"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them whichcause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Rom.16:17).

Many tasks in preaching the gospel and living asa Christian should are very unpleasant, but they arenecessary in obeying the word of God. Obeying theverse above is one of those unpleasant duties necessary to keep the church pure in doctrine and practice.

Since the days of the apostles men and womenhave not been content to remain in "the faith once delivered" by the apostles, and have created "waysand means" of religious endeavor "contrary to thedoctrine" of the Lord. Unfortunately, many whomwe love are following the course of Judaizing teachers to teach "things which they ought not" (Titus1:11). Furthermore, they find eager ears in thosewho "will not endure sound doctrine; but after theirown lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,having itching ears; and they shall turn away theirears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"(II Tim. 4:3,4).

The question of concern to every sincere Christian is: How shall I deal with these people? Shall Iclose my ears and eyes and for the sake of "peace"just go along with them as if no difference existed?Shall I oppose them as "false brethren" and bringdown the forces of these false teachers and their followers, as well as the "neutrals," upon myself?This question is answered for me in the word of God.I have no choice if I am to obey God.

MARK THEM

Romans 16:17 instructs us to mark certain ones to be avoided. This word in the original means "tofix one's eyes upon, direct one's attention to, anyone." The word by itself does not give the reasonwhy this action is to be taken. In Philippians 3:17Paul says to "mark" (to give attention to) those whowalk in such a way as to be imitating Paul. In Romans 16:17 the "fixing attention upon" is for an entirely different purpose. It here refers to those who "cause divisions and offences" contrary to the doctrine. It does not permit the dealing in vague generalities ; it demands direct "marking" of those who are guilty. Of course, this is to be done by the doctrine of Christ. We are not to shut our eyes to whatthey are doing, nor to make excuses for them.

WHICH CAUSE DIVISIONS AND OFFENCES The cause of any break of fellowship is the teaching of unauthorized practices. When one teacheswhat he cannot prove by the New Testament, eitherby command, necessary conclusion, or approved example, this separates him from those who teach onlywhat is New Testament doctrine. Certainly divisionresults, but the cause rests with those who teach and practice that which is not of the "faith once delivered" (Jude 3). Whatever is less than or beyondthe "doctrine which ye learned" is contrary to it.This includes the use of the instrument of music in worship, the operation of societies supported by thechurch, the doctrine of Premillennialism, etc. Thosewho teach such are going beyond the doctrine ofChrist and do not have either the Father or the Son (II John 9,10). The one who bids such teachers "Godspeed" is a partaker of their evil deeds.The word cause is from a Greek term which means "to make." In Matthew 5:32 the man who puts awayhis wife except for the cause of fornication, "causes"her to commit adultery.False teachers "make" divisions and offences bythe very fact that they teach "another gospel." Theprofessed Christians (Judaizing teachers) of Paul'sday who insisted upon the observance of the law ofMoses (in the light of their tradition) were the realtrouble makers in the church. Had they kept the doctrine delivered to them by the apostles, there wouldhave been no divisions and offences. Divisions is from a word which means "dissension

— divisions." It implies factions and parties in thechurch, created by that which was contrary to thedoctrine of Christ. The gospel will produce divisionwhen one man accepts it and another tries to changeit. Christ said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but asword" (Matt. 10:34). The next verses explain thateven among relatives in the flesh division wouldcome from the word of God. This is because it separates the obedient from the disobedient, the righteous from the unrighteous; one will obey it, and theother will not.

Usually when one does not obey the truth, someone who teaches another gospel is responsible. "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye

should not obey the truth" (Gal. 3:1). We stand (or

should stand) openly opposed to every denomina

tional doctrine and church on the face of the earth.

Not because we want to be unkind or bitter, but be

cause these doctrines are responsible for all the di

vision in the religious world today. Someone taught

a doctrine "contrary" to that delivered in the NewTestament.

Offences is from a Greek term which means "to cast a stumbling block before one — to cause personsto be drawn away from the true doctrine into errorand sin." Jesus said: "It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whomthey come!" (Luke 17:1). The devil always has someone around to cause a Christian to stumble if he is unstable in the word of truth.

Infant baptism is a practice unauthorized in the

doctrine of Christ. The man who teaches and prac

tices it "causes" division because he insists upon

something that the one abiding in the doctrine of

Christ cannot accept. They stand apart on this mat

ter and can never be reconciled until the false posi

tion is given up. He not only causes "divisions" by

the doctrine, but also "offences" because he leads

people into error and sin by preaching "another gos

pel" (Gal. 1:8,9).

CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE

The "doctrine" here is the teaching of Christ asdelivered by the apostles. It is called the "apostles'doctrine" (Acts 2:42) ; "doctrine of Christ" (II John9); "sound doctrine" (II Tim. 4:3); "doctrine ofGod" (Titus 2:10) ; "the gospel" (Rom. 1:16) ; "thetruth" (I Pet. 1:22) ; and "the word" (II Tim. 4:2). There is no other gospel that will save but this onedelivered by the apostles (Gal. 1:8,9). Anything andeverything contrary to it is condemned. We cannot go beyond that which is written (I Cor. 4:6; II John9, 10).

AVOID THEM

This is strong language and required action thatis not always easy, especially when some involved inthe false doctrines are our loved ones and friends. But, do we have a choice if we are to walk by thedoctrine of Christ? The answer is evident!

The word "avoid" is from a Greek term which means: "To turn away from, keep aloof from, one'ssociety; to shun one." It simply means to have nofellowship with those who teach and follow doctrines not taught in the New Testament. We must activelyoppose false teachers and all works of darkness(Eph. 5:11). Paul not only told us not to have fellowship with the works of darkness, but he also said,"but rather reprove them." He practiced that verything in Galatia: he said of "false brethren unawaresbrought in," "to whom we gave place by subjection,no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospelmight continue with you" (Gal. 2:5). That is exactly what we are to do in dealing with false brethrentoday. If we are found guilty of approving, encouraging, aiding, condoning, or in any way giving sanction to those who abide not in the doctrine of Christ,we become partaker of their evil works (II John 9,10). Former friends will become bitter enemies over night, and for no reason other than that of opposingtheir unscriptural doctrines and practices. "Am Itherefore become your enemy, because I tell you thetruth?" (Gal. 4:16).

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faiththat is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmotherLois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuadedthat in thee also" (II Tim. 1:15).

Somebody is quoted as saying, "The training of achild must begin with his grandmother." The apostle Paul plainly states that the "unfeigned faith that is in thee" was "first in thy grandmother Lois, andthy mother Eunice." We need to recognize the greatimportance of the pure faith dwelling in parents inbringing up children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Parents owe so much to thechildren which they have brought into the world,but above all else they owe them the proper trainingin the way of the Lord. Children owe much to theirparents who have taught them the word of the Lord and set the right example before them. They should"obey" the parents in the Lord (Eph. 6:1); and"honour" their fathers and mothers (Eph. 6:2)."Children or nephews (grandchildren) should learnto "shew piety at home, and to requite their parents;for that is good and acceptable before God" (I Tim.5:4).

