22 June 1893, Volume 13, Number 24.
PRECIOUS BIBLE.
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Precious Bible, we will hear
All thy wondrous words from heaven,
God of mercy we revere
All the counsel thou hast given.
Precious Bible, in thy light,
We will journey on to glory;
Thy commandments all are right,
All thy precepts pure and holy.
Precious Bible, on thy truth.
We will build our soul a mansion;
Storm and flood may spend their wrath,
We will ever sing redemption.
Precious Bible, all but thee —
Every creed that Christians sever —
Soon must perish, cease to be,
But thou shalt endure forever.
Precious Bible, O how sweet
Is thy grace and full salvation!
Through this ancient book, divine,
We have found a new creation.
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ONENESS OF BELIEVERS.
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WE are praising God for the spirit of obedience that makes us one with God the Father, Jesus the Son and likewise the Holy Ghost. It is the privilege of all to have this complete oneness that identifies us with Christ and his own, and only his; that saves his people from that element that is contrary to Christ, and gives all alike a principle and nature of unity which we read of in Jno. 17:22. Jesus says, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them [his disciples] that they may be one even as we are one.”
Now we see it was the glory that was to make them one, so where the real glory of salvation is given to individuals they have this very precious principle. Now dear readers, what is your glory? You (if there be any) that are filled with sectishness and all this world of wickedness, is it the glory that God has given the Son for his people? is it the real imports from the glory world? Nay, verily, some glory in their clannish factious spirit, others in their own wicked ways. “Whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.” Others glory in this, that, and the other, and do not seek to. please him only, who can make his children one. But what says the Lord? “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness and judgement in the earth.” Jer. 9:24.
God’s children glory in knowing him who is life everlasting. They glory in learning of heavenly things and delight in doing the will of God. But says one who is quite inquisitive, Can we not do the will of God and you have your peculiar notions about the meaning of scriptures and I have mine, you go your way and I go mine, just so we are honest and each are fully persuaded in our own minds, just so you do not interfere with my peculiar notions, etc.? Now, dear reader, this is not at all scriptural. We cannot thus do the will of God, from the simple fact that two persons doing his will would not have two conflicting spirits and notions that were antagonistic to each other, thus separating them and leading in opposite directions. This would be confusion. God does not lead in that way, neither is he pleased for any to clamor for their peculiar ideas and pet notions. Paul says, “Casting imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Cor. 10:5. The marginal reference says “reasonings” instead of imaginations. This would exclude all creeds and disciplines, although they were legislated by what is now called smart profound men. Also all conjecture and all speculation on God’s word of which there is so much in the present day. We are to cast them all aside because they are but vanity in comparison with the real words of life. While talking with a sect minister on a certain occasion the remark was made that the rival spirit as manifested in the different denominations of nominal Christians caused it to thrive. Now this would be the case if sectism were the real cause of Christ, but as it is not, therefore it is as far from it as the east is from the west.
If it were possible for the cause of Christianity to run on and thrive on this rival spirit, it would be the same as the way this world is running. Those who are filled with envy against each other, are living for self and building up a selfish cause and tearing down others who have equal rights with them. The kingdom of God is not of this world or of a worldly nature, but it is from above, and is united in tearing down and uprooting sin of every form and fashion.
Christ is not divided; he is not many but one, hence the need of showing forth the words of life on this great essential point. As God’s cause does not thrive on rivalry, such spirits are but channels in which the enemy approaches those who are spiritual and feasts upon them and leaves them void of the presence of the Lord.
God’s people take delight in carrying on the work of salvation in unison and working together and not apart; to help one another up and not down; to gather with Christ and not scatter abroad. Paul says, Phil. 1:27, That whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. O how wonderful! What care God requires of us, yea, what effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. I often wonder how much trouble people go to in order to keep together. If as much care was taken among some to get right and. keep right as they take to keep up and march under their different colors and ways, oh what a chance it would give God to work with them and their blinded eyes would be opened to the whole truth.
