They Burned Their Books
In Acts chapter 19 we read of the conversion of some people in Ephesus. Some of these people had practiced magical arts. The renouncing of error and acceptance of truth demanded restitution and reformation so far as possible. Therefore, we read in verse 19, "And not a few of them that practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver." God has always demanded that people bring forth "fruits worthy of repentance." These people were not ashamed of the change they had made; they were willing to confess it, and to declare such to the world. They no longer desired to follow the teaching of their books so they burned them in the sight of all. We praise this worthy act as the fruit of genuine repentance.
In the church today there are brethren who have also changed their position. Of course we all changed our position when we were converted, but some have changed several times since conversion. If these changes have been from error to truth, there is nothing wrong with it, and we are always ready to commend and encourage such action on the part of anyone. Honesty demands a change when we learn that we are wrong. But some of these brethren are not willing to admit "in the sight of all" that they have changed. They deny it. They don't seem to manifest the honesty of the people of Ephesus for they are not willing to "burn their books." They, like the Ephesians, should realize that their books of the past teach things which they do not now believe and practice, therefore, they, too, should be willing to "burn them in the sight of all" throughout the brotherhood. I call your attention to a few such examples.
In 1946, Brother Guy N. Woods wrote: "The church is the only organization authorized to discharge the responsibilities of the Lord's people. When brethren form organizations independently of the church to do the work of the church, however worthy their aims and right their designs, they are engaged in that which is sinful." (Annual Lesson Commentary, p. 338) Does Bro. Woods believe that now? Isn't he now the chief defender of "organizations independently of the church" to "discharge the responsibilities of the Lord's people"? Within the past few weeks I called upon Bro. Woods to tell me exactly what organizations "brethren" were forming in 1946 which he believed to be so sinful. I have received no reply. He could not have referred to the Missionary Society for "brethren" were not forming such in 1946. He denies that he had reference to the brotherhood benevolent organizations. Then to what did he have reference? I would still like to know.
In the A. C. C. Lectures of 1939, Brother Woods said all orphan homes must be under the elders of the church in order to be scriptural. He said an orphan home under a board separate from the church was similar to a Missionary Society. But now he argues that men as elders of the church CANNOT oversee the benevolent work of the church. Not only has he done so publicly, but I have letters from him saying that very thing. He now believes the only part of the benevolent work of the church which the elders may supervise is the raising of money. He says it is not the work of the church to care for widows and orphans. The church is only to provide the money. If that be true, I know of many gospel preachers, young and old, who need to remodel some sermon outlines. There is no possible way for Bro. Woods to reconcile his present position with those of 1939 and 1946. So, in all honesty, he needs to "burn" the Commentary of 1946, the ACC Lectures of 1939, and other books.
In the May 24, 1951 issue of the Gospel Guardian, Brother G. K. Wallace said the care of orphan children was the responsibility of the church. He also said, "If it is the work of the church, we wonder why the church cannot do this work without forming an organization to take over the work of elders?" He said an orphan home under a board of trustees was parallel to the U. C. M. S. He lamented the fact that preachers (of whom he is now one) were trying to get elders and churches to turn their benevolent work over to human institutions. In the August 30, 1951 issue of the Guardian, he said, "If it is the work of the church, let the church do it. If it is not the work of the church, let the church stay out of it." He also said he didn't blame "good elders" from objecting to the plea that they turn their work over to a human organization. Since Bro. Wallace has now joined forces with those who believe in human organizations doing the work of the church, and is now trying to defend the very thing he condemned in 1951, he should "burn" the above mentioned issues of the Gospel Guardian. Of course I know of a few men who would like to see every issue of the Gospel Guardian burned in the press. And I don't mean figuratively either.
Next we turn to Brother George W. DeHoff. In the Christian Magazine, January, 1951, he said, "What is God's institution to educate and train men in the gospel? Answer: the local congregation. What is God's institution for doing charity and relief work? Answer: the local congregation. What is the sole and only organization God has said anything about using to preach the gospel? Answer: the local congregation. What other organization has God authorized Christians to establish to do any of his work? The answer is none, simply none at all. If the local congregation can not do what God wants done, then God has authorized a work without telling His children how to get it done. Who can believe such?" I am one of those who can not believe such, but Brother DeHoff now says he does. He now says he has always endorsed the brotherhood homes for orphans and widows, but the above statement doesn't sound like it to me. Can he reconcile his present position with that of 1951? So Brother DeHoff needs to "burn" at least one issue of his own paper.
And now comes Brother Earl West in an article in the Gospel Advocate of September 19, 1957, in which he almost endorsed the Herald of Truth without reservation. But he did admit that he has changed his views on cooperation among churches. Of all men who would need to have a "book burning," if Brother Earl West accepts the Herald of Truth and the benevolent institutions of the brotherhood he will be that man. I know of no man who has a clearer conception of church history and what it takes to produce an apostasy than Brother Earl West.
For him to change is truly a shock to many. He will now need to "burn" his "Search for the Ancient Order" his booklet on "Congregational Cooperation" and perhaps many other publications of his.
Brethren, are you willing to follow the Ephesians? If so, thousands of us across the land will be watching for the smoke signals.