Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 6
March 24, 1955
NUMBER 45, PAGE 13b

Right Or Wrong?

R. C. Copeland, Jr., Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Two wrongs never make a right. The incident at Freed-Hardeman College which led to the arrest and jailing of Leroy Garrett sets a new precedent for action against the unruly among Christian brethren. I had never heard of such action in all of the debates and differences with the Anti's.

When I left the anti-class-faction I was cursed, called bad names, challenged to fight, ridiculed, mocked, defamed, refused, rejected, slighted, mistreated and abused for a period of about twelve months but not once did I think that it was right or my privilege to prosecute those who misused and abused me. Not one scripture could I find for having the persecutors jailed. Not one scripture could I find to allow me the right to retaliate against those who disturbed my peace and defamed my name. About a year after my change, I was called long-distance to answer if I had returned to the anti-group. My elders, where we had Bible classes, stayed with me and many letters were mailed out refuting the malicious rumor.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." (1 Thess. 5:14; also read Matt. 5, 6, 7, and 1 Cor. 6:1-12.)

In light of these scriptures, was it right or wrong to jail Leroy Garrett? Men with courage to stand on the Bible truths are most needed today. It does not matter what groups of prominent preachers may write or sign, the fact remains that God's Word is our authority. Does God's Word allow what happened at Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee? Was it right or wrong? Was Matthew 18th chapter violated? Was 1 Corinthians 6th chapter violated?

If Leroy Garrett was feeble-minded, does placing him in jail comfort him? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14 again. Was it right or wrong to have him jailed? May all brethren follow the Bible, is my prayer.