fbpx

Letters to M. J. Bingham From V. T. Houteff

Letters to M. J. Bingham

From

V. T. Houteff

October 9, 1946

M.J. Bingham

701 South Lorena Street

Los Angeles 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

Thank you for notifying us of the special sale of army blankets and socks. Had we been able to notify you on time, we may have been interested in getting some blankets, but your letter did not reach us until the afternoon of October 7. Anyway, we shall no doubt be able to obtain the same thing at some Texas quarter­masters’ Depot as you suggest, and thus save having to send them all the way from California.

As to your visiting Mt. Carmel the end of this month, we do not see how you can, in the first place, afford to spend either the time or the money. Furthermore you will not enhance your case, but only make matters worse. Indeed, you may come happily, but I have reason to be­lieve that you would go away sorrowfully. Better spare yourself more grief. Your coming here will upset you the more. The longer you keep yourself away from misery, the longer you are bound to last. This is my honest opinion.

Sincerely yours ever-to follow in the path of wisdom,

V. T. Houteff

VTH

December 11, 1946

Mr. M. J. Bingham

701 South Lorena Street

Los Angeles, 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

Although we hardly know what more to say just now than we already have, we are at the same time loathe to ignore your inquiry. Hence these lines.

No, we do not know of any present actions on your part which may be standing in the way of your eligibility for the Certificate of Fellowship. We shall be frank to say, though, that we are not yet convinced that sufficient time has elapsed to insure that nothing else might come up.

May we also frankly say that we do believe that you are allowing yourself to worry too much about your Certificate? After all, Brother Bingham, it is only an external evidence of membership, and should not affect your Christian experience one way or the other. Leave the matter in the hands of the Lord, and trust in the assurance that He will see to it that your faithfulness is duly and justly rewarded.

Sincerely yours for unfaltering trust in the justice of God,

V. T. Houteff

 VTH:fmh

January 9, 1947

M. J. Bingham

701 South Lorena Street

Los Angeles 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

Your airmail of January 6 just reached me, and I want to assure you that I can at least to some extent understand the longings of your heart, and I indeed wish that in some way I could help you to escape the sorrow through which you are passing. It seems, though, that as hard as I tried in the past, still I was unable to keep you from getting into your present regrettable situation, and now I do not know what I can do for you.

So far as your seeing Sandra and her mother, that is something not within my power to control. Upon receiving your letter, I talked with her to feel out her attitude, and so far as I can see she is more than over settled in her convictions.

As to your coming here to see me, I do not know of anything we could discuss that could not even more satisfactorily be handled through correspondence. Be assured that any concerns you wish to place before me, will be given my prompt attention if you will write them in a letter.

Under the circumstances, Brother Bingham, your coming here would only work a greater hardship on yourself, and I cannot see that anyone, least of all yourself, would benefited in the end. True, you have a longing desire to come; that is natural. But you realize, too, that what we may long to do is not always the best thing for us; on the contrary, it is usually just what we should not do. Should you come, you may of course realize some passing and momentary satisfaction, but you would doubtless go back with your heart much heavier and the way ahead much harder to travel. In effect, you would be knocking yourself back down to the bottom of the ladder, as it were, and would then have to climb back up with a greater load than ever to bear.

These things I am saying for your own good, Brother Bingham, for I believe you have brought upon yourself enough heart ache, and now I do not like to see you make matters any harder for yourself.

You will be happier if you forget the past, go ahead with the present and make the best of it. This is my honest conviction; the rest is up to you.

I trust that these lines find your mother well. My wife joins me in extending regards to her as well as to your brother and family.

Prayerfully yours to forget the things

which are behind, and reach forth to the

things which are before (Philip. 3:13).

V. T. Houteff

VTH

February 4, 1947

M. J. Bingham

701 South Lorena Street

Los Angeles 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

From your letter of January 18, I garner two main concerns which you seem to wish cleared, and which I shall endeavor to clear as briefly and to the point as possible.

