COBU DICTIONARY

WOULD YOU LIKE A BLESSING?

All were baptized into Stewart Traill. In every sense of the word: his teaching, his concepts, his view on life, his skepticism of other Christians. Go and learn what this means.

Blessed are you who are able to get free from the grip of Stewart Traill and the Church of Bible Understanding. For you who are able to overcome his lies and curses will have a great reward.

COBU DICTIONARY

In every isolated society unique expressions, sayings, ways of thinking and speaking or language related to that environment developes. Although we do have another section that is just a list of "The famous COBU Sayings," in this section we've used a color code: all sayings and phrases are alphabetized, bold and underlined in black, our explainations, descriptions or the origin of words or phrases that we used in COBU are in brown, definitions of words used are in green and any scripture references are in blue and the RSV (Revised Standard Version of the Bible) was used. We will do our best to try to explain, define, give some context, and even add a hind sight view at times of the language that developed in the FF/COBU world that we found ourselves in for a portion of our lives.

In groups like COBU, these phrases were our own special language with hidden meanings and intentions. Many times Stewart Traill was known to say that "he wasn't the issue" and we beg to differ with his assessment by showing point by point, saying by saying, just how much he actually was "the issue" with all of the counter-Christian thoughts and behaviors in COBU and the F.F. This is our COBU to English dictionary and if you can think of any definitions of any of the expressions, sayings, phrases, or words that developed where you lived in the group, that we may not have remembered or even a different use, understanding or definition of something that we already included, please feel free to forward it to our email address:info@freefromthegrip.com thank you! Any sayings that the writers did not know anything about have been left with no explanation. All contributions are welcome, enjoy!

As Stewart always said, "What's REALLY going on here? ~ Check it out!

A

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump."
1Co 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
Gal 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
This language originated from the scriptures above, but the meaning it had for our group was that if you had a little of anything, that it would quickly become part of the whole, or part of our fellowship. This is one of the ways that the entire fellowship became overwhelmed, filled with, inundated, or consumed with wrong teachings. A little leaven leavens the whole lump ~ means that it doesn't take much to fill the whole group. A little wrong teaching can fill the whole fellowship.
Here's one very simple application of this: the scripture says,

Mt 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

This teaching counsels that if anyone "sins against you" that you must speak to the person first in private, period.

Yet how many times did Stewart Traill insult, humiliate, or crush openly a brother or a sister in front of the entire fellowship?

And he did this not for "sins" they committed, but about things that were most of the time just minor negitive opinions: like telling a brother that he's lazy? When Stewart Traill probably had no idea what that brother had done before coming to the meeting. Maybe he was out picking up 8 people to bring to that meeting after a full day of work and was exhausted and appeared that way!

If Stewart Traill observed the counsel of just this scripture alone, and talked to a brother or sister privately with his "great insights" or "negative opinion" of what that person was about, this one change alone would have blessed the fellowship vastly!

Observing the counsel of just this scripture would have spared the hearts, minds, and souls, of not only the brothers and sisters who were wrongly accused, insulted, and humiliated openly, but could have spared the fellowship of having witnessed this example of completely unscripturally based behavior that Stewart implemented over and over and over again.

EVERY SAYING in this "COBU dictionary" where Stewart Traill openly questioned, exposed, ridiculed, irritated, punctured, or used verbal assassinations at meetings, that were directed at individuals ~ should have been addressed privately, period!

This also gave those in the fellowship an example that was completely unauthorized if one truly desired to comply with scripture.

This is just ONE example of how The Church of Bible Understanding LACKED: Bible Understanding.

This one example of practicing and teaching a behavior: that it's ok to insult a brother or sister at a meeting publically, that many other members wrongly immitated ~ is just one example of how a little leaven, leavens the whole lump ~ or a little "wrong teaching example" infiltrates the entire fellowship body!

Mt 5:22-24 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Mt 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Mt 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Mt 12:7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth;

Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Stewart Traill did not first go privately to brothers and sisters to speak to them about his opinions, thoughts or beliefs.

Stewart Traill did not exercise Christian humility.

Stewart Traill did not exercise mercy.

Stewart Traill treated the children of God worse than a slave, because in the Bible God counseled that even slaves could keep what they harvested, COBU brethren got nothing.

Stewart Traill was not interested in the grace of God, in fact, from 1971 to 1989 Stewart Traill admitted that he "missed grace" or that he missed the teaching on "The Grace of God!"

The Church of Stewart Traill never knew the grace of God, which means that he never knew Jesus: who was filled with grace and truth.

Stewart Traill did not know the first thing about Christianity, because in order to know what it means to "be a Christian" you need to know who Jesus is!

Stewart Traill did not know the peace of God, the joy of the Holy Spirit, nor patience, goodness, gentleness, nor any of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Stewart Traill is nothing more than a con-man, who conned the people of God out of their earnings, out of their peace, out of the blessing of marriage, stole their youth and continues to live "high off the hog" at the expense of those who are still "sucked in" to his deception.

[Def: Conned - A slang abbreviation for confidence, as in con man or con game. To con someone is to deceive or take advantage of a person who gives you their trust.]

With regard to "a little leaven" or "a little wrong teaching" leavening the "whole lump" or "filling the whole group", like the practice of "not going to your brother privately" before openly condemning or insulting him: Yes! Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"A man of your intelligence could afford to be much nicer." This was said by a brother to Stewart at a meeting, yet if a man is intelligent then would there be any need to "be unkind", especially to those who are supporting him financially?!

I guess you could say a man might be intelligent to "get others to support him" under the ruse of "making them think" that doing so is "the Christian thing to do" but to expect someone who is taking advantage of everyone, as Stewart did and continues to do, to actually have the Christian attribute of "kindness" is a bit of a stretch.

The brother was making a connection between "intelligence" and "being nice" or "being kind" ~ but I challenge that Stewart Traill was the opposite: he was nasty and insulting, and there is nothing "intelligent" about being hurtful, nasty, harsh or cruel no matter how "witty" "clever" or "insightful" one may think that he is.

If you would like to read more about this conversation, it's called: "What's my Name!?" To read just click here.

Gal 6:3 For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Jas 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:26 If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Job 6:14 "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Ps 109:3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.
Ps 109:16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted...

With regard to being unkind and teaching others to be this way, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Ah, good night!"Another Stewart Traill work over that he would proclaim loudly, if anyone had the audacity to walk out of one of his meetings, before he was done pontificating.

This behavior that Stewart expressed to anyone who had a need to leave after usually hours of sitting on a hard floor was not only harsh, but reflected a complete lack of consideration for anyone elses needs.

His need to "keep all eyes on him" or have "everyone's complete and undivided attention" is also very immature.

In a normal environment only infants are afforded the luxury of demanding this type of "constant" attention.

I've never known someone so insecure and in need of the FULL attention of every single soul in a very large space ~ talk about separation anxiety, poor Stewart really suffers from this condition.

With regard to offending those who needed to leave a meeting, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Allowance" This referred to the meager amount of money given to each brother and sister each week.

At one point we were only given five dollars a week, plus transportation!

This was after turning in our entire weekly income!

And signing over 100% of our annual IRS tax refunds!

Then it was upped to $10.00 a week and transportation needs!

What a wonderful way to hold everyone hostage!

We certainly couldn't "move out" or obtain better living conditions with that little bit of cash!

The supposed "teaching" on this wonderful bit of "fleecing the sheep" was that all of our money went "towards the group expenses" of rents, electricity, heat, and food purchased for everyone's use.

Yet, Stewart Traill, living in high property taxed dwellings, with high mortgages, household bills, mini air fleet, food and clothing needs met, for himself, his wife and five children, he always seemed to have large sums of cash on hand, that no one else was afforded.

Another fact many didn't even consider was that he himself never contributed one red cent to the cash that he had the freedom to spend at will.

With regard to the double standards of who got a pittance and who got the lions share of the financial profits of our group, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Always have an open Bible when you talk to the brothers."

"Am I speaking loud enough?" This phrase became popular especially at large meetings. Sometimes those who got up to speak could not be heard, so this phrase became a constant for many years if someone had something to say at a meeting. This may have originated in the MTC, I'm not sure. If the speaker could not be heard, then everyone would call out: "Noooo!" If the speaker could be heard, then everyone would call out: "Yesssss!"

With regard to insisting that we recite dumb catechisms, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"And the sister/wives had to wear their high heals when Stewart Traill took them out to dinner." "Sister/wives" was a term that Stewart Traill used to describe the women that lived in his home with him, that he gave "special attention" to. They were told that they would have "all the benefits of being wives" except the benefit of sex, although who really knows what did or didn't happen except those who were involved.

Interesting to note what the "values of Stewart Traill" are:
If you are contributing to the improvement of the finances of COBU:

you can be openly and privately insulted,

you can be openly and privately humiliated,

you can be openly and privately ridiculed,

you can be openly and privately accused of any whim that came to Stewarts mind,

you can be openly and privately belittled,

you can be openly and privately crushed,

you can be openly and privately manipulated, and

you can be openly and privately put down,

but what's REALLY MOST IMPORTANT to Stewart Traill is that when he takes one of his "sister/wives" to dinner: THEY NEED TO BE WEARING THEIR REALY HIGH HEELED SHOES! Unbelievable!

So, all of you brothers and sisters who are still in COBU now, keep bringing in the bucks for your acting King: Stewart Traill, so that all of his "sister/wives" can be sure to get their high heels on ~ the most important thing!

As was proven recently when one of the older brothers who left COBU saw Stewart Traill in a "high end" ladies dress shop picking out "his favorite, very revealing dress" for one of his current "sister/wives" ~ correction: his current "supreme: sister/wife" as opposed to the woman he is currently, legally married to: but in COBU Stewart Traill is King, and what he says is approved behavior for him, because everyone in COBU says, "Amen! Go Stewart!"

Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Stewart Traill looked at the young daughters of his cult-members lustfully all the time.
Eph 5:33 however, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
When Stewart Traill's second wife became physically injured after a car accident in the Bahama's, he separated himself from her, put her care on others, and told the brothers that "it's as though I'm a single brother now" since she became disabled.
1Ti 3:2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
1Ti 3:12 Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well;
Act 15:10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Mt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
Rom 4:4 Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due.
Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

With regard to who got "special treatment" "fancy shoes" "revealing dresses" and "private trips to dinner," while everyone else gets to "go to the work" and "bring in the money" and "sit for hours on the hard floor" and "be kept up to the wee hours of the morning when you had to go to work the next day" and "get insulted," yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"Anything said", followed by waving his hand up and down." This contribution actually is a description of a behavior of Stewart Traill's and not necessarily language spoken. It had to do with how at meetings when Stewart would bring up a "topic" or "thought" (whether long or short) he had a habit of "waving his hand" or "his hand and forearm" up and down. Some brothers also immitated this gesture.

With regard to mocking people by using hand gestures, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Applesauce." This was a popular idiom in the early days, it was used like, "shucks!" Sometimes it got shortened and some would just say, "You're saucing me!?"

"Are you acting properly toward the sister?" COBU was indeed 'The Church of Suspicious Doubting.' This behavior began with the way Stewart Traill spoke to the body and was infiltrated throughout the fellowship, as in: a little leaven leavens the whole lump. So, if any brother showed any interest in a sister, then it wouldn't be long before he was questioned about whether or not he was "acting properly" toward the sister.
The funny thing was that the brothers usually did "act properly" toward the sisters, except for Stewart Traill, who didn't treat anyone properly, publicly and especially not privately, according to the sisters closest to him.

It was said that Stewart had a "private access door" installed into the bedroom of the sisters of his choice.

It was said that the whole reason that Stewart was "motivated" to even have the "Grace Meeting" (the meeting where Stewart Traill confessed that he missed the teaching on the grace God), was because his wife Gayle expected him to "come clean" because he had been "caught."

Stewart Traill was never one to make any "public confessions," so at one time Stewart had a "come clean" mini-meeting with those he "trusted" or more specifically, they were brothers who he knew would "keep his confidence" or "keep their mouths shut" because Stewart Traill never intended to let the fellowship know about his "indiscretions."

1Ti 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure.

Stewart was big on "dressing down" brothers and sisters, but he wasn't known to make ANY admissions of wrong doing, or admissions of any kind, EVER!

Yet, he's gotten sloppy in his old age, now he doesn't seem to care what he does in front of who, not that that ever prevented Stewart Traill from acting unconscionable, as he did before us all the time.

One brother, who was interested in pursuing a sister went to Stewart for "counseling." During his visit he said that Stewart used a pencil to outline a sisters nipple, fondling her with the pencil, playing footsy with her, gazing flirtingly into her eyes, etc. right in front of this brother! The brother later shared this experience with another brother, who concluded that by Stewart's behavior toward this sister, who was not his wife, he was counseling him by his example: "Look, I do whatever I want, you do the same!"

Treating a "sister properly," Stewart Traill didn't treat anyone properly: publicly or privately!
Did anyone ever question Stewart about treating sisters properly? No one ever questioned Stewart about anything.

With regard to NOT "acting properly" toward the sisters, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Are you ashamed of Jesus?" Another workover from on high. Our fellowship was all about street preaching, so talking about Jesus was a regular activity, yet Stewart Traill was known to ask this question often. It was his habit to "suggest things" to make those in the group "feel guilty," even when we had nothing to feel guilty about!

Stewart would also say, "The brothers are ashamed of Jesus," in front of the sisters, and he'd continue by saying, "which is largely why they aren't getting married." Stewart Traill went out of his way to insult, shame, ridicule, and humiliate the brothers. He made it seem as though he was "for the brothers and sisters getting married," but he did all that he could to crush the confidence of those in the fellowship.

Stewart Traill was a master at making "false accusations and insinuations" like asking, "Are you ashamed of Jesus?" He knew exactly how to oppress the brothers and sisters. He knew that we would be sensitive about this accusation, because anyone who receives Jesus as their savior desires to please him and to be proud of him. So, what does a great manipulator like Stewart Traill do to manipulate the brothers and sisters, but work them over to make them hang their heads, and for what purpose? To keep them doing his biding and at the same time make them feel incapable of pursuing their own interests.

With regard to making the fellowship "feel like" they were ashamed of Jesus when we weren't, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you ashamed of going witnessing?" or "Are you ashamed of making Jesus known?" Yet another workover that Stewart Traill liked to throw out "in passing."

With regard to making the fellowship "feel like" they were ashamed to go witnessing when we weren't, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you dwelling in heaven?" Hard to dwell in heaven when fulfiling all the COBU requirements, but that didn't prevent anyone from giving you just one more question to work you over as you're preforming your daily obligations.

With regard to making the fellowship "feel as though" they weren't dwelling in heaven and making it difficult to do so: by focusing our attention on excessive physical goals and himself, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Are you going to be downright rude?" Stewart said this to a brother who was trying to contribute during a meeting. He got all the fellowship to join him in making the brother regret even opening his mouth. This was heard on a tape recording of the meeting, and on further reflection it was very clear that it was Stewart who was actually being rude to the brother. Stewart often turned the tables on people. He kept it up with that "are you just gonna keep being rude" accusation, until everyone in the room believed what Stewart was saying, yet it was Stewart who cut off the brother when he had only just begun to make his comment, it was Stewart who was nasty, and it was Stewart who once again redirected everyone back on him and his agenda.

With regard to accusing others of wrong behaviors: like rudeness, of which he was the biggest offender, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you going to be saved yourself?"

"Are you going to listen to the fellowship of the brothers?" This question was something Stewart and others would tout or use to persuade the brothers.
If someone was considered to "not be doing things the way that Stewart expected, desired, or preferred," this was just another workover to get the brother to tow-the-line, follow the "accepted protocol" or to stop whatever behavior he had been previously committed to and "listen to the fellowship of the brothers."
The biggest problem with this "advice," was that nothing was specific. Like many of the COBU workovers, everything was an innuendo or veiled insinuation, [def. innuendo: the act of saying something bad or insulting in an indirect way] that everyone was supposed to "already know," ~ which led to even more confusion or feelings of "I can never win" "I really don't know what they want from me" or "Why do I always have to be made to feel like I can never get it right?!"
COBU was a place where people were constantly trying to "do the right thing" while at the same time they were blamed for "just not getting it right."

With regard to insisting that brothers "listen to each other," even though he cut them to shreds, said he wasn't part of "their fellowship" and didn't listen to any of them, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you going to make a commitment or not?" could also be followed with a few: "Are ya?" "Are ya?" "Well, are ya?"Here again Stewart Traill is putting preassure on someone to say something that he didn't feel moved to say. COBU was so into pushing people and twisting their arms and hearts to constantly make over inflated, empty, abnormal, or unjustifiable commitments that were so vague that it was wise not to make some arbitrary promise just to satisfy the whim of Stewart Traill or the fellowship.
So many of the long winded "COBU inspired" verbal commitments that we were "expected" to say upon rising at a meeting, seemed to be "inspired" but when you really looked at what was said, it didn't mean a whole lot. The person still did the same things that they did every other day of the week and it seemed to be a harsh expectation to "make someone say something they didn't want to, nor did they even know what it was that they were saying."
Jas 1:19 Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak...
Mt 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter.
Taking the counsel of these scriptures into consideration it was actually very wise not to make elaborate, empty, commitments that your heart wasn't into. The fact that COBU forced this on their members by brow-beating and intimidating them into it, was not only harsh and irritating, but it also caused them to do something that was displeasing to God, even if it did satisfy the whims of Stewart Traill and his false church.

With regard to forcing others to make verbal commitments, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you going to please Jesus?" Those who are born of the Spirit of God have a natural desire to please him, but these workover questions that Stewart Traill leveled on us always left everyone to feel doubt about our hearts convictions. Most of the time we were exhausted, stressed out physically, oppressed by our sheltered existance, to the point that we neglected communicating with our families for months at a time and then Stewart Traill would hurl one of these comments at us that made us question if we really were into being "pleasing to Jesus."

This kind of question only led to more questions about our true intentions. If we were tired, we'd think down on ourselves, like: "Am I going to please Jesus, all I want to do is go to sleep." Stewart Traill didn't work, and he could sleep as late as he wanted and hurl workovers at us. Or if we had been working, and gathering others to a meeting, maybe we just really wanted to just take a shower, so we'd think, "Am I going to please Jesus, all I want to do is take a shower." So, if we couldn't answer this question confidently, even to ourselves, the workover took root and left us wanting. Stewart Traill took pleasure in making the people of God feel as though they were incapable of doing anything to please God, and he had no problems rubbing our face in it.
2Co 5:9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Gal 1:10 Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
1Th 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1Th 4:1 Finally, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more.
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Lev 19:13 "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
Hos 12:7 A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.
Pro 3:30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

With regard to insinuating that others had no interest in pleasing Jesus, when he was our only refuge in heartfelt prayers, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you going to sit there quietly?" Stewart Traill was rude to a brother during a meeting. The brother stood up to read a scripture at a meeting. Stewart cut the brother off in mid-sentence and accused him of "being rude," when in fact it was Stewart Traill who was rude. Stewart got everyone to join him in accusing the brother of being rude. When the brother finally folded and apologized for "being rude" Stewart asked him, "Are you going to sit there quietly?" Stewart Traill was very big on getting everyone to "shut up" so that only his voice could be heard; even if the Holy Spirit moved someone to share something, Stewart Traill had no interest in hearing anything other than everyone agreeing to whatever he was saying.

With regard to being insulting toward those who contributed financially, to get them to sit down and shut up, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you going to wail or are you going to work?" Just one of the many choices offered up to the brothers and sisters of COBU by Stewart Traill: "Are you going to work (something we did every day) or are you going to wail (complain)?" This workover was to stiffle any complaints, because if you were working you wouldn't have any opportunity to complain.
Col 3:13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Interesting that the scripture counsels us to "hear" each others complaints and after we hear the complaints of others, that we should forgive one another and so have peace; but in COBU we weren't allowed to even utter our complaints ~ that would be "wailing" ~ so Stewart took it upon himself to remove from us this blessing of peace by condemning the "freedom to even speak of the things that bothered us" ~ oppression was more important than being heard, according to Stewart Traill and his great wisdom.

With regard to accusing others of complaining, when in fact they were working and he was not, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you growing or withering?" This was a question usually asked of the younger ones. The question implied that if one isn't growing than their faith is shrinking or withering.

With regard to defining "growth" and getting others to constantly examine themselves, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you having a pity party?" This question was usually asked of someone who was feeling depressed, down, or sad. COBU and Stewart Traill offered no pity, so having a "pity party" was unacceptable.

Ps 17:10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
Ps 69:20 Insults have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
Ps 72:13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Mt 20:34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Mk 1:41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean."

With regard to not extending concern and accusing others of "desiring to be pitied", Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you hoping in the resurrection?" Although hoping in the resurrection is one of a Christian's greatest hopes, somehow the way it was asked of us seemed to insinuate that we weren't hoping in it hard enough. COBU had a way of twisting things around.

1Pe 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

With regard to confusing: the hi-jacking of Christian lives to use for his own interests with: whether or not we focused on Jesus' Resurrection, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you into your feelings brother?" Another workover when someone was visually upset or antagonized and wasn't supposed to show any feelings. Stewart Traill especially wanted the sisters to ask this of the brothers. Just another way to cancel any hopes of a possible relationship.

With regard to insulting any brother who was sensitive, something very attractive to a sister, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you loving your brothers and sisters right now?" Another question that is asked in an unbelieving way. Scripture counsels us "to love one another" many times so it automatically was something for Stewart to ask us in a way that insinuated that we weren't doing it. COBU was a fellowship filled with suspicious doubt. It's very difficult to care for anyone if you are constantly expected "not to trust what anyone else is saying or doing."

Jn 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Jn 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jn 15:17 This I command you, to love one another.
Rm 12:10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Rm 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
1Th 4:9 But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;
1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

With regard to filling our minds with the fear that we "weren't being loving," in the guise of perpetual questions, when he was consistently nasty, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you off doing your own thing?" Anyone who deviated from the latest popular behavior was said to be "going off on their own." This was actually quite difficult to even do, since we were always in "groups" in street preaching, the business, or going to meetings. Come to think of it, the only time we actually "went off on our own" was in trips to the laundrymat, scratch that, there were always groups of us there at the same time since so many of us lived in the same neighborhoods. One more thing we were accused of, but rarely were able to do.

With regard to not having the freedom to hear and do the will of the Holy Spirit within us, but only what he insisted we do instead, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you practicing being a son today?" or "Are you practicing being a daughter today?" This was one of the most rediculous things that was asked of us and that some used to ask of each other. I have never in my life seen a parent have to ask their child if they "were practicing" being their child!

With regard to the perpetual consideration of stupid questions, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you serving the flesh?" [Def: flesh - the physical nature of human beings] ie. Mt 26:41 ..the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. In COBU anything that had to do with sewing to our natural human nature was almost the same as committing sin. Yet even the scripture counsels:

Eph 5:29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church.
Jer 23:4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the LORD.
Luk 10:33-34 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
1Co 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
1Co 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?

The Bible counsels that it is good to take care of ourselves physically, yet Stewart Traill worked us like his own personal slaves, convinced us that we should turn over all the money that we earned and only gave us ten dollars a week allowance. Stewart Traill's care of the brothers and sisters in the fellowship was negligible. [Def. negligible: so small or unimportant or of so little consequence as to warrant little or no attention]

This was proof that Stewart Traill was a hireling, for he had little concern for our physical, emotional, or even our spiritual needs. His only concern was in getting us to serve his needs, accomplish his goals, and make sure the needs of his flesh were provided, while making us feel guilty for taking care of ourselves. Stewart Traill was a great manipulator.
Jn 10:12-13 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.

With regard to being accused of "serving our flesh" when we needed to take care of our basic physical needs and Stewart was free to indulge himself without impunity, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you trusting in the brothers' fellowship?" Whenever someone was perceived to be "acting out of line" or "expected to follow the latest protocol" they could be asked whether or not they were "trusting the brothers' fellowship" but this was all "cult-speak" to get someone to "do what Stewart wanted" since the brothers' fellowship was led by Stewart.

With regard to creating language that insinuated: doubt and suspicion and constantly pointing out that we were "untrustworthy" (while he was off on his own), yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Are you trying to push your own thing?" Another accusatory question to get others to "return to the regular program."

With regard to being constantly pushed around by Stewarts' relentless accusations, while he accused us of having a "wrong interest," and that "HIS interests" were the only ones WE needed to pursue, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

B

"Babies are like protoplasm, for the first year anyway." Another example of the complete lack of intelligence of Stewart Traill, who said this!

Doesn't he know that the first years have been proven to be the MOST FORMATIVE years of life!?
This comment shows how extremely selfish and insensitive Stewart Traill always was.

What parent after waiting nine months to deliver would want to spend any time away from their newborn?

Yet, Stewart Traill, in all his "infinite wisdom" made an effort to try to get new parents to leave their newborns in the care of someone else, so they could once again do his bidding!

This was the way he treated his own children, always leaving them in the care of others.

Some got sucked into his rediculous need for everyone to be in attendance at each meeting, his constant need for everyone to "sit around him in adoration," made you wonder who was more of an infant: our little ones or Stewart Traill?

The ones who took the time to be with their little ones, disregarding his insistence to spend all their time enmasse or with everyone else, they made the better choice.

Mt 12:34 You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Tit 3:2 ...to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.
Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Mt 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter.
Mt 18:3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Pro 3:30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
Jas 3:9 With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.

With regard to insulting precious babies, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"basis" Any new teaching was considered a "new basis."

With regard to the constant infliction of just one more "new basis" to expect devotion to, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"basket case." This was another cutting comment used to put down someone in the fellowship.
Mt 12:34 You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Tit 3:2 ...to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.
Jas 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.

With regard to making insulting comments to individuals publicly and teaching this unGodly practice, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Be fully honest and in the light" = Give us the real dirt on yourself so we can use it on you!

With regard to expecting everyone to expose dirt on themselves and calling it "being in the light, Stewart Traill was the issue!

With regard to "being in the dark himself" while pointing the finger at everyone else, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Behold, the hideout has become a prison." Stewart Traill said this countless times at meetings. He always seemed to be insinuating that those in the fellowship were "into hiding out" even though we were always front and center, ready to receive just one more beating.

In fact, throughout the 70's and early 80's unless someone was seriously ill or asked to do "guard duty" or had an "urgent job" everyone who lived in Manhattan/NJ came to ALL the weekly meetings that were held, especially at "The Diplomat Hotel" that we rented space from and then later, we used the 51st Street loft between 11th and 12th Street's in NYC.

So, this comment, "the hideout has become a prison" was another thing Stewart said to stress the already very stressed, committed members of COBU. He was basically saying that we were into "hiding" and that we "were stuck in our hideout," like someone would be "stuck in a jail cell."

The truth is that COBU had become very much like a prison, and Stewart Traill was our warden. Anything Stewart Traill said to us became "our daily bread." Stewart Traill bashed us weekly about "our behavior" that he was the main cultivator of.

The sad thing was that although we were the youth of the United States of America, most of us middle class and educated with at least a High School diploma and some had even started college ~ we still were unable to "break free from the grip of Stewart Traill and his false church of Bible Misunderstanding."

His complete hold over our hearts, minds, souls, and the strength of our bodies, being used to fund his empire, is a mystery that many are still trying to unlock.

With regard to accusing others of "hiding out," something he actually did all the time - off on his own, COBU became like a prison and our warden: Stewart Traill was the issue!

"blasted" ~ "So and so got really blasted tonight."That meant that someone got openly corrected and probably felt humiliated.

With regard to humiliating, offending or "blasting" individuals, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"blow your brains out" A phrase referring to someone who went out to sin deliberately.

With regard to being so provoking as to force others to feel a need to chose something to "take the edge off," Stewart Traill was the issue!

"blunder" A word used to criticize someone who made a mistake, especially in the days of the carpet cleaning business: "That was a blunder!" "What a blunder!" "How could you make such a blunder!" "I'm sorry, it was a blunder!" etc.
The Christian example of the apostles was that they always were looking for ways to bless, strengthen and benefit those believers who looked up to them, whereas in COBU, Stewart Traill was always making everyone feel as though they "just couldn't get it right" "there was always something else to feel guilty for" and his example of "cutting down" "condemning" "accusing" "irritating" and "offending" may have directly contributed to "feelings of failure" which resulted in "failing" and making mistakes or errors.

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,
Rom 1:12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
Mt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

With regard to overworking and stressing others to the point that exhaustion led to costly mistakes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Bottleneck" Stewart Traill said that the older brothers were the bottleneck of the fellowship.[def. bottleneck: a narrow route, a point of traffic congestion, someone or something that retards or halts free movement and progress]Just another way that Stewart blammed others for some lack that the fellowship had. For someone who had "complete and utter control" and "demanded complete control of all communication at the meetings" Stewart Traill insisted that "every negative thing" was "everyone else's fault" or in this case, "the older brothers fault."

So, that being said, Stewart Traill, the absolute commander-in-chief of the cult known as COBU was and is the only person responsible for the bottleneck, of any retardation of the members free movement, progress, or lack thereof.

With regard to insisting on ultimate control over the fellowship and being a bottleneck to anyone elses expressions of faith, yes, Stewart Traill definitely was the issue!

"Break yourself down" or "You have to break yourself down to leave." Anyone who "had enough" or "was sick and tired of all the crap" or "just needed to break free from the group" or "finally was given the last straw", they were considered to have "broken themselves down to that place, so that they could make an excuse to leave the fellowship."

Let's be real here: Stewart Traill was the master at "breaking all of us down," who were we to be able to accomplish this wonderful plan on our own!?

Us, we had no strength left after all the physical and spiritual stress that Stewart Traill obligated us with.

No, if we were broken down we were incapable of such a "wonderful accomplishment," no Stewart Traill, he was the most powerful force in our lives and if we were broken down to the point of needing to quit, than he was the chief manipulator of this wonderful outcome, of people who just "couldn't get enough of being pushed around by the boss man himself."

Too bad more didn't accept this "wonderful gift of God" and get the heck out of there sooner, but Stewart Traill, he was magnetic, and many were unable to release themselves from his electromagnetic grip! Too bad, heh?

Some were even known to have lost their minds due to the pressures of the group. They were indeed completely "broken down." Unfortunately, some didn't have the means to be able to "leave the group" and "make it on their own" ~ one sister "left the building" while still living in and began to talk to herself, couldn't be trusted not to leave the house properly clothed, would lift up her shirt in front of the brothers and was even known to urinate herself. This was one of the most devastating states that a once normal and healthy young person, was brought down to the place of being unable to maintain normal function and all to the credit of being pushed beyond her mental abilities can be laid at the feet of Stewart Traill. Yes, Stewart Traill was the issue. This was his mess. Unfortunately some were incapable of weathering the forces he inspired, and she wasn't the only one.

There are many who left the fellowship and were known to have had complete mental breakdowns, some even to the point of suicide.

If you were able to get free from this grip than we would say, "Count it a blessing," but if you are still deeply in the grip of this ungodly "workhouse," and are trying to get out, please send us an email and we'll see what we can do to help you to get free from the grip of COBU.

With regard to being taught to "break ourselves down" and constantly cutting us down, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue, no question!

"Brother Stewart's not the issue." This teaching was drilled over and over again, that we should never blame Stewart for anything, yet he was constantly into controlling communication and putting his "wacked out" teachings into everyones minds and hearts. He made sure no one put his teachings back on him. He never took the credit for all the harsh teachings and expectations that he put on the fellowship. He always wanted to make sure that any blame for anything rested souly in the hearts and minds of the people he was misdirecting.

And the question should be asked, if Stewart isn't the issue, since he is the leader, the teacher, and the acting pastor, than who is?

He was always shirking the responsibility for the things that he contrived as he leveled the weight of everything on the supplecants of the group. He was also known to say, "Jesus is the issue." Yet, it wasn't Jesus obligating the brothers and sisters into all kinds of crazy directions, for all kinds crazy of hours.

Act 15:10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Mt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

With regard to everything FF/COBU, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Brother, can I have your attention?" Stewart taught that if a sister "wanted attention" she should ask for it and not manuver for it. So, if a sister was "acting honorably" she would ask directly for attention, if she wanted it.
So, in COBU, Stewart had the sisters "coming on to him" and "asking him for his attention," interesting "manuver" on Stewart's part, the very "womanly thing" HE accused the sisters of doing!

With regard to getting the sisters to go to him for attention, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Brothers and sisters, does he know what he's doing?" Here Stewart implied that someone didn't know what he was doing. Stewart was a master at making public insinuations that were so vague that the "accused" after thinking about it would be hard pressed to figure out what had happened or what he had done that was so bad as to receive Stewart's wonderful gift of rounding up the fellowship to shoot down yet another unsuspecting brother for not doing much more than "attempting to contribute."

With regard to raising questions designed to cause doubt in ourselves and each other, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Brothers and sisters, I'm going to be personally responsible to Jesus" This was a saying that would be announced by someone about to contribute a comment at a meeting.

This also could be said privately, but almost seems like it's something to say to get others to leave you alone, like, "Look, I'm doing what I believe is right, so don't mess with me."

To this day no one has ever explained the meaning of this COBU Cult phrase.

