“…It’s from an old familiar score, I know it well, that melody.” This million-selling song was made popular by
Harry James, who was born in Albany, Georgia. When he was eight, his family moved to Beaumont, Texas, the home
of the world-famous athlete, “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias. James and his orchestra, who began playing in 1939,
continued for nearly five decades. “I’ve Heard That Song Before” (1942) was preceded by another million-seller,
“You Made Me Love You,” in 1941. The concept of thinking that a tune seems familiar is one we all share; in fact,
it’s such a common experience, that we use the phrase to refer to an old story—or perhaps an old excuse someone
has revived. Some rationales never die, they just become recirculated.
The following information comes from pages 182-84 of the book, Long Legs and Short Breeches by Earl Kimbrough.
It concerns F. B. Srygley (1859-1940), who wrote many articles for the Gospel Advocate. On certain occasions he
highlighted the life of pioneer preacher John Taylor, who had contended for the faith (Jude 3) by debating various
denominational spokesmen on occasion. Such discussions were common during this time period. Srygley, however,
received a curious reply from a second cousin of his. Although this relative praised the value of setting forth the
biography of good men, he complained about the portion dealing with denominations. “Fussing at the Baptists and
Methodists does not get us anywhere. They are here and always will be.”
Has anyone heard this song before? It’s an old one, and the melody is familiar. Some don’t like it when we
point out errors that various religious groups teach, yet truth never shines brighter than when contrasted with the
darkness of error. Do people not understand that false doctrine leads to death? For that reason, Jesus taught His disciples
to beware of the doctrine of the Sadducees and Pharisees (Matt. 16:12). Paul commanded Timothy to take heed to
what he taught so that he could save both himself and others (1 Tim. 4:16). Paul delivered to Satan those who taught
error (1 Tim. 1:19-20).
When one reads, “They are here and always will be,” one thinks of sin. Prostitution, adultery, fornication,
drunkenness, covetousness, and pride will always be with us, also; does that mean they should not be opposed, either?
So, how did Srygley answer his cousin, Armstrong? He pointed out, “The devil is here and always will be, but that does
not prove that one should cease to fight him.” Srygley also showed the irony of his cousin telling him what he thought
was an error on his part—but didn’t want him to expose the error of false teaching in others.
In fact, John Taylor had debated a Baptist preacher named Rawhoof. Taylor “was so logical and severe on
Rawhoof that the debate closed at the end of the first day.” Then the Baptists found a man named Alexander,
and Taylor debated him. One of those who became convinced of the truth in those debates was the father of
F. B. Srygley. That’s right. His very salvation may have resulted from those debates that John Taylor
participated in.
Srygley wondered how many others owed Taylor gratitude for not growing up in religious error. Syrgley
said of his second cousin that if he were the only one endeavoring “to stop men from contending for the
whole truth, I could more easily afford to allow it to pass, but this disposition is entirely too common.” Srygley
was hearing that song way too often. And how many times do we hear that melody today? Some have the attitude,
“We just should love everybody,” which is true—but that includes warning those who abide in error of what awaits
them—not ignoring them. It’s not love if we pretend everyone is all right. Jesus did not take that approach (Matt. 7:13-14; 21-27).
Everyone probably does not, but everyone ought to, agree with Srygley’s conclusion on the matter: “It is a
pity that some brethren have no word of encouragement for a brave man who is fighting for the truth.”