  1. Yes, you have rightly named just what I believe you should forget and leave in the past–your marriage–and thus be happy and content. This you can do if you keep busy and have a goal to work toward.
  1. So far as can be ascertained at present, there is not the likelihood that you will be reaccepted at Mt. Carmel–for you to return here would be to keep yourself in torture. As to your engaging in field work, I cannot say, for frankly I do not know. That matter depends upon you and the Lord.

We trust that these lines will satisfactorily clear your concerns, and hence enable you to become orientated to your circumstances.

Sincerely yours to continue pressing toward the

“mark or  the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

V. T. Houteff

VTH

February 27, 1947

M. J. Bingham

701 South Lorena Street

Los Angeles, 23

Ca1ifornia

Dear Brother Bingham:

In reply to your latest inquiry, I know of nothing to add to what I have already written. If as you say, returning to school will equip you “as quickly and thoroughly as possible to do what you can best do, then perhaps that is what you should do.” This however, is a matter which you alone can settle.

Regarding the picture which you mentioned, I am sure there must be some misunderstanding. No one was restricted from sending the picture in question. I merely answered their question as to what I believe was to your own interest. That it would only make it harder for you in view of the fact that you are trying to forget the past.

With these lines go my sincerest hope that you will truly let the past be in the past, and that you will let nothing stand in the way of your progressing toward the eternal goal.

Sincerely yours ever to

press forward,

V. T. Houteff

VTH

May 21, 1947

M. J. Bingham

3622 East 6th ‘Street

Los Angeles, 23.

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

I received your airmail of May 18, and am hastening to reply as follows:

Your making a trip here would be utterly useless: The one with whom you wish to talk, has made it very emphatic that under no circumstances will she converse with you. So far as she is concerned, the issues involving you are a closed book. I am sure that this is final with her, and so you would only make matters worse for yourself should you attempt to overstep by coming here to have an audience with her now.

For your own good, Brother Bingham, I want to emphasize that the very best thing you can do for yourself is to cease thinking of the former things and the loses. They are forever. Make the best of your experience and only strive to gain Christ and His Kingdom, that’s all. Moreover, quit chiding and endeavor to convince others that she is doing something terrible by getting married. You have been studying long enough the doctrines of the Bible to know that you have broken the marriage vows, that you left the family, and that she can conscientiously now remarry. Talking about the matter and soliciting the sympathies of your audiences is not to your advantage–not in the long run.

As I want to send these lines in the morning mail, I shall not take time to write more.

Sincerely yours to have an

eye single to the Kingdom

of God.

V. T. Houteff

VTH

July 22, 1947

M. J. Bingham

3622 East Sixth Street

Los Angeles 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

Your airmail of July 18 just reached me, and so I am inclosing this reply along with another letter I just finished writing to you.

As to your first question regarding what are your future rights so far as matrimony is concerned, I do not have more light on the subject than what I have written to you in previous correspondence. That is all I know about the matter. I might mention, however, that I hardly see how you figure that because your plan was to someday return to your wife and children after leaving them, and because of your plea that she take you back, it can be a credit to you and a discredit to her. If this is so, then your endeavor to return home is not really due to repentance but rather the outworking of your old plan. If I were in your place, I would not again make that statement.

Coming now to your repeated request that you be permitted to visit Mt. Carmel. In the first place, I must be frank to confess that I fail to see how a man who has been out of employment as long as you have been, can afford to travel across the country. Then, too, I cannot see that you would gain anything by making the trip. As I see it, it would be a waste of time and money.

The letter with which these lines are being inclosed, answers the remainder of your concerns.

Sincerely yours to win Heaven’s

approbation in all things.

V. T. Houteff

VTH

August 13, 1947

M. J. Bingham

3622 East 6th Street

Los Angeles, 23

California

Dear Brother Bingham:

As I have before me three letters from you, I shall take up each concern in its order:

In checking our files we find that the latest remittance we received through you for Sister Gleason, was on August 4. Perhaps the receipt has not yet reached her. Or could it be that the $1 which we returned to you, should have been credited to her? You did not mention her name in that particular letter.

Just as soon as Sister Curtis gives us the pattern for the chart case, we shall mail it to you.

Thank you for the constructive criticisms.

The most direct answer we know of to your question about divorced persons remarrying, is Matthew 19:9. For the guilty one to remarry is far that one to continue living in sin.

