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stopped on a motorcycle in front of our house, and handed me a ten-
dollar bill. God does, of course, work through humans, whose
hearts are yielded to Him and His Work.
In that same manner, on sheer faith relying on the living
Jesus Christ, this Work has grown gradually but steadily for 31
years.
On the very first half-hour broadcast -- the first Sunday
in 1934 -- I announced the publication of a new magazine -- The
PLAIN TRUTH. The very first issue came out February 1, 1934.
Looking back, I think I had a lot of nerve calling it a "magazine."
It was mimeographed on a borrowed typewriter, and borrowed
mimeograph. But it was read. And its circulation began to GROW.
There was NO SUBSCRIPTION PRICE -- never has been! Always the
living GOD has provided, so that, without compromising with His
Word, we could always GIVE His Truth without price.
Now suppose that, instead of TRUSTING GOD ALONE for
support, I had done as so many do -- accepted the sponsorship and
backing of organized denominations. During that very first year,
1934, a man was sent to our house representing certain local
denominations, with a proposition. They wanted me to team up with
an evangelist of some little reputation -- at least more reputation
than I had. He said prominent business men assured adequate
financial support. But there were CONDITIONS, of course! I would
have to be muzzled. I could preach nothing any one of the
endorsing denominations did not accept. I invited the gentleman to
leave my house.
"But, Mr. Armstrong," he protested, "stop and think a
moment. Without these people back of you -- without financial
support -- what can you do? NOTHING! Suppose you can't be free to
preach everything you feel you should. Isn't lt better to be able
to preach what you will be allowed, than NOTHING? No man is free
to preach everything he feels he ought, today!"
That's the way most ministers and evangelists figure, I
guess. If I, today, had the backing and endorsement of several of
the largest fundamentalist denominations, I would not be allowed to
preach anything except that which all of these disagreeing
denominations approve!
I said I would preach what GOD approved, not what I might
be told to preach by men. Yes, of course the living God has
carried on HIS WORK not only through me alone -- but HE has backed
and financed it through those whose hearts HE has made willing, and
voluntarily on their part. WE NEVER SOLICIT THE PUBLIC FOR
FINANCIAL HELP OR SUPPORT. Jesus Christ never did. Neither Peter
nor Paul ever did. They did not have the backing or endorsement of
the religious denominations of that day. They had their opposition
and persecution.
The power of God is greater than men -- or groups or
organizations of men. Gradually, steadily, continually, God
Almighty prospered His Work. He has made it possible for His
servants to GIVE His Gospel and His TRUTH without money and without