Truth Magazine

By Bryan Vinson, Jr.

Military history will bear out the fact that in the course of many important battles it has been necessary to concentrate a comparatively greater force of power at one point of the enemy line than at other points. This is done only until that point has been destroyed or rendered incapable of doing the great damage it was previously able to inflict. When this is accomplished the concentrated power must again be distributed along the whole of the battle line to avoid an enemy breakthrough at another point.

Our warfare is not carnal. Our weapons are not designed to destroy the flesh. But this principle of carnal warfare has a good deal of merit when applied to our important spiritual warfare. It has been necessary at times to concentrate the forces of righteousness and truth against those points of error which seemed, for the time, to constitute the greatest threat against man’s spiritual welfare. Such strategy was employed nearly a century ago against those who were pushing ahead to establish the use of instrumental music in the worship, and the missionary society in the work, of the Lord’s church. It was a worthwhile effort. A sizeable remnant was saved. Such an effort was again employed against the forces of error on the matter of premillennialism. The result was even more gratifying. We have recently witnessed the application of such strategy against those who would “institutionalize” the Lord’s church. The real success cannot yet be measured, –but it has been significant. For this reason there remain throughout the length and breadth of the land faithful soldiers and churches who have not, and who shall not, be taken into a movement which will lead a segment of God’s people into complete apostasy.

It would be foolish for us to become convinced that these forces no longer constitute a threat to the cause of truth. They do, and they ever shall. But the circumstances which justified an all-out attack against these innovations have changed somewhat. It is still true that many brethren are ignorant of these matters and of their importance, but the number of the ignorant has been greatly reduced. Many of those who do not know the truth on these matters are in a state of ignorance because they simply do not care. There is not much hope for them. Most of those disciples who are deeply concerned with the importance of “walking in truth” have grounded themselves in that truth. They will stand. There is no doubt but what many others can yet be reached and saved. We must make every effort in their behalf. Thus, the teaching that has been done has resulted in maintaining the purity of the faith in the majority of those brethren whose greatest interest is in doing all “in the name of the Lord.” While it is essential that we maintain a sizeable force of spiritual energy at this point of the battle between truth and error, we must now begin to evaluate the circumstances and conditions all along the line. Truly, the battlefield is wide!

It is the feeling of this writer that there has been an inexcusable neglect of other points of danger. Certainly there is now a need to take from this area of concentration a sizeable portion of the army’s striking power and distributing it along the whole of the front. If this is not done, the army of the Lord may well be caught off guard by an enemy breakthrough at some weakened point.

 

“To All the World”

 

Many churches have neglected the responsibility of taking the gospel to the lost. Personal work programs have often found it necessary to take a back seat in order for special classes on institutionalism to be conducted. The usual number of gospel meetings, which attempted to reach the lost of the world with the gospel, has been reduced in order to make room for special series of lectures on current issues. Efforts to reach the lost in foreign fields have been curtailed somewhat in order that more funds might be spent for such works as the publication of special bulletins dealing with “the issues.” These have often been very expensive projects. I am not criticizing such efforts. Most have been worthwhile. What I am suggesting is simply this: It is time for us to lessen the concentration and begin anew in the work of converting the world to Christ. (I think it only fair to point out that some sound churches have been exceptionally active in carrying the gospel to the world.) Maintaining a sound church requires more than keeping it free from modern innovations; it must be actively engaged in its God-given work, to the limit of its ability, in order to be sound. Preaching the gospel to the lost, at home and abroad, is the will of Christ. Churches must support such preaching. Too many are not doing what they could.

 

Opposition to Fleshly Lusts

 

We are ever confronted with the force of immorality. It is regrettable that strong teaching against drinking, dancing and the like has not been as prevalent as in previous times. How pitiful it is to find brethren who know and teach the truth on the institutional matters, and yet find no harm in social dancing, or in the current practice of immodest bodily exposure. One such brother on the West Coast indicated to me that he had never heard anyone question the propriety of mixed bathing! It is not enough that we instill within our young people an appreciation for the organizational purity of the local congregation. We must also prepare them for battle against the forces of immorality.

