Letter to Christians

By L. E. Ketcherside

[Page 9]

     Dear Brethren: Since writing you last I have attended two all day meetings. At Bonne Terre on June 9 and at Gerald on the 16th. A disastrous flood in the St. Louis area on the night of the 14th kept many from that area from attending the Gerald meeting. However, all present had a very enjoyable time. The faithful few there need all the encouragement you can give them by your presence at their services. The time is ripe for another three or four weeks effort there. The poor health of my wife will not permit me to be away from her for such an effort at this time. Who will agree to assist them?

     The greater part of my mature years have been spent in preaching and teaching while doing secular work for support. That procedure has always been fascinating and challenging to me. At the age of near 68 I am returning to that practice. For the past two years I have been drawing enough Social Security to meet our personal needs. Brethren here at Farmington have been very kind to meet most of my traveling expenses. However, while I am physically able to do so, I prefer to relieve them of that responsibility by completing all of my requirements associated with gospel preaching and teaching by taking up some secular work again.

     Of course, my work will be confined to within driving distance of home each night, but I shall expect to put in from 4 to 7 nights per week for the Master. There is far greater territory in this area open than I shall ever be able to cover before "the close of day." I would like to bring at least one hundred more souls to Christ before I lay my armor down.

     Brethren, just how do you think the Lord will figure the increase from his tilled field (body) of our Lord--on the basis of individual, or group service? If a farmer invested all of his resources in grain that would not reproduce itself, or provide him food, even though stalks strong and green shoot forth, what has he been profited? If we are but as stalks and trees that produce no fruit for the "Husbandman," of what value to him has our mere existence in his field been?

[Page 10]

     Each year there are many "annual get-together" meetings held throughout the States. I like to attend them when possible. I think good results come from them. It is reported that at one such meeting where several States and many congregations were represented, one speaker opened his address by stating he had attended the last four such meetings at that place, and that he was pleased to observe that about the same States and congregations had been represented at each of those meetings. He then proceeded to ask the following questions: How many are present here today who have been immersed since our meeting last year? No response! Again: How many since our meeting two years ago? Again no response! Before he could ask the third question, one of the elders of the local congregation arose and informed him that his line of questions were both embarrassing and out of order.