HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 Thirty Years History: First Baptist Church Book (Pg. 9)finished a beautiful parsonage and let the contract for an educational
building. He would not only be pastor of the leading Baptist church in
all that section but would be the chairman of the Board of Trustees of
Wayland Baptist College and also a leader in the Baptist program in
Texas, and, of course, a salary more than twice what they were re-
ceiving or ever would receive at College Station. Rev. Brown told them
that he and Mrs. Brown would seriously consider the matter and lel
them know their decision and for them not to issue a call until they
heard form him.
He returned to College Station for his services on Sunday. The
Browns were shocked when he received a telegram about two P. M.
stating that their names were presented that morning and that the call
was enthusiastic and unanimous. The Browns received 13 telegrams that
afternoon from members of the church, college officials and officers in
the city government, stating that all were hoping that the call would be
accepted and that a hearty welcome awaited then arrival.
Of course, the First Baptist Church of College Station was informed
of what had happened at the evening service. A great decision had to be
made. The church in general said they would not stand in the way but
would hate to lose them. One college official and member of the church
said, "You are a fool if you turn that challenge and opportunity
down." Many of the Browns' friends urged them to accept. This was
their decision. What were they to do? They believed with all their
hearts that the Lord had led them to their task at A & M. It was hard to
believe that the Lord had changed His call in so short a time. And, too,
they had led the small Baptist group in assuming heavy obligations
($7,500) for them at that time and also they had just begun what was
and what was to be a dynamic and challenging program. After much
prayer and consideration they had to inform the church that while they
appreciated all that had been done and the marvelous opportunity that
went along with the call, they had decided to remain with the group at
College Station.
This was the beginning of many opportunities that opened up to the
young couple. A few will be named in order that the readers may
understand something of how seriously the Browns considered the
Lord's leading them to Texas and to the potential program in connect
tion with Texas A & M College. In addition to the call to the Plainview
church, the following opportunities came during the next few years:
First Baptist Church, Floydada, Texas, First Baptist Church, Temple,
Texas, Memorial Baptist Church, Temple, Texas, First Baptist Church,
Robstown, Texas, Polytechnic Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, First
Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, State BSU of Texas, State BSU of
Louisiana, president of a Baptist college in North Carolina and head of
the Bible Department of the University of Alabama.
After rejecting the call to the Plainview church, the Browns turned
all their efforts to the work at A & M. The reader should be reminded
m
that all the teaching, training and worship services had to be held in
college buildings.
About this time, the denominations found a problem with the local
"Y" which can be explained by a letter sent to the "Y" by the local
pastors:
College Station, Texas
March 21, 1924
Mr. W. H. Matthews, General Secretary
Young Men's Christian Association
College Station, Texas,
Dear Mr. Matthews.
We wane to assure you that we desire to see the YMCA put over a
successful program after the pattern of the written program of the
YMCA, vie:
"The central purpose of the Association is the extension of the King-
dom of God, the Christian faith and way of living, among young inch
and buys. Our historic basis, adopted at the World's Conference of
Young Men's Christian Associations at Paris in 1855 reads: 'The Young
Men's Christian Associations seek to unite these young men, who, re-
garding Jesus Christ as their God and Savior, according to the Holy
Scriptures. desire to be fits disciples in their doctrine and in their life,
and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom among
young men.' (Page 30, "What is the YMCA" by Paul Super, an official
publication).
"We have desired to cooperate and wish to say that we expect to con-
tinue to cooperate to the best of our ability to put over this program.
"We feel however that the local YMCA has not lived up to her highest
opportunities in emphasizing the spiritual side of her work. We would
specifv the following instances'
"I. After promising to call off the mid week pay picture show during
our annual revival meeting and a second promise to show the picture
only in the YMCA chapel if it were shown at all, the General Secretary
of the YMCA demanded on Tuesday night March 18th that the Pastors'
Association request the evangelist 10 be through on Wednesday night
by 7:15, thus leaving only 45 minutes for the entire service on Wednes-
day night. When the Pastors' Association refused, the General Secretary
took it upon himself to make this request to the evangelist The re-
quest caused great embarassment to the evangelist who consented to
hold the revival only after counting the cost of the great personal sacri-
fice involved in having to speak at two consecutive services each night
and had consented to undertake the burden of this work only after