Contending For The Faith, Vol. XXIX, 1998

225 Pages·2006·22.25 MB·English

Volume XXIX, 1998
January11 998
Volume XXIX, No. I
$12 Per Year; 2 Years $22
A publirmtio~o~f Blblc Re*ourct Publtralion<. Port Ollicc no, 2357, Spriny. Trur 71U3
FOR ELDERS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS, AND C0NCERNF:II CHKIS'TIANS
Joe Gilmore, Jr.
13 9 19- 19973
...
Editorial
Much Too Soon, Joe Gilmore
Is Taken From Us At Age 78
When Joe Gilmore, Jr., of San Jose, California,
departed this life on October 5, 1997, by rights I
should have been there along with Garland Elkins,
Bobby Liddell, Eddie Whitten, Noah Hackworth,
H. A. "Buster" Dobbs, Randy Mabe and possibly
others to help preach his funeral. I was half a world
away and so far from home there appeared to be no
way that I could get back in time-part of the price
one has to pay when totally committed to fulfilling the
Great Commission in one generation.
Believe me, brethren, I tried. However, this time I
was in Murmansk, Russia, above the Arctic Circle, a
thousand miles north of Moscow; and although I did
telephone his beloved Joy-twice-I was stuck, not
able to return until the funeral was already over.
I am sure that she understood and that, under the
circumstances, Joe would have, too. But I was tick-
eted via Braathens Airlines back through Oslo, Nor-
way, for the return journey; and Braathens serves
Murmansk only once a week. Seldom have I ever felt
so frustrated.
Although Joe Gilmore and 1 grew up approxi-
mately 100 miles apart in central and southeastern
Oklahoma, the first time that I recall ever meeting him
was in 1943, when he and I were still single and young
preachers together on California's West Coast. He
was 24; I was 26-but this was the first time our trails
had crossed. He was preaching at Vallejo, in the San
Francisco Bay Area and I at Paso Robles some 250
miles farther south.
WE SHARED MANY THINGS IN COMMON
Once brother Gilmore and I did actually meet, our
trails seemed to converge again and again across the
years. He often reminded me of our laughing together
in the back seat of his father's car and of Joe, Sr.'s ad-
monishing us both from behind the wheel, "Get
searce! Get searce!"
I always enjoyed hearing Joe tell of the "I Arns," a
religious order who met underneath where he lived in
a garage apartment at Vallejo. They would gather in
the space below and chant, "I am, I am; thank God I
am, I am.
"
One night Joe had about all he could take. Grabbing
a broom, he turned it upside down, banging it on the
floor, shouting, "You 're not, you 're not; thank God
you 're not, you 're not! "
EQUAL TO ANY OCCASION
Because of his commitment to the truth of the gos-
pel, brother Gilmore often was challenged by unbe-
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH-Januaryll998
lievers, having participated in perhaps 100 debates time. Just when everyone was laughing hardest, in
and discussions. By diligent study and long experi- came sister Houch setting that pot of beans right in
ence, he was equal to whatever arguments were pre- front of Paul Tucker. Joe said Paul's face turned red,
sented on any occasion. then purple; nevertheless, he took a big helping of
Among those who trained him, both in preaching as beans and passed them around.
well as in debate, two of his mentors were some of the PULLING A GOOD ONE ON LINWOOD BISHOP
most capable preacherldebaters of his time-Joe Since Linwood had been participant with Joe in this
Blue and C. R. Nichol. Among his closest friends practical joke on Paul Tucker, as we drove along Joe
were three of our greatest debaters-Foy E. Wallace, said, "When we get to San Jose we ought to pull a
Jr., G.K . Wallace and Robert R. Price. good one on Linwood." It being already way past
"SERVICES DISMISSED!" midnight, he suggested that one of us should call Lin-
The only time I ever heard of him not being able to wood on the telephone, disguise our voice, and ask
hold his own in a given situation had nothing to do him to meet the bus to perform our wedding when we
with either preaching or debating. reached Salinas at 4:00 o'clock that morning.
