A couple of years ago, while cleaning out a couple of long neglected drawers, we came across eight typewritten pages of a convention sermon by Howard Mooney. No date was given for this sermon, but he mentions "here in New Mexico and Texas" so obviously it was spoken at a convention in either of those two states and I'm pretty sure it's from the "70's." Anyway, I can't begin to tell you how "disappointed" I felt reading this sermon and many of its "only way", and "we are superior" messages. I really felt "troubled" as I read through this and realized how "nomal" this thinking used to be and how "abnormal" it feels now. What follows is part of the eight pages. Howard is speaking from Psalms 100. -Cheryle Winberg June 2000

     "The religious world in the Bible, strange to say, was referrred to as 
swine. The reason why, was because a swine walks like a sheep but he doesn't 
have a sheep's nature, does he? If a creature would walk along during the 
night and leave its tracks in the sand, when you saw those tracks the next 
morning unless you were a real good farmer, you wouldn't know whether that 
was a pig or a sheep that walked by there. They leave very much the same kind 
of tracks. One of the things that has become a curse in the religious world 
is that they train their people to walk like sheep. Oh, they train them to 
walk to church instead of to the bar. They train them to walk to the hospital 
and visit the sick. They train them to walk on some of the high standards 
instead of the lower standards of the world, so one of the curses of false 
religion is that they train their people to walk like sheep but they can't 
give them a sheep's nature and that is why they can't produce fellowship. You 
put 2 or 3 of them together and the first thing you know, there is a squeal 
going on. There is no possibility of having fellowship under those 
conditions."

Comment: Condemnation of churches other than the "Truth."

"You know sometimes it is easier for God to take people out of the false 
church than to get that false leaven out of us."

Comment: This statement is rather vague. He is perhaps saying that it is easier to get people out of the 'false church' and to profess than to get the "world" out of them.

"Doesn't it thrill you to see the evidence of the same handiwork of God 
doing the same thing today? We have Pauls in our fellowship today. I have had 
older companions and I can see in them everything that I read about in the 
life of Paul. We have Timothys and Titus' in our fellowship today. Yes, and 
we thank God for them."

Comment: Elevation of the brother workers.

"Yes, and we thank God for the Marys and the Phoebes, etc. The farther 
on I go the more I thank God for the Ministry of the Sister Workers. When you 
see the evidence of the type of women that you see on every hand in the world 
today, to me it is nothing less than a compound miracle that God can take 
women and make out of them the wonderful characters that represent our Sister 
Workers. It is a wonderful assurance that the Workman hasn't changed and 
neither has His Workmanship."

Comment: Elevation of the sister workers.

One of the things that we have been enthused about in different parts 
of the country, is the fact that, today God is raising up one of the most 
wonderful crop of young people that we have ever known in our generation. 
That again is a miracle, when you think of the Juvenile delinquency in the 
world, when you realize that the youth problem is the No. 1 problem of the 
Nation, when the average young person today is literally, going to the dogs."

Comment: Suggestion that the "Truth" produces wonderful young people.

"Isn't it a marvelous thing to think that right in the midst of this sin 
and decay, God is able to raise up and establish one of the best crops of 
young people that we have ever known in our day and generation. That is not 
only true here in New Mexico and Texas but every place that we have had the 
privilege of going to Conv. this year, you see that same wonderful evidence. 
Now I wouldn't want to give you the impression that all of our young people 
are all that they should be. Sometimes our hearts ache when we see some of 
our young folks have such a glorious privilege and are not making use of it. 
We would like to think that for some of you young people who have come to 
this convention that haven't been too Christlike, haven't been too separated 
in your life, the effect of this Convention would send you forth, that you 
Sisters would be looking more like Sister Workers, and you Brothers would 
have more of the spirit of a Brother Worker. That is one of the purposes for 
which we come to Convention is that God would help us to see the 
worthwhileness of that taking place."

Comment: Appearance of women in the group is very important.

I have often mentioned to people that I wish that everybody would do 
what Moses did. When Moses left Egypt, when Moses got saved, he went to the 
very backside of the desert. He got just as far away from the world, with its 
fashions and passions and customs as he could possible get."  "It was from 
that remote position that God called that young man into the Work.

Comment: Suggestion that the Friends stay away from people who are not professing. Suggestion that Moses was a worker!

"...if we could encourage our Brethren, old and young, but especially 
our young folks, to go to the backside of the desert, get as far away from 
Egypt with its fashions and its passions as fast as you can,....... It might 
even be as a result of your being back there, God might even call you into 
the Work. I am not going to say that God is going to give that privilege to 
you. That is a sacred privilege that only a few people know. If God, in the 
coming months or years, would lay His hand on your young life and make it 
known to you that He wanted you in the Work, don't feel sorry for yourself. 
Don't rebel against it. Remember, God is giving you a sacred privilege that 
He does not give to everyone."