The world at large is looking on, and after hearing gospel unity preached often wonder why God’s ministers are so careful to hold up such a standard and so close a walk with Jesus, and the enemy always at hand to suggest that perhaps some other way would be just as good and do as well. But let us hear what God says, “that they may be perfect in one, that the world may know that thou hast sent me:” “that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Now this is what will convince the world of Christian virtue, and nothing short will ever answer. How often do infidels who are quite liberal and consistent in their views, hurl with great force back in our own face that the Bible teaches we should be one, and they say just look at your Christians, they are all divided up, pulling this way and that, and all have rival spirit, each to build up their respective orders. The unbelieving world is looking for Bible truth to exhibit itself. Men have sought in various ways, such as sect building, sect reformations, by joining oath-bound so- cietes, but all alike have proved a failure in effecting a oneness because the glory of them were due to men. But if they had sought the glory of God alone they would have found just what they were looking for.
Paul says, 1 Cor. 1:10, I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment. Here we have an appeal against all divisions; for the brethren to be of the same mind and judgement. We might ask, who are brethren? Would it include all nominal Christians who have so many ways and different minds and notions and a general confusion of tongues? No indeed. But he “that does God’s will is our brother, sister and mother,” so those who do his will are the ones appealed to, hence all who do not his will are excluded even if they have a goodly profession and become recognized with some religious party and partakers of their spirit and have a name to live. We have noticed that a spirit of rivalry is connected with each respective party of the different sects, and all who are one with that party receive and partake of the spirit of that sect and thus become one of them, and that when a person lost the spirit of sectism and became disinterested in working for it alone, the active working members would not recognize them any longer as one of them.
So it is with God’s people; they have not the spirit of sectism, but of Christ, and that makes them one in him and separate in spirit from all other bodies.
Paul says that our fore-fathers did all eat the same spiritual meat, and did all drink, for they drank that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ. 1 Cor. 10:3, 4. These things were our examples, so as they all partook of one spirit, so do God’s people of to day and will as long as time shall last, 1 Cor. 12:13, for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13. So it takes the Spirit of God to give us access into this point of unity, and without it there is no real Bible unity. Praise God, it brings all down on one common level, brings down the high minded, exalts the one of low degree, takes away the color lines, puts the king on his throne alike the page and darkest African, at the feet of Jesus without any respect of persons, and gives all an equal chance and access to a throne of grace. We are informed by workers in the ministry of a colored man and a banker coming to the altar at the same time to seek salvation, and the colored man was first to receive mercy, so if there was any favor shown in this instance it was to the lowly. But we would conclude by different religious modes of to day that the banker would be taken by the preacher into a very refined church [sect], given a fine cushioned pew and high honor, while the poor colored man would be set off to himself to find his way through as best he could so far as mutual assistance is concerned. But praise God it is not this way among his true ones. We have noticed the leading ministers of this great present day reformation, and they have no respect to race, color, money, fine clothes, high or low standing, but seek the eternal welfare of all and not the honor of men. 1 Pet. 3:8. We read, “Finally be ye of one mind having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” Praise God for salvation!
E. F. Houghton.
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OLD TESTAMENT WITNESSES.
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AS we have already shown that it was the privilege of God’s children in all ages to enjoy the blessings of divine healing of the body, we will now notice a few instances of the same, and wonderful faith and trust in God as given in his word. Beginning with the patriarchs of old, we read in Gen. 20:17 that Abraham prayed unto God; and God healed Abimelech and his family. Also the prayer of Isaac, Gen. 25:21. And of Jacob. — Gen. 30.
In Exodus 8-11 chapters we read of the power of God wrought through Moses by bringing the ten plagues upon Pharaoh and staying them at his command. Afterwards of the parting of the waters of the Red Sea that the children of Israel passed through upon dry ground; the smiting of the rock which brought forth water to quench the thirst of the people.
At one time when the people spoke against God and against Moses, “The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people: and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people, and the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent, had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” — Num. 21:6-9. It was through an act of faith that the people were healed of the wounds of the deadly serpent, for unless their belief was strong enough to induce them to “look and live,” they would perish.
At the present time the people have one to whom they can “look and live.” For, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” And this same Jesus offers to heal all manner of disease, and give us whatsoever we ask in faith believing.
In the case of Hezekiah we have a witness to the wonderful manifestations of the power of the Lord in the healing of diseases, and the prolonging of life even after the prophet of the Lord had told him that the time had come for him to die.
