Truth Magazine

By Bob Welton

While with us in a gospel meeting in February, Brother Cecil Willie and I talked at length about the Lord’s cause in Louisiana. Cecil reminded me that not enough is known about the work of sound churches in the state arid because of this, Cecil suggested a “special on Louisiana” to better inform the brethren of conservative churches in this state.

At present there are only fifteen churches in the state (about which I have any information) that are sound on the institutional question. These are scattered; several of them are small in number, and at present only six congregations are able to be self-supporting. Dividing the congregations geographically from north to south, we give a brief report of each.

Northern Louisiana

The oldest congregation (as well as the largest) in the state is the church in Haynesville; having been established in 1910. Brother S. H. Hall was one of the first preachers for this church. This group of dedicated Christians has stood for the truth through several brotherhood “fights” and continues to be a great influence for truth in north Louisiana. At present, three men are serving as elders: Brethren S. B. Hartsell, Sr., Clarence P. Crump, and Robert Durham. Lloyd P. Atherton presently preaches for the brethren there.

Also in the northern part of the state is the congregation in Springhill, which meets to worship at 405 Butler Street. The history of this church dates to the early 1940’s, when a group of Christians began meeting in homes to worship God. A group pulled away because of the institutional question in the late 1960’s, but the majority of the brethren were grounded in the faith, and thus remained faithful. Clarence Johnson has worked with the brethren in this city since 1970. (Clarence Johnson has since moved and the church in Springhill is without a full-time preacher-Editor).

Five congregations now exist in the north-central quarter of the state. These include the Linwood church in Shreveport, which meets to worship at 326 W. 75th Street. At present Ross Saunders is commuting from Marshall, Texas, to preach for the brethren there.

Just across the Red River to the east is the congregation in Boosier City with the meeting house located at 2917 Foster Street. This church began in the mid 1960’s, when 17 people decided they could no longer scripturally worship with the liberal churches in the city and met together to form the present congregation. B. J. Thomas is in his sixth year as the full-time evangelist for this congregation.

Approximately seventy miles to the east is the newest sound work in the state; this is the church in Ruston. This church began in 1974, when Brother Earl Hartsell moved to that city and began working with a small group of Christians. Incidentally, this is the fourth new work Earl Hartsell has been instrumental in establishing in the state of Louisiana. In fact, the Hartsell family, especially Brother S. B. Hactsell, Sr. arid his three preacher sons, Huey, Earl, and Horace, have been a great influence for the cause of truth arid righteousness in the state for many years.

And traveling a bit further east, we find a faithful congregation in Monroe. This congregation is known as the Southside church and meets to worship at 506 S. 6th Street. This church began in 1971, and has for the past four years been the fastest growing church in Louisiana. At present, Ralph Edmunson preaches for the brethren there (For further information, see Truth Magazine, July 11, 1974).

The only other congregation in the northern half of the state is the one in Stanley, three miles east of Logansport, with Cecil Jones as preacher.

Central Louisiana

Only four congregations presently exist in the central part of the state. These include the White Park church which meets on Highway 8, approximately five miles west of Leesville. This is one of the older congregations in the state; its history dating back to the early 1920’s. (Incidentally, as of April 1, this church was looking for a full-time preacher. Anyone interested may contact Willie Farris, Rt. 1, Leesville, Louisiana 71446).

Then five miles south of Leesville, just off Highway 171 is the White Oak church. This congregation is small, but is standing for the truth.

The only other conservative work in this part of the state is the church in Merryville. This church, although small, has remained faithful through the years; this can be attributed largely to the Franks family of that town. Ricky Johnson is presently driving from Beaumont to preach for the brethren there.

And traveling east across the central part of the state we come to the little town of Evergreen, where a group of faithful Christians meet. Tommy Holtzclaw commutes from Taylors, Arkansas, on weekends to preach for the brethren there.

Southern Louisiana

At present, only four congregations exist across the oil-rich southern part of the state.

