WHAT HAPPENED TO CHARLIE ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Dear Leroy:
I
agree 100% that it was just great to see all those things happening
right before our eyes! The forum was great —
one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I am so thankful
that I was blessed to be involved. The Lord is at work and in some
rather strange and unusual ways and places. Praise His name!
It
was a joy unspeakable to see and hear Pat Boone and his family. I
wish I could know him better and on a more personal basis. He did an
excellent job, as did Shirley, and the girls. Honest Christians just
can’t be other than favorably impressed. One thing struck me in
a strong way, and that is Pat’s constant emphasis upon and
appeal to the Book. In spite of, or rather in addition to, his
recognition of the direct leading of the Spirit, he comes back again
and again to the Scriptures. This is a vital point to my mind and one
for which I am deeply grateful to God. This needs to be recognized by
all, especially his critics.
To
hear a Roman Catholic priest, collar and all, speak in one of “our”
pulpits, before our people, on one of our programs, without someone
to “ride herd” on him is amazing! We have come a long
way, and in the right direction. Praise God! That priest is a smart,
sharp, composed, gracious man. He is a “freeman” —
or, at least, striving to be such.
It
was great to be with so many warm and beautiful people - all so
loving.
The
“anti” preachers and the straight-line Gospel Advocate
preachers had some problems with the affair; but down deep
they want to “let go” and enjoy it all. May God bless
them. I understand their struggle.
Your
contribution to these forums is far greater than you can know. It is
a quiet, soft, permeating influence that is powerful. Your
leadership is very necessary. It is sort of like a father directing
his growing and struggling children.
I
am planning on attending some, if not all, of your unity sessions at
Grassy. In fact I am encouraging several from our effort to attend,
and to stay over at least one night. I am sure it will be of great
worth. It would please me to help or participate in any way that you
and the saints there think I can. The main thing is that I get to
attend for my own good.
The
response to my own effort at the forum at Cupertino was very warm and
appreciated by some. To use an expression I find myself using more
often, “I felt led of the Lord” to attend that forum,
believing that “The Lord will provide.” He did!
I
really enjoyed being at Blaney and San Leandro for meetings on
Sunday.
Thanks
be to Him, I am getting more and more in a position to move around
more. Not that I am yet financially independent by any means, and to
go at my own expense makes some trips impossible, if they cost too
much. However, I can arrange time, over a weekend especially, and I
can handle some of the expense myself. But I want to go and be of use
if possible. However, I know that I personally need what others can
do for me far more than what I can do for them.
You are still supposed to come to Chattanooga when you can work it in. Let me hear from you. I am anxious to see your report of the forum.
Love in Jesus,
Charles Holt
951 Julian Rd.
Chattanooga,
Tn. 37421
(The above is Charles Holt’s impression of the Unity Forum in California, which we thought you’d enjoy reading. If you would like to buy or rent the tapes of all the forum, which was professionally done by an engineer in the congregation, you may get information by writing to Blaney Ave. Church of Christ, 0601 N. Blaney Ave.. Cupertino, Ca. 94014. - Ed.)