the work that still continues in that country. After returning from Norway in 1959 and spending some months in meeting work, he moved to labor with the church in Newbern, Tennessee, January of 1960The strong forces of institutionalism brought abouta division which resulted in two congregations meeting in that town. He was instrumental in laying foundation for the second debate between Roy E. Cogdill and Guy N. Woods in the fall of 1961 in the Newbern meeting house where Connie Adams waspreaching. The result of his work in Newbern, Tennessee, brought the forces from Nashville against him by some editorial attacks in the Gospel Advocate.

He later moved to the Pine Hills church in Orlando, Florida, where he spent three years in a very good and profitable work. In 1965 he moved to theBrown Street church in Akron, Ohio, where heworked with Cecil Willis and later with Ferrell Jenkins in preaching the gospel, cover ing a per iod of five years. In March of 1970 he moved to the Man-slick Road church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he continues to the present time doing the work of an evangelist. In 1971 he and J. T. Smith went to thePhilippines where J. T. Smith engaged in a debateon the institutional question and where Connie Adams assisted in this discu ion and preached in a number of meetings. This trip he reported resulted in sixty-three being baptized and a good number left liberalism.

He has preached in about thirty states and seven countries in the past twenty years, including Canada, Norway, Denmark and the Philippines.

As a writer he has become well known across the nation for his articles in the Gospel Guardian,Searching The Scriptures and as associate editor of Truth Magazine since 1965. Two of his tracts which have been quite popular are "Premillennialism" and"Miraculous Divine Healing." Both of these first appeared as articles in Searching The Scriptures.

He met Miss Barbara Colley of Fulton, Kentucky, at Florida College in 1949 and they were married in1950. They have two sons, Wilson aged 15 and Martin age 12. Their older son has already preached his first sermon and has planned to give his life to the preaching of the gospel. His wife, known as Bobbie to most people, came from a family background witha number of preachers. A. O. Colley was her uncle.

Through the years that I have known Connie and Bobbie Adams I have appreciated them for their profound love for the pure Word of God and their unyielding disposition to compromise it. I believe thattheir lives reflect to all who know them a sincere devotion to the proclamation of divine truth and tothe building up of the church of our Lord.

Somewhere around 1963 to 1965, during the Lecture Week at Florida College late one night, I drove Connie Adams to the place where he was staying after the last lecture that night. We spent almost an hour talking about Searching The Scriptures and its future, and about the need for some continuing force to fight the invading evils of institutionalism andliberalism. It was on this night and under these circumstances that Connie W. Adams asked me to givehim first opportunity to buy Searching The Scriptures if I ever sold it. At the time I had not thoughtof ever selling it. However, I gave him my word that I would contact him first under such circumstances,and through the year s our ver bal agr eement has been honored by both of us.

After two heart attacks, one in January 1, 1967and the second August 3, 1971, my doctor, my wife,my children, my mother, my brothers, my brethren,the elders at Forest Hills and almost all who knew me urged that I surrender this work for my health's sake. After reluctantly accepting the fact that theyall were right I contacted my beloved brother, Connie Adams, in January of this year and told him the situation. After some careful, prayerful thought bhim and his wife, he agreed to take this tremendous responsibility and continue the work of trying tospread the gospel of Christ. I know of no man in whose hands I would rather see this work go, which symbolizes to me the labor of nearly fourteen years of my life, than into the hands of Connie W. Adams. I have prayed and shall continue to pray earnestly for his success in every way in fulfilling this very great but sober opportunity which has fallen to him. I pledge myself to be always ready and eager to render whatever help I can in seeing that this work continues. I urge all of you who read this paper to give him the same fine and continual support in a very, very difficult work that you have given to me.

No man can really understand the emotional pressure, the physical strain, and the unending problems that an editor must face unless he has done the work for a period of time. I shall continue, the Lord willing, to write regularly for Searching The Scripturesand shall continue both financially and otherwise to help him keep this good work going.

Connie and Bobbie, be humble, be obedient to God, hold forth the word of life without fear or shame, and you will not fail. Remember: "be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Remember also, "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," and "if God be for us, who can beagainst us?"

OBJECTIONS TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSICIN WORSHIP

When one visits the service of the Church of Christ, one of the first things that they notice is the absence of the instrument. This is caused in part because that in almost every other religious service they not only see on instrument but they hear it as well.