Traveling east across the state, we come to Lafayette where we find the church meeting at 507 S. College Road in that city. This congregation began in 1957; it presently is having just over 100 in attendance. Bob Walton is the preacher for the brethren there.

Baton Rouge, the capital city, has a fine congregation which meets at 9923 Sunny Cline Drive; it is known as the Park Forest congregation. Bill Crews has been working with this church since 1971; a new building was erected three years ago (See cover and accompanying article).

Further south and east is the church in Gonzales. This work began in 1958 with five families; since that time the church has fluxuated drastically because of transfers in this highly industrialized complex; at present the attendance averages in the low 40’s on the Lord’s Day. Jim Gunter began his first full-time work with this church in January of this year. Jim is a native of Gonzales, and was employed as a chemical engineer before beginning full-time preaching. Jim is doing an excellent job, and is to be commended for the sacrifices he has made to preach the word. I call attention to this, because Jim took about a $5,000.00 annual cut in income when he quit his secular work to devote his fulltime to preaching the word.

The last congregation to be mentioned is the Lake Villa church in Metairie (in the northern part of the greater New Orleans area), which meets at 3000 Lake Villa Drive. This church has been in existence for ten years; Bill Collett has preached for this church eight of these years. This congregation averages about 65 on the Lord’s Day.

We do wish to call attention to Lake Charles. A church has existed in this city of 70,000 for the past nine years; the church has, however, recently disbanded. It is disheartening to know that the church there has looked for a preacher to work with them full-time for the past two years, but to no avail. They have dwindled in numbers, they recently lost their lease on their rented building, and as of April 1, they ceased meeting. We are happy to report that efforts are presently being made to re-establish a congregation there; a man has expressed a desire to move to that city, and hopefully the church will begin meeting there this year.

A General Outlook of Louisiana Churches

We think it well to mention that churches of Christ have not flourished in Louisiana like they have in other areas of the south. Even the liberal churches are scarce and for the most part small; especially in southern and southeastern Louisiana. This is due to several factors; a couple of them being that the area is predominately Catholic, thus making conversions hard and slow; the other being that the area is heavily industrialized; thus memberships fluctuate drastically because of transfers.

It is also quite interesting to note that in southern Louisiana, there are a good number of premillennial churches; in fact there are 25 congregations of this persuasion. This is probably the second largest concentration of premillennial “churches of Christ” in the nation.

There is also a large number of congregations in southern Louisiana using instrumental music in worship that call themselves “churches of Christ.” These instrumental groups are indigenous to the state and sprang from the labors of Evariste Hebert of Crowley. Everiste grew up a Catholic; in fact he studied for the Catholic priesthood for three years at St. Joseph’s seminary in Crowley. But he studied himself out of Catholicism, learned the truth, was baptized by W. J. Johnson in 1915, and began to preach immediately, but never gave up the instruments. He moved from Crowley to Jennings because of the fear of Catholic persecution. Now churches resulting from his labors are found from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles. It is quite interesting to note that the liberal brethren in Jennings recently merged with the instrumental group (known as the “First Church of Christ”)-that’s one way to have unity isn’t it! So now in Jennings we have “The First Church of Christ” with a reported membership of over 300 and the premillennial group with an attendance of about 150. These two apostate groups presently constitute “the churches of Christ” of that city.

As to the future, we recognize there is much work before us in this state. Since the sound churches are scattered and small, and several cities are without a sound church, there is a long hard struggle ahead of us in this state. But the future of the church looks bright. Several churches are growing both numerically and in the faith, and, these churches, as they grow, are reaching out to assist still other. We also have a number of preachers who have stood and Will continue to stand for the truth of God’s word. And we trust that sound churches are committed to the principle that if we continue to plant and water, that God will give the increase.

