Gospel Guardian Tell-Al- Gram
Did You Forget?
I. Our advertisement about The Book of Acts in verse, a poetic rendition by Jim W. Middleton, Sr. The book is absolutely different, and you will know the book of Acts better than ever before after reading brother Middleton's presentation. It will edify, inspire you. $2.00. Great for gifts!
2. A listing of some sound churches. A directory of some sound churches in the U. S. Churches which do not support institutions or sponsoring church arrangements. $1.50.
3. Bound Volume XXI of The Gospel Guardian going, going, but not yet all gone. $6.00.
4. Renew your subscription before it runs out so you won't miss any copies of The Gospel Guardian. Never a dull issue!
Did You Know?
1. The Jule Miller cottage meeting studies are now available in slides. Formerly they were on filmstrips only. Send for information.
2. A new publication in the realm of "Science and Scripture" will be launched soon. It will be a bimonthly. Subscription rate Will be $2.25 per year. Its writers will be well educated men. I know nothing of those behind the publication, but the prospectus says, "Since Science and Scripture is not owned or governed by any religious organization, all articles submitted that deal with Bible-Science relationships should not extend beyond this scope, and should deal with only one central proposition; Scripture and factual scientific data are in harmony with one another." Write Science and Scripture, P. O. Box 125, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
CAPSULE SERMON — by Carl A. Allen
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper was instituted for the purpose of remembering the death of Christ, I Cor. 11:26. The body and the blood of Christ are brought to mind in the partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine — for the explicit purpose of remembering Christ and him crucified.
There has never been, and never will be, a more unjust death than that of the Lord. He, a righteous man, died for the unrighteous, Rom. 5:6-7 — the ungodly and sinner. Were it not for the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ, we would be of "all men most pitiable," I Cor. 15:19. When I think of Christ I feel and express my love for one who did not have to die for me; but, loved me so that he was willing to give his very life; that I, a mortal being, might enjoy the glories of heaven. Peter said, "Knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ." I Pet. 2:18-19.
The trial of Jesus — before the Jews and the Romans — can only be viewed with contempt and indignation. It causes a swelling in the breast for the righteous man Jesus. The one who loved me so was mistreated; falsely accused, blindfolded, spat upon, mocked, smote with a reed, bowed down before, and crowned with a crown of thorns. Mark adds that he was scourged and then released to be crucified, Mk. 15:15. After such treatment it is little wonder that he needed help to carry the cross!
When I partake of the Lord's Supper, these things come to mind and attract my attention. It is all for the purpose of remembering my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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A Sketch Of The Life And Labor Of J. Early Arceneaux
Recently J. Early Arceneaux passed from this life, having lived a long and useful life. Inasmuch as no previous mention of his passing has been made in The Gospel Guardian we asked N. W. Allphin of Tahoka, Texas to write a sketch of the life of brother Arceneaux. Brother Allphin's presentation follows:
"The first time I met Early Arceneaux he was in a gospel meeting at Millsap, near Weatherford, Texas, where I resided at that time. This, if memory serves me, was in 1905. He was nineteen years of age, and I believe he had just completed school work at the old Lockney Christian College. I found him to be a fluent speaker with a wide-range vocabulary of just about flawless English, and a gospel preacher of unusual power, persuasion and appeal which brought forth fruit in abundance.
"In those days all gospel preachers were neither ashamed nor afraid to "tell it like it is." Many still do; but as the years passed some have veered from the old path, the good way, and begun to compromise some essential truths for the fear that they might offend somebody. Well, brother Early was not of that type. If any of his hearers got offended it was not for things he said, but rather for what he read from the Book.
"I have directed song service for him at Farmersville, Bradshaw, San Saba, Lampasas and Robstown, Texas. I also worked with him in debates. As well as being among the most profound Bible students and ablest pulpit orators, nature also endowed him with a generous bit of wit. Though always serious, this gift served him effectively in debates. It spiced his speech and rekindled interest among his auditors, keeping them on the alert, keenly awaiting what might come next.
"Once his opponent asked him what was the origin of his strange name, from what race of people did it come? He replied, "It is French, and translated into English it is arsenal, meaning the whole fort, guns, and ammunition. I think the man got the full import of what was couched in that pungent reply before the debate ended.
"Like Warlick, Nichol, et al of their generation, brother Arceneaux made free use of the blackboard to illustrate the points being made in a speech so that all could get and hold the arguments. On another occasion he had the board almost filled with documented arguments. His time was expired and he took his seat. His respondent mounted the rostrum, got a piece of crayon, saying, "I will show that I also can do some illustrating."Looking at the board, he turned and asked, "Are you done with this, can I rub it out?" Brother Early replied, "Why not? That's ALL you can do with it."
