News And Variety
The first part of August, 1970, Jerry C. Ray found that he had stomach cancer. He was operated on in Houston, and for about four months he did fairly well. He started preaching again about the middle of October, and preached up until about the middle of December. Then the doctor found that the cancer had spread to his liver, and told him that he had only about six weeks left on this old earth. However, he only lived about ten days instead of six weeks. Jerry was permitted to stay home until death took his body. There is a R. N. in the Gainesville, Florida congregation, and she arranged to be relieved of her duties at the hospital and stayed with Jerry. As she was with him constantly, she was able to keep him from suffering as much as one usually does with a like condition.
Jerry passed from this life at 8:15 Saturday morning, January 2, 1971. He was only 36 years old. But he was one of the most knowledgeable, courageous, humble, and devout Christians that I have ever known. It was my privilege to visit with Jerry from Wednesday to Friday before he died on Saturday. He knew he was going to die. He told me he was not afraid of dying, but that he hated to leave his family and friends.
Our hearts are made sad at his passing, but our sorrow is for those who remain. There is no room for sorrow in Jerry's behalf. For if ever a man believed the truth, loved the truth, and lived the truth, Jerry did. Those who knew Jerry are firmly convinced that he "died in the Lord"; therefore, that he is "blessed" and that "his works do follow him." Thus, while we bemoan his passing because we will no longer have the privilege of his company, teaching, and encouragement, we believe that for him, it is now "far better." (Phil. 1:23).
Jerry was buried at Brundidge, Alabama, the site of his boyhood days. Roy Foutz, Jerry's father in law, and I said the words at the memorial service for Jerry on Monday evening, January 4, 1971.
Jesse G. Jenkins 1813 Carlton Denton, Texas
(Musing)
If I could just impart to those in youth The things which I have learned while passing through;
I'm sure that they would thank me very much;
For there's so many things they would not do.
For as the twig is bent, so grows the tree, And this is just as true with every mind,
For as a man may think within his heart;
He acts, and leaves his imprints all behind.
Thus, Solomon, the wisest of us all, Said unto those who are within their youth;
To keep in mind the maker of the man, And later they're glad they lived in truth. Ecclesiastes 12
J. W. Middleton Sr. Azle, Texas FAVORITES OF LLOYD SCHENCK — "ABOUT A MINUTE"
An old graduate had been called upon unexpectedly to speak at a chapel session during his college visit and, being unprepared, he asked the students what they wished him to talk about.
"About a minute," someone called out.
Which he did, as follows:
"In an old school book I read this: 'Lost: yesterday, between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with 60 diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.'
"You and I have two great gifts that go along with life: energy and time. We cannot waste either without great loss to ourselves.
"We may fool ourselves into thinking that little things do not matter, but they are really the only things that do. A minute may seem little, but it is large enough for the greatest people to build their lives upon. You may say 'thank you' several times in 60 seconds. You can launch a cheery word to some discouraged pal in a minute. You can look up from the dining table and thank your mother or sisters or your wife for the artistry of the cooking.
"You can get a new idea in a minute, or learn something well worth remembering in the same short time. It takes but a minute to read 10 verses of the Bible. You can change the course of your life in a minute.
"You can sing a stanza of some cheery song or let a prayer for personal guidance run through your mind. A phone call to inquire about a sick friend takes but a minute.
"The use of minutes makes or mars our days and, when it is all over, it takes only a minute to stop breathing." (The above is a faded editorial clipping from an unnamed newspaper).
T. W. Phillips Writes Again:
P. O. Box 67
Appreciation Of The Guardian
Rosemead, California 91770 To me the Guardian is doing a brotherhood service! The Firm Foundation, the Gospel Advocate and the Christian Chronicle are also doing a brotherhood service, at least as far as I am concerned.
But these remarks are about the Guardian. It seems to me that writers of the Guardian and also its editor are bringing lessons our brotherhood needs. We need to be warned about centralized authority. We need to be warned about developing adjuncts to the church.
These things can slip-up on us without our intentions, and none of us should resent being warned about anything that can cause a brotherhood disruption. I firmly believe the Guardian staff and all its writers love the church of our Lord and I believe they want unity in our brotherhood; I believe the same thing about our other papers.
And, as I see "us" today there seems to be much misunderstanding in terms and in activities. The Guardian, again to me, seems to be aware just a little more of problems than others of us are. It is wrong and sinful to say that the writers of the Guardian are opposed to benevolent work. it is sinful to say they refuse to co-operate in preaching the gospel of Christ — there is too much evidence otherwise! I have recently received several letters from readers of the Guardian, and they have all been good letters, none with a spirit not appreciated. Something else: I believe the principles of all letters written me, and such approach of argument I have used with advocates of instrumental music. I have also had the same principles of argument used against me by those that object to classes and one cup.
You see, brethren, I do not believe in centralized authority! — except in Christ. Neither do I believe in adjuncts to the church, there can be none scripturally! I do believe in some instances that we are bordering on centralized authority and that in some instances we do consider some things as adjuncts to the church.
But, brethren of the Guardian, cannot these things be discussed and settled without a set-up of loyal or non-loyal congregations? Can you show me a perfect congregation anywhere?
If we discuss these things as brethren we can maintain the unity of the church. Let us do so on the inside of the brotherhood fellowship. I believe we can, I believe we must. May I add, I believe we shall! I will, and that is a promise.
Book Reviews By
Carl A. Allen, Box 724, Lufkin, Texas 75901
Matthew Xxiv
by J. Marcellus Kik Matthew XXIV is one of those unique books, which are few and far between. We have some books which, within their own rights, are gems in their field: "Flesh and Spirit," by Barclay; "Hermeneutics," by D. R. Dungan; "History of the Church," by Brumback to name a few and along with the best of them is MATTHEW XXIV, by J. Marcellus Kik.
This book is a concentrated, indepth study of Matthew 24. The author deals with the questions of the disciples and argues that the Lord answered one question and then directed his attention to another. This book is a must in your study of Matthew 24.
There are only a limited number left; so, order today. As the years come and go you will continually appeal to this book for help in your study of Matthew 24.
Woman,
Her Blessings and Responsibilities By Irene Sowell Foy
May I recommend this book to mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, grand-mothers, Bible class studies and good general material for a preacher working on a sermon.
Woman, Her Blessings and Responsibilities is easy to read and interesting, captivating and informative. You will find this book worth your time.
Plan to use it in a ladies class, special class for young ladies; or, for gifts to those whom you love. 75 Cents SUBSCRIPTION PRICE RISE: Did you note our back page ad this week? Everybody has their excuses for such things, for price rises. And, we have ours. What are our excuses? Cost and deficit. It costs more money to print The Gospel Guardian than we receive from subscriptions. We can make up much of the deficit with our book and literature business. But our accountant advises that we need to increase the income of the paper through proper price rises, keeping with the demands of these inflationary times. So, here we go... up to $6.00 per year for subscription. We think this is still a good buy for you! You get fifty (50) issues of The Gospel Guardian full of the best in religious thought, news, and various features. We are entering our 23rd year of publication and no paper has meant so much to the "conservative" cause as has The Guardian. It continues now, as in the past. The future will see it holding true to its heritage. Incidentally, you can beat the price rise by subscribing or extending your present subscription before May 1, 1971. — wew