Comment: Elevation of the workers. Suggestion that young people should offer for the work. Suggestion that the 'work' is a very highly respected and special place in the fellowship. i.e. workers are special people.

     "....... this world that is around us, is nothing but a jungle and it is 
filled with the most vicious forms of death that a person could possible 
imagine and we would like to plead with you this morning, to beware of the 
jungle. You beware of the jungle. It looks inviting on the outside but you 
haven't any idea of the heartache and the death on the inside. I would not 
want to give you the impression that everybody out in the world is a brute 
beast, not for a single minute. But I do want to impress on your mind that 
they are at every turn of the road and they come to you in sheep's clothing 
so you haven't the least idea what their motives are when they begin to 
approach you and take interest in you. Those people don't care whether you 
end up in a mental institution or not. They don't care whether you go down 
and hang your head in disgrace or not. They don't care whether you wreck your 
health or not. They are natural brute beasts and the world is full of them. 
There has never been a time when the jungle has been more teeming with beasts 
and we would certainly appeal to our young people to stay as far away from 
that jungle as you can. They are not concerned about your soul. They don't 
care whether you go to hell or not, or whether you spend the rest of your 
life in shame or not. They are not concerned about anything other than any 
other brute beast, and that is just satisfying their own natural self."

Comment: Fear the world. They are scum.

"But while we have some young folks that live too near to the border, we 
thank God for the multitude of those today that are dwelling in the backside 
of the desert. I can take you into the homes over the Country that I have had 
the privilege of being in in the last while, just young homes, young married 
couples. You know, those folks are just as Godly as any home that you read 
about in the Bible; the same sanctity, the same zeal, the same Godly 
sincerity, the same wonderful 'something' that has always characterized the 
homes of God's people."

Comment: We are just so good.

"Everywhere you go you find these homes; worthy homes that have been 
pillars in the Family of God, homes that have been so sacred to God and to 
His people,........ To see that God is not only raising up another generation 
but He is reproducing in our midst the same genuine sterling workmanship that 
you read about in the Bible."

Comment: More praise of the fellowship/people.

"The Lord has kept it in His own care and that is why He has been able 
to protect the Fellowship inside as He does. Jesus said, "I thank Thee that 
Thou hast kept these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto 
babes." In other words, 'I thank Thee that Thou art controlling this 
situation.'"

Comment: Very much about this sect IS about CONTROL.

"The Scripture tells us that it is the attitude towards the Truth that a 
person has, that determines whether or not God lets them into the gates or 
not."

Comment: Only our acceptance of Christ's death on the cross for our sins will save us!

"It is your attitude, if you are sitting in this meeting as an unsaved 
person, that is so important." "If you are willing to believe that Truth and 
honor it, God will throw the gates of the city open to you." "But if you 
aren't willing to obey the Truth and if you have no desire for it and no love 
for it, God will send you a strong delusion that will take you a million 
miles away from it."

Comment: Our attitude towards any group or church has no bearing on our salvation.

"Somebody said once that a little fellowship meeting is just like a 
potluck dinner. Everybody brings something and they put it on the table and 
they sit down and eat and they rejoice together.......... You know one of the 
things that I marvel at? It is another great evidence of God's control over 
His people. When we do come together for a little meeting, everybody doesn't 
bring the same thing. Wouldn't it be a great picnic if everybody had brought 
pickles, or everybody had brought sandwiches and nothing else? ..........When 
you come together and you sit down to feed with the Lord's people in the 
Courts of His Holiness, have you ever noticed the variety that is put on the 
table? To me that is just the wonderful evidence that God is controlling the 
thoughts and the desires of His people."

Comment: More praise of the system they call the "Truth."

• Whew, enough!!!!!!!!! If you made it to this point, I applaud you. Isn't this the very essence of thinking that pervaded our lives? This brought back many memories sitting on hard benches listening to these teachings. Over and over and over!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please note that the words, "sister and brother workers," and "work" are capitalized right along with God and Jesus. Interesting, isn't it, the status they place themselves on? - Cheryle June 2000

    I profess but get so disgusted at such sermons that Howard Mooney
    preached according to the notes produced here. References to a
    rare privilege of being called into the work, fear produced in
    young people living on the border and not separating from the
    world, account of Moses in the desert having NOTHING to do with
    "God's people" as he called it etc. It has been a few years since
    such crap has been preached where I live but just the thoughts of
    it rekindles anger. SO much  mention of a system, ministry and
    lifestyle. Little or none about the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
    Very little scripture used during this drivel. I am glad the
    friends are standing up to such control tactics under guise of
    God's control as Howard Mooney put it. I used to get so irate
    when his kind would speak. No bread. Just rules, regulations etc.
    Legalisms galore. Women made to feel guilty for dressing like the
    world. Telling people what objects to have in their homes or
    discussions of meeting attendance or the standards crap is
    ridiculous. FRIENDS can you not see such control tactics when you
    hear such drivel?  The friends need to hear CHRIS- centered
    preaching! Lately we have been hearing more of it!   -Still 
    going to meeting.   June 2000.

