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'AYDEN, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1971 f :M. C.
THE NEW YEAR -- LIKE THE OLD YEAR WHICH WE HAD DESPISED AND HOPED TO ERASE FROM MEMORY...
Editorial...
THE NEW YEAR
With its promises
Broken,
Forgotten,
And never thought of;
With its heartaches To come, Severe,
And adding heavier burdens;
With its prayers
Offered
Repeatedly,
And backed with little faith;
With its goals
Faraway,
Too distant,
And ill striven for;
With its sunshine
Bright,
Warm,
And clouded by sorrow;
With its rain
Refreshing,
Quenching,
And hated for its wetness ;
With its hopes
Depressed,
Defeated,
And exchanged for despair;
With its judgments
Belittling,
Humiliating,
And opening one's eyes to himself;
With its awesomeness
Wondering,
Pondering,
And considering of life;
With its unrest
Here,
There,
And everywhere people dwell ;
With its wars
Thundering,
Maiming,
And bringing senseless death ;
With its God
Waiting,
Pleading,
And being rejected by mankind.
The New Year— like the Old Year which we had despised and hoped to erase from memory . . .
Cover Photo by Harold M. Lambef
The Free Will Baptist :
JANUARY 6, 1971 Volume 86 Number 1
Tommy Manning, Editor
Edited and published weekly by the Free Willi Baptist Press Foundation, Inc., Highway 11 North, Ayden, North Carolina 28513. Second-dass post- age paid at Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
All materials to be placed in any issue must be in the hands of the editor six days prior to the publication date of that issue.
All subscriptions are payable in advance. Six months, $1.75: one year, $3.00; two years, $5.50;' four years, $10.00, plus sales tax where it applies.)
The contents herein do not necessarily reflectl the beliefs or policies of the editor or of The Free Will Baptist. The responsibility for each article is given the person whose name appears under the title or to the person submitting said article.
Items for publication should be addressed to The Editor, The Free Will Baptist, P. O. Box 158, Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
Free Will Baptist Press Foundation, Inc.
Walter Reynolds, Manager; Tommy Manning, Editor of Literature; Leon Dunn, Treasurer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS D. W. Hansley, President; Fred A. Rivenbark, Vice-President; Hubert Burress, Secretary: J. W. Everton, C. Felton Godwin, Robert May, and Dewey C. Boling.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
IMS has been the best Christmas yett" many have said. Truly »we have found it is more blessed to give than to receive. The Winterville, North Caro- lina, Free Will Baptist Church, under the leadership of its pastor, the Rev. James Lupton, has experienced a tremendous joy from sharing with others gifts and funds amounting to over $1,300 for Ihristmas.
The church donated Christmas gifts for a needy family with four children. \ donation of $100 was also sent for rhe ECU Student Fellowship Fund.
Money Tree
The Sunday school, with Mr. Seth Cay- on as superintendent, decorated a noney tree. The junior class prepared ind passed out colorful envelopes for the nembers to use. The tree was really )eautiful. It was a joy to watch the nembers go up and hang their earmark- id funds on the tree. A total of $745.83 vas collected, with $376.35 for the Children's Home, $368.48 for missions, ind $1 for Cragmont.
Winterville Church Displays True Spirit of Christmas— Giving
.05
v. go
1^1
by GLADYS CORBETT
Decorating the Money Tree fHE FREE WILL BAPTIST
Another highlight for Christmas was experienced through the league, with Miss Debby Hines as director. We de- cided to give gifts to Missionary Tim- mons and his family in appreciation for the work they are doing. It was a thrill to draw their names and bring gifts for them. We marveled at the way the colors and articles matched. Surely God had a hand in thisl
The senior league collected a big box of used clothing and sent it to Brother Timmons to be used in his work for those in need.
The AFC members, with Mrs. Durwood Lawrence and Mrs. James Lupton as sponsors, sent gifts to Missionary Harold Jones and his family. They also fixed a sunshine box for a shut-in.
The Willing Workers Class, with Miss Leah McGlohon, teacher, sent a personal gift of money to Missionary Harold Jones' family.
The Nobles Men's Class, with Guy Cor- bett, teacher, made contributions to the Joneses', Barrows', and Timmonses' mis- sionary accounts, and also made a con- tribution to the Children's Home. These were hung on the money tree.
The Lela Nobles Auxiliary prepared four fruit baskets for shut-ins.
The Young Women's Auxiliary prepar- ed a sunshine box for a local widow.
The Christian Fellowship Class with Randolph Harris, teacher, gave a pound- ing for a recently bereaved family. They also went Christmas caroling.
Junior Choir Presents Cantata
As a climax to all the projects, we en- joyed the cantata, "0 Come to My Heart," presented by our junior choir. Their voices blended beautifully in three-part harmony, as they sang of Jesus' birth. Featured soloists were Alice Hines, Jo Ann Hines, and Guyla Corbett. A trio featured David Hines, Erwin Hines, and Betty Hines. Deborah Carawan was nar- rator,- Debby Hines was pianist; and Mrs. Melvin Hines was director.
The Winterville church truly enjoyed Christmas 1970 in a way that will be long remembered.
YFA PROGRAM BOOKS READY
The YFA Program Book for 1971 is now ready for distribution. It contains programs written by Tommy Manning, carrying the theme, "This Is Youth." In the programs, Youth, the main character, is plagued with all of the problems fac- ing today's Youth. We find him search- ing, breaking away, learning about love, having the improper perspective, delud- ed, led astray, being warned, taking strength, being guided, growing up, go- ing forward, and finally bound for heav- en. These programs are designed to appeal to the Now Generation, with ad- ded insights to the importance of reli- gion, parental respect, and general re- gard for others.
The following is an excerpt from the January program, as spoken by the Ob- server, one of the characters: "These are the young people. They come in assort- ed sizes, various shapes, and different colors. They wear mod clothes and look through lavender-colored glasses. They throw crazy parties and rock to psyche- delic music. They are caught up in ex- treme styles which show the long and the short of it— the maxis and the minis. There are beads for boys and pants for girls, and long hair and earrings for both. Bare feet and shaggy beards are a common sight, and many of them live in levis and T-shirts. Some of them call themselves teeny-boppers, and others venture further and quite unashamedly refer to themselves as hippies. All of them consider themselves a part of the Now Generation. They are a turned-on and a tuned-in group of people. They get down to the nitty-gritty of life, and they do their thing. This is Youth. This is Youth. Perhaps this is not Youth the way you know it, or perhaps it is. Never- theless, this is Youth!"
We find throughout these programs that Youth is being watched by the Ob- server, who sees the faults and good traits as well. We find the Minister, who plays an important role in question- ing Youth about his attitudes and his unacceptable behavior: the burning of buildings, his disrespect for the "older ones," his leaning toward promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, etc. While it is well known that not all of today's young peo- ple are engaged in such activities, it is also well known that such activities are prevalent and that many unassuming young people can be led into this way of life by those of more "varied" experi- ence. Thus, it was thought important
to include exhortations concerning these evil activities.
In the programs, some of Youth's peers speak out to urge him to remain in his present state (which is not a good one), against the advice of the wise Min- ister. We find that two of Youth's peers are usually more logical in their think- ing and urge Youth to consider what the Minister is attempting to get across.
In the earlier programs, Youth is seen to disregard God, largely because of un- wise parents and those of the older gen- eration whose "tongues don't match their actions." We see Youth shift all the blame for his plight on the "older ones," not wanting to admit that he must be responsible for the consequences of his own decisions— that he must stand on his own.
The climactic conclusion finds Youth and those of his immediate group admit- ting their errors, changing their attitudes toward life and the "older ones," and finally accepting the Saviour.
Throughout the programs, parents and young people as well are led to examine themselves perhaps more deeply than ever before,- and often the revelation is not a pleasant one for either.
"This Is Youth" will prove to be stimu- lating as it approaches from a different angle the many problems facing young people of today. Youth is not degraded in these programs, but Youth is exhort- ed to a better type of life than that which is exhibited by many. At the onstart, we find that the following is projected:
"Is Youth despised? Perhaps— but leji it not be so. Let no man look upor Youth and consider it a wasted existence* Let no man lash out at Youth with sear 1 ing tempers. Let no man shake his head lift his hands, and say, 'God, they're jus] no good; they can never amount to any! thing; nothing good can ever come oil them or their ideas!'
"Let Youth be careful, though; lei Youth be prayerful; let Youth be respect ful; and let Youth be wise, lest man ill justified in his condemnation. Let Youth follow the directives found in the Scrip ture which teaches: 'Let no man despist) thy youth; but be thou an example o the believers, in word, in conversation! in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.'
"Youth is worth something! We knov it, for we are involved with those youn< people who are a part of it; and we lov< them and see wonderful things in ston for them. Yet, sad to say, we see ter rible things in store for some of thenr
"Let us tell you about them— thesi people. Let us tell you about some o their problems. Let us tell you abouj some of their joys. Let us tell you abou| them. Just come with us. Keep you( eyes and ears opened and your fee; ready to move, for we have to mov quickly,- and there's much to see anc hear. Get ready now, for THIS IS YOUTH!"
Get your program books today! Order From FREE WILL BAPTIST PRESS P. 0. Box 158 Ayden, North Carolina 28513
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH FINANCE ASSOCIATION, INC.
The fourteenth annual meeting of the Church Finance Association, Inc., will b<| held at the Ayden Free Will Baptist Church, Ayden, North Carolina, Tuesday, January 26, 1971, at 10:30 a.m.
Each member is requested to be present. If you are unable to be present, pleastj sign the proxy below and return to me, Box 158, Ayden, North Carolina. The prox} will be used only if you are unable to be present.
Yours in Christian service,
HUBERT BURRESS, Secretary-Treasurer
Church Finance Association, Inc.
We hereby appoint S. A. Smith, president; Hubert Burress, secretary- treasurer,- or . as our proxy for the
annual meeting of the Church Finance Association, Inc., January 26, 1971, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ayden, North Carolina, Free Will Baptist Church.
Date Signed
4
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS1
\
fThe
neighbor Wanted
>■ • HERE was something strange about § the Barnett man. Jake had thought something was wrong in that house since the first day he and Janie had gone over to welcome the new neighbors into the neighborhood.
It was an intangible thing. You couldn't put it into words. He'd never mentioned it to Janie. He'd wanted to say something several times, but he couldn't find the right words. He couldn't just say, "I've a hunch some- thing's wrong with the neighbors."
Bart and Bunnie Barnett were cordial. They waved from their adjoining back yards. They stopped and talked when they couldn't avoid it. But they'd never invited Jake and Janie into their home. They'd lived there almost eighteen months, and they'd never been in each other's homes. Oh, sure, Jake had gone over to borrow an egg for Janie a couple of times. They had a nice house. Through the door he could see a room with furniture, new and tastefully ar- ranged. It seemed too quiet to Jake. He'd chalked that up to the fact that they didn't have any kids. The Barnett home was a contrast to their own house, with sneakers inside the door and coats strewn all the way to the kitchen cookie jar.
Jake was friendly. He had a big laugh, and he enjoyed life and people. He'd never met a stranger— that is, not until the couple moved in next door. He'd tried the usual friendly approaches, but didn't get anywhere. He'd wanted to invite them to church. They'd made
by DORIS HARRIS
it a habit of taking a cake or flowers or something to new neighbors and asking them to attend services with them. It's hard going to a new church. But some- how Jake had never asked the new neighbors to go with them.
"We ought to ask the neighbors to attend services with us," he said one evening over the top of the sports page.
"I asked Bunnie months ago when they first moved in," Janie replied. "She said Bart always made decisions like that. I thought you'd asked him."
"No, I didn't." He opened his mouth to start to explain this strange feeling he had, but without the words it seemed ridiculous.
Jake was very uncomfortable in Sun- day services the next week. The preach- er preached on witnessing unto "Ju- daea." He said the Lord meant to wit- ness right around him. "Your next-door neighbor may need Christ," the insistent voice went on. Jake sighed. He knew he'd have to call on the neighbors this afternoon, or he'd have no peace. He felt a prick of conscience because long ago he'd made the commitment to per- sonal witnessing.
He was full. He knew he shouldn't have eaten three biscuits with beef gravy, but he had. He walked slowly across the back yard. He could see Janie's head bent over the sink as she was clearing the dishes.
"Yes?" Bunnie's voice was crisp when she opened the door. The house was immaculate. There was no smell of cooking food. She was wearing smartly tailored slacks.
"Uh, l-l thought I'd stop by and chat with Bart a few minutes."
"He's in his study— the first door to the right." She didn't even offer to show him the way.
The carpet was thick, and the hall wall was done in a gilded wall covering. Jake thought of their own finger-streaked hall and of Janie fussing for him to paint it again. The door he paused before was heavily paneled. For some reason he felt like a small boy about to knock on the door of the principal's office.
"Who is it?"
Jake tried to be hearty and informal. "It's Jake."
"Jake?" The voice had a questioning tone. Bart's face appeared at the door. "Come in, come in." He waved him to a black leather armchair. "You are the friendliest neighbor I've ever had. It's been my experience that friendly people usually want something. What do you want?"
Jake was startled, but a direct ques- tion deserves a direct answer.
"I've been wanting to invite you to church."
The usual excuses tumbled from his neighbor's lips.
Jake looked around the room. It was extravagantly furnished but the accents were so startling that Jake could hardly keep his eyes from them. On his desk Bart had a skull. He'd seen pictures of the old philosophers with skulls on their desks to remind them of how short life can be, but he'd never seen one in a neighbor's den. One wall was paneled in richly grained walnut, and groupings of frames were attracitvely displayed. But the frames contained "wanted" post- ers for infamous outlaws and a death mask of Dillinger.
"Does my collection interest you?"
"It— it's unusual."
"Some men like cars, some like horses, some like church; but I've been fasci- nated by famous criminals."
"Do you mean, in how they were ap- prehended?"
"No, I'm more interested in the crimi- nal than the detection aspect of crime."
He moved to the posters. "Billy the Kid— ugly, mean, vicious, unlearned. Every generation of kids knows about him. And John Dillinger, who is still ro- manticized. The next generation will know the names of Oswald, Ruby, and Sirhan. And why? Because they com- mitted crimes— murder. History has a strange way of choosing its heroes."
"But history isn't the final judge," (continued on page thirteen)
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
5
DADDY
(Front Gate in Heaven)
Plymouth Church Choir Social And Christmas Program
The Christmas spirit prevailed at the annual Plymouth, North Carolina, First Free Will Baptist Church choir social, held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Sadler, Saturday night, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. Following the reading of the Christmas story, the group joined to- gether in singing Christmas carols.
The Choir Award this year was pre- sented to Mrs. Estelle West for her out- standing attendance record and her ex- cellent cooperation during the past year.
Refreshments with the festive touch were enjoyed as everyone wished each other a very "Merry Christmas."
The Plymouth church's annual Christ- mas program was presented Sunday evening, December 20, at seven o'clock. The program was by candlelight, with the nativity scene unfolding as the church choir sang Christmas hymns. The Rev. Charles Sugg of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was narrator for the program.
Attention Leaguers
The State League Convention will meet March 13, 1971. All those interested in competing in the State Sword Drill Contest, between the ages of 9-12, are asked to contact Deborah Mines King at Route 2, Pink Hill, North Carolina 28572. A trip to Cragmont will be awarded the winner, and the runner-up will have one half of his expenses paid.
Coming Events
January 16— Free Will Baptist High School Day, Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, North Carolina
January 21, 22— North Carolina Minis- terial Association's Midyear Spiritual Life Conference, Trent Church, Orien- tal, North Carolina
January 26— Chut oh Finance Association, Inc., Ayden Church, Ayden, North Carolina
DID YOU FORGET?
Did you forget to show your love and appreciation for your pastor by nominat- ing him for the annual Free Will Baptist Minister of the Year Award? There is still time if you hurry. Nominations must be postmarked or hand delivered not later than January 11, 1971, to the Rev. C. L. Patrick, Route 2, Walstonburg, North Carolina 27888. Rules for the nomination and award were printed In "The Free Will Baptist" of December 16, 1970, on Page 9.
Committee on Minister of the Year Award,
C. L. Patrick, Chairman W. Burkette Raper David W. Hansley
NOTICE
Sunday Schools of Second Union, Central Please have your secreatry send the current names and addresses of your pas- tor, Sunday school superintendent, and Sunday school secretary to the secretary of the Sunday 3chool Convention of the Second Union of the Central Conference, Mrs. Jane C. Tripp, Route 1, Box 245, Greenville, North Carolina 27834.
Please send this information before January 31, the time of the next conven- tion.
ss =s =s as =
One Door, and Only One
A New York minister, eager to see and hear Booth the actor, once wrote him: "I am anxious to be at one of your plays, but as I have always been opposed to the theater, and would appear incon- sistent, could you not admit me at some private or stage door?"
Booth's reply was short. "There is no door to my theater through which God cannot see."— Christian Victory Magazine.
by Ronda Jeannette Carraway Fort Lauderdale, Florida
They say that my daddy has gone awayi But in my heart he will always stay
Our love for each other will last and last For there's a future and not a past. !
He tells me to be good and to stay s<j sweet,
And someday in heaven our eyes will meet;
His picture I look at from day to day, And, "I love you" is the first thing say.
Late at night when the stars are in place, I look up to heaven and see Daddy's, face;
I reach out to touch him, but he's tot faraway,-
But Daddy says, "Ronda, we're gettinc closer each day."
My heart catches his words as they fal from the sky, And again I ask, "Oh, why did he die?' I get the same answer as I always do, "Jesus called Daddy, and someda\ He'll call you."
(The above poem was written by RoncU Jeannette Carraway, in memory of hei father, Gilbert Carraway, who was callec home August 7, 1969. )
The Church
The church is never a place, but al ways a people,- never a fold, but alwayi! a flock; never a sacred building, but all ways a believing assembly. The churcfi is you who pray, not where you pray A structure of brick or marble can nc more be a church than your clothes o* serge or satin can be you. There is ir this world nothing sacred but man, no sanctuary of God but the soul.— Origir Unknown.
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit came on the Day o1 Pentecost in a sound to awaken them in a wind to move them, in fire to en lighten and warm them, in tongues tr, make them speak. This is a very fine statement of the case. Out of this grows this query: Are we awake today? Are we on the move for Christ? Are we en lightened and on fire for God? Are we using our tongues for Him?— Hugh Sensi baugh.
6
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS1
MOUNT OLIVE. NORTH CAROLINA
Cape Fear Ministers Visit Moye Library
During the November 23 meeting of he Cape Fear Conference Ministerial Association held in the Historical Col- ection Room of the Moye Library at Aount Olive College, Gary Barefoot, ibrarian, discussed briefly the purpose )f the Free Will Baptist Historical Col- ection. Barefoot showed the members >f the association examples of the va- ious types of materials collected for the epository, and special mention was nade of the manuscript collection. Members are shown looking at manu- icript minutes of the Cape Fear Confer- mce from 1855 to 1956. Barefoot de- scribed the services of the collection to ndividuals interested in researching :hurch histories, biographies, organiza- tions, etc. He also solicited the aid of hose present to collect materials to in-1 iure the preservation of denominational leritage.
Those attending were (left to right): [he Revs. Eddie Edwards, Francis Darwin,
J. Stewart Humphrey, C. Sheldon Howard (seated in chair), J. C. Hathaway, Dr. Michael Pelt, Barefoot; the Revs. Bobby Bazen, Edmund Gonzalez, Henry Arm- strong, C. Felton Godwin, and J. Walter Stanley.
SS CS BE S3 BE
College Groups Active at Christmas
At a time of the year when everyone is caught up in the spirit of Christmas, many of us have a tendency to reflect and say, "People have forgotten the real meaning"; or "Young people today do not know the excitement that Christmas can really offer when they give of them- selves without hope of reward."
