In this Issue
From the Publisher
First Deacon in the Radio Church of God - David Todd
History of the Early Work in South Africa
Elder Robin Jones Library
Earliest known reference to HWA's belief in the 'fair chance' doctrine
Free Exodus Plagues Course
Free Greenberry G Rupert Books
Death of Evangelist Richard Ames
Death of Geoffrey Neilson
Less and less Protestants believe that the holy spirit is a personage
List of our Websites and Blogs
How to Navigate the Friends of the Sabbath site
From the Publisher
Dear friends and supporters,
It is good to see the subscription list growing - we have now reached over 740 and my aim is for 1,000 by the end of 2025.
There has been a lot happening in gathering, interpreting and writing about Church of God history, including information and photographs of the Radio Church of God’s first deacon, David Todd!
Also of great interest is that critical portions of Elder Robin Jones collection has been sent to me for preservation and scanning which I shall do soon. Further information below.
Another is that Glen Leslie has kindly combined the 25 AC lectures on Church History into a single document. I think that you will find this handy and useful - you can access it online here.
Recently dozens of messages showing gratitude for these efforts kept on rolling in, but God must always be given the glory in all things, no matter how big or small. Here are three of them:
Thank you for your diligence and faithfulness, Craig! Without you, much of the COG history would be lost.
And
Very interesting, and I am sure it will be very profitable. I am so glad that Rolfe and Danielle kindly sent all of this to you.
I am especially interested in the history of the Work in the UK and look forward to reviewing it. I am so glad that Robin kept notes—most of us (myself included) did not do so, and we now regret it.
The above refers to the Robin Jones items, that his son and daughter set aside for me and which were kindly mailed by Richard Fowler.
And
That is amazing. No doubt you have undertaken an enormous task but a comprehensive history would be of great value. I have read some of what's available on your website on doctrinal development, old references, etc. Something about it is encouraging to me, that the truth is and always has been out there, even if only portions of it were known or accepted by certain groups. (Like that South American group that was keeping FOT etc in the early 1900s I believe, you sent me information about it a while back, they seemed to have a lot of truth.) Common ground can't be a bad place to start when it comes to reaching people either.
It is a shame that there are serious detractors who have tried tirelessly to stop or undermine all these efforts, my public speaking and more. All sorts of tricks are used which I have written about in articles. If they close one door, it is remarkable how another opens.
I have now updated Law of God Resources & Handbook of Quotes which you can find here and use for your own studies. Also, don’t forget to check out the Bible Law indexes here.
Finally, there are some further efforts in the works to find and make available old Church of God materials - your prayers for the success of all these components of this project are truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Craig M White
Publisher
PS: Check ‘What’s New’ regularly for updates and new uploads. Remember, you can view past editions of this newsletter (vol. 1 no. 1 to vol. 2 no. 2) here and vol. 2 no. 3 onward here.
First deacon in Radio Church of God - David Todd
Kathy Henion Kinsella sent me the attached photos and narrative. She wrote:
here are some pics of my great grandpa and great grandma Henion. He was the first deacon that Mr Armstrong ordained in the WWCG. His name was David Todd. My dad was named after him.
She also sent the Scravel Hill meeting hall photo.
You can find more about him here and I have added this additional information to the folder of information about him on the Friends of the Sabbath website.
Here is the narrative referred to above:
David Todd Henion
My Grandfather, David Todd Henion was a treasure to all his grandchildren. He was the wisest, wittiest, funniest, and the most loved grandfather that ever lived. Going to grandpa and grandma's house in my grade school and early teen years meant an evening of playing checkers with grandpa and most certainly there would be some freshly "popped" corn sometime during the evening.
Working in the fields, hoeing peppermint etc. was actually fun if grandpa was there as he would make light of even the smallest events. He was joy and fun all day long. During my college and early married years grandpa showed me his deep wisdom and understanding as I was struggling to become my own person. I remember he stayed up with me to 2:00am one night discussing some of my rather “radical philosophical views.” This occurred at my parent’s house in the Dever/Conner farm in approximately 1961. To this day, May 19, 2024, I think of grandpa Henion almost daily, just wishing I could talk to him again. Someday I will, and that makes me smile.
Grandpa married [http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Nostrand-2 Verda VanNostrand] at 2:00pm, Feb. 24,1909, in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avard,_Oklahoma Avard, Oklahoma]. A clergyman by the name of Eugene Fergeson officiated the wedding ceremony. Standing up as witnesses for the occasion was Miss Etta Keefover, and Mr. and Mrs. Johann Sharr.
Grandpa told me an interesting story one day when I was working with him in a field hoeing. He said he was riding past the Joseph Van Nostrand's place and saw a young lady standing in a yard with two other young ladies (presumably her sisters) very near where he was passing by. Grandpa, later in that same day told a friend of his that he had just seen "the girl I'm going to marry". It turned out to be my grandmother, Verda VanNostrand, and he did indeed marry her.
