Fellowship involves a "sharing of things in common"; its experience among the people of God is an evidence of spirituality. It is NOT necessarily automatic or spontaneous. Diligent effort is necessary to maintain a "unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace" .. even in a local assembly. How much greater consideration, forbearance and respect for the ability and right of others to "think for themselves" is necessary if there is to be any semblance of harmony, peace and fellowship that extends beyond the local assembly to the brotherhood composed of a plurality of independent Baptist churches. (How much more is this true where there is no dead, stereotyped "creed" -- hammered out as a legalistic device designed to safeguard a group from "heresy".)
    "Envy, strife and division" among the people of God are sure evidences of carnality. Personal ambitions, animosities, and even contentiousness regarding the proper "form of words" used to set forth the truth of the Gospel, are enemies of genuine fellowship; hindrances to the progress of Divine truth; and NEVER evidences spirituality that IS REAL.

    For the past 20 years (with two exceptions) Landmark Church has entertained an Annual Fellowship Meeting in Rockford. The Lord has graciously blessed these meetings to the enrichment of many hearts and lives. It is our earnest prayer that those who attend will receive such a blessing at "FELLOWSHIP "74".

    It is the desire of Landmark Church and her pastor that every part of these services, which we have invited our brethren to share, will be characterized by Christian love, brotherly kindness and a spirit of unity that lifts hearts and voices in thanksgiving, adoration, worship and praise to Him Who loved us and redeemed us by His blood -- the prospect of Whose coming, and our conformity unto His likeness in glory, is OUR BLESSED HOPE!
    It is our firm belief that those who speak in our meetings are capable of expressing their own hearts and minds much more clearly than they can be interpreted by anyone outside them. We believe just as firmly that our brethren, from the plurality of sister churches, are capable of discerning for themselves "whether these things be so".

    In such meetings, and with such a forum, it is inevitable that there be differences of opinion. It is NOT necessary that there be such carnal, contentious public confrontations as spread like a cankerous growth in eroding fellowship and hindering the progress of the Gospel -- both at home and abroad.
    To write such words is not easy. Uncharitable brethren could impugn my motive and, as has actually happened in recent months, arouse suspicion in the hearts of some younger brethren whom I dearly love. However, the prosperity of the Gospel and the peace of the brotherhood -- in these perilous times -- is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the reputation of ANY one person; and that includes this Editor.
    Brethren, we need the love, understanding and encouragement of each other for facing the coming "crisis"; without right attitudes we are ill-prepared to face the coming CHRIST!! -- E.G.

    1. In the infallible, verbal INSPIRATION of the Scriptures.
    2. In the existence of ONE GOD, in three persons.
    3. In the Biblical Account of creation, which is consistent with every known fact of modern science.
    4. In the virgin birth, deity, humanity, perfect life, substitutionary death, vicarious sacrifice, full atonement and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    5. In the present possession of a salvation that is WHOLLY OF GRACE, through the exercise of a faith divorced from any "fleshly works", but which inevitably "works by love".
    6. In the perpetual SECURITY of all that is abandoned (entrusted, committed), in faith, to Jesus.
    7. In the ETERNAL PUNISHMENT of the impenitent and unbelieving -- away from the presence and glory of God -- in a place the Bible calls "hell".
    8. In the unceasing blessedness, in the Kingdom of God, of all whose walk before Him, in life, has been characterized by a faith that was rooted in love.
    9. In the personal, bodily, pre-millennial RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST to establish ON THIS EARTH a Kingdom of righteousness, and to rule, for 1,000 glorious years, from the throne of His father, David, in Jerusalem.
    10. In the sanctity of the church established by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (and before

Pentecost), wherein He has set two offices (pastor and deacon) and two pictorial ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper).
    BAPTISM is the immersion of a believer in water, by the authority of a New Testament Church. It DECLARES one's death to sin; PICTURES his spiritual resurrection (regeneration) to life, through Christ; INITIATES AND IDENTIFIES him in a new relationship with Christ as a "member of His body", the church; and PLEDGES his dedication to walk in a new way of life (the faith-walk) wherein Christ is "Lord of ALL".
    The LORD'S SUPPER, involving the partaking of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine by a LOCAL CHURCH, looks back to the suffering and death of Christ in our stead; it points forward to His Second Coming, in power and great glory, to assume His messianic role in the earth.
    11. In FREE ASSOCIATION with other churches of like faith for fellowship in the Gospel and the fulfilling of those mutual obligations imposed by the Great Commission.
    l2. Finally, we believe it imperative, in these last days, that all who share a common salvation, and fellowship in Scriptural churches, dispense with envy, strife, jealousy, malice and petty rivalries; that we be knit together in a bond of brotherly love evidenced by: a mutuality of respect, Christian courtesy, concern and care for each other -- the REAL badge of Christian discipleship. --E.G.

How sweet, how heavenly is the
    sight
When those who love the Lord
In one another's peace delight,
And so fulfill His word!

When each can feel his brother's
    sigh,
And with him bear a part!
When sorrow flows from every eye,
And joy from heart to heart!

When, free from envy, scorn, and
    pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother's failings
    hide,
And show a brother's loves!

Let love, in one delightful stream,
Through EVERY bosom flow;
And union sweet, and dear esteem
In EVERY ACTION glow.

Love is the golden chain that binds
The happy souls above;
And he's an heir of heaven who finds
His bosom glow with love.

    Some of you, who actually read the CLARION HERALD, may have thought you missed the issue of November 6. Actually, you didn't; there was no paper that week.
    On November 2 the editor was hospitalized for the removal of a ruptured appendix. That made it impossible to publish that issue of

the paper.
    Thanks to good hospital care, and the blessings of a faithful heavenly Father, I am making good progress toward recovery.
    The many cards, letters, words of encouragement and offerings (from individuals and churches who knew that I carried no medical insurance) were deeply appreciated. In due time I hope to personally acknowledge each one.
I HOPE you actually NOTICED that the paper did not make its regular appearance. -- the Editor

    "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us", (2 Cor. 4:7).
    Seeming earthly success is not the real test of spiritual life. There are times when apparent failure is better. God can do more with our weakness than with our strength. In self-weakness the strength of Christ rests upon us in fuller measure.
    At times we labor more effectively when we seem to fail than when we seem victorious. Many a man of God has been more effective in what seemed to him an utter failure. The pride generated by our "finest efforts" often hinders the working of the Holy Spirit.
    It has been said that some of the greatest treasures in heaven will be the blunders God's children have made in trying to show their love.

    Both pictorial ordinances of the church will be observed in our services on December 1. Sister Cindy Flowers will be baptized in the morning; the Lord's Supper will be observed by the church that evening.