Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 1
November 24, 1949
NUMBER 29, PAGE 7

The Overflow

F. Y. T.

New policy for Abilene Christian College?

Word has come to us (not officially) that Abilene Christian College is definitely refusing to accept contributions from churches, and has even recently returned some checks that were sent. We are informed that this is now the settled policy of the board (and with some of the board we know it is more than mere policy; it is conviction). If our information is correct on this matter, we believe it would be generally helpful for some official pronouncement to come from the college. We feel the brotherhood would welcome such news.

—O—

In contrast In contrast to that policy (if such it be) is the practice of Freed-Hardeman College. W. W. Otey is in receipt of a letter from Bro. Hardeman in which the President of Freed-Hardeman College boasts that in spite of all the fuss and bother over the question, churches are still sending contributions to FHC.

—O—

Tired

"We're tired of all chicanery And what the world calls pride.

We're weary of a people who Will sacred joys deride.

Our soul is tired of earthiness;

Our soul is tired of grime.

It's hungry for a higher plane Where truth is still sublime.

We've lost our ancient landmarks that Have kept our courage strong;

From our anguished spirits comes The piteous cry, "How long?"

The part of us that's heavenly, But has on this earth trod, Is weary, and so lonely for Reunion with our God!

—Olin Caraway

—O—

Winter's newspaper articles Many will rejoice that Frank Winters, an elder in Culbertson Heights Church, Oklahoma City, is resuming the very fine series of newspaper articles which be wrote for the metropolitan papers. These brief articles, averaging about 500 words in length, set forth in beautifully clear and positive fashion the basic fundamentals of New Testament teaching. When the series was running two or three years ago, the articles were recopied by brethren all over the nation and used in many local newspapers. If any desire information concerning the new series, you may write Frank Winters, 1103 Perrine Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Keeping a secret Tattle: She told me you told her what I told you not to tell her."

Tale: "Why the mean thing! I told her not to tell you I told her."

Tattle: "Well, I promised her I wouldn't tell you she told me, so don't tell her I did."

—Wilmington (Delaware) bulletin

—O—

He loves to write We receive a letter, or letters, practically every week from a premillennial brother over in Waldron, Ark., by the name of J. R. Lynn. Seems he likes to take exception to practically everything any of the brethren write on the subject of the kingdom and the church. We notice his letters and articles appearing in two or three other papers in the brotherhood; so for the present, we'll just pass, and let them have him. Maybe later we'll get into the fray, but not now.

—O—

Explanation for unanswered letters We find it simply impossible to answer all the letters we have received to G. C. Brewer's recent article in the Gospel Advocate entitled, "What Doctrine Have We Learned With Reference to Schools and Orphan Homes?" We are now in correspondence with Bro. Brewer on the matter, and hope soon to be able to make an announcement of importance relative to it. Keep reading the Guardian, and accept our apology for our inability to answer all the mail that comes. We will try to keep you informed of developments through these pages.

—O—

God—old pal, old pal!

We're not saying we couldn't be wrong about it, and maybe just getting squeamish with advancing age, but to our sensitive soul there is something jarringly sacrilegious about the familiarity with divinity which some of the brethren manifest in their public prayers. Increasingly frequent in recent years, for instance, have been the occasions in which we've noticed the familiar "you" used in addressing God. We assume that every Christian in his private meditation and devotion at times feels an intimacy, a nearness to God, a spiritual closeness that might make the "you" not only acceptable, but entirely proper and fitting. But for one to use that form in leading a public prayer is, to our way of thinking, extremely poor taste. The very fact that it is a formal (public) rather than an informal prayer would seem to exclude such usage. We are aware, of course, that to an Elizabethan Englishman "thee" and "thou" had the same meaning that "you" has to us; but through the years there has grown up around those stately forms a respect, a hallowed association, a reverential connotation, that in no sense attaches to "you." The use of the intimate, blunt, and familiar "you" sounds almost as though the one praying were giving Jehovah a resounding whack on the shoulder and saying, "God, old pal, old pal" Its use smacks too much of equality to sound befitting from the lips of a devout Christian.

—O—

Isaac Watts, satirist Many people regard Isaac Watts as the greatest hymn writer of all time. He wrote hundreds of familiar hymns, among them being such old favorites as "Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun," "0 God, Our Help In Ages Past," and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." But Watts was a keen and biting satirist as well as a hymn writer. Disgusted with the worldly, self-seeking materialism of the men of his day, he described them with withering scorn as,

"Men who creep into this world to eat and sleep And know no reason why they're born, But merely to consume the corn, Devour the cattle, fowl, and fish, And leave behind an empty dish."

—O—

Whose sermon

"The Lord's good laws I faithfully have kept, And ever for the sins of man have wept;

And sometimes listening to the sermon I Have reverently crossed my hands and slept."

—Junker Barlow