The absence of the instrument in worship causes questions to be asked. Soon it is learned that notonly do we not use it in worship but that we opposeits use therein.

Why would one oppose the use of instrumental music in worship? First, let me state some reasons why it is not opposed, and then, second, give some reasons for opposition to it.

(1) I do not oppose instrumental music in worship because I do not like it. This is true with most other gospel preachers. I enjoy hearing it. In fact, I canenjoy some of most any kind of instrumental music. (2) I do not oppose such because there are none that can play it. Among brethren there are a number of

very fine musicians. Some among brethren are teachers of it. (3) I do not oppose such because brethren can not afford it. We have everything that we want and the cost of the instrument would not keep brethren from having it.

If I had no respect for New Testament teaching, and wanted to have my way instead of doing theLord's will, I would never preach in another service where there was not instrumental music.

MY REASONS FOR OPPOSITION

(1) It Is Not In The Doctrine of Christ. John said (II John 9-11) that to go beyond the teaching ofChr ist is to "have not God." Instrumental music is not found in the doctrine of Christ, therefore, to have it one must give up the approval of God. (2) It Makes Worship Vain. Jesus taught that the doctrines and commandments of men made worship vain (Matt. 15:1-9). Instrumental music in worship is a command of men for God has not commanded it. To use it makes worship vain. (3) It Is Not Walking by Faith. The Apostle Paul said we "walk by faith" (II Cor. 5:7). He said that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Since there does not exist a passage for instrumental music, we can not hear the word of God for it. Thus, one can not walk by faith and practice it. To have it, one walks by his own will. (4) It Is Not Sanctified By Christ's Blood. Paul shows in Heb. 9:17-21 that there are four things that the blood of the covenant must cover before it can be used in service to God. (1) The testament, (2) the people, (3) the tabernacle, and (4) all the vessels of ministry. This was true of the first covenant and it is also true of the New Testament. However, the blood of Christ has not been sprinkled upon the instrument as a vessel of ministry. Therefore, the blood of Christ has not sanctified instrumental

music.

(5) It Creates Division. Paul showed in I Cor.

10:28 that which was offensive to the conscience of a brother was not to be engaged in. Because of New Testament teaching many Christians can not conscientiously engage in a service with the use of instrumental music. T hey do not object just to be different. It is a matter of conscience with them. Generally those who favor it do not care for the conscience of those who do not favor it. T heir attitude is we want it, we are going to have it regardless of how much it offends your conscience. T hus, if you do not like it, you can leave and go somewhere else.

(6) It Is Not a Part of True Worship. Christ said one must worship God "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). One thing the Holy Spirit would do when he came was to guide the apostles into "all truth" (John 14:26; 16:13). The Holy Spirit did not guide anyapostle into using instrumental in worship. Therefore, one does not practice truth when engaged in instrumental music in worship. Worship that uses it is vain in the sight of God.

Thus, our opposition to instrumental music in worship is based upon what we believe to be scripturalreasons. It is a desire to please God and not men. We have not seen the argument that justifies such in worship.

Almost fourteen years ago as I lay in a hospitalin Tallahassee, Florida, as the result of an auto accident and fighting for my life, my husband edited and made ready the first i ue of Searching The Scriptures. T his was a work which he and brother James

P. Miller had planned to do, growing out of a paper which they had co-edited for two years known as "The Southeastern Newsletter." These plans were made in an effort to reach more people with theWord of God. They realized the need to teach as many people as po ible and especially at a timwhen the truth needed to be taught on institutionalism.

After about two years of publishing SearchingThe Scriptures, brother Miller felt his time and effort were needed other places and my husband wasdetermined to continue with Searching The Scriptures. This decision has meant many years of labor of love and a great sacrifice of time and a large part of his very life here.

After many prayers another decision had to bemade this year. That decision was that he must let someone else take the responsibility of editing anpublishing this paper so that he could get out from under the pressure of time, finances, and other problems that go with such a publication. This is a very sad time for us, but I am thankful that the Lord has spared his life to do the work he has done throughthe paper, and I pray that he will have many more years to preach and teach.