“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah, the Son of Amoz, came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore; and it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again and tell Hezekiah, the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father: I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” — 2 Kings 20:1-6.
The prophet Elisha was a man of God, known as such wherever he went. His fame was spread abroad throughout the land because of his wonderful power with God. Through his fervent prayers and close walk and communion with God he was enabled to perform miracles in the sight of men; such as raising the dead to life; parting the waters of Jordan by smiting them with the mantle of Elijah; causing iron to swim; confounding kings and armies, and many other things which only could be done through the power of God. The following instances are among the many wonderful manifestations of His power wrought through His servant, the first of which is the raising of the Shunammite’s son.
THE WIDOW’S SON RESTORED TO LIFE.
“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head! And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, it is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but their was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” — 2 Kings 4:18-37.
NAAMAN CLEANSED OF LEPROSY.
“Now Naaman, captain of the host
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THE GOSPEL TRUMPET.
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A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL.
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DEFINITE, RADICAL, ANTI-SECTARIAN.
Sent Forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the Purity and Unity of His Church;
the Defence of ALL His Truth;
And the Destruction of Sect Babylon.
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PUBLISHED AT GRAND JUNCTION, MICH.
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D. S. WARNER, – Editor.
E. E. BYBUM, – Office Editor.
E. E. BYBUM and S. MICHELS, – Publishers.
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BOOKS and TRACTS.
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Tobacco as an evil. Per hundred, 10 cts.
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Why are you not a Christian? Per hund. 10 c.
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Marriage and divorce. 32 pages, 5 cts.
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A tract on the true church. It contains 50 pages. Price 10 cts. Per dozen, 80 cts.
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A TRACT ON THE SABBATH, OR WHICH DAY TO KEEP. Contains 65 pages, 10 cts. each.
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The Age to Come, and Millennium Tradition Refuted by the Inspired Word of God 56 pages, 10 cts.
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Questions and answers on the church. A tract containing 82 pages, 1 cent each.
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The Great Tobacco Sin.
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It contains 30 pages, with a neat cover. We will send these tracts to any one sending us postage at the rate of one cent for three tracts. Always state just how many you wish sent.
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Must we Sin?
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A conversation, giving Bible proofs that we must live free from sin, containing 48 page. Single copy 2 cts. Per dozen, 20 cts. Per hundred. $1.50.
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The Ordinances of the New Testament.
A NEW TRACT, BY WM. G. SCHELL.
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Getting forth the ordinances of the scriptures in clear light, showing which are abolished, and proving that the three ordinances instituted by Christ are not of the Old Testament, but of the New, and are still in vogue. Single copy 5 cts. Per dozen 45 cts.
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The Ordinance of Feet Washing.
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The excellent work on this subject, written by Brother Bradley, has been reduced in price to 20 cents. It is a review of a tract written against this ordinance. A lively exposure of the false teaching of the opposer, and a very thorough vindication of the sacred ordinance of Christ. It contains 84 large pages, and gives much light. Price 20 cts. U$1.90 a dozen. Order of the author, Bro. W. W. Bradley, Watkinsville, Miss, or from this office.
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The Bible Readings.
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Bible readings or references on about 100 subjects. Price 75 cts. each.
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Holiness Bible Subjects.
BY H. C. WICKERSHAM.
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A book containing 100 subjects with scriptures, concordance, definitions to subjects. Setting forth the true church, its doctrine, its ordinances and its fruits. The fall of Babylon and the coming of the evening light. Illustrated, 376 pages, neatly bound in cloth. Single copy $1.00. Six or more 80 cents each. For this book. Address,
H.C. Wickersham, New Pittsburg, Ind.,
or
Gospel Trumpet, Grand Junction, Mich
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Anthems from the Throne.
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This book contains 148 songs. 90 with music. About all new. When sung in the spirit of God these songs will be found glorious. They hymn the precious present truth, and the gospel standard of salvation. Send in your orders for Anthems from the Throne and start the songs of praise anew.
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Divine Healing
OF
Soul and Body.
