21 July 1892, Volume 12, Number 29.
Shall we live Above Forever?
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Shall we live above forever?
Shall we live when time is o’er?
Shall we live, where death comes never?
Shall we live on Heaven’s shore?
Chorus.
Yes we’ll live with Christ forever,
Where no partings ever come.
Where our loved ones leave us never,
And no death invades our home.
Shall we live beyond all sorrow?
In a land where gladness dwells?
Shall we there no trouble borrow?
Where no sorrow ever tells.
Shall we live where all is gladness,
In a land where no one sighs,
Where there’s not a shade of sadness,
Where our pleasure never dies?
Shall we live where love is lasting,
Where the false shall never dwell,
Where no clouds their shadows casting,
In that laud where all is well?
Yes we’ll live when time shall cease;
Yes we’ll live when earth’s no more,
In that land of perfect peace;
Yes we’ll live on Heaven’s shore.
Clint Atkins.
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THE TWO WORKS OF GRACE.
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“Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou hast wrought all our works in us.” — Isa. 26:12.
There are many persons who say they cannot see two works of grace taught in the word of God. Well dear ones, whether you see it or not it is nevertheless found there. The Bible gives many proofs, but we shall be obliged to set forth the subject in as few words as possible. Some people because they do not understand, or see a thing, say they do not believe it. If some one has an experience that you do not understand, do not dispute him nor lay him in the lie because you have not the same experience. Suppose you hear some of the soldiers tell their experience of hardships and dangers, would it be right for you because you have not had the same experience, to say you do not believe it. Or if some one should tell you of the sights they had seen at the Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, or at the Mammoth Cave, would it not be very inconsistent for you, just because you had never been out of your state to argue and try to debate with them and deny that such things are so. Simply because you or I do not believe a thing does not change the truth of it in the least. If I did not believe there was such a state as California it would be there just the same. Because you do not believe there is a hell, will not make it so. You may make yourself believe such a falsehood but you will wake up in time to realize that there is a hell, and that there will be through all eternity.
Because men do not believe in the power of God to save and keep from all sin, does not weaken his mighty arm one whit, and because you do not understand, or have not sought after or experienced the second work of grace, you have no right to dispute, debate with, or fight against those who claim the experience. Many persons have received the experience of full salvation and are always glad to tell how they obtained it. Paul says, “Prove all things.” This you see is a command. How are we to prove whether there is such a thing as a second work of grace or not? Ans. By searching the word of God diligently. Until you do this you have no right to dispute their experience. If you know that you have received the forgiveness of your sins and have the Spirit of God bearing witness with your spirit that you are a child of God, all the sinners, infidels, skeptics and atheists on earth, and all the devils in ..ell can not make it different. You have the experience which beats all opinion and ideas: Just so it is with the souls that have had the second work wrought by the power of God. It is a glorious reality, and the unbelief of others cannot change it. But ..ou say you cannot understand why it is that God does not do it all by one work.
There are a great many things in this world that you and I do not understand, and were it all written in one book it would make a very large volume. I do not understand telegraphy, but there is such a thing; I do not understand astromony, but others do and I have no right to dispute them: and there are many other things that I see before me that are the works of man which I do not understand. Just so with the works of God. I do not understand why God did not bring about all his creation in one day instead of seven. I do not know why he made two great lights instead of one or why Jesus did not completely heal the blind man with the first anointing; but he did not. His word records it so and so, and disbelief, or my reasoning will not change it one iota.
The first work of grace is that work wrought in the heart that changes us from death to life; from a life of sin to a life of godliness. This work stops our sinning. Let us see if this work is essential or if there is a possibility of getting around it and still be saved. Read the words of our Master: Jesus answered and said unto him, [Nicodemus] Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. — John 3:3. Here you see Jesus did not tell him he must be sanctified nor did he tell him to go on to perfection, but gave him to understand that the first thing for him to do was to be born again, which was not of the flesh, but of the will of God, by the water and the Spirit.
Now let us see how this new birth is brought about. We find in Acts the 16th chapter that Paul and Silas were cast into prison and at midnight while praying there was a great earthquake so that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and all the doors open, and the jailor supposing his prisoners had escaped was about to take his life when Paul prevented him, telling him that they were all there, and he came and fell down at their feet and brought them out and asked them what he must do to be saved. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Verse 31. Here you see was a sinner who was sick of sin, who was convicted and repented, calling on them for help. Paul and Silas directed him to Jesus.
What does a Bible belief in Jesus bring forth? 1 John 5:1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Now the new birth includes regeneration, or being made alive. It also includes justification or the innocent, or babe state of a soul that has had all their actual transgressions pardoned. Now let us see the -condition of a babe in Christ.
First, “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Rom. 5:1.
Second, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.” 1 Cor. 5:17. First, a man is made a new creature, also old things (all the sins he used to indulge in, all his old amusements and his wordly associates) have passed away and all things are become new. What he once loved he now hates, and what he once hated he now loves. He was once a servant to Satan but now a servant of God.
Third, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:1.
Fourth, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. 1 John 3:8. The new birth saves us from all our sins, and we quit them forever. Now there are a great many people who claim to have received entire sanctification at the time of their conversion and the most of them acknowledge that they sin more or less every day. We find them chewing tobacco, and in perfect conformity to the world. Oh! dear ones, this is not sanctification nor is it justification. Bible justification changes us from all our old ways and it stops our sinning, but let us see the condition of a babe in Christ. Read 1 Cor. 3:1-4. “And I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able: for ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envyings and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Here you see the Corinthian brethren had been born of God, and Paul acknowledged them babes in Christ, and yet they were carnal. By not going on unto perfection they manifested the fruits of division, for one said, I am of Paul, another, I am of Apollos, just as some say, I am for Wesley, some for Luther, some for Otterbein, etc. All devided, one pulling one way, another pulling another, and all claiming to be going to the same place. “Is Christ divided?”
The second work of grace includes the perfected babe in Christ. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. — Heb. 6:1. Now Paul is talking to the Hebrew brethren, who had been saved from their sins, and in the first verse of the second chapter he calls them “holy brethren,” and yet he admonishes them to go on to perfection. Now what does the word perfection mean? Perfect means to finish something already commenced. Therefore we understand by Paul admonishing the Hebrew brethren to go on unto perfection that they had already had a work wrought in their hearts but were not yet completed or perfected.
Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. — Eph. 4:8, 11-13. Here we find that the saints (not sinners) are the ones to be perfected. And that he (Christ] gave some apostles, some prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for this purpose, that the word might be preached and taught, that the saints might see the need of, and be admonished to go on unto perfection. Let us now see when we are perfect. Read Heb. 10:14. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. So you see the perfecting takes place in sanctification, and that when we are sanctified we are complete or perfected forever. Now let us see what does
the sanctifying. “That I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” — Rom. 15:16. Here we find the Holy Ghost to be the sanctifier.
Let us now see what perfection, sanctification, or the second work, includes, or the effect of the second work of grace.
First, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” — Acts. 4:31-33. After receiving the Holy Ghost (which is the sanctifier) on the day of Pentecost the people of God were made one. Now in the justified or babe state we find the people were yet carnal, as there were divisions among them. But after receiving the second work of grace or the Holy Ghost it made them one. Paul says, “For 30th he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one.” — Heb. 2:11. What was the effect of their oneness? “And when they had prayed the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Now it is a fact that unity does not exist in carnal hearts, but the sanctifying grace of God will and does make God’s people one. No matter how far’apart they may be when they come together, they see eye to eye and all the sect walls that have been between them, are destroyed (because of the anointing) and they are one.
Second, “And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us, and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” — Acts. 15:8, 9.
Third, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” — Tit. 3:4, 5. Here you see perfection not only brings about unity and purity, but in it we receive the renewing of the Holy Ghost, brought back into favor of God that Adam had with him before the fall.
After receiving the Holy Ghost let us see what it does for us. Read Eph. 4:30. “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Here we find that the Holy Ghost is used as the sealer. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.” — 2 Tim. 2:19. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” — 2 Tim. 2:20, 21. Sanctification is just what fits us for work. God has much work for man to do, but he wants holy men; he says he has called his sanctified ones, those that he can use. Sanctification, or the second work of grace, also fits us for something else. Let us now read 1 John 4:17. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world.” After being made perfect by the second application of the blood, we have perfect boldness in this world and also in death. Perfect love casteth out fear. Oh! dear ones, try your foundation by the word and if it is shaky you had better build on a more sure foundation; take the word of God. The time is coming when all men’s works shall be tried. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
W. J. Henry.
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THE TWO WITNESSES.
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“AND the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is waked out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and has seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” — Zech. 4:1-3. The question is, What are the two olive trees? To answer this, it is necessary, first, to find what the candlestick of gold represents. Let us bring the word of God to witness. “The mystery [GR. SECRET] of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right land, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” — Rev. 1:20. Now it is understood by all interpreters of prophecy [I think all] the number seven used so much in symbolical language, signifies a complete number, or, the thing entire, as seven days one whole week. Then with that understanding the seven candlesticks are the symbolical, representation of the church as a whole or entire. The candlestick with its seven lamps of Zachariah is synonymous with the candlesticks of Rev. 1: which also represent the church entire. “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man.” — Rev. 1:13. Christ is in the midst of his people, the church. “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” — Psa. 46:4, 5. The candlesticks are the church with Christ in the midst of it. “Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of thee.” — Isa. 12:6. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matt. 18:20. Christ and the Father make their abode with his people, which is the church, represented by the candlesticks of Zech. and Rev. This being established, we come now to the second part.
“And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” — Zech. 4:3. Some teach that the two olive trees are Christ and the church, which cannot be true, for the candlestick represents the church, and the two olive trees are on each side of the candlestick. If the candlestick is the church, then neither of the olive trees can be (the church) on one side of itself. But the trees supply the lamps of the candlesticks with oil from themselves. 12. So the church can.
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DIVINE HEALING
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THE HEALING OF THE BODY
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS RECEIVED SINCE LAST ISSUE NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED.
W.H. Defore, J. M. Hudson, Wm. Brown, A. Markwell, N. B. Moore, Ezra Coate, T. J. Brundage. G. Greely, Allie R. Fisher, W. W. Stevenson, E. J. Billig, J. W. Byers, L. W. Bascom, Mary A. Farrah.
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REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.
Athelstan, Mo.
I earnestly ask the prayers of the saints for my sister, who has been afflicted for several years and has lost her mind on account of apoplexy.
T. J. Morris.
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To the Saints and Trumpet Readers: Pray that I may be healed of lung disease and used for the glory of God.
Lydia Miller,
Collinsville, Tex.
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Urichsville, O.
I earnestly request the prayers of the saints in behalf of my afflicted brother, who is very low with consumption. Pray that he may give up all to Christ, take him as his physician and be healed. Pray for me that I may be saved.
Rosa Snediker.
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Sister Ida J. Dowers, Surprise, Neb. sends a special request for prayers, for the healing of her body, July 24, at ten o’clock A. M. Do not forget the time.
Weston, O.
Dear Saints every where: We want you to pray on July 24, at two oclock for the healing of Sister Doritha Wade, who is badly afflicted with a tumor and other ailments.
Lucina M. Guyer.
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
Bro. C. Major desires us to state that he has 80 acres of land for sale, over one-half under cultivation, situated one-half mile west of Grand Junction camp ground. If sold, a portion of the money will be used for the work of the Lord. Any one wishing to locate in this vicinity can obtain further particulars by writing to him at Grand Junction, Mich.
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The meetings every Sabbath in the camp pavillion are very precious. On Lord’s day July 10 there were five at the altar. One man residing near the ground gave his heart to God and was saved. Others were wholly sanctified. Last Sabbath there was quite a good turnout of the saints. A children’s meeting was held, and hereafter a sabbath school will be conducted every Lord’s day at 2 o’clock, which promises to be very interesting and profitable. Let the dear saints bring all their children, and as many of their neighbors’ children as they can gather, and spend the Lord’s day in the cool and beautiful camp of the Lord. Bring along your dinner, and all work for the salvation of precious souls.
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FROM THE EAST.
