12 September 1895, Volume 15, Number 36.
HOLINESS.
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I sought in worldly paths
The highest good to see:
An empty show of joy
Was all it yielded me.
This shadow of a good.
This mockery of peace,
Brought not unto my heart
Of sorrow, a surcease.
I walked in learning’s way,
To satisfy my soul;
Consulted seer and sage,
To reach my highest goal.
Pure science ope’d her page,
Without a mar or blot,
That I her truth might see:
It satisfied me not.
In philanthropic ways
I next assayed to tread,
To work for fallen man,
Whose hope and joy had fled.
To right the wrongs of life
Seemed sure a noble aim:
But to my heart of hearts
No real joy there came.
Is then this life of mine
Naught but a weary show?
A vain delusive hope
Of future good to know?
Yet still one path remained,
True wisdom’s shining way,
I’m told that this will lead
To realms of endless day.
I then repentance sought.
And godly sorrow found,
At Calvary’s holy mourn,
With shining glory crowned.
For pardon then I cried:
My weary soul set free
From sin’s accursed load,
O Thou, who died for me.
I saw Gethsemane,
And drops of blood Divine;
The thorns, the nails,’ the spear;
I called the Savior mine.
A warfare in my soul
‘Twist sin and holiness,
Engaged my earnest care,
Prevented per feet rest.
“Is there no rest for sin?”
I cried in tones of grief.
“Cannot the blond Divine
Yet give me sure relief?”
One said. “The good you seek
Was lost in Eden’s sin:
You’ll find it at Death’s door.
Then you may enter in.”
One said, “This blessing rare
On earth is never found;
Across Heath’s river cold
A man is holy crowned.”
I looked to Calvary’s cross,
I saw the sacrifice.
A full salvation free,
And one of countless price.
And now I toll the world
Salvation’s full and free:
I’ve found my highest joy.
The blood, it cleanseth me.
— Maria F. Hall.
Lebanon. O.
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The Word of God. – – What is it?
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THE Word was God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — Jno. 1:1. “All things were made by him.” The 14th verse says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,’’ etc. How was the word of God made flesh? Read Luke 1:35.“ — The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.” Mary says, 38th versa, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” The Word became Jesus Christ, or God manifested in the flash. Listen to the words of Jesus: “I am the way, and the truth and the life.” What is truth? The same (identical) as the Word; the Word was made flesh; now Jesus declares that he is the truth. Praise God! What must we preach? Jesus Christ. How preach him? “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” And Paul says preach the Word. Brethren, it is the Word we need at this evening hour, preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. O my soul does magnify Jesus in the truth! Glory be to God! We are all talking on the line of advancement. Well, here is the only way this side of heaven to advance and be more like God. It is to get the TRUTH or WORD IN US. … … ..ng for more power, and they do not realize what power really is. Paul tells us what it is. Rom. 1:16. — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to every one that believeth.” The gospel is the power, as soon as we believe it. How believe? With the head? No; “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” O Praise God! How I wish you could see the truth as God reveals it to my poor unworthy soul! Praise his dear name! As soon as we repent and get on believing ground, as quick as we get this one truth in us, we are saved, like a flash. Here it is; read it. Rom. 1o:9. – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” You must get it down in your heart. Now let us come back to the power again. Heb. 4:12. — For the word of God is quick and powerful,” etc. Some want more fire. What is fire? The truth, or word of God is fire. John said, “He [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” We might talk about the blessed Holy Ghost all our life, but unless we get him in us, he will do us no good. Just so it is in regard to the Word, we must get the Word in us; if we do, it will become a fire. Jer. 5:14 — “I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.” Read Jer. 23:29 — “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Here is a promise that he will put his gospel in us. Heb. 10:16. — “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them.” O praise God for the glorious truth! How must we get this truth in us? First believe it; second, hold right on until it is written in your heart. 2 Cor. 3. Here Paul says, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us.” What did Paul minister? The word of God; certainly. Then these words were written, he says, not in stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Not in the mind simply, but in the heart. How? By the Spirit of the living God. The Holy Ghost takes the truth as soon as we believe it, and writes it in our souls. Amen.
We hear some say, “Well, I haven’t got light on that line; but as soon as I get the light I will walk in it.” Well, what is light? 1 Jno. 1:5 says God is light. And God is the light through his Word. Psa. 119:105. — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” When does God’s word become a light to us in reality? The Psalmist says in the 130th verse, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” Dear ones, you must not look for anything, nor any advancement outside of the word of God. All your light, power, or advancement outside of God’s word is a fog, a mist, is nothing. God help us to get the truth IN US, then we have God in us, power in us, faith in us, joy in us, O praise God, everything is in us when we get the truth in us. But can’t we get all the truth or Word in us at once? Let us see if we can.
When you come to God a sinner you did not have a single truth in you. When you repented and believed the Spirit wrote the truth of forgiveness or justification in your heart. Now did you at that time believe that you were sanctified, or did the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse you from ALL sin? You say no, but just as soon as you heard the truth of sanctification, the Holy Ghost convicted you of your uncleanness still in you, then you met the conditions on that line of consecration; then you believed God’s Word as to the truth of holiness. You were sanctified wholly. Amen.
We are just emerging from the fog of sectism, Babylon confusion. The word of God and the Spirit of God were almost lost sight of. We used to believe creeds and disciplines of men, fair speeches, etc. I confess I did until I did not know hardly what to believe, and for quite a while after God saved my poor soul I was looking for visions, and great lights from heaven, and for voices, and impressions, until God by the Holy Ghost showed me the blessed truth. O how God is filling me with his precious Word! Glory be to God! I have everything staked on the truth. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall never pass away.” O thank God, thank God!
It is not God’s plan for us to get it all into us at one time, because he said unto the apostles, Jno. 16:12 — “I have yet many things [or words] to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now; howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.” Praise God! Dear ones, he will not guide you into anything but truth, yea, and ALL truth. Yes, we must begin at the bottom if we expect to advance with God from one truth to another. This is whit Peter means when he says, Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Get it in you, then you have the real knowledge of it, then the truth becomes a living reality, ready to be put in practice. Now listen, Jno. 15:7, — “If ye abide [or stay] in me, and my words abide [or stay] in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” Yes, John knew that it must be in us (our hearts). 2 Jno. 2 — “For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.” I pray God to let all see HIS way of advancing and the only way this side of heaven. Some who are praying for humility, meekness, power, faith, joy, and advancement, get more of the truth in you, more love and victory. To the amount of truth you have in you (not simply committed to memory), in your heart, that amount of God you will have. God help all to see it.