I wished that I knew how much time had passed between that event and Feb. 24, 1909, but I have the impression that it wasn't long. He actually did a little detective work and found the church where she attended in Avard. He then discovered that the ladies of the church were putting on a pie social for a fundraising for the church. Grandpa determined to meet this young lady decided to attend and with a little more investigation found the pie that Verda had made. Of course, he made sure no one outbid him for this special pie as it provided the entrée to meet her. This story I believe is quite typical of Grandpa's impulsive nature in his earlier years. Actually, I am very glad he was this way because it kept him young and interesting all of his life.''
Note: Narrative written by Loyd Ray Henion, son of Charlie and Alice Henion.
NB: Lloyd was a grandson to David and brother to Kathy Henion Kinsella’s Dad. I.e. the last remaining Uncle.
History of the Early Work in South Africa
Late 2023/early 2024, Alvin Schuller and Andre Van Belkum sent me information to add to my Collection of Information on Various Church of God Groups (see pages 16-18).
Alvin endeavoured to find the article he had written years ago (2002) on the early history of the Work in South Africa and he did so on a recent trip to South Africa. He updated and sent it to me 19 August which you can find on the website here.
All of this adds to our body of knowledge of the history of the Church.
Elder Robin Jones Library
Thanks to his son and daughter (Rolfe & Danielle) and a member in the UK (Richard), a box of scores of items from Robin Jones library arrived recently. It was a shock to all of us when he suddenly died earlier this year, but I hope that preserving this will honour him and his ministry. I have sent up a page here to preserve what I can of his great service to the Church.
The vast majority are items I don’t have as hard copies or electronically on my website, so I am so grateful to receive these items.
History of the Work in the UK (151 pages) (x2 – I shall endeavour to get a copy back to the UK for keeping there)
Diary of HWA’s time spent in England (1954-66)
The Portfolio (from 10 Sept 1956 (Vol 6, No 1) to the late 1960s). Many of these are already on my site, but I aim to scan the rest.
AC items including AC Graduation Ceremonies, Student Handbooks, Prospectus etc
Founders AICF Activities Continue Worldwide
List of Ministers
Photographs of the London church (x2 – I shall endeavour to get a copy back to the UK for keeping there)
Plus some other items
After sorting through them, I shall undertake the scanning.
I have several other subsets of this important project on the go and shall advise when they have been completed. Please pray for their speedy and positive outcomes.
Earliest known reference to HWA's belief in the 'fair chance' doctrine
In the past I have advised on the doctrinal development of HWA/WCG – this research can be found online here – decades of unique research since the mid-1970s which will be assembled into a book - soon, I hope.
Recently Professor Tabor noticed the following statement by HWA in his article “How God Works in saving a single soul!” Good News, April 1939, p. 8:
“What a wonderful truth is brought out by this mighty little drama from God’s Word.
Not all are called, during this age.
“Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (ICor 1:23).
None CAN repent and be converted, unless God GRANTS repentance unto life. See Acts 11:18 and 5:31.
And again. Not ALL ministers and evangelists are really called of God! And our tithe should work where GOD works!”
Here we see early evidence for HWA believing that most are not called in this life but will be offered salvation in a future resurrection. We think HWA grew to understand this around 1938 or so.
Prof Tabor alerted this to Dr Arnold who let me know.
Mr Armstrong wrote this statement in a box at the top of the article:
“Have You ever stopped to investigate just HOW God works, in bringing a single sinner to repentance and conversion? Here is a REAL DRAMA, from the bible, revealing one definite experience of soul-saving. This article was written, with editing, interpolations, and some altering by the editor, by D. M. PANTON.”
It is amazing that after having this particular Good News periodical and article for decades, I had only read the one on church government and not this one! And there it was all this time, a small statement by HWA filling in a gap in our knowledge of the historical development of this doctrine. Further information here.
Free Exodus Plagues Course
This course combines the biblical narrative, with the latest archaeological research to delve deep into the past. Learn all about ancient Egyptian culture and how God used their own beliefs against them. It will demonstrate the hand of God at work. The plagues were not just a vehicle for extracting the slaves from bondage.
This free, engaging, interactive online course is highly visual with videos, fun stress-free quizzes with instant feedback, and much more. Content is accessible 24/7 so you can work at your own pace and time during the week with the option to join in a live weekly discussion headed by an instructor. The course involves 7 weekly modules. You should allow 2 - 4 hours a week plus 1 hour for the zoom meeting for the course.
The following link is an advertisement about the course which explains it.
Video link:
Two zoom meetings are run, evening US time and UK time. Students are polled for their preferred day and time. You can still do the course if you cannot make the meeting times. Meetings are recorded and are available for 1 week after the class. For privacy reasons they are then removed. Download is disabled also.
If you are interested go to the web site and lodge your details. Make sure that you enter the city, state, country section so that I can identify you for the UK class time or US time. You can subscribe to the course here.
