00B.06 Preface

Preface In presenting this volume to the public the author makes no apology, for he holds the strong conviction that he has taught the truth upon the questions discussed and he has never yet apologized for any truth. The articles here com­piled were written in response to questions or requests. They were called forth by a demand and as the demand for the truth on these subjects still exists the articles are still timely: as truth is eternal these lessons will not go out of date. This is the author’s conviction. If it seems like a boast to any reader, he begs that reader to take note of the fact that he claims nothing for the quality of the writing or for the strength of reasoning herein displayed. Nor does he imagine that the book will show any evidence of scholar­ship. He simply and humbly believes that the truth of God has been plainly presented on the various themes, and in that confidence he offers the book to his fellow men.

All the questions and requests that called forth these articles did not come directly to the author—though many of them did. Some of them came into the Gospel Advocate office and were by the editor turned over to the author with the request that he answer them. In some cases this will be seen from the reading of these articles, as they are printed here just as they first appeared in the Gospel Advocate. This was true of the discussion with a Catholic and also of the questions about organizations. At the time these were published there was much questioning and some controversy about schools and orphan homes and suchlike institutions— and especially about churches as such contributing to these institutions. These questions had been presented at the panel discussions at various lectureships or preachers’ meet­ings. They had been published in several religious journals, and the boast or complaint was made that no one had under­taken to answer them. The editor of the Gospel Advocate sent the questions to the author with the request that he "attend to the gentlemen." But he warned that we might expect a fight and cautioned that the author take only safe positions and make them strong. (At that time the editor was not in complete agreement with the author on all these points, but when the series was sent into the office the editor wrote the author that he wanted to be his first convert.) Having received this warning and knowing the possibility of a many-sided controversy, the author completed the series and submitted or read them to a number of representative brethren for their approval or criticism before they were given to the public. Especially did he consult the brethren who are connected with the schools. When the articles appeared no challenge came from any direction and the agitation was hushed, for the time at least. It was sug­gested to the author when this book was first proposed that he publish a photostatic copy of some of the letters endorsing these articles in this book, but he does not wish to take advantage of anyone, and if any brother wishes to talk two ways he will have enough to answer for without any accusa­tions from this book. The articles must stand on their own merit. The author is still ready to defend any position taken. He does not, however, expect to have a controversy with everyone who may criticize him or differ from him on minor or nonessential points. He rather invites such criticisms. He does not claim perfection in anything, but he sincerely believes he is right in any position he takes; otherwise he would not take it.

There are only two questions discussed in this book on which there is much likelihood of differences of opinion among the brethren. They are: Organizations and the Be­ginning o f the Lord’s Day. These touch the practices of the brethren today, but they will probably not bring about any change. People are so bound by custom that they will not change even when they are shown that the custom is wrong, and there are always men who will rush to the defense of anything "we do." At any rate what the author has written he has written and he is willing for his brethren to deal with it as they deem proper. At the time that most of these articles were appearing in the Gospel Advocate the author was editor of a department known as "Topics for Thought" and many of these were published in that department. Some, however, that are in this book were published on the editorial page. This is true of some of the series dealing with organizations and it is true of all those on Denominational Baptism. In order that the reader may note any changes in the author’s style and especially mark his continued fight for the faith, he gives under Fugitive Pieces an article criticizing a professor in the University of Chicago which was first published in 1911, and immediately following is an article dealing with something that issued from the University of Chicago Press which was published this year—1941. Thirty years between them. These articles are titled, "The Criterion of Life and Religion" and "Illustration and Perversion," respectively.

Much of this book is, of course, controversial and at times the style may be sharp and the language harsh. That has ever been one of the author’s weaknesses. He has long known it and has often confessed it. He does not apologize for being a controversialist, but he does desire and pray "to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men." His nature and his ideal have always been at war on this point, and the reader must not be surprised at seeing him fall short.

He must declare, however, that he has no ill feeling for any man with whom he clashes in these articles—Catholic, Christian Scientist, Methodist, Baptist, atheist, agnostic, modernist, or sensualist. As he is an uncompromising opponent of their views and doctrines, he nevertheless pro­tests that he is their friend personally and that he would delight to do them good. As the author has written every line that goes into the make-up of this book—except what is quoted and credited in the body of the articles—there is no room for acknowledg­ments on that score, but he humbly and gratefully acknowl­edges his indebtedness to many men and many books for all he knows on any subject he has discussed. His brother, Charles R. Brewer of David Lipscomb College, so changed and improved the poem that stands as a prayer in the front of this book that he should be called its author. The author wrote a poem on this same idea of plowing a field, but his brother said the metre was not good and proceeded to write over i t until he had really written it over. So here goes the credit to him. Just how bad the author’s poetry is may be seen from the samples given under "Desultory Descant­ing." May our heavenly Father abundantly bless everyone who is either opposed or approved in this book. And may his richest benedictions rest upon every reader of these pages. This is the fervent prayer of THE AUTHOR.

Lubbock, Texas, July 6, 1941.