O the depths of consecration this truth will bring us to, if we get the whole Word in us! It will stir all the devils in hell; God will make a short work on the earth if we all go in for the whole truth in us. O bless God, it is glorious! The truth is my bread, my all; my soul is fat and flourishing on this line. It is not enough to get the truth of justification, but as Paul says, “Go on unto perfection.” Get the truth of sanctification; then stop? No, my brother, you have just crossed over Jordan; the whole Canaan is to be explored, which spiritually means the whole Word of God. Launch out, push out, hold every truth you get in you, fight the good fight of faith in order to keep it; resist, rebuke the devil; don’t let him steal away a single truth; buy the truth and sell it not. O give up all and let God advance your soul. Your brother contending for the whole truth,
W. H. Cheatham.
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The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psa. 119:130.
MOTHERS, DO YOUR DUTY.
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FOR some time I have felt led to write a few lines on the duty of mothers to their children, and shall now do so by the help of God. Much has been said in regard to secret vices which are so prevalent among our young people to day, and which is the great sin that is sapping our rising generation, and surely the time has come when we must with one voice cry out, and warn the people against this awful sin. But just where to begin is the important question. Now I fully believe that the place to begin is in the home, and the ones to commence are the mothers; and now in the name of Jesus I appeal to every mother who may read these lines to receive these few words as from God and carefully and prayerfully stop and consider your duty to your children.
Do you realize that the very destiny of their precious souls depends greatly on how you train them in their early life! Do you realize that there is an awful hell ready to swallow them up for eternity? Are you fully awakened to the fact that the enemy of all souls is seeking in every conceivable way to poison their young minds and ensnare them into sins which will eventually bind them for eternity? May God help us all as parents tp raise our children for heaven, and especially we whom God has made as examples of the flock ought to surely be an example in raising our children for God and keep them in perfect subjection to us and God’s word, that they will belittle examples of what children ought to be.
It is the duty of every parent to fully understand the disposition of their children, and whenever we see any evil disposition manifesting its-self to check it at once. When should we commence? Certainly just as soon as the evil is manifested. A great many parents wait too long, they are so tender-hearted that they cannot correct their child until it is a few years old. This is a sad mistake. You cannot commence too soon. If you desire your child to be cheerful, commence in the first year, and you can by a little patience and firmness with the pure love of God do much to instil and cultivate into its mind and being a good disposition. Evil dispositions may be and can be checked and held under subjection. Let no one say that their child is too young to begin to train. And if you learn the disposition of your child and train it accordingly you will have no trouble to learn its habits in after years; and it is the duty of every parent, especially the mother, to know and fully understand the habits of your children from their infancy till they leave the parental roof.
And it is the duty of every parent to warn their children against the sins into which children fall. In regard to tobacco, tell them all about it, how it originated, its effects on the body, mind, and soul. And also secret vice; it is your duty to take your children in their early years and tell all about the awful effects on the entire being, and give them examples of those who have suffered from its effects. Put books in their hands that will lead them in the right way, and keep them from society that would poison their tender minds.
So many mothers are too modest to tell their children these things, and don’t stop to think that the devil is not too modest to tell them anything. And right here I will say to every mother, if you don’t do your duty and tell your children all about these things and so explain it to them that they will be warned against them, you may be sure that the devil will let them know all about it, and do it in such a way that he will get them into sin. They are sure to learn about these things some way. So in Jesus’ name, do your duty, and don’t let the devil do what you ought to do in the proper way.
Again, too many mothers allow their daughters to grow up to womanhood and enter into their mission of life without the proper knowledge of what their life is to be. This often proves to be a fatal mistake. Every mother has had more or less experience and ought to teach her daughter; but too many are left to find out these things by experience, and sometimes the lessons are bitter, and of serious results. I am also fully convinced that many daughters have made a mis-step in life because mother did not warn them of the dangers that throng their way. Many daughters have entered into the married relation without the least idea of what was her duty as a wife and mother, or a knowledge of the care, responsibility and suffering which she must undergo.
Mothers, are you doing your duty? If not, for Jesus’ sake do so before it is too late; Arise and shake off your self-modesty and do your duty in raising your children for the glory of God, and the elevation of fallen humanity.
W. J. Henry.
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A Doctrine of Devils.
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“The teaching of the spirit of truth given to L. C. Walton is just as reliable and sacred as the teaching given to Paul. The scripture inspired of God by L. C. Walton, or R. B. Meek, or Nancy C. Beck, or Brewer, or Babcock, or any other man living to-day, is just as holy and infallible as any given by Peter or John long ago. God is as near to man now as he ever was. Man is no weaker, no more fallible now than when Paul preached and travelled.”
We take the above from a little sheet published in Buffalo, N. Y., by D. D. Babcock, May, 1894 issue. It shows the extreme fruits of the anti-ordinance spirit. The tendency of that ungodly doctrine is to ignore the word of God more and more. And one of the smartest anti-ordinance preachers of the Southwest a few years ago sent his deluded soul to hell by his own suicidal hands. While anti-ordinance wranglers try to wrest some scriptures into the support of their anti-christ doctrine, it is always more or less based upon a plea for the supremacy of the Spirit over the written Word. This was the case with the first inventors of the anti-ordinance doctrine. We have it on record that they claimed for its support the voice of the Spirit and not the Word. The literal coming of Christ, the New Testament Sabbath, and many other Bible doctrines have been discarded by modern anti-ordinance advocates. And now these devil-deceived wandering stars come out and tell us that the word of God given to us by the inspiration of the apostles is no better than the dreams, fancies and visions of their own befogged brains and corrupt hearts. This is a legitimate fruit of the anti-ordinance spirit. It denies and rejects the plain positive commands of Christ, and then leads its victims from one step of presumption to another, until the devil reduces the entire New Testament to the level of their own imaginations. O how true it is that the only way to escape the delusions of the devil in these perilous times is to “stay on God in truth!” O beloved, abide in the Word!
Page 2
GOSPEL TRUMPET.
A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL.
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PUBLISHERS, E. E. BYRUM, and S. MICHELS.
Grand Junction, Mich.
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Entered at the Post Office at Grand Junction, Van Buren Co. Michigan as second class matter.
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THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 1895.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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Conrad Sauer, D. D. Damron, Jas. E. Shaw, Mrs. Maggie Brickell, C. H. Wood, Geo. T. Henwood, E. E. Gibbs, Emily P. Smith.
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Requests For Prayer.
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Crocker, Mo.
Pray for the healing of my wife, Magdalena Hodgden, that her mind and soul may be healed. She is in the insane asylum, Columbus, Ohio. Pray Sept. 20, in the morning. Do not forget to pray for her on that morning. Your saved and sanctified brother in Christ,
Charles Hodgden.
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Maxwell, Neb.
