Truth Magazine

By James L. Denison

I just closed an eight day meeting with the church at No. Broadway in Rochester, Minn. The meeting was well attended. Not one person who normally. worships with this congregation missed even one service!, How many of you ‘who read, this can boast of such dedication by members where you worship? Also there were visitors who were not members at each of the ten services with the exception of two services.

Gary Hargis, formerly of Tampa, Fla., is the preacher at Rochester. Gary and his family moved there in June, 1973. At that time there were only two women who refused to compromise their convictions by remaining with the liberal church in Rochester, that made up the congregation. Since his arrival there has been two baptisms. There are several others who have studied with Gary and his wife, who are good prospects for conversion in the near future.

The Rochester church has, for several months, run a weekly column in the local paper, dealing with the subject, “The New Testament Church Restored Here.” They have just this week started a new column entitled “Ask Your Preacher.” They have received several inquiries as a result of the column, and enrolled 18 people in the Bible correspondence courses.

In this area of the country the Lutheran and Catholic religions are predominate, along with many Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and some Baptists. Most of these groups are rank with modernism and the social gospel. As a result, a few of their members who are of a. conservative and Biblically oriented background, are growing disgusted with these churches. The problem however is seeking them out of the thousands and making contact with them, to let them know what we stand for, and why. For example: Gary and I visited one lady in a town about 25 miles from Rochester who has been reading the newspaper articles and has been enrolled in the correspondence course. Nigerian Report She had been reared as a “Free Methodist,” but in recent years has been affiliated with the Lutherans. She had become disgusted with them because of their general laxness, and firing their preacher for being “too religious”! She indicated this was typical of the other churches in that town. Also that there were several others whom she knew that felt as she did-and they had no where to worship! She is presently contacting them to set up a time for Gary to begin Home Studies with them. At present it looks very promising for starting a congregation in this town. If this occurs, they plan for awhile to meet in someone’s home, and Gary will go down on Sundays to aid them in their worship services.

Often we who live in areas where the church is relatively strong (South Florida, California, Texas, Alabama, etc.) do not realize how difficult it is to start a new work, and within one year in an almost virgin territory like Rochester, Minn., to show even a small amount of results. Remember: there are only five faithful congregations in the entire state, and they are all small. Considering these factors, Gary, and his family, and the church there have done an excellent job. Without reservation, I commend them for their year’s work

However, one congregation which has been contributing $300.00 per month to support Gary and his family notified him that, due to a drastic drop in their contributions, they can no longer support him after August! To continue the work he has been doing for the past year, this amount of support must be picked up by someone else.

What about the congregation where you worship? Or, what about you individually? Can you help? If so; contact at once: Gary Hargis,, Box 715, Byron, Minn. 55920 or call 775-6819.-James L. Denison, 813-876-2237.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:36, p. 8-9
July 18, 1974

By Cecil Willis

The Cogdill Foundation, which publishes Truth Magazine, has obtained exclusive publication rights to the six volume Bible Commentary written by Brother E. M. Zerr. This set, covering both Old and New Testaments, is available in an impressive hardback binding. The dark green binding material looks beautiful, stamped in gold lettering, and should serve the average user a life-time. The six books consist of approximately 400 pages each. The set sells for $32.50, and single volumes sell for $5.95 each. A customary trade discount is allowed to other retail outlets. These books may be ordered from Truth Magazine Bookstore, Box 403, Marion, Indiana 46952, or through your favorite religious bookstore.

Information About E. M. Zerr

Brother Zerr was quite well-known among a group of very conservative brethren, but he may not have been known among brethren in general. Hence, a little information concerning him is here given. Edward Michael Zerr was born October 15, 1877 in Strassburg, Illinois, but his family soon thereafter moved to Missouri. He was the second of six children born to Lawrence and Mary (Manning) Zerr. Brother Zerr’s father was reared as a Catholic, but after he married Mary Manning, he obeyed the gospel. At the age of seventeen, young Edward was immersed into Christ in Grand River, near Bosworth, Missouri.

In June, 1897 young Brother E. M. Zerr received a letter from A. L. Gepford asking him to go to Green Valley, Illinois, and to preach in his stead. His first sermon was entitled, “My Responsibility as a Preacher of the Gospel, and Your Responsibility as Hearers.” In the years between delivery of this first sermon on July 3, 1897, and the delivery of his last sermon on October 25, 1959, Brother Zerr preached about 8,000 sermons, from California to Connecticut, and from Washington to Arizona. It is noteworthy that his last sermon was built around Matt. 13:44, and was entitled “Full Surrender.” Brother Zerr preached the gospel for a little over 60 years.