I would like to take the opportunity in this last i ue published and edited by my husband to express my deep thanks to our beloved daughters and their husbands and to my husband's family and to all the writers and to those of you who have helped in so many ways to keep the paper going. I also wish toexpress a. special thanks to the elders and members at Forest Hills for permitting my husband to give so much of his time and when burdens were so heavy. We always found them so understanding. Allof you will never know how much we love you andhow much you have done to make it po ible to keepthe paper going

I am trying by this article to say to my husband,

H. E . Phillips, while he is living that no one onearth can understand the sacrifice he has made as I can. A very special tribute to you, honey, for your labors of love for the souls of so many. My prayer for you is that you have many years left to serve God and your fellowman.

Our lives are made by chapters and we are closingone chapter of our life and beginning another. We are thankful to God for giving us the opportunity topublish this paper this long, and for the new chapter we now begin. I pray that through this work manysouls will come to a knowledge of God's word. To all of you who read this, I ask you to remember us in your prayers. May God bless you richly.

THE FUTURE OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

Brother Phillips has detailed the coming changof editors for Searching The Scriptures. Neither his decision to relinquish this work nor mine to take it up has been reached lightly. We have known eachother for many years. I have admired and appreciated his work through this medium from its beginning. Any anticipations such as a new editor might be expected to have upon launching such aneffort have been dampened because of the health problems which have caused our brother to decide to vacate the editorial chair which he has filled so ably since the beginning of this paper. The writer is aware of the soul searching and deep emotions which have beset our esteemed brother in trying to decidewhether this paper, so nobly conceived and sacrificially maintained, should cease operations or should be allowed to pass into the hands of another. Through time, many good papers have fallen intothe hands of men who perverted them from the original purposes of their founders. We have spent much time together discussing that and related matters. We share the same concerns for the present and future welfare of the church of our Lord. We have common ideas as to the role a paper of this kind should have as a means of spreading gospel trutand even in dealing with controversial questions.

Readers of this paper will surely join me in praying that the relief from editorial pressures and attendant business affairs will restore Brother Phillips to reasonable health and lengthen his days in God's service. It should comfort and reassure us all to know that he will have space in this paper to write on any subject he chooses whenever he wants to do it, even to criticizing the new editor and his efforts. We welcome this and regard it as a safeguard. None can fill his shoes, nor will any attempt be made to do so. It is sincerely hoped that the new editor may-make a place of his own in the hearts of readers.

WRITERS AND SUBJECT MATTER

It has long been my conviction that the general tone, make-up and balance of material in SearchingThe Scriptures has been second to none. For that reason, the present major contributors to this paper have been asked to continue writing under the headings which they now use. We have great confidence in these men and their abilities as writers and faithful servantsof God. The present format will be kept.

From its beginning, Searching The Scriptureswaged a gallant fight against institutionalism, supporting churches and various evidences of the social gospel which were so painfully evident at the time of its birth. But while it turned heavy artillery othese problems, with great success, it did not become a lopsided journal which closed its eyes to other needed subjects. Its approach has been both positive and negative. Writers have truly searched the scriptures on a host of subjects. The institutional fight is not over, though we are in a different stage of thebattle now. We shall continue to treat that disease all along, but not to the neglect of other things equally important. The staggering changes of ourtimes in both moral and religious society require much study and attention at the present hour. TheDevil is not a one-i ue adversary. God's people are today confronted with problems over ecumenism,Premillennialism, cla ical liberalism, situationism,indifference and worldliness of all sorts. While examining these advances of the Prince of this world,we all stand in need of a steady diet of the milk andmeat of God's word that we may grow thereby. Since the religion of our Lord is a taught religion, spiritual progress and defense against all forms of error can only come from a faithful searching of the scriptures. To that end this paper shall continue to be dedicated.

Those of us who write shall attempt to be clear,concise, candid and always scriptural. When differences arise, as surely they will, we will do our best to practice the Golden Rule. The editor does not expect to agree with every sentiment expressed by every writer on every subject. Each one bears responsibility for what he says. Divergent views will be given ahearing when offered in proper form and in gootaste. We shall reserve the right to decide wheenough has been said on a subject and to choose what is thought to be the most representative material on a topic on which several have offered articles. We are aware that our writings constitute a part of our preaching and that we shall be called to account for what we teach. Our highest ambition is to please God. We do not expect everybody to like everythingwe have to say and sincerely hope that the Devil andall his angels will be sorely displeased.