I have been blessed with the unfeigned faith ofwhich Paul speaks, which first dwelt in my grandmother and in my mother. I realize more than everbefore the importance of this teaching early in mylife. As I travel on toward the evening shadows ofthis life, I realize more than ever the importance ofmy wife's teaching and example, as well as mine,upon our children and grandchildren.

In the rolling hills of south central Kentucky, inthe city of Bowling Green, my grandmother, Mrs.Charlie Phillips, still lives with her daughter andson-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Richards. On December 5, 1966 she will be 93 years of age. As long as Ican remember, her first love was the Lord, His word,

and the church. Her husband was an elder at 12th Street church in Bowling Green until his death in1939. Brother B. G. Hope now preaches for this finechurch.

As far back as I can remember one of the outstanding things of my boyhood days is my grandmother reading the Bible to my brothers and me, andtelling us about the outstanding characters in theword of God. To her we owe much for our faith in God and interest in His will. I salute her on her 93rd birthday as a real mother in Israel. The influence ofher teaching and example in life has reached to herchildren (including my father, who left this life in1951), her grandchildren, her great grandchildren,and her great, great grandchildren. When one stopsto think of the impact of his personal influence uponfuture generations, he is made humble before Godand sober in his view of his own life. Fathers and mothers need to be busy in guiding their children inthe way of the Lord. Nothing is more important.

Not only has my grandmother been a great influence upon my life, my mother, Mrs. Beatrice Phillips, who now lives in Clearwater, Florida, has beena guiding example of what a Christian should be.She has instilled in her five sons the value of spiritual things; she has taught us the clear distinctionbetween right and wrong in our dealing with Godand man. She is an excellent student of the Bible and is deeply interested in the work of the Lord. Hergreat love for God and unwavering faith in His word has been the pattern for her children, grandchildren,and great grandchildren. I owe much to my motherfor my faith in God and His word.

To my grandmother on her 93rd birthday I say: Ilove you and thank you for your faith, your life,your love for me, and your many prayers in my interest. I pray, if the good Lord wills, that you maylive and continue to do good for several more years.

December 5, 1966

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"CONSOLIDATION"

Reams of paper have been used to promote allkinds of false doctrine among brethren. Ira Northwrote an article in a paper called ACTION, whichis published in California, by Jimmie Lovell, inwhich he advocated the idea of CONSOLIDATION among churches of Christ. He told of meeting ayoung doctor on an airplane trip to Chicago. Theyoung doctor told Ira, "In business, education andeverything else we consolidated many years ago. Weknow it does not make sense for a bank to have five branches in one little area like we have congregations. In an area where the First National Bank has one little branch to serve the entire community,there are as many as a dozen churches of Christ."Ira went on to say in his article, "Just between youand me and the gate post, the young doctor wasright — one thousand per cent right!" Ira also said,"It will be a new day when this young man andothers like him get to be elders, deacons and leadersin the church of our Lord."

I must agree with Ira that it will be a NEW DAYin the church of our Lord when fellows like this young doctor become elders in the church. It will bethe DARKEST day in the annals of history for God'speople. Unfortunately, many of them have gotten inand this is where much of our trouble lies today. Ihave heard the church of our Lord compared to manythings but never the FIRST NATIONAL BANK! Ifthe young doctor had seen some collections in congregations I have observed, he might have been impelled to compare it to a POOR HOUSE.

Imagine, if you can, comparing the church to aBank. Doesn't Ira know that the First National Bank in a city had headquarters in a city, and that theother branches are merely subsidiaries to the motherbank? Or have brethren become so drunk with powerthat they are naive enough to think we should havea mother church in a city? And besides all of thisfoolishness, who will be the judge as to how manycongregations should exist in Nashville or any othercity? If one should have the audacity to tell us,where would he get his information? It certainlywould not come from the Word of God. I suppose Ira feels that many churches in the Madison area shouldnot exist, but consolidate with the big Madisonchurch. He already boasts of having over two thousand members. If they went out very far that wouldtake in my good friend, Robert Jackson, and the fine Riverside Drive Church. Knowing Robert as I do, Iam certain he would be glad to turn the Riversidechurch over to the Madison brethren so he could sit and listen to brother Ira preach every Sunday!

Page 5

Robert told me some time ago that it was dangerousfor a Riverside member to get caught in Madisonanyway. I wonder who would preach for the bigchurch after consolidation. Of course, Ira feels thathe would be the one to do the preaching. However,if the brethren should desire a sound man like Robert to do the preaching, I suspect that Ira wouldchange his views on CONSOLIDATION in aboutthirty seconds!

This liberal, unscriptural idea of CONSOLIDATION is just another step to complete apostasy.Roman Catholicism developed by putting one elderover one church; then one over several churches;then over all the churches of a nation, and finallyone man over all the churches of the world, calledthe POPE. If Ira and the young doctor have theauthority to consolidate twenty churches in Nashville, then why couldn't someone consolidate ALLthe churches of NASHVILE? If this may be donewith divine approval then why can't we consolidateall the churches of a nation? This leads us rightback to the sins of Catholicism-CENTRALIZATION! This is the thing the Bible fights by teachingAUTONOMY among churches. If brethren couldkeep from meddling into the affairs of otherchurches. Men with POWER desire more POWER. This is always denied but ACTIONS speak louderthan words.

Gentle reader, this is but another digressive signwithin the confines of the church. CONSOLIDATION as advocated by these brethren will be a fatalblow to the church, if men are given the power toput it into practice.

OUR APOLOGY

We express our apology to the readers for the delayin the November issue of this paper. As the result ofan attack of the flu, two gospel meetings, an overload of mail and book orders, five debates and the tremendous task of a complete change over of address plates and mailing equipment, we got behind andhave found it difficult to "catch up." With this lastissue of 1966 we hope to get back on schedule inmailing the paper and to keep up with the book andtape orders. Most of you have been patient with us,and we thank you kindly for your understanding. In1967 we shall strive with all our might to fill everyorder for books and tapes just as quickly as we canupon receipt of the order. We solicit your continuedorders of religious books, Bibles, New Testaments,commentaries, reference books, worship supplies, workbooks, tapes, etc. We would also like to have your subscription renewal to this religious journal foranother year. Thank you again for your understandingand kindness through the past six years of publishing Searching The Scriptures.