Now as to your Certificate of Fellowship, the two persons to whom you alluded in your letter, have said nothing whatsoever that would interfere with your being granted the Certificate. You have said a great deal more to us against them, than they have said against you. In fact, Brother Bingham, even your letter of July 29 does not commend itself as the proper attitude on your part, especially in view of the two girls’ situations. I shall be frank to say, too, that it is just such insinuations and accusations by you against various ones, myself well included, that have negated the sincerity of your repentance. Taking into consideration all that you have written since 1944, and the course you pursued even after going to California, you cannot blame us for wondering whether it is actually true repentance or merely circumstances that have caused you in blanket statement to say, “I wish to recant anything I have said or written to you or to anyone else that would bring discredit upon Genevieve, you, or anyone else, and credit upon me.” When this uncertainty is cleared, then I know not what could hinder you from holding the Certificate of Fellowship, which, you understand, does not invest the authority or a Ministerial Credential.

Your returning to Mt. Carmel to engage in the work is out of the question, and so you will do well to set your goal in something else.

Regarding employment, you realize that God expects us to make a living; even Paul himself made a living while preaching the Gospel. I do not, of course, know all the details of your financial set-up, but I do know that besides the fact that a man should make his own living, he should make good use of all his time. I still fail to see any reason that you cannot find some kind of job, regardless how small or how menial. Certainly you can learn to operate an elevator, or check stock, or, even to count bottles in a creamery, etc., etc. There are countless such jobs everywhere. Under the circumstances, you would do well to grab the first job you come across, even if it means selling newspapers on the street corner,–just anything,–and surely the Lord will bless your efforts as you demonstrate your willingness to help yourself.

As I believe that I have covered all the questions you asked, I shall not write more. Remember us to your mother. I hope that her health is improving.

Sincerely yours for the more

abundant life,

V. T. Houteff

VTH

March 22, 1948

M. J. Bingham

c/o Jack Knipple

3516 Eagle Street

Los Angeles, California

Dear Brother Bingham:

We know nothing at all concerning the lawsuit mentioned in your letter of March 16. In fact, your letter brought us our first news about it. Upon inquiring of Elder Wilson, we find that he, too, seems to know nothing of this matter.

In view of the present world crisis, Brother Bingham, we should like to make the suggestion that you formulate a letter to be sent to the President and other statesmen, calling their attention to Tract No. 14. You might tell them that because of their great responsibility we are trying to do our part, and therefore we earnestly request that they look into the tract, and so on…. If you will do this, we shall be glad to check ever the rough draft, set up the letter, and return it for your signature and for mailing. Please let us know what you think of this. Inclosed is a stamped addressed, envelope for your reply.

 Sincerely yours to leave

nothing undone in the

line of duty,

V. T. Houteff

VTH:g

Confidential File

 May 8, 1949

Dear Brother Bingham:

I wanted to inclose this note to tell you that it appears to me that not too long ago the Devil had you on the run again. What are you doing about it? Are you keeping on God’s side or are you wandering away from Him – down into the slums?

We are sorry that your mother has not been well, but we rejoice with you that her trouble seems to have been located, and we pray that she will make a rapid recovery.

Sincerely yours to ponder

well the paths we walk in,

V. T. Houteff

VTH::fnh

March 19, 1953

AIR MAIL

Mr. M. J. Bingham

P.O. Box 177

Georgetown

British Guiana

South America

Dear Brother Bingham:

We appreciate your sending us a detailed report of each of the believers in British Guiana whom you have contacted; also for the corrections in spelling of some of the names.

Our hearts are gladdened to learn of the good attendance at the studies in Georgetown. We are looking forward to hearing about the success you had in Charity.

A supply of Tract No. 7 has been mailed to all the places you mentioned. Also, 200 copies of each of the four letters (L I to L IV) were mailed in care of De Camos at British Guiana for use there. As you suggest, these can be mailed out even after your departure.

We have checked and re-checked your correspondence with us and cannot find anywhere that we neglected to answer your queries with regard to the work there.

