AUGUSI ]196,2

GOTTAGTof the Hstional AssocÍ alion oÍ Free W¡il BapfÍsts

Míssíonary Torn WíIleyexplaíns curío to ínterested

obserners d,uring

recent sessíon of thelI atíonal Assocíatíon.

C O iI TA C T0fficial Publication of the

National Association of Free Will Baptists

Vol. 9 August 1962 No. 10

Member of Evangelical Press Association

Editor

Editorial AssisiantCirculation....,.

Billy A. MelvinHarold Critcher

..Joyce Jackson

iä::{:läii.ijif-i::*:.1.i.1.t!:

ART!CLES

3 Special Report4 Our Rule of Faith and Practice6 Resolutions8 Convention News and Pictures

16 Temperance RePort

FEATURES

7 Share Program10 What's Your Problem?11 Know Your Bible Series12 Glancing Aroung the StatesL5 In the VineYard

äiij::r1i:¡ä:iÌii::i,î.::.i...?

Stote RePorters

aLABAMA, Charles O' Hollingshead, em-zoNe, Lynn Wood; ARKANsÀs,

.Willard C'

Day; celrnonNra, Jerry Dudley; FLoRIDA,C. A. Huckaby; ceoncle, Manse R. Cason;ILLINoIS, George Waggoner; rnNrucrv, BobShockey; MIcHIGAN, William Hill; vrtssts-srppr, L. E. Duncan; MIssouRI, Harvey Hill;NoRTH cARoLINA, Henry Melvin; NEw MEXI-co, B. W. Hutchison; oHIo, Richard D'Howard; NEw HAMPSntne, Mack Owens;oKLAHoMA, E. M. Kennedy; sourn cano-r-Iue, Rufus Coffey; TENNESSEE, Dale Bur-den; rexes, H. Z. Cox; vIRGINIÀ' HaroldCritcher; wA.sHINGToN, Johnny Postlewaite;wEST vIRcINrÀ, CarJ Vallence.

Every effort is made to keep our subscriptionrecords accurate. If at any time you should fajlio ,eceive your copy of CoNrucr, please notifythis office. in case of a change in add¡ess, pleasesend old address and new address allowing atleast 30 days for correction.

Coxr¡cr is published monthly by the NationalAssociation of F¡ee Will Baptis¿s under thedirection of the Executive Committee of theGeneral Boa¡d. Members are W' Stanley Mooney-ham, William Hill, Robert Picirilli, E. B. Ledlow,Willard Day, I. L. Stanlev, Othel T. Dixon.

Single su6scriptions, $1.25 per year. Family Plansubscr-iptions, $iOO per year. Club subscriptions of100 oi more, 6 cents per copy. Single copy, 15cents. Address all correspondence and subscriptionsto Billy A. Melvin, Edito¡, 3801 Richland Avenue,Nashvilie 5, Tennessee. Enlered as second-classmâtter at Nashville, Tennessee.

PecB 2 CoNrecr

personqllyOutstonding Session

The 26th annual session of the National Association of Free Will Baptists is nowhisiÀry and I am sure that it will be long remembered as a time of rich fellowship andspiritual blessing. From the singing of the opening hymn, "showers-of Blessing," untiltire final benediction, this sessión was marked in an unusual way by the working ofthe Holy Spirit.

Several things were evident as a result of this session which should give us courageas we face thõ future. First, it rilas obvious that Free Will Baptists have a sincerelove for the Word. There was a warm respotse to the theme "God's Word-Key toSpiritual Awakening" and as this theme unfolded throughout the preaching services,there was a gracioirs response to Bible truth. New commitment was also made toFree Will naþtist doctrinè and practice as the association voted to reaffirm its beliefin the twenty-two chapters of our faith and practices as listed it lhle Treatise.

Another striking result of this meeting was the concern for genuine revival through-out our *oue-en1. In some measure at least we enjoyed revival during the days ofthe association, but there was the recognition that this was not enough. We. mustsearch our hearts and wait before God in prayer until revival comes to every church'

Free Will Baptists also demonstrated at this session that they intended to get in-volved in the isiues of life. Perhaps in a way that we had never realized before, wecame face to face with the fact thai if our testimony was to count, we must get into thearena of life. Things are haÞpening all around us and we dare not live to ourselves.

Finally, this session revealed that Free Will Baptists we¡e anxious to make theirmark in-the world to the glory of God. A new surge of interest has come to the taskof evangelism both at home and abroad. We are looking more and more beyond our-selves aãd our immediate interests to the great task of winning people to Jesus Christ.With this has come an appreciation for the different departments of our national workand the contribution which they make toward this effort. We have caught the teamspirit, and together we are giving ourselves to the greatest task on the face of the ealth'

Truely it was a great priviledge to attend this session of our National Association.I do noi know of u tl-e when I was more proud to be a Free Will Baptist. It wasa thrilling experience, a wonderful time of Christian fellowship, but most important-a blessing and challenge to my own soul.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done.

An Unprecedented' ChollengeFor about a year now, we have been'talking about the need which we have for a

new Headquartérs Building. Our present facilities are no longer adequate and.- it. isimperative ìhat other arraigementJ be made or we will be faced with the possibilityof iurtailing some of the wórk which is vital to National Association ministries. Evenin the year just past, the need for this building has increased manyfold'

Because of this challenge a bold move was suggested during our recent session ofthe National Association.

-\Mhy not raise $100,000.00 in two weeks? This idea caughtflre and is now being passed on to you-the people and churches. We are keenlyaware of the magnitride of this undertaking, but we are also aware of the fact thatGod delights to do great things for His people. It is our firm conviction that we canraise this sum of moìey and provide this need if we will ask in faith believing'

Will you join with us in prayer? Will you enlist others to pray with us? This is God'sbusinesé uná *" believe that prayer is the answer to our success. Determine now toshare in the Free Will Baptisf futu¡e and may God bless you as you decide what hewould have you to do.

Literoture Time AgoinVery soon Free Will Baptist churches will be ordering their Sunday school and

Leaguó literature for the fourth quarter. We would like to remind you again that you

"urr-no* get a complete line of both Sunday school and League literature from our

Sunday sciool and League departments, 3801 Richland Avenue, Nashville 5, Tennes-,"". ihir is the officialliteratùre of the National'Association and comes to you withits endorsement.

If you would like an order blank or sample copies of the literature' write the addressmentíoned above. Should you have special needs in your Sunday school or League feel' free to mention them in your letter. We are anxious to serve you in any way possible.

aao

speci,ulreporúEXECUTIVE COftTTITTEE TO GENERAT BOARD

-f) ECAUSE oF THE very important nature ofl}the particular problems with which wehave had to deal during the past year inthe church government controversy, we feltit best to make a detailed report to youof our activities in this area.

When the National Association convenedin Norfolk in July, 196L, it was broughtto the attention of the assembly that a seg-ment of the members of the North Caro-lina State Convention of Free Will Baptistswas advocating a "connectional" form ofchurch government contrary to our esta-blished and traditional practice of congre-gational church government. At that ses-sion, the National Association expressed itsposition firmly and clearly-reaffirming be-lief in congregational church government,removing from office those who had givenlegal testimony that they believed in the"connectional" form of church government,and requesting the No¡th Carolina StateConvention to repudiate this form of govern-ment and reaffirm belief in the congrega-tional form of church government.

During the past year, we, your Execu-tive Committee, have attempted to followthe spirit and position of the action of theNational Association a year ago. When theNorth Carolina State Convention met inSeptember, 1961, our Executive Secretaryattended the sessions and was thus able togive us a report of the North Carolina Con-vention's actions when we met for our an-nual fall meeting in October, 1961.

At that meeting we were informed thatthe North Carolina Convention had takenits stand on the side of.,those who were ad-vocating "connectional" government, andhad made it clear it would not respond tothe request of the National Association.As a result of that action, we issued a state-ment which was made public in the Novem-ber issue of Contact. The purposes of thestatement were: (1) to make it known thatwe did not regard the action of the Conven-tion as reflective of the entire constituencyof Free Will Baptists within the State; (2¡to indicate that we wete not going to berushed into the hasty action of withdrawingfellowship from North Carolina or of evenattempting to tell the North Carolina Con-vention where it stood-it was our positionthat the North Carolina Convention shouldbe the one to tell the National Association

Aucusr, 1962

where it stood; (3) primarily, to exho¡t thepeople of North Carolina to reconsider andtake the action requested by the NationalAssociation; and (4) specifically, to offer tomeet with the leadership of the North Caro-lina Convention if they were interested inoffering any speciflc proposals aimed atachieving a solution to the problems whichwould bring about such a reconsideration.