It was when he was a "boy preacher" at Allen, None of us felt he could disguise his voice well
Oklahoma. Everyone in the congregation kept com- enough that Linwood could not recognize who it was;
ing down with a virulent strain of intestinal flu. so we decided to ask someone at the San Jose bus sta-
Joe chided them all with just being physically tion to help us on this practical joke.
weak-until one Lord's Day morning, about halfway YOUNG LADY WAS ASKED TO HELP
through his sermon, it hit him, too. Those present re-
At the station, we asked a beautiful young blond-
ported that he had to do something right then-and
haired lady if she would participate. She was game to
quick. Not knowing what else to do, he shouted,
try; so we wrote out instructions as to what she should
"SERVICES DISMISSED!" and ran for the door.
say.
PREACHERS DON'T HAVE ANY FUN? When Linwood answered our telephone call, she
asked if he was the same Linwood Bishop who used to
Those who think that preachers and Christians
preach at Freer, Texas?
never get any enjoyment out of life never knew Joe
He said he was.
Gilmore. In the days when I first knew him on the
West Coast, local churches did not have what we now She asked if he remembered that young, blond-
call "lectureships;" we called them "preachers meet- haired girl who used to sit on the third row on his
ings." right-hand side when he preached at Freer?
At that time Linwood Bishop was still preaching at He thought he remembered her.
Salinas, California and had been for several years. She said she always had wanted him to be the one to
When he announced a preachers meeting for Salinas, perform her wedding-that she and her fiance were
inviting brethren from up and down the West Coast on the bus at San Jose headed for San Diego and
and from as far east as the San Joaquin Valley to par- would he please meet the bus when it arrived at Sali-
ticipate, Joe, our mutual friend Earl Mansur, then nas at 4:00 a.m. and perform their wedding during
preaching at San Pablo, and I, then preaching at San their bus stop?
Rafael, decided to drive down together from the San
LINWOOD WANTED TO WAIT TILL MORNING
Francisco Bay Area.
Linwood asked if they couldn't put it off at least un-
BEANS FOR BREAKFAST til daytime?
On our way home, brother Gilmore told of several She said, no, that as soon as they reached San Di-
preachers attending the Crosswell-Price Debate. Dur- ego, her fiance was being shipped out to the war in the
ing the debate, some of them stayed with a family Pacific, and that their rest stop in Salinas would be
named Houch. The preacher from San Jose, Califor- their only chance for him to perform their wedding.
nia, at that time, was Paul Tucker (who now has
Reluctantly, Linwood finally agreed, asking how
preached in Nashville, Tennessee for more than half a
he could recognize her, it having been several years
century).
since he had left Freer, Texas.
One day during the debate, Paul told of a place he
BUS SCHEDULE HAD ELEVEN SECTIONS
had been where they served beans for breakfast.
Those hearing the story for the first time had a big "Just hold up your Bible," she said, "and I will rec-
laugh. That evening Joe and Linwood told the story to ognize you!" (What made this especially effective, it
sister Houch, asking her to cook a pot of beans for being wartime, this particular schedule had ELEVEN
breakfast the following morning. SECTIONS to it; so it would be necessary for Bishop
At the breakfast table, Joe and Linwood asked Paul to hold up his Bible ELEVEN TIMES--once for each
to tell the story about "beans for breakfast" one more bus-until he was sure all eleven buses had arrived!)
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--January11998
When Linwood hung up the telephone, his wife, Joe and Joy had one daughter, Melinda, who now
Lillie, said that it was just some of those preachers is Director of Customer Service of ArthroCare, a sur-
pulling a practical joke on him on their way home, and gical equipment company, in California-her hus-
to come on to bed. She was right, of course; but Lin- band, Ron Kolar, having passed away five years
wood could not be certain. earlier. One granddaughter, Lisa Kolar, is now in her
We had written a note, saying, "BEANS FOR second year at the University of CaliforniaJRiverside,
BREAKFAST," put it in an envelope, and handed it to studying to become a medical doctor.