 

Opposition to Infidelity

 

Infidelity and atheism are growing foes. And we will be exposed to them much more in the future than we have in the past. The faith, which we help to instill within our children, will be ridiculed with increasing fervor. We must arm them with the evidences of Christianity. The arguments for the inspiration of the Bible, the Deity of Christ, and the existence of God must be firmly planted to the end that each disciple of the coming generations will be able to “give an answer” concerning the hope that is within him. The arguments against benevolent and missionary societies are not enough to combat the forces of infidelity.

 

And Many More

 

The list of danger points could be made longer. We know, for the most part, what they are. The important question is this: Are we spread too thin to meet their challenges? Are we giving too much attention to one danger and neglecting others? If so, we need to relocate our forces. If we fail to do this, we will eventually deceive ourselves into thinking that there is only one “issue” which threatens the army of the Lord. When this happens we will be too blind to see the movements of Satan’s army, and unaware of the fact that we have been surrounded, –and overpowered. Let us urge one another to place the “shield of faith” between ourselves and the whole of the enemy front, and be prepared to render ineffective all the “fiery darts” of Satan, regardless from which point in his evil line they are fired. Let us keep a watchful eye on the whole of evil. Let us remember–the battlefield is wide!

Truth Magazine VI: 4, pp. 2-3
January 1962

By Clinton D. Hamilton

“Jesus” was a common name among families in days of both the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew form of the word was Johoshua; the Greek form was Jesus. “Jehovah is salvation” is the meaning of the word. This meaning of the term explains why our Lord was given the name: “And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus is the name by which He was known and the meaning of the name expresses His mission among men. But there is something else about this Jesus that deserves our attention.

By the mouth of David, it was stated that some one’s soul would not be left in Hades, nor would this Holy One see corruption (Psa. 16:10; Acts 2:27). This could not have referred to David personally for he died and his tomb remained with the people; David saw corruption. But about what was he talking? Inspiration answers the question in these words, “Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, That neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:30-31). David’s words were really a prophecy about one who came through his own lineage, Jesus (Rom. 1:3-4). The prediction concerned the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. His resurrection is the great proof of His deity.

Which person did God raise from the dead in fulfillment of these words? Hear the word of God: “This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32). “This Jesus” was of Nazareth, “a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay” (Acts 2: 22-23). No confusion existed as to which Jesus was under consideration. Those alive at the time of the resurrection knew which one was raised. Witnesses had seen Him following His resurrection and could testify as to what they had seen. There is nothing wrong with the nature of the testimony, or evidence, by which one arrives at the fact of the resurrection of Christ.

The great sign of Christ’s deity was His resurrection. “There shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet: for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days 2nd three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:39-40).

What other significance is there connected with the resurrection so far as we are concerned? “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified” (Acts 2:36). Lord means master, ruler; Christ means Messiah, anointed. What is the point? This Jesus who was born of Mary, lived in Nazareth, and was crucified by lawless men was raised from the dead by God for the purpose of being Lord and anointed Redeemer of all men. This truth should strike the heart of every person with profound reverence for the Christ and with joy untold for the great promise of life through Him.

Those that were convicted of the truths taught by the apostles, realizing that Jesus was both Lord and Christ, wanted to know what to do. The answer came without hesitation: “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Those that gladly heard the word were baptized; Christ was sanctified as Lord in their hearts. Is He in yours? If He is not, make Him such.

Truth Magazine VI: 4, pp. 19
January 1962

By Morris W. R. Bailey

When you read these lines, we will have crossed the threshold of another year. There have been, on the part of some, the usual New Year celebrations. With some it has been a time for making New Year resolutions. With many business firms it will be a time for taking inventory. As the clouds of war loom upon the horizon, and nations are feverishly engaged in an armament race, political leaders view the coming year apprehensively.

To the Christian, confident in the belief that “To them that love God, all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28), business interests and world tensions will be of minor concern when compared with the great issues of eternity. Nevertheless, we live in a world of time. The skeptic, Herbert Spencer, spoke of the five manifestations of the unknowable as time, force, action, space, and matter. Our plans are made with regard to time, and are governed largely by the clock or the calendar. Solomon said, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). Recognizing this great truth, we sow seed in the spring and reap the harvest in the autumn. The events of history have been recorded with due regard for time, either B.C. or A.D. In point of duration they are spoken of in terms of days, weeks, months, and years.