This paper has not been a sounding board for extreme views nor will it be now. No space will bgiven to grind personal axes and perpetuate personal feuds. Should some error be made in presenting facts or the views of another, we shall feel no embarrassment in offering correction.

THE BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS

This paper shall continue to be an extension of the work of a gospel preacher. It is not incorporated,though we have no objections to such non-profit status as some papers have. We have made a business arrangement with RELIGIOUS SUPPLY CENTER of Louisville, Kentucky to handle all book andsupply busine . That is already a successful operation, managed ably by David Key, a faithful Christian. The return address on the paper will be the box number of that business where our files and billinwill be handled. RELIGIOUS SUPPLY CENTER is just across the street from the Post Office and usually gets orders in the mail the same day they are received. They can supply religious books, tractsclass literature of many kinds, maps, communionwares and supplies and other needs. H. E. Phillips has sold out his book business to this company andall his former customers are urged to do business with RELIGIOUS SUPPLY CENTER.

Though bearing a Louisville return address, thepaper will be mailed from Berne, Indiana where Economy Printing Company will handle the printing.This is a large concern and prints a number of religious and secular periodicals.

ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHER SUCH PAPERS

I have ended my work as an associate editor ofTRUTH MAGAZINE. This implies no fracturing ofraternal affection for the editor or staff of that paper. Cecil Willis and I are friends of long standing.We have worked much together and today have mutual love and respect for each other. Every po ible success is wished for that paper. It fills a needed place. But no man can serve two papers, any more than he can two masters, hence the termination ofthe former work.

Concerning that and all other papers sent forthwith the aim of teaching and defending gospel truth,I share the view of Ben Franklin as he began editingTHE CHRISTIAN REVIEW. He said "We enter the list, not as a competitor or rival of any of them, but as a cooperator with them in the same great work,and we wish them all po ible success. There is not the least danger of our circulating too many publications, any more than of our sending out too manypreachers: the more preachers and papers the better, if they are the right kind."

WHY ASSUME THIS RESPONSIBILITY?

Students of restoration history know that far more papers have failed than have succeeded. Scores of them ceased operations for want of finances. Onewho begins such work in hope of gain is a poor history student. Much work is entailed and many problems .must be met and overcome in such an undertaking. We are bound to incur the wrath of some and produce some enemies. Then why do it? Every preacher wants to influence as many souls for good as he possibly can in his lifetime. Writing throughsuch a medium as this affords such opportunity noonly to teach truth now, but to put it in permanent form so that it may chance to have effect on generations to come. Such papers become a vital part of religious history. In short, the writer wants to goto heaven and take as many with him as possible. I want to preach now and hope through such a means to be able to do so after I am dead. T his work is viewed as an opportunity to advance truth, as a challenge and as a fearful responsibility. The prayers,good will and support of all interested persons are needed.

"T his work is fully under our own control, and ifit does not proceed with regularity, firmness and stability, the responsibility is OURS" (Ben Franklin,THE CHRISTIAN REVIEW). Will you help us circulate Searching The Scriptures that the amount of its good may be increased?

"HONOR TO WHOM HONOR"

No one has asked me to write this brief article. I feel that some things are done by an overwhelmingcompulsion. For this reason I want to say a few words about H. E. Phillips. Actually, brother Phillips and I have not been closely a ociated but I have known of his great sacrifice in keeping this paper on such a high level. Not long after brethren Phillips and Miller got Searching The Scriptures off the ground, brother Phillips asked me to write for thepaper on a regular basis. I have never fancied myself as a writer but after some consideration agreed to do so. Frankly, I had my doubts as to whether theycould make the paper go. The brotherhood has always been pretty well baptized with papers — most of which bite the dust in a short time.

When a man like brother Phillips can take a paper and in a few short years build it into a paper withthe largest circulation in a conservative brotherhood, this takes wisdom, sacrifice and devotion. These traits brother Phillips has in abundance. This paper has not only an excellent circulation among us but has challenged and passed some of the papers among our more liberal brethren.

I have never edited a paper but I have a small idea about what it takes. When brother Phillips wrote me and said he was giving up the paper, I had mixedemotions. First, I was sad because I know how much of his life he had put into the paper. I knew it wasdifficult for him to give it up. However, I rejoicedto know he had the wisdom to give it up before it took his life. Brother Phillips can resign with theassurance that everywhere most of us go we hear good things about his work.

