Letter to Christians

By L. E. Ketcherside

[Page 6]

Dear Brethren:
     I have just closed three weeks of very hard work in this area resulting in nothing sensational. Considering the general information obtained, this series of labors may well prove to be the most profitable for the Master that I have engaged in since coming to this area. At least, I have a better and clearer idea of the task before me than I have ever had. While the picture is not one of beauty at this time, I have confidence it can be much improved through tightening the belt and working a bit harder.

     I plan to devote some time to work with the colored people of Farmington this winter. We do not have a large colored population in this area, but there are many fine characters among them and Christ died for them also. I believe that God included them in the "whosoever that believeth" group. If he included them, who am I to exclude them?

     Well, perhaps by the time this letter reaches your hands there will be no more 1957. Did you make any drastic resolutions for the year that you just could not carry out? I have long since quit making long range resolutions. I don't seem to be able to carry many of my immediate plans to a successful conclusion. We had as well face the facts. This is all discouraging at times. But, should we just stop planning because some of our plans miscarry? No! Let us, with more serious deliberation, try another plan.

     I do sincerely hope and pray that my labors in the field will result in greater returns for the Master during 1958 than they have shown during the past few years. Team work on the part of brethren could do much to advance the cause of our Lord. But, very few are interested in "team work" while vehicles of 300 horsepower are available. Many 100 watt minds are being numbed to inactivity by 50 watt tubes.

     In the country south of Farmington are several groups of various faiths meeting. Several of their meeting houses have stood for more than 100 years. Most of them are becoming fewer in number each year. Some meeting places are already vacant. They have all maintained either monthly, semi-monthly or full-time preaching. The greater part of those people have a very limited knowledge of God's word. Their preachers are keeping them so completely hedged in that I am finding it impossible to render them any personal teaching assistance.

     However, from those communities come some experiences that are very interesting to listen to. In one area two ladies have revived the thinking of an entire community. I am supplying them with much reading matter and some counsel. My teaching is being generally accepted in that community, since they have been unable to find the source of it, but the mention of my name is very repulsive to the religious leaders of that community. I am not "pushing my luck" in that area.

     Have you ever considered the value of Bible Games and Quiz Books in the home, congregation or community? The question and answer method of teaching is the method employed by those two women in stirring their entire community. Good Quiz Books are very helpful for class teachers also. By the use of them much interest can be aroused in most study groups.

     I recently heard a man say, "Everybody is ignorant -- some regarding one thing and some another. And, I guess that is no particular disgrace, excepting when you make ignorance a preference." I have been thinking much about that statement. Of course, none of us can know everything that is to be known. But, to what extent are we preferring ignorance to knowledge especially Biblical knowledge? Have we figured just how, when, or where we can, or should, fit into God's plan for our own salvation and that of our fellowmen? Let's think it over.