Here is what some of today's college students at Mount Olive College did dur- ing the Advent Season.
The Free Will Baptist Fellowship pre-
pared fruit baskets to give to "shut-ins" and sang Christmas carols for them. The Lettermans Club and Fellowship of Chris- tian Athletes adopted a needy family. They provided toys, ham, staple goods, oil, etc. for this needy family. A par- Chi also adopted a needy family. A par- ty was held for senior citizens by the Baptist Student Union. They also went caroling. Phi Beta Lambda visited and carried fruit baskets to a rest home and sang carols to the patients, while the students in the women's dormitory col- lected clothes for a Korean orphanage.
The brilliance of the Star of Bethle- hem still shines, for it radiates in the lives of others which say to the world today, "There is hope, for there is love."
Coop Student at Work
Eyssel Franklin, a sophomore at Mount Olive College, is one of the College's first students to enroll in its program of Co- operative Education. Eyssel has spent the fall semester at Camarillo State Hos- pital in California. Miss Franklin made the following comments concerning her work experience:
"As a coop student at Camarillo State Hospital my work deals with boys, ages 8-14, with various problems. Some of them are autistic, and others are be- havioral problems. In the mornings I have the lower functioning, more re- gressed boys. Some of these youngsters in this group read, but most are still learning the alphabet. In the afternoons I have the higher functioning boys. Most of these boys have behavioral problems. I have a ball!
"The working conditions are very good, (continued on page ten)
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
7
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 How He Got Through Scripture Reading— Psalm 34:14 A certain mountain in West Africa was held by a tribe of cannibals as their strong- hold. Troops had tried to cross the moun- tain, but had failed. One day a mission- ary went alone into the enemy's country, calmly climbed the mountain, and reached the other side. Later, he met the captain of the troops. "Do you mean to tell me you have got through untouched?" he said. "How did you do it?" Said the missionary, "You went as men of war; I went as a man of peace."— Knight's Master Book, Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Prayer Thought A warlike attitude never solves any prob- lem, but a peaceful attitude can solve many.
MONDAY, JANUARY 11 Faith
Scripture Reading— Joshua 14:12
Give me the faith that asks not why I shall know God's plan by and by; Give me the faith that looks at pain And says all will be right again; Give me the faith to bow my head, Trustfully waiting to be led; Give me the faith to face my life, With all its pain and wrong and strife, And then, with the day's setting sun I'll close my eyes when life is done: My soul will go without a care, Knowing that God is waiting there.
—Author Unknown, 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought Having faith in God will give us much strength and guidance as we live the Chris- tian way.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 Ready
Scripture Reading— Luke 12:20
I would be ready, Lord,
My house in order set, None of the work thou gavest me,
To do unfinished yet.
I woud be watching, Lord,
With lamp well-trimmed and clear,
Quick to throw open wide the door, What time thou drawest near.
I would be waiting, Lord, Because I cannot know
If in the night or morning watch I may be called to go.
I would be waking, Lord,
Each day, each hour for thee, Assured that thus I wait thee well,
Whene'er thy coming be.
I would be living, Lord,
As ever in thine eye; For whoso lives the nearest thee, The fittest is to die.
-1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought Ask yourself this question, "If the Lord would come today, would I be ready?" Think about this for awhile.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 Sure Sign Scripture Reading— Psalm 133:1 When the way to the meeting house seems too far; when singing comes hard and seems dreary; when the sermons seem too long; when you see so much to dislike in your brethren; when the preacher makes you mad; when the members frequently say things that offend you; when the reading of the Bible is dull and puts you to sleep; when prayer is a burden; when it frets you to be called on to give; when you feel that there is no use of working with the sinners around you; when you are impatient of the shortcomings of your brethren and de- spondent about your own; when there is no gladness and satisfaction in the mention of God, Christ, or His religion to you; when you dread death, and dislike to think of judgment, and are in company to avoid thinking about such things; when you make excuses for your sins and try to persuade yourself that God will not punish or judge —then you are not right with God. You are drifting, backsliding, sinning, and go- ing into darkness. Turn at once and square up matters with the Lord. Haste thee, stay notl Look not behind theel— 1010 II- lustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought It is so easy for us to follow our own desires and wishes, not caring for the wel- fare of others and the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ; but this is not good.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 The Church Scripture Reading— 1 Corinthians 7:17 The church is never a place, but always a people; never a fold, but always a flock; never a sacred building, but always a be- lieving assembly. The church is you who pray, not where you pray. A structure of brick or marble can no more be a church than your clothes of serge or satin can be you. There is in this world nothing sacred but man, no sanctuary of God but the soul. —1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought The church is a place for worship. We should all enter with reverence and keep our minds on the Lord. God does not dwell in a building, but in the soul of man.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 A Jewish Boy's Persistence 1
Scripture Reading— John 8:31
A little Jewish boy joined up with the Schoolbag Gospel League, and was so pleased with the Gospel of John that he hastened to headquarters to get one of th« other Gospels. Before leaving he gave his heart to the Lord and prayed this prayer, "Oh, Lord, I want to know the truth." A little later, he came to the headquarters with twenty-two Gospels. When he went home with them, his mother asked, "What makes such a bulk in your pocket?" Or his telling her, she took the Gospels and destroyed them all, giving the boy a seven beating, and leaving him with cuts on the forehead and cheek. What do you third he did? He went and signed up two mor< children, then returned to headquarters foi twenty-four Gospels. What a missionary was this Jewish boy!— Knight's Master Book Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Prayer Thought Are we willing to receive punishment for the sake of spreading the gospel? Ou persecutions are but little when comparet with those of Christ.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 Dynamite! Scripture Reading— Colossians 3:16 A man was sitting on a pile of plank near the Quirinal in Rome. At his feet la; a large package. A couple of officers, pass ing, noticed the bundle on the pavement They stopped and asked what it contained ever suspicious of internal machines. "Dy namite!" said the man. The officers jump ed. One of them gingerly seized the pad age, the other the man, and both wer taken to the police headquarters. Whe the package was opened it was found t contain— Bibles! "Where is the dynamite? inquired the officers. " 'The word of Got is quick, and powerful, and sharper tha any two-edged sword,' " replied the co: porteur. He was right. "Dynamite" is th exact Greek word that the sacred write uses for "powerful." The Bible is dynamit toward sin and all unrighteousness.- Knight's Master Book, Eerdmans Publisf ing Company.
Prayer Thought The Word of God (the Bible) is the ma, powerful thing in the world. Between *; covers are the answers to all our prol lems, great or small.
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR SUISCRIPTI0N
8
THE FREE WILL BAPTIJ
JOANIE'S SECRET
by Doris Land
THE light switch made a clicking noise as Joanie flipped it off and ran for the bed. She jumped in, pulling the covers over her head to hide the darkened room.
Mother would be in to say good night, so the time of total darkness could be pushed back a few minutes longer. While she waited, Joanie prayed that God would help her be strong enough to sleep without a light.
Joanie's decision to face the dark was a secret. She had always slept with the little light burning beside her bed. She was afraid to be without it. The soft glow pushed back strange, frightening shadows in every corner of the room.
The light was a necessary part of Joanie's life until the Sunday that "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Psalm 56:3) became her class's new memory verse.
Each week one of the girls in Joanie's Sunday school class told how she whis- pered the new memory verse before go- ing to sleep and wasn't afraid any more.
Joanie was ashamed to depend on the light instead of trusting God, as the Bi- ble verse and her friends told her she could. She prayed every night to be able to face the darkness.
Tonight she knew her prayers had been answered I
"Good night, dear." Joanie had been so busy thinking over her plans that she hadn't heard Mother come in.
"Want me to turn on the light?" Mother asked. She pulled the covers away from Joanie's face to kiss her good night.
Here was a chance to change her mind. Only God knew what Joanie plan- ned to do. She could say yes, and the magic light would once more hold back the dreaded night.
"No, Mother," she found herself say- ing.
"Very well. Would you like for me to stay while you say your prayers?" Mother sounded puzzled about the light, but she didn't say anything.
"Not tonight, Mother. Maybe I can tell you my secret in the morning. Good night." Joanie watched her mother leave the room, closing the hall door be- hind her.
Light from the other side of the door shone through its cracks, causing objects
Go-Ahead Christianity
by Mel Johnson
A red-blooded teen-ager is center front with a microphone in his hand. Listen to him:
"The religious freedom that our fore- fathers fought for and on which this country was founded has been infringed upon. The very day the Supreme Court took action and declared that the Lord's prayer and Bible reading were no longer to be a part of our morning devotions, this great country experienced a serious setback in its moral, religious, and aca- demic freedoms."
That was a teen-ager speaking— a strong-backed Daniel. That Altoona, Pennsylvania, high school student has sparked a nation-wide effort to promote the repeal of the Supreme Court's ban on voluntary prayer and Bible reading in the public schools.
It is time for the voice of the righteous to be raised against those who are out to bury our faith as well as our free-
in the room to take on strange shapes.
A scraping noise from the window made Joanie jump. Then she realized it was only the wind blowing a branch of the old elm tree against the screen.
"God, please help me not to be afraid," she prayed aloud. "I know you are here with me."
Joanie repeated the verse she had memorized: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Psalm 56:3).
Joanie started playing a game. As she. identified the frightening shapes that lurked all about her, her fear began to disappear.
The hunchback in the corner was real- ly her robe draped across the back of a chair. The huge shadow on the wall was her favorite doll with the hall light shining behind it.
The dancing, full-skirted ghosts were the pretty lamp shades on her dresser moved by the night breeze, and that funny looking dwarf over in the corner turned out to be Raggedy Ann waiting for Joanie to play with her.
The sun in Joanie's eyes made her blink.
Why, the night is gone, she thought. I know now that I can depend on God to help me go to sleep. I won't ever need the night light again.
"Mother! Motherl" Joanie called, as she ran downstairs. "I can tell you my secret now. I'm not afraid of the dark any morel"-Gospel Herald.
doms. We are grateful for the privilege of living in "the land of the free and the home of the brave." We wave the Stars and Stripes proudly. Let us be no less dedicated and determined as crusad- ers for Christ.
God will always honor courage and obedience. With the Egyptians behind and the Red Sea ahead. He ordered Commander Moses to ". . . speak unto the children of Israel, that they go for- ward" (Exodus 14:15). Go-ahead Chris- tianity steps out and speaks up for righteousness.
Let's rise up against the flood of filth that is contaminating America's news and entertainment media. It seems to me that it is more of a conspiracy than a coincidence that only the voices of vul- garity are permitted to reach the pub- lic. The standard excuse is that any- thing normal or pleasant isn't "news." Listen to me— decency of any kind is news todayl Let's demand our rights and give clean minds a chance to be heard.
I'm convinced that the rapid deteriora- tion of this nation's moral fiber is the result of the successes of a small, mili- tant minority, which has been able to convince the courts that their constitu- tional rights have been violated. It doesn't make any sense to me that a sin- gle atheist in a town can intrude his will on the entire community. But the atheists do it, while the church mops its brow and twists its hands.
Go-ahead Christianity is militant. It is ". . . set for the defence of the gos- pel" (Philippians 1:17). It earnestly con- tends for ". . . the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).
Go-ahead Christianity looks up as well as out. It shines with the joy of its coming Lord. It tells the story of the living Christ without embarrassment or apology.— Gospel Herald.
33 SS SS 33 SS
What Think Ye of The Christ?
Youth: Too happy to think— time yet. Manhood: Too busy to think— more gold. Prime: Too anxious to think— worry. Declining years: Too aged to think-old
hearts harder get. Death: 'Tis too late to think— the spirit
has flown. Eternity: Forever to think— God's mercy
past.
Into hell I am righteously cast, forever to weep my doom. —Copied.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
9
Mount Olive News
(continued from page seven)
All the people working here go out of their way to be helpful. You are not treated this way because you are a stu- dent; this attitude prevails between all the workers here.
"I've learned more since I've been here than any text book could ever tell me,- and besides, the experiences on the job and the classes offered to coop students are most enlightening. One does not have to attend, but they are very help- ful and interesting. One can never be overly prepared, but courses in psychol- ogy, sociology, and health are very good preparation for this kind of employment.
"In addition to the required working time, I'm doing volunteer work with an individual child. It's really a fantastic feeling to get somewhere with one of these youngsters. I wouldn't trade the feeling for anything."
ss as as EE s
Special High School Day at College
Mount Olive College looks to the fu- ture and seeks opportunities to serve larger numbers of Free Will Baptist high school students! In order for students to make a wise college choice, a visit to the campus of the college under consid- eration is essential. The College believes that any student who visits the campus and learns about the various programs will find that Mount Olive College is certainly worthy of serious considera- tion.
A special High School Day is being held on January 16 for Free Will Bap- tist students. The program will begin at 10 a. m. and will conclude with lunch. The program will include a tour of the campus, a review of the academic pro- grams, a discussion of student life, a description of religious life, an explana- tion of the financial aid program, an overview of the athletic and intramural programs, and opportunities to talk with students, faculty, and administrators.
All Free Will Baptist high school stu- dents and parents are urged to attend. Mount Olive College is not for everybody, but it may be just the college for you. See the back of this issue of "The Free Will Baptist" for additional information.
The devil is not afraid of the Bible that has dust on it.
Dope and Spiders
In research, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and monkeys are the most common ani- mals used in experiments. But in North Carolina's Department of Mental Health, Dr. Peter N. Witt has settled on using spiders. He noticed how intricately symetrical the spider's wheel-like webs are, and this led him to choose the crea- ture. Any disturbance of the spider's nervous or muscular system would be revealed in the webs it spun. So he raised swarms of the gray and brown creatures, then he set frs spiders trip- ping on drugs, sipped from a syringe in dilute solution.
Amphetamines are stimulants which cause humans to become hyperactive, hallucinatory and disoriented. When used on spiders, they make all the as- sessments in building a web— but then fail to make the correct actions. Dr. Witt says, "They see where the last strand was placed and they know where the next one should go, but they weave it in the wrong place." Thus, ampheta- mine webs are highly irregular. Those
webs which are woven under the influ- ence of tranquilizers are usually regular in pattern but considerably smaller than normal. Those spun under the influence of barbiturates fend to be smaller and widely erratic. Other research experi- ments were made with mescaline and psilocybin and they affected the spider's muscles and brain.
Thus the spider, which is among the "four things little upon the earth," and which inhabits king's palaces (Proverbs 30:24, 28), is also in a scientist's labora- tory, and may serve medical science in a big way.— Christian Victory Magazine.
NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING AIDS FOR 1971
STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY (Edited by James I. Fehl. Eight large pages
of helps for each lesson and a verse-by-verse explanation of the text.) $3.25
TARBELL'S TEACHER'S GUIDE (Edited by Frank S. Mead. Sparkling illustrations
and practical teaching suggestions for youth and adults.) , $3.95
THE DOUGLASS SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS (Edited by Earl L. Douglass. Features
practical suggestions for making class discussions more vivid.) $2.95
HIGLEY COMMENTARY (Edited by Knute Larson. Each verse is looked at indi- vidually and Pump Primer questions are included.) $3.95
PELOUBET'S SELECT NOTES (By Wilbur M. Smith. Lesson plans and outlines plus
"The Seven Laws of Teaching" by John M. Gregory.) $3.95
Paperback $2.95
BROADMAN COMMENTS (By Donald Ackland and others. A practical, specific,
easy-to-use teaching plan for each lesson.) $2.95
POINTS FOR EMPHASIS (By Clifton J. Allen. A pocket commentary which explains
the lesson and presents truths to live by.) $ .95
Additional Aids Especially for First Quarter— Parables
of Jesus
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW by G. Campbell Morgan $5.50
THE STUDY OF THE PARABLES by Ada R. Habershon $4.50
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLES by Neil R. Lightfoot $3.50
PARABLES OF JESUS (Adult teacher's guide published by Gospel Light) $ .90
AND JESUS SAID: A HANDBOOK ON THE PARABLES OF JESUS by William Barclay-
(price not set)
10
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
Question: What is meant by "fear God"? and is it right to fear Him?
Answer: The Bible uses "fear" in two distinct ways. In one it means to dread or be frightened, and in the other it means to reverence. It is not always easy to determine which use is intended as we find it in either the Old Testa- ment or the New Testament, for in some cases in both it would seem as reason- able to use the one as the other mean- ing. The two Hebrew words most fre- quently used in the Old Testament have both meanings, but in the New Testa- ment the Greek word has more generally the sense of being frightened or to dread.
God would make clear to us through the Bible that the thing most earnestly desired of us is love, respect, and rever- ence. But our sin of disobedience keeps us from loving, respecting, and reverenc- ing Him as His Word teaches that we should. He has given us a conscience. When regarded as it should be, our God- given conscience will help us to discern His will; but when abused enough, it will fail us and may not be relied upon as the needed guide. The awakening of fear within sometimes serves as an aid to bring us back to God and a more per- fect respect for Him and His Word.
Such verses as the following some- times do this: "He, that being often re- proved hardeneth his neck, shall sud- denly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1); "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephe- sians 4:30, 31); "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
Usually when a man's conscience is aroused, after he has been living in sin, he fears the power and the justice of God; but after he has realized the par-
doning grace of God, he feels a reverence for Him. As he makes progress in the growth of a knowledge of God and in His grace fear diminishes and love, rever- ence, and an appreciation of God become more dominant in what he does, how he feels, and reacts to every experience he has. He experiences the command of God, "Draw nigh to me, and I will draw nigh to you"; and he is glad for the ex- periences. Then as God becomes the dominant factor in his life he, in a more perfect way, reflects the will, way, and methods of God as they are set forth in the Scriptures. This calls for a cruci- fixion of the old man and dying daily to the world and the things of the world; the carnal man or the flesh, as the sin- ful way of a worldly man's natural life without Christ is called.
That perfect love and that abiding in Him as He invites us to, opens a whole new world of experiences to us. "There is no fear in love,- but perfect love cast- eth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18); "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine,- no more can ye, except ye abide in me .... If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15: 4, 7); "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7).
There is a sense in which we should be afraid not to obey the Word of God, because we should know from what it teaches that such disobedience fosters grave and eternal consequence. Many passages set forth both the glory in its obedience and the ill consequence in disobedience or neglect in the obedience to the Word. Such may be seen in "He that believeth on the Son hath everlast- ing life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life,- but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36); "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not
that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24); "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1); "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name un- der heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Then God wants us to be His friends. He invites us to live and come before Him in holy boldness and tells us that perfect love casteth out fear— the fear that those of the world need to experi- ence. Abiding in Him and He in us por- trays a new dimension in our relation- ship. We have at this point obeyed and thereby gained the desired results as we have grown in His grace and in a better knowledge of Him in a correct use of the Word. We now reverence, and in a cau- tious fear, live carefully lest at any time we might displease Him in what we either do or think. As we privately think, we realize that as we walk hand in hand with Him, that it is always to our best interest to ascertain and then obey His precious will in all things. This keeps us in a closeness where we ex- perience "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); and, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Whatever any of us lack in attaining unto this status, we should always be striving toward it as our goal. We "run with patience the race (against sin) that is set before us" and "press to- ward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."' So as sinners we feared, were afraid to get sick, to die, to go to judgment, etc. Now we love God, or we should love Him, with our whole heart, our whole soul, and all our mind; reverencing Him in living a cautious life of positive righ- teousness in Christ lest we might dis- please Him and thereby grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed un- to the day of redemption.
All sinners are positive sinners. They may be deceived by the wiles of the devil as he maneuvers them into a false religious profession or form of worship, but theirs is a positive state of being since all sinners, regardless to their con- fession or creed, are always advancing the cause of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and are opposing all Christians and even the Saviour that died for them. This being true, we need always to be reverencing God and showing favor to (continued on page fifteen)
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
11
IN OR OUT
JEWELL READY
PETE lost the race to the phone by just about a foot. He tried to reach around Pixie and grab the receiver, but girls have a way of holding on once they get their hands on a Telephone.
