IT HAPPENED IN CHURCH - Part III

It was in the old chapel at the annual College Mound Camp meeting. Bro. J.E. Bankson of Ottumwa, Iowa was preaching in an afternoon service. In a particularly loud and vigorous part of his discourse, his upper plate escaped him and hit the rug. In one swift move he bent down, retrieved his escaped dentures, restored them to their place, and went right on preaching as though nothing happened.


He was so adroit in this maneuver that we felt he must have had this experience before.
While I was serving as secretary of the College Mound camp a request was made that the General Camp might meet in conjunction with the College Mound Camp in 1940. This was granted for 1940 and again in 1941.


During one of the camps, a certain preacher brother from an eastern state came to visit his old parents who lived at the "Mound". Most of us had not previously know this brother, though I well remember his parents. Prior to this time the preacher had been associated with the holiness people, but had for many years belonged to another denomination. The camp committee felt it should show him the courtesy of giving him a preaching service.


Although he accepted this request, it was obvious that he was ill at ease in the pulpit. He stated that he really should not be preaching when so many there were so much more capable. But J.T. Kimbrough, father of the late Ray L. Kimbrough, seated in the amen corner, just off the pulpit, had more than enough protest.


When the speaker repeated this, "There are many who could do so much better than I...", Brother Kimbrough came out loud and strong, "Amen! That's so!"


That brought the alibi process to an abrupt end. It got the preacher off dead center, but didn't seem to help him a bit.


From 1942 to the present the General Camp has been held on the grounds of the Kansas City College and Bible School which were purchased in 1941. For several years the General Camp meeting was held under a tent. In 1946 the Young People's League was granted a delegate to the annual convention. In that same year, the League presented a resolution that a Board of Education be elected to provide a home study course for ministers who lacked formal education.


A great deal of discussion followed. A strong feeling was expressed that from this day onward, a higher level of competence or experience should be attained for a person to receive ordination as an elder.


One brother rose in the assembly and addressed the chairman, Bro. C.E. Cowen, loudly stating that the Bible says that whom the Lord calls, He also qualifies.


To this, the chairman, obviously amused, replied, "Brother, tqhat' not in the Bible."


Right back came the rejoinder, "Then give me chapter and verse".


This produced quite an outburst of laughter as the delegates pondered the problem - if it's not there, where's the chapter and verse?