Supposedly, it referred to an individual making a proclamation of "knowing Jesus' will" and having confidence that they were being faithful to that will.

Yet, the only "will" that any of us seemed to show commitment to, was the will that was presented to us ~ namely: the will of Stewart Traill.

This phrase is vague at best.

It makes a lot of assumptions, but has no definitive proof that the speaker is "doing anything of merit" or according to the plans or will of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.

It is a phrase that has no specifics and therefore cannot be challenged.

It was a phrase that was encouraged to be spoken, because Stewart Traill questioned someone and asked, "Well, are you being personally responsible to Jesus?"

And the correct response was, "Yes, I'm being personally responsible to Jesus!

This is how these meaningless phrases were born and were passed on among us, as if we were speaking some "profound truth" about our lives.

When all we were really doing was making empty boasts of a meaningless position.

We all assumed that because we were "doing the latest Stewart professed" obligation, that we were in fact doing the will of Jesus.

Stewart Traill was often heard to say, "When are the brothers going to be 'personally responsible to Jesus' and take their 'relationship with Jesus' seriously!?"

This was another oppressive work over that Stewart would throw out at a meeting, which purpose was to get the brothers to think down on themselves, to shake their heads and mumble agreements with the one person that never had a kind word for anyone and always was making others the butt of his own negative view.

When the truth was that without the brothers commitment to constantly working and earning the money for Stewart Traill's empire, he wouldn't have been able to sit in the financial security that the brothers and sisters provided.

Too bad Stewart Traill was never 'personally responsible' to earning a living himself, but instead acted as though he was 'above' that and that:

~ It was everyone else's job to provide for all of his needs!

~ It was everyone else's job to pay the mortgage for the properties that he had the luxury to call home.

~ It was everyone else's job to pay the high property taxes on the luxurious locations that Mr. Trail had the ability to call home, at others expense!

~ It was everyone else's job to pay for the food that went into his mouth and into the mouths of his own children.

~ It was everyone else's job to pay for the clothing that Stewart Traill put on his own back.

While it was Stewart Traill's job to make everyone feel as though they were never "doing enough" or never "being enough" or never able to have any confidence at all in the daily commitments that were labored over for the needs of the entire body.

Stewart Traill said that "he missed grace" for 25 years, just didn't see it at all! Yet, did he not also miss another Christian foundational teaching: that there is therefore NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Jn 3:17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

1Ti 5:8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Rm 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Stewart Traill consistently brow beat and condemned the people of God who sat before him, being quite irresponsible in presenting to the body the true counsel of God's Word.

Stewart Traill consistently challenged the truth of the Gospel so frequently that the fellowship had no resemblance of "being personally responsible" to what the scripture actually presented, but instead was into professing his own twisted impressions upon us.

Stewart Traill did not teach the Jesus as seen in the scripture, the Jesus of Grace, the Jesus who said that there in no condemnation in him, and therefore no one in COBU had any ability to "be personally responsible to Jesus" because we didn't even know who he was, nor was what Stewart Traill presented any reflection of Jesus at all.

With regard to getting others to multiply words with vague implications and commitments, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Brothers and sisters, you know what he's up to, don't you?" or "Brothers and sisters, you know what she's up to, don't you?" Another way to get everyone to be suspicious about someone. Everyone else was always accused of "being up to something" yet Stewart Traill seemed to be the only one who did things that were questionable, but didn't get questioned.

With regard to asking questions intending to break down trust and increase doubt in each other, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Brothers are dumb Adam." This could be referred to any brother for any reason. Stewart consistently was insulting to the brothers and taught the rest of the fellowship to follow his example. He rarely was known to take the time to build anyone up personally or publically. Meetings seemed to become one bash session after another. How anyone had the fortitude to stand up after his crushing blows, go back to their apartments and get any sleep, and lift themselves up the next day to fulfill another obligation of Stewart Traills' only under the oppression of his constant ridicule is almost miraculous.

[def. belittle - make (someone or something) seem unimportant. "this is not to belittle his role" synonyms: disparage, denigrate, run down, deprecate, depreciate, downgrade, play down, trivialize, minimize, make light of, pooh-pooh, treat lightly, scoff at, sneer at; condescend to, look down on, "he had been warned on two previous occasions to stop belittling those in his charge" antonyms: praise, magnify, lift up, encourage, enlighten, befriend, bless.]

With regard to belittling, labeling and insulting the brothers, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Brothers, is he just making a speech???" Everyone: "YESSSS!" This is the way Stewart Traill or Jim Griener or whoever the current acting oppressor is, would get the group to quickly cut down someone trying to contribute.

With regard to instigating others to be accusatory toward the brothers, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"buy salve" Rev 3:18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see."The scripture counsels that we obtain blessings from the Lord God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the very things we need to equip us, to make us able to increase our faith and hope in God.
One of these blessings was referred to as "salve," to anoint your eyes, that you may see. I don't know of this one being a COBU saying. One of us remember that there was a Bible study done on this verse.

With regard to never being a balm, a comfort or allowing us to see you for who you really always were, a reprobate, Stewart Traill was the issue!

C

"C. C.'s" An acronym for either "Church Christians" or "Contentious Christians" depending on the context in which it was used. Both were derogatory terms toward Christians outside the FF/COBU.

With regard to judging, labeling and insulting other Christains and teaching us to do it too, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"calculating" If anyone took more than a few seconds to respond to a question they could be accused of "calculating".

"Why are you calculating!? Just answer the question!"

Stewart Traill spoke this way to us and some who imitated him also spoke this way to other. This was one example of not showing any patience, one of the gifts that indicate that someone indeed has and is sewing to the Holy Spirit of God.
Gal 5:12 I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves!
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.
Gal 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

With regard to accusing us of calculating and the practice of it, while you were the cheif-calculator and manuverer, yes, Stewart Traill, you were always the issue!

"change your robes, eh brown pants? eh?"

"Children are like little snakes." I heard Stewart Traill make this harsh comment about one of our brothers 2 little boys, who were young enough to to be carried!

Stewart Traill liked when the little ones were out of sight and out of mind and especially not heard. Stewart Traill had his own children spend a lot of time in the care of others.

What would you think, if you heard someone tell a parent, while they are standing with their children in their arms, that: children are like little snakes?

Psa 140:3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the poison of vipers. [Selah]
Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Mt 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mt 23:33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
Rom 3:13 "Their throat is an open grave, they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."
Lk 3:7 He said therefore to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mt 12:34 You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to speak evil to anyone?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to be discourteous toward anyone?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to count others better than himself? Ever?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to show humility?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to be greatful to the brothers for taking care of all of his financial needs, housing and feeding him, his wife and 5 children?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to show perfect courtesy toward everyone?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to be considerate of the needs of the least of these?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to admit to any wrong doing toward anyone?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to offer any apology to anyone for his abusive conduct?

Has anyone ever known Stewart Traill to ever show any remorse for those he's pushed beyond their personal breaking point emotionally?

[def. remorce: deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. "they were filled with remorse and shame" synonyms: contrition, deep regret, repentance, penitence, guilt, compunction, remorsefulness, ruefulness, contriteness; pangs of conscience, self-condemnation, self-reproach; guilt complex "have you no remorse for what you did to your friends?"]

[def. factious - relating or inclined to a state of faction = infighting, dissension, dissent, dispute, discord, strife, conflict, friction, argument, disagreement, controversy, quarreling, wrangling, bickering, squabbling, disharmony, disunity, mutinous synonyms: divided, split, schismatic, discordant, conflicting, argumentative, disagreeing, disputatious, quarreling, quarrelsome, clashing, warring, at loggerheads, at odds, rebellious, antonyms: harmonious]

Tit 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.
Tit 3:8 The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.

Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.
Mt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Isa 45:10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in travail?'"

Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Therefore, as Stewart Traill did to the least of the brothers and sisters and their little ones, he did it also to the Lord God of Hosts and His Christ, our Lord Jesus!
And how does the Lord God of Hosts treat those who offend, insult, and show a lack of respect; in other words "the guilty?"

Exo 34:7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.
Mt 21:15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant;

With regard to insulting a man's little ones, having no scruples and being abusive, Stewart Traill, yes, you were the issue!

"Christian Brothers" The name of the Carpet Cleaning company and Maid Service business created so that the brothers and sisters of COBU could earn money and work together that began in the 70's in New York City and later moved to all the centers.

A bunch of sisters in a large room with a lot of phones would solicit for the business by calling people from the telephone directories asking if anyone wanted "a free estimate".

Squad leaders and a sister usually went on the "estimates" and scheduled the jobs.

All the brothers learned how to use the carpet cleaning machines and usually went in teams of two to do the jobs, taking turns to clean carpets and furniture and/or to fill and empty the machines with clean or dirty water.

We had a customer service department to take incoming calls and/or complaints.

Brothers turned in all funds, including tips, even though they wore poorly maintained clothing and sneakers.

Stewart Traill named himself an executive of the business and claimed for himself an executives "salary" although he took no part in any activity of the buisiness at any time. Once in a while he would attend the brothers business meetings as an observer.

For many years during the operation of the business, it was the main activity of the fellowship and very few had any time available for street witnessing. Although, once in awhile we took some time to go and do the "Art Show".

Many of the brothers worked from early morning until late into the night, bearly having any energy left to even get dinner and would sometimes only get sleep in the vans going to and from the jobs. The sisters, in addition to soliciting, also would clean the carpet cleaning machines late at night after all the jobs were done.

A common theme at the time was that "working in the business" was "pleasing to Jesus", although Stewart Traill seemed to be the one person who benefited the most from the great income that was made.

We still lived in the same shabby old buildings with the bathtub in the kitchens in NY City and still had the same old clothing many of us had when entering the group as teen agers; whereas Stewart Traill's living accomodations always seemed to get better and better, year after year: owning and flying aircraft and living in Princeton, in a former senators home with a pool.

With regard to using the labor, strength, and money earned by the brothers and sisters to finance his empire, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Christian, Person, or Young Woman: Which are you putting first?" At one of the meetings for the younger ones each of these were probably defined. If you are "acting as a Christian" you are probably "doing Christian things," or there must have been some definition for doing "person things" though I have no clue, maybe laundry? or "young woman things," what would this refer to: "flirting?" or "wearing high heels for Stewart?, not really sure, but once anything was "defined" for a group, then it became something else to question this group about whether they were sewing to "the right thing" or not.

With regard to the practice of "defining everything" and "putting questions" to everyone, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"COBU" This is the acrynym that stands for "The Church of Bible Understanding" the name that the "Forever Family" adopted after the Jan 1 Big Meeting in 1976.

COBU, best known for being a never ending confessional,

where there's no such thing as "too much information" (T.M.I.),

as Stewart insults, provokes, irritates, and humiliates openly the entire group and individuals, without speaking to anyone privately, about his "views,"

where no good deed goes unpunished, a joyless place, where condemnation is at a premium, and everyone looks down on themselves and everyone else too,

that's COBU, filled with a lot of very guilty people,

who are "made to feel that way" by the bloviated teachings of Stewart pompous Traill,

who knows how to use colored Flair marking pens, votes himself GOLD, lives in palaces, while the ones paying for your excessive living, themselves have slept on the floor in lofts, married or single: who were afforded no privacy, in low end housing, in bad neighborhoods, where the bathtub was in the kitchens and everyone shared one toilet stall per floor of four apartments, with 4 plus people in each one, that's 16-20 people per toilet!

Yet you take young girls shopping for fancy, expensive, and revealing dresses,

and the most important thing to you Stewart, is that these young women, that you dress up for yourself, that they wear really high heeled shoes, whenever you take them out to dinner!

And only old men, like you: Stewart Tanner Traill, are insightful enough to know how to "properly" give "special-attention" to and "take care of" the sisters "special-needs" in your very own private "dark room," where leud photo's hang prominently,

But these are the "faithful ones!" The only ones that are "so special" because you have allowed them, into your own "personal inner fellowship," and what makes them so faithful, some may ask?

They managed to "understand" your most "noteworthy teaching," arrived at after "intense research into the depths of the scripture": "That if someone wants something: "like attention", all they need to do is "ask for it!"

You know, that very deep mystery, "locked in the scriptures" that you have revealed: "Seek and you will find" "Ask, and it will be given, to you!" Wow! Heavy!

Even if the person they "want it from" is an old man, twice married, with grown children and grandchildren of his own! Definitely twisted!

and what of all the other "little boys" who aren't "zealous enough" to even date, even though they're older than 50 now, and have been providing each and every need of yours, and the groups, for many years; yet you claim that they "don't even know" the "very important facts" of how to give "special-attention" to women, (as you said, Stewart: "Marriage is not for little boys"),

That they should just "go to the work" constantly, please, without any wailing, complaining, questioning, or trying to look good, for the great and wonderful oz,

I mean you Stewart, you know, the guy behind the curtain, pulling all the strings,

of all the puppets, so that they can bring home: lots and lots of money,

so that you and your happy, little half-wives, sister-girlies, or flirty young things,

can be entertained: in your mansion, pool side, or at the Bahamas, via your church owned, personal aircraft,

you know, the "toys" you've acquired through the funds earned by the labors of others,

those others who you voted to be "living in sin" or "for the flesh," you know, those color coded little boxes on the floor, you made us sit in, colored: BLACK or BROWN,

even though, we who you judged so harshly:

scrubed rugs and furniture all day and through the night, did maid jobs, solicited estimates, closed jobs, maintained buildings, vehicles, plumbing and the equipment used for the businesses,

provided food for everyone, paid the rents and property taxes on all the church owned or rented properties, including the ones you've had the privilege to call "home" for you, your wife and your five children,

scoped out meeting venues we paid for with our labors, sat through all your lengthy meetings, where we were: put down, insulted, and stressed out!

As if you didn't even know, that it was we who made the money, that paid for your small fleet of aircraft, fuel, and hanger fees,

provided all the needs for and worked in the orphanages in Haiti, collected Salvage for "Olde Good Things" and at the same time brought in all the new converts, we witnessed to about salvation with "zeal pills" and The Art Show - that one of the brothers created, while you belittled his work,

and while you sold to us the idea that "for you to witness" would be "backsliding" and that the work of "gathering others" should be on everyone else! Brilliant! Stupendous!

because you needed to spend all your time in "interpreting the Bible"

as you were "acting very serious"

about "missing the grace of God" who is Jesus,

while on your way to "volunteering for the lake of fire,"

the commitment you taught each and everyone of the young people in your group to say, with a very loud voice, in front of everyone else,

or that lovely quote you teach: "I'm going to hell, but Jesus still loves me"

counseling that we should NOT pray: "hallelujah", or ask to be "filled with the Holy Spirit of God," except on the "one day" of our salvation: yet Jesus is the same yesterday, today & forever!

You've been known to accuse many, who received God's Holy Spirit of being filled with: "a wrong spirit," "an Eve spirit," "the spirit of lethargy" "the spirit of levity" and "the spirit of shame!" Don't you know that you speak to those who were given the Holy Spirit of God!?

Don't you even know that you're accountable for every careless word and that your behavior speaks volumns!?

You, Stewart, encouraged abandoning newborns to prolonged child care, because "babies are just protoplasm anyway," (according to You Stewart!) and as you've also been heard saying: toddlers are just: "little snakes," and mothers shouldn't nurse their newborns: because it took them away from your "wonderful meetings" or "the work!"

Another one of Your fettishes Stewart, is Your obsession with spanking:

You spanked your own children excessively with a 2X4 piece of lumber, as Your son testified, and said they shouldn't cry or they'd get "more wacks,"

then you had the brothers "discipline" one of your sons, using paddles, but because he wouldn't cry, he was taken to the E.R. (Emergency Room) for internal bleeding and the unsupervised brothers involved ended up with criminal charges filed against them in court, while You went 'scott free'

yeah, you're the guy who paid back the loan for your S&G high end Camera inventory, with the "exectutive salary" you appointed yourself from "the business" that you never worked in,

made sure that the sisters who ran S&G also "used funds" from the church to pay all their travel and living expenses, while you never turned in any money from those proceeds to the church, but keep all the profits in your own personal account,

this was as per the former bookkeeper: Roger Gonzalez, who prior to working at COBU was employed by The Rockefeller Foundation, the elderly, dignafied gentleman, who when you got permission to purchase the "Turboprop aircraft" with the intentions to resell for a profit for the church, according to Rogers notes, and ended up keeping it for yourself, saying: you never intended to sell it!

When he tried to speak to you about this decision, you "sicked the sisters" on him and said "he was out of line" ~ though he thought you were a finanacial idiot, increasing expenses instead of adding to the "fellowship fund," your own personal piggy bank!

How you are able to maintain that this group is worthy of "tax exempt status" claiming that it's a "charitable institution" when the only charity is the "Stewart Traill Treasure Chest Fund"

financed by all your faithful: personal eunuch slaves, harem, and other devotees, whose greatest skill is being able "to take a licking and keep on ticking," just for "daddy Stewart"

who said that "he wasn't our King!" and "wasn't the issue anyway!"

yet you had no shame, as you made your "grand entrances" at our meetings,

for all those who are bringing in the bacon, and fulfilling all of your extravagant, lustfilled luxuries and unreasonable quotas,

as you have one of your "walking arm candies" with you: who are not your wife,

and make sure that everyone who was waiting and waiting for you to make it,

had to give you their full and undivided attention, to every exasperating expression of your inflated opinion,

and the most important advise they can give to any visitor to this wonderful meeting,

that's going to be "really great" in your opinion, as you tell everyone that they're unfaithful,

is to be sure that they don't drink anything before the meeting,

because there are no "bathroom breaks" during a session, a profoundly offensive behavior,

to you who need everyones: complete and undivided, constant attention, just like a woman, to your every anal word.

And also, it's important to warn any visitor, to try not to allow themselves to pass any wind,

or they may have to raise their hand and make just one more confession ~ that You've actually expected!

Yes, this is the wonderful world of Stewart Tanner Traill, the only person in the whole wide world who has been granted the gift of the "true interpretation" of God's Holy Word, the Bible,

and the mysteries of "it's figure system" ~ wow, who knew!?

Some may think that you're a thief, but the truth is you're just a con-man who likes to parade around in front of those, who have no problem calling the guy who conned them, their "teacher,"

Even if all your followers act as though they are blind and cover for your every vile act, yet teachers are still to be judged with greater strictness!

Too bad those who currently follow you, lost the ability to judge for themselves a very long time ago!

As they say, "Yes!" and "Yeah!" after every minor bit of dribble that escapes Your lips!

And, were the doubters sorry?

They sure are! The sorry souls, that were left behind: unmarried, or perhaps divorced, childless, joyless, lifeless, offering up their daughters for your entertainment, shadows of their former selves,

holding the form of religion, but got no power, the lights are all out, and nobodies home!

Yes, Stewart Tanner Traill, that dissector of all things Bible,

admitted to everyone: that for most of the many years you were the acting grand poobah, that you missed the teaching of God's grace: who is Jesus: full of Grace and Truth!

but, yeah, Stewart completely missed him, just didn't get who he is at all,

but did everyone do what God had wanted, and run screaming from the room?! No?

Well, at least one of the older sisters, who had a clue about what that confession really added up to:

that she and many others who had invested years and years of her strength, and youth, and fortitude, to this crazy guy and his harsh cult of stupidity,

at least had the presense of mind to run, not walk, to the nearest toilet, so that she could hurl her guts out,

as you Stewart, true to your habit, called her out, for having the audacity of "stomping off"

while you weren't finished pontificating, the same asinine directions that you've been spewing out of your mouth for the last 43 years:

ya know, like how everyone should be sure to do a "zeal pill" on their way home at 2 am!

But yeah, this was the meeting that you confessed to "missing the grace of God",

but were you humbled in any way? Did you respect when others questioned your belated guilt?

Forget about it!

You went on as you always did: oppressing everyone and making some of the sisters come to tears!

So, what's the true meaning of C.O.B.U.?

It's The Church of Bloviated Undressers!

Yeah, Stewart Traill, a real wrecking ball,

and all his minions, I mean followers, learned to dress each other down,

just like he did to them at the last meeting!

Praise Stewart, the god of COBU!

[def. bloviate: to talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way.]
[def. undresser: or dressing down - a severe scolding, bawling out, castigation, chewing out, upbraiding, earful, going-over, rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to take the undressing with a smile on his face", "the undresser: person who performs the dressing down.]

With regard to the defiling and corruption of the fellowship, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

Pro 16:5 Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Exo 34:7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty...
Ps 10:3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
1Ti 5:18 for the scripture says, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery
Lev 19:13 "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall NOT remain with you all night until the morning.
Hos 12:7 A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.
Pro 3:30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth: (Jesus!)
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
Mt 5:22-24 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.
Jas 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
Jas 3:9 With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Rev 14:4-5 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are chaste; it is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are spotless.
Rev 19:1-6 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants." Once more they cried, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" And from the throne came a voice crying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great."
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Tit 2:4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
Isa 40:11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Pro 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.
Isa 49:15 "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Mt 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Mt 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Mt 7:21 "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Mt 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
Mt 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
Mt 12:7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mt 12:32 And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Mt 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter.
Mt 18:3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
Mt 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Mt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Mt 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

(This is about those who "go witnessing" but do not know the first thing about Jesus, full of grace and truth, instead: they "pretend godliness" "strongarm potential workers for their cause" and "play church" when in truth: it is a den of iniquity, a foul stench in the nostrils of the Lord God of Hosts! Submitting to a mere man, who knows only the desires of his own heart.)

"COBU is the only church that has the Figure System of the Bible." This was a belief that Stewart Traill had about his "special ability" to understand the Bible. This belief was shared with the group so many times that we believed it too, who knew!

What is this wonderful "Figure System" that only Stewart Traill understood? In the Bible in many places one word can be used to "mean something else," and most of these are plain to see to anyone who reads the Bible. I learned these in Sunday School as a child, the names of Jesus, etc.
Those who were "impressed" by Stewart's "Figure System" did much to inflate his already swollen ego.

What would have been even more important to our fellowship, would have been if Stewart actually took seriously the basic teachings of the Bible and wasn't into disregarding the most basic aspects of Christianity: like not insulting others, like not manipulating others to do your duty as a father: not being harsh and letting others discipline your children,
Stewart seemed more interested in the "figures of women" and "unlocking the code of their special needs" than any "figure" or "code" of the Bible.

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Jn 10:6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Jn 10:9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture
Jn 16:23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.
Jn 16:24 Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Jn 16:25 "I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father.
Jn 16:26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
Jn 16:27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father.
Jn 16:28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
Jn 16:29 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure!
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
Jn 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jn 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jn 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
Lk 12:2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
1Ti 3:2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
1Ti 3:3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
1Ti 3:4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way;
1Ti 3:5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?
1Ti 3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil;
1Ti 3:7 moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

With regard to "the Figure System" most were spelled out plainly, it did nothing to free anyone, and it was a vehicle of pride and boasting, and yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Coming to the light" or "He (or she) really needs to "come to the light" This was usually said to provoke someone to 'give up dirt' or to 'make negative confessions' about presumed wrong behaviors, that ended up making the person look down on themselves and cough up anything to get the spotlight off of them ~ but the actual Christian teaching is something completely different. We naturally notice negative things and this provoking and accusing caused all kinds of "false confessions" to be expressed. COBU was a breeding ground for "false guilt". One brother said that he finally knew what it felt like to actually sin and receive forgiveness after he left the group that we call : The Church of Suspicious Doubting!

Jn 3:20-21 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

The Bible's version of 'coming to the light' is about coming into peace with God.

With regard to exacting confessions of guilt from those who were not guilty, while Stewart Traill openly made countless examples of misconduct that he never admitted to, yes: Stewart Traill was the issue!

"contentious christians" This referred to any Christians who went to regular churches or were outside of our group.

In hind sight, this really referred to Stewart Traill, because he was the main spokesman, the one who contended against other Christians and taught to do so.

In the early days of the FF, Stewart would go to peoples churches and contend against the teaching of the church visited with a bunch of young people, berating the pastor in his own church and encouraging the youth to join him in heckling and putting down the pastor.

Later in COBU, Stewart discouraged the visiting of other churches. It seemed as though Stewart had a fear of any of the members going outside the group or such a need to be isolated that if someone visited the group with a conflicting view they were escorted outside COBU.

[def. contentious - causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. synonyms: disputable, debatable, disputed, open to debate, vexed, involving heated argument. "the plan had been the subject of contentious debate" synonyms: heated, vehement, fierce, violent, intense, impassioned (of a person) given to arguing or provoking argument.]

With regard to contending with everyone, or provoking arguments, while accusing others he doesn't know, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Cows." This was a derogatory term used by Stewart Traill and the other members of the group, to describe "older people" or anyone over 30 years old.

With regard to finding ways to insult others and teaching those who should know better to do the same, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Cultspeak dictionary" This referred to the way we spoke in the COBU cult.

With regard to the way we spoke to each other by the example of he who insisted that we listen to his voice for hours and hours, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Cursed is he who withholds his sword from bloodshed" The Word of God or the Bible is referred to as a "sword" ~ this teaching was that if you were sharing the Bible with someone that you should use it to penetrate any argument and lead the person to salvation.
Jer 48:10 "Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness; and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

With regard to teaching us to pester and provoke people to "say the prayer" or to "twist peoples arms" to bring them around, Stewart Traill was the issue!

D

"D.O.L." The acronym that stood for: "dirty old lady."

"D.O.M." The acronym that stood for: "dirty old man." The Bible Study that Stewart Traill seemed the most into delivering, and in which he seemed to have the most zeal in explaining, was "The Dirty Old Man Bible Study," and it seemed as though it was because he had the most first hand information on this topic.
[def. dirty old man - an older man who is sexually interested in younger women or girls.]
There have been many confessions by those who were there, by those who saw, by those who experienced, by those who were offended.

With regard to being a dirty old man, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"D.O.W." The acronym that stood for: "dirty old woman."

"Describe to me a perfect day, such that would make you smile." Not sure about this one, sounds like it could be "the perfect pick up line" by a 70 year old to an 18 year old, what do you think? Hope he had his dentures shinny!
Truth be told, there were no "perfect days" in COBU. The most perfect day was the one when you not only were out of this nut house, but when you no longer heard Stewart Traill's condemning voice in your thoughts, now that would be worthy of a smile!
Are you there yet?

With regard to making Stewart's leud desires = being pleasing to Jesus, for very young women, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"descriptive terms: lamb, young sheep, middle, older, older newly saved, man of God" When someone got saved and said the "Sinner's Prayer" they were considered a "lamb" because Jesus said he was the Good Shepherd.

When someone was still young in age, but had been saved a bit longer, they were considered to be a "young sheep."

When someone was a bit older and saved a bit longer they were considered to be "Middle brothers or sisters"

When someone had been saved for several years and was actively contributing both financially and in the leading of others they were considered to be "Older brothers and sisters."

When someone was older physically or in age, but just gave their life to Jesus by saying the "Sinners Prayer" they were considered to be "Older Newly Saved."

Jn 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jn 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

With regard to putting everyone else into catagories, while Stewart Traill remained in a class by himself, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Did you go witnessing today?" This was something that we asked of each other.

With regard to expecting everyone else to go out to the streets to bring in new converts and question each other, while Stewart Traill gave himself a free pass excluding him from this obligation, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"direction" This referred to advice given by Stewart or a new teaching learned at a meeting. "We just got a new direction." "Are you willing to take direction?"

With regard to Stewart Traill pushing unreasonable obligations on us, while he knew not grace, kindness, or even Jesus and had no right to tell any Christian what they should do, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Diving in all the way." That's what Stewart always did, "Dove in all the way, fully there!"
This phrase: "to dive in, all the way" was something we were all encouraged to do with any new direction from Stewart Traill.
Yet he claimed that "he wasn't part of our fellowship" does that make any sense? ~ He was either the creator and chief instigator or he wasn't, right or wrong?!

With regard to making others feel the need to commit themselves completely and blindly to every Stewart sanctioned expectation, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Does everyone trust what I've said?" After someone would make a statement at a meeting sometimes they would tack on a "qualifying statement" like this one, to which the body would then agree, if the speaker sounded confident, or disagree, if the speaker sounded weak in their delivery.
[def. perverse - (of a person or their actions) showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences. synonyms: awkward, contrary, difficult, unreasonable, uncooperative, unhelpful, obstructive, disobliging, recalcitrant, stubborn, obstinate, obdurate, mulish, pigheaded, bullheaded; refractory "he is being deliberately perverse"]

With regard to destroying the trust between all of us and then expecting us to ask everyone if we're trustworthy was perverse, and yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Doing the zeal pill." This refers to quickly giving out a stack of witnessing "tracts" usually printed on a file card ~ this is not having a conversation with anyone, just quickly handing out as many cards as you can, as fast as you can.

An older brother, who had contributed financially to the fellowship for more than 15 years, at a meeting challenged Stewart Traill openly with the statement:

"You don't even know my name!" "The children know my name! The brothers and sisters know my name, but you Stewart, don't even know my name!"

Stewart turned to Gayle and asked her if she knew his name, and then he countered with: "Do you go witnessing?"

He replied: 'You think the answer to everything is 'Doing a zeal pill!' that's ok for teenagers, but it doesn't answer the needs of the older fellowship.'
Instead of others realizing he had a valid point, as he walked away he overheard, "He was so weird to brother Stewart." Unbelievable!
The brothers in COBU never got a fair shake!
Stewart Traill can commit grand errors in judgment, yet could do no wrong in the eyes of the group ~ even when they were the ones who were often being offended, day in and day out, right or wrong?

With regard to offering simplistic solutions to complex life situations: like, that doing a "zeal pill" is the answer to the needs of 40 year old men and women, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Don't hope in children." In COBU, Stewart discouraged everyone from having any interest in our natural, human desires: like having children. This concept was really putting the cart before the horse, since even having a relationship with someone or dating was so taboo that those who decided to get together with someone often felt that they had to leave the group before they could date or marry.

Many finally did leave the group, married, and had children.

This teaching that Stewart Traill manipulated the fellowship into believing, by crushing our faith in God's love for us and by crushing our confidence, making us believe a lie: that we weren't worthy of entering into commited relationships, weren't "faithful enough" or "zealous enough" or "Stewart approved enough" or "financially sound enough" ~ when WE took care of every physical, spiritual, and financial need of the fellowship: including all the financial needs of Stewart Traill's cravings to obtain mansions, planes, and the maintenance of same ~ he disqualified us from any natural human desire, and used us to satisfy his own lusts of life.

This aught not have been so!

Why did we allow him to rob us so utterly!

Why did we enable him to manipulate us out of the blessings God would have gladly given us?

Stewart Traill used us to finance his empire.

Stewart Traill cared nothing for us.

Stewart Traill twisted our thoughts to do whatever he wanted.

Stewart Traill knew that men and women with families would be distracted from doing his every desire, namely making money to pay for his interests ~ while convincing us to disconnect from any interest of our own: like going on a date, loving one another, getting married, and having children.

1Co 7:33-34 but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband.

If the statistics of words are any indication of the importance of something,
than consider the number of times these words are in God's Holy Word, The Bible:

SON = 1,776 Times!

SONS = 1,227 Times!

FATHER = 1,028 Times!

FATHERS = 522 Times!

MOTHER(S) = 300 Times!

CHILDREN = 399 Times!

CHILD = 159 Times!

DAUGHTER(S) = 483 Times!

DESCENDANTS = 137 Times!

FAMILY(ies) = 265 Times!

OFFSPRING = 63 Times!

Stewart Tanner Traill cared nothing for the quality of our lives, as seen by where we lived and where he lived.

Stewart Tanner Traill manipulated men and women to be devoted to his interests.

Stewart Tanner Traill was a pushy, conniving, con man, who stole our hearts desires right out of our hands.

Stewart Tanner Traill was heartless in all the ways that he dealt with us.

Stewart Tanner Traill knows nothing of godliness, self-control, kindness, or gentleness.

Many of those who are still in COBU are in their 50's and still haven't had the benefit of having a relationship ~ so being married or having children may no longer be an option for them.

When Stewart was 23 years old he met and married Shirley who was only 17 in 1959.

Stewart was a vacuum cleaner salesman and repairman living out of a school bus with his wife and little ones.

When Stewart was 35 years old in 1971, he was "hanging out" with teenagers that he was 20 years older than!

His wife Shirley and their 5 small children felt nearly abandoned, while he was "hanging out" with, as he called them: the kiddies!

Stewart was seen with his secretary on his lap wailing to her about "being neglected" at home!"

Stewart Traill's own father, a college professor and minister, disowned Stewart after he started The Forever Family, and insisted that he not attend his funeral!

Stewart Traill's youngest brother never even informed his family that he was his brother.

Stewart Traill, a licensed pilot, in 1975, flew to centers with his young secretary: Gayle, staying in the same hotel room together during these trips, while still married to Shirley.

Stewart Traill was 39 years old and Gayle was only 18.

Gayle joined the FF in 1971, when she was only 14 years old, having grown up moving around to various army bases as a child.

Stewart was seen acting sexually inappropriately toward Gayle by brothers early on.

Stewart Traill committed adultery first.

Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Stewart Traill's wife Shirley was angry at him in 1975 for spending weeks away from her and their children, choosing to stay with all the young women of The Forever Family he founded, and she dumped a bowl of sugar on his head at a diner, yelling at him for abandoning his family.