"In the home of his host, between preaching hours, brother Early spent much time reading the Bible, also commentaries by olden writers. He kept abreast of church doings, even in the denominational world via the religious press. He enjoyed conversing with his host and others on all timely topics, and he could and did laugh heartily — a well adjusted person.
"His wife preceded him in death by several years. He did local work with a few churches in East and Southeast Texas, finally locating in New London where he preached regularly until his health failed. He stayed there until the end came.
"In his passing there fell a valiant and faithful soldier of the cross. One of the finest yokefellows anyone ever had. He, like Paul, "fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith," and has gone home for the crown.
"His body was sent to Dallas for interment." N. W. Allphin, Tahoka, Texas.
Book Review by Carl A. Allen
The Hazard Of The Die
by James R. Wilburn TOLBERT FANNING (1810-1874) bridged the gap between the first reformers and the second generation of preachers. He knew intimately Alexander Campbell and was aware of the work of Stone, Scott and others. These all died during the life of this "man of God." Though he lived to see the death of these contenders of the faith, he also saw and became acquainted with the next generation and helped keep them on the right path.
Brother Fanning was a clear thinker, a precise writer, a very sympathic man and one whose convictions were so strong that he could not be moved. The writing of a book called "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the Civil War caused him much grief; because, it was in this that the brethren divided on the war and slavery question.
His love for educating boys and girls, his love for a place called Elm Crag, his love for good animals, farming and above all his love for the creator of all men, will impress the reader of this book. His life is one of sorrow and joy, war and peace. This book will give one an insight of what it would be like to have lived in the early part of the "Restoration Movement" and contending for the faith.
A soldier of the Cross, and one who will always be remembered as molding and shaping the thinking of the brethren in the 19th and 20th centuries; should be studied and remembered by all members of the Lord's kingdom. I suggest that you buy this book and read it. Then reread it and it will be a blessing to you.
Order from the Gospel Guardian Co., Box 470, Lufkin, Texas 75901.
SOUND EXEGESIS — by Jim Beech, 101 W. Viser, Madisonville, Texas 77864 Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. Interpretation of the scriptures depends on understanding the rules of Hermeneutics and applying them correctly. The practical application of these rules to the problem of understanding and setting out for display the meaning of a certain Scripture is called "Exegesis."
Exegesis (from "ex," out and "egeithas," to guide or lead) means to bring out the meaning of any writing (in our case the Scriptures). The idea is to take a passage of Scripture, apply the known and proven rules of Hermeneutics to that passage and thus bring out the true meaning of the passage. The laws of Hermeneutics must be observed (whether consciously or unconsciously) by all who would interpret the Scriptures correctly.
The rules of Hermeneutics are based on the laws of thought, verbal usage of words and common sense. God expects us to use the "wherewith" He gave us, expects us to meditate, to think upon the Scriptures, expects us to use our reasoning powers to determine the truth as revealed in the Bible! Some are mature enough and learned enough to have studied the rules of Hermeneutics carefully and so having a full awareness of them make a conscious effort to apply them in study and discussion of Scripture. Others, by reason of maturity and association with those who do know the rules of Hermeneutics, have come to unconsciously apply them usually in their studies and discussions of the Bible. Others don't know what we are talking about in this article — and many don't want to find out. A thorough knowledge of the rules of Hermeneutics and a correct application of these rules will lead to a sound exegesis of a passage, to a better class discussion and so on.
Others who have gone before us have left us their works, the fruit oftentimes of many years of hard labor, in the form of books usually called commentaries. These exegetes may well be consulted as aids but not quoted as authorities. Their interpretations, as well as ours, must be examined by a pure application of the rules of Hermeneutics. The reverence some may have for great names is merely idol worship. Let each stand or fall on the merit of his work. Each one of us should proceed on the basis of a correct application of scientific principles, yet let us humbly and willingly accept the comments of the learned and thoughtful ones who have gone before.
I believe a study of the rules and methods of Hermeneutics is a very valuable and much needed study today. A correct application of the results of such a study would make our classes more meaningful, would assist in all coming to a fuller understanding of the Book, would help bring peace in the church and would increase the fruits of our labors in seeking to reach and convert the lost. There are some very good books available today that are not complicated but easy to study and yet very profound in their teaching on this subject. I have drawn from three I consider very good on this subject given here in what I consider to be their order of usefulness to me.
HERMENEUTICS, by D. R. Dungan $3.00 EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS, by Isaiah B. Grubbs $2.50
ORGANON OF SCRIPTURE, by J. S. Lamar $3.00 Now is a good time to start your study to understand how to understand the Bible. Order from The Gospel Guardian Company.