our young blond accomplice, saying that if she did not KNOWN AS INDIAN "BOY PREACHER"
think best to meet him at Salinas, to please take the
Baptized at age 12 by Perry Blue, brother of the re-
note to the station manager there and have brother
nowned Joe Blue, during a gospel meeting preached
Bishop paged. by J. D. Boren at Allen, Oklahoma, and encouraged
GEORGE DARLING REALLY WAS INNOCENT by C. R Nichol, of Seminole, Oklahoma, by the time
When Linwood finally got back home from the bus he was 15 or 16 Joe already was preaching sermons
station about 5:00 o'clock that morning, he was too upon occasion, though his "regular" preaching did not
upset even to think of going to bed. Being an accom- begin until he was 18 .
plished cook, he went to the kitchen and started mak- When news got out that an Indian "boy preacher"
ing biscuits for breakfast. was to hold his first gospel meeting, numerous Indi-
At the close of the preachers meeting, George ans, cowboys, ranchers and others came to hear him
Darling had stayed the night with the Bishops. When preach. Having only five sermons prepared by that
he awoke, seeing the light on, he stopped by the door age, all on Acts 2:38, some 15 souls responded to his
of the kitchen, where Linwood was making biscuits. invitation.
He said Linwood would roll up balls of dough, throw- When they insisted he preach five more nights, Joe
ing them on the doughboard, muttering, protested he only had five sermons and that he already
"This one's for Joe!" had preached them. They insisted he preach the same
"That one's for Ira!" Jive sermons all over again. Reluctantly he agreed,
"This one's for Earl!" preaching the points on Acts 2:3 8 in a different order
Glimpsing George standing quietly in the doorway, and with a different approach. Five more were bap-
Linwood demanded, "Were you in on that?" tized. After that he was widely referred to as "Ole
"In on what?%eorge asked, all innocence. Acts 2:38!"
"Don't try to dodge with me!" Linwood raised his
GILMORE'S PREACHING WAS UBIQUITOUS
voice--certain in his own mind that George knew all
Both locally and throughout the nation, brother
about it, too. But he didn't.
Gilmore's preaching seemingly took him every-
Poor Linwood. He had lost sleep every night of the
where. While in college, he preached at Francis, Okla-
preachers meeting-then had to be up all that night, as
homa-later doing local work at Chandler, Arkansas;
well, trying to accommodate a Joe Gilmore-Earl
Flore, Illinois; and at numerous places in California,
Mansur-Ira Rice-trumped-up wedding! You just don't
including Vallejo, Whittier, East Los Angeles, Oak-
hear of preacher-pranks like that one much anymore.
land. [where he followed Foy E. Wallace, Jr., who rec-
FULL-BLOODED AMERICAN INDIAN ommended him for the work]. Hayward, Central in
Born into the family of Joe, Sr., and Isabel Gil- San Jose, San Lorenzo, and last of all, East Bay
moreboth full-blooded American Indians--on Church of Christ in Hayward.
August 16,1919, at Allen, Oklahoma, Joe, Jr. had one In great demand both for gospel meetings and to
sister Imogene (Mrs. Jack Chiles), still living, at Al- speak on Bible lectureships, particularly in his later
len. years, wherever one went he seemed to be always
Having attended Abilene Christian College, Joe there. If "ubiquitous" ever fit a gospel preacher, cer-
graduated with the bachelor's degree from East Cen- tainly it had to fit Joe Gilmore. In the closing decade
tral State University, in Ada, Oklahoma. His graduate of his life he was appearing on from 19 to 20 lecture-
work was done at San Jose State University, in Cali- ships every year, requiring his writing innumerable
fornia. chapters for lectureship books, in all parts of the
United States.
EDITOR PRESENT FOR JOE'S WEDDING
On December 16, 1945, I was present for his wed- PROUD OF HIS HERITAGE
ding to Miss Joy Rhodes, of Clinton, Arkansas, at the Although Joe Gilmore worked smoothly with peo-
old 17th Street church address in San Francisco, Cali- ple of whatever race, color or nation, as the great-
fornia. (They met when R. N. Hogan preached one great-grandson of William McIntosh, Chief of
Lord's Day where Joe was then preaching at Vallejo, Chiefs of the Creek Indian Nation, he was appropri-
in the Bay Area.) ately proud of his heritage.
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--January11998
Chief McIntosh was over all of what today is called Hayes, Buster Dobbs, Eddie Whitten, Joseph A.