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, pp. 723-725
October 2, 1975

By Clarence R.. Johnson 

It was recorded of some, in Old Testament times, that “they feared the Lord, and served their own gods . . .” (2 Kgs. 17:33). At first reading, such a statement sounds strange, but on second thought, it seems that many “Christians” are doing basically the same thing today.

They, recognize the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day, yet they are not willing to give Him more than an hour or two of it, and often begrudge that hour or two. Their minds are not on the death of Christ and the blessed gospel, but on the secular activities they have planned for the afternoon. They are far more likely to look at their watches to see if the preacher is quitting “on time” than to look into their Bibles to see if he is speaking “as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). They are more interested in the meat that perisheth than the bread of life. Their god is their belly, or perhaps their television set (Jn. 6:27; Phil. 3:19). They sing “Take Time to be Holy” but they have far more time for nearly anything else but studying and meditating upon the truth of God by which one may draw nearer to the God of heaven.

Many worldly-minded church members realize the need to lay by in store upon the first day of the week, as they have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1, 2), in order to the the one other things before they remember the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). By the time Sunday rolls around, they have nothing left for God but their spare time and their loose change. They sing, “Oh, How I Love Jesus,” but if Christians were being executed, there would not be enough evidence against them to put them in any danger. They excuse themselves by saying, “But I’m just a poor manager. I seem to never have enough time or money to serve the Lord the way I’d like to.” Oh well, 1 Cor. 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7 do not apply to poor managers-or do they? The problem most of us have along these lines could be solved if we, like the Macedonians, would first truly give ourselves to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:1-7). We need to learn first-hand what it means to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

In addition to the problems mentioned above, which exist to some extent or another in virtually every congregation, every generation has had its share of “Christians” whose first love has become some unscriptural innovation that infatuation has built up in the hearts of some to the extent that the innovation means far more to them than peace, harmony and tranquility among brethren. To brethren in earlier generations, such innovations included the Missionary Society and show their appreciation to God, and to follow example of the first-century church, but when ‘paycheck comes, they think of a thousand and the use of instrumental music in worship. Many brethren in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s fell in love so with these innovations that they insisted on retaining them at the cost of division, even though it became steadily more evident that they could not be defended with a “thus saith the Lord.” In fact, the Christian Church denomination, that had its beginning in this movement, has little or no interest in trying to defend these practices. Many of our own generation have likewise accepted such innovations as the so-called “sponsoring church arrangements,” entertainment as a church function, church support of human institutions, etc., and in most cases it has become so evident that such practices cannot be defended by the scriptures that they will not even try to do so. Many of these brethren know the havoc that such practices have caused in congregations of God’s people throughout the world. They sing, “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord,” but they love their innovations more, and will insist on keeping their man-made gods, regardless of the division and strife it heaps upon the kingdom of God.

In fact, each of us must practice self-examination, and purge ourselves of those things that would bring dishonor to God. Especially must we “beware of covetousness,” (Lk. 12:15), an ever-present danger in our materialistic society. We need to remember that “covetousness. . . is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).

Brethren, beware, lest we fear the Lord, and serve our own gods.

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, p. 722
October 2, 1975

By Dennis C. Abernathy

As we look around the religious world, we find all kinds of creeds, disciplines, manuals, and catechisms. All of these teach or set forth a particular doctrine for a particular church. Most all of these churches claim to follow the Word of God as their guide or authority. To this writer, this seems to be one of the biggest absurdities in denominationalism or creedism or whatever you choose to call it. Let me explain (or try to!!).

The New Testament was given by the inspiration of God, and is sufficient to furnish the man of God unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). (By this, we are not saying that the Old Testament was not inspired, but we simply, in this lesson have under consideration the New Testament.) It is for the whole world (Mk. 16:15). This is the message we are authorized (the only message) to use in converting sinners (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20). The word of God will endure forever (Lk. 21:33). We will be judged by it in the last day (Jn. 12:48). The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). James says it is able to save one’s soul (Jas. 1:21). Paul said it did save the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:1-2). Any man who preaches another gospel (perverts the gospel) or adds to or subtracts from it, or abides not in it, stands accursed and has not God (Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Jn. 9-11).

