Roy Falls at Norris' gravesite
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Great White Throne Judgment
THE GREAT JUDGMENT MORNING ~ by Bertram H. Shadduck
I dreamed that the great judgment morning
Had dawned, and the trumpet had blown;
I dreamed that the nations had gathered
To judgment before the white throne;
From the throne came a bright, shining angel,
And he stood on the land and the sea,
And he swore with his hand raised to Heaven,
That time was no longer to be.
REFRAIN:
And, oh, what a weeping and wailing,
As the lost were told of their fate;
They cried for the rocks and the mountains,
They prayed, but their prayer was too late.
The rich man was there, but his money
Had melted and vanished away;
A pauper he stood in the judgment,
His debts were too heavy to pay;
The great man was there, but his greatness,
When death came, was left far behind!
The angel that opened the records,
Not a trace of his greatness could find.
The widow was there with the orphans,
God heard and remembered their cries;
No sorrow in heaven forever,
God wiped all the tears from their eyes;
The gambler was there and the drunkard,
And the man that had sold them the drink,
With the people who gave him the license,
Together in hell they did sink.
The moral man came to the judgment,
But self-righteous rags would not do;
The men who had crucified Jesus
Had passed off as moral men, too;
The soul that had put off salvation,
“Not tonight; I’ll get saved by and by,
No time now to think of religion!”
At last they had found time to die.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Mystery of Mysteries
If you can unlock the meaning of two extreme paradoxes, both of which characterize the life of every Christian, you can say, "I have reached a milestone". They are:
Every Christian can claim the benefits of God by virtue of the fact he is a
child of the King.
On the other hand, a Christian at the same time, is a "servant of all men".
Roy Falls
December 27, 2011
Every Christian can claim the benefits of God by virtue of the fact he is a
child of the King.
On the other hand, a Christian at the same time, is a "servant of all men".
Roy Falls
December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Personal Collection - Photo 14
Abilene Reporter says J. Frank Norris no "gun totin' parson".
Personal Collection - Photo 13
From top left clockwise:
Lillian Norris (daughter)
Jim Gaddy Norris (son)
J. Frank Norris Jr. (son)
J. Frank Norris Sr.
George Norris (son)
Lillian Norris (wife)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Personal Collection - Photo 12
"700 Converted During Meeting" newsclipping (1917)
Personal Collection - Photo 10
Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, Fort Worth, Tx.
Friday, December 23, 2011
History Is A Systematic Record of Past Events
In recording events, careful attention must be given to relative importance, their mutual relations, their causes and other consequences.
Without this consideration of the causes and their consequences of past events, history lacks its chief scientific and philosophic elements, and contributes little to one’s understanding of his own age or of the way in which he can best service his fellow man. (A quote from Dorothy Ruth Miller).
The J. Frank Norris Historical Society subscribes to this rule of historical research.
“J Frank Norris was no more racist
than everyone else in his lifetime.”
than everyone else in his lifetime.”
(reference - Barry Hankins)
“He was not cozy with the Klan.”
(reference - Texas Methodist Historical Society)
“He did not murder an unarmed man.”
(refer to the testimony from - Jane Hartwell)
“He never stood by and watched a lynching.”
(reference - The Waco Horror)
“His heart was in the right place.”
(reference - H. L. Mencken)
December 23, 2011
Is The End Of All Time Near?
Dr. Norris' closing statements at a sunday night service, April 16, 1939
"Friends, how wonderful when the angel says: "Time shall be no more" ... won't it be wonderful to have salvation like that!
Let us stand. Let every head be bowed while we pray. I want you to sing: "There's A Great Day Coming." Sing it softly. Let every head be bowed, please. I appeal to my unsaved friends tonight. I believe the end of all things is near. All things ... the sky, earth, land and sea tell us the end is near. Thanks be unto God we are not left without hope! If our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, we can say: "Let the storms come. Let the fires of hell rage, thanks be unto God something happend on the Cross of Calvary, and I accepted it." Who will accept Him now? Who will come tonight, accepting Christ as your personal Savior?"
(Many came and were gloriously saved.)
"Friends, how wonderful when the angel says: "Time shall be no more" ... won't it be wonderful to have salvation like that!