Alabama and Georgia-Alabama being an Indian Meador, Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Wayne Coats, Keith A.
word meaning "here we rest3'-including over 25- Mosher, Dub McClish, Joe Gilmore, Jr., closing
million acres of territory covering 85,000 square with a prayer led by Billy Bland.
miles. As the years of their fruitful lives were winding
As an American Indian, it always rankled Joe that down, Joe and Joy often discussed what should be-
an Italian by the name of Christopher Columbus come of his voluminous library once he was gone.
claimed to have "discovered" the land over which his They agreed together that the most appropriate place
forebears had ruled for centuries-maybe even mil- to put it was with the Memphis School of Preaching,
lenniums. He often threatened to go "discover" Italy right here in Memphis, Tennessee, within a mile of
for the Creek IndianNation the same way that Colum- where Vada and I live.
bus discovered his country 500 years before-but, of Once Joe died in November, Joy wasted no time in
course, he never did. carrying out Joe's wishes. Vada and I, having just re-
turned from missionary efforts in the Philippines, Sin-
SPEAKING ABOUT AND TO INDIANS
gapore and India, were delighted to learn that, while
As an Indian himself, brother Gilmore had entree
we were away, Joy had sent all 13,000 pounds of Joe
among those of Indian descent that those of us who
Gilmore's library to Memphis School of Preaching. It
were not Indians could never enjoy.
was off-loaded at the school's sparkling new facilities
In addition to speaking on Indian history to numer-
on Forest Hill-Irene Road, which will have its open-
ous school groups, he was able to preach in gospel
ing, Lord willing, on January 11, 1998, just 25 days
meetings and on other occasions on Indian reserva-
from this writing. We cannot express enough to Joy
tions to various tribes such as the Navajo, Oneida,
our appreciation for the way she stood by and sup-
Chickasaw, Oglala Sioux and others.
ported her magnificent husband for the almost 52
At one time, he and his personal Indian friend
years they had together.
Wayne Newton were honored as special guests of 27
When we consider all the manifold accomplish-
Indian tribes in Carson City, Nevada.
ments of this truly noble Creek Indian gospel
DETRACTORS OF GOSPEL PREACHERS preacher, it somehow seems inadequate to say that "a
OF YESTERYEAR OFFENDED JOE prince has fallen in Israel." But how else can we ex-
When self-acclaimed, would-be "scholars" arose press the magnitude of our loss now that the great-
among us during the 60's and decades following, great-grandson of Chief of Chiefs William McIntosh
denigrating those genuine scholars and true gospel is no longer here! We miss you, Joe.
preachers who went before, Joe Gilmore recognized -Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Editor
such self-aggrandizement for what it was and refixed
to be deceived by their false claims. In fact such un-
founded defamation irritated him beyond expression.
For several years, along with Noah Hackworth, he
co-directed the West Coast Firm Foundation Lecture-
ship at San Lorenzo, California.
Just prior to the illness leading to his passing,
brother Joe and I had planned to be together for a se-
ries of lectures primarily concerning the Navajos at
Gallup, New Mexico. When he suffered a stroke and
couldn't make it, I went ahead for both of us. [We also
had projected some work among the Oglala Sioux;
but now, with his passing, that contact for Christ is
forever gone.]
THE GILMORES AND MEMPHIS SCHOOL OF PREACHING
An Appreciation Dinner for Joe and Joy Gilmore
was hosted by the Memphis School of Preaching on
Monday, March 3 1, 1997, during the annual MSOP
lectureship. The timing could not have been better.
