Editorials
Recently I was reading in a book my grandfather, Fred Pruitt, had obtained while living on a homestead near St. Vrain, New Mexico. The years spent there, 1906 -1917, were formative for him, for it was then that God dealt forcefully with him about his sins. It was also during this time that God revealed to him an understanding of sanctification, and called him to the ministry. On this homestead, he made a full consecration to sell all the goods he had amassed through the cultivation of 400 acres of land, and enter fulltime into the work of the Lord.
This book, which he undoubtedly read while on the homestead, was a compilation of sermons by different ministers, one of which included a history of the Church. Here are some excerpts from that particular writing.
"It was certainly a glorious day when the human race reached that stage in its development where man was able to reduce his thoughts to writing. An account of all past events could then be kept, and these accounts could be handed down from generation to generation.
"What would it mean to us if we had no records of the past? If, for example, we had no record of the truths others have discovered in the science of mathematics, how far should we be able to proceed in this particular study during a lifetime? One might grope about for years before discovering even the simple principle of multiplication. As it is, all we have to do is to make use of what others have discovered and handed down to us. Then, if we can add a little to what has already been discovered, we have become wiser than our predecessors.
"John lived in a time when he could look back into the shadowy past and see how heathenism had given place to Judaism and how Christ had completed the plan of redemption. He could joyfully say, `...the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.' I John 2:8.
"Was it bigotry for him to make such a statement? The full light of the gospel was shining in all its splendor and beauty; the Sun of righteousness had arisen with healing in His wings. In Him was light and no darkness at all. Little by little God had been revealing Himself through angels, through miracles, through the Jewish law, judges and prophets. Finally, Jesus Christ came to earth in human form, thus revealing the nature and attributes of God so far as it was possible for finite minds to understand. Even then the disciples were able to grasp only a part of Christ's teaching. On the day of Pentecost we find the apostle Peter explaining clearly the fulfillment of prophecy; and from that time, from the time the Holy Spirit took up his abode in the hearts of men, the light became clearer and clearer. Never before, in all the centuries that had passed, had the light of truth shown so brightly. Do you wonder, then, that the apostle said, `...the darkness is past...?'
"But soon clouds began to gather and mists obscured the sun. The storms of persecution raged until millions of God's people suffered martyrdom. False doctrines took the place of the true, mere formality took the place of spiritual worship, and human government was substituted for the divine.
"Finally the Christian religion became more popular and in A. D. 313, the Roman Emperor Constantine accepted the faith, in name at least, and put an end to heathen persecution. Thus Christianity became the state religion. From this time, the plans of the papacy were more clearly marked. The light of the gospel continued to decrease until, generally speaking, the darkness and superstition was almost as great as before the coming of Christ. Only in a few isolated places were the fires of truth permitted to burn. Nominal Christianity was a mixture of Christianity and heathen superstition. This blighting, persecuting power now laid claim to the spiritual and the political sovereignty of the whole earth. Wickedness of every kind ran riot without rebuke. This period, known in history as the Dark Ages, is indeed one of the darkest in the history of the world, considering that the full light of the gospel had previously shone forth in the world.
"The darkness became so gross, the gospel was so covered up by human rubbish and tradition, that it has taken centuries for the clear light to dispel the gloom, and for the gospel to be brought to unobstructed view.
"To some it may seem strange that the full, blazing light did not flash forth immediately, even as in the morning of the Christian era.
"Luther did not leave the Catholic church immediately. At first he had no thought of coming out of Romanism or of founding another sect. The little truth he had received was just like a little ray of light penetrating the darkness. But when he began to teach the doctrine of justification by faith, he soon learned that if he would follow the teachings discovered by him he would have to leave the Church of Rome. He was called before councils, was persecuted, was denounced as a heretic; but in spite of it all he boldly declared, `The just shall live by faith.' He left the Catholic Church only when he was compelled to do so. He was forced out because there was no room within the Roman Catholic Church for the teaching of that part of God's Word which says, `Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God....' Romans 5:1.
"Luther soon gathered about him many who were glad to accept the truth he brought to them. The people had become so accustomed to councils, decretals, etc., that they believed that since they were forced by their acceptance of certain portions of Scripture to leave the Church of Rome, the only course left for them to pursue was to organize in a way as to exclude from their organization all who did not believe as they did.