Let us stand. Let every head be bowed while we pray. I want you to sing: "There's A Great Day Coming." Sing it softly. Let every head be bowed, please. I appeal to my unsaved friends tonight. I believe the end of all things is near. All things ... the sky, earth, land and sea tell us the end is near. Thanks be unto God we are not left without hope! If our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, we can say: "Let the storms come. Let the fires of hell rage, thanks be unto God something happend on the Cross of Calvary, and I accepted it." Who will accept Him now? Who will come tonight, accepting Christ as your personal Savior?"
(Many came and were gloriously saved.)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday Evening Prayer - Detroit, Michigan
"Oh holy and righteous Father, before the mountains were brought forth or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting, Thou art God. Thou art full of gracious and tender mercies. Thou knowest our frame and rememberest that we are dust.
Oh Lord, our Lord, somehow in a very particular sense we feel our need of Thee tonight, of Thy power as never before. Breathe upon this great audience tonight Thine own spirit; that the spirit of prayer and supplication like sweet incense from the altar before the tabernacle may go up to the throne of God.
Lord, thou knowest the hearts of all, the struggles, the conflicts, the trials, the defeats. We praise Thy name for Thy salvation. We thank Thee that many have turned to Thee through these months, now nearly a year, hundreds have found the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior in this tabernacle. And O Lord, Thine arm is not shortened that Thou canst not save. Thou art pleased for our coming.
O Lord, our Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy.
We pray, O Lord, for conviction, and that the old time power may be felt in the hearts of unsaved men and women. We pray that the New Birth of the soul may be witnessed here and that angels may rejoice as news of sinners coming home to God is proclaimed before the throne on high.
We pray for many a prodigal tonight who is away from the Father's house, who realizes that he has wasted all, who is in rags, foot-sore, heart-sore, distressed, and discouraged. May he feel the drawing power of the uplifted Christ.
And now, O Lord, our Lord, may we so exalt Him tonight that people will not think of the preacher or even where we are, but we will go away from this place with a new love, a new devotion, a new worship of Him who is worthy of all praise.
We ask for Christ's sake. Amen."
J. Frank Norris
Oh Lord, our Lord, somehow in a very particular sense we feel our need of Thee tonight, of Thy power as never before. Breathe upon this great audience tonight Thine own spirit; that the spirit of prayer and supplication like sweet incense from the altar before the tabernacle may go up to the throne of God.
Lord, thou knowest the hearts of all, the struggles, the conflicts, the trials, the defeats. We praise Thy name for Thy salvation. We thank Thee that many have turned to Thee through these months, now nearly a year, hundreds have found the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior in this tabernacle. And O Lord, Thine arm is not shortened that Thou canst not save. Thou art pleased for our coming.
O Lord, our Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy.
We pray, O Lord, for conviction, and that the old time power may be felt in the hearts of unsaved men and women. We pray that the New Birth of the soul may be witnessed here and that angels may rejoice as news of sinners coming home to God is proclaimed before the throne on high.
We pray for many a prodigal tonight who is away from the Father's house, who realizes that he has wasted all, who is in rags, foot-sore, heart-sore, distressed, and discouraged. May he feel the drawing power of the uplifted Christ.
And now, O Lord, our Lord, may we so exalt Him tonight that people will not think of the preacher or even where we are, but we will go away from this place with a new love, a new devotion, a new worship of Him who is worthy of all praise.
We ask for Christ's sake. Amen."
J. Frank Norris
Monday, December 19, 2011
Why My Dad, Roy Falls, Can't Compete With Sensuality Seekers Within Some Churches
It seems some years back, he was at a political forum featuring two candidates for Justice of the Peace.
One, whose name was Clara, came attired in “hot pants”. Cliff, the male candidate, when asked how he thought he faired, replied, “For sure, I can’t compete with Clara’s “hot pants”.
Roy, my dad, alludes to this event as analogous to present day events. When it comes to modern day religious entertainment of sorts, he pleads “the 5th”, and backs off. The defense of the J. Frank Norris legacy, however, is an entirely different ballgame.