Since time occupies such an important place in the warp and woof of life, the fact that we have entered upon another year should be an occasion for sober meditation. We are one year nearer to our eternal destiny than we were this time last year. We have one year less of our allotted span in which to serve God and to prepare for that day when we must give account to God for the way in which we have used the time that He has given us. The year of 1961 now lies behind us and has merged with the eternal past. It cannot be relived. The unkind and the unjust things that we have done cannot be undone. Unkind words that have been said cannot be unsaid. We can only hope and trust that God has graciously forgiven us our trespasses. Opportunities that we have neglected have probably gone forever. We can only hope to make use of other opportunities that will be ours in the coming year.

The year of our Lord 1962 now lies before us. What will it hold for us? Will it be a year of more devoted service to God? Will it be a year of spiritual growth, or will it be a year of backsliding? What will it mean for the church of the Lord? Will it see congregations standing firm for the truth? Or will it see many of them drifting into apostasy? These are questions that only the future can answer. I am reminded here, of the words spoken by Joshua, in the long ago, as he was giving the children of Israel last minute instructions prior to leading them across the river Jordan and into the land of promise. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore” (Joshua 3:4). How much like life! Insofar as the future is concerned we will be traveling an unfamiliar road, for we have not passed this way heretofore. To this we may add that we will not pass this way again, since the door of man’s past is locked the moment he leaves it.

As our thoughts are turned toward the coming year,–its possibilities and its probabilities, it would be well for us to meditate upon a passage of scripture spoken by the Psalmist David and recorded in Psalm 80:1012: “The days of our years are threescore and ten. Or by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; For it is soon gone and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of shine anger, and thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto thee? So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.”

In these words God teaches us that our lives are very brief. Even if we attain unto our threescore and ten years, or by reason of strength, fourscore years our life has still been’ comparatively short. Ask anyone who has lived out his allotted span and he will tell how rapidly the years have come and gone.

Even those of us who have reached middle age, realize that each year seems to pass a little more rapidly than the preceding one. And so, in view of the brevity of life, David said, “Teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.” How much we need to heed the admonition of David. Time is a precious commodity and should never be wasted. Benjamin Franklin said, “If time is of all things most precious, then wasting time is the greatest prodigality.” How true! Money that has been lost, may be recovered or replaced; but time that has been wasted is irretrievable. In these days of inflation we budget our money and try to make it stretch as far as possible. How much we need to number our days and crowd into them the utmost in service to God and man, realizing that soon they will be gone forever.

The Bible abounds in expressions that teach us of the brevity and the uncertainty of life. Job said, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6). David said, “As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field he flourisheth” (Psalms 103:15).

Jesus told of a certain rich man whose land brought forth so plentifully that he had no place to store his abundance of goods. Then he thought of a plan. He said, “I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up these many years, take shine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night is thy soul required of thee, and these goods that thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?” (Luke 12:16-20.)

God called this man a fool. Why? From the divine standpoint there were several reasons for calling him foolish. He was unthankful for his blessings. In fact there is no acknowledgment on his part that God had given him his bountiful harvest. Then too, he left God out of his plans for the future. Further, he had a false sense of values. He seemed to think that his riches would supply everything he needed.

But another, and perhaps his greatest mistake, is seen in his use of the expression, “these many years.” He thought that he had a long-term lease on life. And how mistaken he was! Already death was knocking at his door. God said, “This night shall thy soul be required of thee.” Yet many are making the same mistake today and living as if they expected to be here forever, not heeding the warnings of inspiration and the events of history which teach us that life is so uncertain. The holiday season just past has witnessed the usual number of tragedies. In the air, in flaming buildings, on crowded highways the grim reaper has struck without warning leaving a trail of frustrated plans, broken homes and saddened hearts.