Regarding the weight of the load there, it appears that there is much available talent right there that you may put to good use – typing, giving studies, etc. In our January 29 letter we suggested that you take the leader in each locality and instruct him for the work at hand so that he may be fitted to carry the responsibility after you leave. According to your report, even now some of the Davidians there (Brethren Williams, Fitspatrick, Rafferty, and the DeCarmos) can relieve you by giving some of the studies. Furthermore, it will be good practice for them, and you can at the same time determine their knowledge of the message as well as their ability.

As to your correspondence, your time is too valuable and your means limited to write such messages as the one to Ruben Schiau. It cost 13 alone for postage besides the cost of the card and your time, and it hardly appears essential that you should have written to him. We inform all those who send mail here for you that as you are in South America and will be gone for some time, answers to their letters will be delayed. We are holding all letters for you here. And should there be any others to whom you need to write but whose correspondence is not urgent, you may tell us and we will from here inform them also of the reason for the delay in receiving mail from you.

Your checks were mailed to you on March 9 and should have reached you. Included is a copy of your wage record.

Thank you for the suggestion that we use onion skin paper in writing letters to you. We try always to economize on everything here. We can bond two sheets of ordinary stationery for the same price as two sheets of onion skin.

Rather than your writing on one side of the onion skin paper and then using the marginal space on the reverse side to fill in, why not omit marginal in the first place and just use one side?

So far as we now know, no regional meetings will be held this year as the workers are all carrying as full a load as they can. Send us a list of those to whom you have promised these meetings and we shall without further delay notify the people of this so that they will not be inconvenienced in any way. The Davidians can all engage in the Battering Ram campaign instead.

Your suggestion as to our employing certain ones in British Guiana could probably be worked out, Brother Bingham, but due to the fact that the funds in that country do not allow for such an extensive program at present, we are unable to assure them of any wages right at the start. Instruct all now what to do so that they will be really for full- time employment when the funds will permit such. We shall keep a list of the prospective workers you named until that time.

It is all right for you to purchase a pair of pajamas for Brother Barrett in Kingston inasmuch as you could not take him a pair from the States.

Since you had opportunity to discuss with Brother Breedy his circumstances, please let us know what should be done in his case. We should like the unanimous written approval of the entire company as to what is decided. Until we receive this we shall continue to send his present $24 check a month drawn from the funds here.

We were surprised in reading the copy of your letter to Bill Felter, and would like to know what happened that called forth such a letter. It can hardly be considered an uplifting letter. Please explain.

As to extending your present trip to Africa and thereabouts, the time is not yet ripe for such a venture.

Again we wish to inquire as to whom you think is the best or most likely one to teach a ministerial Bible class in British Guiana. Please let us know. Also when you continue on your itinerary, tell us who in each place along the way would qualify.

That all your labors of love may be armed with abundant success, and that you may be kept for the Master’s use and have a place in His Kingdom, is our prayer.

Sincerely yours for

Faithful service,

V.T. Houteff

VTH:ba

Incl.

March 5, 1954

AIR MAIL

Mr. M. J. Bingham

c/o Mr. Theodre Amos

4850 M. W. 24th Court

Miami 42

Florida.

Dear brother Bingham:

KAY’S TYPEWRITER: Do not do anything about it until you get here.

ENLARGING DAVIDIAN CHURCH THERE: Inform the Davidians there that so long as jealousies, envy, and self-righteousness are still prevalent among the former Davidians, there is no need to enlarge the church unless all these things are first ironed out among those involved. If this is left undone, the trouble may arise again and only lack of harmony will result and the company will be divided and the church will be too large then. Instruct them that if the condition among the colored brethren are as you say they are, those who agree should meet for worship in one place and those who do not in another—one group at the church; the other at a rented hall elsewhere.

Then they will have plenty of room.

FOLLOW-UP WORKER FOR FLORIDA: The Hunters have covered that state and right now we do not plan to send anymore others. The brethren in Miami should therefore do all they can to gather the gleanings.

BANK DRAFTS: You will be happy to know that the two $50 Bank Drafts that were sent to you, and which were lost, have been refunded by the Waco bank.

Sincerely yours faithfully to

Run the race we have begun,

V.T. Houteff.

VTH:iwc

>