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THE SUBJECT OF " SAINTS"

The saints of the New Testament were and are quite different subjects compared to the "deadsaints" of Roman Catholicism. Let us notice several scriptures:

Concerning Saul's persecution of Christians, Lukequoted Ananias as saying: "...muc h evil he hathdone to thy saints at Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13).Later, Paul referred to his past conduct. . . "manyof the saints did I shut up in prison ... " (Acts26:10).

During a famine at Jerusalem, Paul has the responsibility of ministering to the needs of the Jerusalem Christians: "But now I go unto Jerusalem tominister unto the saints" (Rom. 15:25).

In his introduction of his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul spoke of the members as those"called to be saints" (I Cor. 1:2). The meaning ofthe word "saint" means one set apart or holy. Thisshould be the description of EVERY devout Christian. However, Catholicism has attempted to give avastly different meaning to the word.

The Catholic Dictionary defines in part: "SAINT(Latin, sanctus, consecrated). One whose holiness oflife and heroic virtue have been confirmed and recognized by the Church's (Catholic. L.W.M.) official processes of beatification and canonization, or by thecontinued existence of an approved cultus and feast.To such only may public veneration and liturgicalhonour be given; but the Church (Roman Catholic.L.W.M.) also produces numerous other saints whoremain unknown, and unrecognized ... " (Page 444,Catholic Dictionary, By Attwater).

To serve as an example of Catholic superstition and mythology, we copy a portion of a list of"Saints" of the Catholic Church, "his list is by no

means complete nor up to date, inasmuch as it istaken from a publication of the 19th century.

SAINTS FOR DISEASES

"These saints either ward off ills or help to relieve

them, and should be invoked by those who trust their

power:

"AGUE. St. Pernel cures.

"BAD DREAMS. St. Christopher protects from.

"BLEAR EYES. St. Otilic cures.

"BOILS and BLAINS. St. Rooke cures.

"CHASTITY. St. Susan protects.

"COLIC. St. Erasmus cures.

"DANCING MANIA. St. Vitus cures.

"DISCOVERY OF LOST GOODS. St. Ethelbert and St. Elian. (Seems to take two of them to catchthieves. L.W.M.)

"DOUBTS. St. Catherine resolves.

"EPILEPSY. St. Valentine cures.

"FIRE. St. Agatha protects from it, but St.

Florian should be invoked, if it has already brokenout. "FLOOD, FIRE and EARTHQUAKE. St. Christopher saves from."GOUT. St. Wolfgang, they say, is of more servicethan Blair's pills."IDIOCY. St. Gildas is the guardian angel of idiots. "MICE and RATS. St. Gertrude and St. Huldrick ward them off.

"QUENCHING FIRE. St. Florian and St. Christopher should not be forgotten by fire-insurance companies.

"QUINSY. St. Blaise will cure it sooner than tartarized antimony."RICHES. St. Anne and St. Vincent help thosewho seek it. Gold-diggers should ask them for nug

"SCABS. St. Rooke cures.

"TOOTH-ACHE. St. Appolline cures better thancreosote." (Page 337, Character Sketches, By Brewer, Vol. III.)

SAINTS FOR SPECIAL CLASSES OF PERSONS "ARCHERS. St. Sebastian, because he was shot by them."BARBERS. St. Louis. "BARREN WOMEN. St. Margaret befriends them."BEGGARS. St. Giles. Hence the outskirts of cities are often called 'St. Giles.' "BURGLARS. St. Dismas, the penitent thief."BRIDES. St. Nichols, because he threw threestockings, filled with wedding portions, into thechamber window of three virgins, that they mightmarry their sweethearts, and not live a life of sinfor the sake of earning a living. (Thus the origin of'Christmas stockings,' etc. L.W.M.)"CANNONEERS. St. Barbara, because she is generally represented in a fort or tower."DRUNKARDS. St. Martin, because St. Martin's(not my relation. L.W.M.) Day (Nov. 11th) happened to be the day of the Vinalia, or feast ofBacchus. St. Urban protects.

"FOOLS. St. Maturin because the Greek word matia or mate means folly.

"HOG and SWINEHERDS. St. Anthony.

"HOUSEWIVES. St. Osyth, especially to preventtheir losing the keys.

"WIGMAKERS. St. Louis.

"SWEETHEARTS. St. Valentine, because in theMiddle Ages ladies held their 'courts of love' aboutthis time."

Many, many more could be given, but surely theabove examples suffice to demonstrate the extremesto which the imaginations of the "faithful" were putin concluding that by invoking these certain "saints" in prayer, certain desirable goals could be accomplished.

Another classification of "saints" would be that of PLACES. Thus, "patron saints of cities, nations,or places have been set up. For example, the patronsaints of Russia include: St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, St. George, and the Virgin Mary; Portugal's saint isSt. Sebastian, etc.

The Bible mentions no such practice as the invocation of dead and departed persons . . . other than . .".. . there is one mediator between God and men,the man Christ Jesus ..." (I Tim. 2:5). Of course,Jesus Christ is a living intercessor and is not to bemaligned by comparison with dead Roman Catholic"saints."

MY VISIT TO CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

NO. 3

In two previous articles I discussed a three hourtrip I made last fall through the Chicago NaturalHistory Museum and some observations were madeabout what I saw and what I read in their displaycases as well as leaflets and booklets I obtained during my tour.

The articles were designed to point up one basicthing: the complete "evolutionary" bias of theartists, sculptors, anthropologists and other scientists who planned, built, molded and then arrangedthe various displays that have to do with the origin,development, and record of the universe, the world,life and man. All of their work has been based upon a prior "assumption" that evolution, with commondecent and origin, has taken place. There is no morevivid illustration of this definition of "Evolution" than all the displays in the museum that bear onthis question. And, many statements, as thosequoted in previous articles, can be found in theirbooklets which plainly teach this dogma.

The tragedy is that nothing could teach the evolutionary doctrine more clearly than these life-like figures and arrangements which have a marked effect upon school children who are encouraged to visitthe museum and do so by the millions. We know howimpressionable they are in these early years. The"White" booklet (mentioned in previous articles) onpage 17 admits this and says: "A tour of the museum is a richly rewarding experience. For childrenit is a revelation of such astonishing impact that it

will never be forgotten." But, what they "see" and"remember" in the museum's arrangements and"schematizing," is completely misleading and outright deceptive. It is based on a doctrine that is not true — is unproved and unproveable. And in all thesedisplays, there is no suggestion of, place for, or needof, God. It all involves "naturalistic" processes withthe "supernatural" having nothing to do with theworld, life, man, etc. Here is a case in point showingsuch deception.