As touching the uncertainty of life, the language of James is very pertinent. “Come now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade and get gain; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live and do this or that” (James 4:1315). We have a cloud of mist as it hangs out in the early morning air, and how quickly it is dispelled by the rising sun. One moment we see it. The next moment it has disappeared from our view. How much like the life of man! So short and so uncertain. One moment he stands before us a conscious being, vibrant with life. But tragedy strikes, and the next moment he lies before us unconscious and locked in the cold embrace of death. On this basis James teaches us a lesson that is sorely needed. He tells us that our plans for the future should be made subordinate and subject to the will of God. Some one has well said, “Man proposes; but God disposes.” This is so true with regard to the uncertainty of life. The best-laid plans are often frustrated by the sudden visitation of death.

The Bible lays considerable emphasis upon making the proper use of and the most use of the time that God has given us. Jesus, himself, set an example along this line. “I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). Thus Jesus taught that this lifetime is all that we have in which to work for God. Soon will come the dark night of death when we must leave our unfinished tasks to others.

In writing to the Ephesians, Paul said, “Look carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Eph. 5: 15,16). Thus Paul taught that time is something that must be redeemed. The footnote makes this perhaps even clearer when it says, “Buying up the opportunities.” During our lifetime we will have opportunities to do good. Time can be redeemed only by making use of our opportunities. The Christian who places the proper value on time will never neglect them. Once they are gone they will probably never return.

How much of our time is given to God and to the things that relate to God’s kingdom? Many professed Christians seem to think that an hour or so spent in the worship service of the church on Lord’s Day morning fulfills their obligations. Statistics sometimes reveal things, which are cause for grave concern. Such is true of an article I read some time ago in which the writer gave a breakdown of the average life of seventy years and the amount of time spent in various activities. The facts presented were as follows: Three years spent in education, Eight years spent in amusements. Six years spent at the meal table. Five years spent in transportation. Four years spent in conversation. Fourteen years spent in work. Three years spent in reading. Twenty-four years spent in sleeping. Three years spent in sickness. The reader will be reminded that the above figures only represent an average.

But the disturbing aspect of the matter is that the article further pointed out that if one spends an hour in church service each week, in a lifetime of seventy years it will amount to about five months. Think of it! Sixty-nine years and seven months of our life spent in temporal pursuits. Five months of our life given to God. Yet many Christians think that their only obligation is to be present at the worship service on Lord’s Day morning. What shall be said for those who attend only casually?

1961 is now past. 1962 lies ahead. We cannot change the past. We can only hope to make the best use of future opportunities. Lord, teach us to number our days. To those who wish to make 1962 a better year, we commend the words of the apostle Peter, found in 1 Peter 3:10,11: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.”

Truth Magazine VI: 4, pp. 1, 8-9
January 1962

By Cecil Willis

His Writings

About seventy years ago, brother Otey began to write for religious journals. For over twenty years of this time, he wrote for The American Christian Review or the Octographic Review as it later was called. However, he did not agree with everything the Review advocated, and said so through the columns of that paper. Later he wrote for the Christian Leader, Gospel Advocate, Bible Banner, Fellowship News, Christian Worker and wrote many many articles for the Firm Foundation during the many years his cousin, G. H. P. Showalter was editor. He wrote for the Gospel Guardian from its first issue till his death. During these many years, brother Otey wrote perhaps seven hundred articles.

This man with four months of formal education was the author of nine books, seven of which have been already published and well received. In 1908 the Otey-Briney Debate was published. In 1910 a Book of Sermons was printed. The 2,000-copy sermon book edition was depleted in a few months. In 1930 he wrote Creation or Evolution. This was enlarged and reprinted in 1938 under the heading, The Origin and Destiny of Man. A later edition of this book was printed by the Firm Foundation.

In 1951 he published Living Issues in which he made a severe attack against “sponsoring churches,” and church supported Bible colleges. In 1953 he published Christ or Modernism. Then in 1955, while attending his very sick wife, he wrote a very warm and touching “family book,” entitled, The Tree of Life Lost and Regained. Two other manuscripts were completed and likely will sometime be offered to the public. He re-wrote, enlarged and revised Living Issues, calling the new work, Living Issues II. This book is needed now! We hope it can be made available ere long. His 1910 book of sermons with several recently written sermons, also will be reprinted whenever possible. All of brother Otey’s books now in print are handled exclusively by the Gospel Guardian.