Speakers at the Dinner included Curtis A. Cates, Di-
rector, Harrell Davidson, Raymond Hagood, Noah
Hackworth, Perry Cotham, Gary Colley, Robert
R. Taylor, Jr., Garland Elkins, Jim Laws, Ronnie
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITHJ anuaryll998
JOE GILMORE, JR.-SERVANT OF GOD
Garland Elkins
When Moses died God said "Moses my servant is man of deep compassion and wholesome love for God,
dead" (Joshua 1:2). It is my conviction that God would Christ, his fellow-men, and especially for his brethren (I
have said if he were revealing his comments, "Joe Peter 3:8,9; Galatians 6: 10). He was always very sensitive
Gilmore my servant is dead." Joe Gilmore, faithful and to the feelings of others and though the truth he preached
able gospel preacher for more than 60 Years, departed from might sometimes wound the feelings of some, it was never
this life, Sunday, October 5,1997 in San Jose, California. done deliberately. Multitudes referred to him as "a good
Joe Gilmore, Jr., was born into the family of Joe Gil- man," "a great man" and one "who makes everyone feel
more, Sr., and Isabel Gilmore on August 16, 19 19, in special." He was skilled in doing this because he was so
Allen, Oklahoma. Joe became a Christian at the age of 12. very "special." He was one ofthe most respectful and cour-
He was baptized by Perry Blue, brother of the famed teous men that I have known. He was a man of peace. He
Joe Blue of Arkansas. In addition to his education in talked with me more than once about some who had treated
school Joe was taught and trained by two of the most ca- him with less than "the golden rule" treatment. However,
pable and best known preachers of their day; brethren C.
the last time that we discussed the subject his words were,
R. Nichol, and Joe Blue. Brother Gilmore often spoke of
"I am going to treat them right, 1 am a man of peace." (3)
those two great gospel preachers, Foy E. and G. K. Wal-
Joe Gilmore was consecrated to the Lord's work (I Corin-
lace, and numerous other great men of an earlier time.
thians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21). Brother Joe
Since space is limited I shall discuss brother Joe from
has stamped himself so deeply upon my heart (and of
different standpoints:
countless others) that nothing shall ever erase the impres-
AS A CHRISTIAN sions for good.
Joe Gilmore was a great Christian gentleman. Genuine AS HUSBAND AND FATHER
greatness is not for sale in the marketplace. It is the reward
On December 16, 1945, Joe was married to Miss Joy
of one who truly dedicates his life to the Lord, and this
Rhodes in San Francisco, California. They met when Joy
brother Joe had done. Thereare many intangibles in the life attended services where Joe was preaching; R. N. Hogan
of brother Joe, but I mention only a fe.w of them. (1) was preaching that Sunday. Sister Joy was from Clinton,
Brother Gilmore was a man of deep conviction. He had a Arkansas. Joe and Joy were blessed with a daughter,
great respect for God's inspired word, the Bible. He de- Melinda, who is Director of Customer Service ofArthro-
clared to men what God decreed in his word. He also loved Care, a surgical equipment company. Her husband is de-
men who preached God's word; he loved them for their ceased. The Gilmores have one granddaughter, Lisa Ko-
work's sake. He was deeply troubled that many are mini- lar, who is enrolled in the University of California
mizing what God has revealed in the Bible. (2) Joe was a Riverside. She is studying to be a medical doctor.
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH-Januaryll998
Brother and sister Joe and Joy Gilmore were a wonder- other. Likewise we shared sameness of interests, a com-
ful team. Sister Gilmore was always eager to carry out her mon viewpoint in fundamental matters regarding truth.
role as "help meet" to brother Gilmore. She stood with Joe (John 17:20,21; Philippians 3: 16). When I think of our
holding the banner high for truth (Psalms 60:4). In 1979, friendship I think of the following scriptures: "A man that
when Thomas B. Warren and I co-edited a book entitled, hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a
The Home As God Would Have It And Contemporary At- friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs
tacks Against It, we assigned Joe Gilmore the subject, 18:24). "And Jonathan, Saul's son arose, and went to
What Shall We Leave Our Children? Joe did a great job David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God"
with his lecture and also in the chapter that he submitted for (I Samuel 23: 16).
the book. After a good introduction he mentioned the fol- AS AN EXPERT IN INDIAN AFFAIRS
lowing headings and then discussed each one. He listed:
Joe's great-great-grandfather, William McIntosh, was
"A Good Name," "A Good Memory of a Christian Home,"
Chief of Chiefs of the Creek Nation. Joe was recognized as
"A Personal Example," "A Good Education," "A True
an authority in matters of Indian history and he often lec-
Faith In God," "An Appreciation of the Beautiful" and
tured on those sub-jects.A fter his death Curtis Cates said
then the "Conclusion." In the conclusion he wrote,
to me, "Joe has laid down his war bonnet" and my wife,
These are some of the things that weshould leave our chil-
Corinne said, "Joe has gone to the happy hunting ground."
dren. Parents are responsible for the finished product.
