Stuff About Things
Dear Brethren and Saints-in-Light:
This is to inform you that I am a brother and one of the most outstanding preachers of the Word. I was added to the Lords church on January 3, 1965, and since that year I have been preaching full-time, though without support; always evangelizing towns and villages in the Mid-Western State of Nigeria.
Since all these many years I have been preaching without a wife of my own. The bride price in our State of the Mid-West is the huge sum of one-hundred and eighty dollars— $ 180.I sincerely beg you to contribute this sum of money for me to marry in order to avoid the temptation of fornication and to help me in all domestic affairs: 1 Cor. 7:2,9; Heb. 13:4; Eccl. 9:9; Prov. 5:18-21; 18:22 Gen. 2:18. Brethren, as long as it is a fact that the only way to avoid the temptation of fornication is by marriage, I beg you very sincerely to help me marry as quickly as possible. Just turn to 1 Cor. 7:1-2. Let me be free from this sin and its attendant effect on the soul Do not forget, I want you to help me out of my longstanding bachelorhood. Send me the $180. as quickly as possible...
This is the main portion of an actual letter, received by a church in Ontario, Canada. The hard-hearted brethren sent not a sou, although it is hard to imagine a more urgent need. There was not even the offer of a good used wife so it seems outstanding preachers are not considered a desirable catch. In fact, to date I am the only one to suggest that this young man may have a legitimate appeal for general welfare. What church will be first to sponsor and oversee the gathering of funds for such men?
W. L. Wharton tells a story that illustrates the all but lost art of doing what we can to help others.
Uncle Dick was a godly man, greatly respected by his neighbors for his forthrightness and candor. When a man of the community got angry at a mule, and hit the beast with a heavy pole — accompanied by a few blue-black words — he became ashamed of himself and went to talk it over with Uncle Dick. He explained the situation, and then asked Uncle Dick to pray for him. At this Uncle Dick balked, saying, Reckon youll have to do your own prayin but if you want to sing a song, Id carry the bass. Now thats what I call being downright accommodating.