The Museum's Hall of Fossil Man is rather new and not nearly as extensive as the Hall of the Ageof Man in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It only has four such "men" in a progressive series according to their features: (1)Java man (very ape like) ; (2) Peking (female — still resembles an ape but somewhat like a human being) ;

(3) Neanderthal (some ape characteristics but much more like human; (4) Cro-Magnon (human being).Now why does Java look almost exactly like ape orgorilla, Cro Magnon exactly like a human, and theother two as about intermediate between them? Whyare they displayed in this order? Simply and onlybecause they were built to make them look as theydesired and then they arranged them in this order to prove the ape origin of man or that they bothhave common ancestors.

THE NEED FOR EVANGELIST TO BE INFORMED

To the disciples Jesus said in Matt. 28:18-20, "Go make disciples of all nations." In Mark 16:15 Christsaid, "Go preach the gospel to every creature." Paultells us that Christ set in the church evangelists(Eph. 4:11). An evangelist is one who preaches andteaches the gospel of Christ. He is "lit., a messenger of good" (W. E. Vine). Phillip was an evangelist,(Acts 21:8). Paul told Timothy to do the work of anevangelist (II Tim. 4:5).

The work of the evangelist is that of teaching. Inorder to do this, he must inform himself concerningthe things that must be taught. One cannot teachthat which he does not know. Thus, the evangelistneeds to inform himself.

The evangelist, like every other Christian, can findthe information that he needs in the word of the Lord. Paul told Timothy to be an example in word, conversation, in faith, and to meditate upon thesethings giving thyself wholly to them (I Tim. 4:1215). Paul commanded Timothy to study (II Tim. 2:15). Timothy was to give attendance to reading anddoctrine (I Tim. 4:13). There is no substitute for a knowledge of the written word of God. Here is thepower of the preacher. The preacher may be able toimpress people with his human wisdom but thishuman wisdom is shallow. One well read in the Scriptures is able to teach and to defend the truth uponany and all encounters. As younger men we view thelives of the older evangelists among us, each onewho is a power for truth is one who is well versedin the Bible.

There are certain problems that the evangelisthas and a study of them should prove helpful to each of us.

(1) There are the demands to recognize humanwisdom. Many able men have been ruined so far astheir usefulness to the Lord is concerned because they have quit preaching the word and have talkedlike the denominational preachers of our day. Thepeople want a preacher that can out-shine the denominational preacher and have put the pressureupon the evangelist to leave off preaching from thetext of the Bible and to just talk in his sermon. Hecan quote some poems, tell a few jokes, tell the people about love, and all of this goes over with a lotof churches today. If the preacher were to get in thepulpit and preach from some passage of Scripture,he would have lost the great majority of his audience. Preachers do not have to meet these demands made upon them, but so often they think they doand do. Many of the problems along these lines preachers could take care of if they would alwayspreach just what the word of the Lord said aboutsuch matters. If the church was really taught, it would not make such demands upon the preacher. (2) Another problem the preacher has is that ofnot preaching the gospel in its fullness. Often as gospel preachers we see situations in which if we preachthe truth on the question, some can see trouble ahead. But if the truth had been preached in thepast, the trouble would not have been there. And forfear of causing difficulty, the preacher is tempted not to say anything about it. Every real gospelpreacher has been faced with the situation of getting up to preach and personally not wanting topreach the sermon because he knew within reasonwhat would be the reaction to his lesson by some inthe audience. And if left altogether up to him, hewould not preach the lesson, but knowing his obligation to truth and to the Lord as well as the souls who needed to hear the lesson, he with boldness,I Thess. 2:2; Acts 4:31, proclaims the will of theLord.

There is the need just here to be certain that thetruth being preached is the thing we are interested in and not in just using the pulpit to "tell some off."Preachers should never be found using the pulpit toget someone told because he thinks that they cannot answer back while he is preaching. If it is amatter that needs private teaching, then privateteaching should be done.

(3) Another problem that the preacher has is thatof keeping from being jealous of another preacher.Because of the influence of another preacher, or the respect in which he is held by brethren, is the ground for jealousy upon the part of a preacher toward him. In Philippians chapter one beginning withverse 12 the apostle Paul discusses a situation likethis. Because some preacher enjoys a reputationamong brethren more than I, Satan may place before me the temptation to seek to harm that goodreputation by being jealous of him or of tellingthings about him which are not the truth in an effortto do him harm. There is no room for jealousy among preachers. This may well be the very temptation through which the Devil will appeal to youbecause he knows that he cannot get you to preachfalse doctrine. If you can preach better than brotherPhillips or myself that is fine with us. And in theday of judgment you will have to answer for whatyou have done with that ability. There is plenty ofwork for every preacher to do and if everyone of uswould be out doing all we can in the service of theLord, there would be no time for us to become jealous of each other.

(4) Another problem or temptation set before thepreacher often is the misrepresenting of those withwhom you are engaged in controversy. Often preachers are filled with zeal to see the truth defended and this is as it should be. Sometimes, however, in ourzeal to defend the truth we will misrepresent thosewith whom we differ. We will attribute to another a position that he does not hold. We should in controversy study the position of the other person so wellthat we can state in clear language just exactly whatwe believes to the satisfaction of him. When we can do this, then there is not much chance of our misrepresenting him. However, if we do not really knowwhat our opponent believes, we may easily misrepresent him. A brother made this observation to me once that I believe is worthy of passing along toothers. He said that if one has to misrepresent another in order to answer his position, then there isnot much wrong with the position he holds. Somemisrepresentations are unintentional. These can becorrected when such is pointed out. However, I haveseen misrepresentation and so have you that the onemaking them knew full well that it was a misrepresentation when they made it, but in order to answertheir opponent they had to misrepresent. Want anexample? Have you ever heard someone say thatbrother ------------is opposed to taking care of thewidows and orphans or that he is opposed to preaching on the radio?

All of these problems are ways that Satan usesto get hold of the preacher. If the preacher is wellinformed of Satan's devices and will abide in the teaching of Christ, he can defend himself againsthis temptations. These are by no means all the waysSatan seeks to tempt the preacher. Fellow preachers, make a list of other ways Satan tempts us. Addto this list, (1) Soft preaching, (2) Failure to paydebts, (3) Involvement with some of the sisters,

(4) Etc.

BOOK-MILLER DEBATE "Instrumental Music In Worship"

Morris Butler Book of the Christian Church and James Parker Miller of the church of Christ discussed the question of instrumental music in the worship in the Howard High School auditorium in Orlando, Florida, March 15, 16, 17, 1955. Large crowds heard every session of this debate. It is one of the finest in print. This book is the debate exactly as it was presented by Book and Miller.

Cloth bound - $2.50

The following debates on tape may be obtained for $3.00 per reel — each reel contains one complete discussion for one night. These tapes are new 1 7/8 mil. Mylar (polyester) base, weather resistant, and recorded at 3 3/4 speed and can be played on any recorder using a 7" reel. Special orders on smaller reels at 1 7/8 speed made upon request.