It was surely of the Lord that Bro’s Miller and Henry were moved upon gospel campaign to the eastern coast. Several calls have recently come from that direction, calling thither the feet of the oxen that treadeth out the corn. As the prospect seems to be for plenty of doors open in the east, it seems to us that calls to southeast, should be responded to by some one else.
Sister Susie F. Drew writes as follows:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus: I feel I am one of the same family, and a daughter of the King, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. I live in New Hampshire, a long way from the most of you, but your paper has found me and comes to me weekly. I prize it next to the Bible; for it teaches me the way, and the true way. I would be so glad to have some of the saints of the living God visit me and preach to the people here. There are none here that talk, and just walk as you do. I am saved and am kept by the Holy Spirit of God every hour in the day, and ask an interest in your prayers, that I may be able to understand the word of God, and be able to tell it to others, so they may believe with me the precious saving truth.
Your sister in Christ,
Mrs. Susie F. Drew.
Salisbury Heights, N. H.
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Camp Meetings.
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GROVE MEETING, ANTWERP, O.
The Lord willing there will be a grove meeting held near Antwerp, O, July 28-Aug. 4. Come to Antwerp by way of Wabash R. R. Address Bro. B. J. Fleck or Bro. Grant Shimer, Antwerp, O. who will see you conveyed to the grounds.
Wm. G. Schell.
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GROVE MEETING MELROSE, OHIO.
A grove meeting, the Lord willing, will be held a few miles south of the above place, July 30 to Aug. 7.
Bro’s Speck & Dillon.
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DEERFIELD, IND. CAMP MEETING.
This annual assembly of the saints of God will be Aug. 3-10, one mile east of Deerfield, in Randolph Co., Indiana. All everywhere are invited to come. Come prepared to stay during the meeting. Those coming rom the north or south on the Grand Rapids and Indiana stop at Ridgeville. Those coming to this point address Bro. Samuel Grow, Deerfield, Ind. Those coming from the east or west on the T. C. C. and St. Louis stop at Deerfield. Those coming from the east or west on the C. C. C. and St. Louis, stop at Winchester. Those coining to last named place address Fletcher Byrum, New Pittsburg, Ind. All that can, come prepared to tent on the ground. Those that can’t tent we will care for and provide to the best of our ability. Come in the name of the Lord Jesus praying for a glorious meeting.
H. C. Wickersham.
New Pittsburg, Ind.
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BEAVER DAM, IND., CAMP MEETING.
This annual convocation of the saints of God will be held on the same ground occupied heretofore. In order to clear the Deerfield meeting we will announce the time one day later than was suggested in last issue, which will be August 11—19. All parties coming from the north or south on the Lake Erie and Western R. R., and all coming from the east or west on the Chicago and Atlantic, stop at Rochester. Notify Bro. David Leininger, Akron, Ind. All coming from the east or west on the Nickel Plate get off at Mentone, and notify Bro. F. Krause, Beaver Dam, Ind. Parties wishing to come from the north or south on the Cincinnati and Wabash will change cars at Clay- pool and take the Nickel Plate to Mentone. Everybody wishing to do good or get good are invited. All who notify the brethren when you will come to either of those stations, will be conveyed free of cost to the meeting. All who can,bring along a tent. If not a tent, do not neglect to bring your own bedding. Such as are without means to pay your board will be boarded without money and without price. Let all the saints pray in faith for a glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit at this meeting. Amen.
R. N. Cast.
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BED LION, PA., CAMP MEETING.
Will begin Aug. 19th to last until the 29th. We expect Bro’s Clayton, Kilpatrick, Warren, Bixler, Cox and others. We also expect a very large turnout, this year, of saints and friends in general. Brethren, come without fail; bring plenty of bedding and provision. Come to stay all the time. The Lord will bless you for your effort. Come everybody; those that are too poor to bring anything, come anyway, the Lord will provide. For any information, address
Samuel Martz,
Pittsville, Pa.
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NORWOOD CAMP MEETING.
To begin August 11, 1892, five miles east of Norwood.
Address, Peter McKinly, Norwood Mo.
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TEKONSHA MICH. GROVE MEETING.
The Lord willing, will be held beginning August 19. — Bro. Dillon & Co. More particulars hereafter.
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HEDRICK, IOWA CAMP MEETING.
If the Lord will, and by his help we expect to hold a camp meeting at Hedrick, Iowa beginning August 23 and continue as long as the Lord will. Whoever the Lord leads come and help us. Amen.
J. F. Lundy & D. S. W.
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SUMMITVILLE, MADISON CO., IND.
According to previous arrangements with Bro’s Leininger and Gast we are expecting a grove meeting by those brethren right after the Beaver Dam C. M. (the time of beginning we will say Aug. 23), and we invite all the dear saints who are led of the Lord to come. The meeting will be four miles west of Summitville.
Jas. C. Hull.
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VICHY CAMP MEETING.
Time changed to August the 25th. On Bro. James A. Thornton’s farm, two and one-half miles southeast of Vichy, Mo., ten miles north of Rolla, twelve miles northwest of St James. Those coming from the west will get off at Rolla, those from the east stop at St. James. Rolla and St. James are both on the Frisco R. R.
Bro. Bolds and Co. are expected. All are invited. Let as many as can bring tents and camp. Address Bro. as. A. Thornton, Vichy, Mo.
Your brother in Christ,
Jno. P. Bailey.
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A GROVE MEETING, CLARK CO., O.
Will be held, the Lord willing, Aug. 20-29, in H. Thrumbo’s grove, situated about eight miles west of Springfield on the New Carlisle pike. All are invited to come. Those coming from east or west stop at New Carlisle. Notify Bro. Jesse McFarland, New Carlisle, Ohio. Those coming from north or south on “Big Four,” or N. Y. P. and O. railways, stop at Springfield. Notify Sister Sarah E. Roller, Springfield.
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GROVE MEETING, WEST LIBERTY, O.
The saints of God near West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio, will have a grove or camp meeting, time changed to Sept. 1-9. Any of God’s holy ministers feeling led of the Lord to come, address Bro. Solomon Kenagy, West Liberty, O.
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There will be a grove meeting at Dysart, Iowa, commencing Aug. 19, to continue as long as the Lord leads. For further particulars address Bro. Conrad Sauer, Dysart Iowa.