"Oh," she said, just after she had said, "Hello." She held the receiver to- ward Pete.
"I told you it was for me," he remind- ed her. Keith had said he'd call tonight and let him know about Saturday. That was what the call was about. "You know I will," Pete said, nodding his head. "I'll see you, Keith."
Pixie was at the fireplace now, pre- tending to warm her hands, but Pete figured she was eavesdropping. Sure enough, she asked, "Where will you see Keith, and when?"
"Science Nature Club meeting, of course," Pete told her. "That's the only time I ever see Keith, and you know it. We're having an outdoor meeting Sat- urday and a hike."
"You'll freeze," Pixie said. "I hope you do— never letting any girls go to your old meetings."
"It wouldn't be any fun if girls went," Pete told her. "I can just see us now, hiking through the woods with a bunch of girls whining about their feet hurting and the nasty old briers scratching them and-"
About that time Pixie swung a sofa pillow over her head and aimed it at him, so Pete made a run for the kitchen. He had to get permission to go on the hike, anyway.
"It's just a special Science Nature Club meeting," Pete argued a few minutes
later. "We learn a lot of thinys and have fun doing it."
"I wish we knew Keith a little better," Mrs. Porter told him. "You're with him at these special meetings one day out of each month; I just think we should know him-that's all."
"You met him at the fair."
"I saw him only briefly,- and then I didn't like the way he talked." Pete thought back to the county fair— back in August. He had stayed all night in the pavilion with a group of other boys and a group of prize steers. His steer's stall had been next to Keith's. They had set up cots and gone to bed, but talked most of the night. Right away, it seemed, they liked each other, and Keith had in- vited Pete to join the Science Nature Club.
Keith seemed to have the habit of saying things he shouldn't just for the sake of saying them. He said some pret- ty bad words while he and Pete were talking. Then, as Pete was lying on his canvas cot, feeling grateful to Keith for inviting him to join the club, he wanted to do something to show Keith how well they should get along together. He thought of a word he wouldn't dare say in his parents' presence,- one he'd never even said out loud, in fact. And Pete said it.
It shocked him when he actually heard himself saying the word, but it also gave him a peculiar feeling of power or age or something he couldn't name. So in a few minutes he said it again. And later on, he tried another word he thought would meet with Keith's approval. His face burned a little now when he thought about it. But back then it had seemed the thing to do.
"Does Keith know you're a Christian?" Pete's mother asked.
"Aw, Mom, boys don't talk about things like that," Pete complained.
"Ifs what God expects of you," she pointed out as Pete left the kitchen. ,
He didn't plan to say anything about the Lord or church or the fact that he was a Christian^not to Keith. He want- ed to stay a good friend of Keith's and keep having fun in the Science Nature Club's special activities. That was the only time Pete went. The club met once a week, but those meetings were pretty much studying and working experiments, and Pete didn't care about that.
On Saturday morning, Mr. Porter took Pete to the school, where the boys were meeting to start their day's hike. "I'll be here at four," he promised as he climbed back into the pickup and drove away.
It was a great day. Over a hundred boys showed up, all excited about the hike and all carrying water canteens. By the time they had walked all the way up and over the Culpepper Trail, they'd be plenty thirsty, all right. Pete looked eagerly for Keith. He found him talking to the leader, Mr. Mason.
"Hi," Keith said when he saw Pete. "I think we're just about ready to go."
They meandered along the trail, tak- ing plenty of time to see everything along the way, inspecting and discussing bugs, animal tracks, and skinned places on trees which showed signs of deer's having been there, nuts and leaves— any- thing the woods had for them this time of year. Finally they came to a clearing where there was a little park. There were a rustic platform and benches, a place to cook, and rough wooden tables.
"Looks like an open-air church," Keith said, looking at the platform and bench- es.
Pete looked quickly at him. But then he saw the amusement in Keith's expres- sion. Keith thought it was funny.
They built a fire and roasted hot dogs and ate chips and drank soda pop. Pete thought he'd never get enough. He and Keith were sitting with a group of other boys when someone yelled at them.
"Hey, you boys. Mr. Mason said we should gather up here on the benches. He wants to talk to us."
'We're going to have church." Keith laughed, leading the way to the benches, where most of the boys were already seated.
Pete looked at him while they waited for Mr. Mason to begin, wondering what Keith would think if he knew Pete was I a Christian and that he just tried not to show it when he was with Keith. It seemed too good a friendship to spoil (continued on page fifteen)
12
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
THE NEIGHBOR WANTED
(continued from page five)
Jake said quietly. He wondered at the wisdom of his own words, remembering a verse about how the Lord gives one words when one needs them.
"God, you mean?" queried Bart. "My father was a godly man. He worked in a sweatshop all his life. He barely had enough to eat, and when he died, every- one had to chip in to bury him. He spent his life being godly, and where did it get him?"
"Was he happy?"
"What's that got to do with it?"
"Everything I"
"He didn't complain. He— I don't know. I never thought about it. Yes, he was a happy man."
"Well, then?"
"He died without anything. He lived for good and no one knows his name. These men," he waved toward the panel, "died committing murder, and every- one remembers their names."
He moved restlessly. "What about you? Does anyone know your name?"
"Sure— my wife, and my kids do, and God knows my name, too," Jake said quietly.
Bart moved to an ornately carved gun rack over the fireplace. He lifted a high- powered rifle from its place. He han- dled it easily. Then he sat on the edge of his desk and carefully loaded it. "Know anything about guns?"
"A little. My dad was a collector. I keep his collection in the basement."
Bart fondled the gun as if it were a living thing. "It's beautiful, but it's an instrument of death. You Christians talk a lot about death, don't you?"
"Death is the natural end of life. We all face it, so any man who makes no provision for it is something of a fool."
"A fool?"
"Not to make preparation for the in- evitable."
Bart lifted the rifle and pointed it in Jake's direction. "What would happen to you if this gun went off?"
"I'd be standing in the presence of God."
"Doesn't that frighten you?" "Not as long as I'm not standing in my own righteousness." "Explain that."
"When Christ died for me and I ac- cepted Him as Saviour, He gave me His righteousness. That's why I wanted to
ONLY WEAK MEN LEAN
by FRED C. RENICH
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increas- eth strength" (Isaiah 40:29).
Probably the hardest lesson for any of us to learn is the blessedness of weak- ness. Everything in and around us says strength is an asset and weakness is a liability. We admire strong, successful people— the kind of people who have what it takes. This is true in every area of life, both temporal and spiritual. The lifelong refrain that runs deep within every man's subconscious says, "The race is to the swift, and the battle is to the strong."
ask you to go to church services with us."
There was a tap on the door. Bunnie pushed it open, and there was a silver tray in her hands. Two tall, frosted glasses graced it. "Drinks," she smiled brightly. "The one to the left is non- alcoholic." The tea was smooth and minted.
"I was explaining my collection," Bart said.
Bunnie smiled sadly. "I suppose it's because we have no children to carry on our name that we're so interested in names that are remembered."
"Our neighbor was just going," Bart said.
Jake got up and moved toward the door. "There's a permanent place for a name. It's called the Lamb's book of life. It's God's record of those who trust Him."
Jake's shoulders slumped as he walk- ed back to his kitchen door. He felt as if he'd made no contact for the Lord at all. He'd never met people quite like the new neighbors. They seemed so lonely and lost. He didn't want to go into his house. He knew Janie would want to know what had happened. He walked around the house and looked at the roses. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders and started in. Janie met him at the door. "Hi, I was coming to look for you," she said. "You just had a call. He said, 'I want my name per- manently recorded.' " She shrugged. "He said you'd know what he meant."
Jake smiled, putting his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Have supper ear- ly. Our neighbors will be going to church with us."— Gospel Herald.
It is not only the rest of the world that believes "nothing succeeds like suc- cess." This is true among Christians as well. We all want to be successful Christians, involved in successful Chris- tian projects. Our heroes are always strong people or people who have been initially weak but who have overcome their weaknesses. We look at some great person in the world and say, "Wouldn't he make a wonderful Christian?"
However, all around us is evidence of a great tragedy. We have no gospel for the person who is truly weak. This is why it is so hard for any of us really to be honest with ourselves without being devastated. We are afraid to admit our true weaknesses and to accept our real selves. To do so would leave us spir- itually bankrupt. We know in our heads that God is not looking for goodness or strength in us, but everything around us works against our really believing that, for the Christian, spiritual bankruptcy is in fact the gateway to blessing. While we admit freely that our salvation de- pends on God's mercy alone and on noth- ing good in us, we imply (though we do not state it) that an awful lot depends on us after we are saved if we are going to get along as Christians.
The problem is rooted in our constant tendency to slip from faith to works. The just shall live by trusting as much as the sinner is saved by believing.
Our strength is to stem from leaning and depending upon our mighty Saviour, rather than naturally "having what it takes" to be praying, Bible-loving, vic- torious, soul-winning Christians.
All around us are weak, discouraged, defeated Christians who look with long- ing eyes at the distant mountaintops of Christian triumph. A few elite in God's kingdom have scaled those heights, but many are saying, "I don't have what it takes to make the climb." We fail to understand that it is Jesus who does the climbing; it is our role to be carried by Him. But it takes a weak man to lean, for only when one is weak will he do so. Thus our needs become our friends when they do, in fact, drive us to trust in His supply.
Have you ever studied the promises of God in terms of the kind of person to whom they are given? If yoU do, may- be you will realize something of the blessedness of weakness and human bankruptcy as gateways to present and eternal blessing.— Gospel Herald.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
13
ST. CLAIRE BIBLE CLAStf) THE SUNDAY N SCHOOL LESSOISK^T
IS IT WORTH MY LIFE?
Lesson Text: Matthew 13:44-46; Luke 14: 15-24
Memory Verse: Luke 14:33
I. INTRODUCTION
Though much is required of those who would be a part of the kingdom of heaven and many responsibilities are as- sociated with our membership in it, the blessings and the rewards are in just proportion to its requirements. It was observed by one who espoused the cause of the separation of the colonies from the British crown that what men obtain too easy they esteem too lightly, and that heaven knew how to put a proper price upon her gifts. This be- ing true, it would be strange indeed if so valuable an article, or rather a posses- sion, as eternal life should not have to be obtained at great sacrifice. The great sacrifice has been paid for all who enter in, but it is required of those who thus enter that they dedicate their all to this work— The Senior Quarterly (F.W.B.).
II. HINTS THAT HELP
A. Introduction
1. Cur lesson today emphasizes two great truths.
2. Christ paid the price for our salva- tion.
3. We must pay the price of full sur- render to enjoy that which He has provided.
B. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Mat-
thew 13:44)
1. Give some of the various interpre- tations of this parable.
2. Show that the important truth is that the man gave all that he pos- sessed for the treasure.
C. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
(Matthew 13:45, 46)
1. Compare and contrast this parable with the one above.
2. Show that the one thing they have
14
in common is that the man gave all for the treasure and pearl of great price.
3. The price of obtaining salvation is to give "all."
D. The Parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:15-24)
1. What was the setting of the par- able?
2. The supper is prepared.
3. The servant is sent out to invite others to come.
4. Many excuses were offered.
5. Guests were compelled to come.
6. The main truths of the parable are discussed.
-The Bible Teacher (F.W.B.).
III. ADDITIONAL TRUTHS
A. A little boy on his death bed, urg- ing his father to repentance, said, "Fath- er, I am going to heaven,- what shall I tell Jesus is the reason why you won't love Him?"
What excuse would you think up in answer to your son in this case? How flimsy would be the "reasons" why we will not love Himl Alexander Pope said, "An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie; for an excuse is a lie guard- ed."—The Advanced Quarterly (F.W.B.).
B. Today's lesson has to do with values and goals. Everyone sets up goals for himself as he proceeds through life. For example, we may have need of a new automobile, and so we begin to work toward that goal. We become more care- ful about how we spend our money,- we save every bit we can, so we can pur- chase the automobile we want.
Most married couples desire to pur- chase a home. But this requires a down payment, so once again money is saved in every way possible to get the neces- sary amount.
The same can be said for household furnishings, clothes, vacations, etc. In all of these we readily see the import- ance of money.
These items we have mentioned are important. We must have a place to
live, clothes to wear, transportation, etc. But the important question is, What is ' fhe goal pf your life? Is it to achieve "things" only? If so, your heart is set on the wrong goal. In the end you will find only disillusionment and death. Seek the kingdom of Godl Lay hold on it. Give your all for it. To enter God's kingdom should be our chief goal, for only there- in do we find eternal life.— Standard Com- mentary.
C. There is a story which illustrates how a modest price paid for a second- hand organ was the beginning of a great musical career for a Negro boy.
"Thirty-five dollars!" said John, as he looked at the secondhand organ in the music store. "Only thirty-five dollars! That isn't much for a real organ. My! I wish Mother would get it for me. I don't suppose she can, but I am going to see what I can do anyway." So he ran home to ask for the prize.
John was a Negro boy, and his moth- er, who was a widow, found it almost impossible with the small salary she earned to keep them both clothed and fed. So, of course, his mother said, "No," as she had many times before when he had wanted some musical in- strument on which to learn to play. But John wouldn't take that for an answer, and he was so persistent that she finally gave him five dollars someone had paid her and told him that if five dollars would buy it, he could have it.
He paid the five dollars down and his mother didn't have the heart to make him take the organ back, so she work- ed all the harder until it was finally paid for. He graduated from high school and some friends made it possible for him to attend music school.
After many years of faithful and effi- cient service, his state recognized his ability; for he was asked to play at the dedication of an organ at the State Col- lege of South Carolina. And today John Donovan Moore, for whom his mother bought the organ long ago, is one of our great musicians.
And so we learn that some invest- ments we make of life, time, and talent pay large dividends. This is what Jesus is trying to tell us about the kingdom of God in these verses. It is of great value and is worthy of the dedication of heart, mind, and soul.— The Intermediate Quar- terly (F.W.B.).
Someone once said, "Christmas is more than a day— it is the soul of all little children on earth."-Table Talk.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
iBoys' and Girls' Stories
(continued from page twelve)
with serious talk like that; and Pete felt i that it was really too much to ask of a i fellow to go around preaching to every- body he met about how he was a Chris- i tian, how he went to church to worship ijand learn more about God, and how he i felt about the things God had made. He still felt those things, but he figured Ijthey were best kept to himself, at least Ijwhen he was with people who might not feel the same way he felt.
"Now we've all had fun today," Mr. I Mason began, and everybody agreed. "And I'm glad," he went on. "But there's something I have to tell you. You have to decide— on this trip— whether you'll J be in or out. What I mean is this: either I you want to be a serious student or you [J don't. Now at our regular meetings we have ten or twelve members,- but for special things, everybody shows up. Too many of our members want only the good times that go along with belonging to the club, I'm afraid." He paused a moment. "We want you to be members,- but only if you're members all the time. lo.K.?"
There were a lot of long faces in the group when he finished, and Pete's was one of them. 'I don't think that's fair," he grumbled in a low tone to Keith.
But Keith turned cold eyes on him. "I agree with Mr. Mason," he said. "Why should he take a bunch of boys on good- time trips when they won't get in there i and work the rest of the month? It only fouls up things for the rest of us."
Pete's own eyes could give cold stares, too. "If I'm one of the idlers, why do you keep calling me about special meet- ings? You must think I shouldn't come."
"I kept hoping you'd like it so well you'd begin to come regularly," Keith told him frankly. "Now that you have to either get in or out, I hope you'll get in."
"I don't know, yet," Pete said stub- bornly.
"Well, I don't want you to misunder- stand. That's all," Keith told him. "We want all these fellows. But we want them full time. Doesn't that make sense to you?"
"Yes, I guess," Pete agreed, thinking about the Scripture he had learned i which said just about the same thing. | The Scripture was Revelation 3:15, 16.
Pete didn't like the idea of being put out of the Science Club, but the thought j of God's turning away from him scared
him terribly. He couldn't keep on being the kind of Christian he had been— con- fessing God when he was with people who already believed; hiding his feelings when he wanted to.
"I never told you I'm a Christian," Pete said to Keith as they walked through the woods along a path made by animals.
Keith looked oddly at him. "No, you didn't. You've kept it a good secret— or are you kidding?"
"No," Pete told him. "I guess I was a Christian the way I was a member of this club— only when times were best. But I see now I can't be that way,- es- pecially, I can't be a Christian that way. My Christianity is more important to me than anything else."
"So what has that got to do with the club?" Keith asked. "You in or out?"
"In," Pete decided. "It's a good club —I want to be in."
"O.K.," Keith agreed quickly. Pete could see he was embarrassed talking about anything religious and wanted to change the subject. That was O.K.; there would be other times when it would be the natural thing to do. He had made the start— he had told Keith he was a Christian and that he had fail- ed in the past. He wouldn't fail again.— Junior Trails.
S3 3S5 SEE 9SR
Questions & Answers
(continued from page eleven)
His children in all things. Without hav- ing to plan to do so, the unsaved fosters the spirit and attitude of the prodigal son of Luke 15 and must arise. He can only do that by the power of the gospel and turning from the world, to his heav- enly Father,- and then in this, he becomes not a servant only, but a son in service.
Then when all this that the Bible speaks of takes place (and it will), then may he enjoy the things of his Father's house,- and not until then will he be able to exercise the reverential fear toward God and the holy things he is called upon to do. As the Bible requires, he needs to live a cautious life of obedient ser- vice in what he knows is the presence of God. God is present everywhere, at all times, and will be personally manifested to each of us in this presence as we give place to Him. James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. . . ." "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:
20); "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). So let us reverence Him that is closer to us than the physical presence of the members of our bodies and heed the Bible's warnings to not give place to the devil.
as as ss ss et
Pat Boone Elected Member of Bible Voice Board
Mr. Pat Boone has been elected to the Bible Voice Board of Directors according to an announcement made by George Otis, president of the Van Nuys, Califor- nia, publishing firm. The internationally known entertainer and businessman has published two new books during the past four months which have each sold more than 75,000 copies to date. The first is a clothback, titled, "A New Song," which is Pat Boone's autobiography. The other book is a paperback, titled, "Crisis- America." Mr. Boone plays the lead role as the Rev. David Wilkerson in the current movie, "The Cross and the Switchblade." Mr. Boone has also re- leased two recent hymn albums, "Rap- ture" and the "Pat Boone Family Al- bum."
Mr. Otis reports that Bible Voice 1970 overall sales are running 45 percent above 1969, with the increase distribut- ed almost uniformly through the Bible recordings, sacred music, and Christian books.
Your Heavenly Father Knows
"Martin Luther in his autobiography says, 'I have one preacher I love better than any other; it is my little tame robin, who preaches to me daily. I put his crumbs upon my window sill, especially at night. He hops onto the sill when he wants his supply, and takes as much as he desires to satisfy his need. From thence he always hops to a little tree close by, and lifts up his voice to God, and sings his carol of praise and grati- tude, tucks his little head under his wing, and goes fast to sleep, to leave tomorrow to look after itself.' "—From Heart to Heart Talks, July 1970.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
15
LIBRARY C0M
DUKE UNIVERSITY
DURHAM, N . C . 27703
ATTENTION ALL FREE WILL BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
AND PARENTS!
SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL DAY for Free Will Baptists MOUNT OLIVE COLLEGE
JANUARY 16, 1971 10 A.M. Through Lunch
• Tour of Campus
• Review of Academic Programs
• Discussion of Student Life
• Description of Religious Life
• Explanation of Financial Aid Program
• Overview of Athletic and Intramural Programs
• Opportunity to Talk with Students, Faculty, and Admin- istrators
Will you plan to come and bring others who are interested?