MILLER-WOODS DEBATE

Montgomery, AlabamaAugust 29-September 1 — Orphan Homos and Herald of Truth.

Four reels — $12.00

MILLER-WALLACE DEBATE

Tampa, FloridaAugust 16-20, 1965 — Orphan Homes and Herald of Truth.

Four reels — $12.00

SPEARS-WADE DEBATE

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

July 12 15, 1965 — Number of cups on Lord's Table and Classes and women teachers

Four reels — $12.00

BROCK-McWHORTER DEBATE

Chattanooga, TennesseeOctober 25-29, 1965 — Cooperation of churches in Benevolenee and Evangelism and Orphan Homes.

Four reels — $12.00

GRIDER-TOTTY DEBATE

Tompkinsville, Kentucky

September 27-30. 1965 — Orphan Homes and Herald ofTruth.

Four reels — $12.00

SPEARS-HALE DEBATE

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

March 28-Apnl 1. 1966 — Herald of Truth and OrphanHomes

Four reels — $12.00

LITTLE ROCK DEBATE

Little Rock, Arkansas

June 28, 29, 1966 — Creation and Evolution (James DBales and Jack Wood Scars vs Dr Carl Sagan, Dr Ernan McMullin. Dr Thomas K. Shotwell, and Dr. R. C.Lewontin) Questions from audience answered

Three reels— $9.00

JOHNSON-WILSON DEBATE

San Diego, California

June 28. 29. 1966 — Existence of God and the benefits of religion

Two reels — $6.00

NEEDHAM-THOMAS DEBATE

Russell Springs, Kentucky

April 21, 22, 1966 — Women teachers and classes

Two reels — $6.00

INMAN-WILLIS DEBATE

Parkersburg, W. Va.

September 19-23, 1966 — Herald of Truth and Orphan Homes

Four reels — $12.00

". . . THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM . . ."— Acts 14:27

Tom Oglesby, Pensacola, Fla. — For the past 15months I have been working on a part time basiswith the Myrtle Grove congregation in Pensacola. Iplan to be married in February, 1967 and will needto be fully supported by a local church. Anyone interested in obtaining a sound young preacher, pleasecontact me at 5930 Tippin Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32504.

Joe Morris, Glasgow, Ky. — A sound church of Christ was established in Glasgow, Kentucky earlyin October with the help of other congregations inthe area. We have only about 25 members at thepresent time and are urgently in need of a preacherto work with us full time. Several congregations inthis area have promised support if we can locate asuitable man. If anyone is interested, please write tome at Route 1, Glasgow, Ky. 42141.

Billy R. Taylor, Wormleysburg, Pa. — The church in Harrisburg, Pa. needs a preacher. There are about 23 members attending here now. This is the onlysound church in Harrisburg. If some faithful gospelpreacher, who can provide a part of his support, isinterested, please contact the church of Christ, 322

S. Front Street, Wormleysburg, Pa. 17043.

C. K. Prentice, Alachua, Fla.— The Santa Fe Hills church in Alachua, Florida is in need of a preacher.If anyone is interested, please contact me at Alachua, Florida or Draper Underwood, High Springs,Florida 32615.

J. W. Sewell, St. Petersburg, Fla. — The Disston Avenue church in St. Petersburg, Florida is lookingfor a full time preacher. Since brother James R.Cope left us a year ago brother Larry King has beenpreaching for us on a part time basis. His workmakes it impossible for him to devote full time tothe work. He is doing a fine job, but we need a fulltime preacher. If anyone is interested, please contact me at 2339 25th Avenue South, St. Petersburg,Florida 33712.

James C. Jones, 8121 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, Va. 23235 — In order to correct certain misinformation which has been given out concerning the workof the Lord in Stavanger, Norway, it should be madeknown that the Lord's church is meeting regularlyin Stavanger, with Bro. Olaf Reinholdtzen the faithful and capable evangelist. In a recent letter, Bro.Reinholdtzen told of having 12 visitors at a recentservice. Bro. Reinholdtzen and his wife have been reconciled. The future for the church there is bright.The West End church in Bowling Green, Ky. ispresently the only church contributing to Bro. Olaf'ssupport. Incidentally, I have just concluded 18 mos.work with the West End church in Bowling Green,Ky., during which time 19 were baptized and 17placed membership and five were restored. I amworking with the Hull St. Rd. church in Richmond,Va,. and need considerable additional support. Please contact me at the above address. Brethren Jas. P. Needham and Harold Byers of the Expresswaychurch in Louisville, know me and know this congregation. J. D. Tant starts a meeting here on Nov.14th, Lord willing.

Ward Hogland, Box 166, Greenville, Texas — Meetings in 1966 include: El Dorado, Ark.. Louisville, Ky., Magnolia, Ark., Pensacola, Fla., Columbia, Tenn., Martinville, Ark., Haynesville, La., Conway,Ark. and Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Lecture programs include: Wichita Falls, Texas, Duncan, Oklahoma, Ft.Smith, Ark. and Cooper, Texas. I have begun mysixth year of pleasant work with the Walnut Street church. We are helping support six men in hardplaces at present, and hope to help others later inthe year. I also moderated for Walton Weaver in a good debate at Conway, Ark.

Otis Jordan, Titusville, Florida — November 28 marks the end of one year of labor with the goodcongregation of the Lord's people here in Titusville,Florida. The work has had a few difficult times, but in all it has been very rewarding. While being supported by these brethren, I have baptized 5, we havehad 7 restorations, and 22 identifications. Attendance has increased from around 65 to 95 on Lord's day morning and much greater interest has beenshown in all other services. Much of this growth hasbeen due to the fact that Cape Kennedy is near by.However, we feel some of it is due to hard work andsincere prayers. Thanks to brother Maurice Jackson,who was here before, the work was found to besound and is such today. This is not easy, since thereis much opposition here.

F. O. White, Miami, Florida — I will be with the Belmont Heights church in Tampa, Florida, November 7-18. I was in a meeting with this good church early this year and enjoyed a good meeting at thattime.

Charles F. House, San Luis, Arizona — We spentthe entire month of September helping the Spanishspeaking church here, where Gabriel Ortiz, his wife and family are doing an excellent work in this field.The church meets in their house at 416 W. Los Angeles Drive. We participated in 25 public and privateworship services in the Vista-Fallbrook, Californiaarea. The Spanish church at Vista, my wife and I,attended at least 3 nights of Oceanside's meeting, where Don Brown, their regular preacher labors.Brother W. L. Wharton did the preaching in thismeeting.

Carl Hollis, Cash, Ark. — The church at Cash, Arkansas will be in need of a full time evangelist beginning the first of the year. The church is self-supporting. The attendance is in the 170's and theyown a new house for the preacher. If interested, callor write to J. A. Cullison, Cash, Arkansas 72401 — phone GR 7-5407, or Carl Hollis, Cash, Arkansas — phone GR 7-5452.