In 1975 Gayle was only a few years older than Stewart's oldest daughter.

Shirley said if he could go out then she could too!

Stewart then accused Shirley of adultery and divorced her, although the man he accused her of "being with" she had only had dinner with twice, according to a news article, while Stewart spent nights in a hotel room with Gayle, while still married to Shirley!

Stewart had one of the brothers take his 5 children from Shirley to a location out of state.

Stewart Traill, age 43 married Gayle Gillepie, age 19, December 1976. He was 24 years older than Gayle.

Some of the older brothers thought that the way Stewart went about divorcing Shirley and marrying Gayle was inappropriate.

One of the loudest brothers who questioned him and was talking to others, Stewart took up in his plane, asked if he'd like to move to Canada, then proceeded to do wild spins in the aircraft that made the brother feel threatened to "keep his mouth shut" ~ seems like a theme!

Stewart married Gayle at The Diplomat Hotel, where Stewart soon began having the New York Training Center meetings.

While married to Gayle some of the sister's of COBU who received Stewart's "special attention" were given the honorary title of "sister/wives" or "half-wives" while many brothers and sisters have been told that they aren't "zealous enough" to have relationships or get married ~ having children, not an option!

Stewart Tanner Traill actively provokes those in his charge, very unChristian ethics.

Stewart Tanner Traill's manipulation of our lives was unconscionable!

There is definitely a double standard at the COBU cult, right or wrong!?

Pro 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Stewart's desires got fulfilled at our expense.

Stewart disconnected us from pursuing our own hopes, and we became heart-sick.

Php 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Stewart always looks to his own interests.

Php 2:21 They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Stewart "told us" that "hoping in marriage" did not please Jesus.

What he failed to share was that he didn't even know Jesus!

Stewart Traill admitted to "missing grace" or "missing the teaching on the grace of God" who is Jesus!

Stewart Traill was graceless.

Stewart Traill was Jesus-less, or without Jesus.

Stewart Traill insulted Jesus ~ how?

Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Stewart Traill didn't bother to get to know us either.

The New Testiment shares that to marry is no sin!

Jesus did his first miracle at a wedding!

So, Jesus was not against marriage; Stewart was.

So, Jesus was not against us having relationships, marriage and children, who knew!?

This was something that Stewart feared greatly!

1Co 7:28 But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin...

According to scripture there is no sin in marrying, yet Stewart made even having a relationship in our "outfit" next to impossible.

As soon as a brother showed any interest in a sister and did as the fellowship advised and "talked to the brothers at a brothers meeting" suddenly, the sister that he liked got shipped out of town! This happened a lot!

Another interesting manuver on the part of Stewart Tanner Traill:

Counsel every one that he needs to be "in fellowship" with "the brothers,"

Then as soon as he extends his trust, by sharing what's on his heart, then the true mischief begins:

Trust is violated, when time after time, things that were shared privately, became public knowledge.

1Co 7:36 If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin.

Stewart Traill did not behave properly toward his own wife, who he left to care for his five children, while he "entertained" and "was entertained" by "the kiddies."

Stewart Traill did not act properly toward Gayle, but corrupted an innocent girl.

Stewart led Gayle into adultery.

When questioned by the brothers about "being with" Gayle, while Shirley was home tending their children, he answered, "How do you know that Gayle and I aren't married?"

Stewart had no problem twisting the standards of "faithfulness" to meet his own perverse interests.

Yet, Stewartd consistently judged brothers and sisters faithfulness based on any idea that popped into his head.

1Ti 2:15 Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

This scripture points out that God set it up that a woman's salvation was directly linked to bearing children, the product of marriage, that Stewart Traill corrupted even the idea of having relationships!

This was a sick and perverse teaching that came directly to the fellowship through Stewart Traill.

Stewart Traill convinced the brothers and sisters that none of us were equipt to enter into relationships.

Stewart Traill condemned us to being his own personal, joyless slaves!

Stewart Traill prevented the salvation of the sisters, through the blessing of bearing children.

Mt 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus likes children!

Jesus likes to bless his people with a fruitful life!

Jesus wants his people to have the joy of having children!

Jesus' concerns and Stewart Traill's concerns are very different!

Stewart Traill prevented relationships, marriage, and the joy of having children.

Stewart Traill's cunning manipulation was divisive!

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.

Stewart Traill's obsession with insisting on his own way, preventing us from pursuing relationships, mocking brothers, telling sisters their interests were: fantasy, while he pursued extravagant interests and unrighteous interests (how right or how righteous is it to sleep with a woman while married, especially a young woman only a few years older than his child, who put their trust in him?), all these things and more point to a lack of the fruit of the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

Stewart was swollen with conceit!

[def. conceit - excessive pride in oneself. "he was puffed up with conceit" synonyms: vanity, narcissism, conceitedness, egotism, self-admiration, self-regard; pride, arrogance, hubris, self-importance; self-satisfaction, smugness; informal=big-headedness; literary: vainglory, "his extraordinary conceit" ]

Stewart Traill provoked everyone in the fellowship constantly!

[def. provoke - deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry. "Rachel refused to be provoked" synonyms: annoy, anger, incense, enrage, irritate, infuriate, exasperate, madden, nettle, get/take a rise out of, ruffle, ruffle someone's feathers, make someone's hackles rise; harass, harry, plague, molest; tease, taunt, torment; rub the wrong way; informal:peeve, aggravate, hassle, miff, needle, rankle, ride, rile, get, bug, make someone's blood boil, get under someone's skin, get in someone's hair, get/put someone's back up, get someone's goat, wind up "he wouldn't be provoked"]

Stewart Traill was all these discriptions of "provoke" and more!

Stewart Traill was not a good example of Christian or Godly virtues.

Stewart Traill liked to play church, play God, have everyones constant attention centered on him and his interests.

Stewart Traill was ungodly.

Psa 127:3-5 Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

God would grant the brothers and sisters sons, a great reward, had Stewart Traill not taught the false teaching concerning marriage.

The Lord God would have gladly granted the brothers and sisters the blessing of relationships, marriages and sons, had not Stewart Traill been a bottleneck, a false teacher, and preventer of realizing the fullness of God's abundant blessings.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them!

God said that a man is happy who has many sons!

God teaches that having sons is as vital to a man as the need for a warrior to have the tools of his position: his arrows.

Stewart Traill prevented the happiness of the brothers and sisters, by his teaching of preventing marriage.

The sons of one's youth! When we were young we were occupied with serving Stewart. Now the brothers and sisters are old and still are childless! We trusted in an ungodly and corrupt man

Stewart Traill departed from faith in God.

Stewart Traill gave heed to deceitful spirits.

Stewart Traill submitted to a doctrine of demons.

Stewart Traill violated the brothers and sisters in his corrupt manipulation of our thoughts ~ that were not God's thoughts, and our beliefs ~ that were not God's beliefs for us.

Stewart Traill deceived us.

Stewart Traill twisted who we were into his likeness instead of God's likeness.

Stewart Traill submitted to a doctrine of demons!

The doctrine of demons get off on seeing the people of God oppressed, robbed of God's blessings, robbed of the joy of life and peace and the love we could have realized.

Stewart Traill, like the demons, got off on seeing us oppressed.

Stewart Traill, like the demons, took pleasure in seeing us cringe.

Stewart Traill, like the demons, have one motive: to break in two the strength and power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Stewart Traill, like the demons, took pleasure in mocking our blind faith in one unworthy of it.

Stewart Traill lied to us.

Stewart Traill did not fear God.

Stewart Traill had a seared conscience, he did what was unconscionable to the brothers and sisters.

Stewart Traill instituted the forbidding and prevention of marriage, which God gave us as a blessing.

2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.

God is into saying 'YES' to His sons and daughters, Stewart Traill was always about saying, 'NO!'

Stewart said to God's sons and daughters:

No! to listening to the still small voice of the counselor, the Holy Spirit ~ just listen to my voice! Stewart said.

No! to having the freedom to pursuing the understanding of God's personal will for us as individuals ~ just listen to every counsel of Stewart Traill!

No! to pursuing the relationships that God would lead you into, as God led those of old to the mate that woud be a comfort, as the Lord God would always extend a "Yes", but Stewart, contrary to the Lord God, always said, "No, and prevented what the blessings of God that you could have received.

Stewart Traill, like the demons, is a deceiver.

Pro 12:9 Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.

Stewart Traill did not know the concept of humility.

Stewart Traill did not work for himself and the needs of his family, but he stole from us everything that he has aquired.

Stewart Traill always played the great man.

Stewart Traill is a game player.

Stewart Traill played games with those who trusted his counsel.

Stewart Traill's biggest game was that he was a godly man, when he missed God, as he missed grace: The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory!

Stewart Traill lacked bread, because that is something that satisfies.

Stewart did not satisfy anyone: not you, not God, not Jesus, not even his sons, daughters, or wives.

As it is written:

1Ti 5:6 whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

This scripture points to a woman, yet I say that it describes Stewart Traill, who has been self-indulgent from the beginning, for:

Pro 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.

Stewart Traill's actions prove what he is about.

And what did his actions prove? They proved:

2Pe 2:3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words;

Did not Stewart Traill exploit you with false words?

Was not Stewart's heart filled with greed?

Did not Stewart grasp and covet his own indulgences?

Did not Stewart Traill oppressed that he might obtain the lust of his own heart.

Are you following a dark Traill? Jesus is the light!

With regard to robbing the men and women of one of the greatest joys of life: having children, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Don't let the gate hit you on your way out!" [def. from Urban dictionary: A metaphor for: "I think you should leave. Do not pause or delay while you are leaving." Generally used when the addressed has been complaining about circumstances that the listener doesn't agree with. It comes from a time when doors were on spring hinges and if you paused in the doorway while exiting, the door would spring closed behind you and hit you on the backside.]

Stewart accused us of "being alone" and yet he was the one who was always "insisting" on being alone, especially when saying something like this, that meant: "Get lost and be quick about it!"

My mistake, Stewart wasn't "into being alone," he was just "into being alone with a sister of his choice!"

This phrase showed only one of many examples of how Stewart had no interest in listening to the brothers and sisters and their concerns. He didn't even try to show an attitude of Godliness.

If Stewart was truly "a man of God" then he would be concerned about the things that God was concerned about, like his people! Right or wrong!?

Ps 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Ps 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Ps 37:30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

Ps 37:39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

Ps 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Ps 68:3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!

Ps 97:11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. etc.

The Lord God of Hosts listens to the voice of his people.

Who are the righteous? Those who do right!

What is the work that the Lord your God desires of you?

Jn 6:29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

The will of God has nothing to do with the will of Stewart Traill or his false church of misunderstanding, right or wrong?

With regard to not being interested in the concerns of anyone else, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Don't make me your king." When Stewart commanded this, it almost seemed as though he was denying a position that we were putting him into, but the reality of his life in our midst had much more to do with his assumption of royalty, that he didn't deserve or earn.

What did we actually witness in the conduct of Stewart Traill in relationship to us:
He lives in a mansion with a pool, or the home of a former govenor in Princeton, also with a pool and excessive property taxes for every place that he's occupied, that we paid for!

Once I had the good fortune of living in one of the better buildings we had some appartments in, because I had a good job, but I was completely shocked when I got home around 6 pm from work one night, to find all of my belongings out in the public hallway, as a few brothers informed me that my apartment was "being given to others!" They said that I could find "my stuff" (meaning everything I owned: my clothing, my bed, etc) at the 51st Street loft when I found somewhere else to live!

So much for COBU giving a crap for those who support its every need!

For the next month or so, thanks to the kindness of a sister I knew: I slept in my sleeping bag, on the floor, between two twin beds, that were squeezed in a tiny row-house apartment. Later I was able to find a spot for my twin bed and armoire with most of the other brothers and sisters who lived in the run down building of 515 West 47th ST NYC. You know, the apartments with a bathtub in the kitchen, that the lid served as a table, and a single toilet stall with a pull chain water tank above our heads, that was out in the hallway and used for everyone on an entire floor, about 16 to 20 per floor of 4 apartments! It was really a challenge when the toilet would be "out of service" and one of the plumbing brothers was called in to unstop the clog! Oh, the joys of life in 515!

This was the building Stewart sold out from under us! Where many were stranded with their belongings out in the Street, as Stewart claimed that we should have "made other arrangements!"

Just what arrangements should we have made with our ten dollar allowance!!

Yet he claims "we made him our king" while he takes every kingly priviledge!

Stewart Traill chose to live luxuriously, like a King, at our expense!

Then there's also the lovely Woodruff Ave residence, in the worst neighborhood in Brooklyn, that COBU still owned up until the summer of 2014!

No one had any control over the opportunities that Stewart Traill availed himself of, nor did anyone force him to live in circumstances so far above our own.

Jesus, the Lord of Lords, chose to be with his disciples, yet Stewart has always chosen to live like a King, right or wrong?

Stewart Traill was consistantly late for meetings and he loved to make grand entrances.

Once, a few brothers were just outside the meeting venue talking to a brother who was struggling with temptations of committing suicide, as Stewart and Gayle approached, late as usual. Stewart looked at the 3 brothers with apparent anger and irritation and said to them sternly, "Brothers, why aren't you inside with the other brothers and sisters? Are you better than they are? I'm going in! Let's go Gayle!" as they bounded inside, to the meeting.

One of the brothers feared because of the way Stewart talked to them and he hurried into the meeting after them.
The other brother was provoked, because Stewart did not greet them, he didn't ask them how they were, He didn't inquire at all!
Stewart made an erroneous assumption about their reason for being outside and he accused the brothers of being one like himself, doing the very thing that he always did: counting himself better than others!

Stewart and Gayle seemed to look down their noses, condescendingly: a very non-Christian, unattractive and hauty attitude.

He seemed annoyed that his "Grand Entrance" had been slightly tarnished, just because a few brothers were talking together outside the meeting, a more selfish man I've never seen!

So once again, did we not witness Stewart Traill frequently choosing to make late, grand entrances, and did he not despise the brothers who had the audacity not to be collected together waiting with bated breathe inside for the Grand poobah, as he always seemed to expect homage or royal treatment, right or wrong?

[def. homage: special honor or respect shown publicly]

Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.

That's the Christian attitude, but not a Stewart attitude.

He also taught the fellowship to act better than others.

He especially taught us to look down our noses at Church Christians.

Christians who benefit many others beside themselves.

COBU wasn't about "giving" to others, it was about "taking" the earnings of those who became part of the group to fund Stewart's Kingdom.

Mt 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

This was another attitude that once again, Stewart chose the unChristian portion.

He was constantly putting the brothers and sisters down.

Stewart was always accusing everyone else of "not being good enough."

He said that we weren't "faithful enough."

He said that we weren't "working hard enough."

Yet, how good was Stewart?

How good is he now?

How faithful is he? Faithful to what? He appears to be most faithful to his own interests.

How hard does he work?

When was the last time he brought in a dime toward even his own personal living expenses? Probably hasn't, ever!

So, once again, he points out faults in others, that they aren't even guilty of, while he actually is guilty, yet doesn't care, why?

Because he's taken on the role of being a King, with Kingly benefits!

Rm 14:4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

Stewart passed judgment on everyone continuously. He acted as though we were his servants, and not that we were the people of God, and his Christ!

Mt 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus said this to the Pharisees, challenging them to look into and seek out what it means: that Jesus is about mercy and not about making a sacrifice.

Yet, Stewart was not merciful to the brothers and sisters, but he always expected us to make sacrifices so that his circumstances would improve, while ours didn't.

Stewart Traill expected all of us to work and work, while he lounged around, enjoying the luxuries that our labors produced.

If this isn't assuming a Kingly role, I don't know what is!

Mat 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The scripture counsels: do not despise, yet how much did Stewart treat us as though he despised us?

He separated himself from us, saying that "he wasn't part of OUR fellowship" as if "our fellowship" was beneath him.

And just the attitude he showed the brothers who were talking outside the meeting venue, he acted haughty, as though he knew exactly what "they were up to" when in truth he had no clue.

He didn't treat the brothers as they actually were: precious to God.

He didn't treat anyone in the fellowship as though they were precious to God.

Mat 18:12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

This was the attitude that the brothers had toward the brother who was distressed and on the point of feeling that life was not worth living anymore.

The brothers left the ninety-nine and cared for the one who was about to be lost.

Yet Stewart didn't have any idea that this brother was even in this state of mind. Why?

Because Stewart didn't care about the individuals, who were financing this "self-appointed" King's empire!

He was all about oppressing God's people, not about the good of the people.

Mat 18:13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

In the absence of godliness there is no joy.

Stewart Traill, even with all the luxuries money could buy, still acted like an unsatisfied and spoiled person: grumpy, demanding, always irritated and commanding: ya know, like a King!

Mat 18:14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

This is the attitude of the Lord God: that each of those for whom Christ died, and who accepted him: that they were very precious to him and that he does not wish that one of us, His chosen, should perish!

Stewart knew brothers and sisters were fed up and tired of being treated like Stewart's personal slaves, but he didn't care if they left, so long as we kept bringing in more and more young people to take up the work that they left behind!

Luk 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

So, once again, what is the Lord God and His son jesus interested in? They are interested in the one, over the ninety-nine

Yet Stewart Traill had not the insight, nor the consideration, to even inquire about the one.

He was not practiced in speaking personaly to individual brothers, ones not in his "inner circle," as shown by his habit to arrive late and leave very swiftly from any group functions.

Infact, Stewart seemed to make it his aim not to have any conversations with the brothers privately.

One older brother who had been around from the early FF days challenged Traill with a question, only to come away quite annoyed, that after years of contributing to the fellowship, Stewart Traill didn't even know his name!

Stewart Traill exacted the highest tributes, complete access to all the funds or you could say "the treasury" that WE the brothers and sisters earned and was at his complete disposal, while we received a mere pittance! Again, his choice, not ours. A Kingly sum: right or wrong?

[def. pittance: a very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage. synonyms: a tiny amount, next to nothing, very little; informal peanuts, chicken feed, slave wages, chump change]

When Stewart Traill decided to assign a color code to the floor of our entire 607 51st ST NYC loft and required that each of us sit in tiny square boxes taped off in various colors to depict what HE discerned as a color that coordinated with the condition of our faithfulness. Did he not judge that he was GOLD and sat up higher than all the rest of us on a chair, while we sat in our tiny square boxes on the floor!

Although every one of us, actively participated in daily Street preaching, daily Bible reading, and daily conversations with each other, yet he judged that the majority of our group had to sit in boxes that had colors representing that we were either "living for the flesh", denoted by the color: BROWN, (for Human Nature) or the color: BLACK that represented that we were "living in or for sin!"

Some of the louder, bolder and pushier brothers and sisters were granted the color: SILVER, a step down from Stewarts' GOLD!

Then there were some who proved that they could sit in a box with the color: ORANGE, who were judged as "living a Christian Life."

Yet Stewart Traill enjoyed the denotation of being the great and wonderful, most coveted, and the most honorable color in his code of who's who: GOLD.

So, once again, Stewart Traill usurped a Kingly position in the distribution of his color code. Kind of difficult for him to make all these judgments when he never even took the time to speak to any of us!!!

Stewart Traill accused us of trying to make him our King, when the truth of this mischief maker was plain to all who had eyes to see, that he grasped and coveted this role all on his own!

Did he not ride in royal chariots, namely aircraft, flying off to the Bahamas, that came with high priced hanger fees, maintenance and fule costs, that he used the money that brothers and sisters earned for his own extravagant lifestyle; while we had broken down vehicles and took the buses or road the underground subways? He went to the Bahamas, or fancy hotels, while we went to work scrubbing peoples dirty carpets and furniture, restaurants and movie theatres. Us try to "make him King" we didn't even have the energy to think of it!

Did he not lounge around, living a life of luxury?

Did he not command the submission of all?

Did he not have great expectations?

While he wasn't obligated to earn any money to contribute to the fellowship fund at all?

In comparison: we worked daily, long hours and gathered those who would visit and provided the needs of everyone in the group.

These examples are but a very few of a great many, but perhaps it is obvious enough of a view for all to recognize that his claim was far from the truth.

Stewart Traill, there was no truth in him!

The bottom line is this: Stewart Traill accused us of making him our King, when in truth, he was the one who carried the "figurative" royal scepter and granted himself the GOLD crown? Right or wrong?

Mat 23:1-17 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.

Stewart grabbed the best seat in the group! Stewart preached a great many things: especially that everyone else work but him.

They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

Once again, another scripture that Stewart Traill was guilty of doing the very thing Jesus taught against: binding HEAVY burdens, having great EXPECTATIONS, hard to bear and not doing ONE THING to lift a finger to build up the finances that he spent. Who took the role of KING?

They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.

Again, this scripture describes the way Stewart behaved: into looking good infront of the fellowship, taking the best seat, and being called teacher ~ when the behavior he demonstrated was harsh, ungodly, and unworthy of honor; a false teacher and a theif!.

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. According to this scripture we were all to be equals under God.

And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Stewart Traill expected us to respect us as we would our own fathers, but he had not the compassion or the grace of a father.

Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.

Did not Stewart Traill command us as a master commands those beneath him?

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Stewart, be our servant? Never happen!

Stewart wash our feet? Never happen!

Stewart be humble? He doesn't even know the meaning of the word!

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Now this is more like the way Stewart Traill operates!

Preventing men from having the confidence that they are pleasing to Jesus.

How many felt condemned?

The very thing that we were to be made free of upon our salvation!

How can Stewart Traill enter heaven when he hasn't built up any treasure in heaven, by obeying the counsels of God's word?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

Stewart Traill behaved among us more like the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus warned us against.

Leading the younger ones to "volunteer for the lake of fire."

Having the younger ones say that they were "going to hell, but Jesus still loves them!"

What kind of Christian doctrines are these?

Teaching that God's sones and daughters are condemned to hell!?

What kind of teacher, teaches a new Christian that they're going to hell!?

This teaching is demonic, devilish, and evil

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'

You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?

Stewart Traill turned things upside down! Stewart Traill, like the Pharisees:

always loved the best seat in the house,

the best house,

the best aircraft,

the best sister/women/wives,

the salutations at the meetings,

the making of grand entrances,

the binding of heavy burdens on the brothers and sisters,

the crushing of our confidence,

the exacting of our wages,

the adulation of the people,

the causing of our young ones to make oaths to cast themselves into the lake of fire!

Who the heck do you think you are!

I'll tell you who you are:

You're a blind guide!

You're a hypocrite!

You're a brother to none!

You're a servant to none!

You're a low-life!

You're a wolf in sheeps clothing,

You hide beneath your facade!

You're a usurper of honor and majesty that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord God Almighty!

You're a sneak thief! No, actually you just robbed us right in front of our eyes, unconscionably!

[def. facade: a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation, a false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect, deceptive, lacking integrity, lacking honor, lacking substance, cheap, false, imitation, a fake, a fraud, insincere, camouflage, cloaked, double-dealing, faithless, threacherous, betrayer...]
[def. adulation - obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise. "he loved the adulation of his followers" synonyms: hero worship, worship, idolization, adoration, admiration, veneration, awe, devotion, glorification, praise, flattery, blandishments]
[def. usurper - to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: "The pretender tried to usurp the throne." to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully]b
[def. facade - a superficial appearance or illusion of something: "They managed somehow to maintain a facade of genuiness." synonyms: false front, veneer, bluff, disguise, fake, mask, phony, guise, pretense, window dressing. antonyms: reality, truth, charachter, personality]
[def. unconscionable - not right or reasonable. "the unconscionable conduct of his son" synonyms: unethical, amoral, immoral, unprincipled, indefensible, unforgivable, wrong; unscrupulous, unfair, underhanded, dishonorable "the unconscionable use of test animals" antonyms: ethical, 2. unreasonably excessive. "the time they had to wait was unconscionable" synonyms: excessive, unreasonable, unwarranted, uncalled for, unfair, inordinate, immoderate, undue, inexcusable, unforgivable, unnecessary, needless; informal: over the top]

The Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord God ALMIGHTY are the only ones who are worthy of all our praise, honor, and glory!!

Stewart Traill took what he did not earn. He exacted what was not rightfully his! Even the beasts were granted their fodder, but the brothers couldn't even keep their own tips!

1Ti 5:18 for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Rm 13:7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
1Pe 2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one.
2Pe 1:17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,"
Rev 4:11 "Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created."
Rev 5:12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Rev 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!"

We also cover this topic of Stewart acting as a King over us in two other sections of our website, checkout: 'Steven Kaung's talks about COBU' at the end of the page and under 'COBU Lies' around number 702-774 or just do a search for the word: "king."

With regard to acting as a king over us, an assumption of royalty he didn't deserve or earn, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

With regard to Stewart Traill taking on the role of King, while accusing us of "trying to make him king over us," yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Don't maneuver for attention; ask for it." Another wonderful "teaching" from our faithful leader. In Stewart Traill's world, a woman maneuvering for attention was serious sin. Yet how much maneuvering did Stewart Traill do in our lives? He maneuvered our lives in many, many ways, as you will find all through out this COBU dictionary, but for now, we will just say that Stewart Traill was a great manipulator and a the cheif mischief maker in the society we found ourselves in.
In addition to manipulating women especially, to go to him (or brothers) and "ask for their attention" which in the gospel according to Stewart Traill, was "proper behavior for a sister" yet, in the real world was: mortifying, asinine and subservient.

[def. subservient - prepared to obey others unquestioningly. "she was subservient to her parents" synonyms: submissive, deferential, compliant, obedient, dutiful, biddable, docile, passive, unassertive, subdued, downtrodden; informal: under someone's thumb "subservient women" less important; subordinate. synonyms: secondary, subsidiary, peripheral, auxiliary, serving as a means to an end. antonyms: independent]

With regard to Stewart Traill telling the sisters they shouldn't manuver for attention, but should ask him for it, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Don't witness to someone over 25." This applied more when we were teenagers, but I don't think it still applies to the over 50 set that's still in COBU now, but come to think of it, I think the group has outgrown witnessing and Bible reading. I heard that all they do now is work for "Olde Good Things" where they salvage run down buildings and re-sell what they salvage at exorbitent prices.
This was a phrase that referred to when we were still teenagers, going street preaching with our open Bibles and Stewart advised that we focus our energy on those who were our age or at least under 25 years of age.
Stewart Traill wasn't really interested in the "older set" getting saved and coming around. This may have had something to do with not wanting to "be exposed" by those who could see what he was "up to" far better than the "under 25" group that he "preferred to hang out with!"

With regard to directing our lives and telling us who we should or shouldn't talk to, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Doubters will be sorry." Stewart said this about all those who didn't believe in his "vision," especially his vision about us "going around the world" yet I don't think he's succeeded in this one yet, right or wrong?
Stewart loved to call us "doubters" while at the same time instilling constant doubt in us and causing us to doubt ourselves, right or wrong?
Wish we doubted Mr. Traill long before we did, but if you're still in COBU, if this website has done anything to open your eyes about the true condition of the "COBU King" and his life of stress and workovers, you too can get free from the grip of Stewart Traill and his false church, God really wants to bless you and free you from the grip of Stewart Traill and COBU!
Do you want a blessing? Contact us at our email address: info@freefromthegrip.com

With regard to accusing us of being doubters, while we were carrying out every bit of Stewart Traill's expectations, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Dragging your feet" When something was uncomfortable and you didn't really want to do it, but felt compelled to do something that was expected, you were doing it, but dragging your feet the whole time, or just reluctant in general. Could just be a trip to the laundry.

With regard to being dead on our feet because of excessive obligations, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"draining" or "drained" Stewart would go into a 30 minute tirad about how the older fellowship were draining the younger ones. Or if anyone would ask to be "heard" by the group they were accused of "draining the fellowship" or going round and round.

This term was often used in the question: "Is he being draining?" or "Is she being draining?" when anyone would attempt to share something, and everyone would answer: "Yesssss!" and the speaker would be shut down.

This term was also used as a way to harrass each other. If someone didn't want to hear what someone else wanted to say, they could quickly shut down the conversation by accusing the speaker of "being draining."

Stewart Traill was the biggest drain on the fellowship, because he was the one who drained the spirit from the meetings, with his constant nit picking.

Everyone would be fine and he'd walk into a meeting and the whole place would get drained and then everyone would withdraw.

Stewart drained our energy, he drained our hope, he drained our ability to chose our own interests, he drained every ounce of our strength, he drained our confidence, he drained our self-worth, he drained the brothers of their masculinity, he drained our meetings of any joy.

If anyone took any joy in anything Stewart had a way of putting that person down, draining them of the ability to maintain the joy that God may have granted. Stewart Traill was constantly bringing down everyone else so that he could be inflatted by comparison.

With regard to draining the brothers and sisters and blaiming everyone else, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"DULL brother." Just said of a brother who wasn't particularly enthusiastic or didn't seem to have an upbeat or spiritual attitude.

With regard to insulting the brothers and teaching everyone else to do it too, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Dumb Adam" This comment could be referred to any brother, for any reason, at any time: "So and so is acting like a real dumb Adam." Another example of Stewart Traill insulting the brothers and teaching others to do the same, right or wrong?

[def. derogatory - showing a critical or disrespectful attitude. "he is always making derogatory remarks" "a derogatory remark" synonyms: disparaging, denigratory, deprecatory, disrespectful, demeaning; critical, pejorative, negative, unfavorable, uncomplimentary, unflattering, insulting; offensive, personal, abusive, rude, nasty, mean, hurtful; defamatory, slanderous, libelous; informal: bitchy, catty]

With regard to having numerous cutting and offensive discriptions especially for the brothers, for whom Christ died, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

E

"Everyday not hoping in the second coming of Jesus is a day wasted" This was one of the ways that Stewart Traill got everyone to be constantly "hooked in" to "his program." To keep everyone "on point" was to give them a "hope" that was so far outside of the sight of the common brother and sister, so as to keep us focused on an intangible to make sure that all of our realizable efforts were focused on his agenda, right or wrong?

With regard to making sure that we understood that "hoping in the second coming of Jesus" equaled: doing the latest COBU directive, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Every time you embrace Eve, you get weaker and weaker." Stewart Traill said that the sisters were "run by the spirit of Eve, a spirit of manipulation" and his counsel was that the brothers should keep their distance from the manipulation of the sisters or they would get weaker and weaker.
This was covered already in another saying that included the word Eve.
Yet, in this example you see how Stewart Traill was manipulating the brothers to not have anything to do with the sisters, right or wrong?
At the same time, he gave counsel to the sisters to continually interrogate the brothers with questions that would irritate and frustrate them, right or wrong?
Most of the men and women of COBU became members while still in High School. We lived in fellowship houses or apartments and spent all of our time together, yet very few dated, ever! Right or wrong?
Some who made attempts at dating were accused of "being in the dark" or "out of fellowship" or they were moved to different locations to prevent the relationships from continuing.
Until the fellowship is currently filled with many sisters who may be in menopause, and no longer have the ability to even have children, a blessing from the Lord according to many scriptures, right or wrong?!

Stewart Traill worked at preventing relationships, marriage, and the opportunity to have little ones, and he thinks he's a man of God!
Cobo was and is a harsh society that is very far from being a place of Godliness.

Mt 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
1Ti 2:15 Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

According to this scripture, by preventing marriage and thereby preventing sisters from the blessing of bearing children, Stewart Traill came in direct conflict with the salvation that the Lord God desired for them to experience in this life.

With regard to putting a derogatory label on the sisters for whom Christ died, and naming them "Eve," the first woman who was deceived, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

F

"Faith or Feelings." This was a teaching of Stewart Traill, where he said you were either into faith, or into feelings and there was a lamb lesson that had this as it's title.
Interesting that the way scripture speaks about faith and those who were examples of "having faith" had to do with going outside of a comfort zone, or not "following the crowd," yet in COBU anyone who didn't "follow the current direction" was treated as though they were out of line or out of fellowship.

With regard to preventing brothers and sisters from truly exercising their faith, by teaching them to constantly stay within the acceptable boundaries, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"fantasy life" and "You're hoping in a fantasy life" This was what Stewart Traill told us, over and over again, that "we were hoping in a fantsy life" he especially connected this idea with any considerations we had of having relationships with each other or with regard to the interest of getting married.

Yet, Stewart Traill never even asked us anything about what our personal interests were or what our dreams or hopes included.

Stewart seemed to be very big on "mocking all of our interests" and putting the label of "fantasy" on anything that we were interested in or might want to do.

The only thing that Stewart thought was important to us was the daily drudgery of performing menial tasks or work that supplied all the funds to the fellowship.

This could be applied to various aspects of our miserable existence, where we would naturally hope for any alternative, but the fearsome forbidder of an abundant life would mock any entertainment of such hopes.

The pittance of allowence alloted to the brothers and sisters left the idea of having any fantasies very far outside of our reach.

Intersting to note, that while he was condemning anything connected to our having a "fantasy" of any kind, Stewart Traill, with all the funds we supplied, has realized numerous and costly fantasies of his own!

Stewart purchased, with the funds we supplied, high end cameras to sell for a profit that he keeps for himself, his personal interest or hobby.
Even though he uses the free-labor of the sisters to obtain this interest.