In order to assist the College in making appropriate plans, please send name and number of persons who plan co attend and have lunch. Send information to: Miss Ruth Gardner, Director of Admissions, Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, North Carolina 28365.
ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DAYS
February 13 General February 27 General March 13 General
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
Editorial*.
COMPASSIONATE - MY FOOT!
A little child was hungry, and we were so compassionate that we got a lot of men together and discussed his hunger and sighed at the thought of it; but we didn't offer him any food.
A father was in prison for a crime that he did not commit, and we were so compassionate that we talked at great length about visiting him and letting him know our deep concern; but somehow we never got the time to see him.
A nearby family was ragged, and we were so compassionate that we shed a tear or two at their plight, thinking maybe that they needed the humility that rags bring; but we never bothered to clothe them with a few of our unwanted garments.
A widow lady was sick in her bed, and we were so compassionate that we told our neighbor about it; then we crept quietly away and thanked God for our own good health, but we didn't say a word in her behalf or let her know that we cared about her being sick.
An orphan came to our door one day begging a place to stay, and we were so compassionate that we preached to him about the shelter of God's undying love; but we turned him away from our door and the warmth of our home.
A young girl who had made an unfortunate mistake was lonely and unhappy, and we were so compassionate that we told her how many friends we had and emphasized how many she had lost, not forgetting to point out the error of her way which put her in her condition.
We are just loaded with compassion! close to God!
We are so holy — so very
We are so compassionate that the hungry still go unfed, while we attend our grand banquets and eat more than we want and more than could possibly be good for us.
Cover Photo by Harold M. LanJ.
We are so compassionate that the imprisoned still suffer alone, not knowing that we care about them or the crime that put them there.
We are so compassionate that the ragged still go ragged, while we build new closets to house our vast wardrobes.
We are so compassionate that the sick still suffer upon their beds of affliction, little knowing that we sympathize with their pain and dis- comfort, and never receiving a visit from us, or a word of cheer, or a thoughtful note.
We are so compassionate that the orphans still crave the warmth of a fireplace and the embrace of someone's loving arms and the security of a real home.
We are so compassionate that the lonely, unwed mothers-to-be still weep their lonely tears at mistakes made, but not forgiven by us who are so moral and so unerring.
We are so compassionate that we will pray for them — all of them — sure; but we won't go out of our way to help them.
We are so compassionate that we make God sick!
The Free Will Baptis-
JANUARY 13, 1971 Volume 86 Numbeij
Tommy Manning, Editor
Edited and published weekly by the Free 1| Baptist Press Foundation, Inc., Highway 11 No] Ayden, North Carolina 28513. Second-class pi age paid at Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
All materials to be placed in any issue must in the hands of the editor six days prior to publication date of that issue.
All subscriptions are payable in advance, months. $1.75; one year, $3.00; two years, $5. four years, $10.00, plus sales tax where it appt
The contents herein do not necessarily ref the beliefs or policies of the editor or of The | Will Baptist. The responsibility for each art is given the person whose name appears under title or to the person submitting said article.
Items for publication should be addressed The Editor. The Free Will Baptist, P. O. Box 1 Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
Free Will Baptist Press Foundation, In
Walter Reynolds, Manager; Tommy Manni Editor of Literature; Leon Dunn, Treasurer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS D. W. Hansley, President; Fred A. Rivenb Vice-President; Hubert Burress, Secretary: J. Everton, C Felton Godwin, Robert May, Dewej C. Boling.
THE FREE WILL BAPT
.eadership:
'he Art of )eveloping People
DR. CHARLES SAPP
v to Apply Human Relations Training to the Everyday Job)
IE need for leadership in all walks of life is greater today than ever be- . Every aspect of living demands ling hands: government, business, the essions, the fine arts, the mechanic , etc.
jadership does not mean domination, world is full of people who like to linate. The leader, however, is of fferent nature. He seeks effectively ictivate people to act in their own rest and in the interest of their com- lities.
he sluggard does not aspire to lead- iip; and there are passive persons i are content to be led. Getting their
from other people, they wait until on is forced upon them by the situa-
rather than make the situation out which concerted action may bring efits to all concerned. These people seldom good leaders, ow do men manage to get out in it and stay there? Well, they raise standards by which they judge them- es, and by which they are willing to judged. They raise their aims, both j themselves and for the group with ph they are associated. They develop rgy, knowledge, and skill so as to ph the standards they have set for nselves.
his acceptance of higher standards judgment is the basis of all human
progress. A love of high quality is es- sential in a leader. Dependability is an- other quality of the leader— he keeps all promises. The leader will take counsel with his people; however, he will act on whatever his mind tells him is right.
To embark successfully on a career involving leadership demands courage. With faith in himself, he will be brave enough to act upon probabilities instead of certainties, and put his whole energy into making them come true. One mark of a great leader is that he feels suffi- ciently secure to devote his thoughts to the well-being of his subordinates and the perfection. of his job.
The man who would be a leader must pay the disciplinary cost involved. This does not mean he must withdraw from the world, but it does entail restraint, control, and moderation wherever these are necessary to achieve the ends he seeks. Leaders need to submit them- selves to a stricter discipline than is ex- pected of others.
It is not surprising to find that great numbers of people who have been ac- knowledged leaders were people who themselves learned the art of obeying. The man who has not learned to render prompt and willing service to others will find it difficult to win and keep control of his followers.
Besides doing well what he has to do, the leader has initiative— which is the ability to think and to do new things. He must keep his imagination alive so as to originate ideas and start trends.
Diverse though the areas of leadership may be, there are, nevertheless, certain basic principles generally agreed upon as being necessary. The leader must be sincere in his beliefs about his business and his place in it, and he must have the
force of character necessary to inspire others to follow him with confidence.
Thoughtful men choose persons to work with them, and particularly men who will be close to them for special qualities. Their assistants should be dif- ferent—capable of doing things the lead- er cannot do for himself.
The leader's job is to get work done by other people, and the good that they do is reflected upon him. He senses the readiness of an assistant for further de- velopment, and sets the stage so that the efforts of his subordinates are used to the full in pursuance of his purpose. Having delegated work, the leader must trust his assistants. His action implies the courage and readiness to back up a subordinate to the full.
The more dynamic the leader is, the more he needs to control the irritability that arises in him when projects are de- layed, thrown off the track, or botched. He needs to seek patiently for the reason, and to be receptive for ideas for im- provement. As a key man in the or- ganization, he must be a creative listen- er, smothering ruthlessly all empty ex- cuses and brushing off all merely time- wasting talk; but getting the meat of what people have to say.
The art of being a leader is the art of developing people. At its highest peak, leadership consists in getting people to work for you when they are under no obligation to do so.
The leader should approach his job in the spirit of being a coach. He will kindle interest, teach, aid, and inspire. He will seek the special talent every worker has. His people will cooperate with him in maintaining discipline for the good of the team. He will suppress his own ego and encourage the progress of those whom he leads. He will create in his group a sense of mutual effort, directed toward a specific goal.
A leader in any activity will find it an advantage beyond price to have clear- cut policies written down. This keeps in mind consistent paths, and helps to clarify to assistants the purposes toward which their work is directed. When he has his policies well shaped, then he may move on with sureness to the proper means and methods.
The leader must venture to run the hazard of his own judgment. He will often find that getting things started is more important than making sure that they will turn out perfectly right. He will find, too, that many of his decisions will have to be made with incomplete (continued on page fifteen)
FREE WILL BAPTIST
3
CRAGMONT ASSEMBLY NEWS
THE REV. and MRS. HERMAN GRUBBS Managers Black Mountain, North Carolina
CRAGMONT ON THE MOVE!
by the Rev. DeWayne Eakes Director of Publicity
Exodus 14:15 records these words: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Where- fore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go for- ward." This verse of Scripture comes to the Israelites as they are in their exodus from Egypt and the hand of Pharaoh. Pharaoh had come upon them, and the Israelites were made immobile by reason of their fear. The word of the Lord came to His people to "Go for- ward!"
Cragmont and we Free Will Baptists most certainly are not the Israelites ex- iting from Egyptian bondage. However, the admonition to God's people to go for- ward for His glory applies to us very readily. Or phrasing it somewhat dif- ferently, Cragmont Assembly is once again on the move! From its beginning in 1946, Cragmont has made admirable progress. This has been due, to a large extent, to the efforts of its governing boards of directors and stockholders and to the ardent support of a small number of our people. I say a small number, be- cause until the last couple of years the majority of our people gave mainly token support to Cragmont.
We have reaped many benefits from our summer encampments. Not only the lives of our youth, but also those of our ministers, women's groups, church groups, and individuals have been bless- ed by the ministry of Cragmont. Enough for the time being said about our bene- fits from fragment, let's get down to the business 0 the present needs of our beloved Assembly \ v ,
Due to the relentless advance of "path* r Lrne/ nmedlate necessity tr • uiJd new buildings at Crag- mont and con ttnue to go forwafd^if ■ouf ministry- of 'r«^iit9i^o^.\:jQ^(^!tujde is to continue-' tp. grow. ; ' Seetng if^ ^||!^; si ty , ■ the ' board' of d! re'eta rs Ka^pfanned a development prbgran i i pst phase
of this program is the construction and furnishing of two cottages at a cost of $40,000. These cottages will house a total of 80 campers plus the accompany- ing counselors. The board, in its Janu- ary 4, 1971, meeting, authorized the bor- rowing of $25,000 to complete the work on these cottages by the beginning of the 1971 camping season. Of course this is a step in faith. We believe that you, Mr. and Mrs. Free Will Baptist, care enough about your youth and the rich ministry of Cragmont to assure for it a bright future. When you invest in Crag- mont, you are investing not only in the future of our youth and denomination, but you are also strengthening them in the present "Now."
Ministers, laymen, and youth, rally around the banner of Christ which is car- ried forth through the ministry of Cragr mont Assembly. We urge you to sup- port Cragmont through your prayers, the attendance of you and your youth, and financially in a greater and more glorious way! If one hundred fifty of our church- es would give $170 each, we would have enough to complete this phase of our
program debt freel It can be done! W you and your church do your part? )
NOTICE
ALL PAST DIRECTORS OF ENCAMPMEN1 AT CRAGMONT
Please send the number in attendant the year, and the names of your encam I ments (this includes youth groups, ml i isters, women's groups, and churt groups) to: The Rev. DeWayne Eakes, U tie Rock Free Will Baptist Church, P. lij Box 275, Lucama, North Carolina 2785
College Day at Davis
Davis Free Will Baptist Church, Davi North Carolina, observed Sunday, Jan ary 10, as Mount Olive College Day. D W. Burkette Raper, president of the Cc lege, taught the young people's Sund< school class at 10 a. m. and deliver* the sermon at the 11 a. m. worship se vice.
There are no tranquilizers to compai with good books, good music, goc works, and good worship.— Joseph Kriri sky.
When it seems hardest to pray, prd hardest!— Selected.
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH FINANCE ASSOCIATION, INC.
The fourteenth annual meeting of the Church Finance Association, Inc., will I held at the Ayden Free Will Baptist Church, Ayden, North Carolina, Tuesday, Januat 26, 1971, at 10:30 a.m.
Each member is requested to be present. If you are unable to be present, pleasj sign the proxy below and return to me, Box 158, Ayden, North Carolina. The pro>( will be used only if you are unable to be present.
Yours in Christian service, HUBERT BURRESS, Secretary-Treasurer Church Finance Association, Inc.
mm
appoint $. A SrnHh, president;
treasurer; or - ■■ ^M+w jmM
anntlaj meeting of the Chureh-f irtance /A^dck^r>,:'.^.^-:'iB^U^y'^ ;StiO130-a.ml, at:the"Ayden, Horf h; Cardliria, Free Will- Baptt
Signed-.-.
ll .111,1 Lfcn.iV
FRO; Will
"\ i iMMIt biiIi mi ii
irst Century Ethics or a Twentieth- lentury World
I E are the salt of the earth: ... the
| light of the world " (Matthew 5:
3, 14). Jesus used these words to de- cribe the relationship His disciples were o have to mankind. Indeed these words escribe not only what was expected of ie original twelve who walked the dus- y roads of Palestine during the first entury, but should characterize the life if the twentieth century believer as well. Realizing that in order for His disciples
0 make such an impact on society, they nust first receive instruction on how to ive "the good life," the Scripture tells is that ". . . he opened his mouth, and aught them, saying" (Matthew 5:2). \nd so in the Sermon on the Mount the naster Teacher himself set forth a code if ethics by which His followers were to >attern their lives. One could preach
1 series of sermons comprising many lours of study on these three great chap- ers of Matthew's Gospel, but perhaps he entire sermon can be summarized in Matthew 5:43-47.
Today we hear a great deal about hought patterns, behavior patterns, etc.; >ut in this pertinent passage the young Salilean is setting forth love patterns— lot always logical by man's standard— )ut binding and relevant by God's stand- ird. He speaks of love as the motivat- ng force in the life of the Christian, of oving not only friend and family, but )ne's enemies as well. This is the type )f passage that makes one squirm when le realizes the full impact of what is Deing said. It makes us feel a good deal ike the young man who, although his ife was not consistent with the Christian life, went to church every Sunday never- meiess. The minister being aware of me man's shortcomings would hammer away at his sins Sunday after Sunday. M the conclusion of each service the
young man would greet the minister with a handshake, a smile, and these words: "You sure told them about it today, Preacher." Finally, on a cold, icy, De- cember day the minister approached the pulpit to find only this young man pres- ent for the service. Believing this to be a God-given opportunity to point out to this fellow the error of his way, the minister refused to call off the service and insisted on preaching as usual. Again he used a sermon aimed at calling this man's attention to his sins. At the con- clusion of the service the young man greeted his pastor with a smile, a hand- shake, and these words: "You sure told them about it today, Preacher,- it's a
by
MISS MARICE DeBRUHL Saint Mary's Free Will Baptist Church New Bern, North Carolina
shame they weren't here to hear it." As the young man in this story convinced himself that the minister was talking to someone else, we would like to believe that Jesus on this occasion was talking only to His disciples of the first century. But the thing that should be first and foremost in our minds when we read these words, "Love your enemies," is that this means me. You and I as mem- bers of the "Now Generation" must love as Jesus loved, not only the lovable but the unlovable as well.
What Kind of Love Was Jesus Speaking of?
There are many kinds of love, and the Greek language contains four different words for love. Unfortunately, in the English language we must use the same
word to describe the feelings of a movie actress for her fifth husband that we would use to describe the emotions of a mother for her child, or the feelings which caused a loving God to give the life of His sinless Son for the sins of mankind. In this passage the Greek word "agape" is used. The real mean- ing of agape is unconquerable benevo- lence and invincible goodwill. Another definition describes this type of love as an attitude of unbreakable goodwill. If we regard a person with agape love, it means that no matter what that person does to us, no matter how he treats us, no matter if he insults us or injures us or grieves us, we will never allow any bitterness against him to invade our hearts; but we will regard him with that attitude of unbreakable goodwill which will seek nothing but his highest good. Let us remember that Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way that we love our friends. The very word is different. To love our enemies in the same way that we love our friends would neither be possible or right. In the case of loving our family and friends it is love born of the heart. But in the case of our enemies it is not only some- thing of the heart but of the will as well. I believe the type of love Christ is speaking of here must be cultivated, or worked at, and comes about as the result of discipline on the part of the believer. It allows for the dislikes we may feel for individuals and their ways. It calls forth from the Christian something more stable than "feeling" and puts love in the realm of attitude, which in one way or another expresses itself through ac- tion. At any rate, "It takes a great deal of doing to love some people."
We must, however, practice this type of love in our daily living. Perhaps it is easy to sit back at home, surrounded by friends and family, and read this pas- sage,- maybe even convincing ourselves that we love to such a degree. But what happens when we get out there where the people are? What about those peo- ple whom we work beside hour after hour, week after week, year after year? How many of them would we have chos- en as friends or associates had the choice been ours? I read recently that a per- son could consider himself fortunate in- deed if during the course of his work day he was associated with one person whom he could admire and respect very deeply. And so more often than not, we go about our daily routine surround- ed by those toward whom we are either (continued on page fifteen)
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
5
of
DENOMINATIONAL INTEREST
Youth Choir and Children's Choir Entertain Senior Citizens
—Special Music, Stoney Creek Yot Choir
—Message, the Rev. Earl Glenn —A Challenge to Serve —Hymn of Dedication, Stoney Cn
Church Youth Choir —Benediction
Friday Morning, January 22
10:00— Congregational Hymn —Prayer
—Welcome and Announcements —Special Music —Message, the Rev. Charles CrU —Congregational Hymn —Special Music
—Message, the Rev. C. L. Patrick —Congregational Hymn —Special Music
-Now What? the Rev. C. F. Bow
■ I
¥ i
The Youth Choir and the Children's Choir of Marsh Swamp Free Will Baptist Church, Sims, North Carolina, entertained the senior citizens of the church and community with a musical program on Sunday, December 6, at 3 p.m. Donald Boykin acted as master of ceremonies.
Following the program, the guests were invited into the educational build- ing where they were served old-fashion- ed cake and coffee. There were approxi- mately forty senior citizens who attend- ed.
Coming Events
January 16— Free Will Baptist High School Day, Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, North Carolina
January 21, 22— North Carolina Minis- terial Association's Midyear Spiritual Life Conference, Trent Church, Orien- tal, North Carolina
January 26— Church Finance Association, Inc., Ayden Church, Ayden, North Carolina
Mrs. R. H. Jackson is director of the choirs, and Mrs. Jane Boykin is pianist.
N. C. Ministerial Association's Semiannual Conference
The North Carolina Ministerial Asso- ciation's Semiannual Spiritual Life Con- ference will convene Thursday and Fri- day, January 21, 22, 1971, with the Trent Free Will Baptist Church, Oriental, North Carolina. The president, the Rev. David C. Hansley, will preside, with the Rev. Wayne West as music director. The theme for the conference will be "A Call to Evangelism," with Scripture taken from Isaiah 6. The program is as fol- lows:
Thursday Evening, January 21
6:30— Banquet, Oriental Marina Restau- rant
8:00— Service, Trent Church
—Songs of Inspiration, Stoney Creek
Youth Choir —President's Remarks, the Rev.
David C. Hansley —Presentation of "Minister of the
Year" Award
Cragmont Treasurer's Report, December, 1970
Mrs. Fountain Taylor, treasurer Cragmont Assembly, Inc., Black Moii tain, North Carolina, reports as folio for the month of December, 1970:
Balance November 30, 1970 $10,272.
Receipts Churches $489.86 Sunday Schools 10.00 Sunday School Conven- tions 17.00 Auxiliaries 134.00 Leagues 30.00 Unions 77.01
Total Receipts
Total to Account For
Disbursements Operating Expenses $ 48.15
757.'; $11,030.
208.00
Insurance
Total Disbursements
Balance December 31, 1970 On Savings
Grand Total
256.
$10,774. 2,171.
$12,945..
First Church, Plymouth To Have Revival Services
The Rev. William (Bill) Dale will the guest evangelist for revival servic January 18-24 at the First Free Will Ba tist Church located on Highway 64 Wej Plymouth, North Carolina. Mr. Dal who is pastor of Spring Hill Free W Baptist Church, Goldsboro, North Car lina, will be assisted in the services I the pastor, the Rev. Charles W. Sugg
The services will begin each evenir at 7:30 and will feature special musi A cordial invitation is extended ever one to attend these services. The pa tor and the church membership reque: your prayers for the success of the r vival.
6
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS
MOUNT OLIVE. NORTH CAROLINA
Birthday Celebration Held at College
Mount Olive College celebrated its :neteenth birthday recently in a special irvice held in the College's chapel-audi- irium. James B. Hunt Jr., a Wilson, orth Carolina, attorney, spoke to an jdience which included students, Col- ge personnel, members of the board of ustees, members of the Mount Olive allege Area Foundation, and other lends of the College.