I desire an interest in the prayers of all the Saints, that I may be restored both body and soul and be filled with the Spirit of God. Pray on Sept. 20. Yours in Christ,
L. H. Horn.
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Marquand, Mo.
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Pray for me that the Lord may heal me, for I am sick with bilious fever. I am all on the altar. Your saved brother standing on the Word,
C. Simmons.
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Smith Centre, Kan.
Dear Saints: Pray Sept. 15, for Sister Nellie Lanman. She was sick; she called on the Lord and he saved and healed her, but she failed to walk on his promises, and kept the doctor. She has lost her mind. Pray for her husband that he may be led into the fullness of the evening light. Your sister in the Lord,
Laura A. Goodale.
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Calls For Meeting.
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Bowerville. Minn.
I do pray God will open the way for some one to come to this place and preach the pure Word. Many a time I would give up if it were not for the precious words of our Savior who says, “Hold fast till I come.” He says we shall reap in due time if we faint not. Praise his holy name! I do hate every sect name, but love those who have salvation among them. Pray with me that God will send some one here to preach the pure gospel. Yours in Christ,
Sarah M. Cleveland.
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Zumbrota, Minn.
I am located in the small town of Zumbrota, on the road between St. Paul, and Winona. Here is a very good opening for the gospel work as there are many hungry souls. I am speaking the Scandinavian language, and the Lord has raised up a little church out in the country eight miles from here. We want some of God’s true ministers to come to Minnesota. Bro. H. C. Stahmann, 569 Sioux St. Winona, Minn. would also like to have some one to come and preach. There is no one here to preach the pure gospel, We feel the need of help on that line. Cannot some one sent of God, come? Yours, saved and sanctified,
C. O. Berg,
Box 116.
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Markleville, Ind.
A meeting is much desired at this place. Who will fill this call? For information address,
Lucinda Bray.
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Albany, Neb.
We are led to state through the Trumpet that we are ready to go out into the gospel work wherever the way may open for us. We are new in the work but are consecrated to do the whole will of God. Will go with team and wagon. Any one wanting meetings can write us. Kept by the mighty power of God, ready to be revealed in the last time,
Chas. Hatch and Wife.
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MEETINGS.
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Attercliffe, Ont. Tab. meeting. Sept. 12-22.
St. Thomas, Ont., Tab. meeting. Sept. 26.
Winona, Ont. Oct. 16.
J. A. Dillon, Bixler and Co.
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Roark, Mo. Grove meeting. Will begin Sept. 25, instead of Aug. 15, as heretofore announced. Those coming will get off at Butterfield, Mo., on the Frisco line. Write mg at Roark, Mo.
James A. Montgomery.
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There will be a camp meeting held in the court house at Lebanon, Mo., beginning Sept. 14, and continuing as long as the Lord wills. Come prepared to care for yourselves.
G. E. Bolds.
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There will be a camp meeting held by the church of the living God in Bro. O. E. Kilpatrick’s grove, two miles south-west of Payne, Paulding Co., Ohio, on the old flat rock road. To begin Sept. 18, and last until Oct. 1.
J. N. Howard.
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The assembly or camp meeting of the saints of God in Louisiana will be held in Tangipahoa Parish, La. at Zion Grove, near the Morris Retreat thirteen miles east of Hammond where it was held in 1894, commencing on Saturday before the second Sunday in October 1895, being the twelfth day of said month. All Christians are invited to attend as well as the unsaved. And as many as can, come prepared to camp on the grounds with provisions for the occasion. The meeting will last as long as God wills. Come one, come all.
W. W. Bankston.
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There will be a camp meeting held in the name of the Lord, at Los Angeles, Cal., corner of Third and Pearl streets, commencing Sept. 18, and continuing over two Sabbaths, and as much longer as the Lord may direct. Those desiring to engage tents, or further information, may address J. D. Hatch, 908 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles, Cal.
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Anthony, Kan.
There will be a tabernacle meeting at Harper, Harper Co., Kan. Sept. 25 to Oct. 7. Bro. G. L. Cole and Co. Saints invited to attend. There are plenty of empty houses that can be rented cheap to camp in during meeting. Yours saved just now,
J. F. Prouse.
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Phillipsburg, Kan.
There will be a camp meeting near Standard, Okla., 12 miles west of Mulhall on Santa Fe R. R., and 18 miles east of Hennessey on the Rock Island R. R. Will be held on Bro. E. West’s farm, Oct. 10-24. Address E. West Bowman, Okla., or S. Post, Standard, Okla.
Geo. L. Cole and Co.
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GRAND JUNCTION ASSEMBLY MEETING.
This meeting will be held the Lord willing, Oct. 1-10, at the camp ground one mile north of Grand Junction. Many are looking forward to this gathering together of the children of God as one of great power and glory on account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when his saints shall meet to worship in the beauty of holiness, and sinners yield their hearts to Him, and the sick be healed of their diseases. We believe this will be a time of spiritual advancement, and a deeper settling down upon the Word for a forward move on the line of divine healing, and general salvation work, and a better qualification for the work of rescueing souls. Everybody is invited to attend. If possible bring enough bedding to keep you comfortable. Meals and lodging can be procured on the grounds. Come praying. Those who cannot come, do not fail to send up earnest petitions for the meeting, and the Lord will give you your portion also.
Grand Junction is in Van Buren Co., twenty-nine miles west of Kalamazoo, on the Mich. Cent. R. R., and fifty-five miles south of Grand Rapids, on the Chicago and West Mich. R. R.
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A Request.
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MAINLY on account of the low price of cotton, and the unsettled condition of our state government money has been very scarce in this state for two years past. During the past year I have sent in a number of names of persons asking that the TRUMPET be sent to them until they could get some money in hand. Now that cotton has begun to open, and be ready for market, please, dear ones, saints and all, don’t forget the faithful workers at the TRUMPET Office. If you can not send the whole amount you are due to the Office, send a part. If you have not but a dime, or two dimes, or three dimes, send that. They have ministered unto us spiritual things, now let us minister unto them of our carnal things. 1 Cor. 9:11. I have heard one here and there where we have gone, say words like these: “I have been blessed.” “I have got hold of some money that I did not expect to get, and I ought to. have sent some to the TRUMPET, but I did not.” “I will the very next money I get,” etc. etc. And and I have known these very ones to forget, or fail to do so when they would get more money time and again. O brethren, this ought not so to be! And this appeal is no beg for your money, but a loving earnest warning for you not to withhold from God what is his. For this is what shuts up the “windows of heaven.” Zech. 3:8-12. Cuts off temporal blessings, bodily health and strength included, and is the cause of many growing lean in their souls.