Bros A. B. Palmer, and H. W. Hechler are desired.
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There will be a grove meeting at Manchester Iowa, commencing Sept, 1 to continue as long as the Lord leads. Address Bro. H. C. Sanders, Manchester, Iowa. Bros A. B. Palmer, D. S. Warner and H. W. Hechler are desired.
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There will be a grove meeting at Casco, on Morrison’s place, four miles west of Hoppertown, commencing Aug. 5, and will continue as long as the Lord leads. Bro. Michels is desired, and whom the Lord leads.
H. Burch.
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GENERAL WESTERN CAMP MEETING.
A general western camp meeting will be held at Robinson, Brown Co., Kan., from Sep. 2—11. More full notice near the time. Address,
Geo. Dansberger.
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PLAINWELL MICH. TABERNACLE MEETING
The Lord willing the above meeting will be held Sep. 7-14.
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WICHITA, KAN CAMP MEETING.
This convocation in a beautiful grove at the edge of the city, will be held, the Lord willing, Sep. 15-25. A glorious time is expected. Let all the saints pray in mighty faith, and with much earnestness for all those meetings. Bro. J. F. Lundy, ourself, and we trust Bro. Geo. Cole and Co. and whoever the Lord will, will be there. For any particulars address A. Markwell, 709 Maple St., Wichita, Kan.
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A grove meeting is desired at Poplar Bluff. Mo. Address John T. Brown.
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SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE.
A man who signs his name Rev. J. L. Harrington writes a little tract or creed, entitled “The Visible Christian Church,” of which we will say a few things: First, the man robs God by placing reverence to his name, “Holy and reverend is His name.” Psa. 111:9.
He says, “All the interests of the spiritual kingdom of Christ on earth are committed to the care of an organized visible church.” A mistake. All the interest of the kingdom and church are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who is a present living Christ, the “Savior of the body,” and the government is still upon his shoulders. By “an organized visible church,” the writer evidently meant the denominations. We would like him to tell us which one he means. He cannot consistently embrace the whole multitude of sects in one “organized visible church” — sect — because they are all visibly organized
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apart, disorganized, disintegrated, and largely in rival attitude to each other.
“Its membership consists of faithful ones, to whom the word of God is preached, and the sacraments are duly administered.” Better say, it consists of men who are saved of the Lord. Men may have the word of God preached to them, and be faithful to their creed, and still be outside the body of Christ, which is the scriptural definition of the church. — See Eph. 2:22, 23; Col. 1:18, 24. And as to sacraments, they have no place in the New Testament. They are all institutions of Rome. Christ instituted three ordinances, but said, “Swear not at all.” “Sacramento” means to swear.
Again, “Evidences stated by Dr. Bostwick Hawley, in his ‘manual of Methodism’ settles beyond question the fact that the church is a divine institution, and that all Christians should be members thereof” —
Truly the church is a divine institution, but there is a clear distinction between the divine institution, whose “builder and maker is God,” and the institution of Methodism, which their own history and creed ascribe to Wesley.
Instead of saying that all Christians should be members of the divine church, truth and spiritual intelligence would have said all Christians are members thereof. The church — yea and it is a visible church, and the scriptures give no place to the dark-age superstition of an invisible church — is the body of Christ, and no man can be a Christian outside the body of Christ, and no man can be a sinner in that body. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” — (Such as were being saved. New Version) — Acts 2:47.
“But now hath God set the members every one of them into the body as it hath pleased him.” — 1 Cor 12:18.
By what process does God set the members into the body which is the church? Thus saith the Lord, “I am the door, by me, if any man enter he shall be saved.” — John 10:9. Christ, is the only door, and salvation the only manner of induction by which any man can enter. Now a Christian is a saved man, and all the saved are in the church, therefore there is no consistency in saying that “all Christians should be members thereof.” All Christians are essentially in the church, and the very experience of divine grace which makes a man a Christian also places him into the church. Therefore there is no possible chance for any one to join the church; for the sinner remaining such, cannot get in, and the Christian is already in the body.
In Proposition 4, referring to Hawley’s “Manual of Methodism,” the writer says, “Whoever in the light of the above evidence, takes the position that the church is not a divine institution, and would therefore persuade young converts and others to remain out of it, assumes the character of a religious socialist.”
This is a deeply covered fraud and deception of the devil, a cunningly devised trap to catch unwary souls.
The author refers to evidences that the church is a divine institution, and such evidences are plenty, and then throws the hoodwink over the eyes of the young convert, and allures him, into a sect, an institution of man and not divine. All such teachers steal the livery of heaven in which to cover and build up their own corrupt institutions; use the divinity of God’s church to bait their sect trap. Surely “The wicked devour the man that is more righteous than he, And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag; therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.” Hab. 1:13—16.
Why are sectarian preachers not satisfied with a soul whom the Lord has added to the church divine, if they cannot get such to come into the sect the earth born organism? Because such are subject unto the Lord, and not to their creed. Their names are written in heaven, but not on their tax roll, hence they cannot live in idle fatness upon their means.
Now follows the real cause that has drawn out this preachers’ plea. He says, “One of the difficulties which the Christian pastor has to meet along this line is, that many good Christians never have belonged to any church.”
As we have already seen, that this expression is only true by substituting the word sect for church. All Christians are in the church, but it is militating very much against the bread and butter and fat salaries of Babylon pastors, that real Christians, and in fact people quite generally, are finding out that there is no salvation in joining a sect, and that they are better off outside, abiding only in the body of Christ. Truth is enlightening the people, and the fall and superstition of sectism and priestcraft is becoming manifest, and so “Babylon trembles for fear of her loss.”
Now hear this pastor of the daughter of Rome try to justify confusion, and prop up their sect walk. He shows his close relation to the mother of harlots, who first thought to change times and laws. He says, “It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike.” “The scriptures teach that every particular church (each sect) may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies.” This is as much as the pope of Rome claims. But, dear readers, you will smile when you take your testament and read the following scriptures cited by him to prove that sect founders and builders have a right to carve up the Bible to suit themselves. Here are the texts. John 18:36; Rom. 14:4-17; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1-13; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25; 14:26; 2 Thess. 2:6-14; 1 Tim. 1:4-6.
