A New Missionary Society
We saw the seeds of a missionary society planted either in all innocence or the most subtle form of deceit when the Gospel Press began. At that time they said: "The Gospel Press will not infringe upon the work of the church, but is simply trying to do the same thing other gospel papers are doing. Instead of trying to publish our own paper, we will publish the articles in large national magazines which already have their circulation built up into the millions. Contributions will be solicited from individual Christians only. They will not be accepted from churches." Now we see this missionary society in full bloom as it openly solicits money from churches and has even joined the line that has been forming for some time to beg for the 5th Sunday contribution. It looks as if one of two things must be done. Either create more 5th Sundays or eliminate some of the institutional beggers seeking church funds.
We have known all along that those associated with Gospel Press were not conscientiously opposed to churches contributing to it. It was never anything but policy with them. We knew that as soon as they got the project launched and into orbit that they would both receive and solicit church contributions. If they were opposed to churches contributing to the Gospel Press originally for scriptural reasons, but now favor it for the same reason, will they please tell us what they have learned in the meantime that they did not know before that makes it scriptural now? Certainly the Gospel Press has not changed. It seems painfully obvious that they knew there would be too much opposition to it originally if they indicated that contributions would be taken from churches. The brethren were not quite ready for the missionary society then. They needed "brain-washing" for about five years before being asked for church support for the Gospel Press. Now they feel the time is ripe. About anything will go. If one has a tendency to apply the brakes, just threaten to call him an "ANTI" and he will get on the band-wagon!
There is no doubt in our mind but that Christian Schools, Inc., will follow the same pattern. Especially in view of the fact that "PASTOR GETS NEW DUTIES" according to the Dallas Morning News. In this article which occurred in the November 29, 1960 issue, we read: "Jack Hardcastle, minister of the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, has been named head of the development office for Christian Schools, Inc. In this capacity, Mr. Hardcastle will guide the expansion program of the schools, which includes a four-year college." Any one who thinks will recognize the amount of money needed, not only to maintain the present status, but to expand into a four-year college and will know that they will need to get every dollar they can from whatever source available, which includes the churches. They have already demonstrated via the Gospel Press that they have no conscientious scruples against the church contributing to such human institutions. In fact, some of those on the Board of Directors of Christian Schools, Inc., are also connected with Gospel Press. Is there one so naive as to suppose they would contend for the right of the church to contribute to one human agency and deny that it had the right to contribute to another such institution? So, the churches may as well get ready for another institutional leech, for Christian Schools, Inc., will be making their appeal before many years and perhaps before many months, if they stay in business. "But," someone says, "is not Christian Schools, Inc., on record saying they are not supported by churches?" Yes, such is ambiguously stated in their POLICIES, but so did Gospel Press say that they would not accept contributions from churches, and they said it much plainer than did Christian Schools, Inc., and we see what they have done.
It seems that some among us are determined to live up to the hackneyed comparison of less than a century ago made by the digressives when they said, "The only difference between the Christian Church and the Church of Christ is the instrumental music." We wonder how long this distinguishing feature will continue?
In the September 15th issue of the Gospel Advocate, 1955, a list of names were given of men who had agreed to "direct the affairs of the Gospel Press," among whom were R. G. Meggs, Dr. John G. Young, and John Bannister. Two elders and the preacher at Skillman Ave. here in Dallas have helped father a missionary society and now seek to palm it off on the churches. This is only a prelude of things to come and should serve as a warning to the good people at Skillman as to what may be expected in years to come. Surely none need be informed that a church may lose its candlestick. (Rev. 2:5) and though it still remains a church, it ceases to be the Lord's. Are there no Daniels' or Elijahs' left in Skillman? We believe there are scores there who have not bowed the knee to Baal, but can one remain in Sodom until the fire begins to rain down and not be destroyed?