Another Year
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We will soon say farewell to 1971. It has passed more quickly than any other year of my life. And it has been one of joy in the service of the Master. I had, for a long time, wanted to do a series of studies based on Romans 8, but felt that the time was not ripe until this year. Now that series has been completed, and is committed to history for its judgment. The response has been far better than I dreamed it would be. I have received great encouragement from our readers and the paper has broken all circulation records.
In 1972 I will be trying to reach beyond the limits of the restoration movement of which many of us are heirs. Thomas Campbell and Barton W. Stone did not write for the members of a specific movement. They addressed their message to the whole Christian world. I shall hope to write so that you may pass along to all of your friends what is said, and we can get on with the real task, which is that of helping to unite the Christians in all of the sects. Our Father is concerned for all of his children as I am for all of mine. And he is no respecter of persons.
It now appears that we shall again conclude the year with all debts paid, thanks to the precious souls who have so generously shared with us the burden. We have had to weather a lot of storms this year. The printing costs increased, the postal costs took a sharp upward turn, the work load became greater, and I was away from home more than ever before. There was only one time that it appeared we might fall behind financially. Nell did not have enough on hand to pay one of the bills, but the very next mail brought a check from Vernon and Lena Woods in Oregon, and we were not even delayed in making our remittance.
It costs much more than the subscription price to put out the paper. Each new subscriber represents an actual loss, but always there are brothers and sisters who believe in the plea we are making, and who share with us, and we never fall behind. It seems incredible to us that the little venture which we began so many years ago when the children were so young, has now developed into a project which demands an expenditure of ten thousand dollars per year. Those of you who do not read our mail might wonder if it is worth it. If you could know what is happening you would be sure that it is an investment in fellowship.
It always interests me to see the interest taken in foreign and domestic missions, and to note the huge sums raised to preach the gospel afar. Yet, our Lord said that the world would not be won to believe in Christ until those who believe in Christ are one. But the work of proclaiming unity is not even considered as a mission of the saints, and many
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I am constantly bombarded with the suggestion to double the cost of subscriptions, but something tells me not to do so, but to keep it at a dollar per year. I think that this is my barometer for God's will in my life. I shall keep going as long as we can pay for the paper with the help of the brethren. When their assistance ceases, I shall take it as a hint from heaven that this phase of my work is ended, and I will quietly lay the paper to rest. I like to keep it at a dollar so that college students can send along this meager amount and read the paper for a year. My heart is thrilled with the hundreds of young people who are willing to take time to read what I write.
I only wish that I knew how to help all of you in more ways, but I do want to thank all of you for what you mean to Nell and me. Often, as we go through the list, we wonder about you, especially those of you in far-off places. We do hope that God will bless you all, and that his grace will strengthen you. What a thrill it is to be free people in Christ Jesus. Let us never again be entangled in the yoke of factional and sectarian bondage. Thank you for what you have done for us and meant to us, and be sure that we love you all!