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T H E D O R C H E S T E R
Park Lane, London
Sabbath, June 16, 1956
Dear Ministers at home and in the field, and brethren at home:
Today, June 16th, 1956, is a historical day in the working out
of God's purpose here below. Today the Church of God in London,
England, became a reality. Today marks the first Sabbath service
of the true Church which Christ built to be held in England or
Europe, so far as I know, for probably hundreds of years, or since
the early days of the Sardis Church in England.
Today, therefore, marks another big milestone of PROGRESS in
the work God is doing thru us in these dynamic closing days of this
world.
We now have a Church, small though it is, in England. This
has been a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing for us over here---and
I feel that this news is cause for rejoicing in your hearts as
well. This evening we went back to Dennison Hall, where the
meetings have been held, to be shown the smaller room they had made
available as the regular Sabbath meeting-place of the Church. It's
in the same building but on the first floor, whereas the hall we
have been using was a half-flight down. The new room will seat 40
or 50 people, is much nicer, has more sunlight, and the floor is
carpeted. We were all more than pleased with it. The location is
central, and as good as any in London.
Ted wrote about the very small attendance at the meetings.
There were 55 the first night, but as I got into the really "strong
meat" attendance dropped off to around 30. But this was somewhat
deliberately planned. No public announcement was made---no effort
to draw a large audience. We sent letters to those who have
listened to Radio Luxembourg and who have read The PLAIN TRUTH for
several months. We invited ONLY those who already have received,
and survived what I normally would have preached during the first
two to four weeks of a public evangelistic campaign. As a result,
I launched immediately into subjects like Law and Grace, the
Sabbath Resurrection after three days and three nights in the tomb,
ending with the JOLT that this truth shatters the last possible
excuse for Sunday observance. That, I believe, was over a week
ago, before Ted and Shirley arrived, and everyone knew we were then
going to preach on the true New Testament Sabbath. We went
directly into Law and Grace---the difference between the Spiritual
Law, and the Rituals and Sacrifices of the Law of Moses. Then I
devoted a sermon to going thru Scriptures showing every one of the
Ten Commandments in full force and effect---and SIN to transgress
---between Adam and Moses. Ted spoke on Law and Grace, and Dick on
WHICH is the TRUE CHURCH, and then I spoke in strongest terms on
the Sabbath.
I announced several nights ago that there would be a Sabbath
service today. There were 16 there today (not counting any of us
---and no children came at any time---all adults).