Editorial

We were very sorry to receive notice of the death of Bro. Wallace Scott in February (see ecclesial news from Springfield, MA). With the falling asleep of Bro. H.P. Mansfield in October of last year, Bro. Wally’s passing means that we have recently lost the services of two brethren who have significantly affected the lives of many brethren, sisters and young people in North America.

Members that differ

The two brethren provide a classic illustration of the words of Scripture: “there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

Physically, Wally was a large man while Perce was small. Perce’s talents lay in the areas of writing, platform speaking and initiating new projects; committee work was not his forte. On the other hand, Wally was a tremendous asset to a committee. He had the conciliatory manner necessary to draw together diverse interests and the ability to cut through differences to the common elements of agreement.

Both men provided the rest of us with good examples of using the talents God has given us in His service. We are not all the same and are not expected to be what we are not. The eye is not expected to be the mouth.

Bro. Perce had the capacity to function with great productivity on minimal sleep. Others trying to emulate his example found themselves ineffective through dullness of mind or plagued by severe headaches from inadequate rest. But Bro. Perce had that ability and utilized it in ecclesial service. His voluminous writings would not have been pos­sible if he had wasted the extra productive hours his body chemistry supplied him.

“According to the effectual working of every part”

None of us is good at everything but all of us are adept at something. We may be excellent conversationalists and thus are well suited to visit the sick. We may have a knack for making money and thus are enabled to provide assistance at all levels of ecclesial life. We may have a gift for dealing with children and therefore can serve effectively not only with our own youngsters but with those of others in the meeting.

The key to healthy ecclesial life is not that the parts compete with one another, or neglect one another, but that, like the brethren we remember, they fully utilize for spiritual good the abilities God has given.

Reflections

During the course of the last 30 years, it was our pleasure to share hospitality with both brethren in their homes and in our own. We also had the opportunity of working with them in their particular areas of ecclesial ministration. But the memories that stand out in our mind are of relatively small incidents.

On Bro. Mansfield’s rust visit to Texas, he was building to a climax in an outstanding public lecture that had been heavily advertised and that was well attended by interested friends. He was within five minutes of closing his talk and opening the meeting for questions when a neglected tape recorder became stuck emitting an extraordinary squeal for at least 5 seconds. Bro. Perce and the audience had been totally involved in his address and this interruption simply burst the concentration of audience and speaker alike.

At home that evening, his daughter, who was traveling with him, asked him “Daddy, what happened?” to which Perce responded that the noise had ruined everyone’s concentration and had negated what promised to be a most exciting question and answer session.

Then he proceed to replicate the situation complete with where he was in his address and the utterly ill-timed interruption and had a quiet chuckle at the earthen vessels we are. There was no bitterness at the brother who was supposed to be tending the equipment and I could see that here was another tale that would be told late some evening over a cup of tea.

One time during an intense weekend of reunion committee discussion, Bro. Bob Brinkerhoff, Wally and myself were left to break bread on our own while the Unamended representatives went to their local meeting. I was personally nervous about the possibility of being asked to conduct our little service as it was a wholly different situation from what I was used to. But Wally was the senior man and we asked him to preside. What a beautiful, reverent, moving job he did. We were not three men alone in a strange living room. We were part of the world-wide community of saints. Wally’s whole tone and demeanor showed he had conducted such little services many times probably for someone in hospital or confined at home through illness.

“After this the judgment”

We appreciated the comments in the notice from the Springfield Eccle­sia. When a person has been earnest in the meeting until he falls asleep, we have a tendency to equate the assurance of his being raised with a guarantee of immortality. To do so weakens the exhortation all should receive from the death of any brother or sister.

We do not know the verdict that awaits any who have fallen asleep; we do know that in the mercy of God we still have opportunity, with humble and contrite hearts, to serve Him faithfully. Let us do so devoting to Him the particular abilities that He has given to each one of us.

Thirty years is a long time to be putting out a magazine. It is a long time under any circumstances; but when one is running his own business, taking an active role in his home ecclesia, serving surrounding ecclesias in many capacities including performing weddings and funerals, and is traveling widely to serve Bible Schools and ecclesias throughout the continent and the world, thirty years of meeting production deadlines is an extraordinary example of discipline and perseverance.

Thanks, Bro. Bob, for your years of putting out “The Christadelphian Tidings.” A good service has been performed to the ecclesias of North America. We are scattered over vast distances and have found the binding influence of the “Tidings” very useful to our fraternal associations.

And while we are saying a word of thanks to you, let me say on behalf of many parents and many baptized believers, thanks for helping so many make the decision of a lifetime. You have helped many see the passing futility of this world and fix their gaze on “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” You have also invigorated many of us in our walk and in our love for Christ putting before us unforgettable illustrations that help us remember great lessons from the Word. Hopefully, by relieving you of producing the “Tidings”, we will help you to vigorously continue these other areas of service until our Lord comes.