Among the brethren with whom Brother Zerr was most frequently associated, it was then common to have protracted periods of concentrated Bible studies, commonly referred to as “Bible Readings.” Young Brother Zerr attended a three month “Bible Reading” conducted by the well-known teacher, A. M. Morris, in 1899. During this study which was conducted at Hillsboro, Henry County, Indiana, Brother Zerr stayed in the home of a farmer named John Hill. After leaving the John and Matilda Hill farm, “E. M. ” began correspondence with their daughter, Carrie. The following year, while attending a “Bible Reading” conducted by Daniel Sommer in Indianapolis, “E. M. ” and Carrie were married, on September 27, 1900. The newly weds took up. residence in New Castle, -Indiana, where their four children were born, one of whom died in infancy.

In 1911, Brother A. W. Harvey arranged for Brother Zerr to conduct a “Bible Reading” which continued for several months at Palmyra, Indiana. These “Bible Readings”, usually consisted of two two-hour sessions daily. Young Brother Zerr’s special ability as a teacher was soon recognized, and he continued to conduct such studies among churches of Christ for 48 years. Edward M. Zerr died February 22, 1960, having been in a coma for four months following an automobile accident at Martinsville, Indiana. His body was laid to rest in the little country cemetery at Hillsboro, Indiana, near the church building in which he had attended his first “Bible Reading.”

Brother Zerr’s Writings in addition to his oral teaching and preaching, Brother Zerr was a prolific writer. He was a regular contributor to several religious periodicals. Brother Zerr also composed the music and lyrics of several religious songs. Two of these, “The True Riches,” and “I Come to Thee,” may be found in the widely used song book, Sacred Selections.

One of the books written by Brother Zerr is entitled Historical Quotations, and consists of the gleanings from 40,000 pages of ancient history and other critical sources which he read over a period of twenty years. These quotations are intended to explain and to confirm the prophetic and other technical statements of the Bible. Another book, a 434 page hard-cover binding, consists of a study course containing 16,000 Bible questions. This book, New Testament Questions, has at least 50 questions on each chapter of the New Testament. A smaller book, Bible Reading Notes, consists of some of the copious notes which Brother Zerr made in connection with the “Bible Readings” which he conducted.

But the crowning success of his efforts was the writing of his six volume commentary on the whole Bible. These six volumes were published between 1947 and 1955. Brother Zerr has the unique distinction, so far as is known to this writer, of being the only member of the church to write a commentary on the entire Bible. Many other brethren have written excellent and valuable commentaries on various books of the Bible, but no other brother has written on the entire Bible.

The writing of this commentary consumed more than seven years of full-time labor. In order that he might devote himself without interruption to this herculean effort, Brother Zerr was supported by the Newcastle church during this seven year period. It is unfortunate, in this writer’s judgment, that other competent men have not been entirely freed of other duties that they might give themselves to such mammoth writing assignments. Through Bible Commentary, Brother E. M. Zerr, though dead since 1960, will continue to do what he liked best to do-conduct “Bible Readings” for many years to come. The current printing is the fourth printing of the Old Testament section (four volumes) of the commentary, and the fifth printing of the New Testament section (two volumes).

Many Christians spend but little money on available helps in Bible study. Some own perhaps only a Cruden’s Concordance, a Bible Dictionary of some kind, and then Johnson’s Notes. It would be interesting to know how many copies of B. W. Johnson’s The People’s New Testament Commentary With Notes have been sold. If I were to hazard a guess, it would be that at least 1,000,000 copies of this superficial commentary have been sold. Johnson’s Notes contains the printing of the entire New Testament text in both King James Version and the English Revised Version (the predecessor to the American Standard Version), and his comments, all contained in two volumes. In fact, a single volume edition also is available. Thus one is buying two copies of the New Testament, and B. W. Johnson’s Notes, in one or two volumes. So necessarily, Johnson’s Notes are very brief.

If brethren somehow could be made acquainted with Brother Zerr’s Bible Commentary, it is possible that it could be as widely used as has been Johnson’s Notes, first published in 1889. Brother Zerr printed very little of the Bible text in his commentary. He assumed you would have your own Bible nearby. To have printed in the commentary the entire Bible would have required at least three other volumes. While it would have been helpful to have the Bible text printed by the comments, this unnecessary luxury would have been very expensive, since we all have copies of the Scriptures already. Furthermore, Brother Zerr intended that one be compelled to use his Bible, in order that his commentary never supplant the Sacred text.