Stewart bought aircrafts to fly around in.

Stewart married more than once and has attractive young women in his home to entertain him.

Stewart lives in a mansion.

Stewart has a built in pool.

Stewart had the "gift" of insisting that we "do his bidding" as if only "his interests" were worthy of "our time and strength."

Could you see Stewart doing anything to advance anyone else's interst? As many of us extended ourselves for his?

I wonder what the "actual" interests of some of those sisters, who take care of Stewart's camera business might be?

Or would those interests fall under the subject of "fantasies" too? You know, the things you hope for, but know you'll never be able to have!

Somehow it was really easy to confuse "unrealized hopes" with "faith" as in:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Yet, some of us had to be very creative to even do anything outside of the "Stewart-expectation box" or the box where all we were allowed to do was: go to work, go witnessing, go to meetings to be insulted, ya know, the joy and blessings we endured!

One of my co-workers taught me to knit and I had the ability to create a sweater to give to my baby sister who I left behind when I moved in. To let her know that I loved her and was thinking of her even if I didn't have the freedom to spend any time with her while I was living in the "sweat-shop" of accumulating funds for the cult of my youth. I'm thankful that I at least realized a few instances of being able to a be a blessing to my loved ones in creating gifts.

So, our fantasies were a thing for Stewart to "put down and discredit," but his fantasies were able to be his realities, at our expense!

Just another example of the double standards that were our reality in the cult named COBU!

Stewart cursed the idea of us having the ability to realize our dreams and fantasies, he put a curse on the idea of us even having any hopes or dreams outside of accomplishing his objectives, saying that they were "God's interests."

Stewart led us to believe that his interests were God's interests

Yet would Stewart trade places with any of us?

Mt 25:40 ..as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Pro 3:29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you.

Did not Stewart plan evil against we who dwelled trustingly beside him?

Lk 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Lk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

It would have been wise for us to take ourselves outside of his control and use the strength and skills of our lives to seek God to fulfill the benefits and blessings he would have gladly extended to us, had we only had the wherewithall to use the funds we were able to earn to find our own interests realized. As he says in:

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Deu 28:6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

Act 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Act 9:37 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

Act 9:38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay."

Act 9:39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

Act 9:40 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

With regard to being accused our interests were a "fantasy" while Stewart used the funds we earned to realize his interests, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Fat people have many problems." Stewart implied that those who were "fat" bring problems on themselves. Problems they need not have.
I remember one sister who had to take a medication that affected her weight. I believe it was a steroid that she had to take for life due to a health complication. Steroids are known to cause weight gain. Stewart did not resist being verbally insulting, without knowing individuals, nor what they suffered.
Stewart Traill only seemed to be interested in the size of a woman's waist line, and was condemning toward anyone with a weight problem.

With regard to being oppressive and insulting toward those with weight related issues, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"F.F" This acrynym stood for "The Forever Family", the name used for the group that began in Allentown, PA in 1971 until Jan 1, 1976 Big Meeting when Stewart Traill announced that we needed a new name, and the group then became: "The Church of Bible Understanding" which is sometimes called COBU for short, and is still in operation.

With regard to everything FF/COBU, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"finest of wheat" Ps 81:16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
Ps 147:14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

"Folly!!!"

"food browns" In Stewart Traills "Color Code" the color brown referred to "our human nature" and the flesh, so if someone was seen being "into food" even if they were just having a good dinner after working hard all day, someone might say that, "He (or she) has "heavy food browns."

With regard to labeling every natural need and desire, that then became something else to judge ourselves and each other over, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"FREAKED OUT!"

"Fully there!"

"Fully, fully in the flesh!" Another example of a constant need to "verbally make confessions." This was "wordage" that brothers and sisters felt obligated at one point while in COBU to spout out in group situations.

Here is another good example of how COBU twisted our belief system, to believe and speak out publicly that we were doing something contrary to being a Christian.

This activity is demonic!

For those who have given their hearts to God in prayer, and who are commited to the point that they left their families and moved into a fellowship house, worked and gave in all their money for the general needs of the group, to then be expected to boldly proclaim, that they are "fully, fully "living for the desires of" the flesh! When in fact they are spending their days and nights: street preaching, bible reading, and sitting under the COBU leadership, was a teaching that was not only twisted and confusing, but was from the pit of hell.

Not to mention that "said leader" was in fact himself living fully, fully for his own flesh, at the expense of everyone else's labors.

With regard to being expected to confess to living for our flesh, when we are actually desiring to sew to God's Holy Spirit, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Fully, fully there!" Another example of the constant need to: "verbally prove ourselves."

I believe that this came about during the "young sheep training" days. Not exactly sure on the origin of this saying: fully, fully there ~ but it seems to be insinuating that some people "weren't fully, fully there" so that those who were, had to shout it out to everyone! So, what were everyone else who weren't shouting out that they were "fully, fully there," ghosts? Or just vacant shells!?

With regard to being expected to shout out asinine statements of where "we were at" while Stewart Traill sat back and mocked us for doing it, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

G

"Game players!" Anyone in COBU, beside Stewart Traill, could be accused of "being a game player," though what it specifically meant or what someone was doing that caused others to use the phrase: "game player" is vague.

It could refer to those who were being witnessed to, who refused to see their need for Jesus and salvation, because they were "game players!"

It could be used as an accusation of dishonesty.

It also referred to anyone who wasn't willing to "buy" or accept what we were "selling" or preaching about.

Stewart Traill was also known to call individual brothers and sisters "game-players" if they had the audacity to disagree with him.

Stewart Traill was also known to call visitors to our meetings who openly challenged him "game-players" too.
Stewart Traill was actually the biggest game-player in our group, for example:

He was constantly causing discord.

He was constantly using negative terms to insult others.

He was constantly baiting those who were taking care of him financially.

He would never allow anyone to challenge him.

He would constantly call on the group to push back anyone who challenged him.

He would constantly insist that the group blindly support all of his asinine teachings.

He would constantly call on the group to back his nasty cuts of us and others.

He would enlist the brothers and sisters to trash one another at meetings.

He gave birth to our cutting each other openly, so that we would also do it privately.

He had a vicious and vile streak of the insidious undermining of others.

He was constantly pitting the brothers against the sisters.

He liked to undermine the confidence of others, while he enjoyed inflating his own confidence.

He was constantly seeing if he could get a rise out of anyone.

Stewart Traill himself could be said to be the epitome of a game-player.

Stewart Traill played the game of being godly; when he had no virtues.

Stewart Traill played the game of being a church-leader, when he was really just a mob-boss.

Stewart played the game of "caring for the brothers," while he mocked, insulted, ridiculed, and withheld what was rightfully theirs: money earned, respect of the sisters they supported financially for years, being treated with honor - because they were honorable.

Stewart played the game of "caring for the sisters," while he mocked, insulted, ridiculed, and withheld what was rightfully theirs: money earned, respect of the brothers, an opportunity to date the brothers without being accused of being in a "fantasy," while he isolated some of them away from others, in his home, where he did underhanded and inconsiderate things to them ~ offending some of them physically while they slept and many other thing offensive things were done to the sisters which some were open and some more covert ~ but never as the scripture counsels: with kindness and as you would treat a daughter or young sister.

Stewart Traill played the game of being righteous, when he was: dishonorable, offensive, and did underhanded things all the time.

Stewart Traill seemed to enjoy watching the brothers squirm.

Stewart Traill seemed to enjoy making the sisters feel ashamed.

Stewart Traill seemed to enjoy watching the brothers and sisters get out of his verbal traps, a very difficult thing to accomplish while under his oppression.

Stewart Traill seemed to have a perverse interest in doing things that offened others.

Stewart Traill liked showing on a slide projector at The Diplomat Hotel meetings: photo's of Gayle scantily clad on the beach, seductively holding a bunch of grapes, and many more provocative photos ~ after he had conned all of us into thinking that we weren't eligible for relationships, that they would be "fantasy," in the guise of "showing the fellowship photo's from the orphanage in Haiti, that we were all working so hard to support, a real game player!

Stewart Traill was a master manipulator, a devious mischief maker and the epitome of a very cunning and cruel game player.

Stewart Traill did sick games on the men and women of god, with a smile on his face and in his heart, as he cut us down and crushed our hopes.

Stewart Traill dressed Gayle in very expensive, reveiling dresses: with slits all the way to her high cut string panties, low cut in front, wearing high heals, and would then seductively "make out with her" provacatively tonguing her, open mouthed, in front of older brothers and sisters who he had publicly torn down the confidence of to the point that they felt worthless and incapable of dating. I was there.

[def. epitome - a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. "he the epitome of being heartless" synonyms: personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon; essence, quintessence, archetype, paradigm; exemplar, model, soul, example; ]

[def. heartless - displaying a complete lack of feeling or consideration. "heartless thieves stole the stroller of a two-year-old boy" synonyms: unfeeling, unsympathetic, unkind, uncaring, unconcerned, insensitive, inconsiderate, hard-hearted, stone-hearted, cold-hearted, mean-spirited; cold, callous, cruel, merciless, pitiless, inhuman "Amelia had known more than her share of heartless men" antonyms: compassionate, sympathetic, empathetic, understanding, caring, solicitous, sensitive, warm, loving (ya know, like God & Jesus & real Christians); merciful, lenient, tolerant, considerate, kind, humane, charitable, big-hearted]

[def. vicious - deliberately cruel or violent. "a vicious attack of charachter" synonyms: brutal, violent, dangerous, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, callous, cruel, harsh, cold-blooded, inhuman, fierce, barbarous, barbaric, brutish, bloodthirsty, fiendish, sadistic, monstrous, malicious, malevolent, malignant, malign, spiteful, hateful, vindictive, venomous, poisonous, rancorous, mean, cruel, bitter, cutting, acrimonious, hostile, nasty; defamatory, slanderous;](ya know, like Stewart Traill, the guy who made everyone think that he was a Christian, when he was a cruel, devious and heartless jerk who his own father: a college professor and presbyterian minister and his own brother disowned. His father insisted that Stewart Traill not be allowed to attend his funeral. Stewart Traill was and is worse that the lowest of the low.)

1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Pro 3:29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you.
Jas 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment.
Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.
1Pe 2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Pro 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
1Ti 5:8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Jn 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
Did Stewart ever act as though he loved anyone but himself?

Jas 2:1416 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? Yet how many times did the brothers go without: time to rest, decent clothing, decent shoes, the respect of the sisters, the respect of each other, the respect of Stewart Traill: who they supported financially, and many other lacks thereof, etc.

With regard to being of the worst type of gameplayer, the type that is also a thief and devilish, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Gayle Helpers" Any of the sisters who lived with Stewart and Gayle, but assisted Gayle in her projects was considered a "Gayle helper."

"Get out of your head"

"Get out of your trip"

"Get Smart Get Saved" This referred to the COBU button, that was about three inches in diameter. Stewart Traill made himself a black button with these words in raised white letters. Those in the fellowship earned a red button that was mass-produced with these words printed on them in white letters. Those who got saved received a button after they they memorized the 12 salvation bible verses.

With regard to getting everyone in our fellowship to wear a bright red button that was obnoxious in nature, insinuating that we who wore them "were smart," while those who didn't were not, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"getting over on" ie: "That brother is trying to get over on us!" The frequent accusing each other of wrong doing or pointing the finger at each other, was a common experience, first at meetings coming down from the leader and then repeated by the rest of the group privately.

Our group became a very harsh place to live in and lacked the peaceful dwelling place that the Bible spoke of, as how those who have the Spirit of God could enjoy.

Harmony was not the general feeling experienced by those who lived in COBU, right or wrong?

Stewart Traill introduced this idea of individuals and brothers "trying to get over on" us, even though the "brothers" were part of the "us" involved. This "teaching" that Stewart said was to "help us" not to let others "mislead" us, actually worked to get us not to trust each other, since we were always "considering" if someone in our group was "trying to get over" on us.

In hind sight, and after seeing who got what and who didn't, and who was older than everyone else and was most able "to get over on the rest of us" that person was Stewart.

Pro 24:28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
Rom 15:5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus
Col 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Gal 5:26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

With regard to teaching us not to trust each other and allowing Stewart Traill to "get over on us" yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Gnawing the desolate ground." Job 30:1 "But now they make sport of me, men who are younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
Job 30:2 What could I gain from the strength of their hands, men whose vigor is gone?
Job 30:3 Through want and hard hunger they gnaw the dry and desolate ground;
In the church of our youth, Stewart often said, that we were gnawing the desolate ground! If this is indeed a fact, that what we fed on was not lush, green pasture, was not the finest of wheat, was not like the refreshing, cool Spring waters, was not the land flowing with milk and honey, than why not!? Why not!? Because you can't give what you don't have!

Stewart Traill did not feed us lush, green pastures, because he had none! Right or wrong!?

Stewart Traill did not give us the finest of wheat, because he had none! Right or wrong!?

Stewart Traill did not give us the refreshing, cool Spring waters, because he had none! Right or wrong!?

Stewart Traill did not give us the land flowing with milk and honey, because he had none! Right or wrong!?

Every time that Stewart Traill accused us of not having the blessings of God, it was because he was not filled with the blessings of God! And he did not give us the blessings of God!

If you don't stock the pond, how can you expect to find what you never invested in!?

Stewart Traill invested in the desires of his own flesh and then blamed "the fellowship" for gnawing the desolate ground!

If we were gnawing the desolate ground, it was because that was all that was available to us after being fleeced by the "great coveter" of all that we had, right or wrong?

Eze 34:8 As I live, says the Lord GOD, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep;
Zec 11:17 Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword smite his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!"
Neh 9:20 Thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them, and didst not withhold thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Pro 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

A worthless shepherd is one who does not feed the sheep: Stewart Traill

A worthless shepherd is one who does not remove the brambles from their wool. Stewart Traill

A worthless shepherd is one who does not lead them to the gentle, cool waters: Stewart Traill, always gave us brackish to drink, that was harsh, accusing and irritating!

A worthless shepherd is one who does not protect them from the enemy, but actually is the enemy ~ Stewart Traill: a wolf in sheeps clothing!

A worthless shepherd is one who abandons the sheep, to play with the little sister/wives! Yeah, that was you Stewart, you alone!

A worthless shepherd is one who lets them gnaw the desolate ground that he led them to, yet blamed them for feeding there! Right or wrong!?

A worthless shepherd is one who leads the flock into the very pitfalls and tretcherous places that are overwhelming to them, yet turns and says, "I'm not part of YOUR fellowship!"

Stewart Traill was into "being off on his own" while accusing everyone else of doing it!

Stewart Traill was into "being alone" while accusing everyone else of doing it!

Stewart Traill was into being "alone with a sister" while disallowing relationships!

Stewart Traill was into "speaking harshly, and cruely to the fellowship" yet saying he had nothing to do with it!

Stewart Traill was into being a hireling! Who cared nothing for the brothers and sisters!

Stewart Traill was into being a deceiver! Who cared nothing for the brothers and sisters!

Stewart Traill was into mischief! Who cared nothing for the brothers and sisters!

Stewart Traill was into his own interests! While preventing others from seeking their own interests!

Stewart Traill was into mocking the brothers and sisters and instigating them not to trust each other, when he was the one who was untrustworthy!

Jn 10:12-13 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.
Jn 21:17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Isa 58:3 'Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.

With regard to leading the fellowship to gnaw the desolate ground and not know the lush meadows nor the cool spring waters, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Go to the work." At a meeting, Stewart told those there: "Instead of saying 'that's a cop out', from now on just say, "Go to the work!" Another way to work each other over!
In COBU it was the brothers and sisters who were always sent to the work, right or wrong?
In COBU Stewart had nothing to do with the work, right or wrong?

With regard to insisting that everyone else "go to the work" while he hung out with the sisters and read dirty magazines, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Go to war against every wrong thing."

Stewart Traill always talked of war.

This came from his heart, from his soul, and from his mind.

He preached war.

He preached that we should war and debate with the unsaved.

He preached that we should war and debate with one another.

He was always at war with us.

He always was provoking toward the brothers and sisters of the fellowship.

Stewart Traill, against the counsel of the scriptures, was always insulting toward the brothers and sisters of the fellowship, a very "war-like" behavior.

Stewart Traill encouraged the older brothers and sisters to insult one another.

Stewart Traill encouraged the fellowship to push each others buttons.

Stewart Traill taught the fellowship that it was ok to be harsh and controlling, as he was an example of this behavior.

Psa 55:21 His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Psa 120:7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war!
Pro 25:18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Mic 2:8 But you rise against my people as an enemy; you strip the robe from the peaceful, from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.
Gal 6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
2Pe 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.

With regard to teaching the people of God to constantly have "war-like" attitudes, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Go wallow in the mire" After being accused, found guilty and condemned, it was common to feel down or depressed, to which you would then be mocked about your low feelings and told to "go wallow in the mire", or even asked, "Are you wallowing in the mire?" Also known as wretching, a way a lot of us felt after being put down continually.
[Def: wretch: an unfortunate or unhappy person.
Def: wallow: to roll about or lie about in mud or water to keep cool, to indulge in an unrestrained way.
Def: mire: a stretch of swampy or boggy ground, a situation or state of difficulty, distress, or embarrassment from which it is hard to remove oneself from.]

With regard to being made to feel as though one was "wallowing in the mire" yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"God is angry with you." This was one of the statements that Stewart said to us at the ST. John the Devine Big Meeting. Where Stewart said, "You see God with a big stick in his hand" and "God is angry with you" This was the same meeting where Stewart Traill publicly humiliated a brother and sister who just started to like each other and were head over heels about each other and Stewart Traill completely crushed this brother and sister to the point that they were overwhelmed and ended up breaking up. This was one of the quieter brothers, who was always faithful to "going to the work" So, why did we feel that God had a big stick? Because Stewart was the one walking around batting at us and crushing us and acting angry at us, when we did nothing to deserve this false witness. Stewart Traill did not reflect in his treatment of those in the fellowship that he knew God or that he knew the Jesus of the Bible.

Exo 15:13 "Thou hast led in thy steadfast love the people whom thou hast redeemed, thou hast guided them by thy strength to thy holy abode.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
1Ki 8:23 and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to thy servants who walk before thee with all their heart;
Psa 26:3 For thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee.
Psa 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Mt 22:39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

The way that Stewart Traill treated the brother and sister in front of everyone else was unconscionable.

He didn't talk to them personally and privately as the scripture counsels.

He completely humiliated and oppressed two people, for whom Christ died, and who God loves, yet Stewart Traill belittled them openly.

We shouldn't look at God as one who is angry at us and has a big stick, and yet, wasn't this the way that Stewart acted toward us!?

We shouldn't look at God as one who is angry at us and has a big stick, yet wasn't he saying to everyone in his treatment of this brother and sister: "Yeah, if you attempt to have a relationship, you can expect the same treatment!"

With regard to feeling as though God was angry with us and had a big stick, Stewart Traill's example, witness and the way he treated us contributed to this feeling, and yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"going off on your own" Anyone who deviated from the latest popular behavior was said to be "going off on their own."
This was actually quite difficult to even do, since we were always in "groups" in street preaching, the business, or going to meetings. Come to think of it, the only time we actually "went off on our own" was in trips to the laundrymat, scratch that, there were always groups of us there at the same time, since so many of us lived in the same neighborhoods.
One more thing we were accused of, but rarely were able to do, right or wrong!?
Stewart Traill was the only one who had the opportunity and actually did "go off on his own" while he got us to hover over one another continually.

With regard to being accused of "going off on our own" when we were always with one another, while Stewart was "off on his own," yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Going to war against the wrong things in me"

"Goodbye! Nice to see you!" This was another one of the ways Stewart Traill spoke to someone who needed to leave one of his overly long winded meetings, where he would pace around, expecting everyone to hang on his every word and if someone had a need to use the bathroom, get some air, go see their child in the nursery, or leave the meeting for any reason, Stewart Traill had to "call attention" to the fact that someone had the audacity to do nothing more than get up to stretch their legs.
This was also his way of conditioning everyone not to do this.

With regard to being treated as though leaving a meeting before being "dismissed" was insubordination, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely very rude and the issue!

"Greetings in Jesus!" Tit 3:15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Interesting to see how kind the early brothers were when they spoke to one another! At the closing of almost every letter in the New Testament, the final words were always, "Grace be with you all," yet somehow Stewart Traill managed to "miss grace" ie: The Grace Meeting and Stewart Traill's great confession of missing the "grace of God" who is Jesus.
Some brothers and sisters used this phrase: "Greetings in Jesus" when they came into a room or saw someone from the fellowship on the street.

With regard to "missing grace" and being incapable of any knowledge of Jesus, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"guardian" A guardian was either someone who lived in a fellowship, or still lived with their parents at home but was an active member of the fellowship and either led someone to Jesus, or was assigned by the fellowship leader to call and keep in touch with someone who recently got saved, which was referred to as a lamb. A guardian, called a lamb, on the phone and would ask how their faith in Jesus was. They would see if they had time to read the Bible with them over the phone. They'd see if they would be able to make it to the weekly meetings that were usually held on Friday or Saturday nights. A guardian was someone who kept in touch with someone who just got saved.

"guard duty" This referred to when a brother stayed at a certain place for a certain amount of time, usually like the doorway of a building that a lot of us lived in, like in 515 in NY City where we owned the whole building and many lived, but the door was usually never locked. No one I knew even had a key. It was to prevent anyone from "just wandering in". It was especially important during meetings, when most weren't there. I don't think the doors to our apartments in that building even had keys.

With regard to being protected from the world, our brothers were definitely the issue!

"Guard your eyes."

"Guard your eyes from ________"

"Guard your spirit against ________"

"Half-wife" The "half-wife" concept was something that Stewart Traill came up with as he circumvented the counsel of the Holy Bible in arriving at this wicked concept.
Stewart Traill convinced the sisters that the brothers of our fellowship were incapable of having relationships and getting married.
He taught that any sister who entertained the idea of marrying one of the brothers, that it would be a fantasy, that it would be the same as getting married to Mickey Mouse.
Stewart Traill canceled the idea of having a normal and healthy relationship with the Christian brothers of our fellowship, and decided to offer the sisters himself as their "stand-in" husband.
By entering into this imitation-marriage relationship, Stewart Traill was preventing normal, natural relationships and preventing normal, natural marriages.
He got the youngest, most attractive sisters to desire his company and his attention and actually crave it, to the point that the other brothers seemed to be non-existant and uninteresting to them.

Stewart Traill invented a teaching to "find his way around" the biblical counsel of marriage.

Stewart Traill told the sisters who lived with him, that they had all the benefits of marriage, except sex.

This is mischief.

This is adultery.

This is false hope.

This is false security for the woman.

This is false docterine.

This is anti-godliness.

This prevented godly relationships between brothers and sisters that could have led to marriages and families.

This teaching of Stewart Traill's was a departure from faith.

This teaching of the young women in our fellowship being Stewart Traill's "half-wives" was devilish.

This teaching of the young women in our fellowship being Stewart Traill's "half-wives" was diabolical.

This teaching of the young women in our fellowship being Stewart Traill's "half-wives" was a teaching against real marriage and is anti-marriage and immoral.

The scripture says that those who "forbid marriage" entertain deceitful spirits.

... are giving heed to doctrines of demons.

... are those who are liars.

... who have seared consciences.

Stewart Traill taught that the brothers were incapable of entering into marriage, even though the brothers were the ones taking care of all the fellowships physical and financial needs, while Stewart Traill sat on his butt, playing the "great man" and overcoming the sisters defenses.

This teaching was Stewart Traill's way of actually becoming a polygamist, having more than one wife.

1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
2Ti 3:1-7 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. For among them are those who make their way into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and swayed by various impulses, who will listen to anybody and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

This verse describes Stewart Traill, for he caused stress to everyone in the fellowship.

He is a lover of self, in the way he conducted himself, and took the best of everything for himself.

He was a lover of money, making himself the only one who had access to the fellowship funds, and used them at will for whatever he desired: planes, realestate, etc.

He was proud, and taught everyone else to be proud, that we were better than other Christians, even though he taught many non-Christlike concepts.

Stewart Traill was very arrogant, and taught us to project an arrogant attitude, even in the language of the button we wore: Get Smart, Get Saved, was arrogant.

Stewart Traill was abusive, especially toward the men and women of our fellowship.

Stewart Traill's father, a college professor and pastor, disowned him, because he saw that Stewart Traill was misleading young people to worship him and was taking advantage of those who were very young and impressionable. His brother never even told his family that Stewart was his brother. His father disallowed him to attend his own funeral.

Stewart Traill was ungrateful to the brothers and sisters who provided his every need.

Stewart Traill liked to slander the brothers and sisters.

Stewart Traill's teachings were treacherous, reckless, he was conceited, and puffed up.

Stewart Traill loves his own pleasure more than the teachings of Jesus, he has no fear of God.

Stewart Traill captured weak sisters and took them into his own household and overcame their defenses, convincing them to put their trust in him, who was untrustworthy.

Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Eph 5:31-32 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
1Ti 5:8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Stewart Traill did not provide for his family's financial and physical needs. The fellowship provided the funds for Stewart's family, they provided his housing, his food, clothing, yes, all of his needs and they still do, yet he convinced the brothers that they weren't "faithful enough" to have relationships and he convinced the sisters that the brothers weren't worthy to have relationships with them.

Sister's who were considered Stewart Traill's "half-wives" for as long as it pleased him, but then "fell from grace" or were put out of his house and were sent back to live among the rest of the brothers and sisters.
This was a most cruel rejection.
Not only were these sisters overcome by someone more than twice their age, but now they felt unable to return to the standing that they had before.
They felt as forlorn as a woman who was once "married" and who was now rejected and "divorced" although they had never been married to begin with ~ they were in a pseudo-marrige, a non-marriage, a fake-marriage.
Brothers noticed that the sisters who returned after living with Stewart Traill were very different when they returned. They wore short skirts, high heals, and make-up and seemed to be disallusioned.
Yet while they were living in Stewart's house he gave them a "feeling" of being "the most special" of the sisters.
It was like a drug, or an "ultra-special relationship," yet when he was "no longer interested" he sent them away from him as ones who were rejected.
Yet these young women, who felt as connected to Stewart as a wife would, felt doubly rejected, for they no longer had any natural desire for anyone but Stewart and yet he was no longer interested in them, this was a sick and cruel thing that Stewart Traill did and does.
This teaching of Stewart Traill's that he had "half-wife" priveleges with very young and impressionable woman, was worse than diabolical, for it was destructive, cruel and hateful.
Stewart Traill is a most selfish and ungodly man of the world, grasping and coveting for himself what he had no right to take, the affection of these young women.

[def. circumvented - find a way around (an obstacle). synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge; informalduck "the scripture teachings were easy to circumvent, with the full trust of his followers" overcome (a problem or difficulty), typically in a clever and surreptitious way. "I found it quite easy to circumvent security" synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge;]
[def. pseudo - not genuine; sham. "we are talking about real journalists and not the pseudo kind" synonyms: bogus, sham, phony, artificial, mock, ersatz, quasi-, fake, false, spurious, deceptive, misleading, assumed, contrived, affected, insincere; informalpretend, put-on]
[def. privilege - a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people. "education is a right, not a privilege" synonyms: advantage, benefit; prerogative, entitlement, right; concession, freedom, liberty]
[def. immoral - not conforming to accepted standards of morality. "an immoral and unwinnable war" synonyms: unethical, bad, morally wrong, wrongful, wicked, evil, foul, unprincipled, unscrupulous, dishonorable, dishonest, unconscionable, iniquitous, disreputable, corrupt, depraved, vile, villainous, nefarious, base, miscreant; sinful, godless, impure, unchaste, unvirtuous, shameless, degenerate, debased, debauched, dissolute, reprobate, lewd, obscene, perverse, perverted; licentious, wanton, promiscuous, loose; informalshady, lowdown, crooked, sleazy]

With regard to the false teaching of half-wives being a conduct approved of by God when it most certainly is not, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

H

"He's a cult leader."

"He's a wooden Indian." If a brother suddenly "froze" instead of Stewart Traill showing some kind of compassion, and saying something to help him to relax and not fear, Stewart would turn to everyone else and say, "He's a woodent Indian!"
Stewart Traill, loving? I don't think so.
Just another example of how Stewart Traill was incapable of extending any comfort or Christian charity, especially toward the very men who support his sorry soul!

Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Mt 5:22-24 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.

Traill was big on insulting!

Rm 12:10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

Traill show brotherly affection, honor? Not that I was aware, right or wrong?

Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

This is how the men of God in the Bible wrote of their heart toward the brethren, yet the way that Stewart Traill conducted himself toward us showed no similar reflection as was given to us by the examples of the apostles. Yet, Stewart liked to compare himself to Elijah, when he had none of the principles of peace shown by these godly men.
Php 2:1-4 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.

Traill not be selfish!? He was all about grasping and coveting for himself! Look where he lives! Look where the brothers and sisters live! Traill have humility!? He doesn't even know the meaning of the word! Count others better than himself!? Never!

When he ran into a brother while at a high-end dress shop, watching one of the daughters of an older, COBU couple, trying on provocative dresses ~ when the older brother questioned him about what he was up to and where was Gayle, his wife, Traill said to him, "You're no friend of mine!" and then proceeded to call security, because his pleasure was interupted!

Count others better than himself? Never saw it.

Stewart behave like a Christian? I don't think he has a clue about this concept.

With regard to indulging in the lust of his own flesh, yeah, Stewart Traill is definitely good at that! Very good!

Php 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Jas 3:8 ,,but no human being can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
Jas 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

Traill didn't do much in the way of blessing to begin with, but cursing, it was our daily bread! Right or wrong!?

Jas 3:10 My brethren, this ought not to be so.
Jas 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
2Pe 1:5-7 For this very reason make every effort to supplement ... godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For one who claimed to be "full of knowledge" and who had "devine understanding" of the bibles figure system, yet Stewart Traill lacked any brotherly affection, he lacked any sympathy, he therefore lacked any real insight into the person and character of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore was inefective and unfruitful with regard to his claim of being a man of god.

2Pe 1:9 For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted!
Mt 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
Mt 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian is insulting, period! Right or wrong?
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill treats Jesus.
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of being loving.
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of brotherly affection.
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of showing honor, or being honorable! Right or wrong!?
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of blessing the brothers, and very skilled in cursing the brothers! Right or wrong!?
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of being effective as a Christian example, right or wrong!?
Telling one of the sons of God, that he's a wooden Indian, is how Stewart Traill exhibits that he is incapable of being fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, right or wrong!?

With regard to being insulting to the men who were supporting him financially and saying they were "just a wooden indian", yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's always calculating." Yet another cutting comment made by Stewart to the brothers who were supporting him financially.
Yet, truth be told, it was actually Stewart Traill who was always calculating!
Bringing his little stack of file cards, he always dictated what he expected of us.
He was always the master manipulator!
He was always trying to figure out, as he himself admitted, "how to get over" on all of us!
He demonstrated this behavior before us all the time.
He also taught everyone else this behavior.
Then he blammed others for immitating this behavior!
Then turned around and said, "I'm not part of your fellowship!"
Part of it ~ he was the commander in chief!
He was the director!
He was the creator of all that we displayed, that he turned around and told us he despised!
We were made in his image!

1Co 9:1 Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

At least The Apostle Paul was willing to own the church that he built!

Stewart Traill into owning The Church that he built, not a chance!
Stewart Traill, after years of contributing to the condemnation of the Church he built said that he "washed his hands of it."
Stewart Traill often said, "I've got my fellowship and you've got yours!"
He also said, "I have nothing to do with your fellowship!"
He loved pushing us into doing things that we normally would never do, and then disown us for doing the things that he propelled us to do.
He didn't take any responsibility for the collapse and current condition of the heap of ruins he built.

With regard to accusing others of "calculating" while being the most guilty of this faithless behavior, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's trying to break down the standards of the fellowship!" Could they get any worse?!

With regard to breaking down the standards of the fellowship, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He just doesn't get it, right Jim?" Stewart's way of putting someone down was to get someone else to join him in it, either an individual or the whole group.

Although some brothers and sisters are under the impression that The Forever Family was superior to COBU, and that Stewart Traill was more "Godly" in The Forever Family than he was later, the truth is that this manerism that Stewart exhibited of knocking down, overcoming the confidence of individuals in the group and the group at large, pressuring others to accept his "teachings" "thoughts" "opinions" etc. was one of his favorite activities of psychological warfare from the beginning.

All throughout the early cassette tape recordings of the meetings during The Forever Family, Stewart could be heard saying, "You just don't get it!" "None of you get it!"
Even though a lot of the younger ones had more compassionate, kind, and reasonable insights, Stewart would just railroad over them, count their thoughts as nothing, make those whose views were coming from a much more tender and wholesome attitute, he denied individuals of their personal perspectives, in order to crowd their thoughts with his.
Some would challenge his view, but after hearing late into the night, and early into the wee hours of the morning, how much "more right," and "more spiritual," and "more intense," or "heavy," "deep" or "insightful" and hearing Stewart saying over and over and over again: "You just don't get it!" was one of his chief manipulations to get those who were half his age or younger to doubt their own insights, thoughts and opinions and buy into Stewart Traill's!
Years later in COBU, Stewart Traill telling everyone, "He just doesn't get it!" is the exact same manipulative behavior he had been doing from the beginning of the group and continues to this day.