W. C. Hinton, Jr., 715 Sunny Dell Dr., Clermont,Fla. — We have returned from Japan safely. Afterfour years of being away some changes and someconsistencies have been observed. We will be working with the brethren here until we sail again forJapan next summer. We plan to spend three moreyears in Nagoya, Japan. Since our return I have beenin three meetings and next week will be in Decatur,Georgia with the brethren at Snapfmger Road. Weare deeply grateful for the support received whilewe were in Japan and will be in need of other brethren to take the place of congregations who could notcontinue for various reasons. If interested, pleasecontact me at the address above.

W. A. Smith Rt. 3, Box 4, Plant City, Florida — The church of Christ in Plant City, Fla., is lookingfor a sound gospel preacher to labor full time withthem. Prospects for growth are bright. If anyone isinterested, please contact me at the above address,or the other elder, Ellwood Mobley, Mobley Road,Plant City, Florida. The address of the meeting house is 803 West Mahoney St., Plant City. Myphone number is 752-4668 and Bro. Mobley's number is 752-1269.

Garrett Timmerman, 513 North Lebanon, Maplewood, La. — The Church of Lake Charles is in need of a gospel preacher. The congregation meeting at1512 Highway 14 is the only known one in thisvicinity worshipping and working according to theNew Testament pattern. Lake Charles is an industrialcity of seventy thousand with an average congregational attendance of about 25. The Church here iscapable of furnishing some support for a preacher,but the rest of his support must be provided fromelsewhere. If any are able and willing to assist wewould appreciate hearing from you. We would alsolike to know of a gospel preacher who would considerthis work.

"But ye are a chosen generation" (I Peter 2:9a) ;yes, God's children are indeed special. However,though we are a "chosen" people, we are not intended to be a "frozen" people. There is a BIG difference, and not just in the spelling.

What has happened to good, old-fashioned hospitality among Christians? Abraham, "the Friend ofGod" had it; "just" Lot manifested it; even Rahab"the Harlot" showed this lovely trait. Are you hospitable, or are you one of the "frozen" instead?

Paul said, "In love of the brethren be tenderlyaffectioned one to another' (Romans 12:10 ASV).Note— not "affected," but affectionate. Three verseslater he suggests that we are to be "given to hospitality." Brethren, I'm all for being "conservative"in doctrine, but we do need to learn to be "liberal"with our hospitality.

"Use hospitality one to another without grudging" (I Peter 4:9). HOSPITALITY means friendliness and cordiality to guests. Are you friendly andcordial? Peter said to USE hospitality. How longsince you last invited guests into your home with noulterior motive for personal advancement? Petersaid to use hospitality ONE TO ANOTHER. Do youfrequently have fellow Christians as guests in yourhome? Peter also said that we are to use hospitalityWITHOUT GRUDGING. God doesn't want us to serve Him grudgingly (II Corinthians 9:7) as suchservice is insincere. Neither does our God want us to practice insincere hospitality. We must be hospitable, and must do it cheerfully because we are"tenderly affectioned one to another."

Let me give you a few personal examples of hospitality (?) among Christians. My wife and I visiteda church in east Alabama during a gospel meeting.Not one person introduced themselves to us, and noone even spoke directly to us unless first spoken to(though a few did manage to nod their heads at us).Some bit later, after learning that I was an evangelist, one of the members there said, "Tell brotherSkinner if we had known who he was, we would havespoken to him"!!! Recently, I preached in a nearbycommunity and learned while there that an old timeacquaintance of mine was now living there and worshipping with that church. After services, I inquiredof the brethren if any had visited this new familyor had them into their homes. The reply was, "Well,we didn't know if they were sound, so we haven'tvisited them yet — but we will now." How about that?

A number of years ago, when living in Valdosta,Ga., I thought I would visit a service of a nearbycongregation. As we met fairly early on Sunday evening, and this group met rather late, I was able to gothere after our service was completed. Being verynew to the area, I knew only a very few people inthis other church. I arrived just after services hadbegun, but stayed for several minutes followingservices. Only three people were at all cordial — the preacher spoke briefly as I passed out the door, andone couple that I had previously met was quitewarm. Yet there were more than 200 Christians (?) present that night. But, people are funny. I latervisited this same church under very nearly exactcircumstances. However, by the time of the secondvisit I had become acquainted with the preacher andhe announced publicly that "Conway Skinner, thenew evangelist at the Airport church, is in our audience tonight." This time, there was nearly a stampede to greet me! What a difference ! The "stranger"that may have urgently needed a manifestation oflove and warmth received none; the preacher wastreated royally. The latter reception was duly appreciated ; the first was truly shameful.

My father-in-law tells this story. He had been invited to come to a small town in Alabama to assist a double handful of brethren in their efforts to worship God. This group was meeting in the countycourthouse, and only had one service per week, thisbeing on Sunday morning. So, my father-in-law arose early Sunday morning, and traveled nearly 100miles in order to aid this church. When services were over, each person passing out commented on howmuch they appreciated him having come their way,and they hoped he could come back next Sunday — but no one even had the courtesy to invite them (hiswife and son also being present) home for a meal.So, he paid for their meals in addition to paying forthe trip with no offer from the church there to assist in any fashion. On the next Lord's day, he was thereto preach again. This time, as they began to pass outthe back door, he picked out one of the men who wasa fine, sturdy, well-fed looking gent, and said to him, "Say, brother, why not come home with me for dinner?" The brother replied, "Why brother Ledford,we can't go all that way with you. How about yougoing home with us for dinner?" And as quick as aflash came the reply, "You know, I believe I will atthat!" We CAN do better than that. We MUST do better than that. And by the grace of God, weSHALL do better than that. Let's get at it.

W. W. OTEY, CONTENDER FOR THE FAITH

A history of controversies in the church of Christ from 1860-1960

by Cecil Willis

A biography of one of the greatest gospel preachers of this century — William Wesley Otey. A well documented book with some of the most pertinent and important information bearing on the present issue in the church today and its development through the years.

425 pages $4.00

Order From.

PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P O. Box 17244Tampa, Florida 33612

There is a paper called ACTION which is edited bybrother Jimmie Lovell, of Redondo Beach, California,and which is steadily gaining influence among the liberal churches everywhere. The projects he promotes through that paper are endorsed and supported by several "Great Preachers" such as AlanBryan, and also John Allen Chalk, who is now featured speaker on the Herald of Truth sponsored bythe Highland church in Abilene, Texas. And so, aswe see his influence spreading, we may well know hewill be successful in pushing his ultra-liberal viewsand projects upon many churches. And that by theendorsement of such "Great Preachers" as Alan Bryan and John Allen Chalk.