We are indeed regretful that our offerwas not acknowledged. No parties from theNorth Carolina Convention have ever of-fered any constructive proposals toward asolution of the problem nor requested usto meet with them in the discussion of suchproposals. The General Board will recallthat a general invitation was sent out bythe North Carolina leaders to all GeneralBoard members to attend one of their ses-sions, but even in this there was no recogni-tion of the Executive Committee's offer norwere there presented any proposals thatcould be discussed at a conference table.The only proposal for solution that hascome from the leadership of the NorthCarolina Convention is for the NationalAssociation to rescind all its actions in thematter and surrender entirely to the willof the North Carolina Convention.

At ou¡ meeting in October, 1961, whenthat statement was issued, we were alsofaced with two particular problems relatingto the crisis: The F¡ee Will Baptist PressBoard had failed to uphold its contractswith the Sunday School and League Boards.We heard the complaints of these Boardsand of the P¡ess Board, although the P¡essBoard failed to respond to our invitation torepresent personally at this meeting. As aresult, we issued a published statementaffirming our support of the plans of theSunday School and League Boa¡ds to launchthese programs, and the ¡esults of theseprograms are being presented to you in thereports of those Boards at this association.

It was also decided at that October meet-ing that we would attempt to inform theNorth Carolina courts concerning the posi-tion of the National Association of FreeWill Baptists on church government. Sincethe majority of a local church within thestate was being sued for the church propertyby a Conference in the state, jointly withthe church minority, we felt the courtswould want to know the position of the

National Association; and we thereforeattempted to file wtih the courts a "friendof the court" brief informing the courtconcerning the teaching of our Treatise onchurch government. This attempt, however,was unsuccessful.

On March 29, 1962, in special calledsession, the North Carolina State Conven-tion voted to withdraw from the fellowshipof the National Association and to set upa new denominational program. In responseto that action, we again met in Nashville inApril, 1962, and issued a statement whichwas made public in the May issue of CoN-r¡.cr. The purposes of this statement were:( 1 ) to express our sincere regrets over theaction; (2) to indicate that we recognizedthe right of the Convention to withdraw andthat we would not attempt to force its con-tinued affiliaion, recognizing that a basicdisagreement over the form of churchgovernment exists; (3) to reassure all NorthCarolina Free Will Baptists who wished toremain in the National Association of ourcontinued desire to remain at one withthem. Recognizing the peculiar problemwhjch existed from that time because of theÍaót that several of the National Associa-tion officers belonged to churches in NorthCarolina, we also issued a statement that allsuch officers would continue to serve, ifthey desired, until this Association,

In conclusion, it has been and will con-tinue to be our aim to have as little to sayin this controversy as possible in order tomaintain the uncompromising stand of ourNational Association and keep our peopleinformed. It should be made clear that theseverance of fellowship between the NorthCarolina Convention and the NationalAssociation was by the deliberate actionof the North Carolina Convention, but wewould like to reiterate the fact that we con-tinue to be open to receive constructive sug-gestions from the North Carolina Conven-tion aimed at bringing back harmony. Inthe meanwhile, we are happy to report toyou that a new State Association has beenformed within the State, representing ap-proximately half the state's Free Will-Bap-tist constituency, and desiring to maintainthe fellowship of the National Associationand its congregational form of churchgovernment.

Pece 3

God.'s \ØordOur Rule of Fclirh clnd Prclclice

by Billy A. Melvin

". . . THY \MORD lS TRUTH''-JtrHN 17:17

Bible is outmoded; that it is far behind ourmodern scientiflc age; that it was for apast era; that it contains too many erroÌsìo be trustworthy; and that it is incapableof guiding our present complex civilløa-tion. Worldly sophisticates have depreciatedthe Bible and ascribed much of it to theuninformed opinions of simple men andas a result, we are reaping the sins, lusts,and passions of a generation that has noinfallible rule and guide for daily living.

Thir failur" to rely upon God's Word hasbrought into being many false and dis-asterous concepts. For example, in a recenteditorial on Adolf Eichmann, the writerspoke of Nazism as "a think so incrediblywicted that it would not have been believ-able of modern man, if it had not actuallyoccurred." This betrays the view held bysome that "modern man" has somehowclimbed beyond the barbarism of primitiveman and is therefore immune to ancientperversions. The fact that it "actually hap-þened" in our time, however, conflrms theSi¡te's view that man is a precarious beingat every level of existence, and that sinis not a matter of levels of civilization orgrades of culture. It is inherent in thehrr-att heart. The way out is not education,enlightenment, moral conditioning. Whatman needs is a Saviour' And this is whatthe Bible presents!

What we need to experience today is areturn to the Word of God. We mustrecognize its relevance for our day anddecla¡e its truth wherever we are. If weare to have peace instead of war, righteous-ness instead of sinfulness, truth instead offalsehood, we must bow to the authorityof the Scriptures. The caotic conditions ofour.world indicate clearly the need of aninfallible guide.

Ilowever, at this present hour, there isno universal agreement as to what is to beour authority in religion. There are at leastthree different points of view-the Church,human reason, and the Scriptures' Let uslook at these briefly in o¡der.

First, there are those who insist that theChurch is to be our authority in religion.The Roman Catholic principle of authorityis the Church. Roman Catholicism main-tains that it is the only church and henceher voice alone is valid. Those who holdthis view as to the seat of authority do notdeny the authority of the Bible in so manywords. What they do say-by implicationif not in words-that the Bible is interpretedauthoritatively by the "living Church."

The idea is that when a man becomes aminister or member of a church it is hisduty to support the program of that ch rrch-He may think it is contrary to the Bible;but never mind, it is not his business in thisoarticular matter to think; he must subntiti-'i, ¡udg..nt to the judgment councils ofthe church; he must let them interpret theBible for him and must make the messagethat he supports conform to their shiftingvotes.

long experience at sea. Trusting him' thecapiain ìne night placed him in charge ofthô pilot wheel. "Do you see that starstraight ahead? That is the North Star'You are to keep the ship going directlytoward it. Understand? If anything goeswrong, call me immediately." "Aye, ayesir; that I wi11," was the response'

The new "pilot" committeed two un-pardonable errors. fle drank some whiskeyãnd then fell asleep. When he awoke helooked frantically for his guiding star' Hediscove¡ed it at his starboard aft, about 130degrees off the proper course of the ship'In great excitement, he rushed to the cap-tain. "Captain, wake up! Give me a newstar to stèer by; we've gone past the flrstone." The captain hurried past the half-drunken sailor and turned the ship in timeto avoid crashing on the rocks.

Polaris or the North Star is the bright

PecB 4

HE cAprÀIN on a coastwise vessel hireda new sailor who had boasted of his

First ln a Seríes ol Conoentíon Sermons'

star of the second magnitude situated closestto the north celestial pole' For the past5000 years, astronomers and sailors havecalled it the North Star or the Pole Star.For those in the northern hemisphere it isthe most fixed star. Polaris has been used bynavigators during all recorded history fortrue north. Not until the year 7500, accord-ing to astronomers, will another star replacePolaris as the pole star.

A tremendous truth indeed, but not equalto that which the Bible claims for itself'The Bibte claims to be more substantial asa guide than Polaris! The Psalmist said,"For ever, O Lord, thy word is firmly fixedin the heavens." (Ps' 119:89)' Jesus said,"For verily I say unto you, till heaven andearth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled'"(Matt. 5:i8).

'But like the undependable sailor, some. skeptics imagine that they have progressedfar beyond the Scriptures. They say the

CoNr¡cr

It is interesting to note that when Dr.Eugene Carson Blake suggested in 1960that immediate steps be taken toward themerger of four major American denomina-tions, he said that in order to accomplishthis the Word of God must no longer beaccepted as the sole authority of the church.About the same time, Bishop James A.Pike of the Episcopal Church, writing inthe Christian Century, December 21, 1960,said, "The church is not under the judg-ment of the Bible finally because the Bibleis the work of members of the church anddidn't get gathered except as members ofthe church finally gathered it. The Biblecame along as sort of a Readers Digestanthology."

Bishop Leslie Newbigin, one of the out-standing spokesmen for the ecumenicalmovement, states in his book, The House-hold of God, tbat the authority of thechurch is found in the continuity of thechurch so that the authority is transmittedfrom one generation to another. The book-let published by the World Council ofChurches and distributed by the hundredsof thousands prior to the New Delhi Con-ference is filled with Scripture quotations,but when it discusses the question ofauthority it avoids the acceptance of thebiblical position. It states, "Where is thesource of authority in the church? TheBible? Tradition? Bishop or synod? Innerlight? There are differing attitudes towardthe Bible."

Then there are those who insist thathuman reason is to be our fìnal authorityin religion. One theologian writes, "Theonly possible ultimate grounds for believingScripture to be the Word of God is thatthere is that in the truth delivered whichconvinces me that God is its author. In thclast resort you must depend solely on yourconviction that here God speaks to you."

A former president of Princeton Univer-sity, Dr. Francis L. Patton writes, "There isa growing disposition to make human rea-son the standa¡d of truth. The infallibilityof private opinion is, with many, a far morepalatable doetrine than the infallibility ofrhe Bible."