The importance of determining the leaning of life, learning to live a mean- igful life, and learning to love each mer as human beings were stressed by Ir. Hunt. He emphasized the fact that le purpose of a college education is lore than just studying and preparing >r a livelihood. He urged students to edicate their life now and in the fu- jre to making a better world, to apply- ig moral principles to everyday actions, nd to living and providing positive lead- rship.
The young attorney, church, civic, and olitical leader praised Mount Olive Col- ;ge for its progress and paid tribute to resident W. Burkette Raper as one of he finest college presidents in America.
He said that Mount Olive College was founded on the faith and confidence of people who believed in and dedicated themselves to the need for Christian higher education.
It was especially appropriate for Mr. Hunt to be guest speaker at the College's birthday celebration since it was at Marsh Swamp Free Will Baptist Church, Sims, North Carolina, Hunt's home church, that the decision was made by the State Convention to move the Col- lege from Black Mountain to Mount Olive, North Carolina.
The College was chartered on Novem- ber 27, 1951, and began its first colle- giate year in September of 1954. The College has grown from a student body of 22 students to approximately 350 students. The assets of the College have increased from less than $10 to over $2,000,000.
President Raper presided at the Founders' Day service. The program also included selections by the College chorus under the direction of Mrs. Viola Hilton. The Rev. Sheldon Howard and Dr. Mi- chael Pelt were also participants on the program.
Mount Olive College Founders' Day Prayer
DECEMBER 17, 1970 (Given by Dr. Michael R. Pelt)
Our Father in heaven, we pause in these moments together to offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanks- giving for light that has come into the world to guide and enlighten all men in their search for truth and understanding, for thou art the inspiration behind our noblest dreams and our highest hopes for all mankind.
We ask thee with thy gracious favor to look upon our college on this anni- versary of its founding and grant that knowledge may be increased among us and good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who serve here as teachers, ad- ministrators, and staff, that together we may provide a setting in which personal growth and sound learning can take place. Grant to those who come to study here a vision of their highest possibili- ties, together with the humility and openness required of those who would gain true wisdom and insight into the great mysteries of life.
We remember with deep gratitude all those who helped to launch this college almost two decades ago. We acknowl- edge gratefully their concern to provide for a college that would serve both the church and the needs of young people who desire a unique kind of educational experience. And we thank thee for the many thousands of men and women of faith who have given unselfishly to assist us in achieving the goals we have set for ourselves— goals which the founders could see but dimly.
Now, as we face the years ahead, we look to thee for wisdom and continuing guidance. Give us patience as we con- front the problems of keeping a college afloat in these difficult times and guide us as we chart the course that lies ahead in uncertain waters. Be thou the pilot of our craft and grant that even the most adverse winds may not drive us from our course. Equip us everyone for our sev- eral tasks and may our service to this college be acceptable to thee and our finest reward thy words, "Well done." We pray in the name of Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Worship is to Christian living what the mainspring is to the watch.— L. R. Axelson.
HE FREE WILL BAPTIST
7
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 God's Chart Scripture Reading— Deuteronomy 13:11 The Bible is God's chart for you to steer by, to keep you from the bottom of the sea, to show you where the harbor is and how to reach it without running on rocks or bars. If you have been reading it to gratify curiosity; or to see if you could catch a Universalist; or to find a knife with which to cut up a Unitarian; or for the purpose of setting up or taking down a bishop; or to establish or overthrow any sect— if you have been reading it so, then stop. It is God's medicine book. You are sick. You are mortally struck through with disease. There is no human remedy for your trouble. But here is God's medicine, book. If you read it for life, for growth in righteousness, then blessed is your reading; but if you read it for disputation and dia- lectical ingenuities, it is no more to you than Bacon's "Novum Organum" would be. 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought The Bible is everybody's best road map. No matter what your need might be, you can receive guidance and comfort in God's Holy Word.
MONDAY, JANUARY 18 Our Main Business Scripture Reading— 1 Corinthians 2:1 The modern drugstore is one of the most interesting businesses in any city, with its services ranging from ice-cream sodas to tools for the "do-it-yourself" enthusiasts. Drugstores have greeting cards, candy, cos- metics, Christmas-tree lights, toys, picnic supplies, TV tubes, games, electrical ap- pliances, laundry and household supplies; and in St. Louis, a drugstore once adver- tised live puppies, cats, and parakeets for sale! Then, tucked away in one small cor- ner of the drugstore is often a little counter surrounded by crowded shelves, whence comes faint shuttlings back and forth of someone filling prescriptions. If the Christ- mas-tree trimmings were not seasonally re- moved, no one would see the sign: "Pre- scriptions filled accurately and promptly."
Now, let us not criticize modern drug- stores; frankly, they are fascinating! We
see in them, however, a parable of the church. It is sometimes hard to determine the church's main business. The church's main business is to preach. The parting word of Christ to His disciples was, "Go, preach." And the church, Luke tells us, "went everywhere preaching the gospel." As Christians, entrusted with the saving message, we must rise to new and keener appreciation that much the church can do is good; but its main business is to com- municate the gospel, and in so doing, save men. Brethren, we are in the "soul busi- ness"—let us keep our main job in sharp focus! — 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought Our main business in the church is to try to win souls to Christ and to spread the gospel. Is your church in the soul-sav- ing business?
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 Not a Tranquilizer Scripture Reading— Psalm 111:1 Too large a segment of society, including too many church members, regards the gos- pel as a tranquilizer, a sedative to cushion the bumps of life. In a day of shortcuts, labor-saving devices, automation, and the push button, we want our religion in cap- sule form. The less it demands, the more we like it. The less it disturbs, the more adequate we consider it to be. If it is convenient, then it is good. If it can be covered by a check without other require- ments, it is acceptable.
The church is in danger of becoming a body of flabby softies. We find ourselves compromising when we should be contend- ing. We temporize with sin when we should be tearing it apart. Instead of ac- cepting the status quo, we should be blaz- ing new trails. The gospel is a stimulant, not a sedative. It drives and projects rath- er than shelters those who accept it. Never since our Lord set forth the principles of His kingdom has the gospel been needed so much as just now. We need to be militant, urgent, almost fanatical in our projection of the claims of Christ. Cer- tainly we do not need a tranquilizer.— 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought Are we, as church members, asleep as far as the functions of the church are con- cerned? It is time we wake up and become busy for the Lord!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 Hands
Scripture Reading— Proverbs 29:3
These hands are shaped as God's and so Let them be careful what they do. Let them be quick to lift the weak; Let them be kind as they are strong. Let them defend the silent meek Against the many-languaged wrong. These hands are shaped as God's. Take care They catch the sparrow hurled from air, Lest God look down from heaven and see
What things are wrought "beneath the st
By us, His images, and be
Ashamed of what His hands have done, f —Sara Henderson Hay, 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought We should all use our hands in a wt that is pleasing to God. Remember o\ hands are God's hands.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 Where His Home Was Scripture Reading— Proverbs 15:19 A poor widow, taken ill with an incu able disease, was received into an infirmar Kind friends took her little boy to live wit, them, and he was treated in every way as he were their own child. One day, ho\ ever, he was asked by an acquaintam where his home was. "I live at so-and-so; he replied, "but my home is where Moth is."— Knight's Master Book, Eerdmans Pui lishing Company.
Prayer Thought If we live for God and accept Him our Saviour our home will surely be i heaven with Him.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 Different Hands Scripture Reading— Psalm 97:10 The Rev. Ira Gillett, missionary in Po, tugese East Africa, tells the story of ; group of natives who had made a lot'; journey and walked past a governm© hospital to come to the mission hospital f treatment. When asked why they hi walked the extra distance to reach the mil sion hospital when the same medicines we available at the government institution they replied, "The medicines may be tl| same, but the hands are different!" Knight's Master Book, Eerdmans Publishii Company.
Prayer Thought Certainly hands are different, and ham guided by God are more effective thi those performing only on command.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 Two Suns Scripture Reading— Psalm 27:1 A man scoffingly asked, "What advai tage has a religious man over anyone lili myself? Does not the sun shine on me J on him, this fine day?" "Yes," replied |1 companion, "but the religious man has tvj suns shining on him at once— one on h body, the other on his soul."— Knight's Ma\
ter Book, Eerdmans Publishing Company1
I
Prayer Thought When we have the love of God in 01 hearts the glow within us is as bright ar warming as the sun that shines upon us.
If a man's religion won't take him I church, it is doubtful that it will tat him to heaven.— Selected.
8
THE FREE WILL BAPTIJ
A SHORTAGE
OF TUNERS
by Vernon K. McLellan
1 HE United States is confronted with a 1 1 serious shortage— of piano tuners. Tne Piano Technicians Guild, Inc., which us to tuners what the American Medical Association is to doctors, reported re- cently that "we have only four thousand [fully qualified tuners for twelve million pianos— and 60 or 70 percent are un- tuned.
"When a tuner thinks of millions of pianos souring the air with clinkers (off- key notes), he feels like a missionary in a jungle infested with unwashed, un- friendly unbelievers."
The guild says the profession, which takes years to learn, has top pay of about ten thousand dollars a year. This salary is not attracting new blood. The guild's executive secretary, who has had over fifty years of tuning experience, says, "No one, except a doctor or min- ister, is closer to the family than a tuner— if he's the man he's supposed to be."
"This is serious business," he admon- ished. "A tinny piano puts a family on edge. A good tuner is a friend of the family."
People are a lot like pianos. It is clearly evident that millions of men and women across our nation are out of tune with Jesus Christ. The savage surge of crime would bear this out. The tragic trail of divorce, the insidious increase of immorality, and the unfortunate up- swing in mental disorders and other ills are all indications that God's Son is not the One around whom many lives are re- volving. He is unknown, unwanted, or unnecessary to many.
The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:18 (Amplified New Testament): "But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation— that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him."
Could it be possible that the rising din of discord in so many areas of life is due to the lack of "tuners"— born-again, Spirit-filled representatives of Jesus Christ? Have these commissioned fol- lowers of the Saviour lost their zeal and enthusiasm to introduce out-of-tune men and women to the heavenly Father,
whose ability to rearrange lives can be supported by scores of witnesses?
". . . he that winneth souls is wise" the Bible says in Proverbs 11:30. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6). "Breth- ren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him,- Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19, 20).
Are you enjoying the incalculable bless- ings associated with witnessing and win- ning souls to Christ? Are you laying up treasure in heaven— investing for etern- ity? Are you faithfully presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed in such a way that others are benefiting from the symphony of praise flowing from your life?
If not, seek the Lord earnestly until your primary concern is to lead others to Christ. Then, learn the simple plan of salvation so that you can present it clearly and convincingly. Lastly, ". . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16: 15). Do your part to remedy the short- age of spiritual "tuners."— Gospel Herald.
Asking for Judgment
Rock festivals have been held all across this country from Woodstock, New York, to Altamont, California, with interme- diate points such as Powder Ridge at Middlefield, Connecticut, Love Valley, North Carolina, and Livingstone Parish, Louisiana. Nothing seems to be going right with them lately. The one at Grant Park in Chicago ended in a riot. The one held at Altamont, California, ended in a free-for-all in which one man was stabbed to death. At Powder Ridge the townsfolk and local authorities mov- ed in to choke it off. The promoters went ahead anyway— trampling a court order under foot. Finally the electricity was turned off and with no electricity, no amplifiers; and no amplifiers, no rock.
At Powder Ridge, the local people with a sense of decency, would not allow the goings-on. There was plenty of nar- cotics and alcohol, and they were swim- ming naked. One onlooker said, "Sodom and Gomorrah got nothing on them."
We marvel at the patience of Almighty God. Such goings-on is certain to bring God's judgment down.— Christain Victory Magazine.
WE BELIEVE:
1. That there is only one God who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Righteous Governor of the Universe; that His eternal existence is in three per- sons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that all three are equal, but distinct persons. They are the divine Trinity.
2. That Jesus Christ is the only begot- ten Son of God; that He was born of the Virgin Mary; that He died for man's re- demption; that He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as our intercessor.
3. That both, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the infallible rule of faith and practice.
4. That man was created Innocent, but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation and stands guilty be- fore God and separate from Him.
5. That it Is the privilege of all men to be saved; that God desires the salva- tion of all; that the gospel Invites every- one; that the Holy Spirit strives with all, and whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely.
6. That the human will Is free ami self-controlled; that It is possible for a person who has been saved by divine grace to make shipwreck of his faith and become lost. The person (believer) who through grace perseveres unto the end of life has promise of eternal salvation.
7. That sanctificatlon is initial at re- generation and continues progressively through the Christian experience, becom- ing final and complete in heaven.
8. That there are three gospel ordi- nances to be perpetuated under the gos- pel teaching: baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and washing of the saints' feet.
9. That tithing is God's financial plan for supporting the work of the church here on earth.
10. That our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who ascended on high, and sits at the right hand of God, will come again; that there will be a resurrection of all men, each In its own order; that they which are saved will come forth to the resurrection of life, and they which are lost unto the resurrection of damnation; that the wicked will "go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." This is the final judg- ment.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
9
SCRIPTURE CAKE
by James L. Harfe
3V2 cups of 1 Kings 4:22 (flour)
V2 cup of Judges 5:25 (butter)
2 cups of Jeremiah 6:20 (sugar)
2 cups of 1 Samuel 30:12 (raisins)
2 cups of Nahum 3:12 (figs)
2 cups of Numbers 17:8 (almonds)
V2 cup of Judges 4:19 (milk)
2 tablespoons of 1 Samuel 14:25 (honey)
2 teaspoons of Amos 4:5 (leaven or yeast)
Season to taste with 2 Chronicles 9:1 (spices— we suggest half a teaspoon of nutmeg and one teaspoon of cinnamon). Add a pinch of Leviticus 2:13 (salt). Add Jeremiah 17:11 six times (eggs). Apply Solomon's advice for making a good boy, "Beat him with a rod" (Proverbs 23:14), to the batter and you will have a good cake.
Mother's recipe went like this: Dredge fruits and nuts in a fourth of a cup flour. Dissolve one cake or envelope yeast in a little milk. Cream the butter, add sugar, and beat until light and flufffy. Beat in the six eggs one at a time. Now add dissolved yeast and sifted dry ingre- dients alternately with milk and honey. Stir fruits and nuts into batter, and pour batter into greased (today foil-lined can be used) pan and let rise. When risen, bake in slow over at 225 degrees until done.
Although the family has shared prayer before the meal, another word of thanks to a beneficent God is not amiss before forks are stuck into this delicious des- sert. May all who partake be ever mind- ful of His bounty-Gospel Herald.
NOTE OF THANKS
Thank you, all the many churches and auxiliaries who so generously remember- ed me with cards and gifts at Christmas- time. I want to say a thank you with love from the bottom of my heart also to the board of superannuation for their remembrance.
I wish I could thank you all individual- ly, but I cannot; so I shall try to convey my appreciation in this manner. May God bless each one abundantly. May the new year be the best ever and bring peace to the world. May you receive many blessings for your thoughtfulness. Remember me in your prayers. Sincerely, Mrs. Duffy Toler 131 North Eastern Street Greenville, North Carolina 27834
m © v 5 e §
Sunday Schools of Second Union. Contra!
Fleas* have your secreafry sand tha current names and addresses of your pas- tor, Sunday school superintendent, and Sunday school secretary to the secretary of the Sunday School Convention of tha Second Union of the Central Conference, Mrs. Jane C. Tripp, Route 1, Box 245, Greenville, North Carolina 27834.
Please send this Information before January 31, the time of t**# next conven- tion.
33 CB 3S 3B6 3SP
Attention Leaguers
The State League Convention will meet March 13, 1971. All those interested in competing In the State Sword Drill Contest, between the ages of 9-12, are asked to contact Deborah Hlnes King at Route 2, Pink Hill, North Carolina 28572. A trip to Cragmont will be awarded the winner, and the runner-up will have one half of his expenses paid.
Messages From Pike j Reported by Widow j
Mrs. Diane Kennedy Pike, widow ot the Right Rev. James A. Pike, resignec bishop of the Episcopal Church, diocese of California, says that she has receivec messages from her dead husband. In an interview she said, "I have been giver a number of messages from him aboul the meaning of his experience in the wil- derness, his death, my continuing exist; ence after he died, and the nature of our relationship in this new dimension."
It will be recalled that Bishop Pike be- came interested in the occult after his 20-year-old son committed suicide in 1966. He later said that he had been i| touch with his dead son. Now, hisj widow is listening to the "peepings andj mutterings" of familiar spirits (Isaiah 8:; 1 9).— Christian Victory Magazine.
NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING AIDS FOR 1971
STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY (Edited by James I. Fehl. Eight large pages
of helps for each lesson and a verse-by-verse explanation of the text.) $3.25
TARBELL'S TEACHER'S GUIDE (Edited by Frank S. Mead. Sparkling illustrations
and practical teaching suggestions for youth and adults.) $3.95
THE DOUGLASS SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS (Edited by Earl L. Douglass. Features
practical suggestions for making class discussions more vivid.) $2.95
HIGLEY COMMENTARY (Edited by Knute Larson. Each verse is looked at indi- vidually and Pump Primer questions are included.) $3.9f
PELOUBET'S SELECT NOTES (By Wilbur M. Smith. Lesson plans and outlines plus
"The Seven Laws of Teaching" by John M. Gregory.) $3.9£
Paperback $2.9f
BROADMAN COMMENTS (By Donald Ackland and others. A practical, specific,
easy-to-use teaching plan for each lesson.) $2.9f
[POINTS FOR EMPHASIS (By Clifton J. Allen. A pocket commentary which explains
the lesson and presents truths to live by.) $ .9f
Additional Aids Especially for First Quarter— Parables
of Jesus
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW by G. Campbell Morgan $5.5(
THE STUDY OF THE PARABLES by Ada R. Habershon $4.5(
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLES by Neil R. Lightfoot $3.5(
PARABLES OF JESUS (Adult teacher's guide published by Gospel Light) $ .9(
AND JESUS SAID: A HANDBOOK ON THE PARABLES OF JESUS by William Barclay-
(price not sef
10
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS1
BIBLE
Conducted by J. P. BARROW
Question: Where did the colored race originate?
Answer: All human beings, which of course includes all the races of people on the earth, are descendants of Noah- he and his family, which included Noah, his wife, Shem and his wife, Ham and his wife, and Japheth and his wife. All other human beings, together with all creatures that could not survive the uni- versal flood that God brought as a judg- ment upon the whole earth, except a pair each of the unclean and seven each of the clean creatures, were destroyed in the flood that covered the whole earth. These two, each of unclean and seven each of the clean, were preserved with Noah and his family in the ark that took Noah 120 years to build. This would clearly indicate that the above mentioned race was a descendant of Noah.
"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it griev- ed him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air,- for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah
found grace in the eyes of the LORD
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. . . . And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven,- and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee,- they shall
Questions^ &
Answers
be male and female" (Genesis 6:6-8, 13, 14, 17-19).
"And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female,- to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth .... And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. . . . And the waters pre- vailed exceedingly upon the earth,- and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all the flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genesis 7:1-3, 7, 19-21).
"And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every liv- ing thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: Every beast, every creep- ing thing, and every fowl, and whatso- ever creepeth upon the earth, and their kinds, went forth out of the ark" (Gene- sis 8:15-19); "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful,
and multiply, and replenish the earth
And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply: and bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. . . . And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was
the whole earth overspread" (Genesis 9: 1, 7, 18, 19).