It was refreshing to know that a man like brother Connie Adams has been selected to take over this fine paper. It is my firm conviction that Connie, like

H. E., has that spiritual balance and strong conviction which will keep Searching The Scriptures sailing straight on the sea of religious journalism. When Connie wrote and asked me to continue in the same capacity as in the past, I offered him my congratulations and sympathy. The reason for the sympathyis that I know that the editor's chair is usually a hot seat! I shall continue, and urge others to continue,their loyal support to this good paper which has done so much in the vindication of truth both without and within the confines of the church.

THE LOAVES AND THE FISHES

(continued

Brother Goodpasture asked the question himself,"Do your riders come for the loaves and fishes?" The answer is clear from his own writing. The riders come for the cokes, cupcakes and the Halloween parties. These were the determining factor that raised the number from 21 to 74. All the Baptists would have to do is to offer more cokes than the brethren at Park Street.

I never thought I would live to see the day when a gospel preacher would admit this was the decidinfactor. These children were not hungry or thirsty,these things were given them to draw them awafrom the Baptists. By their use the brethren at Park Street got all the students in at least one location. How brother Goodpasture distinguishes a "gimmick"from a scriptural reward is hard for us to know. What is the difference in giving a Halloween party and ingiving a gold fish ? At least the gold fish is real and the student could be taught that God made it, whilethe Halloween party could consist of "spooks" and"goblins" that are not only imaginary but are actually opposed to all the Bible has to teach.

He gives the formula:

21 plus cokes = 31

31 plus cupcakes = 41

41 plus Halloween party = 7

All of this gives the Baptists none, but we cannothelp but ask the question, if this is the way to get the riders, have we made any improvement over the Baptists? The Baptists were there without such enticements.

If we want to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent this course can not be justified. The Kingdom of Heaven is not meat and drink and the social inducements of the world is the wrong way to build up the church that cost our Lord his blood. Brethren, let us be fair, brother Goodpasture thinks he is right, but this is the very heart of our difference. The church is scriptural in nature and has but one offensive weapon and that the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17)

The rest of the article will be considered in the next i ue, along with the scr iptures that are given toprove such a practice to be in accord with the NewTestament. You can consider them in the interval. They are: I Corinthians 9:25; I Thessalonians 2:19;II Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; I Peter 5:4 and Matthew 10:42.

A few million men are unemployed even in this time of business upsurge. There are various reasons for this, and we all should sympathize if changingcircumstances have terminated the jobs of good men.We can wish them well in their efforts to find a suitable new place of employment

It is easier to find employment if one is willing towork. Are there some who would prefer to beg orsteal than labor with their hands ? It is evident that instruction on this matter is needed since such goodadvice is given on the matter in the good Book. "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" (Eph. 4:28). "And that ye study to be quietand to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them thatare without, and that, ye may have lack of nothing"(I The . 4:11,12). "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would notwork, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, workingnot at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Chr ist, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread" (II Thess. 3:19-12). "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" "(I Tim. 5:8). These are some of the passages on this Bible subject.

Since thieves cannot inherit the happy home, stealing cannot be better than honest labor. God will see to it that each thief goes to the place of the outcasts. We have no way of knowing how many professed Christians are thieves, but God knows the record of each. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:13; I Cor. 6:9,10). A follower of Christ and a thief are two different people.

Some seem not to want off "welfare." They muchprefer living at the expense of others, and they mayoften murmur that they are not given more. Is it not also true that many who are "employed" are very poor workers? It is a matter of honesty that onshould give a day's work for a day's pay. A truChr istian will do honest labor for his salar y

The man who is truly willing and eager to work,and pay his way, is much more likely to find and retain employment. T he man with a good attitudtoward his fellows is also given a good advantageover the bitter rebel. The honest, law-abiding citizenis an asset to industry. The man with no respect for authority and law, and with no respect for the property rights of others, is a liability to industry. Suchpeople may claim that such records as a credit bureau would keep infringe on their civil rights. Theywould like to cover their tracks, and have the advantage given to those of good behavior.

Some are better than they appear to be. We should not cultivate that which would put us at great disadvantage before the best citizens. It is not expedient to appear to be rebels. America has seen television pictures of the long haired men who lead inthe burning, looting mobs, and who make speechesadvocating the destruction of government and property. Such anarchists are given free time on news programs to harangue business and government officials.