— By E. E. Byrum. —
By following the instruction given in this book the SINNER will be enabled to find deliverance from sin; the BELIEVER reach the highest attainments of a Christian life, and the SICK and AFFLICTED be healed of their infirmities, and made well. It contains 248 pages. Cloth binding 75 cents. Paper cover 25 cents.
PART I teaches the way of salvation, and how to get saved.
PART II gives Bible teaching on the healing of the body.
PART III consists of testimonies from those who have been healed in these last days.
A German edition will soon be issued.
Address all orders to the
GOSPEL TRUMPET PUB. CO.,
Grand Junction, Michigan.
LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED.
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B. G. Nye, A. A. Kinzie, R. Cloe, F. H. Lewis, D. L. Hauser, J. M. Denistion, Martin Higgins, W. H. Morris, Susan Hippie, Monroe Snyder, M. M. Stover, Geo. W. Bailey, Henry Netely, C. A. Barkham, Frank Garret, Mrs. Geo. Edmonds, Elizabeth Gettis, D. H. Killman, W. B. Shrieber.
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Calls For Meeting.
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Orchard Grove, Ind Meeting desired. School house can be got.
Address, Nettie Henderson.
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Grove meeting. Cheshire, Mich. Grahams woods, last of August.
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Tabernacle meeting. Rockford. Ill. Begin about Sep. 1. Address,
Warren Cushman.,
1008 Kilburn Ave.,
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Tab. Meeting, Cedar Springs, Mich.
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Grove Meeting, Lagrange, Co., Ind.
Bro. Sparlens Grove.
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Grove Meeting, Holt, Mich.
Marion Chaddock.
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Grove Meeting. Hedges, O.
Chas. E. Ford.
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Grove Meeting, Knightstown, Ind.
Sister E. J. Legally.
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
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We make brief notice of meetings, and in ample time before the camp and other meetings let some one send us a notice containing directions to come, etc.
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Sister Lucy Alderson, fifth and Steward St., DeSoto, Mo. writes that her home is open to receive any holiness ministers whom the Lord may send to that place. She earnestly requests some one to stop there.
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ECHOES FROM GLORY.
A small stock of the new song book arrived the day following the close of the camp meeting, and were all taken by brethren present. There will soon be plenty on hand to fill the orders.
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Bro. Jas. Willis and company expect to hold a meeting at Reddick, Ill. while on their way westward. Their address for the next thirty days will be Grand Junction, Mich.
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The “Biblical Trace of the Church” is now ready and a few hundred have already been sent out. Very nicely bound in cloth, with good plain print 75 cts. Paper cover. 35 cts.
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Bro. and Sister Rupert are now at East Dennis, Mass. and expect to soon set sail from Boston, for the foreign field. God bless them in the work.
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The permanent address of Bro. Wm. G. Schell, is Anlo, Ohio. Any one wishing to purchase his book can order from him or from this office.
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The Lord put it into the heart of a dear consecrated brother to give a good strong horse to Him to work on the camp farm. Just what is needed. However his mate is also needed. Who has him? The Lord search him out. “The Lord hath need of him.”
And a good cow or two is also greatly needed on the camp farm. Some time ago, the Lord found a heart willing to give one cow, now Lord find out and call out your cow in some other parties hands. Amen. It is greatly needed.
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THE FLOATING BETHEL.
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The lovers of God’s truth will rejoice to learn that persevering prayer and faith in God has finally procured the boat for the floating Bethel. We presume from what Bro. Clayton informed us when he left here, the boat is now purchased. But it is only an open barge 90 feet long, and before it can be used a house must be constructed upon it.
There are dear brethren ready to donate labor as soon as means can be furnished to purchase lumber. There are some means left after purchasing, and $150 more would furnish material to make a frame, with floor and roof, and the sides can be closed up with the walls of a large tent so it could be used. But $500 is needed to finish it up in proper order. And now, since there is no failure in the matter, we humbly ask God’s children to ask the Lord what you should do to help on the work. May the Lord find out the means to carry this work on. Bro. Clayton is praying day and night, and God is hearing and he will make some one else hear and know his voice. A dear brother in Cheshire, Allegan Co., Mich. has a good little farm which he offers to sell cheap, and if the Lord sends a buyer he will fit out that expedition. Who wants a pleasant home? Send means to Bro. Byrum, Grand Junction, Mich.