The following is to be found on Page 33 of Sandison's 1000 Difficult Bible Questions Answered:
"Noah and his family being all that were saved from the Flood (Genesis 6: 17), the colored race must have originat- ed in this family. Noah had a son named Ham. The name Ham signifies swarthy or sunburnt and Noah's youngest son un- doubtedly so named prophetically as the progenitor of the sunburnt Egyptians and Cushites and all the darkskinned servile races who are today designated sons of Ham. Ham was married when the De- luge occurred and with his wife and four sons, Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan, were saved from general destruction. It is a notable fact that Noah did not curse Ham for his offense (see Genesis 9:25), but he cursed Canaan, the youngest son of Ham, and prayed that he might be the slave of Shem and Japheth and their descendants. The punishment involved in the curse was perpetual servitude."
There are to be found all kinds of answers in several kinds of literature to this question, but except that which we read in the Bible, I know no valid an- swer. God, and perhaps He alone, knows all the detailed answers as to why the skin of the various races of people varies in color as we know to be a fact in this' day. Many have attributed environment conditions, such as climate and food, as being partial or completely responsible for the various colors of the skin of races,- but many authorities, wholly or partially, disqualify any such suggestion.
Jesus grew up, lived, taught, and was crucified and resurrected in what we might term the center of many cultures and colors of the skin of the different people of His day,- but nothing of sig- nificance, that I know of, is to be found on record that He said which might help us to either understand when or why this difference in the color of various races' skin began. It would seem that other descendants of Ham, other than Canaan who was cursed, are darkskin- ned.
A room of quiet, a temple of peace, The home of faith where doubtings cease,- A house of comfort where hope is given, A source of strength to make earth heav- en,-
A shine of worship, a place to pray— I found all this in my church today.
—Author Unknown.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
11
S TORIES
for our youth
THE BIG CATCH
ELSIE MILLER GESNER
mUZZY DANIELS whistled as he took a fish off his line and put it in his bucket. He had followed a hunch and had set up his bright red fish hut in the cove. This spot was not far from the old logging road, and it was away from the other fish huts at the far end of the lake. One faded yellow hut now stood within shouting distance of his own hut. As he looked, Randy Nelson rushed from the yellow hut to tend a line through the ice.
"He deserves a break," Muzzy mut- tered, "but I sure wish he hadn't come."
Randy was not really as stuck-up as Muzzy had thought; he was only lonely. He was the son of the bank president. His mother had her own TV program, and she went into the city everyday for this purpose. As a result, Randy was often left alone with the hired help. Muzzy had invited him to attend church last summer, and within a few weeks Randy had accepted Christ as his per- sonal Saviour. When Muzzy was first aware of Randy's loneliness, he felt he had to do something to help him.
One day last week Muzzy said, "Hey, Randy, are you going ice fishing? The lake is frozen now."
Randy shook his head slowly. "I— I guess not. I don't know the first thing about ice fishing."
"Well, why don't you come with me? I'll show you," Muzzy offered.
Slowly Randy shook his head again. "I— I don't believe my dad would allow me to go. He told me the lake is too deep and dangerous."
"But it isn't now. The ice is a foot thick. I could find some extra equip- ment for you. Dad and I set up our hut last week, and it's all ready for Satur- day. Why don't you ask your dad if you can come along?" urged Muzzy.
"I'll see," was the only answer Randy gave.
On Friday Muzzy saw the poster in the sporting goods store window. The tight knot of boys around the window was his gang. Excitedly they hailed him.
"Hey, look, Muzzy! Are you going to enter the ice fishing contest for the big- gest salmon? There's a class for ten to twelve-year-olds."
Muzzy read the poster rapidly, then nodded. "I sure ami" His head was whirling with the list of tempting prizes. At the first opportunity he told Randy about the contest.
There was a mysterious glint in Ran- dy's eyes. "Maybe I'll see you out there," he responded.
When Muzzy reached the lake, he look- ed across the ice and saw a lone figure struggling to put up a yellow hut. He could tell at a glance that it was Randy. After Muzzy had set his lines, he walked across the ice to see Randy.
"Whose hut do you have?" Muzzy ask- ed.
"It's Mr. Olson's hut. He's so crip- pled with arthritis this year that he can't come out here. I borrowed his hut and some of his gear, and his brother brought it out here for me," Randy explained.
"I'll help you put it up, but why don't you want to fish from my hut?" Muzzy asked. He felt a little hurt.
Randy stopped his work. "Don't you see, Muzzy? I've got to do this by my- self. My parents said I couldn't come, but I came anyway. I've got to prove to them that I'm big enough. I want to do it by myself, just this once. I'm going to work as hard as anyone in that con-
test. But I'd like to win just to hav something I earned by myself instead | having it given to me." There was ui gency in Randy's voice.
Muzzy's heart fell. He had wante Randy to come out here, but not wit! out his dad's permission. Randy was Christian now, but how would he eve make his dad believe it if he disobey ed?
Muzzy walked back to his own hu The fish were biting, and he pulled in few, but nothing he could enter in a cor test. When he felt a large, wet snov flake on his face, he looked up. Flake, began to fall faster. In minutes it wa snowing hard. Hastily he packed up hii gear. He would have to get over to th road before the storm became worse. Hi knew the dangers of being lost in snowstorm out on the ice. He remen bered Randy, but when he turned t' look, the storm had already closed in.
"Well, Randy ought to know enougi to get to the nearest shore and find th road before the snow is too deep. It';i not my fault that he sneaked out here!' Muzzy muttered.
But Muzzy could not forget it thai easily as he later sipped hot chocolat* at home. Being curious, he dialed thl! Nelson home. Joe, the hired man, ar swered. Randy was not at home. Jo! thought that he was at the library. Muj zy's heart was pounding as he hung ui the receiver.
Would Randy stay in the hut, anj would he have enough firewood to keel warm? Or had he set out for home an lost his way on the ice? Muzzy won, dered. He breathed a quick prayer fo help,- then he went into the den to te his father.
"Randy's hut is straight out fror Crow Point," Muzzy said as the ca moved slowly along the icy road. H had begged to make the trip with hi father because he knew the location of Randy's hut. Mr. Nelson and Joe wen also on their way.
Mr. Daniels and Muzzy were the first ones to reach the lake. They venture! out onto the ice. With the aid of compass, they found the hut with littl trouble. Randy was warm and cozy ir side, but he looked very unhappy. H held up a large salmon nearly thirt inches long.
"Here, Muzzy. You take it. I don' want it. I'm sorry I disobeyed my dac I told God I was sorry, too. When I sa\ the storm coming, I got scared. I knev it would be awfully easy to get lost i (continued on page fifteen)
12
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS
\ttention Local A/A Presidents of astern District
Once again it is time for you to nomi- ate the "Free Will Baptist Woman of ie Year" in your local auxiliary. This s a wonderful way of honoring one who as rendered outstanding Christian ser- ice. The year went by quickly, and I eel sure that you have been busy in the ord's work and perhaps have already aken care of this item locally; but if ou have not, I want to urge you to get D work on it.
The following criteria will be used to etermine recipients of the award:
1. Active leadership and service in the ocal auxiliary and church, 50 percent;
2. General denominational work, 20 ercent;
3. Contributions to family and home, 5 percent; and
4. Other contributions, including com- nunity service, 15 percent;
The service rendered can cover as far >ack through the years as you desire.
January is designated as "Free Will taptist Woman of the Year Month" for he Eastern District, and all auxiliaries vill elect a woman most worthy and lonor her in some way in the local hurch.
Your nominations must be sent to the listrict Woman of the Year chairman, Ars. Richard J. Bryan, 516 B Street, tridgeton, North Carolina 28519, not ater than February 28. These nomina- ions will be judged by a secret panel.
There will be no registration fee— just ubmit name and write-up of qualifica- ions. The winner will receive recogni- ion at the spring convention. The con- ention will give a gift of money alter- lately to Mount Olive College and the Children's Home in her honor.
1 shall be hoping to hear from oil aux- liaries in our district.
XL -jMii JfcfcUMjflt
meei
LET US FILL YOUR NEEDS
FOR
BIBLES -BOOKS -GIFTS GREETING CARDS Church and Sunday School Supplies
at the
NEW BERN BOOKSTORE
213 Middle Street New Bern, North Carolina Telephone 638-6193
Store Hours:
9 a. m. — 5:30 p. m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 a. m. — 12 Noon, Wednesday
SMITHFJELD BOOKSTORE
139 West Market Street Smithfield, North Carolina Telephone 934-7149
Store Hours: 9 a. m. — 5 p. m., Monday — Friday 9 a. m. — 1 p. m., Saturday
WILSON BOOKSTORE
1106 South Goidsboro Street Wilson, North Carolina Telephone 243-4982
Store Hours: 9:30 a. m. - 5:30 p. m., Monday — Saturday
FOUNDATION BUILDING
Highway 1 1 North
his feet,
ST. CLAIRE BIBLE CLAS^) THE SUNDAY fC 7jk
SCHOOL LESSON^
GOD'S SEEKING LOVE
Lesson Text: Luke 15:11-24 Memory Verse: Luke 19:10
I. INTRODUCTION
During Christ's lifetime on earth there were many who never fully understood His deep concern for lost men, women, boys, and girls. In the first place, they did not think of themselves as lost; they felt their own righteousness. In the next place, they had imagined that Jesus' real purpose for coming was to reestab- lish the ancient Davidic kingdom and set Himself up as King of the Jews. They missed entirely the real purpose of His coming as expressed by Luke: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (19:10).
In Luke 15 Jesus is trying to show His concern for the lost sheep of Israel. In this chapter He uses three parables to point up that concern. The first was the Parable of the Lost Sheep in which He reminds them that He is the good Shep- herd. The second was the Parable of the Lost Coin with pretty much the same ap- plication. In both parables His hearers are reminded of the great joy in heaven over a sinner who repents.
The third parable is the best one of all. Here we have the tenderest story our Lord ever told, the story of the lost son. It is a story which all of us know so well for we have heard it told and preached on so many times. But it is a story that never grows old and never loses its charming appeal and tender pathos. Today's lesson, fortunately for us, is taken from the story of the prodi- gal son.— The Advanced Quarterly (F.W.B.).
II. HINTS THAT HELP
A. The privilege of a son is to come to his father to have needs supplied (Luke 15:11, 12; cf. Philippians 4:19).
B. One of the lessons that many young people must learn painfully is that it is
necessary to work for a living (Luke 15: 13, 14; cf. Proverbs 6:6-8).
C. It is better to willingly learn hu- mility in good circumstances than to have to learn it with pigs (Luke 15:15, 16).
D. A sinner begins to show signs of good sense when he sees that others are better off than he is materially (v. 17).
E. Following the sinner's realization of need, his next step is to come to a de- cision to do something about it (vv. 18, 19).
F. Fathers love their children, but some children are slow to perceive this (Luke 15:20,- Psalm 103=13).
G. Confession of sin is the first step in restoration of fellowship (Luke 15:21, 22; 1 John 1:9).
H. There is always great rejoicing in heaven when a soul comes to the Lord (Luke 15:23, 24; cf. v. 7).
—John Danilson.
III. ADDITIONAL TRUTHS
A. Work clothes are likely to get ex- tremely dirty. We wonder when we throw them into the washer whether they'll ever be clean again. Yet less than an hour later, there they are, clean and fresh again, hanging on the line. The spots are gone; the dirt washed away.
Lives are something like clothes. In this world we constantly brush against evil, getting spots and stains on our lives. It is wonderful to realize that we can get rid of these spots and stains. God will forgive us and take them away, if we are truly sorry for our mistakes. Of course, the washing of clothes never gets done if we don't make an effort to do it. If we put it off, the dirt gets more deeply embedded. Then it's hard- er than ever to get it out. The sin in our lives won't wash out by itself either. We have to make the effort to get rid of it. And the longer we put off doing it, the more deeply embedded that sin becomes.
Repentance is the work God requires of us before, in His loving way, He takes away our sins. We must be truly sorry
for our sins and resolve never to com-' mit them again. Assured of our repent-/ ance, God will forgive our sins, leaving our lives clean and pure once more. We must come to Him, saying, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee" (Luke 15:18). Then He will wash us clean. "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him" (Psalm 103: 11).— Standard Commentary.
B. Some years ago my husband was conducting a series of meetings in a large country church in Virginia. He preached a sermon on the Prodigal Son, and I never saw so many young men ac- cept the Lord in one service. They did not look as if they were prodigals, but fine, clean young men. However, God had used the sermon to help them to realize their need of a Saviour. As each one came forward, his mother would give a little shout of joy. I had heard shout- ing before, but never shouting that seem- ed to well up from the joy in the heart of each mother over the son who had been lost but was found again. This was the only shouting that ever moved me to tears, and I think I saw that day a faint picture of the joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.— Selected.
C. "Among the many beautiful and touching stories told by Gipsy Smith was an account of a band of gypsies trying to cross a swollen stream. Many were swept away in the rapidly moving waters. One young man made a desperate effort to save his mother. In the struggle, he continued crying out, 'Do as I say, Mother! I can save you!' But she would not obey and was lost. Tearfully, Evan- gelist Smith told of the funeral and how the young man wept bitterly and said over and over, 'I wanted to save you, Mother. I could have saved you, but you wouldn't let me.' In this picture is the plea of God. God wants to save us, but so many will not permit Him to do so."— Illustrating the Lesson, 1967.
A Child's Sound Advice
Little Johnny, looking through a pile of dusty books in a corner, came upon a book labeled "The Holy Bible." Re- membering something he had once heard, he took it to his mother, and inquired, "Isn't this God's Book?"
"Yes," she said.
"Then let's return it," said Johnny. "We don't use it."
14
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
LEADERSHIP: The Art Of Developing People
(continued from page three)
data. Having done what he can to build the necessary fact-finding organization, and having used it to the greatest pos- sible extent; he must, nevertheless, shoulder the burden of making decisions, pushing out upon an uncharted course where lies the sense of direction given him by his judgment and experience.
The leader must be an originator. He must be an innovator. But he needs to be more: He must push plans through to successful completion, coping with the unexpected and unpredictable through originality and ingenuity applied with courage.
sa as ss sa =s
First Century Ethics For a Twentieth- Century World
(continued from page five)
irritated or indifferent. Perhaps the pressures of daily living have over- shadowed the love which God placed in our hearts and caused us to forget this great principle by which we must live. Loving our enemies is an attitude of un- breakable goodwill.
Must We Go Further?
Yes, Jesus said not only must we love our enemies, but we must pray for them as well. Perhaps this is the ingredient that will make the difference. How can we honestly and sincerely pray for an individual and remain angry or hold re- sentment against him? Let us remem- ber that when we pray for our enemies we are not doing something great and noble, but rather we are simply doing what Jesus commanded us to do. Let us be sure when we pray that our mo- tives are in line with God's. Praying for our enemies is living proof of our love.
Why Must We Love and Pray for Our Enemies?
We have seen what Jesus meant when He commanded us to have this Christian love; now we must go on to see why He demanded that we should have it. The reason is very simple— it is that such love makes a man like God. Jesus points to the fact that God ". . . maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). Therefore, if
God acts in such a manner, then we must so live. This kind of living separates the Christian from the non-Christian. What virtue is there in loving someone who loves us? We are told that even the publicans accomplish this. No, the ethics which Jesus sets forth calls for a more excellent wayl
What About Perfection?
We read in the closing verse of this passage, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is per- fect" (Matthew 5:48). Is there one of us who could even faintly connect him- self with perfection? God forbid! The Greek idea of perfection, as it is used here, means that a person is perfect when he realizes the purpose for which he was created and sent into the world. It is when man produces in his life the forgiving, sacrificial, "agape" love of God that he becomes like God, and is therefore perfect in the New Testament sense of the word. To put it at its simplest: The man who cares most for men is the most perfect man. We learn something of Christian perfection when we learn to forgive as God forgives, and to love as God loves.
Conclusion
In closing let us remember that the Sermon on the Mount represents the core of the teaching of Jesus to the inner circle of His chosen men. It has been called "A Handbook for Christians" as it sets forth ethics for citizens of the king- dom and covers such topics as anger, sex, marriage, adultery, oaths, insults, in- juries, worship (giving, praying, and fast- ing), possessions, judging others, disci- pline, and testing leaders. It is often said that this world would be perfect if only people would live according to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, but can we do it? Living this great ser- mon would, in my opinion, call for a new and deeper commitment on the part of the Christian. In studying this great discourse of Jesus, one realizes that he cannot do it alone, but must depend on the help of a greater source of power.
"Ye are the salt of the earth: ... the light of the world. . . ." This is what God intended us to be. Let us note that He did not say the light of the church or the salt of the church, but He used the words world and earth; therefore, as we have said, "Our love must extend to those outside our inner circle." I believe the following quote from "The Sound of Music" illustrates what the
Christian must do with the love God has placed in his heart:
"A bell is no bell, 'til you ring it, A song is no song, 'til you sing it, And love in your heart, wasn't put
there to stay, Love isn't love, 'til you give it away."
It is not a sin for Christians to dis- agree. But disagreement becomes a sin when it is allowed to lead to a rupture of fellowship between Christians!— Henry E. Webb.
Boys' and Girls' Stories
(continued from page twelve)
it. I'm glad you found me because my firewood's all gone. But I'm afraid to face my dad," Randy explained.
Muzzy swallowed hard with relief. "You want me to take that? That beauty? Not on your life! If you don't win the contest with that, I'll be mighty surprised."
"Come on, Randy," Mr. Daniels inter- rupted. "You did wrong, but the Lord will forgive you, and you've got to give your dad a chance to forgive you, too."
On shore Mr. Daniels and the boys found a group of anxious men getting ready to search. Mr. Nelson was also there, looking very worried. He put his arm around Randy. "Thank God you're safe! Joe told me the whole story as we drove out here, son. I guess I've been too busy with my job to be a real father to you. And if it weren't for friends like yours, who knows what might have happened to you by morn- ing."
Randy nodded. "I'm sorry, Dad. I just wanted to fish like the other fel- lows, but now I wish I hadn't." He felt miserable as he faced his dad. He had been waiting for the opportunity to tell his dad that he had accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. What would his dad think after this? Randy wondered.
"You were wrong, of course, son. But I was wrong, too," admitted his dad. "Maybe we'll get better acquainted with your friends, Randy, if your mother and I go to church with you every Sunday."
Muzzy was carrying Randy's fish. There was no doubt in his mind that Randy would win the contest. Still he suddenly knew that it would only be a matter of time before there would be "the big catch"— the catch that really counted-when Randy's parents became Christians, too.— My Pleasure.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
15
LIBRARY
DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, N . C.
COM
27703
NORTH CAROLINA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION OF ORGINAL FREE WILI
BAPTISTS
MIDYEAR SPIRITUAL LIFE CONFERENCE
TRENT FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH Oriental, North Carolina
JANUARY 21, 22, 1971
The Rev. Elbert E. Edwards, Host Pastor
(This conference is for all Original Free Will Baptist ministers and their wives. You do not have to be a member to attend.)
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Trent Church
Map
Motel Accommodations
Oriental Marina Restaurant - Motel Phone 249-4111
River Neuse Motel Phone 249-4081 Phone 249-3231
Each individual is responsible for his reservation, not the Ministerial Association.
Rates at both motels : one room, one bed, one pers on, $8 ; one room, one bed, two persons, $10 ; one room two beds, two persons, $12 ; for four additional adults, $2 each, with roll-away beds. If reservations canno' be obtained at Oriental, may we suggest the Holiday Inn, New Bern, North Carolina, which is just a thirtj minute drive from Oriental.
HARRY A. JONES, Secretary North Carolina Ministerial Association Of Original Free Will Baptists
16
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS'
9
Editorial
Cover Photo by Harold M. Larrj,
TO KILL THE CHURCH?
If you are among those people who hate the church and want it to fail, you won't have much difficulty in bringing this about. It won't take a lot of effort to shake it off its foundations. You won't have to amass a great army to attack it with might and force.
Do you really want to kill the church? If you do, you won't have to speak out against it. You won't even have to denounce its faith or its cause.