Free Greenberry G Rupert Books
On 12 Dec 2009 I received the following message from Gordon Rupert:
My name is Gordon Stuart Rupert Jr. I am the great great grandson of G.G. Rupert. I would like to thank you for putting the information on the internet so people can do research for themselves. With your information that you have I was able to solve a mystery on his first and second names we only knew him G.G. Rupert and with internet search also found his middle name to be (George) and to let you know I am the last of the Rupert’s name I am 50 years old …
We kept in contact ever since and he sent me, via a friend in the USA, a box of Rupert’s books.
He is offering to send the rest of the books to anyone requesting them (1 title per request and for you to pay postage).
Just contact him at gordon20517@hotmail.com
Here in Australia, I have spares to give away to locals. Various articles about and by Greenberry Rupert as well as my two papers can be found here.
Death of Evangelist Richard Ames
>Dear Ministers,
It is with great sadness that I am sending this email to inform you that Mr. Richard Ames died peacefully this evening, July 4, at 7:23 PM EDT. He was 88 years old, and , accompanied by his wife, Kathryn, the majority of his life was spent serving God and doing the Work of God as a minister of Jesus Christ. He directly touched the lives of many of us ministers and countless Church members around the world. His deeply appreciated experience, wisdom, and contributions to the Work will be greatly missed. His work in this life is complete, and his eternal life will begin when Jesus Christ returns. Please pray for Mrs. Ames’ comfort and for that of his family.
The funeral service is yet to be arranged; we will inform you when it is finalized.
It will be okay for you to share this with your congregations.
Your brother in Christ,
Gerald Weston<
Death of Geoffrey Neilson
>Geoffrey Neilson (81) died in his bed during the night of Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
Geoff was baptized on August 8, 1963 after having listened to the broadcast since late 1958. Geoff was the first person to be employed by Gerald Waterhouse in the newly established Worldwide Church of God in South Africa around April, 1963 (Ambassador College Agency in Johannesburg). Geoff worked for Gerald Waterhouse until being accepted at Ambassador College, Bricket Wood, in 1964.
Geoff’s first love of the truth was tested through this trial and he has remained faithful to the teachings of Herbert Armstrong throughout his life. Geoff was an avid news reader and had a large mailing list of contacts to which he would email world news items. He is missed by many in the greater church of God.<
Less and less Protestants believe that the holy spirit is a personage
This is an interesting article.
Also, I have updated my article on the subject of the Godhead which supports the traditional old WCG position. Any problems or issues with the article, please let me know direct.
If you don’t have time to read the entire article, check out the chart/table commencing on page 30.
The Centre for Christian Living newsletter (The Holy Spirit and the Christian life, June 2023 enews)
“Dear Friend,
In 2021, the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University conducted their first-ever national survey of the US to measure both biblical and competing worldviews. 2,000 randomly sampled individuals 18 and over were asked about their beliefs through phone and online interviews.
The results were fascinating: although 69 per cent of the population self-identified as Christian, 58 per cent of these people did not see the Holy Spirit as being a “real, living being”, but instead viewed him as a mere “symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity”.
Even more disturbing, in a study surveying 1,000 US Christian pastors, which was conducted the following year, the Center found that “one-third or more of senior pastors” believe that “The Holy Spirit is not a living entity, but is a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity”.
Clearly there are many Christians who are confused about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, and his relevance to their lives.”
List of our Websites and Blogs
History Research Projects Foundation (a tax exempt foundation)
Friends of the Sabbath
Friends of the Sabbath (Facebook group)
Friends of the Sabbath Telegram channel
Origin of Nations
Origin of Nations news and information (Facebook group)
Lost Tribes (Facebook group)
Origin of Nations & World News Discussion Forum (e-mail group) [NB: click on the link and search for the forum]
HWA Library & Archives
HWA Library & WCG Archives (Facebook group)
HWA Library & WCG Archives (YouTube)
WCG & HWA News, Library, Archives Discussion Forum (e-mail group) [NB: click on the link and search for the forum]
My Articles & Papers
Globalresearchera1 (Academia site with select articles only)
World News
Global Newsa1 (X page - formerly Twitter)
GlobalNewsa1 Telegram channel (world news)
Bible Study, Church History and Other
Work of God through the Ages (Facebook page. Note: this page will be closed after the almost 700 members transfer to the new group referred to below)
Work of God through the Ages (Facebook group)
Global Bible News, Studies and Information Telegram channel (Bible history, archaeology news etc)
Sharing and Giving (currently inactive)
How to navigate the Friends of the Sabbath website
The website is vast with over 350 gigs of information, periodicals, articles, papers, photographs, audios and videos. The information has taken years to build (since the 1990s) and decades to collect the information (since the 1970s).
Due to its size, the huge number of categories and sub-categories, pages and sections it can be daunting to navigate or to find the relevant information the browser or researcher may be seeking.
So, what I recommend to everyone is to simply go to the Explore by Alphabetical Order section. In that you will find the most important areas to explore. Try it and see how you go - you never know what fascinating and helpful information you will come across!