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Camp and Grove
MEETINGS.
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Franklin, Lenawee Co., Mich., June 23, held by Bro’s Grover, Sheldon and wife, and Sister Fisher.
Adrain, Mich., tabernacle meeting, beginning July 5, Grover and Co.
After the above meetings, the Lord willing, this company will pitch their tabernacle at Coral, Montague, White Cloud and Big Prairie, Mich.
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Reddick, Ill., tabernacle meeting, June 23—July 2, Dillon,Warner & Co.
Clinton, Ill., July 5—16. “ “ “
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Grove meeting, Watervliet, Mich. June 21—26, Speck, Bolds & Co.
Benton Harbor, Mich., June 28-July 16, Speck, Bolds & Co.
South Bend, Ind., about July 19— Aug 8, Speck, Bolds & Co.
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C. M. Donaphon, Mo., July 14—23, Warner, Lundy, Stanberry and others.
C. M. Granby, Mo., July 25—Aug. 5. Warner, Stanberry, Sisters Shoffner, Fink & Co.
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Todd’s Points, Ill., beginning July 4, Bro’s Davison and Keeling.
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Columbia City, Ind. June 22-July2, Kilpatrick and Carter.
Roanoke, Ind., beginning July 4, Kilpatrick and Carter.
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Breedsville, Mich., June 22, Bro. and Sister Myers, and Bro. and Sister Bixler.
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A grove meeting will be held at East Liberty, O., July 3—11. Workers W. G. Schell, B. E. Warren & Co.
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There will be a camp meeting to begin July 25, 1893, twelve miles west of Lebanon, at what is known as the Bennett Springs. We are praying the Lord to send some Holy Ghost ministers and gospel workers to help in the meeting. Cannot Bro. Bolds and family, or Sister Mary Cole come?or whoever the Lord may send.
Address Joseph Henson.
McGrath, Mo.
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A camp meeting will be held at West Liberty, O., the Lord willing, July 20—31. All who can come are cordially invited. Those coming from north or south on the Big Four stop at West Liberty, Ohio; those coming from east or west stop at Bellefontaine. Address Bro. Solomon Kenagy, West Liberty, Ohio. Those coming on the N. Y. P. and O. Ry. stop at Mingo, address Bro. Levi Mast, West Liberty, O. Speck, Schell and Warren.
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C. M. Norwood, Mo., Aug. 2, Keeling, Stanberry, Lundy.
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C. M. Topeka, Kan. Aug 1—15, Willis, Stover, Cole & Co.
Arkanas, City, Kan., Sept. 1, Willis, G. L. Cole & Co.
Hastings, Neb., Sept. 15—30, “ G. L. Cole & Co.
Denver, Col., Oct. 5, Willis, G. L. Cole and Co.
C. M. Hollenburg, Kan., Aug 16— 30, Willis, G. L. Cole & Co.
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C. M. Vichy, Mo., begin Aug. 17, Stanberry, Bolds & Co.
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C. M. Deerfield, Ind., Aug. 1—9, Kilpatrick & Speck.
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C. M. Beaver Dam, Ind., Aug 11— 20, A. B. Palmer, Dillon, Warner, & Co., and many others.
C. M. Pa., Aug. 25—Sept. 3, Dillon, Warner & Co.
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C. M. Molehill, West Virginia, beginning Sept. 1, A. J. Kilpatrick & Carter.
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Grove meeting near Markleville, Ind. after Aug. 22, H. C. Wiсkersham.
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C. M. Canada, Aug. 23—Sept. 3. A. B. Palmer & S. L. Speck.
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Grove meeting, Hopkins, Mich., July 28—Aug. 1, A. B. Palmer & J. L. Pike.
Grove meeting, Bradly, Mich., Aug. 4—8, A. B. Palmer & J. L. Pike.
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Grove meeting, Pioneer, O., beginning July 11, Wm. H. Miller.
Grove meeting, Melrose, O., Aug. 1. Address J. S. Hunt. Wm. H. Miller and Howard brethren.
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Tent meeting, Nishnabotna, Mo., Sept. 15, W. A. Haynes.