"Zwingli not only believed in justification by faith but also maintained that in partaking of the bread and wine in what we commonly call the Lord's supper, the actual body of Christ is not eaten and the actual blood is not drunk. Luther declared Zwingli's doctrine to be of the devil, thus excluding Zwingli for no other reason than that he believed a Bible doctrine which Luther did not believe. In this Luther held the same attitude of intolerance that Rome had held toward him. Zwingli himself and many other reformers were in their turn just as intolerant toward others. Under such circumstances, sect-making was inevitable.
"Thus sects continued to multiply, but in the meantime each reformer added some new light upon the Scriptures. Truly we can say with the apostle, `...the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.' Not that we now have more light than the apostle John had when he penned these words; no, the blazing light of the gospel was shining in all its splendor at that time. But again the sun has reached the zenith, and as we return to primitive truth, to all the truth, we can say that the darkness is past-not only the darkness of heathenism and Judaism, but also the darkness of Romanism and Protestantism."
This dawning of God's truth, referred to by the writer so many years ago, didn't mark the end of problems in the Church, however. In the years since my grandfather read the sermon recorded above, and fully embraced those precepts on that New Mexico frontier, -from then, even until now, the Church has continued to face decisions. To think we can set the Church n cruise control is to immerse our thinking more in Utopia than in reality. As long as there is a devil to contend with, the spirit of the Church must be constantly refined and the doctrines weighed by the Word of God.
Think of the recovery time, and the number of distressed souls just one tainted doctrine has caused in the history of the Church. Think of how many generations it can take to sieve out the error of an ardent, but misguided Christian!
We are standing at a unique ecclesiastical crossroads. The world is changing rapidly. Just as the prophet Daniel foretold, "...Even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4. People in general are more perceptive in their thinking, and this is a time when our effectiveness in reaching out to them will be directly related to how well we can present the basic truths of God's Word, untainted with human error.
Our hearts were saddened on Sept. 23 at the passing of Bro. Derrill Smith. Having had the pleasure in the past of ministering in the Shawnee congregation, I found Bro. Derrill to be a rare Christian. His humility and devotion to God was outstanding. For a number of years he held a good secular job, but after the death of his father, Bro. Charles Smith, he consecrated to invest his time and efforts in serving as administrator of the Golden Rule Home. In frail health and knowing full well the demands of this task, he literally gave his life to help others. The Church will certainly miss him and the blessing of his service, but at this time he is taking a tour that we all hope to join him in someday.
If you want to extend your condolences to his wife, Sis. Ruby Smith, and their family, you may address your correspondence to: 45495 Garretts Lake Road, Shawnee, OK 74801.
The reprinting of our regular stock of books is continuing. Through diligent effort, two more titles have recently been printed and are currently being processed in the bindery department.
We have also printed Whiter than Snow and Little Dot, a book that contains two inspiring children's stories. It should be finished during the month of October. Look for a further notice in next month's Faith and Victory.
On the press is a book by Bro. Clifford Wilson, titled Moral Law. Every serious Bible student will want to obtain this book. It is a theological book which intellectually unfolds the plan of salvation. The book will be bound in a hard cover and contain 320 pages. We will announce when it is ready for sale.
Praise to God is still in the hearts of the saints who are aware of the great work He has done for Sis. Karen Sallee. It is a great blessing to see her up and going. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15.
Naturally, her body has not completely built back up to where it was before the illness, so along with your praise for the miracles God has worked in the past, continue to ask Him for a full restoration of her health.
In last month's Faith and Victory, Bro. Bob Sallee reported on the need the people in Malawi had for food, due to the failure of their maize crop this year. There have been inquiries by the saints on how they can help, so we have established a Malawi fund here at the Print Shop. If you would like to contribute to this humanitarian need, be sure to designate that your offering is for Malawi.
At this time the new building project awaits financing. We view what God has already accomplished with great appreciation, and are content to work within His time frame. It was only a year ago last August that the floor was poured and the metal structure begun. Much has been accomplished since then.
Donations have continued to come in, but not enough to begin another phase of the work. At this time the projected finishing cost is $87,600.00.
We are still working on plans to hold a Faith Publishing House workers reunion sometime next year, which will be the Print Shop's 75th year of operation. We would like to host the gathering in the new building, but in order to have the structure adequate to accommodate this, we are looking at a cost of $19,950.00 to provide water, septic, bathrooms and kitchen.
Also, as a part of the observance of the 75th celebration, we hope to print a special commemorative booklet. We would like as many former workers as possible to record memories of their days here, and of things that made an impression or helped mold their Christian lives, and send them to us. Pictures would also be appreciated. Please put your name on the back of any photos you send, so they can be returned to you. -Wayne Murphey