Are you still buying into his views of yourself and others?

Are you able to get free from his grip on your reality?

Are you able to use the heart, mind and soul that God gave you?

Or are you still stuck on his intentions for your future?

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you...
Col 2:18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement, taking his stand on visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind...
2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way...
1Ti 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Tit 2:15 Let no one disregard you.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.

With regard to putting us down and accusing us of "not getting" whatever "he got" or was insinuating, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He left the safety of the fellowhship" The fellowship was never safe.
When someone was finally fed up with the unnatural lifestyle of our group and decided to leave, Stewart was known to say that "He left the safety of the fellowship." or "She left the safety of the fellowship."
Another way that Stewart fed us "his interpretation" of our fellowship.
How "safe" is a group where one person dictates to everyone else what he wants and everyone else "accepts his view?"
How "safe" is a group where one person has the power to use the funds any way he wants that were earned by everyone else?
How "safe" is a group where one person feeds the idea to everyone else that he is "the closest to God" and everyone else "just doesn't get it?"
How "safe" is a group where one person is constantly insulting and belittling everyone else and no one has the strength to stand up to it?
How "safe" is a group where one person makes everyone else think that "it's a good place to be" when it's actually very oppressive?
Isa 42:22 But this is a people robbed and plundered, they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become a prey with none to rescue, a spoil with none to say, "Restore!"

With regard to Stewart manipulating everyone into thinking COBU was "safe" yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He or she is withdrawn." When brothers and sisters would finally "just shut down" and had nothing more to say, this would be the type of comment they could receive from Stewart or someone else in the group.

With regard to putting everyone in a place of withdrawal from their own interests, thoughts, hopes and, yes even their own lives, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He was a beast." The word "beast" referred to when someone felt as though they were totally acting in their flesh, no spirit involved, just going through the motions.

Stewart had a habbit of accusing everyone in our fellowship that we were usually acting in our "flesh" or "as a beast."

Since there was a lot of physical work to be done, it was easy for us to "agree" with Stewart's assessment of us being "as a beast"

yet when we look into the scripture where this term is used, it shows that even though the writter felt "as a beast" his heart was still seeking to be near God and was in fact near God:

Psa 73:21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, Psa 73:22 I was stupid and ignorant, I was like a beast toward thee. Psa 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou dost hold my right hand. Psa 73:24 Thou dost guide me with thy counsel, and afterward thou wilt receive me to glory.

Somehow in COBU the language that we adopted always seemed to gravitate toward the negative, or toward some form of put down.

While the Bible reflects that we are so beloved of God that even if we tried to "leave him" we would still be with him:

Ps 139:2 Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
Ps 139:3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Ps 139:4 Even before a word is on my tongue, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Ps 139:5 Thou dost beset me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me.
Ps 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
Ps 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Ps 139:8 If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
Ps 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Ps 139:10 even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Ps 139:11 If I say, "Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night,"
Ps 139:12 even the darkness is not dark to thee, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with thee.
Ps 94:14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;
Ps 36:7 How precious is thy steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of thy wings.

With regard to being accused of being "as a beast" or "in our flesh" when all along he indulged himself, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He was beasting it out." If a brother had a big job, with a lot of physical labor, someone could say, "He was just beasting it out."

Eph 5:29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church

With regard to getting all of us to constantly put ourselves down even though we were acting responsibly and earning a living, and taking care of not only our own needs, but Stewart Traill's and his entire family for years, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He who waters will himself be watered." This phrase was from the Bible about how if you bless others then you will be blessed as well.
Unfortunately, COBU was not a place where blessings were realized.

Pro 11:24 One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Pro 11:25 A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

With regard to teaching everyone else to give our strength to COBU, while Stewart withheld kindness, withheld praise, withheld blessing, withheld brotherly affection and all the other Christian attributes that would result in someone feeling "watered" "refreshed" or otherwise uplifted yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"Head Trippers" An expression used in the F.F. usually describing college kids who didn't want to listen to us and would use intellectual arguments against our presentation of the Gospel during witnessing.

Stewart Traill was also known to call brothers and sisters "head trippers" when they didn't agree with the nonsense he was touting.

It was a negative connotation or put down.

With regard to being accused of "being head trippers" or perhaps someone who had the audacity to actually use their own head and thoughts, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"Heavy!" "Heavy Bible study!" "Heavy witness" "Heavy brother" or "Heavy sister" This was used a lot in the 70's, it basically meant "impressive" "awesome" "inspired" "insightful" or "intense." Other 70's phrases that were similar were: "deep" and "far out" ~ one might say, "Wow! That was far out!" or "That was really deep!" "Heavy, man!"

With regard to getting all of us to think and say that the teachings of Stewart were weighty, or that when we immitated his teachings that it made us "heavy" or "insightful" while at the same exact time we felt belittled, yeah, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"Help in the gate." This expression was used often in the F.F. and referred to instances in witnessing when the potential convert's friend would come by and take sides with the potential convert against the person sharing the gospel.
Isa 29:21 who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.
Amo 5:10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.

Interesting to note that those who were "in the world" or "who didn't know God" in a lot of instances acted more "godly" than we who were trying to show them the way to God.
At least they would try to help each other!
In COBU there was very little blessing extended.
COBU was the land of put downs and irritations and very little "help in the gate."

Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Rom 2:14 When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
Rom 2:15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts..

With regard to being in a land where it was hard to find any "help in the gate," yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"Here am I! Send me." This phrase referred to having a willing attitude, of being willing to hear the voice of the Lord, and willing to go and do his will. It came from:

Isa 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Isa 6:9 And he said, "Go, and say to this people: 'Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.'
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

Unfortunately, in COBU, although we read the Bible all the time, it was the bidding of Stewart Traill and not the Lord God that was held in the highest regard.
If we could shut off the droning voice of Stewart Traill and all of his incessant expectations or be able to block our recall of how if we didn't "do this" or "do that" Stewart propelled obligation, perhaps then we might have had our ear able to hear what the Lord God wanted of us.

With regard to being expected to always be ready, willing and able to blingdly follow the latest "Traill inspiration", yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's a floater" In COBU, this referred to someone who hung out at the fellowship, yet didn't seem to participate in the fellowship functions, but especially didn't contribute to the fellowship funds.

It was more likely to be a young person who lived in the neighborhood of the group, who thought we were "cool" and came over and hung out. Usually pretty harmless, maybe only 14 to 16 years old and didn't have any ready cash. He or she was "just floating around" or as they'd say today, "They're just hanging out at the fellowship house."

Can't see that too many intelligent young people today would find "hanging out at the cult with the 50 to 70 year olds would be of much interest, but back in the early days, when all of us were under 20 ~ there were quite a few that fit this discription.

With regard to being made aware of those who "were floaters" or giving a "title" for those who "just came around" and "didn't contribute financially", yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's dark" or "She's dark." Anyone who was considered not to be "in fellowship" with others, could be referred to as "being in the dark" because those who are "in fellowship" are "in the light" as this scripture describes:

Jn 3:21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

The unfortunate thing about this accusation, (as opposed to all the others) was that many times this was assumed about people just because they didn't "give up dirt on themselves" and most of the time there was "no dirt" to give up!

Having to stand up under this assumption took a lot faith and integrity.

Although some who bent under the pressure of this accusation, confessed to things they didn't even do, just to get others "off their back" who were into making "false assumptions."

Most of the brothers and sisters were with others or at work.
Very difficult to "be in the dark" when you live in a fish bowl!

Stewart Traill, on the other hand, was probably the only one in the fellowship who had privacy, didn't work, and had his own personal: "dark room!"

So, in my humble opinion Stewart Traill was the one who had the most opportunity, the oldest and most deceitful flesh, and even confessed frequently the he was "into getting over on all of us" and wasn't really "part of our fellowship" anyway.

So, whose fellowship is Stewart Traill a part of you might ask?

Stewart Traill is part of the fellowship of those who don't work, yet lives really well!

2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
1Ti 5:8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Stewart Traill is part of the fellowship of those who puts down verbally those who take care of all of his needs!

Stewart Traill is part of the fellowship of those who accuses everyone of doing the things that he's actually doing!
Stewart Traill is part of the fellowship of those who tells the men that they aren't able to take a wife, and instead he provides all the attention for the most attractive, unmarried, young women, even though he's in his second marriage, and most of those who have been taking care of daddy haven't had a romantic relationship since before they became part of Stewarts' "Fun House!"
Or should I say, the house that Stewart Traill has fun in, while everyone else is working!" And the best reference that I can come up with about how Stewart Traill is and always has been "in the dark" is:
Pro 18:9 He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

With regard to accusing everyone who was: seeking God, earning money to support the fellowship, and working in the church businesses, of "being in the dark" while he was frolicking with very young women, indulging all of his interests, indulging in his flesh, spending the money everyone else earned, hanging out in his very own "dark room", yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's going off on his own" When someone just "needed some space" someone would say, "He's going off on his own."
Yet, in reality, Stewart Traill has always been the only one who could actually "go off on his own" without impunity.
[Def. impunity - exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action]

With regard to accusing those who needed a little space of "going off on their own" when Stewart was the one who "was always alone", yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's hurting himself, stop him brothers!" Stewart said this at meetings from time to time referring to any brother who he felt was "acting out of the expected status quo."

Anyone going against the "norm" or "current acceptable COBU behavior" Stewart was big on putting them down publicly.

He was also big on attracting hurtful attention toward someone as if to insinuate that the person was "into wrong behavior" or "doing something wrong" ~ to make the person feel even more awkward than they already felt in addressing the fellowship.

Stewart was all about making everyone else feel "off balance" so he could redirect everyones attention back to himself.

Far be it from Stewart Traill to commend anyone else for a helpful consideration!

It was also a way for him to get everyone else to be "afraid to contribute" because they could be the next one who was getting "leveled" publicly.

The bottom line was to get everyone to forget about what the person was attempting to share and on the persons idiosyncrasies or "their delivery."

Stewart was all about "controlling all communication" and intimidating our group.

Stewart Traill had an inability to inspire anyone else.

His purpose was to trip others up. To take away their momentum. It meant more than what was actually being said. It was a goad or a strong arm to shut someone down.

It was a way for Stewart to accuse someone who had "a thought" as being insinsere.

To blacken the intention of anyone who was bold enough to express themselves, even if what they had to share was well thought out, well spoken, and actually applied to what was being discussed.

Consider these scriptures and how Un-Stewart-like they are:
Rom 12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Rom 12:10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.
Php 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

With regard to the intentional harassment of anyone who rather than "falling asleep" actually got to their feet and spoke, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"He's loose." or "She's loose."
All these sayings were ways to smear someone. To make them not credible. It was a way to point someone out to let everyone else not take anything they said seriously.

"He's tight." or "She's tight."
It didn't matter what slight or slur Stewart insinuated, he created chaos and damaged some of their souls beyond repair.

He replaced their spirit and their own intuitions with his own thoughts and his own values.
Time and distance have done little to effect any change in how they valued the words of one who was disreputable.

How can a place be led by an angry, graceless, manipulator and still be considered "a godly place" by some?

The teaching of the duel membership: we were part of this evil cult but were "children of God" ~ while we were immitating Stewart and not God.

Our natures were defined by the cult, and not by the spirit of God.

Some think that there was "some good" in COBU, when in truth it was a torrent of false teachings and the raging of many voices.

The scripture says: let all be false yet God be true; while many who were part of COBU think that "everything was cool, that only Stewart's teaching of forbidding marriage failed the fellowship" and yet the ways of Stewart reeked with counter-Christian behaviors, if they were willing to see our fellowship for what it truly was.

Rom 3:4 By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written, "That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged."
Rom 14:22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves.
Rom 14:23 But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Stewart's constant harassment and judgment caused everyone to doubt their own considerations and not to have faith in anything that might be poked holes through.

This constant attacking on the part of Stewart Traill led to many just sucking it up and buying whatever he was selling, rather than exercising faith in their own considerations.

This constant hacking away at the fiber of everyones being, led to a society ripe with fear, doubt, and disallusionment.

The design of Stewart making sayings to judge us, was contrary to the effect that God wanted for us, which was "to prevail."

Stewart had a way of distracting everyone away from what the person speaking was trying to say, by throwing out a trite and cutting comment for everyone to focus on.

This was a devious practice that we witnessed over and over again.

Cutting down the men and women of God, instead of building them up, was an attack from the enemy of our souls the devil, and not something one would expect from someone purporting to be godly or Christian.

And many are unable to even admitt how divisive what we experienced at the hands of Stewart Traill was.

The aim of all the false, hurtful and obnoxious labels that were thrown at all of us, was to get us to fear speaking.
Another aim was to refocus our attention away from the truth of how Stewart was robbing our lives blind and getting all of us to bow down to nonsence that God had no intentions of us swallowing.

Stewart Traill enjoyed filling our days with "only thoughts of him and his agendas.

Stewart trained us to "strain out a knat and swallow a camel" and the biggest camel in the room was Stewart Traill.

The one thing that all the trite slurs that Stewart threw at us, have in common, is that they are all judgments.

Stewart Traill made our lives miserable and narrowed down our meaning to a couple of cutting comments on a file card.

Everyone took all of the things that he said as "gospel" and claimed that the group was "righteous" even though the foul cuts, slurs, and put downs were crushing to those who were under the attack of the words of Traill.

Then we would turn around and also judge those who we witnessed to, "Oh yeah, he was a ghoul." or "She wasn't serious."
We learned from Stewart Traill how to put others down, put each other down, and even think very little of ourselves, but we had a pact never to "speak ill of Stewart Traill" that would be sinful!

Even knowing all the harshnesses that Stewart leveled at us, to this day, many former members boast that "At least I never spoke bad about brother Stewart" talk about "not moving on" and "not being able to be truthful about the horrendous lifestyle he was directly responsible for putting us through!

At the heart of all these things was an extreme lack of faith.

Living in fear of saying anything that might project a slur from Stewart is living in fear and not living by faith.

If his whole goal was to minimize the men or women of God into a few cutting comments on a file card, where's the faith in that? Where's the hope in that? Where's the love in that!?

When Stewart complained "that God hid grace from him" because "he was all about faith" this was a complete lie!

To read Dave's take on "The Grace Meeting" click here.
To read Tod's take on "The Grace Meeting" click here.
To read Dan's take on "The Grace Meeting" click here.

Stewart had nothing to do with faith and everything to do with oppressing everyone in his charge.

This is why those in COBU have no ability to receive a blessing, because they have no faith.

They think nothing of not having faith, even some who have supposidly "moved on" you hear that they are suffering this or are suffering that and you offer to pray for them and give them an "oil blessing" and they reply: "I don't have the faith for that." So, how have they moved on? Did they move from "no faith" to "faith" well no, they remain faithless, so they remain "in limbo" where Stewart Traill placed them, even if they no longer "live in" nor are following his current directives, their faith has still been smashed.

Jn 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave POWER to become children of God;

~ yet there is no power in their lives because they have no faith.

With regard to leveling trite slurs against anyone who had the audacity to speak up at a meeting, to shut them up or to shut up anyone who might be thinking of contributing, yes, Stewart Traill is definitely the issue!

"hiding" "You're hiding in sleep" "You're hiding in work" or even: "You're hiding in witnessing?" ~ This is a workover and an accusation which could be applied to any verb.
Yet, everyone needs to sleep.
Everyone needs to take time to rest.
How comfortably can someone enter into sleep and rest with the fear of being accused of "hiding" in doing it?
And, once again, remember who has the greatest opportunity to hide out! Mr. Traill himself!
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Why is it that Stewart Traill always seems so much more like the enemy of our souls: the accuser of the brethren?
Stewart Traill religiously threw out accusations at our meetings.
He seemed to make sport of throwing out comments that would cause us to feel guilty for doing things that are necessary for our physical health, like sleep.
Fortunately, most of us had the ability to filter out these stressful workovers, but not everyone had this ability.
There was a young girl who actually came into our group as a quite normal teen, and ended up having a severe mental break down. She would take her clothing off. She would go out of the house and could walk into the street. Eventually her father came to pick her up and he was very angry about her emotional condition. He said, "What is wrong with this place? My daughter was a normal, healthy young woman when she came here and now she's completely unhinged! What did you do that caused such a complete break down in my daughter!?

With regard to inflicting stress in just doing normal things by making comments to make others feel guilty like: "You're hoping in sleep" that resulted in causing severe stress, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Holding back on Jesus." This accusation was made to brothers and sisters if they didn't do what was expected of them at the time.
It was another workover to get us to comply with Stewart's wishes.
After giving our lives to Jesus and receiving his spirit, all of us naturally had a strong desire to please him. So, what does Stewart Traill do, but make suggestions to the effect that we're "holding back on Jesus!" This is sinister. It is diabolical. A young Christian would never intentionally do anything against Jesus, so why would our "pastor" suggest such a thing?

With regard to creating workovers that suggest that a young Christian is behaving in a way that is counter-Christian, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Holdout!" Yet another accusation, again aimed at the brothers and sisters if they weren't doing what was expected of them at the time.
Why are so many of the "COBU Sayings" just one workover after another?
Who did Stewart Traill think that he was to put so much preassure on all of us?
The other thing was that meeting attendance was manditory!
This was to insure that all of us received the workovers that were intended to pressure us into doing the things suggested.
This was not living and acting by faith. This was living and acting by workover, stress, and instigation.
Stewart Traill was a manipulator and an oppressor.
Stewart Traill systematically preassured us into doing his bidding.
Stewart Traill did not promote walking or acting by faith, but rather he used guilt to provoke action.
Stewart Traill did not "wait on the Lord" or "trust in the Lord" he trusted in his powers of instigation.

With regard to accusing brothers and sisters of "holdingout", yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"Hoping in marriage." This very natural and very normal human hope was mocked and crushed continually, to the point that no one dated, no one spoke of their personal interests in someone else, and this COBU saying could be expounded upon considerably.

Most brothers and sisters did not date anyone because Stewart Traill did everything in his power to keep our interests focused on his interests, although he claimed that they were "the interests of the Lord."

Interesting that while Stewart made it practically impossible for brothers and sisters to have any relationships and "hoping in marriage" was almost considered "sin" in the church of our youth, yet Stewart himself had been married to Shirley, then married Gayle, and also had sisters who he considered "half-wives" and who were eager for his "special attention."

1Co 7:32-36 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin.

This scripture seemed to be the main motivation for Stewart Traill to do all that he could to discourage, prevent, and or cause brothers and sisters to lack the confidence to even consider having any romance, because Stewart Traill wanted our full and undivided attention to be on the things that mattered to him, but he said that these things were "to please the Lord."

Even though this scripture states that to marry "is no sin."

Yet, Stewart practically made it a sin to even have the "hope of getting married."

Many gave up. Many gave up what God would have gladly granted them.

Consider how many who remained behind with Stewart, you know those "who didn't doubt" in his leadership, have any of them entered into the joy of marriage? None that we know of.

2Co 1:19-20 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God.
1Ti 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; for then it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

With regard to teaching us that to "hope in marriage" was sin, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"How are you loving your husband?" An unmarried COBU sister asked this of a newly married woman she knew. The newly married woman was taken aback by the question, and answered, "Well, I cook for him, and clean for him, and do my best to be his help mate." The COBU sister replied, "No, any heathen can do those things, but how are you really loving him?"

In COBU we were taught to constantly question everyone and to be accusatory and obnoxious. This newly married woman decided right then and there never to invite this intrussive and judgemental woman back into her home, she said it made her 'feel like crap' and not a way that a newly married woman wants to feel. Sometimes jealousy may have played a role in this type of behavior. Stewart had everyone against the entire institution of marriage and speaking down about it was common. There was no "congratulating anyone" for entering into the lifelong commitment and preventing it seemed to be the norm in COBU.

Tit 2:3-5 Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be discredited.

It's kind of difficult to "train young women to love their husbands" when there weren't any examples of happy marriages? How do you go from a group that's "trained to constantly criticize, irritate, question, and ridicule the brothers" into having marriages where the women show love, respect and honor?

With regard to encouraging us to be intrussive, judgmental and obnoxious, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"How I got over." Stewart said this a lot, about his ability to deceive the fellowship.

Interesting that this was something that he boasted about!

He was known to say things like, "You don't even know how I got over on you!"

You'd think that we would have immediately left the group, but that's difficult to do when you have no money, oh, and that's a big way that he got over.

Another way "he got over" was convincing us that he was even worthy of a following.

Stewart didn't care that he wasn't even portraying what most Christians would.

In the name of "teaching us" he didn't even try to conceal that he was looking to get over on us.

To boast of trying to "get over" is to boast of being deceptive.

To claim to be "a man of god" while at the same time "being deceptive" points to his propensity for falsehood.

With regard to "getting over on us" as a conman, as a theif, and as someone who had no problem being smug about his unChristian behavior, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"How many trust that they could count on me in a pinch!"

"How's your faith in Jesus today?" This was a standard question that we asked of each other very routinely.
First of all, no one has the right to question anyone about his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the scripture counsels:

Rom 14:22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves.
Pro 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

Yet in COBU we were taught that we had to constantly justify our intentions.

The question itself: "How's your faith in Jesus today?" signafies a way to gather information and usually it was to get someone to confess to their "lack" of faith.

Our faith is personal, yet Stewart got us to intrude into each others personal space.

It would have been one thing if someone made the decision to share the thoughts about their faith, but to encourage us "to be intrusive all the time" caused our society to always be on edge and expect to be questioned all the time.

With regard to teaching us to question each others "faith in Jesus" and intrude on something that even the Bible counseled us to keep private, yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

I

"I am individually responsible to Jesus" One of the meaningless catechisms that brothers and sisters were encouraged to say to each other.

"I am into wrong attention." Something Stewart got the sisters to confess to and then hang their heads in shame.

"I am not part of your fellowship." Stewart corrupted our fellowship with non-Biblical expectations and then distanced himself from us with statements like this one.

He was the one who was "off on his own" as he said many times that "he wasn't part of our fellowship!" Indeed, he wasn't!

~ Stewart Traill, our self-proclaimed "leader" had many advantages due to the "entitlement" he claimed ~ so his "rank" among us did lend him to being "separate" from the subservient existance that we endured.

~ But to say that he was not part of our fellowship, when he was the director in chief, when everything that we did was at his direction is deceptive!

~ He had complete access to all of the fellowship funds.

~ He used his popularity to take advantage of many young people, especially young women.

~ He currently, at age 79 parades around with daughters of his members who are only 20!

~ He used the fellowship funds to purchase anything he wanted, claiming it was to "benefit" the fellowship.

~ He purchased a small fleet of aircraft and used them at his own discretion.

~ He took advantage of Gayle, while he was married to Shirley, taking her off in his airplane and staying in the same hotel room with her when she was half his age!

~ Stewart divorced Shirley then maried Gayle Dec 11, 1976 when he was 40 and she was 19!

~ He didn't work.

~ He didn't get constant judgments hurled against him, like we had to endure.

~ He didn't get questioned by everyone who spoke to him.

~ He didn't contribute to the fellowship financially like all of us did.

~ He didn't have to try to navagate his life on only ten dollars a week like we were expected to,

and even though he was our "suposed teacher" and the scripture says teachers would be judged with greater strictness,

~ yet no one questioned him for anything, even though many of his behaviors were very questionable.

Jas 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.

With regard to having our every waking hour directed by his expectations, for him to turn around and claim that "he's not part of our fellowship" was a lie, and yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"I am not the issue." Stewart said this to prevent anyone from holding him responsible for the condition of our fellowship ~ yet was he not the "acting teacher" that James 3:1 states should be held responsible! Stewart deflected any blame for the condition of the fellowship, when he was the one who had the most control over the spirit of the fellowship. COBU was the house that Stewart Traill built, yet he denied ownership of it's condition. He was like a slum-Lord ~ a slum-Lord is a building owner and is obligated to care for it, yet when it is neglected he acts as though it had nothing to do with him.

With regard to everything about The Forever Family and the misguiding of everyone in The Church of Bible Understanding, as it's commander in chief who had sole direction of everyone in the entire group, yes, of course Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"I am not your king." This was already written on at length above under: "Don't make me your king" but he also made this statement "I am not your king" when everything about his behaviors before all of us was with all the attitude and entitlements of a dictator or king.

With regard to Stewart Traill saying that he's not "our king," when he took the place of supreme power over every decision of our group, yes, of course Stewart Traill was definitely the issue of everything that happened in COBU!

"I am pleasing Jesus today by working in the business."

"I am the Ayatollah."

"I am too weak for that."

"I can outlast all of you." Of course you can, you don't work for a living like the rest of us! Thank you for reminding us! Yes, you can sleep all day if you want. You can take a swim in your pool. You can do all that you want at our expense and laugh at us while you do it! Why? Because we've let you! Or I should say only the ones who didn't doubt you, and stayed with you, and still want to take care of daddy! So, who's your daddy? Is COBU still the house that Stewart built with your money?
Do you want to know how to get free from the grip of Stewart Traill and his unsatiable appetites?

"I did not listen to the voice of my teachers; how I groan."

"I don't need the brothers' fellowship." Of course you don't, you just need our money, our strength, our youth (Oh, I forgot, that's long gone), our committment to love and worship you with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, and oh, yeah, our complete and undivided attention, and the willingness to not drink anything before a meeting because God forbid we should need to relieve ourselves in the bathroom during one of your 12 hour meetings and have the misfortune of having to take ourselves away from your "never ending" pontification for more than a minute!
Yeah, you don't need us!

"I don't want to be a cheerleader in this place anymore."

"I don't work for pharaoh tomorrow."

"If Mickey Mouse proposed to you, you might entertain the idea." At a meeting, Stewart said that the sisters were "hoping in marriage" so much that even if Mickey Mouse proposed to them, they'd entertain the idea that he might be a suitable candidate.
He questioned how we could even consider "the idea of getting married," when we "couldn't even think for ourselves," undermining our intelligence.
Stewart mocked that the sisters were so "into the concept" of "needing to get married" that even if a cartoon character proposed we might "go for it."
He told the sisters that "no one" was really "a good marriage candidate" and that "we shouldn't even consider the possibility" that getting married was "an option" for us.
Talk about removing all hopes in something that every person has the right: to the blessing of marriage, which according to the Bible is to be received with thanksgiving.
Stewart Traill was big on creating the feeling that there was "no hope!" That there was "no point" in even entertaining the idea of a relationship, forget about the idea of marriage!
This was a very twisted manipulation, especially since most of his audience at the time was the average age of 20 and had become involved in this group from the tender ages of 14 to 17, while still in high school!
He acted as "our spiritual counsel" in "a dark world" when in truth his manipulation of us was the darkest thing that had ever happened to most of us.
This was one of the many ways that Stewart Traill instilled in our minds "that there was no point to even trying to have any relationships." That it would only be "a romantic fantasy" saying that if we were hoping in getting married to anyone here, it would be the same as if you wanted to marry Mickey Mouse!
This was another way that he "disqualified all the brothers" for the position of being "good marriage material" in their own minds and in the minds of their potential mates!
At the same time, "he threw water on" any of the sisters hopes of even having a relationship, since there was no one qualified anyway.
This was a master manipulation, to keep all of our strength and youth directed only toward the only things worthy of our consideration at the time: Leading other people to Jesus, so they wouldn't go to hell. What he really wanted was "more people to fund his empire."
This teaching was one of many, where Stewart made a mockery of who we were as a group and as individuals. We accepted his "teaching" that to have a relationship with anyone, would just "be a fantasy" and "not anything real or lasting" could result.
He even caused married men and women to question the quality of their own marriages.
Stewart was a master-mind at getting healthy, young people, who were committed to Christian ethics: didn't smoke, didn't drink, didn't do drugs, didn't have sex, and had healthy work attitudes: to discount the substance of their own credibility.
He didn't want us to be distracted from doing his biding. He was diabolical in the way that he robed us of our own confidence in ourselves and our personal intelligence.
He undermined our faith in God's blessings, setting himself as "our authority" and "the only one who really knew what was best for all of us" even though he didn't even know most of us by name! Talk about selling out! He caused us to sell out on our own future!
That is why COBU has no happy people.
That is how Stewart corrupted our fellowship and our lives!
He claims, "He's not the issue!?" If he's not the issue than who is?!

"I gave in to lust."

"I gave in to shame."

"I gave the brothers every opportunity...." Giving the brothers every opportunity....to make their relationships right with Jesus, I believe you said.
Once again, Stewart loved tooting his own horn about how he was a "great leader," when in fact it was another fairy tale that he felt he always needed to remind us, that the older brothers were failures. That we failed to have right relationships with Jesus.
How is it that you gave us any opportunity?
The only opportunity you gave us, was the opportunity to serve you and your desires.
Only to have you, tell us, that we could never "get it right!"
You are a dictator and those who have remained behind with you are the ones who could never break free from your grip, right or wrong?
Giving us opportunities! That's a complete farse!

"I got into my head today and into my fantasy life." Here's someones interpretation: "You know the fantasy where I wasn't your slave and I actually had an ounce of happiness."

"I got into my head today"

"I know I am going to hell, but Jesus loves me."

"I know that brothers spirit!"

"I know that I am in trouble."

"I know what my problem is: I have to go to Jesus."

"I long to see you on the street corner tonight." This was something that might be said to a co-worker about seeing them when out street witnessing.
This was one we got from FB, not sure if we ever heard this one or even used it ourselves, so if there's another explaination please send us an email, thanks!

"I long to witness and lead you into the light."

"I'm gloriously ready to go!" An announcement made usually at a Big Meeting, specifically about the speaker volunteering to go to our orphanage in Haiti.

"I missed grace."

"I need a Special Request" (This could refer to simply needing extra money for a pair of underware, or socks, or any item of clothing needed, like a pair of new tennis shoes for example.)

"I need to be a good example for the lambs"

"I refuse to be your king."

"I said I wanted counseling, but I really wanted wrong attention from Brother Stewart."

"I see how I've been: holding back and choosing laziness and the flesh and I recommit myself to loving my brothers and sisters, fully there, no holding back, putting my flesh to death, and you can count on me to get on all my brothers and sisters, to expose our hiding and games, every second! How many trust my sincerity!?"
Just one more lengthy speech or catechism the leadership convinced the younger ones that they needed to stand up and recite.
Col 2:20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations... Col 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh.

"I see the brothers holding back."

"I see the sisters holding back."

"I take personal responsibility and I promise never to do it again. Does everyone trust what I'm putting forth?" A saying spoken after making a public confession. This announcement could be met with either positive or negative affirmations.

"I think you are being defensive" This was said to anyone who spoke up for themselves.

"I told her not to hope in marriage, but to look to Jesus."

"I told her she was into wrong attention from the lamb brother."

"I tried to make the brothers jealous."

"It's not about me! It's about your relationship with Jesus!" This was something that Stewart would say all the time.

Anytime anyone would have some legitemate complaint or issue, Stewart Traill was known to deflect or bat back to the person that he had nothing to do with the issue, and would make it an issue of the person who was speaking, that the issue "was their relationship with Jesus" which was very vague.

Our relationship with Jesus was always in question.

Stewart Traill liked all the benefits of being in control of the group: the money he had control over, the pushing of his own objectives, etc., although he didn't seem to like the job of actually being a leader and therefore he deflected everyone else for everything and used "their relationship with Jesus" as the reason that the person was having issues.

Stewart would say things like: "If your relationship with Jesus was right than you wouldn't be having any problems."
This term was also used among the brothers and sisters, questioning each other or irritating each other by insisting that any problem anyone had was "because" of their relationship with Jesus.

Stewart Traill would abuse us with constantly bringing into question "our relationship with Jesus"
"I volunteer for the lake of fire." This catachism in particular shows how distant from Christianity the church of our youth got. This is a direct reference to the spirit of evil that began to run rampant in the group.

Why would any Christian volunteer to go to the lake of fire!?

Why would any parent want their children speaking like this!?

Do they not know that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks? (Mt 12:34, Lk 6:45) and if these evils flow so freely from the mouth, that means they've already filled the heart and the mind and can quickly touch the soul!

Getting the brothers and sisters to such a broken down state that they would even consider this and then speak it, is a study in itself.

It would start with work overs about being faithful. Then if someone couldn't confidently say that they were being faithful because of something they "failed to do to prove their faithfulness" , like they didn't witness, then Stewart would say, "Then I guess you're just volunteering for the lake of fire!" And then that's how this kind of wordage began. This was said to have happened in the late 1980's. One sister, who wasn't even part of COBU, who just came by to visit her friend, said she was shocked when suddenly her friend got up on a milk crate and said, "Brothers and Sisters, I volunteer for the Lake of Fire, but I know that Jesus still loves me!" It's no wonder that some who left vasilate between whether or not they are Christian or Athiest, with this kind of experience.

Stewart Traill's ability to cause young people to doubt in their salvation is evil.