Now we might ask, unto what can a creed furnish a man that the Scriptures do not? If they teach more than the word of God they teach too much. If they teach less than the word of God they do not teach enough. If they teach the same as the word of God they are not needed.

Human creeds, manuals, and etc. are not inspired, but the word of God is (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:13). They are not perfect, but the word of God is (Jas. 1:25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). They do not meet the needs of the whole world, but the word of God does (Mk. 16:15). They have to be revised or up-dated every so often, but the word of God does not (Psa. 119:89). We will not be judged by creeds, but by the word of God (Jn. 12:48). They teach many things contrary to the word of God therefore, they stand condemned (2 Jn. 9-11). They cause division in the religious . world, and are condemned (1 Cor. 1:10).

Dear reader, the only creed the Christian or church of Christ knows is the New Testament. Therein is found the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. It needs no revision. What about your creed? Can the Baptist say he takes only the Bible, when he has the Baptist manual? Can the Methodist say he stands in the word of God when he has the Methodist discipline? Can the Seventh Day Adventist claim the Bible as the only source of light when they have their church manual, and their lesser-light prophetess, Ellen G. White? The same can be said of the Pentecostals, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc., and on and on we could go. But this one thing is sure: the Baptist manual will make a Baptist if adhered to, the Methodist discipline will make a Methodist, the Seventh Day Adventist manual will make a Seventh Day Adventist, and etc., but rest assured that the New Testament will make a Christian every time.

Last of all, let me say that I have never talked to many who even agreed with their own creeds and manuals. They are willing to be governed by them, but when faced with what the Bible says, they all of a sudden don’t remember what the creed says and are willing to give up the creed on that point for argument’s sake. Many also, don’t even know they have a creed that governs them or the organization of which they are a part. Isn’t it wonderful that the New Testament does not have to be patched up, propped up, and covered up like that?

I offer only one solution. Go back to the word of God. Rid yourselves of human creeds and unite upon the authority of Christ (Matt. 28:.18). Do you believe the Bible? Then live by it and be governed by ft. Then and only then can you give a “thus saith the Lord” for what you teach and practice.

Truth Magazine XIX: 45, p. 717
September 25, 1975

By James W. Adams

All of us to one extent or another are creatures of prejudice, or “predisposition.” While imagining that we are independent thinkers, studiously logical, and quite objective in our appraisals, we have strong dispositions toward certain views, procedures, and organizations. These dispositions result from many things: rearing, custom or tradition, popularity of the thing in question, innate personality traits, etc. The cause may differ with different individuals, and whatever the cause the practical result is the same, but we all have predispositions. This fact should cause every man who desires to spend eternity with God to re-examine the spiritual ground on which he stands. Am I what I am and do I believe and practice that which I believe and practice because they are right and true, or because they are what I want to be right and true?

One of the universal tendencies of mankind has been to worship a God of his own creation. This can and is done without constructing a graven image of wood, stone, or precious metal. Many individuals professing to be a New Testament Christians who would consider it quite heathen to bow down to a graven image worship a God of their own creation. The Psalmist warned against this tendency when he quoted God as saying to the wicked: “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself . .” (Ps. 50:21). Do we worship and serve God as He is revealed to us in His word? Or, do we worship and serve Him as we desire Him to be?

Frances Bacon wrote: “What a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should seem to be occupied with things mean and transitory; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which affections color and infect the understanding ” (Novum Organum via Logic and Language).

Jesus impressively taught in the “Parable of the Sower” that the “good seed” -“the word of God”-takes root and grows to fruition only in the “good and honest hear” (Lk. 8:11-15). The more strongly therefore we desire to believe a thing, the more carefully we should guard against being deceived by our own predisposition!

Truth Magazine XIX: 45, p. 716
September 25, 1975