A Word of Caution

I am sure that Brother Zerr, were he yet living, would advise me to remind you that his Bible Commentary is only that of a man, though a studious man he was. In fact, in the “Preface” to this set of books, just such a word of warning is sounded by Brother Zerr. The only book which we recommend without reservation is the Bible! But Bible commentaries, when viewed merely as the results of many years of study by scholarly men, can be very helpful to one.

Brother Zerr spent his life-time working among those brethren who have stood opposed to “located preachers” and to “Bible Colleges.” However, he has not “featured” these distinctive views in his Bible Commentary. If one did not know of these positions held by Brother Zerr, he might not even detect the references to them in the commentary. However, I want to call such references to your attention. Along with the opposition to “located preachers,” Brother Zerr also held a position commonly referred to as “Evangelistic Oversight.” This position declares that until a congregation has qualified elders appointed, each congregation should be under the oversight of some evangelist. With these positions, this writer cannot agree. References to these positions will be found in his comments on Acts 20:28; Eph. 3:10, 3:21; 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:5, and perhaps in a few other places that do not now come to memory. Brother Zerr also took the position that a woman should never cut or even trim her hair. His comments on this position will be found at I Cor. 11:1-16.

But aside from a very few such positions with which many of us would disagree, Brother Zerr’s Bible Commentary can be very helpful. Some restoration-period writers of widely used commentaries held some rather bizarre positions regarding the millennium. Brethren scruple not to use Barnes’ Notes, in spite of his repeated injection of Calvinism, and Clarke’s Commentary, in spite of his Methodist teaching.

Brother Zerr’s Bible Commentary is far superior to Johnson’s Notes. Though there are some extraordinarily good volumes in the well-known Gospel Advocate commentaries, there also are some notoriously weak volumes in this widely used set. Viewed from the point of consistent quality, Brother Zerr’s Bible Commentary is superior to the Gospel Advocate set. Some brethren whom I consider to be superior exegetes of the Word have highly recommended Zerr’s Bible Commentary and have praised the splendid and incisive way in which he has handled even those “hard to be understood” sections of God’s Word.

Our recommendation regarding E. M. Zerr’s six volume Commentary can be paraphrased from the words of a well known television commercial: “Try it; you’ll like it!”

Truth Magazine, XVIII:36, p. 3-5
July 18, 1974

By Norman E. Sewell

There was a time when most Christians coming into a new community determined where they wished to worship, and which of the local congregations was worshiping and working in accordance with God’s will, then placed membership with that congregation. The purpose of placing membership was to declare to all that they wanted to be a part of the group, wanted to be called on for participation in the various activities of the local group, and to be under the oversight of the elders. Perhaps explained in the reasons for placing membership are the reasons why many so-called Christians now move into a community, worship from time to time with one congregation or another, but never actually “join” themselves to that or any local group of people. Many times it is because they do not want to be called on for anything, do not want any responsibility, and do not want to be answerable to the elders of any congregation.

I believe the idea of placing membership is a scriptural one. After Saul of Tarsus was converted (Acts 9), he preached in Damascus (Acts 9:19-22), went away into Arabia (Gal. 1:17), returned to Damascus (Gal. 1:17), and finally after three years went up to Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18). “And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples” (Acts 9:26). Paul wanted to be counted as a disciple, and apparently wanted to te considered a part of the church which met in Jerusalem. Barnes’ Notes on The New Testament says, “He attempted, he endeavored. . To become connected with them as their fellow Christian.” In the Alexander Campbell Commentary on Acts, Campbell says that Saul attempted to “attach himself” to the disciples in Jerusalem. It seems that the idea of becoming recognized by and attached to a local congregation is an idea plainly taught by scripture.

While some do not wish to actively participate in the worship services, and other activities of the local congregation, it is a thing to be much desired. Many say they do not get anything out of the worship. This is generally because they do not put anything into it. They sit as spectators, possibly not e ‘ ven entering into the singing of praises or partaking of the Lord=s Supper with their hearts. To allow yourself to be called upon to teach a class, to lead in prayer, to help pass the Lord=s Supper to others, or to do the preparing of the Lord=s Supper, or any of many other things to be done by the local congregation is to be made to feel yourself as a real part of the group. Then you stop referring to the congregation as “they,” and start thinking in terms of “us” and “we.”

