The paper called "A Standard Bearer" in its current issue has this to say about the Church here: "You will notice that I have not reported much from Flemington. Since some of the members of the church there have gone off after "strange gods,’ and at the present time are offering ‘strange fire’ unto the Lord, I have not been welcome among them. However, there is a lively remnant left which we hope will succeed in bringing the people back again to the ‘old paths.’ We have not been using this paper for the purpose of spreading church troubles, so we are not, for this reason, going into details. Anyone interested in knowing the true condition of affairs at that place write to Bro. Harry Pettingill, Lock Haven, Flemington, Pa., or to Paul Mackey, Howard, Pa."

Yes, write to them! And don’t forget that Robert Kramer, Lock Haven, Flemington, Pa., has some important information which he is willing to give to any one who wishes to know the real reason why Bro. Mackey is not preaching at Flemington and receiving the regular support which he formerly received! We had a perfect right to stop his support when he took a step which the church here did not approve.

As to our going "off after ‘strange gods’," Bro. Mackey can call it that if he wants to. We still serve the same God (Jehovah, Lord, I AM) that we have always served. However, we presume that Bro. Mackey’s imagination about our serving "strange gods" is based upon his assumption that we are "‘offering strange fire’ unto the Lord"; and that "strange fire" of Bro. Mackey’s imagination is this: We used to have the class system of teaching with several classes going in the same room at the same time and women were permitted, by us, to teach. But we have learned that Paul taught the teachers to teach or "prophesy one by one that all may learn" (1 Cor. 14:31), while "the women learn in silence with all subjection" (1 Tim. 2:11, 12)—that "the women" are "suffered not to teach" (Ibid) but, rather, are commanded to "keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak" (1 Cor. 14:34, 35). Yes, and we used two cups for years, but have learned that the Lord, when He instituted the Communion feast and thus set the example for all disciples for all time, "took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave unto them, and said, Drink ye all of it" (Mt. 26:27, 28) and, obeying Him, "they all drank of it" (Mk. 14:23). Thus, instead of offering "strange fire" unto the Lord and going off after "strange gods," we have learned "the way of the Lord more perfectly" (as did Apollos). When we learn the Lord’s will on any point, we follow it; even though it brings down the wrath of "the clergy" upon our heads.

But hear Bro. Mackey again: "Brethren and sisters, be on your guard. False teachers are going about from place to place, trying to "deceive the hearts of the simple" (unlearned). The peace of a congregation means nothing to them as long as they can have an opportunity to inject their extreme views and notions upon unsuspecting disciples. . . . Some of you know what and who I am referring to. Those who do not, write to me and I will give you the information. I know whereof I speak."—Paul Mackey, Ibid.

Yes, we know full well "what and who" he means. In order that you may know the truth of the matter, we urgently invite one and all to attend the debate in Flemington, beginning on the night of March 29th, 1938, and hear the class question and the woman teacher question (part of Bro. Mackey’s "what and who") discussed by two competent men. Come!

John S. Keller