Because of the change in editors with this issue, and because the new editor es some 2,400 miles from the old, production and mailing will be handled from Michigan. Accordingly, Bro. Richard Stone, Associate Editor, Bro. Robert Brinkerhoff, Secretary, Bro. Paul Phillips, Treasurer and Sis. Elsie de Caussin, Subscriptions have all graciously sent their records and information to our­selves and have stepped down to allow for the naming of new volunteers for these functions. As Bro. Bob noted in the last issue, these brethren and Sis. de Caussin deserve a hearty thanks for their work over the years.

Bro. Troy Haltom has agreed to serve as Associate Editor and Sis. Deborah Bruce has taken over the handling of subscriptions and will, Lord willing, gradually be assuming more of the secretarial functions. Bro. Troy is known in the community through his co-authorship of books on Lamentations and I Timothy as well as for extensive labors in providing study days and special lectures. What is not so well known is that he published a monthly magazine for nearly two years. The ability to get “The Tidings” out in case something happens to the editor is obviously a primary qualification for an  Associate Editor.

Before agreeing to take the editorship, I wanted assurance that Bro. Lloyd would continue to write his article, that Bro. A.E. MacDougall would continue to write on signs of the times and that Bro. Arthur Bull would continue to solicit ecclesial news. All three have graciously  consented to do so.

You will notice some changes in this issue. The paper used is not glossy: this has the disadvantage of a poorer reproduction of pictures but the advantages of less glare when reading the articles and the possible use of less expensive printing techniques. We will be experimenting in the production area to save costs so that more pages can be produced without increasing the price. Some of the experiments will work, and some will not, so the patience of the readership is requested in this regard.

Sections have been added and some long-standing ones have been rearranged. Again we will be doing some experimenting in this regard so your reactions, both pro and con, would be appreciated. You will note that one of the new sections is entitled “Exhortation”. It is planned to produce an exhortation each issue recently given at a North American ecclesia. Contributions in this regard would be appreciated. Since many brethren write out their exhorts, a copy of that script would be enough for us to work from. We could also transcribe a tape recording of an exhortation that you would like to see given wider exposure.

One of the good purposes that can be served by “The Tidings” is the encouragement of in-depth Bible study on the part of North American brethren and sisters. If you have contributions along this line or know of someone who has done a study they should write up, we welcome such material in article form. At the moment, there is no great backlog of articles so feel free to give us the problem of having so much useful material that we have to expand the magazine.

Hopefully the tenure of the new editor will be cut short by the return of our Lord. In the meantime, however, we face times that are perilous for our spiritual welfare.

The remarkable technological advances of recent years can bring the world into the sanctuary of our homes. From a worldly point of view, the shows, the videos, the cable networks are inexpensive and of improving quality. From a spiritual standpoint, they are rapidly deteriorating in their moral content and are potentially expensive to the point of costing us everything we had ever hoped to gain in the Truth. Miniaturization has made possible pocket-size cassette players that plug into the ear whatever one wants to hear. They permit us freedom to listen to the sounds of our choice without bothering anybody else and they prevent us from monitoring what our children are pouring into their minds.

There is no great secret in how we are to keep the iniquity that is around us from defiling our thinking: as our bodies are cleansed by washing in water so our minds are cleansed by washing them with the Word of God. “The Tidings” is dedicated to assisting in this regard by offering exhortation and exposition.

There is another danger that the Master of the household warns us against: when he comes, will he find us giving meat to our fellow servants? (Matt. 24:45). Or will he find us biting and devouring one another? It is a persistent feature of our natures that we distrust the unknown. An extension of this characteristic makes it easy for us to think evil of those in Christ that we do not know. In providing a vehicle for fraternal communication, “The Tidings” will continue, God willing, to strengthen our familiarity with each other that we might be encouraged to help one another as fellowser­vants of our Lord Jesus.

He is coming soon! Let us be ready for that great day of individual judgment that approaches.

It has been said that “people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

What good is knowledge if we are uncaring? “Knowledge puffeth up, but love defileth. There are a lot of smart people around  that no one cares to be around. They flout their knowledge and enjoy showing it off. Jeremiah tells us that the wise man should not glory in his wisdom. But some would retort, “what good is it if I can’t glory in it ?” A better question would be, what good is knowledge unless it is used to help improve the quality of some life? Knowledge just for knowledge’s sake of little value.

Knowledge dies with the individual and he can no more take it with him than he can his money. When one rich man died, someone asked, “how much money did e leave?” and the answer was, “all of it.” So it is with whatever knowledge we may ave accumulated along the way . . . On our death bed, all our money and all our knowledge will be gone as we draw our last breath.

It behooves us to use our knowledge and our money, in caring for others. We can, we choose, use our knowledge to teach and encourage others. We can use our money to help those less fortunate and then when it comes time to die, our caring attitude will be remembered by God when our money and knowledge are gone.