T he Bible is not a book of styles, and does notclaim to be. Many of the fads of style that come and go are not wrong in themselves. Some may be inexpedient at some certain time or place, and some do violate certain restrictions of the Bible. What did the Spirit guided apostle mean when he asked: "Doth not nature itself teach you, that, if a man have lonhair it is a shame unto him?" (I Cor. 11:14). There is not one hint in the Bible that Jesus had long hair. The paintings of the last few centuries leave thewrong impre ion. None knows how He looked. There are no pictures of Him.

The young man who has violated the rules of acceptable etiquette in his dress may by so doing indicate his rebellious disposition, even though there may be no certain sinful item in his attire. The longhair may be sinful in itself (I Cor. 11:14). The youngman who applies for work may not realize how great his disadvantage if he looks like one who has violated the will of his parents, and indicated his disgust for his neighbors, by his effeminate hairdo,beads, and such like. If one looks like those who would desire to burn the business, the man in thepersonnel office may wisely pass him by while searching for more employees. There are tens of thousands of Amer icans living today who have taken part in the lawless destruction of the property of their fellow Americans. How could industry use these asprofitable employees? They are enemies rather than friends of industry. Surely we should all be able tunderstand if the employer tries to avoid gettinenemies on the inside to hinder by their selfish, rebellious, and resentful attitudes'. Some are just notemployable.

A SEARCH FOR FAITHFUL BLACK PREACHERS

While there is racial tension in the whole world resulting in at least a part of the unprecedented violence and crime sweeping the world, and the world is looking for solutions, we may have done little toreally implement the only real solution there is. The gospel of Christ is not only the power of God untosalvation, it is the foundation of peace and good will among men. But the seed must be planted and watered as Paul recognized in I Cor. 3:6. If the seed is still in the barn it cannot accomplish the bringingforth of the fruit.

Bro. James Ashurst, faithful preacher for the Acipco church in Birmingham, an humble devout black Christian, has discussed this with me at lengthand feels so very deeply the great need for more faithful workers among his own people. But we have not been able to locate very many. Most of the negro churches have gone away after the ways of the world, or have become involved with the racial civil rights movements, or have little sound teaching thatwill enable them to become sound growing congregations.

We have looked to the great needs in foreign countries and have sent to their help; we have seen theunreached area of America among whites and responded with supported preachers, but we have perhaps overlooked to a great degree in the last 25years at least the great need to teach and train workers among the black neighbors. Bro. Ashurst and myself would like to know of faithful preachers and congregations among the blacks so that some communication lines may be opened among themselves that could help strengthen them. If you have aninformation please write to either of us. James Ashurst Frank L. Smith 3009 17th St. N. 517 Roebuck Dr. Birmingham, Ala. 35207 Birmingham, Ala. 35215

PREACHER WANTED

The church of Christ meeting on Court Street inGreensburg, Kentucky is seeking a gospel preacher to work full time with them in the Cause of Christ. We prefer a man of about middle age, who is sound in the faith, and will preach the truth in love in all its purity and simplicity and without respect ofpersons. We are interested in converting the lost to Christ and strengthening those who remain. Wewant a man who will work with us and build with us on Christ, the only Foundation. If interested please write or call collect: D. B. Coakley, 123 PublicSquare, Greensburg, Ky. 42743; Phone: 1 (502)932-4857 or 932-4488.

Otis Jordan — P. O. Box 414, Perry. Florida —I would like to report the progress of the SpringWarrior church in Perry, where I preach. Since last March we have had 18 baptisms and 17 restorations. We rejoice over this and thank God for ble ing ourlabors. Our attendance is better all around than anyplace I have ever seen. We are to have brother Jim Ward of Akron, Ohio to speak in a meeting April 23 through 29. We look forward to this. Our prayers are with you in continued success of your work.

Herb Braswell, Box 135, Waco, Georgia 30182 —A call for help has come from a church in Richlands,Virginia. They have not called for churches to send money, but have called for someone to come over and help them. I am answering the call. Will someone or some congregation have fellowship with mthere in the work of preaching the gospel? The church there doesn't have the ability to fully supporta man, but think it wise to have a man work the area full time. I have agreed to move there andwork with my hands (I'm a bricklayer) until I can raise the needed support. Brethren, can you helpwill you help? Brethren, if there are any Christians or congregations that are interested in having fellowship with me in this work, please let me hear from you. For more information you could write bro. Billy E. Sword, Box 190, Richlands, Virginia24641, or you could write Herb Braswell, Box 190Richlands, Virginia.