Finally he urges upon young converts and Christians of long experience, “to choose some branch of the Christian church and connect yourself therewith.”
Shame on the learned D. D’s who would presume in these last days of increasing light, to palm off such old wives’ fables upon the people of God. There are no sect branches in the vine or body of Christ; and moreover every person really converted to God is a branch himself directly in Christ the vine, and needs not therefore to join himself to any branch of Babylon.
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NEWS FROM THE FIELD.
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PORTERSVILLE, CAL., JULY 9.
To all the Saints of God, Greeting: We have set the battle against the enemy in this city, about thirty miles from Visalia. The work is opening very good, The Lord has I brought us a very able minister at I this place. He is getting right in the work and is a very good singer. It is wonderful how God does work. I met this man at our home in Neb. 14 years ago. I saw then that he was persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and now God sent me right to his house before I knew he was the same person. He told me that he has not met with one preacher in the sects all those years that he could well work with, none that were really willing to let the Spirit of God lead.
The people are making arrangements for a general camp meeting about seven miles from Visalia in Sept. We hope to see many of the saints of God at that meeting. We expect Bro. J. W. Byers, and others to be present. We ask all the saints to pray for the work of the Lord in Cal.
Your brother, saved to the uttermost,
James Willis.
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Angola, Ind., July 15, 1892,
Dear Brethren in Christ, and Saints of the Living God: May great peace be unto you and to the Israel of God throughout all ages. Amen. We held a few services in Allegan, Mich. before going to Cheshire, and found some honest souls that were willing to walk in the light. We trust that the truth of the gospel shined unto some to such an extent that they learned they had a profession without the salvation of Jesus. The Cheshire meeting was a success. Praise the dear Lord! Several were reclaimed from a backslidden condition, and a few were established in the grace of God; and some who claimed to be called of God as workers in the vineyard, we hope will go into the field better prepared to labor for the Master. God bless all the the little ones at Cheshire. The services at Three Rivers, Mich. were accompanied with blessings from our God. The congregations were small, yet the Lord was in the midst. “Praise God for his goodness to the children of men!” May God bless the little church at Three Rivers, and continue to add to their number such as shall be saved. Let the saints pray for us.
Your saved brethren and sisters,
A.J. Kilpatrick & J. A. Dillon & Co.
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Dear Saints in the West, Greeting: Cannot some of God’s firebrands visit the little church at Kingston, Mo.? You will find a few souls there eager for the truth. God bless them, and keep them faithful unto the end. Amen.
Yours in him,
J. A. Dillon.
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Visalia, Cal., July 2, 1892.
Dear Brethren: I have just closed a precious meeting in which there were some twenty blessedly saved, and quite a good many sanctified. They are all out on the Bible line, free from sects. Since I commenced laboring in the gospel of Christ, calls come so fast that I cannot respond to more than about one call in five. Praise God! sectism fades away like snow before a summer’s sun. I have arranged my affairs to give my time to the Lord. I am consecrated to go through on the Bible line. I have only been in this evening light about six months. I have recently held three meetings in which God wonderfully blessed his word, and saved souls, and sanctified believers. In those three meetings about forty souls have been saved. I commence a camp meeting on Mill Creek, in the mountains, Lord’s day, July 10. When that is over, the Lord willing I will begin in Small valley. Then be at our general camp meeting at Farmersville, which will begin September 15. At this meeting we wish all the help we can get. We invite all the workers in Cal. who are in the clear light of God, and elsewhere, all who can come. We also ask the prayers of all for the work here.
Yours in the gospel of Christ, saved and sanctified,
J. M. Hudson.
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To all the Saints, Greeting: We report victory in Jesus’ name. From Grand Junction we came to Watervliet, Mich. accompanied by by Sister Frankie Miller. Began meeting at the Stickney school house, three miles north of town, in Sister Lederer’s neighborhood. Meeting lasted two weeks; attendance was reasonably good, notwithstanding the much rain during the first week and hay harvesting the second. Some saints from quite a distance attended occasionally. Had good liberty in delivering the word throughout the entire meeting. Our labors were not in vain; many acknowledged the truth although few were willing to obey it. The good seed is sown and all that have any grace at all are willing to push the work forward. Prayer meeting will be held at the school house every Sunday at 4 P. M. and also every other Sunday at 10:30 A. M., beginning July 31. There will be preaching by Brother Hues, of Benton Harbor, whom the Lord is leading out on the Bible line. Let all the saints attend that possibly can. Meeting closed Sunday night at the school house. Had ordinance meeting last night at the house of Bro. Wise in town. It was glorious; two were sanctified and three were baptized in Paw Paw lake. We will not hold meeting at Galien as was announced, but expect, the Lord willing, to go to Teegarden, Ind.
Yours sanctified,
Geo. L. Cole & Co.
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Oronogo, Mo., July 9, 1892.
Dear Saints of God: We are praising God to day for victory in Jesus’ name. We have just closed meeting at Webb City, about three miles from this place. The meeting lasted about three weeks, and God manifested his power in setting captive souls at liberty. He enabled us to preach the straight word to the people and we have the promise that it will not return unto him void but will accomplish that whereunto it is sent. About nine precious souls were converted and nearly all of them went on and made their consecration to God and received the experience of sanctification. Six followed the Lord in baptism, and received a glorious witness. We had a precious ordinance meeting on the 4th of July.
Eighteen participated, and the power of God was great. The saints were benefited and strengthened during the meeting. Bless the Lord! The devil has tried so hard to tear up the church at that place, but God has brought them through and they are now founded on the rock. God is showing the difference between the straight and crooked. Glory to Jesus! our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God, to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan. The word of God will cut its way through when backed up by his mighty power. O hallelujah! God is greater than he that is in the world, and he will enable us to stand against all the powers of darkness. God bless the dear ones at Webb City and make them bold for the truth, and add to the church daily. Few are being saved, compared with the world of sinners, but let us work diligently until God shall say, It is enough. Pray for us and the work of God.
G. E. Bolds & Co.
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523 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, Cal. July 1, 1892.