It takes less than this!
You won't have to make strong accusations against it, its practice, its principles, or its policies. You won't have to lash out at its people or its leader, even.
It's easier than that!
You won't have to censure it or call it to account. You won't have to deride it constantly or degrade its activities or its unsuccessful ven- tures. You won't have to emphasize its visible shortcomings.
It's easy as pie when you really think about it — that is, if you really want to kill the church.
This is the way to do it!
Ignore it!
Deplore it!
This is the way to destroy it! Don't attend it! Don't amend it! Or commend it! To kill the church?
Well, the strongest and surest weapon you can use against the church is your absence. Just stay away, and it will surely die!
Perhaps you are among those who don't want the church to die. Nevertheless, if you absent yourself from its services, you will become one of the contributing factors, possibly the final blow that will guar- antee its demise.
To kill the church?
True, you cannot kill the spiritual church — that church that Christ heads and of which He is the Foundation — as long as His Spirit is still here. But, you can kill the physical church — the physical assembly of believers meeting together in fellowship. And, many of you are doing this — consciously or unconsciously.
Just think: When was the last time you stayed away?
Another and more pertinent question: When was the last time you went?
Consider this : Would there be a church to attend if everybody had the same zeal as you have for its cause and employed the same faithful- ness as you do in attending its services?
To kill the church instantly might be kinder than to make it suffer slowly to a painful end. Certainly we perish the thought of its dying at all!
Yet, we wonder: Is this not happening before our eyes and in spite of our good intentions not to let it happen? What do you think?
The Free Will Baptisj
JANUARY 20, 1971 Volume 86 Numbei
Tommy Manning,' Editor
Edited and published weekly by the Free 1 Baptist Press Foundation, Inc., Highway 11 Nd Ayden, North Carolina 28513. Second-class p" age paid at Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
All materials to be placed in any issue must in the hands of the editor sir days prior to publication date of that issue.
All subscriptions are payable in advance, months, $1.75; one year, $3.00; two years, $5 four years, $10.00, plus sales tax where it app i
The contents herein do not necessarily refj the beliefs or policies of the editor or of The 1U Will Baptist. The responsibility for each aril is given the person whose name appears under j title or to the person submitting said article.
Items for publication should be addressed The Editor, The Free Will Baptist, P. O. Box 1 Ayden, North Carolina 28513.
Free Will Baptist Press Foundation, In
Walter Reynolds, Manager; Tommy Manni Editor of Literature; Leon Dunn, Treasurer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS D. W. Hansley, President; Fred A. Rivenbj Vice-President; Hubert Burress, Secretary; J. Everton, C. Felton Godwin, Robert May, Dewe) C. Boling.
THE FREE WILL BAPT
What Does God Think of Me?
IE are going to let God search us. We want to find out if possible just at He thinks of us. Our prayer will the one of the psalmist, "Search me, 3od, and know my heart; try me and jw my thoughts; and see if there be
I wicked way in me." And may He n the searchlight of His Holy Spirit >n us until we are enabled to see our- t/es as He sees us.
A/e are not trying to find out what world thinks of us. Newspapers, )ks, and gossip may give the very op- iite report of us to what God would e. They may praise while He con- nns, or they may condemn where He lises. We are not even asking the nion of our nearest and dearest ;nds. Even they may be deceived in "Man looketh on the outward ap- irance but God looketh on the heart." r only desire is to discover what God nks of us.
Ne shall someday stand face to face fh God. And then, in the sight of the ole universe, we shall be unveiled and i innermost secrets of our hearts laid ■e. The cloak that hid us from man
II not hide us from God. Is it not bet- to find out now what He thinks of and if, as He weighs us in the balance are found wanting, make up at once
lat we lack and get right with Him? And so I ask, "What does God think me?" God who searcheth the heart, He looks into mine, what does He d there? Am I well pleasing in His iht? What does He think of me?
What Does God Think of My Work?
Does He find me genuine and sincere, se from all deception, and a stranger hypocrisy? Never mind how much I jnder. The question is, Am I earnest?
Am I sincere? If my motives are right, He will overlook my mistakes. Am I loyal to Him? Do I work from my heart, or are my labors merely professional? Is there any thought of personal gain? Am I selfish? Has money any influence in my decisions or plans?
Is my work counting for God? Does my life tell for Jesus? Am I able to lead others into a life of power and victory? Can I win souls to Christ? Do I ever try? Have I spoken to anyone about his soul during the past year? Have I a mes- sage, or is my experience too shallow to mean anything to others? Do my un- saved friends know that I am a Chris- tian?
By OSWALD J. SMITH, Litt.D.
2. What Does God Think of My Social Relationships?
Have I obeyed His summons, "Come out from among them, and be ye sep- arate," and, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers"? Are the things I am doing pleasing to Him? Can He smile upon me? Is there any plea- sure that is driving Him from my heart and shutting out His presence? Is my conscience at rest, or does it trouble me when I do certain things and go to cer- tain places? Am I willing to give up all for Jesus and to choose Him before the world? He gave up all for me. Do I want to please Him or am I going to ar- gue the question with Him?
3. What Does God Think of My
Devotional Life?
Do I spend enough time with Him in private, or am I hurried? Do I get alone with God? Do I love to meet Him in the inner chamber? Is communion with Him sweet to me? Is Jesus real? Does He fully satisfy?
Am I a student of God's Word? Do I study it in private, or is it all done in public? Does He unfold its secrets and make it real to me? Do I claim His promises and make them mine?
Is my life saturated with prayer? Do I pray and get answers? Have I learned how to pray? Do I merely say prayers, or do I pray? And are my prayers avail- ing?
4. What Does God Think of My
Christian Progress?
Am I making progress in spiritual things? Am I a growing Christian? Am I better this year than last? Is Jesus more real to me? Can my friends see any difference in me? Are the old weak- nesses and failings of the flesh disap- pearing, and is the fruit of the SpirM becoming increasingly mine?
Am I making progress against sin, es- pecially my besetting sin? Has it been conquered— the sin that at one time con- quered me? Do I want to be delivered from it? Is there still some cherished idol shutting out His peace and power?
And now, having honestly faced these four vital questions, what is the answer? We often testify that Jesus satisfies. But suppose we turn it around and ask, "Is He satisfied? What does God think of me?— The Peoples Press.
Keep It Wholly
Little Jane was trying to learn the Ten Commandments. "Write them down, Dear," said her mother, "and that will help you to learn them more quickly."
Jane carefully wrote them and brought them to her mother for her inspection.
Jane's mother observed with amuse- ment that she had written the fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it wholly." She said, "Dear, you misspelled a word. The word here should be h-o-l-y, not w-h-o-l-l-y."
The child's grandmother, who sat nearby, said, "Maybe Jane has not made a mistake. At least her idea of 'holy' is preferable to that of many people who think they keep the Lord's Day holy if they go to church in the morning and spend the rest of the day selfishly."— Gospel Herald.
IE FREE WILL BAPTIST
3
INFORMATION ABOUT
FREE WILL BAPTIST CHILDREN'S
HOME
"A Christian Home for Boys and Girls"
MIDDLESEX, NORTH CAROLINA
THE REV. EDWARD W. MILES, Superintendent
PIERCE IS NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF CHILDREN'S HOME
The Board of Trustees of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home announces through its chairman of publicity, Mrs. Rebecca E. Davenport, the election of the Rev. Cedric D. Pierce Jr. as the new superintendent, filling the vacancy creat- ed by the resignation of the Rev. Edward Miles who has served as superintendent of the Home since June 1, 1969. Mr. Pierce will assume his position March 1.
Mr. Pierce, a well-known young min- ister of the Free Will Baptist denomina- tion, comes to the Home from the pas- torate of the Black Jack Free Will Bap- tist Church, Route 3, Greenville, North Carolina. He is 31 years of age, married to the former Linda Gibson, and is the father of two sons: Douglas and Paul, ages 7 and 6 respectively.
Active in denominational work, Mr. Pierce presently serves as secretary of the North Carolina State Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. He is also vice-president of the Cragmont Board of Directors, and cochairman of the General Conference Committee on Evangelism.
Former years found Mr. Pierce serving as president of the Cragmont Board of Directors, secretary of the General Con- ference, secretary of the Cape Fear Con- ference Ordaining Council, president and vice-president of the North Carolina State Convention of Free Will Baptist Leagues; and he has held membership on various other boards and committees.
For the past few years he has served as director of the Christian Cadets' Con- ference at Cragmont. Thus, he has been active with youth groups and has ac- quired a keen interest in young people, their problems, their ambitions, and their lives in general.
Mr. Pierce has served a number of North Carolina pastorates. He received his education from the Nahunta, North Carolina, High School; Wake Forest,
North Carolina, University, where he earned his A. B. degree,- he attended studies at Southeastern Baptist Theologi- cal Seminary, Wake Forest; and he is currently working toward his M. A. de- gree in Administration at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.
The prayers of all Free Will Baptists go with him as he undertakes this most challenging position as superintendent of the Home during one of the most critical and decisive times in its history.
ATTENTION: YOUTH WORKERS
If your youth groups have proven "Money Making Projects," would you like to share them with others? This is one of the items to be discussed at the woman's auxiliary meeting at the next general conference. Your help will be appreciated. Please write them in de- tail and send them to: Mrs. J. B. Starnes, P .0. Box 326, Pikeville, North Carolina 27863.
A NOTE OF THANI
Please allow us through "The Will Baptist" to express our hean thanks for the many beautiful Christ cards we received during the holid and for the love offerings we recei We will always be grateful to the Brii ton, North Carolina, Free Will Baf Church, which sent us about $50's m of food, also a nice basket of fruit other items.
Our thanks also go to the Spring Ijj Free Will Baptist Church near New B North Carolina, for $25 in money ar nice basket of fruit; also to the yo church group that sang Christmas cal for us. We are also grateful for the crease in the monthly payment from Superannuation Board and for the Ch : mas gift.
We trust that all who read this put us on their prayer list as our he is failing fast.
Your brother and sister in Chris
The Rev. and Mrs. B. F. Ringgold! Route 5, Box 97 New Bern, North Carolina 28560
Our greatest temptations come td when we are off duty. How and wfi we spend our spare time will react ul our Christian experience.— Selected.
Prayer is the key of the day and lock of the night.— Selected.
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH FINANCE ASSOCIATION, INC
The fourteenth annual meeting of the Church Finance Association, Inc., will held at the Ayden Free Will Baptist Church, Ayden, North Carolina, Tuesday, Janu 26, 1971, at 10:30 a.m.
Each member is requested to be present. If you are unable to be present, pie sign the proxy below and return to me, Box 158, Ayden, North Carolina. The pr< will be used only if you are unable to be present.
Yours in Christian service, HUBERT BURRESS, Secretary-Treasurer Church Finance Association, Inc.
We hereby appoint S. A. Smith, president; Hubert Burress, secretary- treasurer; or as our proxy for the
annual meeting of the Church Finance Association, Inc., January 26, 1971, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ayden, North Carolina, Free Will Baptist Church.
Date-
Signed
THE FREE WILL BAPT1
ROAS
IA CITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT)
by EDGAR C. JAMES, Th.D.
ROAS, the chief city of northwest Asia Minor, was situated on the jean Sea in the district of Mysia. It I founded by Antigonus and bore his Tie for hundreds of years. About 300 L however, Lysimachus renamed it ixandria Troas in honor of Alexander \ Great. Later, when it became a Ro- n colony under Augustus, its official ^ie was Colonia Alexandria Augusta >as. Eventually, the last word won [or and was used by most people as s name of the city.
fhe name "Troas" reminds one of Troy ium), the famous city mentioned in Tier's the Iliad and the Odyssey. But :y should not be confused. The ruins ancient Troy lie ten miles northeast Troas, near the Hellespont (the Dar- lelles), at the site now known as His- lik. In 1870, Dr. Heinrich Schliemann jan excavating there. In more recent irs, the University of Cincinnati has :avated the site, tracing the sequence civilizations from the most remote ie to the Roman era. At least nine ies have been identified at the site, || the Homeric town fourth from the ).
fhe Romans had a particular fondness this whole area because it was the sendary home of their people. Accord- ; to Suetonius, a contemporary Roman torian, Julius Caesar toyed with the a of making Troas the capital of the man Empire, because, according to tra- ion, Aeneas the Trojan had founded ne and Aeneas' son lulus was the an- >tor of the Julian family. Although the y enjoyed many unusual privileges, esar's plan never materialized. During the New Testament period,
Troas had an excellent harbor, ringed by heights, and was the great port of traf- fic between Asia and Macedonia. There was an "old city" with an acropolis sur- rounded by a wall, and a "new city" that had grown up outside the old one. The wall surrounding the entire settlement measured six miles in circumference.
The tiny village of Eski Stamboul now stands guard over the extensive ruins which indicate the size and importance that the city once possessed. Remains of temples, a theater, a circus, gymna- siums with baths, and an imposing aque- duct erected during the reign of Trajan are still there today. However, the most beautiful columns of the public build- ings were long ago claimed by the Mos- lems and hauled to Constantinople for use in the construction of a mosque and other buildings.
According to Luke's narrative, an im- portant church council was held at Jeru- salem shortly after Paul and Barnabas returned from the first missionary jour- ney (cf. Acts 15:1-35). When the con- troversy was resolved, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they set out on another tour. However, they disagreed on whether they should take John Mark along, and Paul finally chose Silas as his traveling companion. The new team visited Syria and Cilicia and confirmed the churches that had been founded earlier (vv. 36-41). In Lystra, they added a third member, Timothy, to the evange- listic party.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the gospel throughout the provinces of Phry- gia and Galatia. They had planned to go next to proconsular Asia, but they ". . . were forbidden of the Holy Ghost . . ." (Acts 16:6). They accordingly changed their plans and traveled on to Mysia. There they decided to go into Bithynia, the northernmost region of Asia Minor, ". . . but the Spirit suffered them not" (v. 7).
Someone has said that the stops of a good man are ordered by the Lord as well as his steps. Paul and his com- panions found this to be true. God's plan was for Peter (cf. 1 Peter 1:1) and others to evangelize this area. It would be the responsibility of Paul's team to carry the gospel into Europe.
At Troas Paul, Silas, and Timothy wait- ed for divine direction. There they met Luke, the Greek physician, who agreed to join the team. Some Bible scholars have suggested that Paul may have been strick- en by malaria at Troas and thus needed a doctor to accompany him on the rest of the journey. Whatever the circumstances,
the addition of Luke to the party was to prove its value in many ways.
The most important fact concerning Troas, however, is that the Apostle Paul received a vision there and made a mo- mentous decision regarding the evange- lization of the ends of the then-known world. "A vision appeared to Paul in the night," Luke recounted. ". . . There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:9). The response was quick and positive. ". . . immediate- ly we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them" (v. 10).
The significance of this event cannot be overemphasized. Christianity no longer could be considered a mere sect within Judaism. Its gospel was to be the regenerative force for all mankind. —Gospel Herald.
Boy, Eight, Dies of Alcoholism
Little Michele was a quiet, well-behav- ed boy. His school record was good, and he was always polite and helpful. He died at age eight. Then the truth came out. When he was six, Michele took his first drink of wine. By the age of seven, he had graduated to whiskey, often drinking a bottle a day. By eight, he was a full-fledged alcoholic. An autopsy revealed that he had died of al- coholic poisoning.
Shall we blame his parents, the liquor interests, our society, or the boy him- self? Shall we shrug our shoulders and call it "just one of those things"?
Jesus said, "Woe unto the world be- cause of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (Matthew 18:7). Each of us is either a stepping- stone or a stumbling block to others, a blessing or an offense. Each will give account to God not only for his actions but for their effects on others, especially the young. This alone should be reason enough to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways. By the way, how is your ex- ample.—Gospel Herald.
ANONYMOUS MISSIONARY: I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out where people are dy- ing in darkness than in a land which is flooded with lights.
E FREE WILL BAPTIST
5
of
DENOMINATIONAL INTEREST
Albemarle Union, League Convention, And Sunday School Convention
The Saint Paul Free Will Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, will be host to the Albemarle Union Meeting, League Convention, and Sunday School Convention, Saturday and Sunday, January 30, 31. The program for each follows:
Union Meeting, January 30 Morning Session
9:45-Devotions, Mr. Fred Bates 9:55— Welcome, the Rev. John Owens, Host Pastor —Response, Mr. Oscar Webster 10:00— Moderator's Address, the Rev.
Charlie Overton 1 0:05— Roll Call of Ministers
—Recognition of Visiting Ministers —Roll Call of Churches 10:30— Offering for Denominational En- terprises —Announcements 10:40— Morning Worship: Hymn
Special Music, Host Church
Message, the Rev. John Owens —Reading of Minutes of Last Union 1 1 :30— Report of Children's Home, via
Literature —Report of Mount Olive College,
via Literature —Report of Missions, via Literature —Report of Press, via Literature 11:45— Report of Treasurer —Other Business —Announcement of Next Union —Minutes Read and Approved 12:30— Benediction and Adjournment —Lunch
Coming Events
January 21, 22— North Carolina Minis- terial Association's Midyear Spiritual Life Conference, Trent Church, Orien- tal, North Carolina
January 26— Church Finance Association, Inc., Ayden Church, Ayden, North Carolina
League Convention, January 30 Evening Session
7:30— Devotions, Mr. Lloyd H. Jones 7:40— President's Message
—Appointment of Digest Committee
—Offering
—Roll Call of Leagues —Sword Drill —Hymn
—Recognition of Ministers —Announcements —Special Music, Host Church —League Program —Minutes of Last Convention —Business Session —Report of Digest Committee —Awarding of Banners and Picture —Treasurer's Report 9:00— Adjournment
Pianist, Mrs. Jannett Spruill
Sunday School Convention, January 31 Morning Session
9:45— Devotions, the Rev. Charles Suggs 9:55— Welcome, Mr. Thomas Nooney, Superintendent of Host School —Response, the Rev. Robert Smith 10:00— President's Message, Mr. Oscar Webster
10:05— Sunday School Lesson, Mr. Jim- my Raper
10:30— Enrollment of Ministers
—Recognition of Visiting Ministers —Roll Call of Churches and Dele- gates Bringing Reports and Re- ceiving Blanks
10:55— Morning Worship:
Special Music, Host Church Message, the Rev. Robert May
11:30— Business Session:
Minutes of Last Convention Read for Information Treasurer's Report Old Business New Business
Reports of Literature and De- nominational Enterprises Minutes Read and Approved 12:30— Benediction and Adjournment —Lunch
Roanoke Rapids Church to Host Central Conference, Second Union
The Second Union Meeting of the C tral Conference will convene with Roanoke Rapids Free Will Baptist Chur Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Sa1 day morning, January 30, with the m erator, the Rev. Joseph Lehmann, pre: ing. The program is as follows: 10:00-Hymn
—Devotions, the Rev. Charles Cv 10:10— Moderator's Remarks
—Welcome, Host Pastor
—Response, the Rev. Adrian Gru 10:20— Reading of Minutes of Last Un
—Roll Call of Ministers and Chui es
—Report of Denominational En prises
11:00— Business Session 1 1 :20— Worship Service: Hymn
Union Offering Message, the Rev. Cedric Pie Jr.