The idea of being under the oversight of the elders is also a scriptural one. The Hebrew writer urged those Christians to “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. for this were unprofitable for you” (Heb~ 13:17). It is the elders’ duty to oversee the congregation in which they are elders. This means that they cannot very well oversee those who are not a part of the local group. I believe this is surely one reason that many never place membership in a local group. They do not want to be answerable to anyone. Surely every Christian recognizes that he ultimately will be answerable to God, and the elders are doing what God has ordained that they do.

Why not get involved in doing the work of the Lord. You will feel better about your own relationship to God, and you will feel more a part of the local congregation.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:36, p. 2
July 18, 1974

By Jeffery Kingry

While I was in college I was continually exhorted to attend the “Sowers Club.” The teachers were vitally interested in helping young men who sought, some day, to be preachers. They freely gave of their off-time to provide an opportunity for interested young men to hear some good teaching done by Gospel Preachers on topics that directly related to their work as preachers. Unfortunately, I was never able to make it to one of these gatherings. There always seemed to be a test to study for. Also, I was a Science Major, not a Bible Major, and I used to get a lot of “static” from the “preacher-boys” as they were called. But, since I have started preaching I have sometimes thought how much good it might have accomplished if Brother Paul of Tarsus could have been persuaded to leave his meeting work to have addressed the “Sowers Club.” One can almost see and hear the aged Apostle as he stood before all those smiling, expectant faces posed over their pencils. Paul was certainly a “college man” (Acts 22:3). You might even say he had done his post-graduate work (Gal. 1:14), though it might have embarrassed the young “preacher-boys” if they knew he considered all that intellectual and social achievement “but dung” (Phil. 3:8). Paul could have talked about nearly anything to those young men, but I think his lesson might have gone something like this:

“Let none of you young men be under any illusion about this education you’re getting. If any of you thinks that he is wiser than his brethren, because he has what this world calls wisdom, then he would be better off a dunce lest his education prevent him from ever receiving the real wisdom of God. For all the clever ‘wisdom’ in this world is but stupidity in God’s estimation. Scripture itself says, ‘God uses man’s own brilliance to trap him'(Job 5:13), and again, ‘The Lord knows how futile the speculations of the wise are’ (Psa. 94:11). Therefore, let none of you put your confidence in what you may get on a piece of paper here, for you already possess what God has given to you! He has given you Paul, and Apollos, and Peter as teachers–he has given you the whole world to use, and life and even death are your servants – you have the present and all flit future to bring you to the true wisdom. Because, you see, you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (I Cor. 3:18-23).

“Some of you want to be great forces for good in the church. You desire to be well-known and admired for your knowledge and skill in the Word of God. This is true, or you would not be here now. But I encourage you to maintain a line between what you think you are and what has been given to you. After all, my young friends, who is it that gives one man preeminence over another? What power or ability do you have that has not been given to you? Now, if you have really received it all as a gift from God, why then should any of you puff out in pride as if what you may have were something you obtained yourself (I Cor. 4:7)?

“You may think that I am something because of my successes in preaching, or the writing that I have done. Let me dissuade you from that misconception as well. I am the least worthy of all the Apostles, and not really fit in my own sight to deserve the name Apostle because of my cruel attacks upon the church. But, whatever I am now is all because God poured out such kindness and unmerited favor upon me – and I could hardly let such mercy and favor be unprofitable to the Lord – so I have worked harder than any of the other Apostles. Yet, even then, the success was not so much a result of my effort as it was the grace of God working in and through me. At any rate, it makes no difference who worked the hardest, the important thing is that we preached the Gospel, and you, young men. are the result (I Cor. 15:9-11).

“Does that sound like I am patting myself on the back? Young men, I do not need that kind of thing. Some people have to exchange testimonials of themselves before they can be friends. But, you are my testimonial, written in an old man’s heart, for all to see and each to read for himself. You are an open letter from Christ himself, penned by us, not written in ink but with the Spirit of the living God – not on tablets of stone, but written on the tablets of human hearts. It is in this that I rest my confidence in my work before God; Not as if I was able to do anything by myself for which I might take credit, for all of my ability comes from God (2 Cor. 3:1-5).

“I want you to listen to what I say, for there have been those who rejected what I advise – and my advice does not originate with me, but from God. I have been accused on occasion of being a different person face to face than I am in my writing. ‘Don’t bother about his letters,’ some say. ‘He sounds big, but its all noise. When you see him you will see that there is nothing great about him, and you have never heard a worse preacher!’ Those people found out that my actions followed my words right down to the letter (2 Cor. 10:9-11).