Professor J. B. Pratt of Williams Collegewrites, "The Bible has lost all hold on theleaders of thought and certainly is destinedbefore many years to become one of thecuriosities of the past. The inspiration ofthose who spoke a 'thus saith the Lord'is of only a little higher type than that ofthe whirling dervishes and heathen medicinemen."

No wonder that many of our laymen andpastors are disturbed by the loss of anauthoritative Bible. Dr. Georgia Harknessperhaps had this in mind when she wrote,"For hosts of people faith in a personalGod, the divinity of Christ, the presence ofthe Holy Spirit, the existence and the im-mortality of the human soul, and otherbasic Christian convictions seems to rest

Aucusr, 1962

on such tenuous and unscientiflc groundsthat one may simply believe or not as hechooses, and give his neighbor the sameright. The outcome of such tolerance andtentativeness is that nothing in the field ofChristian faith is then believed or taughtwith a sense of conviction."

The third point of view is that the Bibleand the Bible alone is to be our authority.This is our position as Free Will Baptists.We accept the Bible-God's inspiredWord-as God's complete and final revela-tion of Himself to man and our soleauthority in matters of faith and practice.The Bible is our authority because of whatit is-the Word of God.

Free Will Baptists have always acceptedthe Bible as final authority in matters offaith and practice. As early as 1829, on theoccasion of the Third General Conference,the following statement was adopted. Itexpresses clearly the desire our forefathershad to make our position unmistakeablyplain.

"The Holy Scriptures are the primaryrule of faith and practice, for thechurch of Christ; and being given byinspiration, are fully competentthoroughly to furnish the man of God,unto every good word.and work; con-sequently any other, as such, would bedetrimental to the principles of Chris-tianity; and that it is the duty of everymember of the Free Will Baptist com-munity, in every station and condition,to guard with the utmost vigilanceand care against any innovation uponthe sacred principle-that the ancientland-mark, so judiciously set up bythe fathers, be not removed."Our Treatise states concerning the Scrip-

tures, "These are Old and New Testaments;they wele written by holy men inspired bythe Holy Spirit, and are God's revealedword to man. They are a sufficient andinfallible rule and guide to salvation andall Christian worship and service."

The fact that we have stood firm on theauthority of Cod's Word has been no smallblessing to our denomination. What con-tribution we have been able to make in thesalvation of souls and the spiritual advance-ment of the world has been possible, nodoubt, to this fact. I am equally convincedthat if we do anything for God in the future,we must not be moved from our commit-ment to His authoritative'Word. Let us prayand work that Free Will Baptists will alwaysbe fully committed to the Word of God.

But in this matter of authority there issomething which I believe needs to begiven careful consideration, for I haveobserved that it is all too easy to accept theauthority of God's Word in the head andnot in the heart and will. Too many of ushave concluded, I fear, that if we have theword for a thing, we have the thing itself.If it is in the Bible, it is in us. If we havethe doctrine, we have the experience. Ifsomething rvas true of Paul, it is true of

us because we accept Paul's epistles asdivinely inspired. Too many of us FreeWill Baptists have divorced doctrine fromlife, theology from experience, evangel fromethic. In our commendable fidelity to thetext we have not sufficiently stressed prac-tice! At this point, let me be more specificand discuss four areas of biblical practicewhile have been of special concern to me inrecent months.

The Bible teachers us that the primaryobjective of the church is to evangelize.This is our mission in the world. Of thisthere can be no doubt. Jesus said, "Al1power is given unto me in heaven and inearth. Go ye therefore, and teach allnations, baptizing them in the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of the HolyGhost: Teaching them to observe all thingswhatsoever I have commanded you; and lo,I am with you alway, even unto the end ofthe world. (Matt. 28:18-20). Again Jesussaid, "Go ye into all the world and preachthe gospel to every creature. He thatbelieveth and is baptized shall be saved;but he that believeth not shall be damned."(Mark 16:15-16). And prior to His ascen-sion back to the Father, Jesus said to thedisciples, "But ye shall receive power afterthat the Holy Ghost is come upon you:and ye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(Acts 1:8).

If we accept the authority of the Scrip-tures, and if we are going to live under thatauthority, we must fulfill the responsibilitywhich is ours to evangelize. Oh, I recognizethat we have many churches that are doinga very credible job in reaching people forChrist in the community, as well as carry-ing a burden for the missionary endeavor ofthe denomination. But what about the totalpicture? What about our record as a denom-inâtion?

Many of our people and many of ourchurches live in a very small circle, cutoff from the great masses of people thatneed our witness. Perhaps in our efforts tocut ourselves off from the sjzs of the world,we have cut ourselves off from the peopleof the world. I am not suggesting that weshould go out and live like the world, but Iam suggesting that we need to move out ofour little circles and get into the arena oflife where our testimony will count.

God's Word does not teach us that weare to erect a church building, organizeour program, announce our services andthen relax and enjoy ourselves. I fear thatal1 too often we have done this to theneglect of New Testament evangelism. Iknow the tendency of most congregationsto settle back and take things easy. Iremembe¡ once, when in the pastorate, thatI became quite burdened about the spirit oflethergy that prevailed. No one was beingsaved, and worse still, no one seemed tocare. During that period of time, I prepared

(Continued on Page 9)

Pece 5

RESOLUTIONS

.fT/HEREAS the recent ruling of theW Supreme Court against thJuse of theso-called "Regent's Prayer" in the schoolsof New York has created a climate of con-fusion and misunderstanding regarding thepractice of any prayers in public schools aswell as the practice of other non-sectarianreligious exercises, including Bible reading,baccaulaureate services, the pledge of allegi-ance using the words "under God" andothers, and

'Whereas we believe that such exetcisesare a part of the great and vital schooltraditions of this country and should bemaintained as moral practices that con-tribute to the strength and character of thecommunity and nation, and

Whereas we believe as long as thesepractices are kept non-sectarian and volun-tary they do not constitute the "establish-ment of religion" and thus are not in viola-tion of the ûrst amendment to the constitu-tion, and

Whereas we believe that the surest way topreserve these rights for the majority ofthe people of this country is to amend theconstitution so as to permit their continuedpractice as a part of our heritage, there-fore

Be it resolved that the National Associa-tion of Free Will Baptists give its fullestsupport to adoption of such an amendmentor whatever steps necessary to insure thecontinuation of such non-sectarian religious

devotions including prayer and Bible read-ing both in our schools and in other areasof public life.

r T THEREAS the National Association ofW Free Will Baptists recognizes thatthat there are numerous Free Will Baptistsin North Carolina who are unaffiliated withthe National Association, but who are insympathy with the world-wide ministry ofthe National Association, therefore

Be it resolved that this National Associa-tion seek a cordial Christian relationshipwith these brethren in the sincere desire thatthey will see fit to affiliat with the NationalAssociation of Free Will Baptists.

I - clrp FoR HANDy REFERENcE - |rlrt

Alabama-E. B. LedlowArizona-Lynn WoodArkansas-Willard C. DayCalifornia-E. E. MorrisFlorida-Elro DriggersGeorgia-G. 0. Kinglllinois-Lawrence Thompsonlndiana-Richard Cordell

Foreign Mission BoardJoseph G. Ange, Mich.Eugene Waddell, N. C.Mark M. Lewis, Mich.Rolla Smith, Tenn.Lonnie DaVoult, 0kla.

Home Mission BoardRashie Kennedy, N. C.Gordon Sebastian, N. C.Wade Jernigan, 0kla.Harvey H. Hill, Mo. . . .Harvey H. Hill, Mo.Bob Shockey, Ky.

North Carolina-Bobby Jackson0hio-Forest ChamberlainOklahoma-N. R. SmithSouth Carolina-Jack MillwoodTennessee-E. B. McDonaldTexas-H. Ray BerryVirginia-J. B. ChismWest Virginia-Carl Vallance

Superannuation Board.1963 J. 0. Fort, Fla. . .1964 Thomas Hamilton, Ga.

.1965 E. M. Kennedy, 0kla. .. .1966 N. P. Gates, Mich.

1967 G. E. Ratliff,

Headquarters Irustees1963 J. Russell Lee, Tenn.1964 H. D. Bailey, Tenn.1965 J. B. Reding, Tenn.1966 John L. Welch, Tenn. ...... .1967 G. W. Hunt, Tenn. .

.....1963

... 1964

. . . .1965

. . .1966. . 1967

. 1963. ....1964... ..1965

. 1966

.. 1967

College Trustees

Luther Gibson, Miss.; J. R. Davidson, Ga.i M. E. Howard, Va.Carrol Alexander, S. C.; William Mishler, Ark.; Delmer Priest, Calif. ...Randy Cox, N. C.; Harold Harrison, Fla.; Paul lnbody, 0kla.