Gail Hawkins
One, whose name was Clara, came attired in “hot pants”. Cliff, the male candidate, when asked how he thought he faired, replied, “For sure, I can’t compete with Clara’s “hot pants”.
Roy, my dad, alludes to this event as analogous to present day events. When it comes to modern day religious entertainment of sorts, he pleads “the 5th”, and backs off. The defense of the J. Frank Norris legacy, however, is an entirely different ballgame.
Gail Hawkins
Personal Collection - Photo 8
The Beginners Department, Mrs. J. R. Livingston superintendent, has a membership of 150. (1917)
Personal Collection - Photo 7
Undocumented photo. Dr. Norris seated center front.
Personal Collection - Photo 5
$3500.00 Sound Truck of The Temple Baptist Church (Detroit). Recorded messages on Salvation by Dr. Norris are given throughout the city of Detroit.
Personal Collection - Photo 4
Entitled "Present Church Building" (Erected 1913 - Burned 1929)
Personal Collection - Photo 3
One of Dr. Norris' congregations in Tyler, Texas, when he was introduced by Rev. John Rawlings.
Personal Collection - Photo 2
Intermediate Department Sunday School crowd in temporary tabernacle after the first fire 1913.
Personal Collection - Photo 1
Morning congregation of Temple Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan in 1938.
The arrow points to Ralph Oder.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Memorial to J. Frank Norris
A MEMORIAL TO J. FRANK NORRIS
BORN: 1877
PLACE OF BIRTH: Dadesville, Ala.
PARENTS: Warren and Mary Norris
BAYLOR: 1899-1903
MARRIED: Lillian Gaddy (1902)
CHILDREN: J. Frank Jr., George, Lillian, Jim Gaddy
GRADUATED: Southern Baptist Seminary - 1905
J. FRANK NORRIS
* "A MAN AMOUNG MEN"
* CRUSADER
* TRAVELER
* EDITOR
* PASTOR
* PREACHER
* STATESMAN
* JOURNALIST
* EDUCATOR
The internationally known, colorful, controversial man who made things happen changed the complexion of religious life in America.
During his pastorate at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Fort Worth, (1909-1952) the membership grew from 900 in 1911 to over 12,000 as early as 1928, with an average Sunday School attendance of 5,200.
* GOD'S BLESSINGS IN REVIEW *
Few men carved a place in the religious world as did DR. NORRIS, and the following will give the reader an idea of God's hand upon his life:~ Two years editor of Baptist Standard, official voice of Texas Baptists - 1908-1909.
~ Assisted B. H. Carroll in the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Fort Worth.
~ Founder of Bible Baptist Seminary of Fort Worth.
~ Founder of World Baptist Fellowship, an international organization of independent
Baptists.
~ Pastor: First Baptist Church, Fort Worth - 1909-1952.
~ Editor: The Fence Rail - 1917-1921.
~ Editor: The Searchlight - 1921-1927.
~ Editor: The Fundamentalist - 1927-1952.
~ Described by New York newspaper, The World Week, as "the strongest,
shrewdest, most romantically adventuresome prince of crowd gathers..."
~ Conducted revival in First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas, in which 600
people were saved, and which was described by the pastor, I. E. Yates, as
"a meeting that produced more results than any I've ever seen."
~ Conducted revival in First Baptist Church of Houston, Texas, in which a thousand
souls were saved.
~ Described by George Ragland of the First Baptist Church of Lexington, Kentucky,
as "one of the greatest preachers in America."
~ Assisted T. T. Shields and W. B. Riley in the formation of the Baptist Bible Union
in 1923.
~ Circled the globe in world-wide ministry.
~ Heard by 40,000 people in open-air revival in Detroit, Michigan.
~ Spoke to legislators in Texas, Georgia, and other states.
~ Conducted 120 tent meetings in the city of Fort Worth.
~ Described by the Evening News, London, England, as "a man who has
international events at his fingertips."
~ Spoke to large crowds in Berlin in 1937.
~ Preached to 25,000 people in baseball park in Fort Worth, 1942.
~ Conferred with Churchill in 1941.