Peter tells us to “cast all our cares upon God; for He careth for us.” God who knows all, cares. “Not a sparrow shall fall on the ground without your Father” says Jesus, and he continues, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” The point is, He knows, He cares:’ Do we know and care? Remember ‘people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Jesus told us about the man who went down from “Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, having him half dead.” Three men passed by, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. 11 three looked at him, all had knowledge of the poor man’s needs but two “passed by on the other side.” The Samaritan “when he saw him, he had compassion on him.” He cared. Do we care? We are all blessed in knowing the exceeding great and precious promises which are able to make one wise unto salvation. Do we care nough to share this knowledge with others ? Everyone we meet, in our everyday work-a-day life is perishing for lack of this knowledge. Do we care enough to share he good news of the coming kingdom with them ? It’s not how much we know, it’s how much we care that matters. Some with a limited knowledge of the Word but with great enthusiasm and love will tell everyone they meet that Jesus is coming and encourage them to look into the Bible for the words of life. Others may have a great understanding of the deep things of the Truth but with all their knowledge they seem not to care for the plight of others, for they never share their hope with those they meet.

It’s not how much we know that is important, it’s how much we care. If we care, God will give us the wisdom to share what we know with others. If we don’t care, all the knowledge in the world will do us little good.

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

Yogi Berra the well known baseball figure is quoted as having said “It ain’t over 11 its over.”

This may seem so true and so simple that it does not need to be said, yet we know in sports many fans leave the stadium when they think it’s “all over” only to find that the outcome of the game was not as they expected. Games, even series, have been down to the last out, the last strike, the last 30 seconds on the clock when the read suddenly changed and those who were considered defeated, were victorious. A few years ago the winning touchdown was scored by running between the members of the band who had already assembled on the field to play the victory march they ever played.

This same saying can also be applied to many things other than sports. Businessmen who have persevered have often snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.

We are concerned with the spiritual application of this same principle. In Ezekiel, God goes to great lengths to explain that “when the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.”

God’s ways are just and equal and it isn’t over until it’s over. There is still time for us to repent and turn to God and be forgiven for whatever we may have done. God will then look upon us with favor, having forgiven our sins and casting them behind His back. This should encourage us to get up and try again for as Solomon tells us, “a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” When it is all over e is up again. The wicked, however, fall and stay down and when it’s over, they are flat on their back.

This is the reason for us to keep on keeping on, for us to get up and try again, for to endure to the end for as Jesus tells us, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

How sad to have been in the truth for many years and then give up and fall away must prior to the coming of the Lord. But how wonderful to have been lost, and en turn to the Lord just prior to his return and receive his approval.

It isn’t over till it’s over, our race is not complete until we draw our last breath or the Lord returns to call us to him. If we are not winning now, it is not too late to change. If we are in the lead, this is no time to slack up and rest upon our laurels. isn’t over till its over and so the lesson for us to remember is to occupy until he comes, to fight the good fight of faith, to finish the course, to keep the faith for the crown of righteousness that is laid up for us can be won or lost in the eleventh hour. This is not because God is not willing to give it to us, He is not willing that any sould perish, but we can by our own apathy, forfeit the very crown that God wants us to have.

How sad it is to see people retire from the Truth, to see some lose their first love, do watch the cares of this world spring up and choke others, to observe those who sureth for a while, but when tribulation or persecution ariseth, by and by they are offended and drift away.

Jesus spoke to his seven ecclesias for he knew the hearts of every one of them and to some he said. “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and rt dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: or I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast, and repent.” “He that overcometh, and keep­th my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

There is a story that Albert Einstein was once asked by some scientists if they could analyze his brain after his death. They wondered what the brain of a genius would be like. Einstein agreed but he did so only if they promised that he be allowed to write a letter which would be read after their report on his brain was made to the scientific community.

After Einstein died his brain was analyzed, and the report was prepared to be given at a scientific convention. After the report was given, they then opened the letter written by Dr. Einstein and read his handwritten words. There were only two sentences in it. The first sentence said, “I’m sure that you have found that my brain, like the brain of all human beings, has nine billion cells.” This is exactly what they found, Einstein’s brain looked normal in every way. The second sentence said, “The difference is, I knew it.”

It was David who said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” David knew it. Dr. Einstein knew it. Do we know it? Do we act like we know it?

There is no doubt that Einstein was a unique and highly intelligent person but aren’t we all unique? We may not be as intelligent as he was, but God is not asking us to do anything more than our own individual best. We are told that most humans use only about 10% of their brain power and this is probably what Einstein was alluding to.

There are two questions that we should answer. First, how much of our brain power are we using? Secondly, how are we using our brain power ? For God’s glory or our own?

It is so sad to think how little most people use the abilities that God has given to them, but what is sadder still, is how little of what is used is used to glorify God.

Dr. Einstein, was Jewish, so he was part of Abraham’s natural seed, yet the Encyclopedia tells us that “he held no religious beliefs in the usual sense and decried religious thought as “an attempt to find an out where there is no door.” He died at the age of 76 and although he had nine billion cells in his brain and he knew it, what good did they do him so far as salvation is concerned?

We need to benefit from the mistakes of others and realize that we should be using our nine billion cells to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

It is a terrible waste of nine billion cells to use them only for the things of this life. As Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

At our death our brain will not look any different than that of Einstein’s or any other dead person, but right now we can use our nine billion cells to think on those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. David said that “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Solomon added that “The thoughts of the righteous are right.” Paul said, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” Let us then know that we have nine billion cells and use them to the best of our ability to think godly thoughts for “if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”