. .1964. . . .1966

. .1968

Personnel of the Nutionql Associution of Free Will BoptisisOfficers

Moderator-W. Stanley Mooneyham, Wheaton, lllinoisAssistant Moderator-William Hill, Hazel Park, MichiganClerk-Robert Picirilli, Nashville, TennesseeAssistant CIerk-Carlton Lambert, Eldridge, AlabamaExecutive Secretary-Billy A. Melvin, Nashville, Tennessee

Executive CommitteeW, Stanley Mooneyham, William Hill, Robert Picirilli, Othel T. Dixon, Willard Day, l. L. Stanley, E. B. Ledlow

General Board

Kansas-W. T. TurnboughKentucky-F. S. VanHooseMaine-William ReaganMexico-Arthur BillowsMichigan-Carl D. KilgoreMississippi-Wi lburn BeasleyMissouri-0thel T. DixonNew Mexico-Gerald Chester

Sunday School Board. 1963 Charles A. Thigpen, Tenn. . . . . , ..1964 John West, Okla.1965 Dale Burden, Fla. .1966 Ralph Staten, Va. .

. .1967 Herman Hersey, N. C.

League Board1963 Charles Hollingshead, Ala.

. .1964 Henry Melvin, Tenn. . .

..1965 Russell Spurgeon, Mo..1966 Harold Criicher, Tenn. .

.1967 Gerald Chester, N. Mexico

Pece 6 CoNucr

An U nprece dented C hallenge$IOO,OOO.OO ln Two Weeks

ocToBER t4-28, 1962

REIITEXIBER THE "TWO BIG WEEKS'' IN OCTOBER

> TELL others about this opportuníty to share in the Free Wiltr.Baptist future. Encourage them to haae a part.

> PRAY tor tlrc ¡trouision of this need and the extentíon otour ministry aroun,d the world.

> GIVE to multe possible this much needed building uhíchu:íll house the aarious departments of our work.

During the recent session of the Notionol Associo-tion onnouncement wos mode of on effort to roise$100,000.00 in two weeks. Becouse of the veryropid development of our denominotionol ministriesit wos felt thot o bold move wos needed to meet thechollenge of o new Heodquorters Building.

Never in the history of Fiee Will Boptists hove weundertoking such o tosk, but becouse it is our desireto continue the exponsion of our ministry to theglory of God ond the solvotion of souls, we ore givingourselves to this effort.

We ore onxious thot you join with us now in proyerthot God will bring this need to the heorts of ourpeople. Your ploce in this is strotegic. Do not foil us!

- Clip and mail today -

TOGETHER WE WILI

$HAREHOW DO WE PROPOSE to raise the

$125,000.00 needed for this new building?We invite you to share in the Free WillBaptist future. You rnay do this throughthe purchase of a share.

The plan is this. We are praying for1,500 individuals and 500 churches thatwill buy one or more shares in our future.All shares are in the amount of $50.00.When payment for a share is received, thechurch or individual will receive an at-tractive 8/z x 5/z share. (Your share isactually a gift, but this is our permanentrecord to you of your share in our future.)

Churches or individuals that buy five ormore shares will be "Advancement Con-tributors." These churches and individualswill be listed on a bronze plaque to beplaced in the entrance hall of the newbuilding.

Your indication now, on the oppositeform, of your desire to share in our futurewill be a gteat inspiration to us. We darenot fail to meet the challenge which isol¡rs as Free Will Baptists. Thank you foryour consideration of this need and mayGod bless you.

Aucusr, 1962

Here ls A Shure ln The Free Will Boptist FutureGod beíng my Helper, you con count on me for

-shores

($50.00eoch) in 1962. I will poy os indicoted.

$_-- per month Nome$-----------------._- now' $- Address

bv-Dote

, D.t"

$- enclosed Church(This may be pasted to a port card)

P¡ce 7

Þ Registration for the 26th session of theNational Association was the highest in ourhistory. There were 404 ministers, 200delegates, 986 visitors, and 4 missionariesregistered for a total of 1,594. At least1,900 persons attended the opening serviceon Tuesday evening with approximately 2,-200 present for the missionary service onWednesday evening.Þ Four associations and five churcheswhich have no state body were receivedinto the membership of the National As-sociation. They were: North Eastern As-sociation, Kansas State Association, FirstMexican Association, North Carolina As-sociation, and the Free Will Baptistchurches in Fairbanks, Alaska; Buhl, Idaho;Denver, Colorado; Bettendorf, Iowa; andVancouver, Washington.Þ The body adopted reports of the SundaySchool and League boards with specialappreciation expressed to the OklahomaState Association for contributing theirliterature program to the National Associa-tion and to Ray Turnage for his sacrificalservice to the League department. Allchurches were urged to purchase their litera-ture from the Sunday School and Leaguedepartments of the National Association.Þ A new retirement plan for ministers, mis-sionaries, and other Christian workers, aspresented by the Superannuation board, wasadopted.Þ A revision of the Constitution and By-laws which had been under study for abouttwo years was adopted. While most of therevision was a matter of rearrangement andcondensing, some changes \ilere noted. Im-portant among these were: the added pro-vision to allow bodies from Canada andMexico to represent, the change of GeneralBoard members' terms from "east" and"west" to an alphabetical division, theadded requirement that members adopt theNational Association Treatise, an adjust-ment in representation fees, and a clariflca-tion about disipline.Þ The National Association adopted arecommendation from the General Boardthat "we express our appreciation for theway the Executive Committee has laboredso faithfully to resolve the situation inNorth Carolina and that we express ourconfldence in them for the maner in whichthey have handled it.:?Þ The General Board was instructed by theassociation to give study to the establish-ment of a Historical Commission.Þ Approval was granted to the Gene¡alBoard to prepare through its ExecutiveCommittee, with the help of proper profes-sional counsel, a new hymnal for Free WillBaptists to be published by 1965.Þ The association, noting that this sessionmarked the beginning of our second quar-ter-century of service, voted to reafürm ourbelief in, and loyalty to, the twenty-twochapters in the doctrinal section of ourTreatise ol the Faíth and Practíces ol theNational Association of Free W|II Baptists.Þ Attendancc at the \ryNAC was outstand-Prae 8

Retirìng rnod.erator, Ralph Staten, (leÍt)efrten¿Is congratulations anil prayerful sup-port to V. Stanley lllooneyharn, newly elect-eil ntoilerator ol the Natíonal Association.

Tímes of fellowshíp ín. the exhíbít atea toeÌeenjoyed by øll, .4lI ol the ilisplays úere at-tÌdct¡ùe ancl ínforttatixe. Míssionary curioswere of specìal ínterest.

COITI/ilNTIOIT

Greetíng olil lríends ønil enjoying titnes ollellowshíp ís a part of any Natìonøl ,4ssocia-tion session. Thìs group of pastors uerecaught ín the act ín the lobby of the Her-mítage Hotel.

ing. On Tuesday afternoon a memorialservice, under the direction of Mrs. J. P.Barrow, was held for Mrs. Alice Lupton,the first WNAC president and Mrs. LeahWaddell, former youth chairman. Declama-tion winners were: (YPA) Bonnie Belcher,Michigan, first place; Larry Wall, NorthCarolina, second place; (GTA) Beth Smith,Tennessee, first place; Lynn Poole, Virginia,second place.Þ A National Association budget of $882,-947,97 was adopted for the year 1963. Thisrepresents an increase of $261.026.97. Co-opçrative Plan allocations were approved as

1IHryS AITil

Total gíoing by the oaríous súrlres to all de-pattnr.ents ol natíonal work was gíuen onthís chart. 0Í íntet'est to nldny øas the percøpita gioing ol each state. How iLíd Floríilaìlo Brother Hícks?

follows: foreign missions, 29Vo, Free WillBaptist Bible College 2l%, executive de-partment 20Vo, home missions 76Vo,League boañ, 1,0Vo, superannuation 37o,and stewardship commission l7o.Þ An important resolution adopted by thebody stated that the recent ruling of theSupreme Court outlawing prescribed prayerin Nerv York public schools had created "aclimate of confusion and misunderstanding"regarding public school prayer. In anotherresolution, the association voted to "seek"a cordial Chrstian relationship with NorthCarolina Free Will Baptists not affiliated

CoNr¡cr

Representatír:e Paul Kettermøt. ol Free WilIBaptíst Bible CoIIege poínts out sonre of thecharts ott díspkry whiclt aíaídly portraye¿the progress ol the Bible College.

PICTI]BN$

Elected to Eerúa on. tlte Exe.cutíae Contntítteewere: (bøck roø, I. to r.) E. B. Ledlow,Alabatna; Otl¿el 1'. I)ixort, Missouri; W. S.lllooneyhøn., Illínoia; Wil.lard. Dayo Arkan-sas; (fron.t) Wílliunt, IIiIl, Míchigan; RobertPícírìlli, Tennessee; I. L. Stun.ley, Tennes-aee.

with the association but in sympathy withits ministry.ÞOfficers elected to serve were as follows:Rev. W. Stanley Mooneyham, Moderator;Rev. William Hill, Assistant Moderator;Rev. Robert Picirilli, Clerk, Rev. CarltonLambert, Assistant Cle¡k; and Rev. Billy A.Melvin, Executive Secretary.Þ Convention site fo¡ f9$ is Detroit,Michigan. The 1964 site is to be selectedat that time. Beginnrng n 1964, the associa-tion will assume all expenses for the conven-tion unless a suitable invitation is extendedfrom a state.

