Statement of Fact

By the Editor

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     With this issue we begin our nineteenth year of publication. It is not certain how much longer we can continue. A comparison of printing costs with those of eighteen years ago will show what fantastic price increases have occurred. This paper was originally started to provide news of spiritual activities, especially in Missouri. As the circle of readers increased we were forced to extend our coverage. Contacts made in Great Britain and elsewhere in 1947 and 1951 proved there was even an interest abroad in some of the subjects with which we were occupied.

     Work among the congregations gradually convinced us that the significance of the restoration movement was lost. The brethren generally assumed that the efforts of Campbell, Stone and their contemporaries, had taken us all of the way from Babylon to Jerusalem in one magnificent leap. As a result we were fast becoming merely another sect, bigoted, intolerant, narrow and factious. A letter from the aged Gilbert O. Nations stated that if he had his life to live over, he would dedicate it wholly to helping complete the unfinished work of the pioneers of restoration.

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     Through long prayer and intense study we became convinced that a program of wide diversification would accomplish but little in our remaining years. We decided to concentrate our feeble talents upon the two greatest themes which can challenge the thinking of mortals -- the restoration of the ancient order and the unity of all believers in Jesus, the Messiah. Our efforts have not met with unqualified success. Most of the brethren are satisfied to "settle on their lees," being convinced that they are the special recipients of divine grace, and all others are sectarian except themselves. So long as we write pungent articles about the errors of others, we are hailed as brilliant and courageous defenders of the faith, but when we point out our own frailties and inconsistencies, we are losing our mind and becoming a traitor to the cause. The binding power of traditionalism is seen every day.

     If we were content to make this little journal an organ for a faction, we could at least be popular with the constituency of that faction. But we are convinced that the party spirit is a work of the flesh, and in the same category as adultery, fornication and murder. Every faction has its paper; we are resolved that here is one paper which will not have its faction. But the party spirit is so prevalent, that it may be that a paper pleading for restoration and unity cannot have enough friends to survive.

     Any paper of this nature must depend upon its friends. Nell and I have been careful not to take one cent from the subscriptions or gifts in the entire eighteen years. In that period, uncounted hours have gone into this work of faith and labor of love. But we have been able to carry on only because of the generosity of those who believe in what we are trying to accomplish.

     Few of our preaching brethren ever send in a list of readers. Many of them do not even keep their own subscriptions paid up. We hear from them infrequently, and generally when a successful meeting has been held. We rejoice to report their good work and it thrills our souls when they accomplish something worthwhile for the Christ. We wish that even those who do not bother to read the paper would let us share in both their seasons of sorrow and rejoicing. We love the brethren.

     It would amaze you how few congregations ever announce that a subscription list is being made up for the paper, and that those who desire it may give their subscriptions to a certain brother. That is about all it would take to get a list, for many will subscribe if they do not have to exert the energy to mail it in personally. We asked an elder in one congregation in Missouri if he would announce about the paper, and he said he would take it up with the other elders. In a few days I got a letter stating they thought it best not to announce about the paper. In a postscript, he added, "We are enclosing an announcement of our annual all-day meeting, which we would like to have you put in the paper if you have space." We found space, because Nell and I believe in the "golden rule." Not many in his congregation saw the announcement though.

     We are now operating each month at a loss. We will not be able to do that much longer. A careful evaluation of our needs indicates that to survive we need to get a thousand new subscriptions this year. The sooner we do so, the easier it will be. We have decided to break the total down so more people can help, if they wish to do so. If ten brethren will each volunteer to get 25 subscriptions; if twenty-five others will get 10 each; and if one hundred will send 5 each -- the task will be completed. Of course, every subscription will help!

     We would like to have you send a list of names with correct addresses. If you cannot do that, and want to help, we'll add names from our waiting list. Last month alone, Nell and I added 45 names at our own expense. Some of you who get the paper without having subscribed, will know it is because of our interest, or that of a good friend or brother. We hope you'll enjoy reading this little journal. In ten years, we have sent 24,000 copies to lands across the sea, and with few exceptions have borne the full cost. Tal-

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mage Weekley has been a faithful helper in this work.

     It is not our intention to write congregations about the paper. If brethren, in reading this, are not sufficiently motivated to aid in building up the list, we will continue as long as possible, then conclude that God's will is being done in our cessation, as we feel it was in our publication. We believe in doing the best we can with what we have, and when we can no longer do one thing, we shall not be embittered, but will merely turn our attention to other worthy channels. For several years we have needed a new addressing machine to simplify and ease the burden, and we've prayed that we might see our way clear to getting one. Since we could not, we've merely tightened up the old one and gone ahead.

     We do not regret that we cannot compromise our convictions to please any of the various factions among the brethren. We love all men with a deep and abiding affection, and we crave the fellowship and brotherhood of all upon the basis of a covenant relationship with God. We cherish for all the freedom that is in Jesus the Christ, and we shall contend earnestly for the truth as we understand it. If such a program merits your confidence, and commends itself to your heart, we trust you will help provide readers for it.