We are all aware that there are churches that identify them- selves as Churches of Christ that use the instrument of music in worship. I have personally been acquainted with.such congregations. Such can be found in various sections of the country.

We make a serious mistake to think that the only difference between us is the mechanical instrument, however. When one discusses matters with them he soon discovers that there is the-same variance of attitude toward the Scriptures that precipitated the division years ago that produced the Christian Church. They still hold to the view that the instrument is right unless it is specifically forbidden. And in many of their churches we find woman taking leading roles in public worship, such as song leading, leading in prayer, etc.

Labels often create tensions. This does not mean that labels do not have their rightful place. They most certainly do. We have been called nonprogressive because we would not adopt the unscrip- tural innovations, such as the mechanical instrument.

Those who accept it, often including the missionary society,, call themselves progressive-' Actually, they are "digressive.' But they frown under that label.

What shall we call them? We are inclined to stay with what had been the case for years, because it is accurate. They are "digressive." They have swerved from the truth on this point and have necessitated division because they were determined that everyone accept it even though it is a matter of faith, not merely opinion.

Those who have heard the gospel, believed it, and obeyed it in repentance, confession and baptism are members of the Lords church. But those who persist in error, evan such error as the instrument of music in worship, are not following the Now Testament teaching and have digressed from the truth. No would much prefer to refer to those people as "faithful and beloved brethren in Christ." But that is impossible until they abandon the instrument, as well as the other departures that characterize many of them. Their approach to Biblical authority is at the root of the problem.

Until that happy time exists.. they remain erring brethren and digressives from the truth. As in often stated when we "progress" beyond the limits of the doctrine of Christ, we have digressed (II John 9-11).