RESPONSE FROM READERS

The Restoration Review was so very interesting and entertaining. I almost put my eyes out staying with it until the last line was read. Reading Robert Meyers’ article jarred loose memories when I dragged your weary Daddy and sleepy children to church on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, when, as Robert Meyers suggested, it would have been kinder to stay at home and quietly read Bible stories to the kiddies until they fell asleep. —Mrs. D. B. Pitts, Athens, Texas (Ouida Garrett’s mother)

As you see, I am now at ............. College, having had to leave ............. College because of the brotherhood pressure of which your journal has so often written. —a former professor of a Church of Christ college

In many ways the thinking of the conservative Christian Churches parallels that of many a capella brethren, with the obvious exception of instrumental music. My eyes have been opened to many fine ministers of various denominations who are searching for truth and have not yet arrived where we stand today. One of my best friends is a Roman Catholic priest with whom I get together about once a week, when possible, for a discussion of timely topics. —Illinois

I could hardly realize the year was up, so here is my renewal. I just couldn’t get along without it. I enjoy watching the Disciples, the different Churches of Christ, and you and Carl Ketcherside. What a mess! Come on over with us and let the folks fuss. —Florida

Your “Birthday Meditation” was excellent. Your love and esteem for your parents gives the article a deep sweetness interlocked with that Garrett sense of humor. —Louisiana

The other day I had just finished reading your birthday meditation. I thought it was very amusing. I was very sorry to hear about your past birthdays when your friends that you wrote to didn’t answer. You see, I thought I’d answer your letter, unlike the others . . .  —Texas (from a little boy, about 9, son of one of our ministers)

I must confess that the article on “Birthday Meditations” brought a few tears. It also encouraged me: I will try to have a little more “stubborn” love. I have been having real difficulty in trying to get “cooperative” Disciples interested in Internal Unity. —Kansas

I hope that you and the Review are entering upon the greatest and best year that you have ever known; and I ardently implore God’s richest blessing upon your efforts to restore brotherhood to “Our Brotherhood (?) “, as well as a better and more charitable understanding of the opinions that divide the whole of Christendom. 1 ask you to pray that I, too, may be useful to that end. —Mississippi

We have built too narrowly on the foundation of Christ’s love. —Nashville, Tenn.

I am past 82, but do not think about it. Campbell and Linkletter, whom you mentioned in your article, have the right idea. —Ohio

I’d like a subscription to your magazine, please; not because I particularly agree with it but because I’d like to keep an eye on you. You are very interesting people. In general I agree with the views, sentiments, and prejudices expressed in the Restoration Review, but I think you are all much too sarcastic. As someone once re marked, you are always preaching love with such viciousness! —Massachusetts

Is it wrong to want my children to be indoctrinated and, therefore, insist on a Church of Christ college. Too much “other position” can confuse a young mind. Indoctrination is part of education and not always opposed to it. There are plenty of other schools to which parents can send their children without ruining ACC for me. —Toronto, Ontario

(I would not deny that “indoctrination” has some place in the education of a child, but remember that in the ACC editorial we were speaking of an institution that educates men and women who will soon have families of their own and be out in the business world. We had no reference to a kindergarten. Education which does not at some point “confuse” the mind is not true education. —Editor)

It is refreshing to pick up a “brotherhood paper” and read something that has a relevant message. Perhaps, some day, your efforts will be more generally appreciated. —Tennessee (one of our college professors)

May God bless you with much good health and continued wisdom and foresight to write with love, understanding and courage. Our greatest blessing now is the knowledge of the reward yet to come to us. The praises of men are just for this age. They help, but the inward confidence of peace and joy by His Spirit is greater and eternal. —Oregon

Some of our missionaries refuse to recognize as brothers other missionaries sent out by Churches of Christ (instrumental). The whole thing seems tragic to me over here where we face a strong wall of Buddhist culture. On the whole the missionaries from the instrumental groups show a much greater awareness of the need to make Christianity relevant than do my co-workers ... I am a graduate of ACC. I have been following with great interest the attitudes among my brethren on fellowship ... I find my head threatened for my attempts to fellowship with missionaries in the instrumental group, as well as others in other groups . . . — Southeast Asia