William Henry Book (1863–1946)

He preached for the Tabernacle Church of Christ, Columbus, Indiana, for twenty years. "Book was regarded by many of his brethren as ultra-conservative. He told me more than once that the use of instrumental music in the worship was a matter of indifference to him. He said that if he were preaching for a church that did not want it, he would not insist on having it; but, if, on the other hand, a church wanted it, he would not oppose it. Book was what some would call a strong "first principle" preacher. I heard him preach a powerful sermon on the Conversion of the Eunuch, while he was in a meeting in East Point, near Atlanta. He told me about being asked to preach at the Peachtree Christian Church, an "open-membership" church. He said he preached on Pentecost and What Happened. He said he saw to it that one "gospel sermon" was preached in that imposing building. But the thing I remember and cherish most is what he said about Brother Hardeman. At the time the Christian Church Committee was looking for a man to meet Brother Hardeman in debate, Book was asked. He said: "No; I will not meet Brother Hardeman in debate; I am more in agreement with him than I am with you fellows." It will be remembered that Ira M. Boswell of Georgetown, Kentucky, was selected to meet Brother Hardeman." --B.C. Goodpasture, Gospel Advocate, Nov. 18, 1976, 738.