Now, dear saints, the devil knows full well if he can tempt one here and another there into indifference and carelessness in “withholding more than is meet,” Prov. 11:24, even the “mites,” that the work of the Lord will be greatly hindered and they that thus fall behind in their duty much weakened. Dear saints of God everywhere, do not we want such a blessing as God has here promised? — “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house [the church on earth] and PROVE ME NOW HEREWITH, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IF I WILL NOT OPEN THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT SUCH A BLESSING THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT.” Praise the Lord! Zech. 3:10. Is it any wonder that the work of the Lord does not move forward in many places? For the next few days to come I ask every one of God’s dear children everywhere to do what Father has said, PROVE HIM by doing all that is in their mind and heart to do, on the line of giving and paying on what they are due to God, without any neglect or putting off to another day whatever, and such outpouring of his blessings we shall see. O praise his name! Will there be one hereafter that will let the cares of this life or anything else of the flesh or of the world cause them to be negligent and fail to prove the Lord as he has said for us to do? In the name of our dear Savior I pray not. And the Lord shall have all the the glory and honor and praise. Amen and amen.
James E. Shaw.
South Carolina.
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A Brother in Need.
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We have received the following letter from a dear brother and family who are in need.
Advance, Mo.
To All the Saints, Love and Greeting: We feel it for God’s glory to write and let you know we are very sick and ask all saints who see these lines to pray for us at once. Little Johnny and I have grown slowly worse for five days, both having high fever most all the time, and he the last two days lain nearly lifeless and my headache which runs from my crown down my neck increasing, and wife seems to manifest the same symptoms to-day, our bones aching badly. The rest of our family seem better. We closed the grove meeting here, July 17, where my family has been with me since April, where the Lord has used us in sending the truth to many hearts at different points in school houses, on the streets and one grove meeting (all new fields), which he has accomplished by furnishing a house at three different points to live in while presenting the pure Word, we meanwhile getting support as in Acts 20:34. Shortly after the grove meeting the dear Holy Spirit seemed to testify he was going to send us to Frisco, Ark., where we felt our children’s spiritual and physical health can be much better cared for, as we are living in a very dark, also a very sickly place, in a hired house. For over six weeks afflictions have been abroad in the land. And while our God has honored the prayers of faith, our home has seldom been clear of malarial sickness. We asked the brethren at the Junction to pray for us, which was answered the second day after mailing our letter, but in a few days our maladies most all returned in worse form. While from some wise cause God has failed to give victory over our present troubles, we know all things work together for good to them that love him, etc. And while we are very sick, after reeling we will fall prostrate on trying to rise or sit up, we are not scared nor discouraged. And we trust God is only preparing us for his work, or for the glory world. And after much prayer and fasting, unless God is permitting these afflictions to remain to lead us to make known our case abroad that he may help us out of this swamp through some friend or brother and to settle us and others down, we know not why it be. Has he a team and wagon, or hack, or one-horse rig in his great store that he can use to send us to Frisco and return, or be used in his work? The Lord save us from being a burden to God’s little ones, but we greatly need God’s help. Brethren, write us. Your humble brother and sister,
R. B. and S. A. Hicks.
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The School at the Camp.
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To All the Saints, Greeting: With praise and victory in my soul I sit down to talk with you of his wondrous works. Our school opened with victory. Praise the Lord! We are trusting for victory throughout the term and believe God will give it to us. The Lord is putting it on us to be more strict in regard to a pure conversation, and to the laying aside of those things which are not convenient. Even now a marked change for the better has taken place. To God be all the praise. One hour each day is spent in Bible study, and in the evening we have an Hour’s session. We are kept busy, but the Lord is our strength.
There are a few books it would be well if we had. I will mention them; perhaps some one may have them, who would be willing to lend to the Lord. Barnes’ U. S. History; Steele’s Physiology; Harper’s Geography; Ray’s New Practical Arithmetic, second part. Any good book published by the American Book Company will be welcome. Now while you pray for the school, remember the dear consecrated ones who labor on the farm and in the home, and I believe it is God’s will that there be another worker in the home; not just another person to stay here, but some one who is consecrated to be anything, or do anything for the Lord; some one who is grounded and settled in the faith. Now on whomsoever the hand of the Lord rests, let them say, “Here am I, send me.” A person should have as definite a call for other kinds of work as for preaching. Now let somebody pray. Also let the dear ones whose ground has brought forth abundantly remember they are only stewards of the Lord, and let them ask him what he would have them do.
I wish to add a few words of testimony before I close. I can testify to full salvation through the blood of Jesus. It is truly wonderful what God is doing for me; supplies my every need and gives me grace for the trials I meet. I feel it is God’s will for me to help in the school this winter, and I expect to do with my might what my hands find to do. May God bless you all. Your saved sister,
Georgia Cook.
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Social Purity.
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This is an expression that is used to convey the idea of sexual celibacy in married life. We have always warned our readers against taking upon them such legal yokes of bondage. We believe the word of God is wise in all that it teaches, and equally wise in all that it does not enjoin. And it must be confessed by all that no such a law is found in the inspired volume. “Live in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” “Be temperate in all things.” “Whether therefore ye eat, or whether ye drink, or whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all to the glory of God.” These are the teachings of the New Testament touching our duty in this matter. But all vows of a legal nature are supernumerary, and lead to bondage. Sin is sure to take occasion by the law, but grace reigns under the gospel. To illustrate: Let a man and wife who are living a holy spiritual life, and temperate in all things, take upon themselves vows of total abstinence, or even set up fixed rules in which prolonged abstinence is vowed, and at once the devil appears to buffet and tempt them. Desire is kindled and intensified, and the vow subjects them to be harrassed more or less continually; whereas before such vows were adopted there was no trouble to live in holy temperance. If the self-imposed yoke is strictly carried out, it is under harassing temptations; if violated, self and Satan inflict condemnation upon the mind.
On our recent tour north two brethren came and confided to me their trouble. Since saved in Christ they had had no trouble to live the Spirit, and in great temperance sexually. But they were told by the tempter that a holy life requires total abstinence. Hence they put themselves under the elements of law to do so. And both confessed that the result was just as we have described it. They were both led to wonder why such raging and harrassing passions should torment them from the very time of the adoption of their celibic vows. Indeed they were much tempted by the devil, and found it very difficult to hold fast confidence in the Lord, and the result was spiritual depression. And both also got more free and victorious from the time they renounced their inscriptural yoke. These brethren informed us that they were led into this legal trap by the reading of an article which a brother had written for the TRUMPET, which was directed against abominable excesses, and doubtless with no intention on the part of the writer, to impose the total abstinence yoke. But the language used must have had some appearances of advocating social purity. For this reason we were glad to see a second article from the pen of the same brother making an “Explanation.” But even this seems to savor of social purity vows. At least we have before us a letter from a brother who seems to look upon it in that light.