Aucusr, 1962 Pece 9

GOD'S WORD(Continued From Page 5)

a sermon about the obligation of God's peo-ple to evangelize. Apparantly I preachedwith a little more zeal than usual because atthe conclusion of the service many withinthe congregation were quite anxious toassure me that there was no cause foralarm. I heard such remarks as, "Don'tget excited preacher, we're doing alright.""Now pastor, things are fine. Our offeringshave been the best in weeks!" "After all,pastor, the people know where our churchis located. They pass on their way to workevery morning, and if some should drop in,you know that we would make them wel-come."

These remarks, and others, were madeto set me at ease again, but I went homemore disturbed than ever. Disturbed be-cause my church was not disturbed aboutthe task of evangelizing.

And where are those Free Will BaptistChurches with concern enough, loveenor-rgh, and faith enough, to sponsor andbuild another Free Will Baptist Church.If the fruit of a Christian is another Chris-tian, then doesn't it follow that the fruitof a church is another church. ln this pastyear, I have not heard of a single Free WillBaptist Church that has been responsiblefor starting another Church. This cloes notmean that it has not happened at all, butapparently the churches which have thisburden are few and far between.

And what of the larger task of evangelism,as we think of those millions upon millionsaround the world without Christ. At thepresent time, we have 42 missionaries work-ing under the direction of our foreign mis-sion board. Do you rcalize that this n.reanswe have only one missionary for every 60churches or, to put it another way, one mis-sionary to every 5,000 members.

I do not intend to imply by this that ourmissionary activity has not been increasing.It has. In the last five years, we have beenable, under God, to more than double ourmissionary personnel overseas as well asour missionary receipts. What I am saying isthis. We have a lot of ground to cover inorder to bring our evangelistic efforts inline with our potential as Free Will Baptists.

We all need to be reminded of God'sWord in Ezekial 33:8-9. "When I say untothe wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surelydie; if thou dost not speak to warn thewicked from his way, that wicked manshall die in his iniquity but his blood willI require at thine hand. Nevertheless, ifthou warn the wicked of his way to turnfrom it; if he does not turn from his way,he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hastdelivered thy soul."

A second biblical teaching which we needto examine in the light of the authorityof God's Word is the truth that God's workis to be done in the power and might ofthe Holy Spirit. "Not by might, nor by

power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord ofhost." (Zechariah 4:6).

In Acts, chapter one and verse eight, welearn that "in the power of the HolySpirit" the disciples were to go forth andbe witnesses. The entire Acts oÍ theApostles, which could well be called theActs of the Holy Spirit, is a historical recordof how Christians in the early church movedout in the power of God's Spirit to win aworld for Christ.

The impact which the Apostle Paul madefor Jesus Christ, in the many cities ândcountries which he visited during his threemissionary journeys, \ilas not made in thestrength of the flesh. Paul's ministry wasone characterized by the presence, power,and working of the Holy Spirit. He testifiedto this in writing to the church at Corinth."My speech and my preaching was not withenticing words of man's wisdom, but indemonstration of the Spirit and of power;that your faith should not stand in thewisdom of men, but in the power of God."(I Cor. 2:4-5).

Is it possible that Free Will Baptists havebecome self-sufficient? Have we fallen preyto the attitude of secularism. I recognizethat in the light of recent scientificadvances, man has concluded more andmore that God is no longer needed. Whowould have dreamed ten or fifteen years agothat at this time man would have success-fully orbited the earth and that plans wouldbe well under way to put a man on thenloon. Such technological and scientificadvances are almost too much for the aver-age individual to comprehend. Unfor-tunately, as a result of this progress andadvancement, there is the tendency to con-clude man can do anything. It is true thatman has accomplished a lot and man will,no, doubt, continue to make new and thrill-ing discoveries, but still we must recognizethat man cannot do everything. At best,man is a limited creature, and his greatestachievements are puny and insigniflcant inthe light of the great acts of God.

But man concludes he no longer needsGod, and this attitude creeps into thechurch. Now, it isn't that we are going togo around and tell everyone that we nolonger need God or that our pastors willstand in their pulpits and publicly preachto.their congregations that a new day hascome and God is no longer needed.(Though in all fairness some perhaps shouldput up a sign, "God no longer neededhere.") It is far more subtle than that!What we do in essence is to proceed withoutGod. We organize, appoint committees, planour work, make out our budgets, and holdour services, apart from the direction of theHoly Spirit and then we wonder why weare not seeing greater results. Like Samson,when "he' wist not that the Lord wasdeparted from him," we keep going throughthe motions, but God is not present inpower.

(Contiruted on. Page 14)

WHAI'S YOURPROBI.ETUI?

by Louis H. Moulton

The natural man (unregenerated and withoutChrist) has no thought of God, no thought ofeternity, and usually ignores God as though Hedid not exist. He seldom, if ever, reads his Bibleand never prays unless he gets in a jam. This mangoes through life enjoying God's blessings with-out ever thanking God for them all. The naturalman, though more intelligent, more clever, moresophisticated; lives like an animal with one de-sire-to flll his belly and get all he can.It is true. In Genesis I:29, "And God said, Be-hold I have given you (man) every herb bearingseed which is upon the face of the earth, andevery tree in the which is the fruit of a treeyeilding seed; to you it shall be for meat." It wasnot until after the flood of Noah's day that Godadcled meat to man's diet. In Genesis 9:3, "Everymoving thing that liveth shall be meat for you;even as the green herb have I given you all things."Indications are that he was born again eventhough we are not told so directly. In John 19:39-40, Nicodemus came with Joseph of Arima-thea and took away the body of Jesus for burialafter his crucifixion. There seems to be a changein this man who came to Jesus by night. Now hecomes boldly bringing myrrh and aloes for hisburial. I'd say there had been an experience withGod's Son.

Christians suffer in their bodies the same as sin-ners since we are all subject to the same physicalailments. Ilowever, when it comes time to diethere is a world of difference. The true believermay fear the experience of dying and the suffer-ing and agony which preceeds death, but deathitself is not feared by the believer. The sing ofdeath is sin (1 Cor. 15:55) and the believer's sinsare under the blood. So for the believer, deathis emancipation from this tenament of clay topass into the presence of the Lord (II Cor. 5:8).God had given an absolute rule of acceptablesac¡ifice in Genesis 3:21 when ". . . the Lord Godmade coats of skins, and clothed them." Cainbrought an offering of the fruit of the groundwhich came about through his own efforts. Abelbrought a firstling of his flock and set an examplebacked by Scripture. Without the shedding ofblood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Our ownefforts cannot avail and the only approach toGod is through the blood-the blood of His onlybegotten Son.

Your questions for use in this column are invited. All questions not answered in thecolumn will be answered personally. Send your questions to Rev. Louis H. Moulton,8 Richmond Drive, Savannah, Georgia.

Pecs 10

Cooperative Receipß

Down Slightly in luneCooperative receipts for June were not as

good as previous months. Some of this wasdue to the necessity of closing out ou¡ booksearly in order to prepare for the NationalAssociation. We are hopeful of showing astrong comeback in the month of July.

Since churches will shortly be adoptingtheir budgets for next year, we would en-courage you to consider the CooperativePlan of Support. Further information maybe secured by writing Cooperative Plan,3801 Richland Avenue, Nashville 5, Ten-nessee.

JUNE COOPERATIVE RECEIPTS

Recenfly I heard a preacher saythat the natural man is verymuch like the beast of the field.What did he mean?

fs it true that in time gone byman was strictly a vegetarianand ate no meat at all?

Jesus told Nicodemus that hemust be born again in the thirdchapter of John. I can't findwhere Nicodemus was ever bornagain. Was he?

I have seen many people die.I have heard that for the Chris-tian death is simply a doorthrough which one passes intothe presence of the Lord. Yet,f have seen Christians suffer indeath. Is there really a differencein the death of a sinner andsaint?

Why did God according toGenesis 4t4 have respect forAbel's offering and reject andrefuse Caints ocering?

UndesignatedALABAMA

Hickory Grove Church,Abbeville -- $ 73.25

Good Water Church,Slocomb 5.00

State association ------------ -- 1,8.62FLORIDA

N. E. Mission Meeting,Jacksonville

State associatìon .--.-.

GEORGIAState association

ILLINOISState association --.. .-. .

KANSASFirst association .--- ..-....-.

