The Relics Didn't Help
Six months after the battle of Lexington and Concord, one thousand volunteers gathered in Newburyport, Massachusetts to begin a 400 mile expedition to conquer Quebec City in Canada. In September of 1775, the American Colonists were just beginning their first major offensive campaign of the American Revolution.
On that Sunday morning before their departure, Chaplain Samuel Spring gave a rousing sermon in the auditorium of the Old South Presbyterian Church. Flags flew, soldiers paraded, and drums rolled in a jubilant procession.
After the service, the officers asked to visit the grave of an English evangelist. That preacher was buried in a crypt below the pulpit in that church.
The officers, showing great respect, lined the outside of the tomb. Though the preacher had died five years before, his influence had been felt by each man. His name was George Whitefield. Whitefield had made seven trips to America, and preaching all through the 13 Colonies, he had helped flame the fires of “America’s Great Awakening.” Thousands were converted to Christ, and even men like Benjamin Franklin recorded the positive effects.
The officers asked the sexton to remove the lid of the coffin. After five years, not much remained but dust and remnants of clothing. Strangely, the officers took Whitefield’s collar and wristbands from the casket and cutting the fabric into pieces divided it among themselves. (Isenberg, Nancy. Fallen Founder. New York: Penguin Books. 2007 p. 22).
With their relics in hand, Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, and other officers began their journey towards Quebec. On December 31, 1775, the Battle of Quebec took place. The Americans were miserable defeated with over 500 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured, while the Quebec forces had only 19 casualties. Clearly their good luck charm, even from a godly man, did not work.
Even today, many people put great faith in good luck charms. In place of Bible promises, relics and other religious traditions hold sway. The commercial value of these can be seen by frequent internet sales, but the true worth of relics and good luck charms leave one bankrupt spiritually. The Bible states: Trust in the Lord.
Advice from Henry Ford
Henry Ford, the great industrialist of the past century, did more than almost anyone to bring the United States into the modern era. During his lifetime, many “new” inventions and ideas were being fostered on Americans, some good and some bad.
Henry Ford practiced a conservative lifestyle, and kept himself from smoking, drinking, and gambling. He tried to promote a more traditional set of values among his workers. Ford balked at the new jazz and loose lifestyle promoted for young people.
Writing in the Dearborn Independent newspaper back in the 1920’s, he entitled an essay: “Change is Not Always Progress.” Ford contended that newness, in and of itself, did not always represent an advance. (Watts, Stephen. The People’s Tycoon. New York: Alfred Knopf Pub. 2005 p. 425)
In theology and practical Christian life, that same truth about “change” can be applied.
I well remember Dr. Bob Billings, who gave the Heritage commencement address when I graduated from college. Dr. Billings was a wonderful, evangelistic Christian. During his lifetime, he had been a missionary, pastor, and even a president of a respected Baptist college. In 1981, he was President Ronald Reagan’s liaison to the Christian community, and he served as the #2 man in the U.S. Department of Education.
Dr. Bob Billings said: “Compromise is the change of principles, but strategy is a change in tactics.”
Henry Ford created and produced the Ford Model T for nearly 19 years (1908-1927). Millions of Model T’s were built and at one time, Ford automobiles amassed over 50% of the cars on the road. Finally in 1928, because of shrinking sales, Henry Ford launched the famous Model A. Henry Ford made a change, but he still built cars – Strategy not Compromise.
In current Christianity, we find preachers and colleges choosing Compromise but thinking it is Strategy.
Changing your Bible is a change of principles. Changing from your Baptist heritage is a change in principles. Changing your Bible taught values is a change in principles.
Methods are many, principles few.
Methods may vary, principles never do.
Heritage Baptist Bible Fellowship
Many of us have watched with sadness as some of the strong Baptist colleges and fellowships have chosen to change their principles.
The Alumni Association of Heritage Baptist College have led in the decision to form a new Fellowship anchored on the Bible, the Baptist Faith, and Conservative Bible values.
If you are seeing the same need, please join us on Monday evening and Tuesday morning August 15 & 16. The preachers for the meeting will be Dr. Tom Wallace (TN), Dr. Harry Strachan, Jr. (OH), Dr. Gerald Stokes (FL), Pastor Tim Carter (OH), and Dr. Tommy Trammel (OH).
Putting on Airs
When the cornerstone for the Hopewell school building was first laid, little thought was given to the warm Indiana weather that arrives in July. Much thought was directed toward ventilation.
The prevailing thought 80 years ago was that fresh air was needed for good health. In each of the classrooms, a large air shaft that connected to the outside can be seen. With the transoms over the doors, circulation was achieved…during good weather.
As times and health trends improved, these shafts were closed off, and years later window air conditioners were added to the classrooms. Still, the gym and hallways were not air conditioned, and in the summer the heat and humidity could become unbearable.
Over the years, we have had many requests to use the auditorium, but only one summer did we agree, and then we prayed and prayed for nice weather. God heard our prayer and we had a wonderful time with the IFFB.
Since then we have steered groups away from any summer meetings at the college.
Now the Lord has heard our prayer once again. What started as a casual conversation with some friends of the college, ended up seeing this need supplied.
In late June, we received three 29,000 BTU portable air conditioners. We are ready to watch them work in the upcoming meeting in August. Praise the Lord!