A little over fifteen years ago the sponsoring typeprogram of work known as the Herald of Truth underthe oversight of the elders of the Highland churchappeared to be such a harmless and innocent ventureinto new and greater things. And by far it was incomparison to some of the bold ventures undertakenby many brethren (such as bro. Lovell) today. Oh,this arrangement might have raised an eyebrow ortwo back then, but those raised eyebrows becameshut by propaganda and pressure brought uponchurches to align with their pet project. Shut tothe reality of danger that lurked behind the veneerof innocence because its outward appearance waspainted with the label, "a good work." So if thiswas a "good work" what could be bad about it? Butwe shall see how this very same principle upon which the Herald of Truth is founded, and also subsequentpromotions and schemes, and in particular bro.Lovell's new venture, is the principle upon which theRoman papacy is founded.

UNIVERSAL CHURCH — HEADQUARTERS: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

No longer is bro. Lovell concerned with the argument made by the defendants of Herald of Truththat they solicit funds from churches to help themwith "their work." That is, he is no longer concernedwith the work of the church on the local level, butnow seeks to put the UNIVERSAL CHURCH INTOACTION.

Back in May, 1965 Jimmie Lovell wrote in ACTION"that the elders of the Otter Creek Church in Nashville had invited me to speak on their program havingto do with mission work in the world and particularly our needs in Korea. The subject of his lesson whichhe spoke by "invitation" of the Otter Creek elderswas: ACTION BY A UNIVERSAL CHURCH FOR A UNIVERSAL CAUSE." From the very title of hislesson it is undeniably shown that he no longer considers ACTION on the local level (local church)but now the universal church is ACTIVATED. He has bigger dreams, greater ambitions than those thatwould suit the simple outline of the New Testament by which the work is carried out on the local level.He said: "If we can ever once get the operations . ..

firmly fixed in our thinking, we will get somewhere on this matter of a universal church"(emph. mine

— LR).

Rome and Nashville — A Parallel

Let us get a clear picture of this scheme before us as it presents the same insidious threat which led tothe emergence of the papacy-------the pope of Rome.

Since bro. Lovell spoke by the invitation of theelders of the Otter Creek Church of Christ, NashvilleTennessee, "On THEIR PROGRAM having to dowith mission work in the world," he proposed "ACTION BY A UNIVERSAL CHURCH FOR A UNIVERSAL CAUSE." (By the way, doesn't "THEIRPROGRAM having to do with mission work in theworld" sound a bit like the reasoning of the Heraldof Truth promoters? Is it just a coincidence or isbro. Lovell following the same principle?) To put"teeth" into his promotion, Lovell boldly stated: ". . . the church still looks to Tennessee for much ofour guidance and direction and I have never seenany reason myself to stop doing it. The success of our coming campaign in June for our work in Korea will prove it." (Action, May 1965 — all emph. mine

— LR) Shades of apostasy!

Since the Otter Creek church has assumed the "mission work in the world" as "their program," allchurches must look to Tennessee "for much of our guidance and direction"! Here you have it, brethren:the HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CHURCHES OFCHRIST IN NASHVILLE! "Action by a UniversalChurch" and so "the church still looks to Tennessee . . ." with regard to the "universal cause."

Of course, if bro. Lovell can see nothing wrongwith "Action by a Universal Church for a UniversalCause" we need not wonder much why he cannotsee any reason to stop looking to "Tennessee formuch of our guidance or direction." The two principles go hand in hand. If the "cause" is "universal"then the church "universal" must be put into"action." As the sectarian world, or "universalchurch" must look somewhere for leadership, thenthe universal church of Christ must also look somewhere for its guidance and leadership. If the churchof Christ is made sectarian or denomination, theonly natural consequence is that it will act in the same manner.

Bro. Lovell's scheme is the same by which thepapacy of Rome exists. Let us demonstrate thispoint by showing the evolution of an elaborate andcomplex machinery of a hierarchy in the earlychurch.

BOOKS BY W. CURTIS PORTER

Quibbles That Backfired— Contains three sermons at Florida College several years ago. These are outstanding denominational arguments that Porter turned on his opponent. He had a large number of debates with all sorts of false teachers.

Price — $1.00

Sermon Outlines, Volumes I & II — Sermon outlines W. Curtis Porter used through the years of his preaching.

Price — $2.00 Set of 2 vols. — $3.75

A REVIEW OF "IS IT POSSIBLE TO SCRIPTURALLY DIVORCE AND REMARRY?"

Dana Halstead, Houston, Texas

In the July issue of Searching The Scriptures anarticle appears, as suggested by the review. Six textsare used, and we shall give review of our brother's use of the passages in order to show the fallacy ofhis teaching. The usage of the texts is based uponhis claim that Matthew 19:9 is a "supposed exception." Again we are going to point out that the remaining proof (?) texts are used with our brother's assumptions. I say he assumes for the simple reason that he has failed to tell us what the passagein question teaches. Hear him as he says, "That doctrine comes from a misunderstanding or a misuseand abuse of what Jesus was saying to those Pharisees in Matt. 19:9." I ask you, kind reader, does theman have an obligation to tell us what the passageteaches, in as much as we are misunderstanding,making a misuse and abuse of the text? I think so.

Based upon his own argument which chargesthose that do not agree with his doctrine of failureto recognize that Jesus was talking to the Pharisees,we pay our respects to his remaining five proof (?) texts. First: "Why does our brother Paul teach inRomans 7:1-4 that having two living mates constitutes adultery?" Brother, you fail to understandthat Paul was only writing to those in Rome (1:7). Why do you misuse and abuse Paul's teaching? Seethe fallacy of your argument on Matt. 19? The truthof the matter is that having two living mates doesconstitute adultery. You need to prove, my brother,that one divorced on the grounds stated in Matt.

19:9 continues to be a mate. In the second place,Paul is not making an argument in Romans 7 onmarriage, but on the law of Christ and the law ofMoses, and his use of the marriage law is a generalstatement and not specific. When you have a divorceyou have a specific case and not a general, so yourargument falls.

Second: "Why does he teach in I Cor. 7:1-11, etc." Again we make argument in kind. Based uponyour argument on Matt. 19:9 do you also fail tounderstand that Paul was only writing to "thechurch of God which is at Corinth .. . (I Cor. 1:2)?The truth in the matter stated in the passages towhich our brother refers is that Paul is giving answer to a question (7:1), and the question wasraised due to the "present distress" as stated inverse 26. All that Paul said in the matter must be made to harmonize with what Matthew wrote in

19:9.

