Clippings, Comments, News
Meetings This Week
Lufkin, Texas-Brother James Adams, who preaches for the 10th and Francis church in Oklahoma City, will do the preaching in a Gospel meeting, at the 4th and Groesbeck church of Christ, February 25th through March 3rd. Brother Robert Farish is the regular preacher for this church.
St. Petersburg, Florida . . . . Abe Martin, Jr., who preaches for the church of Christ, Baxter, Tenn., will preach each night in a gospel meeting at the 9th Ave. church of Christ in St. Petersburg, Fla., February 25th through March 3rd. The building of the 9th Ave. church is 1315 9th Ave. North.
The Gospel Meeting Builds Up The Church — A. C. Dresden The gospel is the power of God unto salvation today just as it was in the first century. There are many ways of teaching the gospel, but let us not forget that one of the most successful ways is the gospel meeting. We have seen the power of gospel meetings. Many of us obeyed the gospel during such efforts, and we have seen our friends and loved ones respond in obedience. In this article, we are considering how a gospel meeting builds up the church.
1. Gospel meetings have played a very important part in establishing and building up local congregations since the day of Pentecost. They are no less necessary and useful in reaching the lost and building up the church today.
2. Preparation for the meeting builds up the church as it provides the opportunity to re-emphasize the importance of soul-saving. Every member should have a prospect list of his own. Nothing does more to quicken our own interest in the preaching of the gospel than endeavoring to get others to hear and obey it.
3. Attending the services of a gospel meeting strengthens members by providing the opportunity for indoctrination and spiritual development. In every church there are new members who need such instruction. Even the most mature Christians need to hear the "first principles" again and again to become "rooted and builded up in Him and established in the faith." (Col. 2:7) It adds strength to one's spiritual life to listen to lessons on prayer, the Christian graces and themes that emphasize Christian duty. In these meetings, our vision is enlarged, our courage is in creased, inspiration is received and members are built up in the faith.
4. The meeting provides opportunity for contacting new prospects. If a careful record is made of those in attendance, many new names will be furnished for further visitation. Every individual who comes into the meeting house is a possible prospect. Too often they are never gained because no record of their visit is made and further contact is impossible. It is tragic to neglect those who show enough interest to attend our services.
I still believe the gospel meeting has a place. This page is devoted to announcing gospel meetings over the entire United States. There should be between ten and twenty each week. There can be, but only if you will send in the announcements. If your meeting was not listed it was because you did not send in an announcement or the announcement came in too late.
C.O.M.
New Creatures
Two were baptized the last week of January at the Riverside Drive church of Christ, Nashville, Tenn. I believe they had seven baptisms during the month of January.
Two were baptized at the Columbus St. church in Bedford, Ohio, on January 20th.
On January 27th, the Belmont Heights church of Christ, Tampa, Florida, one was baptized into Christ.
Three were baptized February 3rd at the Southside church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma. W. E. Coffman preaches for this good church.
Donald Townley, who preaches for the South End church of Christ, Louisville, Kentucky, reports one baptism, Sunday, February 3rd.
Visiting Preachers
Robert Tuten, who preaches regularly for the church in Robbins, Georgia, recently preached at the Spring and Blaine church in St. Louis, Mo. His brother, Jimmy, is the regular preacher at Spring and Blaine. Robert is making plans to go to Norway later this year. If you want further information concerning this you can write him at the above address.
A letter from brother J. G. Savage, one of the elders of the church, meeting at 233 West Main, in Lewisville, Texas, states that Vernon Ripley began his regular work with them, Sunday, February 3rd.
Brother Joe Scarborough's new address is: 1814 Buchanan, Wichita Falls, Texas, for bulletins and papers. His home address is: 1906 Britain.
Was He A Christian?
Once Upon A Time There Was A Man Who Called Himself A Christian, But He Was Indeed An Unusual "Christian." On Monday While He Was At Work, Something Went Wrong. He Forgot About God And Cursed And Swore, Taking The Lord's Name In Vain. On Tuesday While Making A Business Transaction, He Misrepresented An Article And Took Undue Advantage Of The Other Man. On Wednesday He Heard Something Evil About His Brother, And Told This To Another, Making It Sound Even Worse Than What He First Heard. On Thursday He Went To A Friend's House For A Little Game Of Cards. Naturally There Were A Few Social Drinks, And He Gambled Two Or Three Dollars And Lost. "A Very Cheap Night's Entertainment," He Said. On Friday, He Became Angry At Everyone On The Job With Him, Lost His Temper, And "Told Them Off." On Saturday His Grocer Made A Mistake And Failed To Charge Him For A Dozen Eggs. "That Was The Grocer's Fault," He Reasoned. Then On Sunday Morning He Went To Services. He Did Not Sing, But Made Fun Of The Song Leader Because He Missed A Beat. He Ate Some Candy, Combed His Hair, And Took A Nap During The Sermon, All Except During The Time The Preacher Was Talking About Worldliness — Then His Face Got Red, And He Thought, "Now, He Has Quit Preaching And Started Meddling." He Took The Lord's Supper, And Said "Amen" To The Prayer, Put His Dollar In The Plate, And Went Home Thinking, "What A Good Christian Am I." On Sunday Night He Stayed Home From Services And Watched Tv. How Do You Think He Ranks With God? A Question, More Needed Perhaps, To Be Answered By You And Me Is: How Do We Rank With God? (Rev. 2:10, 1 Cor. 10:12)
— Author unknown — taken from Pear Ridge Bulletin Edwin Hayes, 1613 5th Street, Palmetto, Florida.
I began work with this congregation of faithful brethren on September 14, 1962. Since that time one has been baptized, three restored, and four have placed membership. This church is sound in "the faith once delivered" under the oversight of three God fearing men as elders. Recently three faithful men were appointed deacons. The work is very encouraging, and the brethren are wonderful to work with. They love scripture-filled-Bible-preaching. We're glad. I succeeded Leslie E. Sloan here, and the results of a very good work indeed, are apparent. Brother Sloan is held in high esteem by members of this church.
Robert H. Bunting, of Hueytown, Alabama, is to be with us in a meeting March 10-20. We are looking forward to a good meeting with him.
When vacationing in Sunny Florida, stop and worship with us.
Thomas C. Hickey Jr., 877 East Archwood, Akron 6, Ohio:
We have just moved to Akron, Ohio, to begin work with the South East church the first of February. South East appears to be a good conservative church with good prospects for growing. The church is at peace and there is a good spirit among the members. Akron is blessed with no less than four conservative churches in the city proper and there are numerous churches in outlaying areas.
We were with the Central church in Owensboro, Kentucky, for two years and three months and left when a merger was affected between the Central and Southside churches. The new group, which will be known as South Hwy. No. 231 church of Christ, will be served by Bob Witherington who was with Southside.
I would like to report that just before leaving Owensboro the Central church had brother Ferrell Jenkins for a very unusual and very effective type of study. Both brother Jenkins and the Central church should be commended for their foresight and planning in the series of studies. The study itself consisted of five nights study on apologetics or evidences of Christianity. The studies were kept very informal with charts, blackboard illustrations, and slides used as study aids. The study consisted of a one-hour lecture followed by a thirty-minute question period nightly. The lectures, in the order of their presentation were, The Inspiration of the Bible, The Ancient Faith Illustrated by Archaeology, From Ancient Manuscripts to Modem Versions, The Faith of Evolution versus the Bible, and a Summary of Internal Evidences of Inspiration. I would commend both brother Jenkins and this type of study to any church interested in stimulating its members in Bible study.
I would appreciate receiving second-class bulletins at the above address.