NEEDING A PREACHER? Frank Ingram is available. After five wonderful years in St. Petersburg, Florida, I am now available for work elsewhere. You may call me at 345-8024 or write meand/or the elders at 3737 14th Avenue, North, StPetersburg, Florida 33713.

CORRECTION Thomas G. O'Neal

In the March i ue of this paper in my articl"Only 'Sing' I s T aught" ther e should have beennine verses listed under "Sing" instead of eight,the ninth being:

(9) "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13).

Also, in the last line of the article the scripture cited should have been (II John 9-11) and not (II John 9:11).

"SPREAD OUT" Philip A. Morr

The demands of the work with the church in Australia has caused me to think about a preacher's duties and just what is expected of him. Plus the question, what does the preacher expect to accomplish at a given locality in a given amount of time ?Due to the circumstances in a foreign work, onlooks upon it as temporary in nature because he will eventually return to his homeland. The work must stand or fall upon the teaching that has been accomplished and the impact that the gospel has madeupon the local members. Therefore, we tend to workfeverishly to see teachers develop so that the work will continue with or without a full-time preacher.

What about congregations in the United States? Do we lose sight of the need to develop saints so that they will stand with or without a full time preacher ? This question came to my mind during my recent return visit to the U.S.A. In my judgment, some congregations are relying too heavily on their fulltime man. Some groups have elders and other qualified teachers who are not being used and younger members who are not utilized simply because there are not enough services to demand the use of all the men. Good Bible teachers are sitting througthe service while the full time man preaches on most occasions. I am not against full time preachers of the gospel, nor am I against using the preacher to his fullest, but what about all the other Christian men who are not being used because of a lack of opportunity. When will they grow? When will thebe used?

I believe that my own experience can serve as an example. Shortly after I was converted to the Truth,I moved to a congregation which had four elders, afull time preacher, and about 300 in attendance.During the time that followed, I was not being usedin any position that would induce growth, and consequently when I moved to another state, due to my secular work, I had not grown spir itually in twoyears. Shortly after we arrived at the new location, we were faced with a dilemma. We could not find a full-time man to move to our locality. After sendingmany letters which brought no relief, it fell on mshoulders to study, teach what I learned, and thenstudy some more. After several years of such conditions, the congregation was in a position to support me full time, and I terminated my employment as an aircraft mechanic. I might add that duringthis time several good men were willing to spendtime with me and give me the needed a istance to seriously study the Bible. I still ponder the question,what would I be doing today, if I had not been placedin such a position ? Many Christians are never faced with this responsibility, and we might consider just how many potentials have never developed because there was no apparent need nor opportunity to grow

The thought occurs to me that a congregation might encourage its full time man to preach for surrounding congregations who are in need of assistance on occasions. This would accomplish several things. It would allow other men to gain much needed experience in teaching and help them to mature asChristians. In addition, this would deter the congregation from developing the "pastor" or "one man ministry" concept of the preacher. Also it will provide the teaching needed by other congregations.

You might not have this need in your immediate area, so you might support your preacher in another state, or country and continue your local work without a full time man. After all, a full time man witha local work is not a necessity. Please bear in mind that I am speaking of a congregation with qualifieelders and other men who are experienced in teaching. How about sharing this man with impoverished Christians in other areas of the world, who are thirsting for knowledge. If we were to spread out the men who have a good knowledge of the scriptures and are qualified teachers of the gospel, I believe that we could greatly reduce the "preacher shortage." Look how many areas in the world are without teachers of the gospel, and then look at the number of situations where there are more men who can teach in just one congregation than there are in whole countries. Is this right?

Why not share your man with other Christians who are in need of a istance and at the same time strengthen your own congregation? Are you in aposition to carry on your local work without a full time man? Men are needed in Australia RIGHT NOW! You might continue to support your preacher and send him to Australia or to some other place inthe world that is crying for help. The Macedonian call rings loud.

P.O. Box 97 Gymea N.S.W. 2227, Australia