While upon this subject we wish to give our readers a thought that has recently come very clearly to our mind. “If ye live after the flesh ye shall die.” — Rom. 8:13. Reading this, some have concluded that spiritual death would result from the exercise of the sexual passion. Hence put themselves under legal vows to utterly abstain. But their spiritual condition was soon found to be worse, instead of improved. But what is the flesh in the above and similar passages? It is the carnal nature, that the sin of our first parents has transmitted to all their race. Hence we read, “To be carnally minded is death.” Rom. 8:6. “Because the carnal mind is emnity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be.” Verse 7. Now the Word here rendered “carnal,” “carnally,” is the same as that rendered “flesh,” in verse 13. And you perceive it is associated with the mind, the carnal, or fleshly mind. To live after the flesh is to indulge the desires of the flesh. If, therefore, “flesh” in Rom. 8:13 meant the physical, we would have to abstain from the physical desire to eat food, exercise, etc, or lose salvation. Nay, this natural and temperate exercise of all the physical functions is holy and good. Again, were this term SARKA — flesh, carnality — applied to the physical, then it would follow that these physical bodies cannot be subject to the will of God, according to Rom. 8:7. But our physical members are subject to God, Rom. 6:19. So then to live after the flesh — Rom. 8:13, is not to exercise the natural God-created passions and appetites of the body, but to follow the devil-created “carnal mind,” or “fleshly mind.” It is not a “lust of the flesh,” to hunger for proper food, nor a sin to indulge that appetite. Likewise it is not a lust of the flesh to experience the natural sexual passions, nor sinful to indulge the same when pure nature
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demands, and holy law sanctions. Learn the distinction between divinely constituted physical functions, and all lusts of the flesh. The former are all holy and relate to the laws that govern the body. The latter are unholy, sin produced, and their sphere of operations is in the mind, fleshly mind. It is a lust that burns in the mind independent of natural physical wants. And often when the physical has to be wrought up to the unholy mental desire; and when it is “contrary to nature,”and detrimental to health. Understand therefore to live after the flesh is to live after an unholy mind. To “live in the Spirit is not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh;” and they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. But the lawful, natural, and temperate exercise of all the physical functions is but living out the will of their Creator, and is consistent with holiness unto the Lord.
What we have here written is for holy spiritual minded men and women. But let not the sensual pervert it into a license to indulge the lusts of the flesh.
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A Timely Warning.
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THERE is no animal in a state of nature uses it. The first time a human being uses it in any form it usually makes him violently sick. If one eats a new kind of fruit for the first time, he may not like it, but it does not make him sick, because it is food. But tobacco being a poison nearly always causes an upset to the system. It is only by continued use that man can use it without being made ill. The appetite for it is a disease, thereby making the system susceptible to other diseases, especially when contagious, as statistics will show in time of great epidemics. It is expensive because there is no need for it. It is not even a luxury, because it causes more loss and injury than it does good. In this United States alone there are millions of dollars thrown away annually for the vile weed; what with the money that is spent for pipes, cigar holders, cigarette tubes, cigarette paper, cigar machines, cigar boxes, advertising, tobacco and cigar labels, etc., the enormous sum thus thrown away seems almost incredible.
Reader, if you are a smoker or a tobacco chewer, will you not agree with me that it is a terrible dirty, filthy practice? How do you like to smell the breath of a real tobacco toper? What smells worse than your tobacco soaked clothes or your rank pipe? Then the ashes from pipes, cigars and cigarettes, fall on the clothes, carpets, table cloths, etc., and dirty or disfigure them, to say nothing about the danger to clothing, property, etc., from fire.
Chewing and smoking blackens the teeth. It you smoke a pipe the teeth that hold it are worn away. It is terribly selfish in that the person only who uses it is gratified, and that often at the expense of others; smokers poison the air common to all by the fumes they emit. The selfishness of the smoker causes family quarrels and disputes, the husband preferring his pipe or cigar to his wife. It is disease producing; it stops growth in the young, and causes ill-developed forms, destroys the mind and is a boon companion of alcoholic beverages. In adults it blunts the senses of taste, smell, sight and hearing. It may scarcely be perceptible in some, but its effects are there.
Smoking always produces more or less sore throat and often in consequence, the worst kind of deafness; viz., “throat deafness.” When absorbed into the system by chewing, it causes palpitation of the heart and has a depressing influence on it. It retards digestion, causes nervousness, a trembling of the hands, indecision, loss of memory, loss of energy, especially when used in connection with other habits equally as bad or worse, loss of will-power, produces lowness of spirits in some to an alarming extent. It deadens thought, and makes one dull and listless, instead of of being active and full of life. It causes loss of appetite, helps on cancerous formations, more especially in the stomach, and is the active cause of most cases of cancer seen on the lower lip, which is rarely seen except among smokers. It also lessons the vitality, thereby increasing the liability of contracting disease; in a word it makes a slave of the user. No matter what the importance or the necessity of the employment, or what the demands, tobacco must be had at all cost. Wife, children, home, friends, all must be neglected; the means that should go to purchase shoes and clothing for a too often neglected progeny, or nourishment for a sick emaciated wife and mother, is spent for the weed to gratify a selfish, slavish appetite.
Dear reader, is there a single utterance in this little leaflet but what is true? Come now, lay down your prejudice in favor of a vile, filthy practice: take your case to the great Physician; he will heal you soul and body; think not on tobacco antidotes of any kind. Your appetite enslaves you, here and here only is a remedy, — a conviction of sin, a repentance which means quit your sinning, make restitution, seek God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and seek him until he rains righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12. And he will take away all evil appetites and desires and cleanse you from all sin. 1 John 1:7. May God help you, dear reader, to heed this warning from one who was healed of the dreadful disease after being bound by it for forty years. Your well-wisher,
G. B. Collins.
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News from the Field
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Butler, Pa., Sept. 3.
Dear Saints of God: We came here from Emlenton, Pa. camp meeting. Expect to hold a short tabernacle meeting here before going to Ohio. Sister Fry is with us. I which to state for the benefit of some who have written me concerning the meeting at Pittsburg, Pa., that the newspaper reports were mostly false. The tabernacle was not cut down as reported, and was but little damaged. We took down the tabernacle just a few days before the set time to close the meeting. For different reasons we feel it was the will of the Lord to close the meeting. And we know the move we took was according to the word of God. Mat. 10:14-23. Luke 10:10-12. Acts 14:5, 6. Acts 13:49-52. As for closing the way for the truth elsewere, I do not believe that such will be the result. Your saved brother in Christ,
H. M. Riggle.
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Winslow, Ind., Sept. 6.
