Having His Picture Published

Next Part The Magnificence of Ambassador College

For years, many listeners of the radio program and readers of the magazine sent letters to Mr. Armstrong, requesting that he show a photograph of himself. Naturally, they wanted to see the face of the man who spoke and wrote so boldly.

While Mr. Armstrong loved to preach the gospel message, and he wanted people to focus on it—not on himself. This is why, for many years, he did not send photographs of himself to brethren and co-workers.

However, one letter finally changed his mind. “I can’t quote that letter word for word,” Mr. Armstrong wrote, “but it said, in effect: ‘What have you got to hide, Mr. Armstrong? Why do you refuse to let us listeners know what you look like? Are you trying to cover up something? Suppose you attend a church service, and the pastor hides behind the pulpit. Suppose he lets the congregation hear his voice, but he hides his face. Wouldn’t you get suspicious? Wouldn’t you think he was covering up something? When I go to church, I want to see what the preacher looks like, as well as to listen to his sermon. A man’s character shows in his face. Are you ashamed of yours? why won’t you publish your picture?’”

Mr. Armstrong did just that, publishing his picture in the November 1951 issue of The Good News. Over the years, as he increasingly became a public figure, he allowed more photos of himself to be published.

Yet here is the irony: Because he finally (and reluctantly) did this, he was falsely accused of promoting himself!

Listeners Respond to Radio Luxembourg

The following excerpts were taken from Mr. Armstrong’s March 1954 Member/Co-Worker letter:

“The broadcast, and The PLAIN TRUTH, are literally shaking Britain [and Europe]! You probably have no conception of the tremendous influence this program, which is made possible by your dollars and your PRAYERS, is having on our British cousins overseas!

“Letters are pouring in by the hundreds! British leaders tell me the effect of The WORLD TOMORROW on Britain is almost beyond belief! They are being STIRRED more than you people in America ever were!

“So now look over my shoulder, as it were—here are just a FEW of the thousands of letters:”

A man in the Royal Air Force, stationed in Wales, wrote: “I am writing to sincerely thank you for your wonderful, inspired radio programme, which we hear on Radio Luxembourg, and for the January ‘54 issue of your ‘Plain Truth’ magazine. I really must tell you how much your radio programme and magazine mean to me personally and my friends in the R.A.F. who listen to your programme. We hear many religious programmes but we honestly believe that the ‘World Tomorrow’ is the ‘Tops’ for sincerity and interest…The Plain Truth is quite definitely the most forthright and down to earth magazine I have ever read. It sets out your message so clearly and distinctly and I only wish I could assist you with a contribution. But as you know, the Chancellor of the Exchequer forbids sending money out of the country. Well, Mr. Armstrong, I hope you will have many such letters as mine from Great Britain and the rest of Europe; don’t ever take your programme from Radio Luxembourg—it is needed here as everywhere.”

From an official of a large British religious federation: “Dear Brother in Israel: I was asked by a friend some time ago if I ever listened to you on Radio Lux.; and when I did, I came to the conclusion that you knew where modern Israel was, and the meaning of these days. Your magazine, for which I sincerely thank you is to hand today, and confirms what I thought. I have read it with great appreciation. Those who know this truth (our identity is ISRAEL) are VERY many today in these islands, and in the Commonwealth. I would like to tell you for your encouragement that you are listened to by many more people than your mail might indicate. I have been amazed at the number of people who have told me they listen to you regularly. May God’s blessing rest on your witness.”

From Cornwall, England: “Dear Mr. Armstrong: So many times we have intended writing you regarding your Gospel broadcast over Radio Luxembourg. Truly it is a very special time of spiritual uplift. We do thank God that He has privileged us to be amongst your vast audience to listen to your inspiring messages of the Scriptures. I’m sure, too, that your ministry will be mightily used to enlighten the intellectuals, because you can meet them on their own ground. The Holy Spirit is truly revealing wonderful truths through you. My father and I are just ordinary simple folks, and we would surely like to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ to you for your profound yet simple messages.”

From Genoa, Italy: “Dear Sir: Last Monday night I heard your very interesting broadcast…The programme was a rather unusual one. I should like to know something more of it. It appears to be both religious and scientific. I have never heard a programme just like yours. Thanks for the broadcast. Perhaps you would send me your magazine.”