He long was recognized as a good writer. Bro. Otey possessed the ability few writers possess–He was able to state in a few, clear and concise words the big issues of his time. He very seldom was misunderstood. His language was simple, but his sentences were pithy. He took pride in the fact that he had never, to his knowledge, been quoted on two sides of the same issue. I think this consistency existed because of an unusual characteristic Bro. Otey had. He always stated his position on any controversial point in almost the identical words that he used the first time he spoke on that subject.

In his writings, Bro. Otey always shunned the speculative. He was always very reluctant to state his opinion on uncertain questions. He generally would say, “the writer or speaker does not venture an opinion on this point,” or words to that effect.

 

His Death

 

Bro. Otey’s death came on Wednesday morning, November 1, 1961 at 11 o’clock. He had journeyed on this terrestrial ball for 94 years, 7 months and 18 days. It was refreshing to be around an old man who realized that he was an old man. In his later years, he spoke publicly only a few times. He refused to speak more because of his many years. His last public discourse was delivered shortly after his 90th birthday.

About 2 years ago Bro. Otey suffered a light stroke. Afterward he fell twice. He was admitted to the Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, Kansas where he was confined more than a year. While in the hospital he underwent a very serious operation. He felt that the end was nigh. Among some of his last articles was one on “Death” and one on “Heaven.” It was consoling to see a man so calm and reposed as he prepared to enter death’s doorway. He wanted to die–not because of despondency, but because he was a tired old man and because almost everything he loved and held dear was now on the other side. When one visited him, he could almost pray that God might see fit to grant this aged man his wish, and receive him home.

Shortly before his death, he wrote me: “Now I will state the one thing only with which I am satisfied in my past life: I never taught, practiced, encouraged, or tolerated anything that was not plainly set forth in the Word of God. This fact gives me more satisfaction, I am sure, than would much money.” He requested only that he might not be an invalid and a burden upon others for many years. During his last days he was an ideal patient. He was rational up to the day before his death. Then his tired old body would function no more. So his spirit returned to God who gave it.

 

His Significance

 

Bro. Otey was a very significant man in his generation. He was in the forefront of two valiant efforts to thwart digressive elements. He remembered the beginning of the split over the instrument and the missionary institutions. Then he lived long enough to be forced to witness the inception of division over the same kinds of institutions again. In both of these divisions, Bro Otey never hesitated to speak the truth, and to point out error. He said, “If it is not right in his sight to advocate and defend the church as He gave it, then I cannot even imagine what would be right.”

It is my opinion that history will assign to W. W. Otey a much more significant role than his contemporaries have given him. The influence of David Lipscomb and others far overshadowed the work of W. W. Otey in staying the hand of apostasy a generation ago. But no man in this age has been more consistently opposed to institutionalism and her threats than W. W. Otey. Perhaps some have been more directly in the line of fire. But Otey spanned two generations. He could speak from experience. To him many listened who would not have listened to one younger and less experienced.

Within a few years, the books of W.W. Otey will be rare and many will be seeking them. His warnings given many years ago will continue to ring in the ears of those of us who will tread this vale of tears for a few more years, as we see the progress and evolution of digression divide our ranks.

Bro. Otey liked to read biography. But he wanted nothing written about himself that was biographical in nature while he lived. I prevailed upon Bro. Otey to write down a few salient facts of life. This he did, and gave this autobiographic material to me. In giving me the material, he stated: “I stipulate that none of it shall be published while I am living unless by my consent.” With this wish we have complied.

He recently wrote, “I anxiously await the good pleasure of the Father to call me to cease to labor and enter into rest. What would life be without this hope?” God has now granted the request of this battle-weary soldier. He is no more! But though he is dead, yet he shall speak through his writings, his preaching, his influence on our lives, and his works. Surely his works do follow him. He will be missed, but he fought long, hard and well. I know what advice he would give. He would say, “Young man, keep up the fight!” May God help us as we do so.

Truth Magazine VI: 4, pp. 6-8
January 1962