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Bro. W. A. Haynes, accompanied at present by Bro. Fly from Neb., go out from this campmeeting, the Lord Willing, to Iowa and put the Ia. tabernacle into use. Beginning a meeting at Hedrick about June 21. From there go to Davis City, Ia., if desired. Parties at that place can address him at Hedrick. About the 23 they expect to be at Flag Station, Mo., with the tabernacle, and remain as long as the Lord will. Saints at Forest City attend as much as possible. From there they go where the Lord leads.
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The Great Feast.
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Grand Junction, Mich., June 20, 1893.
The second camp meeting on the new camp ground at this place has come with its great glory and its mighty host of saints. We can hardly say that it has yet passed by, though the bounds of its appointed time was reached on Sabbath June 18.
On Sabbath, June 4, many dear saints having already come from far and near, the meeting was virtually begun and has continued ever since, and several were saved before the announced time of meeting had arrived.
This meeting was indeed a marked epoch in the history of God’s wonderful consuming fire. It presented an army of Holy Spirit, baptized saints, which more than doubled the number of any previous meeting. Surely truth shall spring out of the earth — where long trodden down — and righteousness look down from heaven. What an inspiring scene to see the holy hands lifted up in praises to God in solid mass covering the greater part of the large pavillion, which is 40×70 feet.
Ten years ago two seats about twenty feet long accommodated about all that usually attended the camp meeting through the day. Now about three hundred saints resided on the ground.
They were there from Canada, Pa., Ohio, Jnd., Ill, Miss., Iowa, Neb., Kan., Col., Cal. and other states and of course a large host from this state. Among the ministers and workers present were Kilpatrick, Lundy, Michels, Palmer, Clayton, Wickersham, J. Cole. Speck, Grover, Schell, Warren, Willis, Miller, Jacobson, J. W. Byers, Wife, and Bro. Foster from Cal., Roberts and Swinburn from Denver, Bro. and Sister Birdsall, and Bro. and Sister Dunham from Canada. Bro’s Stanbery, Wilson, Keeling, Carter, Hunter and Bro. and Sister Myers, all from Mo., Bro. Achor from England, Sisters Fisher, Shoffner and Fink who are also engaged with all their might in throwing fire in the earth. And a -number of other ministers and workers.
The convocation was not only large in numbers, but “fearful in praises,” mighty in power and glorious in fruits. God himself was the glory in the midst and his almighty arm was stretched forth to save souls and to heal the sick. The large altar space was daily crowded with humble souls seeking the manifold grace of God, and scores were daily set free by the power of God. It was estimated that no less than two hundred applid for healing of the body, most of whom received the desire of their hearts and were made whole by their faith and the laying on of hands and prayer. Of course all who applied did not find themselves able by faith to grasp the promises of God. But even such were benefited and their faith increased into hopes of future deliverance. There were also a few cases in which devils were cast out.
The Word was preached in power and demonstration of the Spirit, especially on the duty of devoting time and means to the cause of saving the lost, and some advancement was apparent in the grace of giving. Having received word of two cheap tabernacles, one quite large, in Detroit, in a few moments the required amount of means was given and pledged. Seventeen dollars were asked for to cover a brothers debt and twenty-eight dollars were promptly given. God bless his people more and more with the well-pleasing grace of giving the Lord’s means where needed.
Sixty-seven children of God were buried with Christ at one time; others on different occasiong, making ninty-one.
The ordinance meeting on Saturday evening, June 17, was truly sacred and very precious. Over three hundred saints followed the example and command of Jesus in washing each other’s feet and in the communion of the Lord’s supper. O what holy love and fellowship flowed in all hearts toward the blessed Redeemer and to all the redeemed. O the precious truth that, “both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.”
On Monday the larger portion of the beloved ones with mingled love, joy and the pain of farewell, bid adieu to each other and large crowds left on every train. O what will it be when we all meet in heaven!