Mat 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Rom 14:23 But he who has doubts is condemned,... because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Stewart Traill caused doubt. Stewart Traill crushed faith. Stewart Traill manipulated Christian young people to think evil of their own faith and hope in Christ. Some who left years before this started, seemed to have a difficult time believing that this could have happened, and yet, how different is it to when brothers and sisters sat in little square boxes and admitted to being "brown" or "black" ~ ya know, into "sin, death, disease, hell & the devil? Like the "Pied Piper," Stewart enjoyed leading us down a the path that led us away from God and peace and seemingly laughed at our gullibility. It was never Christian to judge one another, yet Stewart Traill continually set us up to feel guilty.

"I want some benefit from you in the Lord" This was something that Stewart TOLD the sisters to ASK of the brothers whenever they were with them! This became a way to work the brothers over, but talk about a "spirit of Eve" and manipulation ~ Stewart was the chief manipulator!

Stewart manipulated the sisters to sabotage any chance of having a positive relationship with a brother.

Talk about preventing relationships! Who wants a relationship with someone who is constantly being an irritant?

This is advise from the supposed "great Bible teacher"!

This is advise from the supposed "pastor of the flock"!

Wouldn't it be nice if Stewart Traill provided some benefit in the Lord!

Stewart Traill has been known to cause happily married couples to separate and eventually devorce, even though years later they are still regreting the break up!

Stewart Traill has been known to publically humiliate brothers so that they lost their own personal confidence and felt completely unable to even consider having a relationship with a sister!

Stewart Traill has been known to convince sisters that there aren't any eligible brothers, so that he can then step up to the plate and tell sisters that he'll provide their "attention needs!"

Stewart sets the men up for failure with the woman so that he can play the "great ladies man" ~ yet who suffers?!

COBU has no happy marriages!

COBU has no happy couples!

COBU has no happy families!

COBU has no happy little ones!

This is not a Christian community.

This place is filled with people who have many talents, but are made to feel like loosers, and the main problem: The leader is a looser and the followers keep following the looser!

"I was a slug!" We made more confessions in COBU than those who are in the Catholic Church! Not even sure what this meant, but it was probably said by a brother who had been working hard all day, but probably felt like he had to drag himself through the motions of his tasks because he was exhausted.
So, on top of working really hard, there was nothing better to do than accuse yourself of not doing it with enthusiasm!

"I was beasting it out today!" When you spent the entire day with hard, physical labor and didn't have time for anything spiritual, like prayer.

"I was escorting this sister friend gathering." COBU, especially in NY City and other cities, sisters did not go anywhere without a brother to escort them, or accompany them. This was to make sure the sisters safety was provided.

"Friend gathering" This term was used in the Young Sheep House. In the past there was pressure to "lead people to Jesus" or "get people to say the sinners prayer" this was altered to reduce stress by encouraging those who went out street preaching to "make friends" with those they talked to and "get phone numbers" so they could call them later. On a deeper level, this method allowed us to obtain person information, so that the fellowship could continually harrass those they could call.

"I was fearing."

"I was flyering on the corner and looking for a popup." COBU owned and opperated Christian Brothers Cleaning Service, a carpet and furniture cleaning service, and also a maid service business that began in NYC. "Flyering" refers to giving out printed advertising papers that indicated what services we did and the number to call for a free estimate. A "popup" refers to a "spontaneous cleaning job" obtained by someone who received a flyer and would like you to go right to their home or business and getting their carpet or furniture cleaned that day. A "popup" was an job that was not previously scheduled.

"I was into my flesh."

"I was only joking."

"I was sowing to my flesh."

"I was totally into my head" One brother had to do "guard duty" and asked another brother to "take notes" at the meeting he'd miss. Later he asked to see the meeting notes and over and over on the paper it said, "I'm in my head", "I'm so in my head". So, he asked, "Where are your notes?" He answered, "These are my notes!!! ~ talk about being disconnected!

"I wasn't going to let her bring me down."

"I wasn't reflecting on the second coming of Jesus today." One of the many confessions taught at the Fellowship of "How bad I am" or "How bad we are" or the never ending litany of woe is me because I can't believe I got stuck in this madhouse! And what is the purpose of making those who believe in Jesus to constantly live in purpetual self-condemnation? He guilted us into being his perpetual slaves.

"I will give the brothers a day off when we make one hundred thousand dollars."

"If Jesus came back RIGHT THIS SECOND would you be ready?"

"If something would happen to me, there would be no one to finish the work that I have started." Stewart said this about true interpretation and the figure system of the Bible, that he often said that he was "the only one" that God revealed "true interpretation" and "the figure system" to.

I guess all those Bible Scholars are completely clueless and if it weren't for Stewart Traill no one would have any idea what the Bible is talking about, unbelievable arrogance!

"If the sister is not proud of the marriage, and the man is not proud, then something is wrong."

"If you are truly born again, you don't sin."

"If you don't have a goal, you are an animal."

"If you leave the fellowship you will die."

"If you make Jesus look good, he will make you look good."

"If you were only a little bit more faithful.....You're going to get a big surprise" This is something someone overheard Stewart Traill say. This sounds so sleezy and creepy. This sounds like something Stewart confessed when he wasn't thinking.
So, what's the "big surprise" that Stewart has for the faithful? And, what does that even mean? Faithful to what?

"I'll ask my physical family" Referred to asking something of our parents or siblings.

"I'm committed to faith in Jesus and loving my brothers and sisters." Manhattan Training Center phrase, usually spoken at every meeting before a brother or sister stood up to speak.

"I'm committed to The Proposition!" Yet another committment that brothers and sisters parroted. See: The Proposition as to what they committed to.

" I'm doing my own thing." One of the many confessions we felt obligated to confess to.

"I'm fully there for Jesus!" We had a constant need to "verbally prove ourselves" to each other and even ourselves.

"I'm going friend gathering."

"I'm gonna shake myself!" If the brothers were tired and had an obligation they'd say, "I'm gonna shake myself"
Jdg 16:20 And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free."

"I'm not going to read any bible commentaries."

"In the world"

"interesteds" This referred to anyone who gave us their telephone number, who we spoke to while out witnessing. Anyone who said they were "interested" in coming to one of our meetings. Many times these were "wrong numbers" go figure!

"into" "she's into this" or "he's into that" Anyone who showed any interest in anything, they were said to be "into" that: "she's into this", "he's into that" ~ eventually it was said negatively because no one except Stewart Traill was free to persue any personal interest.

"Is anybody watching him?"

"Is he trying to take the whole fellowship round and round?", Stewart said, and the whole body replied with a resounding: "YESSS!!!!!!!!!"
Another question posed to the group by Stewart or Jimmy to cut someone off who is attempting to make a point to everyone, usually before they were able to complete their thought. It was the overwhelming response by the group that ultimately caused the speaker to throw in the towel and give up.

I wonder if it's also been a contributing factor that those in the group seem to have difficulty completing thoughts and verbal sentences? When you continually cut people off enough times to the point that they never even have an opportunity to make or hear completed thoughts and find it normal to just quit speaking while they're mid-sentence ~ this behavior would apply to the language dynamics of the group. This behavior was observed and published by the reporter who spent time at COBU and wrote an in depth article called, "I'll be damned" in "The Philadelphia" magazine ~ check it out.

"Is she listening to the wrong spirit?"

"Is your conscious clear toward the sisters?"

"It is better to wear out than to rust out."

"It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth"

"It is hard to motivate you."

"It is wrong to say Hallelujahs."

"It was a wrong basis" Anytime someone tried to start something new, that wasn't suggested by Stewart, this is what was said: "It was a wrong basis!" No one's ideas were given respect unless Stewart Traill gave the idea his nod of approval.

"It would be backsliding for me to go witnessing."

"It would be sin for me to go out witnessing," Stewart said.

"It would better if your children were in an orphanage than to be raised by you."

"It's all my fault and I need to take personal responsibility" This thought process, that we also spoke and felt deeply in our soul, reflects how we were programmed to always take a beating for everything, and to feel less about ourselves, and to focus on all the things that we "felt we lacked," or "were told that we lacked," rather than on God's fullness and love for us.

This programming was directly instilled in the body to insure that we blammed ourselves for everything, while at the same time always gave Stewart Traill a "free pass" on all the false teachings that he made sure to instill in our hearts and minds.

The Bible says, "to focus on the flesh is death," yet Stewart Traill taught us to do this from the time we came to know Jesus in COBU. This false teaching had us constantly condemning ourselves, when as Christians we were no longer to be in a state of condemnation.)
Rm 8:6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Mt 12:7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Jn 3:18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Rm 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
We are saying, that Stewart Traill taught us to condemn ourselves althought the scripture clearly teaches that Christians are free from condemnation. Stewart Traill was a false teacher. Stewart Traill misrepresented the message of salvation. Stewart Traill convinced us to live in a state of constant guilt and condemnation, so long as we always looked down on ourselves and looked up to him, even if he never deserved our adoration.
Although we wrote a considerable amount on this phrase, "It's all my fault.." this feeling was so deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts that even years after many left COBU, it is still difficult not to feel this. Thankfully, through the blessing of the oil and prayer, many of these deeply rooted false teachings have been cleansed from those who are "free from the grip" of Stewart Traill and his false church. If you still feel that "it's all your fault" and would like to be released from this oppression, please contact us and we will pray for you about it or any other COBU-related stress you may still suffer from.

"It’s wrong to ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit." Brothers were praying in the late 70's and in their prayer were asking God to "fill them with the Holy Spirit" and Stewart, overhearing this, counseled that this was wrong to pray, stating that when the person got saved they were "filled with the Holy Spirit" and no longer needed to ask for it.

The thing that is very strange about this teaching, is that it shows you how far from God and Jesus Stewart Traill was and still is.

The Holy Spirit is our counselor and the direct connection to God is through His Spirit. It is why there is such a great penalty if anyone speaks a curse against God's Spirit. It is through his Holy Spirit that God is able to speak to our hearts, minds, and souls. If the scripture states that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever" and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to draw near to God ~ if God desires us to "be filled with his Holy Spirit" and to ask for His Holy Spirit to "fill us" on the great day that we were saved, then it does not nullify or make it wrong to seek to be "filled all the more" today, as on the day of our salvation!

In fact, just as Jesus taught his disciples to pray the "Our Father," the Lord God prophetically gave us a specific "prayer of faith" that he counseled us to pray daily that included the language that Stewart Traill discouraged: "Lord God, fill me will your Holy Spirit!"

Stewart Traill made it a mission to constantly accuse the fellowship of having "a wrong spirit" or "the spirit of Eve" or saying things like, "What spirit is running him?! or "What spirit is running her?!" So, you see a double standard clearly here. On one hand Stewart Traill felt compelled to accuse those who were born of God's Spirit that they were run by "a wrong spirit" and at the same time counseled that it is "wrong" to ask God to "fill you with his Holy Spirit" after you have already been saved. Which is it? How can you be "run by a wrong spirit" and "filled with the Holy Spirit" at the same time?! And, if in fact the brethren were "run by a wrong spirit" as Stewart Traill accused many of, many times, wouldn't they be wise to ask " to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God?"

Many of the behaviors of Stewart Traill, especially his behavior with young, unmarried women in our fellowship was very questionable.

Many of Stewart Traill's behaviors towards those of us in the fellowship and counsels that he gave to us show that he was not only "not close to God", but that the spirit that ran him was in direct conflict with the examples of those in scripture who were near to God. Stewart Traill sought the flesh, while he accused others of sewing to it. Stewart Traill liked to accuse others of "being run by wrong spirits," and knowing that the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Power, he most certainly did not want us filled with power, confidence, and a Spirit of strength, for then he couldn't control us, and Stewart Traill was very "into" controlling others.
Rm 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Mt 12:32 And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

"It's by grace we are saved-- never faith."

"It's 'not appropriate' to have "Brother's Meetings" at the Princeton house." There were only "Sister's Meetings" at Stewart's house in Princeton. He said it wasn't 'appropriate' to have "Brother's Meetings" there, although it was 'appropriate' for the brothers to earn the funds that paid for the property, probably like his current Florida mansion.

The Princeton property had a swimming pool, something only used by a select few and never during Sister's Meetings. It was said that there was a bathing suit contest held there ~ I guess what is appropriate for one is not appropriate for the others.

J

"Jesus doesn't need you."

"Jesus never had it this good." Stewart's response to those who were complaining about their living conditions in the lofts and in Brooklyn at Woodruff, one of the most dangerous places to live in Brooklyn.

This is something very ugly to say to those who are financing your empire!

The homes that Stewart Traill got to live in were always the best that the fellowship had to offer. Properties in Teaneck NJ, Princeton NJ - an area with one of the highest property taxes, Philadelphia PA, and now the huge compound in Florida. All properties paid for by the labors of the brothers and sisters and not Stewart Traill himself.

Instead of telling the ones providing you with your palaces that "Jesus never had it so good" the brothers and sisters need to notice that Stewart is the one who has it so good.

Find the brother or sister who is living in the worst possible situation in your group and that is how your group treats the Lord of Glory.

Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

"Jesus showed us at the meeting that..." = "Stewart told us at the meeting that..."

"Jesus showed us at the meeting that: we were holding back."

"Jesus showed us at the meeting that: we were into hiding."

"Jesus showed us at the meeting that: we weren't going by faith." etc, etc, etc.

K

"Knock-down, drag-out argument." [Def. knock-down, drag-out: marked by violence or bitterness and by the showing of no mercy, for example: knock-down, drag-out political or religious debates]
In COBU there were many heated debates, both publicly at meetings and privately. There was no foul language, as at political debates, but there could definitely be harsh and cutting accusations, defamation, slanderous scoffing, and could also include any of the terms and or phrases that Stewart Traill used to berate, belittle, or humiliate anyone in the group at any of our meetings.
This was another way that Stewart Traill was the main influence on our behaviors that he continually denied having anything to do with the contribution of, especially when he'd say things like: "I'm not part of YOUR fellowship!" ~ this is a blatant, flagrant, glaring, obvious, undisguised, unconcealed, open, shameless, barefaced, naked, unabashed, unashamed, unblushing, brazen, and completely lacking in subtlety: LIE!! Right or wrong!?

L

"Late night meeting." Stewart Traill was known to keep us at meetings late into the night and even extended to the wee hours of the morning. He was known to enjoy pacing about and pontificating [pontificate: expressed ones opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic. syn: expound, declaim, preach, lay down the law, sound off, dogmatize, sermonize, moralize, lecture, informal preachy, mouth off, and bloviate] on whatever was on his mind.
Stewart Traill loved to hear himself talk and bloviate, on and on and on.
One of the advantages of using a space for a meeting that was rented for a certain number of hours was that we could at least leave by 10 or 11 pm, as opposed to having the meetings at one of our owned properties where he could keep us until 2 am or later!

Stewart Traill had no concern for our safety in getting back to our apartments in NY City at any hour, nor the safety of those who had to drive others home in the centers when exhaustion at the wheel of a car or bus could put members at the risk of having an accident. This was something that was very much a part of the COBU lifestyle that other people would never obligate others to the point of putting them at risk. Some of these were also parents of young children, who had to then retrieve their little ones in the dead of night (or morning, as it were) to then take them home.

Speaking of the "safety of members getting home from meetings," the condition of the vehicles that COBU kept and opporated was less than atrocious. On the way to a Big Meeting once a State Trooper pulled our vehicle over on the highway. When the officer came to the drivers window he said, "You didn't do anything wrong, but we just wanted to ask you, 'Are you going to that big Bible campout down the road?' My partner and I have a running bet and we think you're on your way there, are you?" The driver asked, "How'd you know?" and the officer answered: "Everyone of your vehicles is so old and junky, that we've been picking you off as you go by!"
Stewart Traill also had no concern for the fact that most of us had early morning jobs that we had to get to, and would end up looking as though we had "a late night out on the town," rather than what it was: a late night listening to Stewart Traill pontificate all night about his latest interest.

"Lay down your defenses." This was another one of Stewart Traill's very wrong teachings.
Stewart taught that we should constantly be open about all of our weaknesses, negative thoughts, feelings, fears, etc. Things that most people would keep to themselves, Stewart taught that we should, "lay down all of our natural defenses", and reveal our most intimate and usually potentially self-incriminating beliefs, thoughts, or feelings.
[def. incriminating: to make (someone) appear guilty of wrongdoing; to strongly imply the guilt of (someone).]
When a person lowers their defenses, they open themselves up to all kinds of abuse.
In COBU we confessed things that should have only been said in private to the Lord God.
In COBU, if someone was questioning someone else about what they were "up to" or "doing" or some other "assumed wrong behavior," if the one being questioned would give any explanation, they could be further offended, irritated, and provoked, by the questioner (immitating this behavior first seen by Stewart Traill's example), by saying things like, "Why are you getting defensive brother?" or "Why the defense?" even if the person had a legitimate reason or a personal obligation, they could be open to abusive treatment.
Laying down your defenses, was a teaching that made those in our group vulnerable to attack and constant criticism.
Again, COBU being a safe-land? I don't think so, right or wrong!?
This is another reason that we considered COBU a Church of Suspicious Doubting. It was a breeding ground for always being suspicious of each other, feeling accused, being accusatory, feeling guilty, or making others feel guilty; and usually for doing absolutely nothing wrong or worthy of this kind of stress or oppression.
Stewart Traill taught that it was ok to oppress each other.
Stewart Traill taught that it was ok to wrongly accuse each other.
Stewart Traill taught that it was ok to provoke each other.
Stewart Traill taught that everyone, except him, was to expose every wrong thing.
Stewart Traill was never open and honest about his own very questionable behavior.
Stewart Traill taught, contrary to scripture, that we were all expected to lay down our God given natural defenses, and confess to guilt, even if we had done no wrong.
Stewart Traill was a slanderer and a scoffer of the people, he did it and he taught it, by example and by his words.
[def. abusive: extremely offensive and insulting language. (synonyms: rude, vulgar, disparaging, belittling, derogatory, disrespectful, denigratory, uncomplimentary, censorious, defamatory, slanderous, libelous)]
Psa 15:2-3 O LORD, who shall sojourn in thy tent? Who shall dwell on thy holy hill? He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart; who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
Pro 22:3 & Pro 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; ...
Isa 45:15 Truly, thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
Mt 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Eph 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

"Let's call an ace an ace here."

"Let's get serious!" This was usually a "call to order" if everyone began to talk among themselves at a meeting ~ spoken by Stewart or any other leader.

"Let's go sweeping." In COBU the term "sweeping" meant to go out and get homeless people from the train and bus stations with the offer of a place to stay and "Christian training." It was much more the recruitment of an unpaid labor force, than it was to save the lost.

"LG" "into looking good" or "The brothers are into LG" Very difficult to actually accomplish, when working excessive numbers of hours a day, hardly having time to sleep or bath and usually the sleep was the first priority.

Sleep was something you caught when you could, a precious commodity! On one of the jobs, a brother was so exhausted, he looked longingly at a park bench out the window. His customer caught him and advised: "You look so tired, but please don't take a nap in that park, you could be robbed." She offered her own couch for him to sleep on, but the brother declined the offer and kept pressing on with his job, and never did get any sleep until the wee hours of the morning. Such was the way our brothers were devoted to "earning the money that Stewart Traill spent on his own indulgences: like aircrafts (for him to look good flying), properties, (with excessive taxes, lovely lawns and pools) If anyone in our fellowship was "into looking good" at the expense of everyone else, it was Stewart Traill! Most of the brothers still had the shoes and clothing brought with them when they left the homes of their parents and with only a $10 a week allowance after turning in all money earned ~ looking good wasn't even an option, yet the accusation still got cast.

There was a movie about cults and in it there was a shot of a young man sitting on a street corner next to a carpet cleaning machine, sound asleep! We had planned to meet another brother at this theatre, but we came in at different times, yet when this clip in the movie was shown we figured out where in the theatre he was, because we were the only ones who laughed when we saw that clip!

Just one more false accusation and lie purpetrated by Stewart Traill, when it was Gayle Traill and the "sister/wives" of Stewart who were able to purchase nice clothing, not the brothers who earned the money used for all of Stewart Traills personal cravings.

In hind sight, Stewart was constantly accusing the brothers of "looking good," when in fact there was nothing for the brothers to look good about, especially since having a relationship with a sister was forbidden!
Perhaps this was him projecting what he was into.
Another consideration was seeing the way that he corralled the older brothers in the NY Training Center, then systematically cut them down publically for doing nothing more than following the mandates that he had put in place, leads one to wonder if he was envious of them. Envious of the respect and the trust that they earned from those in their charge. It can be considered that Stewart Traill may have had a deep seated fear that these ones who had commanded the respect of many and indeed did at one time "look good" because they were above reproach, that Stewart, once he had completely humbled them, accusing them of "being into looking good" could be one way that he insured that they would stay down, where he put them.
[def. coralled: to enclose, confine, lock up, shut in, fence in, cage, coup up, wall in]
[def. humbled:to lower someones dignity or importance, humiliate, abase, demean, degrade, deflate, cut down to size, take down a peg]
Stewart devoted an entire Diplomat Meeting with all the fellowship present to preach to everyone how wrong it was to "be into looking good!" The theme was that everyone should be "into making Jesus look good" and that he in turn would make "us look good."
Another very blarringly obvious point is: what in the heck is wrong with looking good! The whole world has things to help people to appear nicer! Whole industries are set up for this! The clothing industry! The hair care industry! The make-up industry! The industry of barbers and beuticians! The entire reason that people flock to their local gym is so they can improve their personal appearance! Yet Stewart Traill, in all his "infinite wisdom" made it practically "a sin" for the members of COBU to try to "look good" or improve their personal appearance! He judged everyone harshly if their hearts were interested in "looking good!"
Stewart Traill was a master at taking a perfectly normal interest, one of which was to look good, and turning it into: something to feel shame about, something to feel guilty about, or likened it to committing sin. Yet, where is the sin in brothers wanting to present themselves pleasantly!? Due to this outrageous teaching, Stewart Traill's group looked completely forlorn, scruffy, and were not even attractive enough looking that anyone would want to be seen around us! This is another way that Stewart Traill condemned not only the brothers, but also the growth of the group that he so pushed about increasing its size!
Stewart also accused the brothers of being a bottleneck! Yet he was the true bottleneck, the true blockage of fellowship growth! Stewart Traill was responsible for the dour spirit that our fellowship was filled with.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Mt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

"Living in shame" We sure did! It was downright shameful the way Stewart Traill treated the men and women of God! Some of us were so ashamed of ourselves that we couldn't bring ourselves to visit our own families! Some had been college students, who were once considered intelligent, whose parents cried when their sons and daughters quit college to join The COBU Cult!
Yet, this phrase in COBU wasn't about our shameful existence, but instead, it was another one of the condemnations leveled at us by our faithful leader: Stewart Traill! Yes, it was one more brick he loaded into our already heavy cart of being "made to feel bad about ourselves!"
The sad truth is, that many believed the false accusations leveled at them by Stewart Traill. They accepted it then and many still accept it now, even though they no longer live in the house that Stewart built, yet the condemnations still affect the hearts and minds of many of those who once spent time in Stewart Traill's arena.
Eph 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Stewart Traill, impart grace, oh, I forgot, Stewart Traill said that "he missed grace!" Oops, no grace in COBU! Stewart didn't know the first thing about grace, why? Because grace was one of the words used to define our Lord Jesus, and Stewart Traill didn't even know him! Never even met him! Couldn't possibly be trusted to teach about his nature! Oops, Jesus wasn't a part of our fellowship! Why, because there was no grace and there was no truth!
Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Jn 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Col 1:6 ... from the day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth, 2Jn 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
Stewart Traill not only missed grace ~ but what about truth! His truth was twisted and skewed!
Job 40:8 Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified? Luk 6:37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Stewart Traill judged, therefore he will be judged. Stewart Traill condemned, therefore he will be condemned.
Mt 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
Mt 5:22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.
Deu 19:16-20 If a malicious witness rises against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, ... and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. And the rest shall hear, and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.
Rm 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. Stewart Traill was our continual judge, though the Bible counsels not to judge, not to insult, not to quarrel, not to slander, not to scoff, not to do many of the things that Stewart Traill did on a regular basis, like saying that "we lived in shame" when indeed it was through adopting the principles that he set forth that we became shameful ~ he taught us to point the finger at one another, he taught us to abuse one another, he taught us to oppress and stress one another ~ for these things that he taught us, yes, for these things we may have "lived in shame." Yet thanks be to God that he removes the shame that we incured, if we lift up to him in prayer the shameful things that weigh us down.
2Ti 1:12 and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
Heb 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 1Pe 4:16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.

"Lukewarm" This was a word used in scripture that referred to those who had no committment. Stewart was the king of piling on the workovers and false accusations! Our fellowship was filled with people who were so deeply committed to Jesus that they left homes, schools, relationships, jobs, and did everything in their power to try to understand the scripture and share the salvation message with their family, people in the streets, people at the mall, people on the bus, people on the train, people at the laundry, people at the grocery store, or where ever we were ...
Yet, Stewart Traill threw out the accusation that we were "lukewarm!" Unbelievable!
This concept of being lukewarm originated with this scripture:
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

M

"making a speech" In this list of "the language spoken in COBU," there are many of the speeches that we felt obligated to make:
"I'm commited to loving my brothers and sisters" was just one of many!
Once again, Stewart Traill got those in the fellowship to make speeches of our commitment, then turned around and berated us for making them! Yet, he wasn't a part of our fellowship, right! He was the creator and architect of our house of horrors. The place that you could always trust that you were damned if you did, and also damned if you didn't! COBU, was the house of the damned.
COBU, the house that Stewart Traill built, yet denied having anything to do with its condition, right or wrong!?

"Making bricks for Pharoah" This meant that you had a job apart from the group or "in the world."
If we were honest we should have said: "Making bricks for Stewart, the only one who got to spend the money that we "Made in the World" ~ the collecter and spender of our paychecks!

"Manhattan Training Center (the MTC) I already covered this one under "The NY Training Center" that it was originally described as, but later was referred to as the MTC or Manhattan Training Center that Stewart sent most of the older brothers and sisters to after they had healthy and thriving fellowship houses that they were shepherding in the centers. Do a search on this page for the word: "training" and the word: "lofts" and you can read more about it.

"Many of you have a ho-hum attitude."

"Marionettes" This is what Stewart Traill called any brothers who he thought were dull or that they were 'going through the routine', he called them "Marionettes", yet it's too bad he wasn't honest enough to claim his role of 'Puppet Master.'

"Marriage doesn't make anyone happy." Another false teaching of Stewart Tanner Traill. If it doesn't make you happy Stewart why did you marry twice and once Gayle became ill said it was as if you were no longer married and needed to have "sister-wives" or "half-wives" or young girl arm candy to be your companions? Sounds a lot like a double standard to me, you know, like so many of the standards in the house that Stewart Traill built.
Double standard 1: Stewart has numerous "relationships" with the opposite sex, but the brothers and sisters are not "faithful enough" or "zealous enough" to take part in a blessing that God ordained to be received with thanksgiving.
Double standard 2: Stewart Traill can live in really expensive homes, but the brothers and sisters have to live in dumps in run down neighborhoods.
Double standard 3: Stewart Traill can make all kinds of false accusations, but the brothers and sisters get to hang their heads in guilt and shame even if they aren't guilty.
Double standard 4: Stewart Traill doesn't have to earn any money, but the brothers and sisters do.
Double standard 5: Stewart Traill can sleep all day, but the brothers and sisters work until the wee hours of the morning and bearly get a full nights rest.
Double standard 6: Stewart Traill can say that he "missed grace" and doesn't even know Jesus, but the brothers and sisters need to "serve Jesus" with all their hearts, we mean Stewart.

"Marriage has nothing to do with Christian life. It affects it, but it has nothing to do with it." A brother wrote a letter to Stewart Traill about his interest in a sister. In the letter he said that he didn't want his "permission" but he wanted his advice about whether or not it would be the "right time" to let the sister know of his interest and intensions. The above quote was written on a file card and delivered to the brother by the sister who took the message.
Stewart Traill was a mischief maker.
Stewart Traill made everyones personal business, a public matter.
Stewart Traill could have very easily had someone find the brother and have a conversation with him on the phone, but this wasn't something that the great and wonderful Mr. Traill had any interest in doing.
Stewart Traill was not interested in having personal relationships with those who provided the funds for his interests.
Then there is the content of his cryptic message.
[def. cryptic: mysterious, puzzling, ambiguous, hidden meaning, difficult to understand, vague]
Stewart was basically saying, I'm not interested in this and I have no intention of acting as a shepherd or a pastor to you, and basically was saying loud and clear: leave me alone!
In scripture there are countless references to connections between the institution of marriage and its direct relationship with Christian life.
Stewart's message was false teaching, period, right or wrong!?

Eph 5:31-32 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Eph 5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Eph 5:24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Eph 5:26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Eph 5:27 that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church
Joh 2:1,2,9 On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom Joh 2:10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." Joh 2:11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

"Marriage is not for little boys, but for men who know what they are doing." Gee! Wow! How insightful! I wonder where this profound statement fits into the figure system!? Or, maybe it's "true interpretation!"
Only wrinkled old geezers are discerning enough to enter into marriage! Funny how "all the little boys" of COBU, who wouldn't know the first thing about a sisters needs and are probably all over the age of 50 by now, but especially since most of the devoted sisters all live with the great and wonderful Stewart Traill. Too bad the "little boys" weren't allowed to even consider the hope of having a romantic relationship, because Stewart made that against the COBU rules! And everyone knows who rules COBU!
[Def. insightful: deep, penetrating, astute, wise, shrewd, perceptive, profound]
[Def. irritating: annoying, infuriating, exasperating, maddening, trying, tiresome, vexing, vexatious, obnoxious, irksome, nagging, niggling, galling, grating] ya know, Stewart!
Once again, Stewart is taking an institution sanctioned by God, one in which Paul uses the symbol of it to compare with Christ and his church, and he makes a leud suggestion about it, go figure! Always true to his core intention, ya know, how he's the only one eligable and everyone else hasn't got a clue!

"McFLY!!!!!"

"Money Handlers" This referred to the various brothers or sisters who distributed the weekly allowances and transportation funds, those who "handled the money" in COBU.

"My marriage to Gayle is an experiment," Stewart Traill said. How romantic! I guess that experiment failed and he's working in his dark room again!

"My name is ________ and I need to make something right with the body" This was a statement announced by someone at a meeting just before making a public confession ~ one of COBU's most invested functions.

"Never trust anyone over 34." First it was don't trust anyone over 25, then 34, but now that everyone's over 50 you'd think they would have understood that they shouldn't have given their trust to Stewart Traill, who was antient from the beginning of the group, yet always was acting like an adolescent boy, happy to be running around with all the other little girls.

N

"No one understands the Bible like I do." You know that your mother always warned you to stay away from people who obviously have a screw loose!

"No one was telling him."

"Not being led by non-Christians, being led by Christians."

"Not you dummy!" Now that's not a very nice thing to say to anyone! How was she supposed to know that when you asked for volunteers you only wanted the fairest in the land!
She just thought you really wanted someone qualified to do the actual task you had been yammering about and wasting everyones time listening to each and every nuance of your clowded mind. Heck, if we all new that we weren't acceptable to do your "special projects" and that you just wanted that "select few" why didn't you say so 20, 30, or 40 years ago! Oh, I forgot, you needed an audience!
Glad everyone who beleived in you has provided at least one special purpose!
Was that the figure system that you got right, the figure system where you figure out what everyone else should be doing for you: forever, and ever, and ever, because they aren't pretty enough, or thin enough, or clueless enough, to already know that you didn't want them in your inner, inner, circle of wonder friends?!
I for one am so very glad that God showed this dummy to get smart and jump ship when I did! Thanks to the real Jesus of the real Bible, you know, the one with grace and truth ~ not like your Jesus, the one that's dumb and dumber, or as you are Stewart: harsh and nasty!

"Now, we have to get into that." Oh no, he's got his 15th wind, we'll be here for another hour and my bladder was ready to give out 30 minutes ago! Good thing I thought to get this wonderful new contraption called "Poise" it's supposed to help when the floods come down; but really Stewart, do we really need to "get into that?" What are you really up to anyway? I always wanted to ask you that, but hey, I've got eyes, I can see who your with and what you're about. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out, but what I really want to know is why that pretty, young things father never taught her to watch out for dirty old men like you? Oh, who's her daddy? She found you.

"Number Saved" In the early days of The FF and then also COBU, each fellowship, (or fellowship leader) would keep track of the number who got saved in their fellowship house each day and each week. There were a number of fellowship houses in each "Center." The fellowship leader would tell the Center Leader how many got saved that week. So there were statistics that were kept of how many our entire church led to Jesus. That was back in the days when everyone was young, healthy, and still had a healthy desire to care about others, no matter how many times Stewart Traill put all of us down, we would just pop back up and go hand out the latest tract or sit down with someone at the food court of our local mall or college campus. When we grew up and realized that the number saved only had to do with how many were born into our strange society many of us quit going out witnessing, so I'm not sure if the number saved was even counted, for instance, during the Christian Brothers Carpet Cleaning business years, but once upon a time in COBU we kept statistics of which fellowship and which Center led the most people, I mean, young people to say the Sinners Prayer.

"Number Contacted" This was another statistic that the fellowship houses kept track of: how many people that we had phone numbers for were called and contacted so that we could invite them to a meeting or see if they wanted to give their lives to Jesus.