To the Saints of the Most High: Well, praise the Lord! The way has finally been opened and we are permitted to come to this city with the everlasting gospel. Oh how wonderful are the ways of our God. For more than a year we have longed to enter this place and declare the pure word, independent of all the sect holiness for which this city is especially noted. Having made the effort to begin meetings about a year ago we were suddenly called away by telegram and since that time until recently every avenue of approach seemed closed. Thank God, the way has now been opened wide and we are here in the name of our blessed Captain who never lost a battle, and we cannot report anything but victory, victory! We found a little company of hungry saints here working with the true apostolic zeal, whom we are happy to join in the battle and put to flight the hosts of sin. Oh what holy fellowship thrills our hearts to meet these precious ones who are clean escaped from Babylon, free to worship God aright in spirit and truth! Yesterday we began meetings in the tent, which is located on San Pedro St., near 2nd. The saints had been holding meetings in a hall for about two months in which the Lord wonderfully blessed them and saved souls in spite of the bitter persecutions. Since we are here we have held two services every day with one or more at the altar nearly every service. Thank God, the work is taking effect and our faith claims great things for God in Los Angeles. There is a good little army of workers already who re willing to go even to the stake aor Jesus. Hallelujah! Have met Sister Robbins, formerly of Mich., who is all on fire, Brother and Sister Hatch, Sisters Coleman, Moore, and others, Bro’s Upton, Snyder, Wilson and a few other dear brethren whose names we cannot yet remember, who are consecrated soul and body. Thank God! How true the words “My sheep hear my voice and follow me, who rejoice in the “one fold and one Shepherd.” We said farewell to the precious little church at Lompoc last Sat., June 25. Amidst the tears of sorrow in parting we could rejoice in the holy communion of saints and the glorious prospect of a meeting soon, never to be separated again. Bro’s Harris and Trowbridge took us to Port Gaviota where at 7 P. M. we boarded the steamship “Los Angeles” to be tossed again upon the waves of the mighty deep. Next morning about 9 o’clock we had the experience of being encompassed with a dense fog, but the cloud finally raised and the bright sunshine beautified the scenery of mountains upon the left and the vast expanse of the waters upon the right hand. At about 2 P. M., our desired haven Redondo came in sight, where at 4.30 we took train for this city. We met Bro. Hatch at depot who took us directly to the hall where we found two souls at the altar. This was the grandest sight in our whole trip. Hallelujah! More to follow. Address us at this place, street and number as above. Pray for us.
Your brother and sister, separated unto the gospel,
J. W. & J. Byers.
LATER.
1523 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, Cal. July 11, 1892.
The battle is the Lord’s and victory sure. The tent is up and well seated. Two meetings daily and as many between times as possible. Evening meetings frequently last until 11 o’clock. Street meetings very interesting and well attended generally. A number of consecrated workers. God is wonderfully blessing us. Sinners justified. Believers sanctified and healed. Nine dear saints were buried in baptism yesterday. More to follow soon. Pentecostal power fills our souls. We are looking for great things yet to be done in the name of Jesus. Who will come to the camp meeting from the east? Bro’s Willis and Bentley write that they expect to have one near Visalia, and we are believing for one here at Los Angeles about the last of Oct. We send the cry “Come over and help us” to all who are truly called and sent of God. This coast is probably the best field to test your consecration that some of you have ever seen, but God’s holy remnant must be gathered out. Thank God it is being accomplished with the rapidity of the lightnings. We hope there will be an excursion of eastern saints to the camp meetings here. We shall procure reduced rates for you if possible so that all may come. May this whole coast be illuminated with the brightness of this glorious evening light. Some of us have been going before doing what we can to prepare the way. Now dear ones, come and join us in the conflict and with one mighty shout of the“sword of the Lord and of Gid- eon”let us drive the enemy from his last retreat (sectism), and with one triumphant chorus which never more shall cease we will give praise of victory to the King of saints. Pray on dear ones.
Your brother and sister separated unto the gospel.
J.W. & J. Byers and the saints at Los Angeles.
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Guy’s Mills, Pa., July 12, 1892.
Dear Saints: God bless you. Amen. I am led this morning to report an ordinance meeting for the glory of God, that was held at the house of Bro. Silas Powells, five miles from Cochranton, Crawford Co., Pa. The meeting began at eleven o’clock A. M., and lasted until four o’clock P. M. The Lord was with us, and as Bro. Z. Powell gave us the burning truths of the glorious gospel the power of God was felt all through the congregation, and many tears were shed and hearts made to rejoice in a Savior’s love. I must say to the glory of our heavenly Father that the people of that community are accepting the glorious evening light and have forsaken the sects and come out straight for God, and obeyed the ordinances of God’s house. They have proved this scripture: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” — John 13:17. And the saints are walking in the light and have more of the mind of Christ than ever before. Yes, the dear Lord is answering their prayers and the victory is on the Lord’s side. Glory be to our God! We began meeting again in the evening and it lasted until after midnight. Many were the shouts and praises that went up from the redeemed. One backslider was reclaimed for which we give God all the glory. Bro. and Sister Unger with others from a distance were with us at the meeting. Thirteen obeyed the ordinances.
Yours in him,
E.J. Billig.
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HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
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IS IT TO THE GLORY OF GOD?
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“WHETHER, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Cor. 10:31.