Children advertise our failure or success proverbs As he was lying in state prior to the funeral Joe held a Bible
20:ll). May God help us that when they turn away from clasped with one hand as he did when preaching, and
our graves that they will carry a righteous heritage! among the flowers stood his Indian headdress. He was
proud, in the proper sense of the word, of his Indian heri-
AS A PREACHER AND DEBATER
tage, but his major emphasis was his spiritual heritage:
Joe was always well prepared. His preaching showed God, Christ, the church.
great balance. No faction has ever been able to claim him Brother Joe Gillnore could say with Paul, "For I know
as one of them, but rather he opposed and exposed them. him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he
He was a great preacher of the gospel. He preached "the is able to guard that which I have committed unto him
word" (I1 Timothy 4:2). He believed that the gospel is against that day" (I1 Timothy 1: 12).
God's power unto salvation, and he was not ashamed of it
"Servant of God, well done,
(Romans 1 :1 6). He loved the truth, and he loved to preach
Thy glorious warfare's past;
it (I Corinthians 9: 16). Not only did he love the truth, and
The battle's fought, the victocv's won,
love to preach it, but he also had a deep love for souls (I1
And tlzou art crowned at last.
Corinthians 12: 15). I thinkofhim when I thinkofBarnabas "
"the son of exhortation" (Acts 4:36). -3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road South
Joe was notjust a child in God's family, he was a soldier Memphis, Tennessee 38125-2501
in God's army. Clad in the Christian armor and with sword
drawn, he stood in the forefront of the battles to save the
church from errors that threatened. He went to the grave
bearing some of the battle scars. However, in one sense
God's warfare valiant soldiers never die, they just pass on
to receive their crown (I1 Timothy 4: 1-8).
AS A FRIEND
I have enjoyed the inestimable privilege of having Joe
Gilmore as my friend for nearly a quarter of a century. For
almost a quarter of a century we spoke on lectureships to-
gether, and what a joy that has been! We knew each other
well, and had mutual respect for each other. Our friendship
was grounded in complete trust and confidence in each
I
[ Seek Y e First.. .
g I!
A Free Quarterly Publication
Business Office: Publication Office:
Post Office Box 158 Post Office Box 272
Bangs, Texas 76823-01 58 Rising Star, Texas 7647 1-0272
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--January11998 7
A L 0 YAL FRIEND,
JOE GILMORE, JR.
Curtis A. Cates
The writer considered it a great blessing and privilege to ample was when the Memphis School of Preaching
have been counted a friend by Joe Gilmore, as were count- announced its special goal for the new school building).
less others who have diligently sought to hold high the ban- Joe was a man of great integrity. He, like Micaiah, had
ner of truth. Truly he loved the Lord, and he loved his the attitude of "As Jehovah liveth, what Jehovah saith
faithful fellow soldiers of the cross of Christ. He, like unto me, that will I speak" (I Kings 22: 14). Never mind
Abraham, was a "friend of God" (James 2:23), being a what the 400 prophets of Ahab were saying, never mind
great man of faith and of obedience (I1 Chronicles 20:7; that his life was in danger-Micaiah stood for and spoke
Isaiah 41 :8). What a blessing it was to be privileged, like principle and truth. Joe stood for principle-a man of spar-
David and Jonathan, to have Joe as a friend (1 Samuel kling integrity and ethics.
18: 1). When 1 think of Joe, 1t hink ofthe following charac- Joe was energetic. Preaching the gospel was his life, and
teristics of this outstanding gospel preacher. he expended every energy to go wherever he had opportu-
Joe made it his aim to "show himself friendly," an indis- nity. To calculate the hours spent and the mileage covered
pensable ingredient of having friends. There is something in aircrafts as he went across this great land from coast to
special about friends. Note the friendship seen between coast and from border to border preaching the gospel in
God and Moses: "And Jehovah spake unto Moses face meetings and in lectureships would be impossible. He lit-
to face, as a friend speaketh unto his friend" (Exodus erally wore himselfout in the Lord's service and in helping
33: 11 ). Joe was ever glad to hear from his friends, as when his preaching friends in special efforts for the Lord.