Dear Readers: Since our last news we have been constantly in God’s vineyard, gleaning souls for Jesus, and God has verified his promises to us found in Psa. 126:5, 6. Since the camp meeting at Grand Junction we have held tabernacle meetings at Jeffersonville, Marengo and Otwell, besides some meetings in meeting houses; and God has established his truth in each place. Souls are being saved and sanctified and also healed. We begun meeting here last night. Interest good and increasing; we expect to hold an assembly meeting at Iva, Ind. before we leave these parts. Any one desiring to attend from a distance can write to us, and we will tell them the date of the meeting as soon as it is set. Your saved brother,
G. P. Keeling and D. B. Moore.
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Chalfont, Pa., Sept. 7.
Dearly Beloved: God bless and keep you all. Our last report was from Andersontown, Md. The meeting at that place was a glorious success. It continued nearly five weeks, during which time several souls were saved and a number made their escape from sectism, and the Lord raised up to himself a glorious little church. To his holy name be all the glory! Many were won to the truth and we found a host of friends both among the people of God and also honest sinners. God has planted his truth in that place to stay. Many were convicted and asked our prayers, and we fully believe there will yet be a great ingathering of souls. The people came for many miles to the meeting and there are a number of calls for the gospel. We expect to return there soon and hold another tabernacle meeting. On last Sabbath a party of us went over land about thirty-five miles to a place called Ringing Rock and held three services. There we found some honest souls who gladly received the truth. Three raised hands for prayer and the people are anxious for a meeting at that place. We are now in the camp meeting at this place. God is manifesting his presence and we are expecting a glorious time. Sister Shoffner from England is with us, whom the Lord is using in sending forth the truth. Several are already interested and we believe that a glorious work will be done. Pray for us and the work here in the East.
Yours in Christ,
W. J. Henry and Co.
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San Francisco, Cal., Aug. 30.
Dear Brethren: After spending about ten days at the Woodburn, Ore., camp meeting where the power of God was manifest in the salvation of souls and healing of the sick, we continued our journey southward and stopped one night at Roseburg, Ore., where our souls were made to rejoice in meeting Bro. J. M. Hudson and Co., from California, who had just arrived with a tabernacle and were getting ready to begin a meeting. Some applied for the healing of their bodies, and the present outlook indicates a rich harvest of souls in that place.
The next night we stopped at the mountain home of Bro. and Sister Matchett, four and a half miles from Grant’s Pass, where we found some who were hungry for the truth, but the way was not open to hold a series of meetings. However we held one meeting at which there were four consecrations, whom we trust will walk in the light of the Word that they may enjoy the fullness of the love of God. This place is in the gold mining district, but some have already found they are in need of something more than gold in order to satisfy the soul.
Our next place of meeting was San Francisco, where we met our dear Bro. Schroeder whom we found earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints in a mission hall at 130 Golden Gate Ave. A few days were spent here and at Oakland, working for the Lord. The two cities are separated by the bay. A faith home will no doubt soon be opened in Oakland for the purpose of teaching salvation and divine healing to the sick and suffering. We have met but few here who are out in the full light of the gospel, yet God has a people here and others are seeking to know the way. We leave here to day for points further south and hope to be at the Los Angeles camp meeting by Sept. 18.
E. E. Byrum and J. W. Daugherty.
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Missoula, Mont., Sept, 1.
Dear Saints: On the sixth of August we bid farewell to the dear saints in Spokane and started on the road for North Dakota. We followed the old Mullen Trail out through the Cour Dalene mines. Found nothing but Catholics and hard-hearted sinners, until we crossed the divide into Montana. A majority of those poor souls, if you offer them a TRUMPET they will refuse to take it, and look at you as though you were some outlaw or vile person. So we passed on and enjoyed the blessings of our God, viewing his wonderful works. We caught some of the beautiful mountain trout that live in the St. Regis river, also enjoyed a feast on some of the nice grouse that range in the Bitter Root mountains. After two weeks drive, we reached Missoula. We there visited the Salvation Army three nights. Then we got the M. E. house and preached in it five nights, but the truth cut too deep when we touched on division and creeds. So they shut the house, and we held our meetings on the street. We found a good number of honest souls here that only want a little time to investigate the truth. If some of God’s anointed ones would come in here in six weeks or two months and rent a hall I feel that God would surely raise up a great cloud of witnesses in Missoula. We send in twenty-six names for sample copies of the TRUMPET, and I believe that many of them will see the truth and follow the Lord. We go from here to Helena; there we will canvas the town for God and honest souls. We feel that our work is done here for the present. Two have accepted the truth and were baptized. Oh that we had the summer before us so we could establish the truth more thoroughly! But there are hungry souls in Dakota that are urging us to come on and help there. Well we are fighting the fight of faith, but hallelujah, we have God’s eternal glory in our souls. God is supplying our every need. Praise his holy name! Any one wishing to write to us can address us at Helena, Mont. Yours in the one body,
Geo. W. Bailey and Co.
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Grand Junction, Mich., Sept. 7.
Our little meeting near Grand Ledge, Mich., was a very good work. Souls were saved daily. Most of the little church received an advance experience. May God keep all who in that place call upon his name in sincerity until the coming of the Lord. The two sisters who had received the truth and the wonderful healing of their bodies last winter through the labors of Bro. and Sister Radabaugh are yet well and greatly praising God.
Monday, September 2, we returned to Grand Rapids, and found the work still moving on, souls being saved daily. Good congregations every night; the people quite generally endorsing the truth. We remained two days, and then bade farewell to the dear ones there and returned to our home Sept. 4.
Thank God for his rich blessings upon our northern campaign all the way around. Truly we felt the prayers of God’s dear people, and saw his mighty hand stretched forth in every place to save the lost, and heal the sick. It is wonderful indeed how the good hand of God sustained us. Six meetings with no rest between, but considerable travel. All day long preaching or laboring at the public altar, and privately with souls between meetings, often until late hours at night, and under such an intense mental solicitude for lost souls sufficient to exhaust the nervous system, and prostrate the body. But the Lord is the saving strength of his anointed.
But this we find, since the Lord has called us to devote our time more especially to writing, we cannot very successfully carry on that work and hold meetings at the same time. Therefore we shall have to obey the will of the Lord and devote ourself to the great work of pen preaching. And though it is hard to deny ourself the luxury and glory of the field work, the Lord does indeed give us a holy relish for work alone with him in our little sanctuary. We ask all of the saints of God to pray for us, that his precious Spirit may greatly inspire and help us to write the things that he shall give for Christ’s sake. Amen. Your brother and sister,
D. S. and Frankie Warner.
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TESTIMONIES.
“Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” – Psa. 119:129.
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MADE EVERY WHIT WHOLE.
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Albany, Ill.