Dearly beloved, we perceive that we are to glorify God in our eating and drinking. Then it becomes a question as to how we are to do this? What eating and drinking is to the glory of God, and what is not? Two things are involved in this question; namely, quantity and quality. As to the former, the New Testament lays down a rule for us to be governed by: “Be temperate in all things.” This includes eating, drinking, laboring, and every thing else that we have to do. Temperance is the healthful use of that which is lawful and good within itself. Hence it has no reference to the moderate use of tobacco, opium, beer, whiskey, and all that hellish list of menkillers, which have no place at all in lawful food and drink. To them, we say, the law of temperance has no allusion whatever. But another class of laws covers them. Entire prohibition, and total abstinence pertain to such. “Touch not, taste not, handle not,” is Heaven’s legislation on all the inventions of hell and earth, that are essentially evil, and inimical to life. But the law of temperance relates to the use, in proper quantities, of that which is naturally suited to man’s wants. Such articles of food which possess the elements required to build up the several kinds of tissue that compose our bodies, and which nourish the brain, and invigorate the mind, and place no clog upon the moral powers. If, therefore, it were asked how much a person should eat, our text suggests, that we eat and drink just that quantity that would redound most to the glory of God; for this is the one object that should possess and inspire all our actions: yea “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Following this divine rule need we ask, Is it to the glory of God that we surfeit these bodies by overeating? By no means. Then follows another question, Is it to the glory of God that so many kinds of food are set before us, that in yielding to that kindness, which is cruelty, we overeat before we are scarcely aware of it? A good healthful appetite will stay by one main dish until, with the temperate addition of bread and fruit, a sufficient quantity of food has been eaten to supply nature’s demand: and then it were wise to dispatch the dessert first, lest we tarry too long at the main part of the meal to have proper room left for it. But the presence of several kinds of food is most sure to so excite appetite that it will keep on appropriating from one kind after another, never hearing the voice of nature crying out for life, “Enough,” “Stop I have enough,” “Are you never going to stop? I have had enough long ago.” And when appetite at last flags, being ashamed and rebuked by more or less painful tightness about the region of the stomach, she returns to reason and discovers that she had been intoxicated by the many viands placed before her, and had been entirely unfit for duty; and as a result poor Mr. Stomach has been shamefully abused, and nature wounded. Now if excess and gluttony are not to the glory of God, then the popular habit of from three to six dishes, where one sufficiently large were enough, is not to his glory, for the latter tends to the former. In addition to entailing an unnecessary moil upon the cooks. Of course at hotels a person is not so liable to overeat, though a dozen and one dishes are placed around each boarder’s plate; because the managers, either consulting their financial interest, or their customer’s physical good, take care that each dish is very spare- somely served. But may God deliver us from those generous tables, where as many kinds are served in abundance, and subverted kindness keeps passing the dishes round and round, with the plea, “Why don’t you eat?” “I don’t think you eat very much,” etc. etc. Of course not, no person could eat very much if he were to till himself trying, compared with the untouched, and the half-full dishes, pies and cakes that remain to tantalize his straightened stomach. O Lord, is all this to thy glory? No, no, it is not even to the glory of the flesh, but to its shame, much more to the confusion of the mind and the soul. O dear readers, let reason take the throne, and learn that true kindness tends to promote life and health, and not to kill.
Again, dropping the question of quantity, or number of dishes, is it to the glory of God that our food is selected and prepared, with special reference to the pleasing of the palate, and excitement of the gustatory powers, and yet with disregard to whether or not it contains the actual needs of our physical frame? It is a sad reflection upon our civilization that but one thing is thought of, as a common rule, in connection with the preparation of human fare, and that is, “How do you like it?” “Will they like it?” etc. It is very true that the cooks, under the enslaving toils imposed upon them by past custom, and old dame fashion, have had no time left to inform themselves as to what a human system was created to subsist upon. And men in general let the palate select their food instead of enlightened intellect. It is a fact also that certain food, by no means the best thing for the body, have the tendency of creating an appetite for themselves, and even transmitting the same to future generations, even the same as the poison weed, tobacco, which is no article of food at all, will create an imperative demand for itself. This is especially true of flesh food. Thousands think they cannot do without flesh, and it is much the same as hundreds of thousands cannot live without their tobacco. Flesh, we admit is an article of food, while tobacco is not. But both tend to the mastery. Tobacco, and other stimulants, as tea and coffee, and the intoxicants poison the system, excite and undermine the nervous system, and leave the stomach unable to digest food unaided by the exciting poison, consequently there is a decrease in the demand of food, and an increase in the demand of the poison, as the natural powers fail, the artifical must be increased. So it is that all who indulge these poisons are, in slow and quiet process, committing suicide.
But flesh eating creates a craving for flesh, by developing the carnivora in man. Man is classified with the animal kingdom. Though his soul bare the image of his Maker, and by his spiritual nature he is honored with the society of God and angels, yet in his physical structure and mode of life, he is certainly grooped with the lower animals. But so far as man is subject to the condition of the animal kingdom he should exemplify those more docile and harmless animals that are herbivorous, rather than the ferocious and savage that subsist on flesh. For if you will look along the line that lies between the carnivora and the herbivora of the animal kingdom, you will see on the first side the harmless, and on the latter the dangerous, the biting, the devouring, It has also been tested and found to be a fact, that cows, horses, and other herbivorous animals can be, by pressing hunger, forced to eat flesh, and though against their nature, they can be so subverted as to love flesh food, and become really carnivorous. But in such cases they lose their docility and partake of the savage nature of other flesh-eating animals. It is in this way that men, by the habit of eating flesh, acquire an appetite for it, which other food will not satisfy, no more than the best of food will enable a tobacco user to dispense with the weed. Just what we have here said should be sufficient for the wise to take a hint that to live upon a vegetable diet, must necessarily impart a more serene, pure, peaceable, and holy aptitude to man, than to live largely upon a flesh diet. If flesh eating makes animals savage, does it give the human animal a holy bent? It is one of the most simple and self evident propositions in the realm of nature, that animal eating is animalizing in its tendency. It is a fact that has been demonstated in the animal kingdom; it is a fact clearly seen by a glance over the nations of the earth. But we cannot further enlarge upon this question of the moral influence of flesh eating now. We would however call attention to the fact that perhaps no food so excites the rage of appetite as that of flesh. The scent of warm, baked or fried meat is to the human appetite almost what the smell of warm blood is to the lion, tiger, and hyena. It excites voracious appetite and for that reason it is more apt to lead to excess. When a person makes a meal on oatmeal and a few healthful additions, he is more apt to stop when he gets enough, because that kind of food, though imparting more strength than the best of meat, is not apt to over excite appetite, and lead to excess. Hence it is less apt to tempt man beyond the law of temperance and godliness. There are many facts of vital importance, that should lead men, especially holy men, to subsist upon the good products of the earth which God gave to Adam before the fall, but we will close by asking you to consider, in the presence of God these two questions:
Is it to the glory of God that we should impart to our children, and develop in ourselves, a tendency toward the lower animal, by flesh eating, when a vegetable diet is more compatible with an innocent, harmless, and holy character and at the same time better adapted to produce health, strength, mental energy, and longevity?