Ira Rice, Garland Elkins, Robert Taylor, Harrell Though often weary with traveling, he expressed only
Davidson, and I were privileged to talk by telephone to
great delight that he was the Lord's servant.
him while he was hospitalized on the occasion of some ear-
Joe never compromised. He knew the truth (John 8:32),
lier very serious surgery. He would always say, "You fel-
and he was "set for the defense of the gospel" (Philippi-
lows have made my day." Solomon wrote, "Oil and
ans 1:17). He was "a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (I1
perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of
Timothy 2:3), who never allowed himself to become en-
man's friend that cometh of hearty counsel" (Proverbs
tangled in the affairs of this life (2:4). He loved the New
27:9). Also, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharp-
Testament pattern (1 : 13), and he preached it "in season,
eneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27: 17).
out of season" (4:2). He defended the truth in debate, and
Yes, friendship is special.
he stopped the mouths of false teachers (Titus I :9-11; Ga-
Joe was ready to help. He sought opportunities to do
latians 2:5). He departed this life with his spiritual "toma-
good, to encourage righteous endeavors, to use his great
hawk" in his hand (I1 Timothy 4:6-8), having always
talents in the Lord's service. Like Paul, he was "ready to
preached "the truth in love" (Ephesians 4: 15).
preach the gospel" (Romans 1: 1 5); he powerfully used Joe was dependable. God could depend on him, and
his talents in the kingdom. And, he was "rich in good faithful children of God could depend on him. "A friend
works.. .ready to distribute, willing to communicate,
loveth at all times; and a brother is born for adversity"
laying up in store for [himselfj a good foundation
(Proverbs 17: 17), "But there is a friend that sticketh
against the time to come..." (I Timothy 6: 18,19). One
closer than a brotherW(18:24)". Greater love hath no
needed but to mention a special need, and brother and sister
man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
Gilmore were among the very first to encourage it. (An ex-
friends" (John 15: 13). Christ is our great example in
friendship, sacrificial and undying love. Joe loved as a
friend, for he strove diligently to imitate his Savior. His
goal was to love what Christ loves and to be a friend of
those who are friends of God.
Our heavenly father has great things in store for his
friends. Our beloved brother and loyal friend is now expe-
riencing those wondrous blessings and delights. May the
Lord bless our precious memories of our beloved compan-
ion in the word, and may he bless Joy and family.
-3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road South
Memphis, Tennessee 38125-2501
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--January11998
Book and Tract List 1998
ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY BUILDING AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH
by David P. Brown Paper $2.50 by Clayton Pepper Paper
ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN by Culwell Paper $4.95
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF G.C. BREWER Cloth $4.95 CALVINISM by Feenstra Paper
AMONG THE SCHOLARS CAMPBELL AND CONTROVERSY
by David Hester Paper $6.00 by Bill Humble Cloth
ASCERTAINING BlBLE AUTHORITY CATHOLICISM AGAINST ITSELF by Lambert Paper
by Roy Deaver Paper $4.00 CHALLENGE OF CATHOLICISM(booklet)
ASHER-DEAVER DEBATE Paper $14.00 by R. Deaver Paper
THE AUTHORSHIP OF DEUTERONOMY CHANGE AGENTS by William Woodson Paper
