Truth Magazine

By Ray Ferris

Beginning with this issue, TRUTH Magazine will be under the leadership of a different group of men than those who were responsible for its beginning and progress until this time.

Those of us who have been associated with the magazine from its origin are fully aware of considerable good that has been accomplished by it. We believe, however, that it will be a greater and more powerful force for good under its new leadership than it has ever been before. It is with this view in mind that the change is being made in its publication.

I am personally confident the editorial policy of the paper will be a good one–one that will be Christ like in attitude, and based soundly upon the principles of the Word of God.

I therefore, even though not having the direct closeness with the paper in the future that has been characteristic of the past, will be continuing to encourage and support the paper in its work. It is my sincere hope that you, as a reader, will continue your subscription. Why not help get the new publishers off to a good start by sending in at least one more subscription for a friend. Send it to a Christian who earnestly desires to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.

May I also take this opportunity to express to our long-time readers of the past my own appreciation for your help and encouragement in every way? I shall hope to have opportunity to “visit with you” often in the future through the pages of TRUTH Magazine.

Truth Magazine VI: 11, pp. 1c
August 1962

By Bryan Vinson, Jr.

With the publication of this issue of TRUTH Magazine I will vacate the “editor’s chair.” For almost six years, from the beginning of publication, I have occupied that position. It has been a rewarding experience. I have learned a great deal while making many mistakes. I have seen the magazine grow. In many ways I regret leaving this position. Through the medium of TRUTH I have made many friends, and, as one might expect, a few enemies. I have been both justly and unjustly criticized. It is not, however, for these reasons that I now step down. I have had to make many sacrifices of both time and money in order to have a part in the publication of TRUTH. I now feel that l must “give up” some of the assumed responsibilities that demand so much of my time in order that I might be able to do a better work in other areas. I do not forfeit my position with TRUTH because I consider it of little importance, but because I have a friend, a devoted and faithful servant of Jesus who is willing and capable of stepping in and doing a better job.

I have known Cecil Willis since 1951. We attended school together at Florida Christian College. I have always been impressed with his ability and his sincerity. I have considered our friendship as one that has grown closer and closer through the years. I have followed the reports of his labors with great interest, and have seen him become recognized as one of the most talented young preachers of our present generation. We have worked together in meetings. I know of his soundness and dedication to the truth.

No member of the staff of TRUTH has expressed more interest in the welfare of the paper than Cecil. He has been instrumental in opening the doors of hundreds of homes to TRUTH each month. He has shared in the financial burden that seems inherently to accompany such a project as TRUTH. He has contributed some of the finest articles that have ever been printed upon its pages. T have no doubt whatever but what he will be able to publish a magazine that all conservative brethren will admire and be proud of.

I am not leaving TRUTH Magazine. I am only stepping aside from the position of editor. I will continue to support this effort to the best of my ability. I want to urge all of the present readers to continue to support TRUTH. Send in additional names and addresses so that its circul4tion can be increased. If TRUTH is worth having, it is certainly worth supporting. I shall continue to do so, and I trust that each of you will also.

Truth Magazine VI: 11, pp. 2
August 1962

By Gordon Pennock

TRUTH MAGAZINE was launched in October 1956, as a cooperative effort of Bryan Vinson, Jr., Leslie Diestelkamp, and the writer. With the help of hundreds of brethren, we never failed to publish an issue each month, although late a few times in the last few months. Those with experience in the field of journalism will appreciate the burden of labor involved. I am personally grateful to my colleagues in this effort, and especially to the scores of brethren who have written articles and words of encouragement, sent in subscriptions, and in many cases made monetary contributions to help with the payment of printing bills. Without their assistance we could not have continued through these years.

But now, a new line-up takes the field. Brethren Cecil Willis of Akron, Ohio and William Wallace of Poteau, Oklahoma constitutes the forward line. They are both sound, well known and untiring preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both of these men have helped us immeasurably in the past and we, from whose shoulders the greater burden has been taken, will now stand behind them, rendering assistance in every way that might be needful or possible to us. We pray that God will use them mightily in the upholding of “The Truth” in contrast with the philosophies, ways and wisdom of men. We encourage you to encourage them in this good and noble work. You could do so in no better way than by sending a list of subscriptions today. The address will be found on the masthead of this issue.

Truth Magazine VI: 11, pp. 1b
August 1962

By Ronald G. Mosby

The summer season is Satan’s best time for fishing, except he fishes for men rather than for real fish. He’s been using the same bait since Adam and Eve and is still the champion fisherman of all ages. His bait is none other than deceit. The word, deceit, in the original language means: “A bait or contrivance for entrapping.” Thus, when a man slides a big night crawler over a hook or maybe a minnow and drops the baited hook into the water, he, in reality, is deceiving the fish. The fish opens his mouth and bites what appears to be something real good only to find that he’s been hooked! Likewise, when undiscerning children of God embrace some of the beautiful lures that Satan has dangling before their eyes, by and by they are hooked!

Sin is deceptive and has a hardening effect on men. The writer of Hebrews warns: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Human beings it seems are naturally prone to rationalize and to kid themselves into believing something is true in spite of the obvious circumstances to the contrary. In this respect we are no smarter than the fish that will grab the bait and run with it believing that he’s getting away with something. However, a little later when their resistance is down and all the fight is out of them, the patient fisherman at the other end of the line can easily take them captive “unto his will.” (II Timothy 2:26.) This is better understood as self-deception.

Paul warns of this when he said in Galatians 6:7: “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” It’s bad enough to be deceived by Satan to begin with, but when a person starts running with the Devil’s lure thinking he is merely exercising his Christian liberty in Christ, thus deceiving himself, this is worse! A man does this, in essence, when he sins willfully and then tries to justify himself by pointing to some mistakes of others that appear just as bad. If it could be known, I wonder if a fish ever felt comfort when he was thrown in with the other fish that had been hooked with the same bait? Even the selfish rich man didn’t feel any comfort knowing that his brothers would be sharing the same horrors of torment with him. (Luke 16:27, 28.)

I know it’s open season for Satan the year round, but I believe it’s particularly good fishing for him this time of year for the following reasons: (1) Brethren suddenly feel tired after a normal day’s work and miss the Sunday night or Wednesday night assemblies, and they cannot see that every time they miss they are falling prey to the lures of Satan and are bound to get hooked if they keep drifting into his direction. (2) It seems the summer weather has a way of slowing down all work for the Lord and speeding up all efforts in the directions of a vacation and a good time. Vacations have their place, but never for one minute should they cause us to shirk our responsibilities in the Lord. (3) What about personal work, visiting the sick, studying your Bible, and being an example before your brethren and others, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity? What about the wearing of clothing (or rather the lack of proper clothing) in places where it is considered immodest, thus bringing reproach upon yourself and the body of Christ?

The above are just a few of the lures that Satan has out 24 hours a day and he doesn’t sleep and then wait until morning to run his lines but is ever ready and waiting to deceive any who will fall prey to his lures. He is indeed our adversary and walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (I Peter 5:8.) Therefore, we must be sober and vigilant, resisting the devil every hour to avoid falling into his snare. We must abstain from all appearances of evil. We must learn to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to meditate on the law of God both day and night. For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. If we do not remember these things we will be hooked for sure, whether we know it or not or whether we will admit it or not, so let us put a special effort into our service to the Lord during Satan’s best fishing season.

Truth Magazine VI: 11, pp. 14
August 1962