O

"Of all the children she raised, she has none to take her by the hand."

"One day the brothers will judge my work."

"one stupid chuckle and I was doomed" This comment may have been just one persons feelings and not necessarily a "COBU saying" or it could have been something someone said and then everyone at that location kept repeating until it became a "saying."
Notice how the comment reflects the way the person felt: that if someone just thought something was funny and released a natural laugh or chuckle, that there was such stress in the group that laughter was something not tollerated or that it was openly challenged to the point that someone would even think this way: that if they laughed to themselves they would come under attack, they'd "be doomed" such is an expression of a member of the house that Stewart Traill built.

"Our fellowship must be a We instead of an I."

"Our fellowship will give the world true interpretation in the end times." First you've got to get it right: how can you have true interpretation when you don't know grace, you don't know truth, you don't know Jesus, and your fellowship is riddled with behaviors that are in constant conflict with the Bible's example of Christianity?

The group was under the impression, given by Stewart, that we could do "spiritual calculus" when we didn't know the "A,B,C's" of Christianity!

They study Greek , when they don't even know the first principles of the things of the spirit: like joy, hope, peace, and kindness. You who desire to teach others, must first be taught that Godliness has nothing to do with the distructive and abusive behaviors you demonstrate to those in your charge.

Heb 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food; for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

P

"personally responsible" Was an empty phrase where we promised to be more committed to the current COBU teaching, whatever that might have been. It was also something to say to avoid being pressured by anyone, like, "I'm being personally responsible" ~ so, please leave me alone.

"Phshewww!" This was just an expression used a lot, it could be compared to when someone says, "Geees!"

"physical sin" Usually referred to any type of sexual behavior.

"Pleasing Jesus, one rug at a time."

"Praise God!" "Praise God, brothers and sisters!" This was often spoken with an awed and glorious inflection, and at times elongated, like: "Praaaiiise Gawwwd!" mostly in the early days of the fellowship. Stewart and the brothers and sisters said this a lot, especially in the 70's, almost like the period on every sentence.

Part of the Cool Kid COBU lingo, used to assure that you fit in.

Also, in the early days of COBU, when someone would give their life to Jesus, some would say, "Praise God! You gave your life to Jesus! That is awesome!" and meant it from their heart.
Praise God!!!! - meant to promote thanksgiving and praise to the Father of our Lord and Savior, in the later days of COBU was often misused.
While "under the influence of COBU" and wanting to stoke down any discontent of others, when they didn’t want to hear it, would: PRAISE GOD! them into feeling guilty, such as, "PRAISE GOD brother, we have another day to please Jesus!"

This saying, also was misused in meetings: in a way to hopefully, fend off attack from others, such as: "Praise God brothers and sisters, I had a lot of success today!"

So basically, Praise God! in COBU, became a way to keep others off your back or to "through the use of religiosity," squelch, or cancel an honest complaint.

Praise God, has a near cousin, which was: THANK YOU JESUS! Both at many times, were just things we said because we thought we should, even though we had no "song of praise" or "thankfulness" in our hearts.

The use of these terms was promoted by Stewart, who sometimes when you did it would nod and give hand gestures which gave the impression that it was: indeed pleasing to Stewart when we gurgled these platitudes.

Stewart, seemed to hide behind these gestures and taught us to also.

"Princeton Sisters" This referred to any of the sisters who lived with Stewart and Gayle in the Princeton house. Someone called them: "The Princess Sisters." which had to do with the way they had a sense of entitlement with being close to Stewart or "Stewart's Finest", but it was a guillded trap.

"Pulling the plug." Pulling the plug was like "dropping the ball" it was mostly a sister one, but sometimes brothers were said to have "pulled the plug", you know: they "let all the water out of the tub" or that "they sabotaged what they could have had" or "they threw away what they had gained"

This one was hard for me to understand, I always felt that when I've "pulled the plug" on the "bath tub" that I let go of all the "dirt" that had been stuck on me, right?

I mean, in hind sight, letting go of COBU teachings was a good thing, like getting "free from the grip of Stewart Traill and COBU!" I mean, after I take a bath I feel much better, much cleaner, and it's a really good thing, right or wrong!?
So, my opinion is, that if you got accused of "pulling the plug" or "dropping the COBU ball" then that was a good thing!
The purpose of this website is to expose the beliefs that we learned in COBU, that had nothing to do with being a Christian and hurt the hearts and souls of the brothers and sisters there, so that they can "be released" ~ so we say, if you "pulled the plug" it was probably a good thing, but you couldn't appreciate it at the time, when you were getting put down by Stewart for doing it, but now you can!! :)

"pulling the rug" which became "yanking your chains"

"PUSHY!" and "That sister is PUSHY!" This usually referred to any sister who wasn't doing what was expected of her or what someone else perceived was "proper behavior" ~ another type of negitive labeling that Stewart pronounced continually. It could also be referred to a sister who knew her own mind and spoke her own truth, or what she believed. This should be a good thing, in an acedemic society this would be someone who was considered assertive; not necessarily a healthy trait in a group that expected everyone to "follow the leader" like in Peter Pan! This is another aspect of COBU that did not conform with the Bibles expression of faith. Faith was taking a step out of the box, or into a place that you hadn't been before.
COBU wanted everyone to conform to their directives ~ this is not a faith-filled lifestyle, everyone doing the same things.
Faith is not knowing what is around the corner, but trusting that God is with you, that Jesus loves you, and that your counselor, the Holy Spirit will guide you.
Faith is doing things like: dating in a group that is so backward that they send a group of 10 old, married people to try to break up a couple who have been faithful members of the group from the time they were 17 and 19 years old and are now 23 and 25 years old and the group is so insecure about people "dating" that they meet with you and say cold and cutting things about your personality in an effort to make you cease and desist from continuing in your unsanctioned relationship. The funny thing was that before the relationship started I was voted by the entire group to go to Haiti ~ but suddenly, because a 25 year old brother was interested in having a romantic relationship with a 23 year old sister, suddenly the sister is considered, "pushy, out of fellowship and in the dark" and the brother should find another, more devoted sister to have a relationship with. Yet, each and every time any "relationship" would crop up, those brothers and sisters were also targeted as "acting out of fellowship."
Dating in COBU was probably the biggest act of faith I ever experienced while living in COBU and remaining a "couple" while everyone was discouraging our personal commitment to God and each other, was an even more profound act of faith. Leaving the cult of our youth, was the act of hearing the voice of God and walking out of the environment that we had known since High School and our parents home. Getting married ~ was the icing on the cake of faith! Don't regret any of these steps taken with many prayers and many questions of my heart and mind, but after all was said and done I am so thankful that God let me be a doubter of COBU and a believer in God's great and steadfast love for me, my husband, and the son he gave us!
Yeah, I was called a "pushy sister" and I was called a "tough cookie" and yeah, when Stewart Traill was irritating I hung up the phone. And when he called back, I did it again! I know the voice of my redeemer and Stewart Traill's voice never was it! Faith, try it sometime, it's very refreshing and sometimes has a much better outcome than even I could have imagined. Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace and truth! Awesome! Quite awesome!

Eph 3:20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think!

R

"reference Bible" During meetings Stewart would often say: This is a reference or anti-reference to ______ verse in the Bible.
So, he decided that he wanted to have all these references written in tiny hand writting (as close to actual type as it was possible to write) across the top of 3X5" file cards.
So any sister who could write very neatly was part of "the reference Bible" group. We would usually go to Stewarts' house and sit on the floor and write references or portions of different verses all day long. Later, these file cards were put into very long file boxes that had tabs for the books of the Bible. So whenever Stewart gave a Bible study on a certain chapter he could pull out a pile of file cards of the references that he had already applied to the verses that we would read.

"Refresh my heart in Christ!" This was something that Stewart TOLD the sisters to ASK and EXPECT of the brothers! Yet another workover that came down from on high! Stewart is the chief manipulator!

Stewart manipulated the sisters to sabotage any chance of having a positive relationship with a brother.

Talk about preventing relationships! Who wants a relationship with someone who is constantly being irritating?

This is advise from the supposed "great Bible teacher"!

This is advise from the supposed "pastor of the flock"!

Wouldn't it be nice if Stewart Traill provided some refreshment to the hearts of the people of COBU!

Stewart Traill has been known to cause happily married couples to separate and eventually devorce, even though years later they are still regreting the break up!

Stewart Traill publically humiliated brothers until they lost personal confidence and became unable to even consider having a relationship!

Stewart Traill has convinced sisters that there "aren't any eligible brothers", so that he can then step up to the plate and tell sisters that he'll provide their "personal needs!"

Stewart sets the men up for failure with the woman so that he can play the "great man" ~ yet who suffers?!

COBU has no happy marriages!

COBU has no happy couples!

COBU has no happy families!

COBU has no happy little ones!

This is not a Christian community.

This place is filled with people who have many talents, but are made to feel like loosers, and the main problem: The leader is a looser and the followers keep following the looser!

"Right or Wrong?" This was usually after an accusation, and then it was asked if he was right or wrong in his accessment, ie, "You're being pushy! ~ Right or Wrong?" and then the accused would hang their head and agree, "Right, you're right!"
Life in COBU was a series of condemnations and accusations, to which one was oppressed into believing evil of oneself and usually for extremely small infractions, if indeed the person was even guilty of anything to begin with. This society was very accomplished in the perpetration of false guilt.

"roll of dimes" In 1975, 1976, no one had "cell phones" but it only took a dime to make a local phone call at a public pay phone, so we would get a roll of dimes and a list of phone numbers of people we met or those who were "interested" when we told them about Jesus and the need to get saved. We would call them and see if they wanted to come to our Bible study or Big Meetings, which were usually held during 3 day weekends especially: The Fourth of July and New Years weekends.

"round and round" This phrase was used to refer to the conversation not going anywhere, because it's just going "round and round." This could refer to much of the time that we were in COBU: same experience, different day.

S

"Say brother, how's your faith?"

"SEE YOU LATER!" This was one of the many things Stewart had a habbit of saying if anyone had the nerve to get up during a meeting, sometimes for such a minor infraction as needing to use the bathroom! Take into consideration that some meetings had a tendancy to go on and on and on for hours.

Stewart had a need to have everyones full and undivided attention. His insatiable need to control everyones constant attention seems to be a sign of someone with a great deal of insecurity. This was shown by the fact that he got so easily offended if someone had a need to use the bathroom or make a phone call, go see their child in the nursery, or even stretch their legs!

Stewart Traill seemed like he had a great need to have everyone hang on his every word.

He didn't seem to be able to trust God or anyone else.

It almost reminds me of an infants behavior when the mother would need to step out of the room and separation anxiety would take over, yes! Stewart's need to take offense whenever anyone got up to take a walk was definitly very infantile behavior, very needy and from an adults perspective very intrussive and obnoxious.

"shake yourself supper" which aside from a catchy phrase, meant that we were supposed to be "serious during the supper break" and not get on each others nerves, so we could have a "quick break" and "get right back together."

Or, as we see in hind sight, even though the previous session was probably extremely lengthy and everyone was tired of sitting on the hard floors and desperately needed to take a bathroom break or go see children in the nursery but, Stewart was "pumped up" and wanted to get us right back in our seats, where he preferred us: sitting at his feet (on the floor), all eyes on him, giving him our undivided attention, with notebooks and pens in hand, writing every "impressive" ounce of dribble that he came out of his mouth ~ unless he was butchering one of us publicly: "Oh, the real lesson!" But Stewart Traill, he wasn't the issue, yeah right!

"shake yourself" This term came from this scripture:
Jdg 16:20 And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free."

"She was maneuvering for my attention." This was usually said of a sisters behavior if she was considered "manipulative," it was considered a negative behavior.

"She's just into control." "She's just out of control." Usually referred to any sister who wasn't doing what was expected of her or what someone else perceived was "proper behavior" ~ another type of negitive labeling that Stewart pronounced continually.

"Shrink back" Act 20:27 ...for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Heb 10:38-39 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. This terem was usually used as a work over not to hold back in witnessing, because if you did than God wouldn't be pleased with you.

"Shut that kid up!" This is how Stewart dealt with newborns at our meetings, talk about having no shame for crude behavior! Too bad Stewart never felt compelled to "make his behavior right!" There is nothing right about being an arrogant oaff, right or wrong!?

"Sin feels good, when you are doing it." Yup Stewart, you would know!

"Sin was fun, but now it’s not fun anymore." Yeah Stewart, that's called "conviction" it's a gift of God to lead to repentance, the forgiveness of sins.

Jud 1:14 It was of these also that Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads,
Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own passions, loud-mouthed boasters, flattering people to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jud 1:18 they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."
Jud 1:19 It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;
Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And convince some, who doubt;
Jud 1:23 save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing,
Jud 1:25 to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

"sister/women combinations, later called "combos."

"Sisters are deceitful Eve."

"Sisters are hoping in marriage and relationships."

"So Gayle, what do you think?" When things would get quiet at a meeting, or if someone said something and suddenly lost their confidence, Stewart would often turn and say this to Gayle.

"Some brothers are hanging back."

"Speak the truth regardless of the other person's feelings."

"special woman attention" Stewart Traill deemed that all "sister/women" have abundant "attention needs" and he made sure that every woman in his group was led to feel that this was something that was strongly desired and that each one had to have.

Then he proceeded to systematically crush and obliterate the confidence of all the brothers in COBU, until they were completely unmanned, and were shadows of their former selves. So humbled and humiliated that they were only good for doing "the work" or "the labor" of the group.

So, since there were all these incapable brothers, and all these sisters around with "intense needs" of having "special" attention. Stewart Traill maned up and offered to provide the sisters with every bit of that "special woman attention" that they could possibly ever want, for their entire lives! Wow, go Stewart!

The two-edged sword of this "outstanding bit of intelligence" that Stewart Traill came up with all on his own, was that sometimes Stewart's "in the mood" to be "nice" but a lot of the time, because he's just an old fart, he tends to be quite "nasty" so, the question is: If you're a woman, do you really want to put up with a whole bunch of "nasty attention" from the really old dude, while you're only getting his "nice" attention in dribs and drabs? It's something to consider.

Then there's that other drawback, that he's also got to be on hand to provide all that "special woman attention" for all your other lovely sisters. And oh yeah, almost forgot to mention the draw back of having to feel slighted, every time Stewart changes up for a "newer, younger, model" of who you used to be, like he did to Shirley, and then Gayle, and maybe to you too. Hey, Stewart's an equal opportunity oppressor!

Tough choice: no attention (because all the other guys in the joint are undone, disqualified, unhappy, and are obviously in a constant state of frustration) or the possibility of "nice" attention from the old guy (the only one with all the "special attention needs" ability) with the knowledge that putting up with the "nasty" comments, that he's oh so good at spewing out, is just part of your current Christian Life ~ oh, I forgot to tell you: none of this has anything to do with what Christian Life is all about, it's just the "COBU-Life" that you ended up in, on your detour from going straight to the Lord God and Jesus Christ of The Holy Bible. And look at all those other ones before you, that are still in that rut of looking to please Stewart! But hey, it was just a "pit stop" that you've become stuck in for a while, but you're a clever girl, we think that you can find a way out of it. Try hard, we know you can do it!

And to the rest of you sisters: Ya know, the ones who never made it to the plate (baseball term) to even get a tiny bit of Stewart Traill's wonderful gift of "special women attention" it ain't all that it's cracked up to be, I mean the guy is almost 100 years old, for God sakes!
If you haven't made it to the front of the line, why drool over something that just wasn't meant for you anyway? If you need wisdom, ask God! He promised to give it to anyone who asked! (Jas 1:5)

That includes all of you brothers, who've been kicked to the proverbial curb, in that age old race of having the ability to "go on a date" ~ something that you haven't been allowed to do since you said "the prayer" and fell down that rabbit hole of Stewart Traill's never ending need to absorb all the money that you've earned for the last 30 years!

Hey, but stay there, it's as good a place as any, right? You get at least 2 meals a day and a place to work out all your frustrations: "going to the work" and if you're lucky, you even get to take a nap between obligations!

So, how's life been treating you in that wacky world of "Stewart's your daddy" and you'll defend every unChristian nuance that he displays each and everyday, but hey, this is your life and you'll keep occupying it anyway you darn well please!

Getting oppressed and stressed out by the 'big bad COBU daddy" is something you signed up for and you learned to deal with it a very long time ago and nobodies going to take away your free will and your God-given right to chose to be cut down and humiliated every single day: whether openly, privately or even in your own head, where most bros live anyway and even if it is a way to get that "all-coveted trip" to "daddy's special attention" ~ yeah, brothers "get it too" (just not in the dark room), but hey, some attention is better than no attention at all, or is it?

Well, think about it: what would your life be like without having to view Stewart giving all those young sisters his "very special attention" I mean, just think about it, it's irritating, right or wrong?

So, back to our lesson: what exactly is "special woman attention?"

It's the stuff that only Stewart Traill knows how to give properly.

It's the amazing thing that all COBU women have been told that they desperately need and can only get from Stewart Traill, when he's in a generous mood.

It's the reason that Stewart Traill is the only brother allowed to go to the sister/women meetings, ya know, he's gotta scope out what's left in the group.

Yeah, we know that most of you have become "old ladies" while you were waiting for your "special turn" to get your own "special woman attention" needs met, but hey, at least you spent your whole darn life on the line!

Who knew that that's what God meant, when he said, "I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil." (Jer 29:11)

Is it evil to have special needs and know that they'll never be able to be fully met?

Is it evil that Stewart Traill is the self-proclaimed flaunter of his very best talent: providing "special-woman attention" to those in need?

I guess it depends on which side of that attention you're on.
So, that's the story and if you think it's vague, that's the way it was meant to be!

You're smart, you stayed! You weren't a doubter! You believed!

Stewart Traill don't know Jack! But he sure does know Mary.... and Sue.... and Lisa.... and how about you?

Mt 5:28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Isa 30:9-12 For they are a rebellious people, lying sons, sons who will not hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, "See not"; and to the prophets, "Prophesy not to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more of the Holy One of Israel." Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely on them...

2Pe 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.

2Pe 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

2Pe 2:21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

2Pe 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire.

Exo 23:1 You shall not utter a false report.

Pro 12:17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence...

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you.

Php 3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Jas 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.

Rm 15:15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God

1Jn 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth;

Pro 24:8 He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

Lev 19:13 "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him.

Hos 12:7 A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.

With regard to providing "special woman attention," yes, Stewart Traill was definitely the issue!

"spill the beans." To spill the beans you've got to have a few!I In COBU, spilling the beans meant to cough up some dirt against yourself, usually it's not too hard, just another confession, it doesn't even have to be true, just something to say to get the one who wants your beans, off your back.

Make it easy on yourself, whatever Stewart Traill's latest dribble, I mean: "the teaching of the week" is, just confess to that! Ah, Christian Life, ain't it grand!

"stand in the breach" "he stood in the breach for me" "I'll stand in the breach for you" Psa 106:23 Therefore he said he would destroy them--had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

As Moses "stood in the breach" to protect the people, at times a brother or sister, would stand by someone who was getting treated unfairly.

At a Big Meeting, before it started, I spoke to a sister about the lambs that I was calling and meeting with. Later, at the meeting, volunteers to go to Haiti were asked for and I volunteered.

Since I worked in the church office at the time, I spoke to Jim Griener almost everyday, so I was surprised that after I volunteered Jim said, "Well, who knows her?"

Suddenly, one of the sisters who worked in the office got up and made a few very negative comments about me, that frankly shocked me, especially since I didn't work with that sister very often, as she came in at night when I wasn't in the office. Then Ann Burkhart stood up at the meeting and said, "I think Cindy Beckmann really cares about the lambs and I think she would be good in Haiti."

When I sat down, the sister who had just said the negative things about me gave me a note and in her note she wrote, "I'm sorry. I felt that Jimmy was looking at me to say something, so I just got up and I had no reason to say the things I did, I'm sorry."

I didn't get voted to go to Haiti at that meeting, but I felt that Ann Burkhart "stood in the breach" for me before the whole fellowship and it really meant a lot to me at the time. Very soon after that July 4th meeting the fellowship voted me to go to Haiti, but I declined because Dave Simmons started a relationship with me, July 12, 1981.

In hind sight, if I had gotten voted to go to Haiti at that meeting I wondered if Dave and I would have ever gotten together ~ I also wonder if my getting voted to go had anything to do with the fellowship trying to sabotage yet another relationship between a brother and a sister, as Dave had already written a letter to Stewart about his interest in me, so who knows, but I'll always be thankful for Ann Burkharts kindness to me that day, it was one of my fonder memories, even if I never did get to go to the orphanage in Haiti, God had other plans for me!

Rom 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Exo 23:1 "You shall not utter a false report.

Pro 12:17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

Lk 18:20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'"

"Stewart actually said, "Put down your Bibles: I'M THE LESSON today!" So what else is new? Stewart Traill's always been the whole lesson, everyday, from the beginning, who's he trying to kid?

Then at the same time that he had everyones full and undivided attention centered fully on himself, he'd complicate things by telling everyone "That HE's NOT the ISSUE!"

Welcome to COBU: The Land where the Pastor claims to be the only one in the whole wide world who understands the "true interpretation" of the Bible, but just doesn't read it anymore!

Where you can be confounded and confused by every swing of the Stewart Traill pendulum of logic ~ you know, the logic that tells you:

one thing on one day: Stewart's the Lesson,

Then another thing the next: I told you, I'm NOT the Issue!

Then he asks everyone: "When are you gonna get it right!?" You know, the lesson's that always have double meanings, double standards, are doubly irritating, frustrating and confusing, and Stewart's always trying to get you to believe that he's the only one who ever gets it!?!

I don't know, it's too darn confusing to me. More COBU-chaos! The daily bread in COBU!

Maybe just leave him alone for awhile and when you come back he'll still be spinning around in circles, you don't have to be there for the ride to continue, it's like a merry-go-round, sometimes it's ok: just jump off!

"Stewart is the only one that has not sold out on Jesus." Grandios complex for sure, and possibly bi-polar also, always expecting everyone to think highly of him and in the next breath saying how he got over on all of us, of course he's always been twice the age of most of us.
Since when is an old man who is lusting over 18 to 20 year olds someone who hasn't sold out?

[Def. Grandios Complex: Grandiosity occurs when a person has an inflated self-esteem, believe they have special powers, spiritual connections, or religious relationships. When grandiosity is severe, the person may be delusional about his or her capabilities. A grandiose individual feels unrealistically powerful, important, and invincible. These beliefs are frequently accompanied by feelings of euphoria and intense pleasure. Nothing seems impossible and every problem has a solution. The person may feel an urgent need to initiate projects or activities.To others, the person's behavior seems pompous, boastful, and exaggerated. Observers may perceive the grandiose individual to be conceited and condescending.The person's speedy pursuit of dreams, goals, and projects may seem impulsive. Set goals and initiated plans may be unrealistic. How does grandiosity impact life? Bipolar disorder symptoms affect all aspects of life. A grandiose person may appear to be rude and boastful. Naturally, this makes it difficult to make new friends and current relationships are strained. When a person is grandiose at work, they may find it difficult to be productive. Grandiosity is frequently accompanied by decreased judgment. For example, a person may believe they have special insight that their employer does not have. The person may feel obliged to share their break-through knowledge with their employer and disagree with management decisions. The felt passion and urgency lead to inappropriate arguments.]

"Stewart really sees me!" Spoken like a true groupy, or someone who's just not old enough to see the 'dirty old man' games, oh to have a child be awestruck over every little word you say, yuk!

"Stewart said." Which always took presidence to what Jesus, the Bible or even God said. This was spoken a lot. It was sometimes used to share something that was heard at a recent meeting or even to qualify something that someone was saying..."Well, Stewart said..." and that was the final or definitive comment in any conversation.

"Stewart said, that he was there to discipline the sheep." Stewart Traill's idea of "discipline" is when he finds someone who:

has the audacity to think or speak for themselves and

has stopped trying to "stand under" the latest Stewart Traill suck-up obligation, you know,

somebody who's fed up with buying into all the unBiblical and unScriptural modes of behavior that have made being part of The Cult of the Clueless such a wonderful place to be

somebody who's decided it's really time to "leave the building"

"move on" and

"get out"

Okay, you get the type of person we're talking about. So, Stewart sees this person just walking all over, all the firmly set in the ground "accepted COBU modes of opperation" and he has no choice, someones got to put a stop to this one "getting out of line." I mean, how dare they try to ruin all the fine-tuned styles of the "overtaken" and "personally obligated" contributors to Stewart's magic kingdom, anyway?

So, when the potential "instigator" of all things "Non-Stewart" or "Non-COBU Acceptable" sticks out like the proverbial "sore-thumb," it then becomes Stewart Traill's Christian duty to bring that person "back into line" or "back into the Stewartly-accepted order of things."

Now, back in the old days, ya know about 35 years ago, this may have taken some sort of verbal put down, some type of humiliation, or a crushing comment or two publically.

But the COBU of today is so completely conditioned that all it takes is Stewart glancing at you from above his spectacles, and all things Stewart come back into perfect order and whoever thought they had a clue, whoever thought they'd finally had enough, just slumps back down on the floor to try and figure out what they can do tomorrow to come back into Daddy-Stewart's good graces, once again.

It's not too hard, just "sit there quietly" and bring daddy some more money to spend, ya know, the same thing that you've been doing for the last 40 years!

You're a good-ole boy or a good-ole girl if ya just learn to keep your mouth shut and make the mulaa!

So, that's all there is to know about how Stewart disciplines the sheep.

"Stick two pins in him." Stewart often said that he'd need to stick us with two pins to get us to move, yet isn't it the brothers and sisters who are constantly doing the work, while Stewart Traill sits back and enjoys the benefits of our labors? This type of comment are the words of a tyrant. Stewart Traill is a tyrant. [Def. Tyrant: a person in a position of authority who exercises their power in a harsh, cruel, and unjust manner = Stewart Traill]

"Stop ghouling me" This was something Stewart would say at meetings if he felt that someone was "starring at him" for a prolonged amount of time, even though he actually expected all of us to give him our "undivided attention" during meetings.

"Strengthen your weak knees." Heb 12:12-13 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

"Stubborn refusal."

T

"Take a bath ya hippie!"

"Taking the church by the hand" Stewart made it a prerequisite that before the brothers could "start a relationship with a sister" or "date someone" they had to be able to be a leader in a fellowship; which was contrary to the teaching of The New Testament where one was to be married first and manage a household BEFORE "taking the church by the hand" or "pastoring a flock".

This was also something impossible for the older ones to even achieve since Stewart had all the younger ones moved into his house!

One of the many ways Stewart Traill sabotaged relationships and dating in The FF/COBU.

1Ti 3:5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?

Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

"Tarzan"

"That was heavy, man! Really intense!"

"That's a cop out!" [Def: Cop Out - An avoidance or inadequate performance of task or duty, an excuse designed to shirk responsibility, taking the easy way out of a sticky situation.]
Another confrontational expression that we used on each other to push each other to do something we'd rather not do. This could be anything from a household chore or if someone made an excuse not to go witnessing or not go to a meeting that was called. COBU life was one workover after another after another; so many that some after leaving COBU could not stop the voices of the workovers that continued to play in the mind.

"That's Heavy!"

"The 12 Salvation Verses" This referred to the 12 salvation verses in the gospel of John that a COBU member needed to memorize in order to receive a red button with the words: "Get Smart Get Saved" on it.
These are the 12 Salvation verses:

Jn 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
Jn 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jn 3:17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Jn 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.
In the early days of the fellowship Jn 3:36 was one of the 12 salvation verses that was memorized to earn a "Get Smart, Get Saved" button, but later, when a workbook was created to give to newly saved brothers and sisters about the 12 salvation verses, this verse was replaced with Jn 3:21 instead:
Jn 3:21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
Jn 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Jn 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.
Jn 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jn 10:9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
Jn 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
Jn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
Jn 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

"The Art Show" One of the brothers was an incredible artist. Stewart asked him to create a drawing of the first 21 verses of John Chapter 3, the conversation between a Pharisee, named Nicodemus and Jesus when he explained the need to be born anew. These drawings were enlarged, duplicated, and then attached to 1/4 inch thick foam boards with lamination or clear contact paper and I believe the verse was also in typed print on the front with the drawing that represented the verse. The Art Show was used as a visual witnessing tool. Each verse had an "explaination of the verse" on the back of the foam board. Usually one person would hold one or two of these boards and either someone would ask those walking by if they'd like to see our art show. That person would either accompany the person through the art show, or those holding the boards would read the verse and the explaination to the viewer. It was estimated that each of the 21 verses took about 30 seconds to hear. At the end of The Art Show, the viewer would be asked if they would like to become born anew. Many came to salvation through the use of this street preaching tool. Later the Art Show was reduced in size, laminated and put in a hand held booklet format for individuals to use in personal witnessing.

"The brother said, "I see my manhood slipping away in this church."

"The brothers are asleep at the switch."

"The brothers are dull."

"The brothers are just into looking good."

"The brothers aren't zealous enough."

"The brothers are unable to take away a sister's shame."

"The brothers can't fellowship with Stewart."

"The brothers could not keep up with me."

"The brothers do not cry to me from their hearts, but they wail upon their beds."

"The brothers have made wrong agreements."

"The brothers look like death warmed over."

"The brothers need to shake themselves!"

"The brothers' sex browns are equal to the sisters' food browns."

"The brothers wail and the sisters moan."

"The brothers wail and the sisters weep."

"The COBU clutch." Many times when a brother would get up at a meeting to speak he'd feel nervous about whether or not he was about to get a verbal put down by Stewart and about how he'd be able to manage afterward. This caused a lot of anxiety. One thing that seemed to allieviate this was by reaching with one hand and "holding on" to the opposite arm, usually near the elbow. So many brothers used this mannerism that at a meeting once Stewart said, "Hey Gayle, look, there's another one doing "The COBU Clutch!" So this was something that Stewart named.

"The Color Code" and "Understanding The Colored Bible" and other "Work Books" On December 29, 1975 Stewart Traill published a 39 paged booklet that was mass produced by our printshop that was titled: "Understanding The Colored Bible." This had to do with Stewart's teaching where he used specific colors to relate to scriptures. Stewart was known to carry a set of colored Flair marking pens in his shirt pocket to make color references.
He also had a code that he used to indicate the "strength" of the color related to the verse: there was an "empty circle", a circle with an "X" or a circle with "a line."
There was a Gospel of John printed that had a full color cover with a list of the color code on the back. This Gospel of John had three blank circles next to each verse, and we did Bible Studies and had heated debates about which colors applied to each verse. The color used in the 1st of the 3 circles was supposed to be the color that was "strongest" in the verse, for example, if the verse was mostly about "salvation," then we'd put a "red" circle first. Most "salvation" verses, could also be used in "preaching" so the verse would also have a "green" circle, etc. There were ten colors that were used in Stewart Traill's Color Code.
Some of the titles of the color code had different discriptions when it first came out:

PINK - Leading up to and Explaining Salvation
RED - Salvation (originally was: Direct Salvation Message)
ORANGE - Our New Nature and Christian Life
There was a 22 page workbook called: Introduction to Basic Orange printed
PURPLE - God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit
There was a 33 page workbook called: Introduction to Purple
BLACK - Sin, Death, Disease, Hell and the Devil
TOURQUISE - Our Future Existance (originally was: The Second Coming of Jesus)
GRAY - God's teaching tools and Methods
GREEN - Witnessing and Preaching
There was a 50 page workbook called: Witnessing Work Book
BLUE - The relationship between the Old & New Covenants (originally called: Prophesy and Fulfillment)
BROWN - Human Nature
There was a 27 page workbook called: The Conscience Work Book
There was a 29 page workbook called: The Resurrection Work Book
There was a 17 page workbook called: The Introduction to Prayer
There was a 23 page workbook called: John 15 Sheep Work Book
There were also several workbooks written called the Lamb Course:
Lamb Course - Lesson One - What Just Happened to You
Lamb Course - Lesson Two - The Next Few Days
Lamb Course - Lesson Three - Faith or Feelings
Lamb Course - Lesson Nine - The Twelve Memory Verse Bible Study
Lamb Course - Lesson Eleven - The Color Code
Lamb Courses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 may have used the already titled colored workbooks for those lessons: Orange, Green, Purple, Prayer, and Resurrection, but I'm not sure of this.