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ: I feel that the Lord would be pleased in having me write my testimony, and tell what he has done for unworthy me, for truly he has done much; and this morning finds me saved, sanctified and satisfied, — satisfied with Jesus, ready to be revealed in the last day. He has most wonderfully healed my body and made me every whit whole. Oh glory to Jesus for his wonderful works to the children of men! For truly all praise and honor belongs to him.
My case was a very serious one, and one that the doctors could do no more for, and the pain could only be kept down by the use of hyperdemic injections in the flesh six to eight times a day, and then would only help me for a short time. I was unable to lie down nights for over four months. I could eat only the lightest of food, and then could not retain it on account of an ulcer in my stomach, of which I have been suffering almost three years; and also of an inward tumor which would have taken my life in a short time had I not had help. I also found that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity; and while I was permitted to live in that suffering condition, and I thought I was reconciled to the will of God, the words came to me that it was not the will of God that any should suffer. Yet I had not come to the point where I could say with the Psalmist David, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust him.” And right then and there I said to myself, “Lord, I will trust thee,” and in the strength of Jesus I got ready and went with several others from this place to the Michigan camp meeting, and there on the 16th of June I obeyed the command in the 5th chap. of James and 14th verse, and God in his infinite mercy stretched forth his hand and healed me of all my afflictions. And I have not used a drop of medicine since. Glory to the name of Jesus, who beareth all our infirmities and healeth all our diseases! And now I can go about my work praising the great Physician for his mighty power, and that he is no respecter of persons. Oh hallelujah! “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Oh I thank God for the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, and for his promises; for they are yea and amen to them that believe. May God help us to be brave and valiant soldiers for the cause of Christ, and that we may let our light shine in this sin- cursed world. And let us be true to our calling, whether it be at home or abroad. Pray for me, dear ones, that my life may be hid with Christ in God, and that my children may give their hearts to God in the days of their youth, and their lives to his service. And also pray for my saved companion that he may keep the shield of faith, and that by our lives we may lead sinners to the Lamb of of God. Pray that I may be kept low at the feet of Jesus, useful in his cause. Your sister in Christ, saved and sanctified, and that by a second work of grace,
Etta Huggins.
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Belgique, Mo.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I do praise God for a Savior that can save from all sin. I am so glad that I ever found the narrow way. I have many temptations, but the Lord has always made a way for my escape. Pray for my wife and children and sister, that the vail may be taken off, that they may see. Your humble brother,
D. R. Pearson.
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Norwood, Mo.
Dear Saints: I am praising God for his goodness. I can’t praise him enough. He is so good; for when we get right down in earnest prayer and have the faith, he always answers. I am fifty-two years old; have been smoking the pipe over forty years. I tried to quit for over two years, but I could not. I wanted to quit so bad. God would tell me continually that it was a sin. Still I would want to smoke. It seemed that it tasted awful bad and I hated it, yet I would crave it in my mind. I requested Bro. Collins to have the dear saints at Grand Junction camp meeting to pray for me, and glory to God he cleansed me from the pipe and not only the pipe, but has healed me of an affliction that I had suffered with for many years. If any one will get exactly right, Jesus will heal them. Glory to his name! Your sister saved,
S. M. Clark.
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OBITUARIES.
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SMITH. — Sister Mary S. Smith, wife of Bro John Smith of Gainsboro, Ont.. departed this life to be with Jesus, Aug 17, 1895. Aged thirty-two years and eleven months. She leaves a husband and three children, one daughter, and two sons to mourn her loss. Sister Mary Smith was one of the first to embrace this glorious evening light and stood firm in the faith, growing even stronger in it up to her last. The writer heard her state at different times during her illness that God had given her wonderful light of the gospel and she looked forward to be healed, but she could not grasp the promise strongly enough to be healed, simply because her work was done and God was calling her home. She was a great sufferer but many times her pains ceased by calling upon God. She died in full triumph of living faith. Her husband was one of the first elders of the church of the living God since the perfect gospel has been preached in Canada. I believe God has most wonderfully used him in holding up his pure word in this part of Canada, being the only chosen vessel of the Lord for a number of years. We pray God to sustain and keep him and his family in their sad loss but her gain. Funeral services by the writer,
S. E. Birdsall.
Dear one, we would not wish thee back,
To suffer here again;
We know that thou art resting free
From all thy weary pain.
Dear Lord, enable us to live,
That when our race is run,
We’ll meet with all the blood-washed saints,
Around our Father’s throne.
Blanche B. Fleming.
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ANCIENT AND MODERN IDOLATRY.
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THERE are extant in this so- called civilized country, many forms of idolatry, which equal that of heathen countries. It is said the Buddhists, who know not Christ, worship dumb idols, and also think that when they are diseased, if they rub the diseased part over the corresponding part of their idol, there will be healing, virtue imparted to them; and if they recover they give their idol the praise. But we could not expect much more, if any thing, from these heathen that know not Christ. But in this so-called Christian nation, with a Bible in almost every home, it is ridiculous in the extreme to see people, and especially those who profess to be Christians, thinking there is healing virtue in an old bone, or a string, or an ear of corn, or a dead person’s hand, or the moon, or some person. I have talked with a number, who seemed to have faith in these things; and like the heathen, they gave their dumb idol the praise. And some of these poor blind souls, when we hold up Jesus as the great Physician, think we are deluded and of the devil. But glory to Jesus, we know in whom we trust. It is not in that which was created, but in the Creator. Glory to his name! It is God who created the world by his word, and everything therein, this wonderful human machine included. The same Lord that brought the children of Israel up out of the land of Egypt; that parted the waters of the Red Sea and led the children of Israel through on dry ground, but swallowed up their enemies that were pursuing them (this should encourage every true child of God). He also fed them with manna for forty years, and led them over Jordan in a miraculous way. The same God that healed Naaman, the Syrian, of leprosy, long before Jesus came down to this earth in the likeness of men, to be the Savior of the world. The same God that sent the ravens to feed Elijah, and through his prayers raised the widow’s son that had died. Oh the joy that thrills my soul, when I know my trust is in the great living God and not in a dumb idol!
It was necessary for God in Elijah’s time to show the difference between dumb idols and the living God. Hence the priests of Baal were summoned to make an offering unto their gods.