KENTUCKYSecond Church,

AshlandNEW MEXICO

First Church, Hobbs ....First association ...----------

NORTH CAROLINAFellowship Church,

New BernOHIO

First Church,Springfield

OKLAHOMAState association ------------,-

TENNESSEEHorton Heights Church,

NashvilleOlivet Church,

Clarksville

5.00235.0't 240.0',1

35.8638.64

164.69

276.83

764.79

35.00

'14.50

81,96

44.51

851.73

Woodale Church,Knoxville

TEXASState associat.ion -- -----------

VIRGINIABethany Church,

NorfolkFairmount Park Church,

Norfolk

'7 5.11

215.00

33.68 323.'19

318.36

83.',l7

433.80 57'.1.s7$3,1 30.67

DESIGNATED FUNDSFlorida ------,----------- -- - 693.00Oklahoma 38.30Tennessee 35.00Texas ,,-..--,---,---.-,- -- 5.00 771.30

$3,r01-9?DISBURSEMENTS

Foreign Missions ----------$1,295.f 3Executive Department -- '776,31Bible College 640.13Home Missions ------------ 710.13Sunday School f57.53League --------- 190.69Superannuation ------------ 94.52Stewardship Commission 31.53 $3,895.97

CoNr¿.cr

l(now Yorrr B¡bte Series

/-\NE oF THE MOST interesting and power-(-lfrf statenrents concerning -ttre Uoot< otHebrews is found in the Foreword toCharles R. Erdman's book, The Epistle tothe Hebrews.' "Does Christianity claim tobe the perfect and therefore the final formof religious belief? If so, on what groundsdoes it base so extraordinary a claim, andwhat consequent obligation rests upon itsadherents to appreciate its full significanceand to share its riches with the followersbf other faiths? Such are the questions raisedand answered by the following fascinatingletter, which consequently constitutes oneof the most important documents in the li-terature of the world."

There are some uncertainities one mustadmit in studying the book of Hebrews.We cannot speak with finality concerningthe author, the church adclrcssed or the dateof composition. Certainly everyone wouldspeak with definiteness concerning its in-spiration and proper place in the Canon ofNew Testament books. Probably more peo-ple ascribe this epistle to Paul than to anyother single person. This writer agrees withOrigen, who in the third century, saicl, "Whoit was who wrote the Epistle, Go

-ffi''Tx

GTANCING

AROUNÐ

THE

STATES

Thís ís a portíon oÍ the crowil that gatheted at the Fírst F¡ee Vill.BaptistCnir"n in'Raleigh,'North Cørolína, fõr the otganízational. tneetíng oÍ ã stdte

"ii""læ¡i". ijoi.í"* space toøs "it

'¡tt"d anil tnany søt in ¿løssrootns usherelouilspeakers hail been set up.

Free Will Baptist Church of Swannanoa'was elected assistant moderator. Other offi-cers elected were the Rev. Carey Watkins,pastor of Prospect Free Will Baptist Church,Dunn, clerk; the Rev. Wingate Hansley ofSmithfleld, treasurer.

An Executive Board was elected as fol-lows: the Rev. Cecil Campbell of new Bern;the Rev. Sherman Branch of Marion; andthe Rev. Eugene Waddell of Garner.

A Board of Trustees was elected as fol-lows: the Rev. W. L. Kell of Marion; theRev. Billy Allen of Gastonia; and the Rev'T. E. Woody, 86 years old veteran minister

of Burnsville.A Board of Missions was elected as fol-

lows: the Rev. Norman Perkins; the Rev.Gordan Sebastian of Hookerton; the Rev.Seldon Bullard of Morehead City; the Rev.Frank McQuiay of Rockingham; and theRashie Kennedy of Greenville.

An Orphanage Board was elected as fol-lows: Mr. Charles Springle of Beaufort; theRev. Ralph Willis of Kannapolis; the Rev.Harold Pitts of Cantonl the Rev. RaymondGaskins of Ayden; and the Rev. LaRueDavis of Greenville.

A Board of Superannuation was elected

The Reaeren¿I D. V, Alexønilq lr.as electednto¿eretor lor the døv. One ol the olilestn¿inisters íi the stele he cotntnenteil,'oThísìs'the hìghlísht oÍ rny expetíence."

Offi,cers electeil to aet.te the assocíatiorl tÐete(í. to ¡.) Rea. Catev Watkíns, clerk; ReuVoyn" Srnith, rnoilerator; anil Rea. MiltottH ollí fi.elìL, als¡størl.t nt.o ìlerator.

Associstion Orgonized ln North CorolinqRALEIGH, N. C.-The North CarolinaAssociation of Original Free Will Baptistsorganized here the last week in June pur-posed itself to turn from strife to a positiveþrogram of propagating the gospel aroundthe world.

The key note n'ìessage delivered by Dr.L. C. Johnson, president of Free Will Bap-tist Bible College, Nashville, Tennessee,stated, "We are seeking a fellowship ofbrethren with a oneness of spirit which willeliminate friction from withia and will pro-vide a united effort for reaching our genera-tion with the gospel message."

The association, meeting in an organiza-tional session in the First Free Will Bap-tist Church of Raleigh registered 677 minis-ters, delegates, and visitors representing 8conferences and associations from acrossthe state. Chu¡ches- ofiÌcially representirigaccounted for more tnat ZO,:OO of the esti-mated 45,000 Free Will Baptists in NorthCarolina.

Formation of the new association wasnecessitated by the withdrawal of the NorthCarolina State Convention from the Na-tional Association of Free \Mill Baptists dur-ing March and the desire of numerouschurches within the state to maintain itsidentification with the National Associationand its world-wide ministrY'

The Rev. WaYne Smith, Pastor of theFirst Free

.Will Baptist Church of Smith-

field was elected moderator of the Associa-tion. He formerly held numerous positionsin the North Carolina State Convention. TheRev. Milton Hollifield, pastor of the First

Pece 12CoNr¡cr

as follows; the Rev. Conrad Williford ofDurham; Mr. Owen Thomas of Smithfield;the Rev. Thurman Hall of La Grange; theRev. Leroy Cuttler of Jackenville; and theRev. Roy Duckett of Kannapolis.

The Rev. D. W. Alexander, one of theoldest Free Will Baptist ministers in thestate and holder of all major offices of theNorth Carolina State Convention waselected moderator-of-the-day. While bring-ing an opening message, Mr. Alexander re-ferred to the fact that he had held many"exalted" positions in the Free Will Baptistdenomination, but added, "I think that thisis the highlight of my experience." Hereferrecl to the organizational session asbeing "thc most important meeting everheld among Free Will Baptists of NorthCarolina." The senior minister called on theassociation to pray diligently to know moreabout God and his will and that Christmight truly reign in individual hearts andin the association.

The association adopted the constitutionand byJaws stating that "the purpose ofthis organization shall be the establishmentand maintenance of a voluntary associationof autonomous Original Free Will BaptistChurch (and) affiliation with theNational Association of Original Free WillBaptist and cooperation in its world-wideministry."

In his key note address, Doctor Johnsonemphasized the fact that "we are not hereto settle petty differences between contend-ing brethren. Neither âre we here with aspirit of vindictiveness, nor a gloating pride,nor a spirit of 'I told you so.' But, we arehere to promote a cause in which we believeand which has been challenged."

He stated that the association was seekinga climate in which to work that will bestpromote the cause of Christ. "We are con-tending for an organizational frameworkwhich will guarantee the greatest possiblethrust towards world evangelism."

A record breaking missionary offering of$7,200 was received in the Monday night

rally. Mrs. Thomas Willey, Sr., veteran of22 years of missionary activity in Cuba,spoke to the group. More than 50 youngpeople responded to her appeal to dedicatethemselves to ice of Christ.

TOW EY, ALA. angelist Eustacea successful revival

g at the Townle Free Will BaptistChu Town . Ten were bap-tized a to the church during theVacation Bible School and revival services.Rev. Jimmie Brown is the pastor.

Record Attendance

NEW BERN, N. C.-A record enrollmentof 195 children was recorded during Vaca-tion Bible School at Ruth's Chapel Free WillBaptist Church. During commencementexercises 185 certiflcates were awarded.Mrs. Lee Gurganus was director of theBible school and Rev. Alton Hines is thepastor.

Officers Elected.

BENTON, ILL.-The Illinois State As-sociation in a recent meeting elected thefollowing officers: Claude Hampleman,Moderator, Charles Osborn, Assistant Mod-erator, A. E. Norris, Clerk, George Wag-goner, Assistant Clerk, and Betty Hample-man, Treasurer. All churches in the associa-tion were urged to support the CooperativePlan and the new Headquarters building forthe National Association. This body reports3001 Free Will Baptist members in thestate.

S eroicetnen) s Retr eatsNASHVILLE, TENN. - The Chaplain'sCommission of the National Association ofEvangelicals has arranged for five service-men's retreats this fall. All Free Will Bap-tist parents that have boys serving in any

of these areas are urged to notify themabout these meetings.

