Bonds Stocks, a Godly Man


Ross W. Dye
Bonds Stocks was a good friend of mine for many years, and although this appears somewhat late, I feel that thousands of its readers would like to see some word of tribute paid to this great man in the GOSPEL ADVOCATE. Perhaps there are several like some with whom I have been in touch who assumed that somebody else was going to write this item. At any rate I am happy to step forward to honor a worthy man.

I cherish my memories of Bonds Stocks because of the character of this man. Brother Stocks was a man of an unusual degree of intellectual honesty and integrity. He had the courage to stand for his convictions and the grace to change his mind if he found that the facts so warranted. Friends of long standing remember that for a time he opposed some of the cooperative ventures of the brotherhood. Later, like Paul he advocated the very thing he had tried to destroy. Wise men sometimes change their minds, and big men are not afraid to do so.

Bonds Stocks had an outgoing love of people. He was tenderhearted, compassionate, humble and kind. When you add qualities such as these to his courage and love of truth, you have the ingredients which make for greatness as a man and as a preacher. Bonds Stocks was a good and gentle man whose life was dedicated to Christ and to the salvation of mankind. He left indelible marks on many, and although his passing is mourned, thanksgiving is offered to God for his righteous life.

G. Bonds Stocks was born in Baldwyn, Mississippi on June 9, 1913. He departed this life on April 21, 1967 while convalescing from extended illness at his home, 105 Church Place, Falls Church, Virginia. He was baptized in 1925 by J. D. Tant. In 1936 he married Clarice Mingle of Bell Buckle, Tennessee. They have three children: David, who is married .and living in Alexandria, Virginia and Paul, 22, and Billy, 18 now living in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Brother Stocks began his career in 1933-34 as editor of the Baldwyn Home Journal, a weekly newspaper. In 1935 he went to Washington and entered government service. After serving briefly in two federal agencies. he became assistant clerk of the Committee on World War Veterans Legislation of the House of Representatives. He then served for six years as secretary to the late Representative John E. Rankin of Mississippi who was co-author, with Senator George Norris of the bill creating the Tennessee Valley Authority and who took the lead in the fight for public power and rural electrification.

While in government service, Brother Stocks preached extensively in the Northeast under the direction of the elders of the Fourteenth Street church (now Sixteenth and Decatur) in Washington. He was one of the leaders in the establishment of the church in Arlington, Virginia, and served for a brief period as its evangelist. A few years "ago he conducted two successful gospel meetings for that congregation.

In 1943 he resigned his position with Representative Rankin to become the evangelist of the Anacostia (now Southeast) church in Washington. Afterward he devoted all of his time to evangelistic work. He served os evangelist of Central (now Meadowbrook) church in Jackson, Mississippi; the Walnut Street church in Dickson, Tennessee; the Howard Avenue church in Tampa, Florida the Belmont church in Nashville, Tennessee; the Academy Street church in Dickson, Tennessee; the Jackson Heights church in Florence, Alabama; and the Highland Avenue church in Columbia, Tennessee. While living in the latter location, he served as President of the Maury County Association for Retarded Children.

In October 1963 Brother Stocks became evangelist of the church in Falls Church, Virginia where he served until his death. He was beloved by this congregation which experienced deep spiritual growth during his tenure. A strong supporter of all Crhistian causes, he gave unlimited support to the congregation's program to carry the gospel to the Eastern European nations, which he considered to be the church's greatest challenge in the twentieth century.

Brother Stocks was on the staff of the Christian Chronicle in its early years, and has written for the GOSPEL ADVOCATE, Finn Foundation, 20th Century Christian, Power For Today, Tile Christian Leader and Tile Christian Magazine. He spoke on lectureship programs at David Lipscomb College, Pepperdine College, Freed-Hardeman College, Florida Christian College, and Mars Hill Bible School. He did evangelistic work in twenty-three states and the District of Columbia.

Services before a capacity audience, including many gospel preachers, were conducted from his pulpit on April 24, 1967 by Brethren Warder Novak, Otis Gatewood, Elza Huffard and this writer. Interment was in National Memorial Park, Falls Church, Virginia.

--- Gospel Advocate, July 31, 1969, 489-90.