"The cost of diminishing returns." [def. diminishing returns: 1. any rate of profit, production, benefits, etc., that beyond a certain point fails to increase proportionately with added investment, effort, or skill. 2. Also called law of diminishing returns. Economics. the fact, often stated as a law or principle, that when any factor of production, as labor, is increased while other factors, as capital and land, are held constant in amount, the output per unit of the variable factor will eventually diminish.]
"Stewart said, "This outfit is in the state of diminishing return" when he used this statement, typically referred to how much money the church was making and how much money the church was spending. Stewart Traill's concern about when a brother or sister left the fellowship seemed to have more to do with losing the income due to their leaving, rather than the state they were in, or if they were ok. His interest in how many "got saved" was also more about the possibility of more to work and bring finances to the bank that he was the only one who had absolute control over.
Stewart seemed to talk openly about his lust for money, although he masked it by making some kind of gesture that we needed funds for "the cause" "Haiti" or "the fellowship" although much of the funds went to the care of his private fleet of aircraft, when most of the brothers and sisters lived in run down buildings, in the poorest neighborhoods, the ones who were earning the funds that Stewart spent. The Woodruff fellowship in Brooklyn for example was in one of the most dangerous areas, yet COBU didn't sell this building until 2014! While Stewart Traill always lived in the best properties that had the largest property taxes: the former senators Princeton property with built in pool or currently, the Florida mansion that also has a nice pool ~ wonder who has the pool cleaning duty?
Diminishing returns: How much money would the brothers and sisters each have if they didn't have to take care of all of Stewart Traill's inflated expenses ~ now, that's a diminishing return worthy of investigating! So, if you still live in COBU and you're still spending all of your time and energy assessing funds that Stewart Traill gets to use for all of his interests, consider going out "in faith" and learing how to use and manage the funds that God has granted you, just a thought!

"The Dirty Dozen." Stewart Traill assigned trusted brothers who were with him from the beginning of The FF to go to areas and lead people to Jesus, open fellowship houses and nurture those who got saved to go out witnessing daily and bring more and more to Jesus, salvation and COBU. During this time was when there was the most growth and the healthiest young people came into the group, some from the colleges in the areas around our fellowships. These brothers were well respected, admired, and trusted by everyone in the fellowship houses that they oversaw, which was especially seen at the Big Meetings by everyone.
At some time in 1976 Stewart Traill began "The Manhattan Training Center" or "The MTC" where many of the brothers and sisters were sent to The Loft's in NY City for "training." During this period Stewart named some of these "most trusted brothers" who had received the most respect of those they led to Jesus and nurtured for many years as: "The Dirty Dozen."
The writer, was not at The MTC and does not know who all of these brothers were, but in hind sight, it almost seemed as though Stewart Traill was envious of these brothers and decided to "take them out of circulation" in the Centers where they commanded respect and took them to NY to "take them down a peg or two or three."
Knowing Stewart Traill's obsession with creating doubt and suspicion, where none had previously been, the "New Training" was more like he was obsessed with cutting down the confidence of these brothers in front of their peers, and even in their own eyes. Looking back this was the beginning of the end. This was when much of "the strength of the group" was turned to puty. Had these brothers maintained their confidence and "felt trusted" by "their royal leader" Stewart Traill, they could have been sent anywhere in the U.S. and started more and more fellowship houses, but Traill chose to completely crush these heavy hitters to the point that they felt betrayed and humiliated, never to rise again to their former confidence, even if many remembered their "former glory" with respect and admiration.

Traill was a master at demoralization, discouraging and crushing the spirit of others: what a wonderful gift!

This crippling (The MTC) that Stewart was obsessed with, could have been his biggest mistake yet, since the whole basket of wax was corrupted by his unChristian and unGodly views, attitudes, and doctrines, this may have been the best way to cut off the continued circulation of an evil empire.

"The Fellowship is the safe land." Jer 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan?

Stewart may have said our group was "a safe land" but there's proof it was "more of a jungle" : with boobie traps, pit falls, and more surprises.

Would you call something a "safe land" where young, strong, American young men and women are convinced that to "please Jesus" they should work many hours each day, turn in all of their earnings to a "general fund" that is used to pay for the food and housing of the group, but primarily is at the discretion of the groups leader, who seems to take great pleasure in verbal, public humiliation of the members, and has even been heard to actually "spank" 17 year old young girls, claiming that they "need discipline" because they are "out of control" ~ yet, there weren't many who were outside of Stewart Traill's oppressive influence for a meager $10.00 a week "allowance" ~ while Stewart Traill could purchase aircraft, live in mansions, purchase expensive clothing for his "sister-wives", to parade them at expensive diners, or to fly off to the Bahamas ~ "safe land," very far from it, if you're interested in the real truth.

"The flesh is always trying to get over on Jesus."

"The flesh is trying to get over on the new nature."

"The holdouts."

"The Israelites sat down to eat then rose up to play" The last time I heard that was at a long Stewart lecture before the supper break about how food is for strength and not for indulgence.

Exo 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

"The kiddies." Stewart said this when he would describe the young people in the Forever Family, which seems condescending, though since he was the only one who was more than half the age of the others in the fellowship I guess he felt it was an appropriate description. He was known to say something like, "I'll see what the kiddies think of this or that."

"The Lofts." This refers to the properties that were originally provided for anyone who moved to Manhattan, New York City, when the Training Center first began around 1976. These were referred to by the Streets they were on, like: Jay Street Loft, Bleecker ST Loft and Spring ST Loft ~ which I think was the larger of the three, not sure if there were other ones.

There may have been only one toilet in each of the lofts and maybe a shower, but with so many people I've heard that most would go to a free public shower in the neighborhood.

It was said that sheets were somehow hung up to give some privacy to the married couples, but we need some help with this discription as the writter was not there. Not sure how the sheets were held up, my guess is that some kind of string, rope or cord was tied to the walls or beams at a height to where the sheet would be hung down to the floor and that maybe clothes pins or safety pins were used to hold them up, or some other form of primitive partition, but this is just speculation on my part ~ if you were there please send us an email with a more discriptive definition of "Loft Life."

Since the lofts had flourescent lighting for the entire floor, I heard that usually whenever the meeting for that night was over and most were back at the loft they lived in, there was a "lights out in 15 minutes" call and I imagine people had maybe battery operated camp lanterns or flashlights may have been used to make their way around others who were sleeping to use the bathroom, but again, this is just my guess.

One brother shared his experience: When he brought his wife up to one of the Lofts and said, "This is where we're going to live for now," his wife took a look around and said, "Where is our room?" and he said, "Everyone lives here." and she said, "But how are we going to have sex?" and he said, "Sometimes at night I hear people having sex up here." and she broke down and cried. This seems to be another one of the "cruelties" that those in COBU suffered.)

"The Moon is made of green cheese" At a Diplomat meeting, (Diplomat Hotel, late 1970's, weekly meetings/NYTC) Stewart kept saying, to make a point, "What if I told you that the moon was made of green cheese?"
You would say, "ooh ahh" and might even believe it!

Then he clarified, "Not that the moon is actually made of green cheese, but if anyone had a lick of common sense they would have said, 'No, we shouldn't take your word on everything."

Stewart was pointing out to all of us, how we were willing to accept anything he said.
He taught that "he wanted us to think for ourselves."
He told us some of the things that everyone "accepted," that they probably should have questioned. Looking back, that was practically everything he taught!

In hind sight, even though on the surface, it seems like he "was trying to get us to question him" what he really did at that meeting, was show us how gulible we had become and he was mocking how we'd probably believe anything that he said; but did he really want us to question him?

It was more like he gave us another reason "not to trust in our own ability to think for ourselves."

Like when a respected adult tells someone that looks up to them, that "they aren't smart" or that they "aren't able to think for themselves" eventually they accept that as the truth.

This was another diabolical manipulation of Stewart Traill's mind control.

Many of the meetings that we attended were meetings where Stewart undressed us in our own eyes.

This had nothing to do with us being Christian.

This had nothing to do with learning about God's love for us.

This had nothing to do with our salvation.

This had nothing to do with our understanding of the Bible.

The meetings became a lot of manipulating young people with "cheap psychology"

Psychology: one of the counsels he "told us not to do" while he was doing it to us!

This had everything to do with Stewart Traill controlling our lives, our beliefs, and our mental and emotional health.

Stewart Traill propagated the idea that "we were idiots, who believed anything he said" and then we turned around and accepted that belief!

COBU was a very unhealthy society where Stewart Traill was the manipulator and we were the manipulated.

Yet, when anyone raised any "complaint" with the way things were, it was a standard catechism, that: "Stewart Traill was "not the issue" of anything!"
Well, if he who was the one propagating all of these: beliefs, teachings, ideas, and feelings ~ then he most certainly was and is the issue!

[Def. propagate - spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.) widely. synonyms: spread, disseminate, communicate, make known, promulgate, circulate, broadcast, publicize, proclaim, preach, promote; "a group that propagated extremist ideas"]

With regard to unrealized fantasies, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"The New York Training Center" When brothers and sisters who lived in the various fellowship houses from Canada to Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and were asked to move to New York City, it was referred to as either: "The New York Training Center", and later became "The Manhattan Training Center" or "The MTC". This was where in the beginning we rented whole floors of "Loft" spaces, where everyone camped out on the floors and later obtained apartments in buildings that were so old the bathtubs were in the kitchen with a simple shower curtain hung around them, and the toilet was shared in the hallway with the old style water tank above your head, with the pull down release chain.

"The novelty has worn out."

"The novelty of youth."

"The older brothers are constantly wailing.

"The older brothers are dying a slow death."

"The older brothers are holding the fellowship hostage."

"The older brothers are into patting each other on the back."

"The older brothers are stifling the fellowship."

"The older brothers don't get married because they are in love with themselves."

"The older brothers refuse to make peace with Stewart."

""The only person you can trust is Jesus."

""The Outfit" or as Stewart often said: "What is this outfit going to be?????"

""The Proposition" This referred to a committment that everyone agreed to: "Get together EVERY night for prayer, to read a short bible passage and to go out Street witnessing with others." It then became part of our COBU-speak: "I'm doing the proposition", or "I'm committed to doing the proposition.", or "When was the last time you did the proposition?"

""The Recipe", a/k/a "The Escape Recipe" or "The "U" teaching"

""The Retard Program."

""The shameful thing that devours."

"The shepherd makes the door high so it's harder for the sheep to leave."

"The sisters are afraid to rock the boat."

"The sisters are just into wrong attention."

"The sisters are lonely."

"The sisters are not devoted enough to Jesus."

"The sisters are pushy."

"The sisters want to be married to a piece of paper."

"The sisters will become pregnant or prostitutes, if they leave."

"The Six Steps of Love."

"The spirit of Eve is working through her" "You have "The Eve Spirit!" or "The sisters are being run by the spirit of Eve." and some even said the same thing to the brothers : "The spirit of Eve is working through him!"
We were taught that "the spirit of Eve" was the spirit of manipulation.

Sometimes if someone needed something done in their apartment that they couldn't do themselves and something as simple as seeing if someone was available to change a light bulb, could be turned into an accusation of "having the spirit of Eve."

Funny that no one ever made the connection that Stewart Traill was the most manipulative person in our society.

He was the one who pulled ALL the STRINGS!

He was the one who received the most benefits from our labors!

He was the one being run by ALL the wrong spirits ~ forget about dear Eve, Stewart Traill was run by pure Eve-ill or Evil!

Telling any Christian that a "wrong spirit" is running them or working through them is very concerning.

Mt 12:32 And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Num 14:18 'The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.'

"The sticks go clack."

"The Ten Evils."

"The trips need to be with the trips."

"The U principal."

"The use of the word "indulge".

"The vanity of youth."

"The weakest link."

"The World."

"There is zero grace with me."

"There she goes, stomping off." Stewart used this phrase on a sister when she quietly got up to use the bathroom and oddly enough, this was at the so-called: "Grace" meeting in 1989, when Stewart apologized for "missing the concept of grace."

I don't think Stewart had any grasp on the subject of grace and the way he spoke to others could be said to be: "Graceless"
[Grace; def: in Christian belief, the free and unmerited favor of God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings]

Stewart Traill had a lot of difficulty showing favor, especially to those who were providing his every physical and financial need.

"There was no one to take her by the hand."

Isa 51:18 There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne; there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up.

"There's a wrong spirit working through you."

"There's an amazing work of God in all this."

"There's nothing left of that brother but smoke and boots!"

"These meetings are so weird, I don't like bringing Gayle to them."

"They all just want Stewart's attention!" This was said referring to the press.

"They are at ease on their couches!" This could be said of anyone in COBU who didn't have a job or wasn't "contributing" to the "general fund" except for the sisters who went on camera trips for Stewart Traill.

They didn't give any money from the profits of the sales of cameras to COBU, those profits went straight to "S&G Camera" (Stewart & Gayle Camera) although COBU funded the trips: gas, tolls, lodging, food, etc. and probably still does.

In fact, the original purchase of the cameras that "S&G Camera" had in their inventory were made with funds "borrowed" from the "COBU's general fund. These cameras were mint condition, high end, like Hasselblad, Nikon, etc."

When "Christian Brother's Carpet Cleaning" began, Stewart claimed for himself "a large salary" though he held no position in the business. He then used a portion of the "salary" to pay back the "loan" that financed his camera business, according to Roger Gonzalez, who was the bookkeeper for COBU in the 80's.

Interesting that the brothers and sisters whose labors financed ALL of Stewart Traill's personal interests, while condemning anyone else from even "considering a personal interest" would accuse those earning the funds that financed Stewart Traill's empire that "they were at ease on their couches!" quite diabolical!

"They are kinder than we are."

"Those who break fellowship must pay."

"three fold cords"This referred to a teaching on this verse: Ecc 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Which means, if two stand together, they become a "3 fold cord" because:
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." If two are together and stand up for Jesus, he is in your midst, a three fold cord, which is much stronger than when one stands alone.

"Thrust them through!"

"tiger"

"to save her"

"trip apartment"" This refers to an apartment where those who lived-in fellowship, but were considered to have "broken-fellowship" lived. Some of the brothers who lived in "the trip apartment" had a history of making regular "confessions" of sin. Some of these "confessions" may have been "provoked" or even instances of "false guilt" or even confessions of sins someone "felt tempted to do" but wanted to be "in the light" about.

Lk 17:4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

This Bible teaching on "forgiveness" states that if a person seeks you out up to 490 times (or 7 X 70) in one day, you must extend forgiveness.

Therefore, housing several people in an apartment that's labeled a "trip apartment" does not lend to granting forgiveness. Excluding these brothers from the general population or shunning them conflicts with the teaching of forgiveness, as given by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The interesting thing that was noted was that the atmosphere in "the trip apartment" was much more comfortable than in the other areas of the fellowship.

This may have been because those who lived there were already considered "out of fellowship" so the scrutiny placed on everyone else wasn't "expected" in "the trip apartment." Another possible reason that those there felt more comfortable may have been that they were more honest and they may have even felt more relieved for the confessions they made.

Yet, no matter how comfortable those who lived there may have felt, having a "trip apartment" or a place to physically exclude contributing members of a Christian community, especially those whose consciences were so sensitive that they did as the scripture recommends and "confessed their sins" and were then punished for it and excluded, is in direct conflict with the teachings of forgiveness and Christian living.

Jas 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

In the COBU society those who made attempts to listen to their conscience and actually do as the scripture counseled and "confessed their sins" were shunned and put out of the mainstream of the fellowship.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were excluded and looked down upon.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were not trusted by anyone.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were put seen is "too perverted" for the regular population.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were ostracized.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were not forgiven.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were taught that God was not forgiving.

In the COBU society those who "confessed their sins" were snubbed by those who did their sins in secret.

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" were looked up to.

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" were looked at as "holy" or "righteous."

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" were those who lorded things over on others.

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" which, if you didn't want to be locked out of sight and out of mind, you took pains to keep your "anti-COBU" issues to yourself.

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" were living according to the COBU rules of etiquette and not according to the counsel of the word of God.

In the COBU society there may have been a lot of "confessing" of errors against the latest "COBU-sanctioned" expectations: like, "I was so bad, I didn't do my zeal-pill today" but there was no confessions of "actual sin and temptation" and therefore the relief of forgiveness and redemption ~ because those who actually did admit to the weaknesses of their flesh were put out of circulation, never to be forgiven, never to be welcomed, never to be treated with dignity.

In the COBU society those who did not "confess their sins" were encouraged to continue boldly walking around with their nose in the air, following Stewart Traill's pompous example of acting as though they didn't sin at all, although as the scripture counsels:

Rom 3:23 ...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Jas 4:17 Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In the COBU society the actual counsel of the bible was exchanged for the counsel of Stewart Traill.

In the COBU society the actual counsel of the bible was disregarded.

In the COBU society the actual insights of the apostles was never experienced.

In the COBU society the pseudo-Christianity based on unrealistic quotas and the almighty dollar were exchanged and had more weight than the blessings of forgiveness and having a truthful prayer life or truthful relationships.

In the COBU society everyone was into hiding, because that was the only way to exist without being over scrutinized to the point of being made to shut up, or actually being shut out.

U

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone.." This was a teaching on this scripture: Jn 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
When a grain of wheat goes into the earth the outer hard shell falls away so that the seed can germinate and then the hard seed becomes the beginning of the new plant growth. The teaching on this was that if we didn't "die to our human nature" and commit to "our new nature" we would be alone. If we were willing to commit to the fellowship than we wouldn't be alone. Like everything else in COBU, this became another thing to be oppressed about, as we were frequently asked by Stewart and each other whether or not we "were falling into the earth" or it later got shortened to questions about whether or not we were "into being alone."

"Unless you're just into attention!" This was another Stewart Traill accusation, usually to a sister. If a sister just wanted to have a conversation, she was "into attention." If a sister needed to have someone take her somewhere, but felt insecure asking a brother, she could be accused of being "into attention." Any sister, at any time, could be accused of being "into attention," this later became: "into wrong attention," but that's just another version of our lovely language and the "great mind" that came up with it on any given day in COBU!

W

"We are all called to be leaders."

"We are all leaders in our fellowship."

"We are programmed for success".

"We are the only church that has true interpretation of the Bible."

"We are the only church that rightly knows how to interpret the Bible."

"Weazel"

"Well the sisters needed right attention and the brothers weren't giving it to them, so it was ok."

"We're God's best!"

"We're going around the world" One more thing Stewart always alluded to, but never did. An illusive promise of our fellowship being everywhere: "Like McDonalds", yet this is a good thing that the disease of COBU has been somewhat isolated to the Eastern U.S. and Haiti.

"We've got right teaching"

"What are you really up to?"

"What is going to make you move?"

"What is he doing, Brothers?"

"What is it going to take to make you faithful?"

"What is the best thing?"

"What SPACE!"

"What spirit is running him?"

"What type of attention would you like?"

"What would have happened to you if I hadn't grabbed you?"

"What's a kid to do?" This was one of Stewart's favorite things to say during the Saturday night meetings in ST. John's basement in Allentown in the early 1970's of The Forever Family.

"When a thousand people come to the Big Meeting, I will tell my testimony."

"When are the brothers going to get their act together?"

"When are the older ones going to fall into the earth and die?"

"When are you going to come out from among her?"

"When are you going to get real?"

"When are you going to get serious about Jesus?" This was usually a "call to order" if everyone began to talk among themselves at a meeting ~ spoken by Stewart Traill or Jim Griener. This could also be spoken to an individual, privately or publically.

Constantly being reminded to "get serious" was a main stay of the group, so much so that it was rare to see anyone smile or laugh. Some were so "trained" in this behavior that even years after leaving the fellowship they felt uncomfortable laughing or smiling. ie."I knew if I let out one chuckle I was doomed," a COBU brother said. COBU, the joy-less society.
Jn 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Act 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Rm 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...

"When are you going to get sick of just plugging along?"

"When are you going to get sick of your life?"

"When I was in the world"

"When it comes to marriage, the older brothers want me to say, "God bless you my son", like they do in the Catholic church."

"Where do you want the flowers sent?"

"Where is your wedding garment?" Mat 22:11-14 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

This quote was often used to make someone feel as though they hadn't entered into fellowship "properly" or "through the accepted" channels, even though the brothers and sisters this verse was directed at, had entered the fellowship by saying "The Sinner's Prayer," asking for the forgiveness of their sins and receiving the free gift of the Holy Spirit. Stewart's teaching was that: just because you were "called" didn't mean that you were "chosen" ~ as the scripture states, but who was Stewart Traill to question the genuineness of the faith of those in the fellowship? And usually for something as insignificant as demonstrating a lack of confidence. Difficult to demonstrate confidence in an environment of constant criticism.

"Who here is SERIOUS about Jesus?!"

"Who is going to be all in for Jesus?"

"Who is sticking up for Jesus?"

"Who is walking in the light?"

"Who is zealous for Jesus?"

"Who really means it?"

"Why are the brothers acting like women?"

"Why are the brothers and sisters so weird?"

"Why are you letting each other go?"

"Why are you so fat?" This was said to a sister who just had a baby! It was also said to any sister who put on weight.

"Why do the brothers feel that they are better than everyone else?"

"Why do the brothers make it so hard?"

"Why don't you just ask me for right attention?"

"Why pay half the price and get nothing?" = you're working your butt off, but there is still more you have not done, so you can't go to heaven and you can't get married either: stop wailing!

"Why wait in sloth when it's time for more witnessing to begin."

"Wiped Out!" The state of saying you are not going to try to be faithful today because you are “in your head” about either your lack of a life, lack of hope or some random beating you received or failure you encountered.

Wiped out assumes that one sees no legitimate path to victory or overcoming as a real Christian might and that, for now anyway, you are only feeling the effects of your beatings and failures and are only capable of licking your wounds.

The hope when you say that you are wiped out is that either someone will lift you with words or join you in commiserating about how hopeless it all is.

With regard to the brothers and sisters becoming "wiped out", yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Amo 6:1 "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!

Stewart used this concept to imply that the brothers and sisters were "taking it easy" concerning the work that he set before us. With this he was usually saying that we weren't going out witnessing enough. I guess every day and every night wasn't enough for the old boy, while he deemed that witnessing was not something that he could participate in, said it would be backslidding for HIM to go out witnessing!

Truth be told Stewart Traill bore witnessing before us whenever he met with us. What he stood for was loud and clear by all that he did before us. He was interested in the attractive, younger sisters of the group. He was interested in the money that everyone else could earn and he could spend on himself.

Pro 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.
Isa 58:3 Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
Jas 5:4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
Jas 5:5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

With regard to accusing others of not doing something that we actually were, and being a poor example of Christian ethics, yes, Stewart Traill was the issue!

"Women are like water, which takes the shape of its container."

"Working for Pharaoh."

"Working in the world."

"worldly grief"

Y

"You are all alike."

"You are either working or wailing."

"You are faithless." Just one more condemnation! What a lovely thing to say to those whose every waking hour is devoted to working, street preaching, Bible reading, and meeting together to pray and seek God. This was one of the many ways that Stewart Traill cursed the fellowship and accused us of not being Christ-like.

"You are getting a lot of airtime." This was said to anyone who got up during a meeting and attempted to bring up something that mattered to the person. Stewart Traill did not appreciate anyone monopolizing communication at meetings. Stewart Traill was very much into controling communication.

"You are in a cult."

"You are just into maneuvering."

"You are killing the lambs!"

"You are lazy."

"You are like spaghetti."

"You are not coming to the light."

"You are only living for this life."

"You are ruining the fellowship."

"You are ruining the lambs."

"You better be glad I missed grace: the alternative is worse."

"You brothers are too weak to get married."

"you can count on me in a pinch"

"You can tell how happy a fellowship is by the way the women are."

"You don't care about the children in Haiti?" Life in COBU was one work over after another, it wasn't enough that we worked all day, turned in our whole pay check to cover the needs of the group and the orphanage in Haiti, and then went out witnessing almost every night, or were expected to go to meetings that lasted into the wee hours of the morning, and then the icing on the cake was to be told that "we don't care!"

There was someone who didn't care too much for our well being and that was Stewart Traill himself, the beneficiary of all our labors. The one who has always made sure that his living conditions were the best and that he was the most comfortable, yet claimed that he wasn't our king.

"You don't stand a ghost of a chance to get married in this fellowship."

"You got your fellowship and I got mine."

"You hate Jesus."

"You have more grace than I do."

"You just don't want to be responsible"

"You know what you're doing"

"You need a deeper commitment toward Jesus."

"You need spare zeal to get married."

"You need to be personally responsible to Jesus"

"You need to be trained."

"You need to make your behavior right toward Stewart."

"You refuse to come out from among her."

"You see God with a stick in his hands." Stewart Traill said this countless times at meetings. Interesting that he didn't own that since he was our "Bible teacher" and the presenter of all things "of God" or "of Jesus" that perhaps his presentation was specifically responsible for this view of God that we adopted and he was able to recognize?

"You were fed the finest of wheat." Ps 81:16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
Ps 147:14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

"You will always have bad actors in the Fellowship."

"You'd want to take the rug outside the camp first"

"Your apartment must be treated like a crash pad."

"Your belly is your God.

"You're a game player"

"You're allowed!" This was Stewart's reply to anyone who said they wanted to "do something," like if a brother said at a brother's meeting that someday he really wanted to get married. This "supposed permission" was just another way to put the brother off, let someone know that they wouldn't be getting any help from him and the fellowship or to just make the person feel like an idiot for even confessing his desire ~ COBU a safe land? I don't think so.

"You're a leech" Referred to anyone who came around regularly, but wasn't contributing financially to the general fund.

"You're a real space cadet

"You're a sponge"

"You're an inch away from ________ " (fill in the blank) The "blank" usually referred to something like backsliding or committing adultery.

"You're being proud?" (Another condemnation.)

"You're copping out"

"You're doing numbers"

"You're drifting" Referred to anyone not paying attention or not focused on the current topic.

"You're either working or wailing"

"You're glad I missed grace, aren't you?"

"You're hiding in sleep" This is a workover and an accusation. Everyone needs to sleep. Everyone needs to take time to rest. How comfortably can someone enter into sleep and rest with the fear of being accused of "hiding" in doing it?

"You're hiding in work" A workover and an accusation, what COBU is known for. How do you "hide" in work? First everyone is told to "Go to the Work" or accused of "being lazy" , that they need pins stuck in them to get them to move and then when someone invests their strength in work, they are accused of "hiding" in it! This accusation of hiding in the work just leads to complete frustration and the feeling that nothing that the person does is ever good enough.

"You're hiding in witnessing" What does this even mean? In COBU anything that you do, you can be accused of "hiding" in it! Everyone is expected to go out and share the message of salvation with people outside the group, only to come back to be accused of "hiding" in it?!

What is hiding anyway? Hiding has to do with doing something in secret, or concealing something from sight. It's almost impossible to go out street preaching and hide while doing it.

There is something that one can hide in though, how about Stewart Traill's "dark room" where he does his "film developing" and where he's been known to give "private tours" to unsuspecting young Christian woman!

Hiding in the darkroom is so much more questionable than someone out street preaching, working, or getting a good nights rest!

"You're indulging in this" or "You're indulging in that" Just one of the many cuts, workovers, or accusations that those in COBU had the benefit of hearing while struggling to do the best that they could each and every day.

Eph 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

1Co 10:23 "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Most of what came to our ears, hearts and minds in COBU were things that made us feel put down, like: "You're indulging", then you read the scriptures that say we as Christians should speak things that are upbuilding, edifying and hopeful ~ another example of how COBU is not the "wonder church" that they try to sell to themselves and others.

"You're into attention!"

"You're into house and home." This phrase caught on early, even before COBU in the FF. It meant that you were hoping in this world if you wanted to own a home, or get married and have children. Owning a home, getting married and having children took away time from "going to the work" and being "committed to the fellowship", so anything apart from "fellowship approved activities" was always discouraged, mocked, or spoken in a derogatory, critical or demeaning way.

"You're into levity" In COBU any laughter was frowned on unless it was Stewart's: haw, haw, haw "mocking" laughter.

"You're into your head"

"You're just clacking against us."

"You're killing the lambs"

"You're mortgaging your future!"

"you're not getting over on me"

"You're robbing the lambs" How is it that Stewart Traill had access to and used the church funds in any way that he wanted, yet accused US of "robbing the lambs!"

"You're selling the lambs down the river"

"You're spacing out"

"You're spacy

"You've got a weird spirit," Stewart Traill, and some brothers and sisters imitating Stewart, said this to other brothers and sisters. This one is close to blasphemy ~ Ref: Mat 12:31-32 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Did we not have the Spirit of God? And if we did, then who was Stewart Traill to say that we had a "weird spirit?"

Who is Stewart Traill to make harsh statements about our spirit?

Who is Stewart Traill to judge a persons spirit?

Who is Stewart Traill to cause one of God's people to question their own spirit?

[Def: blasphemy: the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk, the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, great disrespect shown to God or to sacred persons or things.]

How many times did Stewart Traill speak insultingly toward brothers and sisters?

How many times did Stewart Traill speak disrespectfully toward brothers and sisters?

How many times did Stewart Traill speak without reverence to the brothers and sisters who have God's spirit ? Mt 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Therefore, as Stewart Traill did to the least of the brothers and sisters, he did it also to the Lord God of Hosts and His Christ, our Lord Jesus. And how does the Lord God of Hosts treat those who offend, insult, disrespect, and show a lack of reverence; in other words "the guilty"? See below:
Exo 34:7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
Num 14:18 'The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.' Joe 3:21 I will avenge their blood, and I will not clear the guilty, for the LORD dwells in Zion." Nah 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and of great might, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

"YSH = Young Sheep House The house in Philadelphia where newly saved young people came to live with Stewart, Gayle and Jim Griener to be "taught" away from the rest of the fellowship and especially the "older brothers" and "older sisters" who were usually only in their 20's, but had been saved a much longer amount of time, but Stewart had basically said that we weren't a "good influence" on the younger ones, so they were isolated in a big mansion in Philadelphia.

This house really took a beating physically and though it was a "money pit" to begin with, after housing a whole bunch of really young people all under 20 and the very limitted upkeep that anyone did there, it got so run down that even with some older brothers doing various work on the property, like plumbing and roofing, by the time this house was closed it seemed to have no curb-appeal and the inside was in very bad shape. That's just the physical aspect.

Spiritually, this was where the younger ones were all supposed to get all that "good Bible teaching" from Stewart Traill and Jim Greiner, where they learned such great catechisms like boldly proclaiming: "I volunteer for the lake of fire." and "I'm going to hell, but Jesus still loves me." and some were even subject to physical "spankings" like Stewart's own son Donald, who ended up in the hospital because he got paddled, but hey, this is "God's best" this is the place every young person is lining up to visit, not really, but believe what you want to.

This is an observation: In editing all the contributions to this section regarding the language of COBU one thing that seems to be blarring is how most of what was spoken by Stewart Traill was one put down after another. In a place that says they are "Christian," most of what was said to the group from the leader was: a mock, or a put down, or some form of slight, humiliation or harrassment.

This type of negative speaking was also widespread among those within the group. Most of the language has to do with judging one another, confessing of "sins" or "negative thoughts and feelings" that individuals felt they were guilty of and continual expressions of disrespecting each other.

In COBU, everyone seemed to think that their way is so great, that they can take their beliefs to the streets and tell other people that they should be like those in the group, yet nothing about the language is anywhere near similar to the way that the Christians in the New Testament of the Bible thought and spoke to one other.

We have learned that the first step to any kind of healing, of any heartfelt wound, is that it's necessary to actually "look into" or "look at" what has occurred and thereby connecting to it, in order to lift it up in prayer and have it be removed.

Even in physical illness a correct diagnosis is necessary for a treatment plan to begin. You may have been at one place at one time, but the only place to really start is where you are now.

If you have deep wounds that rob you of peace, rob you of sleep, rob you of being able to function as you would like to function, than the Lord God of Hosts and His Christ have a therapy that you may find blesses you more than you could have asked or even considered.

The type of mass abuse and negative conditioning that those of us who were in The Church of Bible Understanding experienced and witnessed over a considerable period of time needs to be looked at, it's a first step.

Even the ones who weren't personally spoken disrespectfully to, if you witnessed someone else being treated wrongly and offensively, then you also were a victim of mistreatment and learned to conduct yourself in such a way as not to be treated harshly as you saw someone else treated. This is the way that conditioning is done. It is meant to make everyone fall in line.

The Lord our God and His Christ asked us to do all that was in our power to expose the awful things that devour, so that hearts can be freed from the grip of pain, frustration, confusion, and oppression, so that the fruits of the Holy Spirit can be restored and replenished in the hearts, and souls, and minds, of those who only sought to do what they were taught was God's will for them.

If a child is born into an abusive home, he has no immediate refuge and can suffer the damage of his environment. COBU was and is an abusive environment as proven over and over again by the language that developed. Those who were and still are under it's intense and inflexible infulence may not realize that freedom from this oppression is nearer to you now, than when you were first decieved.

Faith is something that brings each of us out of our particular comfort zones. You may have memorized many scriptures and still feel as though it is a foreign language, yet the harsh voices of COBU may still ring strongly in your ears.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever ~ he alone has the power to restore you to peace with God and to Himself. This is the Will of God for all who are called by His name.

The comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit are available to you.

Thank you for reading our website.

It is our hope and prayer that all who are and were oppressed in the house of our youth, may find the strength to draw near to the throne of grace and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16

We've been praying for you every single day for a very long time.

If you want a blessing, if you need prayer, let us know.

Rm 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

We hope that our website is able to conquer any residual thought that COBU was a godly place, so that the God of Truth and His Christ may once again fill you with the true blessings that only come from above, The Living Water Fellowship of Believers

Free From The Grip is a Living Water Ministry.

Living Water is responsible for all of the content on this website.

FREE FROM THE GRIP

OF COBU AND STEWART TRAILL

info@freefromthegrip.com/1(862)234-9350