From Oslo, Norway: “Dear Mr. Armstrong: Thank you very much for your interesting programme that reached me from Radio Luxembourg yesterday. I should be thankful to receive your offered book.”

From Malung, Sweden: “Dear Mr. Armstrong: I have been very glad to listen to your radio message last night over Radio Luxembourg, and I will say you my heartily thanks for that. In the same time, I will wish you God’s richest blessing over your works for God in this style. I will be very thankful to you when you will send me a copy of your book.”

From Paris, France: “Dear Mr. Armstrong: I heard you again last night from Luxembourg. I admire your zeal, ability, and courage. May the Lord bless you richly in bringing pure light to those who are confused…Send me please The Plain Truth and ‘What is Prophesied.’ When I was recently in Yugoslavia crowds of people were seeking the Lord,—something unusual. Could you do something for East Europe also?”

From Belfast, North Ireland: “Dear Mr. Armstrong: I am thrilled to hear your message of hope these past Mondays over Radio Luxembourg. I should like to have you put my name down for the booklet you offered so kindly over this station last night. I am not being greedy, but then I am sure you will understand, as this Kingdom message of hope for the future is not touched by most churches, so I would like to hear more. Once again thanking you for your hope-inspiring messages, and I trust God may bless your efforts in His work.”

From Neslandsvat, Norway: “Dear Sir: I have been listening to your program over Radio Luxembourg, and I am sending you a few words to let you know that I am very thankful to God and to you every time I hear the Gospel go out in the air like that.”

From Denmark: “Dear Mr. Armstrong, Yesterday I tuned in to your broadcast over Radio Luxembourg. Your powerful message attracted me, and as it was new thought for me, the wish arose in my heart to study those thoughts a little closer. Therefore, I was happy that you later on offered a little book written by you which I should be very glad to read. I must say that your message interested me very much and I am looking forward to being better acquainted with you through the printed page. Your talk yesterday was very powerful and inspiring.”

Here is how Mr. Armstrong commented on these and other numerous letters:

“My, how these letters ought to warm our hearts, and encourage us to PRESS ON! Just remember, as you read these heart-touching letters, it is YOUR DOLLARS that are being turned into THE VERY WORD OF GOD, finding lodgment in the hearts of these people in MANY NATIONS.”

A Zest for Languages

The August 1952 issue of The Plain Truth was the first to offer articles written by people other than Mr. Armstrong. One was written by his son Richard, with a dateline from London, England. He was overseas in order to pursue his dream of visiting Paris. Richard Armstrong had a natural gift for learning languages. He was so proficient that he could speak French as fluently as a natural-born Frenchman.

Meanwhile, for the first time in years, the Church added two new congregations: Big Sandy, Texas, and San Diego, California. With the overall addition of 300 people, the Church of God grew by 200 percent!

“The Pressure Cooker”

The Church did continue to grow, and so did the Work. Meanwhile, Ambassador College continued teaching and training new leaders.

Students were not just taught how to make a living, but also how to LIVE. Their four years of study were filled with working, serving and growing. The student body remained tiny—for quite a while, less than a hundred. But this enabled everyone to get to know each other. And, when it came to activities, everyone was involved in everything.
There was Ambassador Club, a virtually mandatory once-a-week speech club that taught the men to give speeches, think on their feet and take leadership roles. There were also Women’s Clubs, which developed the cultural refinement of the young ladies.

Physical education and Bible courses were also mandatory.

There were foreign language clubs—French, German and Spanish—which helped and encouraged students to learn how to speak second languages without accents. There was also the campus newspaper, The Portfolio, which was a training ground for potential writers for the Work.

In the early years of Ambassador College, students had to work part-time jobs, 20 hours per week, at a minimum of two hours per day. They were all responsible for maintaining the campus grounds, and even for keeping their dorms clean.

Students were also strongly encouraged to pray, and to study their Bibles daily. Prayer closets were provided for them to have the much-needed privacy that shared dorm rooms did not offer.

There was the Ambassador Chorale, in addition to sports, cheerleading, pep bands, dances, dinner functions, and more. A typical day in the life of a student began at 5 or 6 a.m. and ended at 10-11 p.m.

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