Hymn 12:00— Adjournment
Fourth Union of Central Conference To Meet with LaGrange Church
The Fourth Union Meeting of the t tral Conference will meet with the Grange, North Carolina, Free Will E tist Church, Sunday, January 31. theme will be, "O Ye of Little Fail The Scripture text is taken from J 20:24-29. The scheduled program is follows:
Morning Session 10:00-Sunday School ll:00-Hymn, "On Jordan's Stoi) Banks"
—Devotions, Miss Pattie Carrawj —Welcome, Mrs. Sudie Wiggins' —Response, Mrs. Albert Proctor! 11:1 5— President's Message —Recognition Time —Greetings from the Childnll Home
-Hymn, "His Way with Thee" 11:30— Special Music, Deborah and ry Carraway —Sermon, the Rev. David Hansl^ —Appointment of Committees —Lunch
Afternoon Session l:15-Devotions, Mrs. David Hansle —Special Music, Saratoga T Choir
—News from Mount Olive Colle — Business Session —Program, Local Church 2:15-Adjournment (More NEWS NOTES on Page Ten)
6
THE FREE WILL BAP15
Front row, left to right: Carolyn Sue Rita Deann Schlegel, and Wanda Sue rker. Second row, left to right: Linda ror, Judith Rachel Adler, and Mrs. randa Connor, college nurse. Mount Olive College now offers the st two years of a Bachelor of Science gree in nursing. After the comple- n of two years of study at Mount ve, the student will receive the final o years of her program and her B. S. gree from Atlantic Christian College in Ison, North Carolina. Specialized jrses in nursing and the sciences will completed in the last half of the pro- am. Clinical experience will be provid- at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Nash neral Hospital, Eastern North Carolina natorium, Wilson County Health De- rtment, Rocky Mount - Egdecombe alth Department, and Cherry Hospital. There are six students currently en- lled in the program at Mount Olive liege. They are: Judith Adler, Clin- i; Amy Grace Barbour, Washington,-
Carolyn Sue Lee, Greenville,- Deborah Rose Newton, Fremont; Wanda Sue Parker, Clayton; Rita Deann Schlegel, Greenville,- and Linda Gray Tutor, Turkey— all of North Carolina.
A student nurse's club has been or- ganized on campus and is called the Nightingale Society. The officers are as follows: president, Rita Deann Schlegel; vice-president, Carolyn Sue Lee,- and sec- retary-treasurer, Wanda Sue Parker. Mrs. Douglas Connor, College nurse, is the ad- visor for the group.
Recently the group met with nursing students from Wilson Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Christian College. The students were given a guided tour of the Wilson Memorial Hospital. A luncheon was held at Atlantic Christian College and afterwards slides were shown of the new Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount. Speakers were Dr. E. T. Bedding- field, Stantonsburg,- Dr. Lorna Thigpen, of the nursing department at Atlantic
SOME WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS STILL
by Eugene Price, Editor Goldsboro News-Argus
January 4, 1971
The monthly publication of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, Nation's Business, polled some of its members a few months ago on their attitudes toward college support.
The survey showed a souring on the part of many businessmen toward sup- porting colleges and universities as a re- sult of the destructive behavior of some radical students.
Not only were a great many business leaders fed up with the radical student element, they had lost confidence in col- lege administrators and faculty members as well.
The loss of support has presented a serious, perhaps disastrous, crisis for many schools.
A more recent issue of Nation's Busi- ness carried two letters triggered by the survey.
One was from a business executive in San Angelo, Texas — a Mr. David R. Sha- han.
He suggested: "I would like to see some colleges set up in which the stu- dents could dictate the rules under which they operate. I just wonder if these schools could get enough teachers will- ing to work under (these) dictates . . . And after the students had four years of college, would anybody be willing to hire them?"
Mr. Shahan's idea might not be as far- fetched as it seems at first blush.
We can only add the suggestion that the radical students, professors, and ad- ministrators who want to be part of the experiment also arrange for the financial support.
The other letter that interested us came from a fellow in the School of Business Administration at West Texas State University.
He appealed to the nation's business- men not to withdraw support of col- (continued on page fifteen)
Christian College; and Mrs. Mary Vose, of Nash General Hospital.
The nursing students are currently gaining practical experience by observ- ing and assisting in the offices of Dr. W. H. Crumpler, Dr. M. M. Lownes Jr., Dr. H. B. Kornegay Sr., and Dr. R. H. Shackleford, physicians in Mount Olive.
IE FREE WILL BAPTIST
7
(
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 Consider the Minister Scripture Reading— 1 Timothy 4:6 His job is to be a football; if he is not kicked by one group, he is by another!
If he visits with all the members, he's too familiar; if he doesn't, he's stuck-up.
If he attempts to safeguard the interests of the church, he's trying to run things; if
he doesn't he's allowing things to go to the dogs.
If he attends all extra meetings of the church, he's nosy; if he doesn't he's lazy.
If he preaches stewardship and tithing, he's thinking only of money; if the money isn't available, it's his fault.
If the attendance is small, well, nobody likes him anyway; if he tries to boost at- tendance, he's trying to make a show.
If he's cheerful and smiling, he's frivo- lous; if he's serious, he's a sorehead.
If he seeks advice, he doesn't know what he is doing; if he doesn't, he is stubborn.— 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought The minister has a great responsibility when preaching the Word of God to his people. We must all be considerate of him and listen with all sincerity, and not be too critical. Remember, he is human too!
MONDAY, JANUARY 25 I Need the Courage to Confess Wrongs
Scripture Reading— Psalm 5:3
Jesus taught us that no man with an unforgiving spirit can expect forgiveness from God. I am to pray, "Forgive me my debts, as I also have forgiven my debtors." When Peter inquired further into this mat- ter, the Lord told him to be willing to for- give not simply seven times, but seventy times seven. If I expect God to forgive me, I must be willing to forgive those who injure me. "If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will my heavenly Father forgive your trespasses," Jesus said. Every- day I have the marvelous privilege of re- penting of my sins and praying to God in Jesus name for forgiveness.
Rut to be forgiven, I should make con- fession of my sins. If my sins have been not only against God, but have been against my fellowman, I should confess them to
8
the ones affected. If only one person is affected, then I need make my confession to only one person. If my sin affects the entire church, I should make a public con- fession and ask the prayers of the saints in my behalf as I pray for forgiveness. "Con- fess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, . . ." (James 5:16). I do not want to underestimate the power of God to pardon. God is merciful. He is always ready to hear and answer my pray- er for forgiveness.— 1010 Illustrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought When we do something wrong, we must admit it to ourselves and ask for God's for- giveness. We must also be willing to for- give others. How else can we hope for for- giveness?
TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 Stealing
Scripture Reading— Genesis 39:9
"How could anyone steal from the church?" There is no honor among thieves.
This is the nature of sin. When one be- comes a flagrant violater of the laws of God, he has little or no conscience about when or where he breaks the law.
This principle makes it important that our children be given the best training and teaching. If they get started on the wrong way, they may go far astray. It may be necessary, therefore, to go to extremes when a little child first begins picking up things that do not belong to him. He will remember, as some older persons remem- ber, for example, being forced to walk across a field to return a pin he had taken without asking.
Whoever breaks into a church and takes money probably will not be conscience- stricken.
Every child should have the training re- ceived in Rible school, and every Rible school teacher should stress the import- ance of basic principles. Don't expect every child to be an angel. Emphasize those principles.— 1010 lllusrations, Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought Sin is a very dangerous thing. We must listen to wiser people when they try to teach us right from wrong. Will a man rob God?
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 Dead Weight Scripture Reading— Luke 16:2
I've been a dead weight many years around
the church's neck; I've let the others carry me and always pay
the check;
I've had my name upon the roll for years
and years gone by; I've criticized and grumbled, too; nothing
could satisfy. I've been a dead weight long enough upon
the church's back. Reginning now, I'm going to take a wholly
different track. I'm going to pray and pay and work and
carry loads instead,
And not have others carry me as people the dead.
—Author Unknown, 1010 Illustrate Poems and Quotes.
Prayer Thought
Have you been a dead weight aro\ the church's neck? If so, now is the t to wake up and do something about it.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 Who's Next Scripture Reading— Psalm 69:12 Drink is no respecter of persons, i of 30,000 alcoholics in the state of Ma chusetts there were 600 former doctors, former priests and ministers, 170 fori dentists, 633 former lawyers, 17 for judges, 600 former businessmen. W they took their first drink they never pected to end up as drunkards. There more than four million alcoholics in United States today.— Highland, Indit Visitor, 1010 Illustrations, Poems Quotes.
Prayer Thought Never think that one drink won't I you, because you won't stop at one dr It seems that one drink always lead to other and another and another!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 We Can Have Unity Scripture Reading— Psalm 133:1 I took a package to the post office had the clerk weigh it. He consulted! map to find the zone to which it was ing. He turned to his guidebook and me the amount of the postage. I took! same package to a different post of! The clerk gave me the amount of the | age . . . and it was the same. This si package I then took to a little cou^ post office in the back of a store. T| the postmaster weighed it. He constj his postal rate book and came up with same rate of postage.
These postal employees had not md convention and decided to charge me a ! tain amount for the mailing of this ra age. They probably did not know one I other. They all had one official guidety and they went by it. They had unity. I long as men insist on using their I creeds and opinions in religion, we I have division. When we are willing to the official guidebook, the Rible, we have unity.— 1010 Illustrations, Poems Quotes.
Prayer Thought We should all pull together and help other in the home, at work, at churc) wherever the time may come when we to work together. In doing so, we wi following the official guidebook, the l>
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 I Tithe
Scripture Reading— 1 Corinthians 16:
I've formed a partnership with God;
It's free of all expense.
He furnished all the capital, \
(continued on page fifteen] THE FREE WILL BAf I
Youth's Greatest
CHALLENGE
(John 6:1-14)
By
EVANGELIST ARNOLD WOODLIEF 410 West Milton Avenue Marianna, Florida 32446
i
N a play there may be many charac- i ters, but much of the time, only one ir two of them are important. For ex- imple, in the Bible besides Jesus and His lisciples, there were 5,000 people spok- in about on one occasion. But one tands out above all the rest. Much :mphasis is placed on Jesus' feeding all he people, and not much on the lad or he boy who provided the food for the niracle. But Christ wants youth by vhom He can bless the world.
The lad was in a place where he was leeded, or in the right place, because a jreat company or a great group of peo- )le had lingered with Jesus and His disci- )les. After Jesus had finished teaching His disciples, He asked if there were any- hing by which the hungry people could >e fed.
The disciples searched, and Andrew, vho was Simon Peter's brother, found a ad. Andrew said, "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes." The word here in the /erse of Scripture signified that the lad vas in a place where there were people /vho needed help, and he was close to lesus.
In Isaiah 6:8 we are told, "Also I heard me voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then
said I, Here am I; send me." The Chris- tian, therefore, who stays close to Jesus will find a refuge where none can molest; the fullest protection from all harm,- the hiding and comfort from Jesus; and the guiding which a Christian needs. That is where the Christian should stay until he or she has come to the goal or end of life's earthly life; and then he or she will go into heaven.
The lad in the miracle made a per- sonal surrender because he gave up his lunch: five barley loaves and two small fishes. This can be true also of our lives. Lives that Jesus does not use are those of Christians that withhold them- selves from His use of them. But lives that Jesus can use are servants of God, better known to us as Christians. These servants of God are servants not by force, but are the bond slaves of love. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live,- yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." We read also in Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a liv- ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Je- sus, therefore, must get your "all" for
you to be His disciple, just as He had the lad's full surrender.
The lad had the privilege to bless, even though he was not outstanding; and you do not have to be outstanding for Christ to bless others through you. The great company of people was hungry from listening to Jesus teach His disci- ples,- therefore, Jesus asked His disciples to make the men sit down because there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down. These people can be com- pared with the many people all around us today with hungry hearts and weary souls. We, as Christians, ought to look at our abilities and feed these people with the Word of God. Let's first ask ourself this question— Is my life a chan- nel of blessing?
The lad's possibilities increased. When the lad gave up the five barley loaves and the two small fishes, Andrew asked, "But what are they among so many?" That was a meager meal for the 5,000. Jesus then took the loaves,- and when He had given thanks, He distributed to His disciples, and the disciples gave to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as far as they would go. That proved to be enough food and more for them all. When they were all filled, Jesus said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." Therefore, they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments or leftovers of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the mir- acle that Jesus did, said, "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world."
This may be true with one's life. Neither are we alone, nor is it what we may be of ourselves, but it is what one may become through the power of Christ when our lives are yielded to Him. The greatest challenge for the youth today is to have a life that is fully surrendered to Christl
Obedience Is the Key
Anne Sullivan, who tutored Helen Kel- ler, said, "I saw clearly that it was use- less to try to teach the child language or anything else until she learned to obey me. I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of a child." —Gospel Herald.
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST
9
NEWS NOTES
(continued from page six)
Albemarle Ordination Board To Meet January 30
The Ordination Board of the Albe- marle Conference will meet January 30, at the Saint Paul Free Will Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, immediately following the meeting of the Albemarle Union Meeting. Anyone de- siring to meet with the board may do so at this time.
Lenoir County Fifth Sunday Sing
The regular Lenoir County Fifth Sunday Sing will be held Sunday, January 31, at the Woodington Free Will Baptist Church near Kinston, North Carolina. The sing- ing will get underway at 6 p.m. Every- one is cordially invited to attend.
Pleasant Plain to Host First Western Union
The First Union Meeting of the West- ern Conference will convene with the Pleasant Plain Free Will Baptist Church, Johnston County, North Carolina, Janu- ary 30. The moderator, the Rev. R. H. Jackson, will preside,- assisted by the secretary, the Rev. C. F. Bowen. The program is as follows:
Morning Session
10:00— Opening Devotional
10:15-Welcome, Host Pastor —Response, to Be Selected
10:20-Business Session
1 1 :00-Worship Service:
Sermon, the Rev. Joseph Ingram Offering for Children's Home Special Music, Host Church
12:00-Lunch
Afternoon Session
1 :00-Devotional 1:15— Business Session 2:15— Adjournment
Saint Paul's Pastor Installs Auxiliary Officers
The Rev. John A. Owens, pastor of the Saint Paul Free Will Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in a re- cent service, presided during the instal- lation of the woman's auxiliary officers for the year, 1971. Officers installed in this impressive candlelight service were: president, Mrs. Louise Owens,- vice-presi- dent, Mrs. Robanna Fowler; recording secretary, Mrs. Eunice Ambrose; corre- sponding secretary, Mrs. Elsie Meads,- treasurer, Mrs. Sarah Pierce,- missions chairman, Mrs. Flossie Eure; youth aux-
iliary chairman, Mrs. Marjorie Lamb; study course chairman, Mrs. Toni White,- benevolence chairman, Mrs. Evie Lamb; Children's Home chairman, Mrs. Ailene White.
THE OLD YEAR
The old year is gone. It is not worn out. Years do not wear out,- they pass by. When you look out of an automo- bile window at the scenery, the scenery does not wear out as you look at it. But it is gone just the same after the car has passed. It is the same way with the old year. It was not worn out, but it has passed by, and it is gone.
As we look back on the old year, we see many days that we would like to live over. In some cases, there are happy events which we would enjoy repeating. In other cases, there are incidents which we would want to improve or change en- tirely. But we cannot relive the past except in memory. What is done is done. That which was good will always re- main good, and the bad will be forever a dark spot.
Now that the old year has gone, m us learn the lessons it taught. Wh^M there was of good should be carried intl the new year. What there was of evl should be corrected or left behind. Thul we can build the new year on the olcl and make the new the best we have eve! had.— Selected.
NOTICE ||
Sunday Schools of Second Union, Centn
Please have your secreatry send th current names and addresses of your pal tor, Sunday school superintendent, an Sunday school secretary to the secretar of the Sunday School Convention of th] Second Union of the Central Conference Mrs. Jane C. Tripp, Route 1, Box 24! Greenville, North Carolina 27834.
Please send this Information befor January 31, the time of the next convet tion.
No position is so desperate that pra) er cannot conquer.— Selected.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING AIDS FOR 197'
STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY (Edited by James I. Fehl. Eight large pages
of helps for each lesson and a verse-by-verse explanation of the text.) $3.2
TARBELL'S TEACHER'S GUIDE (Edited by Frank S. Mead. Sparkling illustrations
and practical teaching suggestions for youth and adults.) $3.9*
THE DOUGLASS SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS (Edited by Earl L. Douglass. Features
practical suggestions for making class discussions more vivid.) t $2.9
HIGLEY COMMENTARY (Edited by Knute Larson. Each verse is looked at indi- vidually and Pump Primer questions are included.) $3.9
PELOUBET'S SELECT NOTES (By Wilbur M. Smith. Lesson plans and outlines plus
"The Seven Laws of Teaching" by John M. Gregory.) $3.9*
Paperback $2.9}
BROADMAN COMMENTS (By Donald Ackland and others. A practical, specific,
easy-to-use teaching plan for each lesson.) $2.9j
POINTS FOR EMPHASIS (By Clifton J. Allen. A pocket commentary which explains the lesson and presents truths to live by.) $ .9
Additional Aids Especially for First Quarter— Parables
of Jesus
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW by G. Campbell Morgan $5.5
THE STUDY OF THE PARABLES by Ada R. Habershon $4.5
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLES by Neil R. Lightfoot $3.5
PARABLES OF JESUS (Adult teacher's guide published by Gospel Light) $ .9
AND JESUS SAID: A HANDBOOK ON THE PARABLES OF JESUS by William Barclay-
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10
THE FREE WILL BAPTIS
Question: How did the Jews get the ime Hebrews?
Answer: This word "Hebrew" means om across or beyond, and in this ap- ication from beyond the Euphrates ver. Some authorities, including many [wish scholars, say that the name is brived from Heber or Eber which means from the other side," or a sojourner, or fimigrant. Heber, the son of Salah, was le father of Peleg. "And Arphaxad »gat Salah; and Salah begat Eber" (Gen- >is 10:24); "And Salah lived thirty years, id begat Eber" (Genesis 11:14). (See 1 ironicles 1:25.)
Abraham was called a Hebrew after s had crossed the Ephrates River in obe- ience to God's command for him to :ave his home, relatives, and all that artained to him of this world's rela- ons in a vital way. He was to go 'here God would show him, and that jrned out to be Canaan. He had to '0ss the Euphrates River to do it; hence, 5 was the Hebrew— the one from beyond le river. "And there came one that ad escaped, and told Abram the He- rew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre le Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and broth- • of Aner: and these were confederate |h Abram" (Genesis 14:13).
Usually the Old Testament use of the ord is confined to that of a foreigner hen it applies to Israel and when Israel >es it in reference to another nation. Dme writers have held that "Hebrew"
derived from Abraham (Abrai), but this <planation, however, is by no means jnerally adopted and is given no serious jnstderation by the best of ancient :holars.
The following is an interesting note om "Davis' Dictionary of the Bible": ^cording to biblical history, the He- rews were men from the other side of le Euphrates (Genesis 14:13 with 12:5; )shua 24:2, 3). The name may have 5noted this, or it may have been origi- ally a patronymic formed from Eber, id have designated all his descendants, icluding the Israelites (Genesis 10:21),
until the increasing prominence of the Israelites led to restricting its use to them."
Putting all together when we read of it, it seems that the use of the term has quite a history. Probably its use was first confined to Heber, then his descend- ants,- and then it became more or less confined to the descendants of Abraham and his descendants, that became more prominent because Abraham obeyed God in His call of him to go to and dwell in Canaan. Later the descendants of Jacob, only because of their special prominence, inherited the name.
Now it is quite commonly used inter- changeably with Jew or the Jews. This name "Jew" or "Jews" became the iden- tifying term for all of Jacob's descend- ants after they returned from the Baby- lonian captivity. So today, whether someone says, "He is a Hebrew" or "He is a Jew," it is generally meant a de- scendant of Jacob who gained the hon- ored title of Israel.
=S SB
Question: Please explain, "Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors,- and the King of glory shall come in" (Psalm 24:7).-D. F. Hes- peler, Ontario, Canada.
Answer: The first thing to do in an effort to understand this verse is to recognize that it is both poetic and pro- phetic. "The gates" refers to the gates of heaven which were wide open to re- ceive the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of glory. This probably was written to portray to its readers the fact that the