Meetings for the month of Septemberhave been arranged as follows: September1-3, Clarksville, Tennessee, with Mr. HaroldL. Witmer, Box 81, as the registrar;September 10-12, Tokyo, Japan, with Col.John C. Bonson, 1l Nakamaru Cho,Itabashi Ku, as the registrar; September 14-16, Eighth Army Retreat l{ouse, Korea,with Chaplain (Capt.) R. C. Wright, 7thInf. Div. Art., APO, San Francisco, Cali-fornia, as the registrar.

It should be noted that all of these retreatsare family type and arrangements have beenmade to accommodate all ages. Service-men, chaplains, and dependents are cor-dially invited to attend.

RALEIGH, N. C.-Missionaries Tom andMabel Willey, with foreign missions' direc-tor Reford Wilson and director of informa-tion Jerry Ballard, enjoy a few moments offellowship with Eleena Ruiz of Cuba.Eleena's parents were members of the FreeWill Baptist church in Pinar before leavingCuba for Miami. They have been Christiansabout lVz years. Visiting an aunt and unclein Raleigh, Eleena was anxious to have aBible which was made available.

Píctureil aboae ìs the Velch At¡enue Free Víll Baptíst Church olColum.bus, Ohio, organízeil ín 7950 uith 75 tnetnbers. Toiløy ithas 273 nretnlters uith an aùerage Sunilay school enrollrnent of260. Rea. Thotnas Moore ís pdstor.

Aucusr, 1962

An open iloor ol seroíce lor the RexerenìI Thotnas Moore has l¡eenhís rnin,ístry as hospital chaplain of Mercy Hospítal ìn. Colutnbus.He ís pictureìl here ín the hospital chøpel which ís aoailable forprøyet and coneultation,

P¡ce 13

not merely doing certain forbidden thingsor going to certain prescribed places. World-liness is what we.are, not just what we do. Itis essentially an inner attitude, not only out-ward actions, for as the Bible says "as aman thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Prov.23:7).

The most common form of worldlinesswhich I observe today is the attitude ofso many Christians toward the materialthings of this world. This is a very materi-alistic age. There is a great emphasis onhaving "things" and gaining possessions foroneself. In fact, a man's success or failurein this life, to a large degree, is determinedby how successful he is in gaining forhimself and his family the material thingsof this world.

I fear Free Will Baptists have fallen intothis attitude of the world! Perhaps you donot agree, but what is it that consumes ourtime? What is it that gains the benefit ofour talents? What is ìt that lives in ourthoughts? What is it that we talk about themost? What is it that we choose when thereis a choice beween another "gadget" and

a contribution to a spiritual cause? We knowthe answer all too well, and if we would behonest with ourselves, we will have toadmit that we have found it easy in thisrespect to live just like the worldl

The mun.rer of life adopted by many ofus is well illustrated in an incident thatwas related to me by a friend. Late oneafternoon at a lakeside, a cry for help washeard. Apparantly a young lady had gottenout too far in the water and was now inserious trouble. Unfortunately there wereno strong swimmers around, so there wassome delay before a boat could be placedin the water and those involved could rowto the place where the girl went down. Therescuers were successful, however, in pullingthe girl from the water and rowed hurriedlyback to shore to give artifical respiration.A small crowd gathered to watch theproceedings. Finally, after much effect itwas obvious that their efforts were hope-less. The girl was deadl Just at that momentthere was a stirring in the crowd as a

(continued on next page)

GOD'S WORD(continued lrortt page 9)

The tragedy of our powerlessness is thatthere was never a time in all of historywhen our witness was more sorely needed.Our newspapers, magazines, radios, televi-sion sets, all tell the same story-¿¡"r" ut"turbulent times! And to meet the challengeof our time, we need an obedience to thebiblical injunction, "be filled with theSpirit." (Eph. 5:i8). The term "filled" asused here could be translated "possessed."The Spirit-filled 1ife, or Spirit-possessedlife, is not one in which we have a certainamount of the Hoiy Spirit, but rather onein which He possesses all of us. The Spirit-filled life is one in which the Spirit ex-presses Himself within an individual as acontrolling force. The condition is one ofyieldedness on our part. We are filled withthe Spirit aS we are emptied of self.

The meaning of a Spirit-filled life o¡Spirit-possessed life is illustrated in anincident concerning D. L. Moody. He wasinvited to conduct a city-wide evangelisticcrusade and the local ministers had met inplanning. One of the ministers who didn'tbelieve strongly in this type of evangelisticmission asked, "Why must we get D. L.Moody to come here? Does he have amonopoly on the Holy Ghost?" Anotherminister aply replied, "No, D. L. Moodydoesn't have a monopoly on the HolyGhost, but the Holy Ghost has a monopolyon D. L. Moody."

What about you? What about me? Doesthe Holy Ghost have a monopoly on ourlives? Do our hearts yearn for the fulness ofGod's Spirit? Can we truly say with thesong writer:

"Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, Withall thy quickening powers

Kindle a flame of sacred love in thesecold hearts of ours."

Another concern, if we live under theauthority of God's Word, is the matter ofseparation. The Bible teaches separationfrom the world. Worldliness is not optionalfor the Christian. It is forbidden. Nothingcould be clearer than the statement in IJohn 2:15-17: "Love not the wor1d, neitherthe things that are in the wo¡ld. If any manlove the world, the loye of the Father is notin him. For all that is in the world, (thelust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life, is not of the Father,but is of the world. And the world passethaway, and the lust thereof: but he thatdoeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Two things are obvious from this Scrip-fu¡s-l6vs of the world is forbidden; there-fore it is sinful. Furthermore, the one wholoves the world is of the world and worldly.Such a person does not have the love ofGod within him.

Just what is worldliness? Actually, world-liness is the self-indulgent attitude of thehea¡t and mind toward life-this materialuniverse and all of life's relationships. It isP¡ce 14

Ne Mñrun HehlGtT Te . oo

f\

¿{.j l.

Mail T0r NSSA175 N. Franklinchicago, lll¡no¡s

last nam-. trs middle in¡

=o=o.9Þ0q)É

street address

city zone stateAll entries postmarked on or before Sept. 30 ....After oct. 1st or at Convent¡onsunday school & Churches registerlng go to Sundayschools staff

$2.50$3.00

$2.00

NSSA'S NATIONAT CONVENTION

DENVFR . COIORADOoGT0BER 10-12 . 1962

;1 r:.j

ì_'y 'r

CoNrecr

strong, well dressed young man spoke upand said, "I could have saved her, but I hadon my best suit."

I wonder if this isn't characteristic ofso many of us today. We are more con-cerned about "our best suit" than we aredoing the will of God. We have the attitudeof the world. And, as a result, when wecould do a work for God, our worldlinessgets in the way.

And finally, I suggest that if we acceptthe authority of the Scriptures, we will begood stewards of ou¡ money. There are fourtruths from God's Word that we need toremember in regard to our money.

God owns it all.We are stewards. God gives us the power

to buy, sell, get gain, and the like. Money isone of the things God has entrusted to us.Our tithes, in proportion to the amount ofmoney entrusted to us, signify our acknow-ledgement of God's ownership.

We are responsible to God for the useof all our money. The giving of a tithe (orany percentage) of our money to God doesnot lessen our responsibility to Him for whatwe do with the rest of it.

Our use of money is a spiritual barome-ter. No person is a mature Christian whodoes not see his obligation to God withregard to his money.

Last year Free Will Baptists gave a total 'of $413,127.00 for all National Associa-tion ministries. .This represents a per capitagiving across the denomination of $2.06.How pityful! This means that Mr. AverageFree Will Baptist spent more for candy,chewing gum, soft drinks, cigarettes, andentertainment than he did for the spread ofthe gospel through National Associationministries.

\Øhut does this lack of stewardship mean?First of all, it means that we must recognizethat it takes money, lots of money, toestablish and carry out successfully a world-wide ministry. The varied ministries of ourNational Association, each with an im-portant contribution to make, are of suchnature that thousands of dollars are needed.

It means that we must not hesitate toteach our people the biblical concept of thetithes and offerings. Free Will Baptistsbelieve in tithing whgther they practice itor not! Some time ago I received a letterwith the inquiry whether or not a groupcould organize as a Free Will BaptistChurch if they did not believe in tithing.With tongue in cheek, I responded by say-ing, "You must believe in tithing to organ-ize as a Free Will Baptist Church, whetheryou practice it or not." Frankly, our poorstewardship across the denomination is duein large measure to our lack of instructionin this truth from God's Word.

But our lack of stewardship also meansthat we are not as committed to the Lordas we should be. Paul wrote in Romansl2:1-2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren,by the mercies of God, that ye present yourbodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptableAucusr, 1962

unto God, which is your reasonable serv-ice. And be not conformed to this world;but be ye transformed by the renewing ofyour mind, that ye may prove what is thatgood, and acceptable, and perfect will ofGod." If God has us, IIe also has ourmoney. The stewardship of our money isnever a problem when we have settled thestewardship of life. In fact, all of our prob-lems and all of our needs will be resolvedwhen we are right with God.

