2.00.03 - Preface
PREFACE The re-issuance of Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, Volumes I and III elicited a gratifying response as a result of distribution by Freed-Hardeman University. Consequently, I have arranged with Freed-Hardeman to add this volume to the republication. In this second tabernacle meeting the author developed a description of the New Testament church in all its aspects, its establishment, its unity its identity its work, its worship and its relationship to Jesus Christ. Then in a Summary and Review, he articulated as lucid and comprehensive an exposition of Restoration philosophy as exists in our literature. it was a plea to escape from the confusion of denominational differences.
He stated his central proposition in stark simplicity: "Having simply believed and obeyed the gospel, we propose to be Christians only Now, there is a wonderful difference between saying that we claim to be Christians only and that we claim to be the only Christians." Churches of Christ should find in this not only the incentive to eschew human names and human creeds, but the imperative to avoid a narrow, sectarian spirit of their own. it would be ironic if the struggles of the Restoration Movement produced Just another human organization among the confusing welter of sects from which Stone, Purviance, Campbell and others would have led the escape.
One of my friends has suggested to me that Volume II is the most outstanding of the entire series. Certainly it contains the clearest exposition of the church that the Restoration Movement sought to find in the New Testament and restore.
Therefore, through the kind cooperation of Freed-Hardeman University, I present this volume to another generation of those who faithfully preach the word.
Joe H. Foy
PREFACE The first volume of "Tabernacle Sermons" resulted directly from the Hardeman-Pullias meeting held in the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn., April, 1922. The author had no intention of publishing this volume, but upon their request gave his consent to the brethren in Nashville to do so. Later, however, the whole matter was turned back to him as trustee of a fund to be accumulated from the sale of the book and to be used to assist worthy boys and girls to attend school. Of course no second volume was contemplated, for at least two reasons. First, it was not known at that time that the author would ever preach another series of ’"tabernacle Sermons;" and, second, he had no idea with what sort of reception the first volume would meet. Another meeting, however, having been arranged and the first book of sermons having had a most gratifying sale—nearly 5,000 copies within a year—it was decided to bring out this second volume, with the hope that it may meet the same hearty reception . This collection of sermons was delivered orally In the language suggested by the occasion and reported by a stenographer. Some corrections have been made in the manuscripts, but other than that each sermon appears in the same words in which it was originally spoken. Naturally the language is not as smooth nor the diction as pure as if they had been carefully written out, but it is hoped that the personal element and the flavor of the occasion in them will somewhat make up for these deficiencies. The author is very grateful for the hearty reception given the first volume and for the many expressions of approval that have reached him concerning it. As he sends forth this second one, it is his "heart’s desire and prayer to God" that many may be brought to a deeper conviction and a clearer understanding of the "simplicity that is in Christ," and that they may be led to see the all-sufficiency of the gospel and the completeness and perfection of the New Testament church. THE AUTHOR.