by McGa~ey Cloth $19.95 Cloth
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND RETIREMENT CHEERFUL HEARTS by L. Brownlow Cloth
SERMONS by G. K. Wallace Cloth $7.95 THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS INFLUENCE
AXE ON THE ROOT, Vol. I,ll,lll (sold 2s set) by W. Winkler Paper
by Ira Y. Rice, Jr Paper $15.00 THE CHRISTIAN AND MEDICAL ETHICS
by Bert Thompson Paper
BAKER'S BlBLE ATLAS Cloth $24.99 CHRISTIANITY RESTORED
BALES-DEAVER DEBATE (on Matthew 19:9) Cloth $15.00 by Alexander Campbell Cloth
BAPTISM AND FUTURE ADULTERY by Sain Paper $2.00 CHRISTIAN UNITY by David Lipscomb Paper
BAPTIST BLUNDERS AND METHODIST THE CHURCH EVERYBODY IS ASKING ABOUT
DYNAMITE EXPLODED by Joe S. Wallace Cloth $13 95 by W. Winkler Paper
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND THE NEW CHURCH HISTORY by John D. Cox Paper
TESTAMENT CHURCH by Roy Deaver Paper $6.00 CHURCH OF THE BlBLE by J. C. Choate Paper
BASIC BlBLE COURSE by Ira Y. Rice, Jr. THE CHURCH, THE FALLING AWAY AND THE
(Set of 27 lessons & questions) Paper $3.00 RESTORATION by J. W. Shepherd Cloth
BASIC BlBLE TRUTHS
WAYNE COATS BOOKS:
by Johnny Scaggs Vol. I&II Each Volume Paper $1.50
A COMPENDIUM OF PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS
BEEVILLE. TEXAS LECTURES: TEACHINGS AT THE NASHVILLE JUBILEE
GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE (19 92) Cloth $10.00 1990-96 Paper
BELLVIEW LECTURES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE PEACEAB-L E
ARE WE MOVING AWAY FROM THE KINGDOM Paper
CROSS OF CHRIST? (1 988) Cloth $12.00 BROTHER FLATT'S HOLY ROLLERISM. .. Paper
IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE (19 89) Cloth $12.00 CRITIQUE OF "HOW CHRISTIANITY
THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT (1991) Cloth $12.95 GROWS IN THE CIN" Paper
CURRENT CRISES IN THE CHURCH (1992) Cloth $12.00 DEATH BRINGS HURT AND HELP Cloth
GOD'S PAlTERN FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING HOW FLAlT FLATTENED THE MASTER'S
Cloth $12.95 SERMON Paper
Cloth $13.00 HOW THE NEW LIBERALS DIG UP THE
BONES OF THE OLD LIBERALS Paper
Cloth $13.00 HOW RUBEL'S BLOATED WINESKINS BURST Paper
Cloth $13.00 ILIBERALISM AT THE JUBILEE Paper
Cloth $13.00 REVIEW OF ANOTHER LIBERAL DIGRESSIVE
EFFORT AS PROPOSED BY JAMES
BERARD-HALEY DEBATE Paper $6.00 WOODROOF TO CHANGE THE CHURCH
THE BlBLE AND COMMON SENSE OF CHRIST Paper
by LeRoy Brownlow Paper $2.99 RUBEL'S RUBBISH (OR THE MOUNTAIN
THE BlBLE AND "SOCIAL" DRINKING SERMON MANGLED BY MODERNISM) Paper
by W. D. Jeffcoat Cloth $12.95 SHELLY-HARRIS (Second Incarnation) Paper
THE BlBLE AND STRONG DRINK by Winters Paper $3.95 SHELLY'S ROLE OF WOMEN Paper
BlBLE STORIES FROM THE ROCKING CHAIR SHELLY ON PRESENTATION MUSIC Paper
by D. Sain Cloth $12.00 WHAT DID YOU SAY MATT. 18:15-17
BlBLE WINES by William Patton Paper $3.95 TEACHES? Paper
BIBLICAL CRITICISM by J. W. McGawey Cloth $21.95
COMMENTARY ON ACTS (New Edition)
BOLES-BOLL DEBATE (Premillennialisrn) Cloth $22.95
by J. W. McGa~ey Cloth
BOOK OF ACTS by Mac Deaver Paper $3.50 COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS
BOOK OF JOHN by R. Deaver Paper $6.00 by Bill Jackson Paper
BOOK OF JUDE(commentary) COMMENTARY ON 2 CORINTHIANS
Paper $4.00 by Bill Jackson Paper
Paper $3.00 COMMENTARY ON DANIEL
Paper $17.00 by Rex Turner, Sr. Cloth
COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
(on instrumental music) Cloth $11.95 by R. Haley Paper
BRITNELL-WOODS DEBATE COMMENTARY ON HEBREWS by Milligan Cloth
(on orphan homes) Cloth $5.00 COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH
by H. Hailey Cloth