“Of course, I wouldn’t dare include myself in that class of preachers who toot their own horns and write their own testimonials – I wouldn’t even compare myself to them. Their trouble is that they are content and foolish enough to compare themselves against one another, by their own shortened yardstick. You can’t help but come off looking good by that kind of standard. But we must not boast of things that we really have nothing to do with. Our measure is the plan of God, and this plan is to be applied equally to all men, yourself included. I am not stretching credibility when I claim you as my fruit and my testimonial, for you were converted through my efforts. I do not claim credit for work that was done by other men, but my hope and prayer has always been that through you I can share in expanding the work that God gave me to do – that in your work I may be able to take the Gospel even farther than it was taken when it reached you. So, if any of us is to boast, let us boast about the Lord. For the Lord’s approval of a man is not dependent on his opinion of himself, but of the Lord’s opinion of him. (2 Cor. 10:12-18).

“Now, a little advice on your work as preachers: As you lay the truth before the brethren you will be doing your duty as a servant of God. Continue to feed your own soul and keep it nourished on the precepts of our faith and the sound instruction by which you have guided your life. Make it your habit to avoid worldly and silly traditions, and spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Physical training may have some benefit, but the benefits of Godly living are without limit, since it carries with it the promise of a good life both here and hereafter (I Tim. 4:6-8).

“You are all young. Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your immature behavior. If you desire the respect that belongs to the message you bring, act like it. Become an example for the brethren in your speech, your manner of life, in your love, your faith, and in your chaste thoughts. Pay attention to your scripture-reading. Take time and prepare for your preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the abilities that God gave you, but use them to be a better preacher. Make these things your first concern, and devote all your energies to them, so that your improvement will be noted by all the brethren. Keep a critical eye on the message you bring, and see to it that your life is in conformance with it. And above all, stick to your work, for by so doing you will insure salvation not only to those whom you teach, but yourself as well (I Tim. 4:12-16).

“Now, if you want to get along in your local work with the church, and remain pleasing to God, do not be harsh or arrogant with those who are older in the faith than you, but plead with them as you would your own father. Treat the younger men as you would a very close brother. In a like manner, treat the older women as your very own mother, and the young ladies as sisters – always with the utmost propriety (I Tim. 5:1-2).

“Do not shirk your responsibility in standing for the truth in all things. Join the ranks of those willing to suffer abuse for the truth’s sake as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. You know that no fighting man in an army divides his abilities, time, and attention between his duty and civilian business pursuits. A soldier must always be at the disposal of his Commanding Officer. If you enter an athletic event, you know you do not get a trophy unless you play by the rules. Any hard working farmer has a right to expect a share of the produce for his labor. If you reflect on what I have said, I am sure that the Lord will help you understand what I am driving at (2 Tim. 2:3-7).

“Finally, I want you to consider this analogy. In every household there are all kinds of dishes. The good wife has every-day, common plastic dishes, and she has her fine china as well. Some she uses for just any old thing – but the fine china she reserves for special and honorable times. In the same way there are all kinds of tools and utensils that God uses in working his will – some for ordinary use, and some for noble use. If you keep yourself noble and sanctified by avoiding any kind of evil contamination, God will prepare you as an honorable and useful tool in his service. So fly away from all the evil impulses your youth makes you so vulnerable to, and aim instead for integrity, faith, love, and peace with all of those who call on God with unsullied hearts. Avoid stupid and senseless controversies – empty issues – for you know that such never brings righteousness, but constant quarrels. The servant of the Lord is not to stoop to petty quarreling. On the contrary, he is to be known for his courtesy and humility. He is to be skillful in his teaching, patient when personally wronged, gently correcting his opponents who go against the truth. Our hope in rebuking sin is that God will provide those in error with a change of heart that will provide them with a way back to truth. We cannot close doors, but our duty is to help our brethren in darkness recover their senses to escape the trap of the devil, even though they are now entrapped by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:20-26).

AI solemnly urge you, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ: Preach the Word! Take your position and stand for it zealously whether the opportunity is favorable for you or not. Convict people of sin, rebuke sin sharply, and encourage those you teach to rise to the better way. Preach the truth with all the patience that teaching requires. May the Lord bless your souls, and his grace be on you all” (2 Tim. 4:1,2,22).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:35, p. 13-14
July 11, 1974