Again, Is it to the glory of God that a man pay 25 cents of the Lord’s money to make one meal for a family, on beefsteak, when the same amount will purchase enough oatmeal to give the same family one meal per day for about one week? It cannot be denied that flesh eating is a profligate use of means, an enormous waste. Several scientific writers have made a calculation on the comparative cost of a meat diet, and good nourishing vegetable diet, and they all arrive at this conclusion, that the same amount of land will feed ten times as many on a vegetable regimen, than on a meat diet. O how cheap, how healthful and happy men can live with the grace of God, and that kind and quantity of food that man’s system needs, and a sanctified enlightened reason and unperverted appetite wishes. Nature’s wants are few, but sin’s devices load the marts and tables and stomachs of men till they groan.
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not be the candlestick, which is one thing, and one of the olive trees which is another thing. Then we want to ascertain what those two olive trees represent. As we saw in the 12th verse they supply the lamps with golden oil. Its means of support then is from the two olive trees. The candlestick is dependent on them for their oil to give light. Now what is the church dependent on for this supply? Jesus says, “But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” — Jno. 14:26. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. — Jno. 16:13. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. — Act. 1:8. The Holy Spirit then is one of the trees to supply power and light to the church. Then let us find the other source, from which we receive this supply. David says, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light unto my path,” — Ps. 119:105. “The entrance of thy word giveth life.” 130. “Holding forth the word of life.” — Phil. 2:16. “Giveth life and understanding to the simple.” Here we have the two sources or means by which the church, God’s people, receive life and power to exist and shine. Hence the two olive trees on each side of the candlestick to supply the power of continuance in the performance of the duty designed through the church, are the word of God and the Spirit of God. “So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these my Lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said untome, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No my Lord. Then he answered and spake unto me saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying, Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. — 4:4-6. Here the angel tells him it is the word and Spirit of the Lord, as we have already shown by the word otherwise.
Now let us examine the two witnesses of Rev. 11:3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth. These [the two witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. — Rev. 11:4. But do they witness? Hear the word of the Lord. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. — Jno. 5:39. And beginning at the law of Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them, in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. — Luke 24:27. Of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. — Jno. 1:45. One that testifies is a witness, and the word testifies of him. Also the Holy Ghost is a witness. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, he shall testify of me. — Jno. 15:26. “Wherof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.” — Heb. 10:15. Now we have establishes the two witnesses, but it says. And the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. — Rev. 11:4. These correspond with the two olive trees of Zech. 4:14. The two candlesticks cannot represent the same as the seven candlesticks; because those two are on each side of the other of Zech., being identical with the two olive trees. If the two represent the church, then God would have two churches, which is contrary to the word of God. Hence, those two candlesticks are the two olive trees and are the word and Spirit of God. Candlesticks are significant of means of giving light. Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Ps. 119:105. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? — Jer. 23:29. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly. — Prov. 20:27. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. — Rom. 8:16. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. — Act. 5:32. The argument in favor of Christ and the church being the two witnesses is, because they are spoken of as witnesses. But that has but little bearing in the face of the word of God, for we find there are other witnesses spoken of besides Christ and the church, as we have shown. Also the Father beareth witness. — Matt. 3:17. Luke 9:35. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater, for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. — 1 Jno. 5:9.
The question now arises, Who is speaking when he says, My two witnesses? — Rev. 11:3. It is Jesus. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.” — Rev. 22:16. Then if it were himself speaking and they were his witnesses, neither of them could be himself, for he says, if I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. But I have a greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. — Jno. 5:31-37. Read all. So it is beyond a doubt that neither of the olive trees symbolized Christ, for they are his witnesses and testify of him. Praise God! For the Spirit and word of God, accompanying each other to give us life, power, light and understanding. Christ came and witnessed of the Father that sent him, and of course would not be his own witness. — Jno. 3:32-34.
We have proven clearly regarding the two olive trees and the two witnesses, that they beyond a doubt are the Holy Spirit and word of God, but as to the time of their prophecy, etc., we leave for the present and perhaps God may lead some other one to give the remainder. I have given this as God gave me light on the word himself, for I never could understand the subject until he led me out on the word and gave me an understanding. I knew that the saints understood the two witnesses to be the word and Spirit, but could not clearly understand it until God made it plain. I find it safe to accept the teaching of the saints, for God is with them, even if we do not just understand. And God will give us light on it in his own time. May God use this to his glory and bring all to understand that we must be a unit on the word of God. If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. — Rev. 22:18, 19. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. — 2 Cor. 13:11.
G. R. Achor.
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TESTIMONIES.
Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.
Psa. 119:l29.
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Gordon, Neb.
Dear Saints: I feel led of the Lord to give my experience. While tending meeting held by Bro. Chas. Bowers the Lord through him showed me my awful condition, and my eyes were opened to behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. And while the good angel troubled the waters I stepped right in and glory be to God, was cleansed from alb carnality and made perfectly whole. I had been in Babylon. I belonged to the M. E. and Church of God sects but I am not there now, for the Lord led me out of her and I shook off the dust of my feet for a witness against her on the 30th of Jan., 1892. And I followed Jesus into the tomb of sacred water and arose to walk in the newness of life, above this world of strife, with heart made pure and garments white and Christ enthroned within. I am led of the Holy Spirit, and it will lead me into all truth and righteousness. Praise the Lord! It is a miracle what God has done for me. Pray for me. I am justified freely and sanctified wholly.
Your brother saved in Christ,
J. B. Vervalin.
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Morley, Mich.
Dear Saints: This morning finds me still saved and trusting in God the Rock of my salvation. I praise God for his keeping power. I was saved five years ago and God has been a friend to me in every time of need for both soul and body. Praise his holy name! There are a few of God’s people here yet, and would like to have some of God’s true ministers stop off at Morley as they are passing to and fro. They will find a welcome here. Well I praise God for keeping me from all false doctrines and delusive spirits so far and expect to trust him while I live. God is ever true and will do just as he says he will. Praise his holy name!
From your saved sister,