Editor’s Note

“How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?”* (Jeremiah 4:21)

We have before us the written record of some of those who grappled with the great issues of controversy which grew among God’s people in the years 1910-1915. The underlying spirit was most visibly divided over the question of whether the necktie was appropriate for Christian men to wear.

The article “What Is the Rule of a Saintly Life?” by Robert L. Berry was published in The Gospel Trumpet in response to the tract “The Rule of a Saintly Life” by Charles E. Orr. By 1914 Brother Orr had separated with the editors of the Trumpet, and was publishing his own paper The Herald of Truth. We do not have a copy of his original tract, other than what R. L. Berry quoted, but in the 1930’s it was republished in the Faith and Victory. Being somewhat revised, it appears that during the intervening years God had brought C. E. Orr to a greater understanding of sound doctrine.

As in all ages, those who fought the battle did not have the privilege of seeing what the future course of their pathways would be. Some take the path that leads to compromise, others to fanaticism. How few there be whose walk with God is close enough to weather the storm!

We present these writings to the public to encourage God’s people to draw near to Him in the deadly conflict of our present times. The voice of the true Shepherd may be heard, if the price is paid.