* NEW FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOOL *
The INDEPENDENT BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL, and the Bible school that will be born out of it will incorporate the philosophy of J. FRANK NORRIS as we move back to the basics, emphasizing evangelism, soul-winning, and church building.This motto will be our motto:
"TEACHING THE WHOLE ENGLISH BIBLE"
Saturday, December 10, 2011
THE JEW IN PROPHECY
The following are brief excerpts from an address given by J Frank Norris at the Bethel Jewish Synagogue sometime in the late 1940s.
The history of the Jews proves without question the divine character of the Word of God. It goes without saying I have no sympathy however, with any group of any form of anti semitic propaganda.
It was Napoleon when asked by one of his infidel generals what proof there was of God, to which he then looked at one of his marshals, who was a Jew, and said to the others, “Gentlemen, there is the unanswerable argument to your unbelief.”
Let me illustrate the miracle of the Jew. They saw the proud Egyptian army perish in the waters of the red sea. They have witnessed the ruin and fall of the Babylonian empire. They have outlived the Caesars, and the dark ages which followed, they have been through all civilizations, and shared in all of it’s convulsions and here they stand today, as distinct as ever and at last have returned to the land promised them in the Abrahamic covenant.
For centuries they were forbidden to claim Jerusalem as their own. They have been massacred by the thousands. They have been banished from place to place. Seven times the City of Jerusalem has been destroyed. It was Nebuchadnezzar in the year 607 B.C. who besieged the city and carried it’s inhabitants into captivity.
In the year of A.D., beginning with Titus, it was the Roman armies that destroyed the rebuilt temple and sacked the city in 70 A.D. In about the year 637 A.D., the advent of Mohammedism arose and built the mosque of Omer on the site held sacred by the Jews. For a period of about 500 years it was the fanatical crusaders who unleashed pain and suffering on this land held in trust, by God, for His ancient people, the Jews.
Fulfilling prophecy began to take shape in 1917 when the British General Allenby marched into Jerusalem and according to the Balfour decree the British took charge and stated, “The British government looks with favor upon the restoration of Palestine to the Jews, and religious liberty shall be guaranteed. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Six hundred thousand Egyptians were engaged by General Allenby to build the railroad in 1917 from the Nile River. Paradoxically, the army of Moses leading the children of God out of Egypt four thousands years previously was comprised of an army of 600,000 men.
No wonder Moses exclaimed in Deuteronomy 28:37, “And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations, whither the Lord shall lead them.
Friends, this is just a prelude to a marvelous story just beginning to unfold. Look for more on this subject in days to come.
Roy Falls
Dec. 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
THE RIGHT CAUSE
"The Uncooperative" J. Frank Norris Can Also Be "The Cooperative" J. Frank Norris, for THE RIGHT CAUSE
According to the Texas Methodist Historical Society, J. Frank Norris, in 1920, served on an inter church world movement committee set up to promote women's suffrage, anti-lynching legislation, prohibition and an establishment of YMCAs.
Norris never left his fundamental roots, but with the encroachment of modernistic theology, the hopes for unity soon vanished.
End Note: As an afterthought, if J. Frank Norris had been cozy with Klansmen, as alleged, the Methodists would have told us so.
Roy Falls
December 8, 2011
According to the Texas Methodist Historical Society, J. Frank Norris, in 1920, served on an inter church world movement committee set up to promote women's suffrage, anti-lynching legislation, prohibition and an establishment of YMCAs.
Norris never left his fundamental roots, but with the encroachment of modernistic theology, the hopes for unity soon vanished.
End Note: As an afterthought, if J. Frank Norris had been cozy with Klansmen, as alleged, the Methodists would have told us so.
Roy Falls
December 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
John Baptist Henry: Jews in early America & Israel's Reestablishment
John Baptist Henry: Jews in early America & Israel's Reestablishment: In 1948 President Harry S. Truman by following in the footsteps of President George Washington and heeding the Scriptural advice of Pastor ...
(CLICK ONTO THE SMALLER BLUE LETTER WORDS TO READ FULL STORY AND TO SEE VIDEO, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED NOVEMBER 2010.)
(CLICK ONTO THE SMALLER BLUE LETTER WORDS TO READ FULL STORY AND TO SEE VIDEO, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED NOVEMBER 2010.)
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China 34
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Friday, December 2, 2011
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