They are sincere in a world of "put on".

They walk with open face, are transparent, having nothing to hide.

They have nothing to fear and speak from the heart.

There is no guile in them--being pure in heart and mind, they don't understand deceit, suspicion or evil in others.

They are loyal, and never betray a friend of take advantage of an enemy!

They may suffer at the hands of others but do not return evil for evil.

Sorrow comes to them (it does to all) but they come forth from it as pure as gold.

Suffering does not make them bitter, but sweetens their spirit and teaches them lessons of pity and sympathy.

They are generous and what they do is done from a pure motive.

What to many would be a duty, would be to them an opportunity to show Christ's spirit.

They would be kind, even if all the world were cruel.

Because there is no vanity in them, they are not "puffed up" by praise; they are humble in heart but do not know it, and of course, do not speak of it.

They are meek, but not the meekness of fear which is slavish.

They don't boast of what they are, for they know God is to be thanked for any good that is in them; and they do not feel they are superior to others (although in a way they are so.)

This goodness is an unconciousness of itself, and is therefore, pure.

They are gentle toward all men, knowing the weakness of the flesh, they are compassionate.

Where others look for faults in their friends, they look for virtues, and when they err from justice, they lean toward mercy.

Their hearts beat at the world's needs and thus are kept soft and in tune.

They are cheerful, thus their presence dispels gloom from troubled hearts as the rising sun does the morning clouds.

No matter how heavy their own hearts are, they will smile and speak words of cheer.

They have learned that misery is diminished when shared by sympathy.

They help to carry the burdens of others, but never expect of ask theirs to be carried.

They have themselves under control -- their good temper is not dependent on good company, but at all times, under all circumstances sail on at an even keel.

They are calm and serene in the midst of storms, and because peace rules in their hearts fear is far from them.

They draw troubled souls to them, and comfort all who mourn.

Their hearts are large enough to "mother" an orphan world.

To know them is to be made strong in spirit.

Outward things only seem to perfect them.

They are brave in times of stress and worry.

When others lose head and heart, they are bolder than at other times.

They are dependable; they have a deep true faith in God, and take all that comes.

When others complain, they give thanks, whatever their lot, they make the best of it, and look at what comes to them as better than they deserve.

They are free from envy and rejoice in the good fortunes of others as if it were their own.

They do not strive, but let their adversary have both sides of the dispute.

In dark times they live in hope.

They are the light of the world, because they reflect the light of Jesus.

Thanks for the G.Walker notes. In my opinion, these could affect a person in at least one of two ways. Either you would feel full of pride that you were in this way (one of the elect) and exhibit these traits, or fall so short that you were plunged into despair. To infer that one is elect of God because they had one (or all?) of these traits is bypassing the wonderful Gift of the righteousness of Christ and His sacrifice for our sins which makes us children of God. Thankful for Jesus, ____ 6/97

When I read George Walker's notes I thought specifically of the workers and how many of them have these "marks" in their lives. These marks, for many of them, by sheer determination and effort. And then I thought of the many workers who have been on "rest" or who have suffered mentally for the great burden they are under as a result of needing to appear perfect in all ways.

I am burdened for the young workers who offer for the work only to find themselves under tutorship of their senior--their job to fit in all the more, have their wills broken and submit to all that the system would require of them.

Not long ago I heard that a sister worker had confided in someone about all the rules there are for workers. If the saints felt/feel pressure to conform and be controlled just think how much more these captive workers are subjected to this!

When there is no outlet for a person to feel anger, express emotions and be honest with feelings I believe illness can be the result. 6/97

I enjoyed reading "SOME MARKS OF THE ELECT CHILDREN OF GOD" by GeorgeWalker, and was impressed by the one which reads: "They walk with open face, are transparent, having nothing to hide."

Now I have in front of me a copy of George Walker's letter of 27 November 1979 to Mrs Schoeff in which he writes "This is in answer to your letter I received last week. I am not answering these questions because I don't believe to do so would profit you."

In the second last paragraph George Walker adds "I find it more profitable to exercise my mind to seek to abide in Jesus as said in John 15, rather than tracing the origin of the little streams that made up the river which we have enjoyed traveling on."

I am not sure what George Walker meant when he wrote about walking with open face, but it is clear from his letter that he had no intention of being open about the history of the group. His letter also makes it clear that he had something to hide and was not prepared to reveal by answering Mrs Schoeff's questions.

Seems like George Walker didn't always practice what he preached. 6/97