“And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was passed, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.’’ 1 Kings 18:25-39
Many people tell us it was necessary for Jesus when he came to this earth, to do miracles to show that he was the Christ. Well, it is just as necessary for him to still do so in order to show he is just the same, as stated in Heb. 13:8, — “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and to day, and forever.” If it was necessary tor him to perform wonders hundreds of years ago in order to show the people his power, and that there is a living God, it is necessary in this age of unbelief and skepticism, to show his mighty power. And yet many are just as Jesus said they would be, when he said, “I work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though a man declare it unto you.” When my own mother was so wonderfully healed by the power of God, one of near kindred in the flesh, told her he did not believe any such thing; that this power was only given to the apostles, and that we ought to be careful and not be deceived, for he said God shall send them strong delusion that they might believe a lie and be damned. I thought, “Poor soul; you are one of the deluded.” Well bless the Lord, we speak the things we do know and testify that we have seen. We know that our God is marching on, and not at a slow pace, leading, guiding, shielding, and protecting those that will be true to him. And we know the conflict will not be long at longest. The battle may be fierce by times; but the harder the battle, the greater the victory when won. So let us go forth in the name and strength of Israel’s God, and push the battle against the wrong. The deceptions of the devil must be uncovered, so that those who are honest may see and escape for their lives to the mountain of God’s house. Let the waters overflow the hiding places, and the hail sweep away the refuge of lies. “Cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet; go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway, gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” Amen.
I attended a funeral a few days ago, and such a congregation of puffs, feathers, flowers, and ribbons! And I wondered what some of the ladies would do, if they would see their husbands, or fathers, or brothers, come walking up the aisle with such a rigging on. And yet since I have got the scales off of my eyes, to me it would look as sensible. Fashion is their idol. The pipe, and quid seem to be the idol of thousands, and yet the Lord says, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” “And thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
V. Crites.
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HOLY CONVERSATION.
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Bur as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Because it is written, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” — 1 Pet. 1:15, 16. Alas! how far the professed people of God come from measuring up to this scripture, generally speaking! How few they are, with whom you can converse for one hour without having the Spirit of God grieved by some ungodly jesting, or joking, or foolish talking, which is to no edification! Many times even among the ministry, when some remark is made that gives an opportunity, some can not resist the temptation and make some reply to drive a joke on somebody else. God help us, dear souls, let us measure to the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13) in all manner of conversation.
To be holy means to be free from sin which is the transgression of the law. 1 Jno. 3:4. And in the word of God we find plenty of law, on all manner of conversation. Then as he which hath called us (Christ, Matt. 9:13) was free from transgression of the law on conversation, so let us be. Now there are many kinds of conversation. We are continually conversing with those about us by our actions which “speak louder than words.” And indeed this is the real meaning of the word “conversation,” in the New Testament. It means our whole conduct, and not merely our words. Oh how closely we read one another’s actions! And if there isn’t harmony between one’s actions and their words, we take the testimony of the action. We converse with one another by word, either written or spoken, either private or public. We converse with God in prayer; we converse with ourselves in meditation. “But whatsoever we do in word, thought, or deed, let us do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Col. 3:17. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness?” — 2 Pet. 3:11.
Now let us examine the law of God which is his word. 2 Tim. 3:16. “Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt,” Eph. 4:22, “And let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” 29. That of course will include all blackguard stories, foolish talking, jesting just for fun to create a laugh. 5:4. Oh how many we find that claim to be sent of God to preach the gospel that resort to this means in order to, as they say, keep the attention of the audience! God help them to see if they have not the fire of God in their soul to interest the people, they had better vacate the pulpit and not disobey God to interest the devil. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor.” 4:25. Don’t borrow something from your neighbor and promise to bring it back the next day, and then forget it and not bring it back for a week, and may be keep it until he comes after it. Don’t tell Johnny or Mary to do so and so, and if they don’t you will whip them to within an inch of their life, and then if they don’t, tell them that you never saw such children in your life, and then go and do it yourself. Don’t tell your children to be good children and when you go to town you will get them some candy, and then when you come home tell them you forgot it, when you did not intend to get it; and then if they don’t have any confidence in you and don’t mind you, whip them for it. Shame on you! Don’t be all the time saying, “I’ll bet” and then when somebody takes you up, say, “I am not a betting man.” Don’t date your present salvation back for fifteen years just to make it sound and look big. When you know you have been living in sin less than a year ago. Don’t testify that you are saved when you know you do not measure to the Word. Don’t “April fool” some body “just for fun” and say “it is a white lie,” because they are all black. “Lie not one to another seeing you have put off the old man with his deeds.” Col. 3:9. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking and malice, and blasphemy and filthy communication be put away from you and out of your mouth. Eph. 4:31. Col. 3:8. “Let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Mat. 5:37. Jas. 5:12. “For in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Pro. 10:19. “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.” Eccl. 5:2, 3. The tongue is a little member but does great things (Jas. 3:5), and we must keep a vigilant watch over it. Behold we put bits in the horses, mouths that they may obey us. 3:3. And if we do not bridle our own tongues and make them obey us by the grace of God, our religion is vain. Jas. 1:26.
Again, we notice a great many that use so many unnecessary and idle words and phrases which they repeat over and over in prayer, in testimony, and even in preaching. We have noticed persons praying who were sincere and earnest so far as that is concerned, that put in as many as fifty and one hundred “Oh Lord’s” or “Dear God’s” or “Blessed Jesus’s and they were so conspicuous in the prayer that it would attract everybody’s attention and destroy the spirit of prayer; all for the lack of concentration and carefulness. We should talk to God just as natural and as easy as to any body else. And in testimony there are so many “I just know” and “I do know,” etc., and in preaching you often hear “Praise the Lord,” and “My friends,” “Sir,” etc., until it becomes quite a noticeable feature, in fact so much so that it becomes rather more attractive than the sermon. I have heard such words or phrases as often as from 150 to 200 times in a discourse of an hour or an hour and a half. Now these words are all right if used in their place, and used temperately, and come from the heart; but they were not intended for “fill up words” and “chinking.” And when you use them thus it spoils the good effect that would be produced without them. Again I have noticed brethren, when preaching from references taken on paper, when they were through with one reference and while turning to the other, they would put in some “chinking,” sometimes like this: “Well now we will turn over here and see what we can find,” “Now we will see what this says,” “We’ll find it pretty soon,” And then begin on the next reference. Now dear ones, that is all useless. You had better leave that all a blank. It is not only useless but it is grating on the ears of the hearers. Another thing, brethren, be careful about. After preaching a good long sermon don’t tell the people that you have one more reference and then you will be through, and after reading and commenting on that one say that you feel that the Lord leads you to read two or three more.
Oh how much more effective one’s words are when they are entirely void of all modern slang phrases and words, such as “That’s what,” and “You know,” and vain repetitions, etc. Let us also avoid foolish questions and genealogies, and contentions and strivings about the law, Tit. 3:9, also profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2 Tim. 2: 16. “Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ.” Phil. 1:27. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” Jas. 3:13. “If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” Jas. 3:2.
E. G. Masters.
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MARRIAGE and DIVORCE.
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EVANGELIUMS POSAUNE.
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