Bierton Strict And Particular Baptists, A Testimony of David Clarke

178 this were the preacher stood and preached. The table was where the hymns were announced and given out.

Mrs.. Evered, in her lovely manor, came up to me and said that I was to take the cardigan off, “The Holy Table”. I was shocked by this remark. What was this all about we now had a Holy Table? We were not Roman Catholic or High Anglicans. I was dismayed at such heresy and after the morning meeting I asked the church members to stay behind whilst I established what was going on. I began to realize I was unearthing more religious errors, which would have to be dealt with sooner than later.

I asked the few members of the church, in front of Mrs.. Evered about the “Holy table”. I said there was no such thing as a holy table in the New Testament this was religious error and just like the Roman Catholics and their superstitions. I said I would not stand by and let this error go unchecked. To my surprise and disappointment Miss G Ellis became angry and walked out saying she was feed up with it all. She said she would not want a pair of shoe put on the kitchen table and she walked out in anger. I thought to my self we are in two different worlds what was going on in the minds of the church and congregation at Bierton. I felt so taken up with zeal for the cause of God and truth I could have taken a large axe and cut the table up in front of every one.

I decided to do it another way. I would use the “sword of the spirit”.

Television Radio and Cassette Recorder I was all too well aware of the issues regarding the television set as it was the general consensus of opinion it was wrong to own or view a television.

This matter had arisen not only in our church but also anther churches that I had visited.

I had no problem with the television because I did not watch it and after all it could be switch off if one had one. I had been a television engineer working for Granada TV Rentals and had visited the Dicker, taking with me, in the company car, my Scott’s Presbyterian friend James. This was with the company advertising on the side of the vehicle, which had caused him embarrassment. I had also taken Mrs. Evered, in that very vehicle, all the way to Brighten, to visit her relatives, including Mr Frank Gosden.

Also I had on many occasions taken our church members to the various anniversary meetings in my company car. All of these churches were Gospel Standard churches. So I was aware of the issues involved. I had discussed the matter with Mr Joseph Rutt, a minister from Bethel Church Luton, who had been very expressive of his opinions against the use and ownership, by church members, of a television set and had made his views known to all.

I am informed it is wrong for me to teach electronics Mrs. Evered had express it was wrong for me to teach the subject of