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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, August 8, 1980
Page 4
noted that the Supreme Court sometimes will leave an injustice alone if
it would expose others in high positions of having conunitted a wrong!
But he said that we want a Supreme Court decision because it will vindi
cate us of all wrong--and people will then listen much� to what we
say because of that.
So our battle is more than just a battle with two sides or points of view
to it. A great wrong has been done to God's Church and Mr. Armstrong is
not bashful about stepping on some well-deserving toes! And in defending
our own religious rights we are serving all other religious groups.
Combined Sabbath Services
Introductory comments to the 1375 brethren assembled on Sabbath, August
2, were made by Mr. Joe Kotora who flew to Chicago with Mr. Rader. Mr.
Kotara introduced the documentary, "Church Versus State," after which he
gave a sermonette in which he encouraged the brethren to at all costs
endure to the end.
After the sermonette, Mr. Rader spoke along the lines of the night before,
as well as giving insights into the Work, Mr. Armstrong, and his own part
in it over the years leading up to his baptism in 1975.
Mr. Rader said Mr. Armstrong is quite proud to be in the vanguard in re
establishing religious freedom for all churches. Despite the corrupt
practices of the Attorney General in dealing with the media, we are now
winning the battle with the media and the public is coming around to our
side.
Mentioning that the Church and the members are in the limelight because
of the mountains of publicity we have been getting over the last 19
months, he related that Mr. Armstrong looks upon this attack in very
positive terms--as an opportunity, since "You can't make lemonade without
lemons."
The brethren were very glad to hear of the latest developments in the law
suit and to gain valuable insights into the man God's Apostle has chosen
to aid him in fulfilling the Great Commission.
In closing, Mr. Rader read a quotation of Abraham Lincoln which he said
sums up his own feelings about everything that has been happening in the
last 19 months, and what will happen in the future:
I know there is a God and I know He hates injustice. I see
the storm coming and I know His hand is in it. But if He has
a place and a part for me, I believe that I am ready.
Mr. Rader noted that the issue today is still freedom, and that there is
a storm and "we are in the middle of it." But it is something we can be
thankful to be a part of for "we know God's hand is in it."
--Roger Abels, Chicago Southeast