Third: "Why did not Paul teach the 'one exception' to those elders from Ephesus in Acts 20:27?" I wonder how our brother knows that he did not teach them? Is this another assumption? You knowthat "proof" will work both ways. I would affirmthat Paul taught the same thing that Matthewtaught, and Matthew taught an exception in chapter 19 and verse 9. Now we come to the fourth text used. Eph. 5:22-33, and the argument on Christchurch, husband-wife relationship. I could not havethought of a more fatal text for the brother's teaching, and I prove that he has misused the text byjust one passage, and it is the one that he offeredon his "no exception" doctrine. Hear Paul as hesays, "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Eph. 5:32). Friends,Paul says in so many words, "I am not teaching onthe marriage question, but rather on the relationship of Christ and the church." If our brother hasan argument, he is just saying that every marriageis just like Christ and the church. I deny that in thestrongest terms. I know of some marriages where one of the mates is not faithful, and I do not believe,and 1 am sure that the brother who wrote the article does not believe that our relationship as membersof the church is like such marriages. I call upon ourbrother to give up on this argument, and neveragain "low-rate" the church of our Lord to a planeof every marriage. He will not make this same erroragain if he will just understand that Paul speaksof marriage in a very general way, and not specific.The fifth text: 'If the supposed 'exception' of which bro. ---------speaks in Matt. 19:9 is supposedto be law for the church, why can we not find it inthe apostles doctrine" (Acts 2:42)? In the firstplace, marriage is not a church doctrine. This isshades of Catholic doctrine. In the next place, ourbrother needs to read from Luke 6 and he will find that Matthew was an apostle, and his teaching is apart of the apostles doctrine. In conclusion, I agreethat marriage as God would have it is until death ofone of the mates, but some men will not have marriage as God would have it( the reverse is also true,that is, some women will not be faithful). These arethe cases in question. Is there any relief for the non-guilty? The answer is to be found in Matthew 19:3-9. There is relief on one ground only. I ask my brother as he has requested of his readers, to give this your conscientious consideration.

"THE TIME YE OUGHT TO BE . . ."

Eugene Crawley 305 WashingtonAve. N.W., Russellville, Ala. 35653

By inspiration we are told "For when for the timeye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teachyou again which be the first principles of the oraclesof God; and are become such as have need of milk,and not of strong meat" (Heb. 5:12). In other Scriptures we also note the fact that Christians are to grow, and to put away the childish things and become men (I Cor. 13:11), and thus become an assetto the Cause of Christ. In other words, we are togrow up and be able to help others, instead of demanding attention ourselves. We are to help solvethe problems that arise, and not be a problem, or acontributing factor to one.

After the Corinthians had been Christians for some time, Paul wrote to them saying, "I have fedyou with milk, and not with strong meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able" (I Cor. 3:2). They were yet "babes inChrist" (vs. 1) ; just had not grown up, had notmade the progress that they should. The time hadcome that they "ought to be teachers . . . ", but theywere not ready for such work; they had not preparedthemselves, and thus made it necessary for Paul towrite to them as "unto carnal, even as unto babes inChrist" and not as "unto spiritual" (stronger). Thefact that they had failed to grow as they should hadcontributed to the existing weakness and problemsin the church at Corinth (I Cor. 3:1-4), that de manded attention and instruction from Paul, whichhe should have been able to direct to others, evenwith help from these very ones.

The Lord expects us, after we have been Christians for some time, to be able to help in His workinstead of being a hindrance or a problem that necessitates attention and encouragement if we are toremain faithful. Yet, sad as it may be, there arethose who have been Christians (members of thechurch, anyway) for many years who still demand,as much as they ever did, attention and effort fromothers to keep them attending as they should. Mybrethren, these things ought not so to be! We shouldmake the proper use of our time and opportunities sothat we soon would be able to help others, instructthem in the way of truth — yes, be teachers.

If you wonder why it is that some who have beenChristians only a fen-years have advanced morethan you, and others who have been for many years,it might do well for you to "take stock." You mightwell ask yourself such questions as: Have I attendedregularly all the services possible?, Have I attendedBible classes as I should?, Have I really been interested in learning more, and being able to do morein the Lord's work?, or, have I contented myselfwith attending only the Lord's Day morning worship? One's attitude toward spiritual things determines the time and effort he will exert in them.

Is it time "you ought to be" — teaching, leadingsinging, presiding at the Lord's Table, leadingprayer, serving as an elder or deacon, or any numberof other important works? If so, and you are not,then you need to ask yourself some searching questions. Possibly it is "high time to awake out of sleep;for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Rom. 13:11). Be one who works; not onewho makes work! If all of us will "do what we ought"and "be what we ought," the church will grow, soulswill be saved, God will be glorified, and we shall begreatly blessed.

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GOOD BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY

Boswell-Hardeman Debate (Instrumental Music) 3.50

Porter-Tingley Debate (Direct operation of the Holy Spirit, Necessity of Baptism and Salva-tion by Faith Only) 3.50 The Genesis Flood (Henry M. Morris & John C

Whitcomb) 6.95 The Search For The Ancient Order, Vol. I & II, each 4.00 Alexander Campbell's Tour In Scotland (Chalmers)

2.00

The Harding-Nichols Debate (Salvation & Baptism: The

Subject, Action and Design )	2.50
The Campbell-Rice Debate on Baptism	6.00
Larimore And His Boys (Srygley)	3.50
Biography of J. T. Johnson (John Rogers)	3.50
Biography of N. B. Hardeman	3.75

New Commentary On Romans (Grubbs) 2.50 The Witness Of The Spirits (Zachary) 3.00 The Nashville Debate: Moody-Harding (Baptism

and Work of the Holy Spirit) 5.00 History Of Reformatory Movements (Rowe) 5.00 Biblical Criticism (J. W. McGarvey) 3.50 The Kingdom Of Promise And Prophecy (R . L.

Whiteside) 2.50 The Christian Baptist (Campbell) Vols. 1 through 7, each

3.50

Communism, Its Faith and Fallacies (James D.

Bales) 3.00 Churches of Today ( L. G. Tomlinson ) 2.50 Fox's Book of Martyrs 3.00 Mormonism Exposed (Hancock) 2.25

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AN EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS

W. E. Vine This book is a valuable work to the Bible student. It is a standard work based upon a firm textual and grammatical foundation with renderings of the words andphrases of the New Testament from both Authorized and American Revised Versions, and against the background of the original Greek. It is a dictionary, a concordance,and a commentary in one volume. Price— $11.95

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BOOKS BY W. CURTIS PORTER

Quibbles That Backfired— Contains three sermons at Florida College several years ago These are outstanding denominational arguments that Porter turned on his opponent Hehad a large number of debates with al l sorts of falseteachers

Price — $1.00 Sermon Outlines, Volumes I & II — Sermon outlines W. Curtis Porter used through the years of his preaching.

Price — $2.00 Set of 2 vols. — $3.75