The theme of our association this yearis "God's Word-Key to Spiritual Awaken-ing." This is what vve need-an awakening,a stirring, a revival. A revival sent by theHoly Spirit which will bring among us anew emphasis on holy living; a revivalwhich will result in a grade of integritywhich the world cannot match; a revivalwhich will cause biblical truth to becomepersonal experience. But such a revival willnot conle apart from an obedience to theWord of God. The hour has come for usto cease our pious platitudes regarding theauthority of God's Word behind which wehave sought to conceal our lack of doing.God's Word says, "Be ye doers of the word,and not hearers only . . For if any be ahearer of the word, and not a doer, he islike unto a man beholding his natural facein a glass; for he beholdeth himself, andgoeth his way, and straightway forgettethwhat manner of man he was. But whosolooketh into the perfect law of liberty, andcontinueth therein, he being not a forgetfulhearer, but a doer of the work, this manshall be blessed in his deed."

So, let us as a people get back to theBible-and by this I do not merely meanthat we should read it, study it, and teachit. These are important, but this is not all-we need to live it. And when we do cometo the Bible, listen to it, let it talk to us, andseek to live by it, we are well on the way torevival.

God of Revival, meet us now,As on Thy Name we call;

Forgive our sin and hear our pray'r,Let show'rs of blessing fall.

God of Revival, search our heartsAnd make us pure within;

Burn out the dross and purify,Lord, cleanse us from all sin.

God of Revival, make us one,That we may work with Thee;

Help us to pray until at lastThy mighty pow'r we see.

God of Revival, Love Divine,Thy joy to us restore;

Pour out Thy Spirit as of old,And stir our hearts once more.

God of Revival, save, we pray,Let not the sinner die;

O make us witnesses for Thee,

' For this we humblY c¡Yald J. smith

IN TIIE

VINEYARD

t llome Missions Director, Homer \üillis,will be in Calhoun City, Mississippi, August1-5 and will be in revival services with Rev.T. Norred, Florence, Alabama, on August13-19. On August 22-23 be will attend theMissouri State Association and the annualMexico Association on August 31.

r Roger Reeds, Director of the SundaySchool department, will attend the MissionAssociation, Mountain Grove, Missouri,August 9-10. His next meeting will be theUnion Association, Greeneville, Tennessee,August 14-16, followed by the MissouriState Association on August 20-23.

r Executive Secretary of \MNAC, Mrs.Eunice Edwards, will be in Verdella, Mis-souri, on August 2-3. She will also attendthe Missouri State Association on tt'e 20-22.

r Reford lVilson, Director of the ForeignMission work, will be present for theMissouri State Association in Berkley onAugust 20-22. Ml. Wilson begins a revivalat the Loyal Chapel church in Columbia,Tennessee, on August 26.

r Attending the Missouri State Association'oi August 22-23, Executive Secretary BillyA. Melvin, will return to the office in timeto share with the General Baptists in theirSunday School convention at Franklin, Ken-tucky, on August 29. He will speak at anevening inspirational service.

r Public Relations Director Paul I(ettemanspoke in South Carolina churches Iúy 22-August 5 in behalf of the Bible College. Hespoke August 2 at the Piedmont Associationin Rockingham, N. C., and attended theBlue Ridge Association August 3.

r Dean Charles A. Thigpen will attend theMissouri State Association in St. LouisAugust 20-23, speaking at the night serviceAugust 20 and at the Missouri Bible Collegealumni meeting August 23.

I President L. C. Johnson served as speakerfor the Union Association ministers' week atthe assembly grounds, Greeneville, Tenn.,Ittly 23-28. He will be in a meeting withRev. Frank Davenport of Goldsboro, N. C.,August 5-12.

P¡,ce 15

CONTACT3801 Richlond AvenueNoshville 3, Tennessee

Second-class postage pa¡dat Nashville, Tennessee

Study in Hebrews

11.12.13.

(continued front page 11)

Let us have grace t2:28Let us go forth unto Him 13:13Let us offer up a sacriûce of praise13:15

Temperance RepoÉ

T T THEREAS the theme of this associationW is "God's Word-Key to SpiritualAwakening" and in view of the teachingof God's Word with regard to temperance asfound in Titus 2, I Timothy 4:12, Galatiats5:22-23, and

Whereas this is contrasted by the intem-perate living of our society, worldly self-indulgence, drunkeness and moral decay,and

'Whereas this is a disregard of these teach-ings, we submit the following recommenda-tions:

1. That every pastor, teacher, evangelist,missionary, layman, be urged to standagainst and proclaim the teachings of God's

Word concerning, the evils of intemper-ance, the use and sale of alcoholic bever-ages, sinful amusements, wordly entangle-ments, immodest dress, and the god of mate-rialism.

2. Tbat every Christian be alert to thesubtle and evil atempt of the liquor industrythrough newspaper and magazine articlesand magazine articles and mass media ofadvertisement to make drunkeness a sicknessinstead of a sin, the pressures of the mate-rialistic society in which we live as it seeksto woo us to conform to the world and itsstatus of material domination, abstain fromanything that would grieve the Holy Spiritof God in their lives (Ephesians 4:30)'

This is the only place in the New Testa-ment where the Lord fesus in His High-Priestly ministry is presented. Christ notonly loved us and gave Himself for us, butnow, in the heavens, He intercedes for us.That continuing ministry of which John 17is a preview, is still going on in behalf ofevery believer in Christ. I shall close thisbrief glimpse of the book of Hebrews bystating two of the key passages concerningChrist, our High Priest (2: 19-1,8; 4:1,4-16):"For verily he took not on him the nature ofangels; but he took on him the seed ofAbraham. Wherefore in all things it be-hoved him to be made unto his brethren,that he might be a merciful and faithfulhigh priest in things pertairing to God, tomake reconciliation for the sins of the peo-ple. For in that he himself hath sufferedbeing tempted, he is able to succor themthat are tempted. Seeing then that we havea great high priest, that is passed into theheavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us holdfast our profession. For we have not anhigh priest which cannot be touched withthe feeling of our inflrmities; but was in allpoints tempted like as we are, yet withoutsin. Let us therefore come boldly unto thethrone of grace, that we may obtain mercy,and find grace to help in time of need."

TH INPflCKETBIBLESonly

Uz închthícf(

King James Version

responsibility of completing the projectselected;

5. That we send our gifts through theregular channels;

6. That the Executive Secretary be noti-fied when a project is undertaken in orderto avoid duplication;

7. -Ihat information concerning duty onshipments to each field be made available.

Be it resolved that we recommend to theindividual states that they select someone toserve on the nominating committee beforeconvention time and her name be listedon the state annual report. Be it furtherresolved that consideration be given fornominations for national officers prior toconvention time.

Be it resolved that the U/NAC propose a$100.00 scholarship to Free Will BaptistBible College to the first place YPAdeclamation winner. Time stipulation andrules to be made by WNAC. The time tobegin with 1962 winner.

Arirazingly thin and flexible Bibleeprinted in clear readable type onultrathin India paper. They elipeasily into coat pocket or bag. Sizo6Tex4%in.

GEIIUII{E I.EAIIIER BIIIDIIIGFrench Morocco Leather, flexibleoverlapping covers, red under goldedgeo, boxod.

F249lX¡ Wilh ccntcrrcferencc¡,......... i6.75F349lX: Sqmc os F219lX but withconcordoncc, 9/16 in.hrh-üi :.:.:..::.::.:-,--.-..:.;.,... $ 7.s0

lhumb indcx $1.25 cxtro

Resolutions of WNAC

Tì F- rr RESoLvED that the convention setIJ uo a "Provision Closet" which wouldprovide linens, silverware and otherdomestic items for our missionaries who goto the field.

Whereas the purpose of the Woman'sAuxiliary is to help the churches teach andsupport missions, and whereas there is adesire among our women for special missionprojects, be it resolved:

1. That we contact the mission boardsand ask for suggestions and specific areaswherein we can help;

2- That we contact each of our mission-aries on the fleld requesting a suggested listof needs;

3. That a list be compiled and madeavailable to all our'local, district, and stateauxiliaries;

4. That we eíìcourage each local, district,or state auxiliary to choose a project, as theyfeel led of the Lord, and to assume the

]rlsv-f¡qnspqrent Sticker For Windshieldsf Applies without woterf lnvites others to worshipf Attroctive three color design

Advertise the Free Will Boptist Churchln your CommunitY

l0ø Eoch $1.00 per Dozen-f¡s¡¡

The Book Store-Free Will Baptist Book Store

3801 Richland AvenueNashville 5, Tennessee

Prce 16 CoNrecr