Besides the large boarding house and many substantial two storehouses, there were a goodly number of tents and everything was well filled. Perfect fellowship and harmony was manifest, in love all the ministers preferring one another, and yet in each freely exercising the gifts of God as moved by the Spirit. Such a scene as described by A. Sims, in his tract of confusion and falsehood, in defence of sectism, where he represents two ministers coming in from opposite sides of the pulpit, each declaring the Lord wanted him to preach at that hour. Such a scene, we. say may have occurred in what he calls “come-out-ism,” which with all other isms, is of the devil. But such have never yet been known to occur among God’s children, who are free from all isms and schisms and only abide in the body of Christ, in this evening light. Sects, fomenting with sin and strife sometimes split into fragments and the outcoming ring know no more of the way of truth than the corrupt hive out of which they, swarmed, as we saw in the Free Methodist split in Fianklin, Pa. But all such, “not discerning the body of Christ,” are not representatives of the called out bride of Christ, but through sectarian dishonesty the confusion that is manifest among them is foisted upon the pure cause of Christ. But thank God, no such works of the devil are manifest in the camp of the saints and the beloved city.
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News from the Field.
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Aurora. Mo., June 14, 1893.
Dear Brethren: God bless you all and keep you from evil and constantly filled with the Spirit. Last Sabbath eve. we closed the tabernacle meeting in Carthage. We are happy to say that the meeting was one of victory. God did a glorious work for his children and in saving precious souls. We do not know just how many were saved; we think about thirty. Twenty-eight were buried with Christ in baptism. Dear souls were liberated in the meeting, that had long been longing for freedom. God bless them and keep them true. About the midst of the meeting we were greatly refreshed in our souls by the coming of our dearly beloved Bro. and Sister Haynes. God blessed our souls together and him in preaching the word of God to the people. At the close of the meeting we had a very precious ordinance meeting. Fifty took part in the washing of the
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saints’ feet, Behold how good and how pleasant for the brethren to dwell together in unity. The last few nights of the meeting we met in the saints’ meeting house and were so rejoiced to see so many new bright faces there. To God be all the glory. On Wednesday we parted with Bro. and Sister Haynes and the dear saints at our home, leaving them to have one more service there and we came to this new held of labor where many souls thick together to hear what is to them a new doctrine, many of whom are interested. Some already are being liberated from sin. Oh bless the Lord tor his goodness! Pray for us.
Your brother and sisters in the gospel work, saved now.
Geo. E. Bolds & Family.
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Trumpet Family, Greeting: For more than two weeks we have been holding meeting at our own home, Grawly. Mo., assisted by Bro’s. Murphy, Britton, Peters, Farris, and many of the dear saints. The tent was erected in front of our house, and there we began to work for the salvation of our neighbors, and praise the Lord we can report a glorious victory. Near twenty in all professed either pardon or purity. Some both experiences. The last Sabbath of the meeting we went to a beautiful stream, and eleven were baptised, others will soon follow. At night we realized that the best of the wine had been kept for the last of the feast. Many partook of the ordinances. Thirty four in that of feet washing, and there would have been many more but some were obliged to return to their homes on account of sickness and other causes. It was glorious to hear the shouts of praise from the blood- washed throng. The scene was witnessed by a vast concourse of people. Good order prevailed from first to last. At the close of the service we extended the hand of fellowship to all of God’s clear children, and the hand of friendship to the unsaved. It looked as though every one in the tent came forward. A general good feeling was manifested, and thus closed one of the nost precious meetings ever held in Grawly, and will be a great help to our coming camp-meeting. Praise the dear Lord forever!
Brothers and sisters, I don’t often write, but remember I am still battling for God. My hands are full of work. I am in poor health. The many years of labor and exposure are telling upon my body. Hear me up to a throne of grace, for much do I need your prayers. Also pray for my husband that he may have physical and spiritual strength to help fill the mission God has assigned unto him.
Yours for the truth,
S. F. & C. A. Sunderland.
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Somerville, Ala., June 5, 1893.
To all the Saints, Gritting: May the peace of God which passeth all understanding be your portion forever. Amen. My soul is joyful in glory. O hallelujah! Our last report was from Tullahoma, Tenn. while Bro. Carter was with me. He started for home about the 20th of April and I continued the work alone. I remained in Tenn. until the 18th of May during which time several were saved. At one time we baptized twelve and at another six. Several claimed bodily healing. Among others one sister was healed of partial deafness, from which she had suffered from childhood. All glory to God, she was instantly healed! We closed with a precious ordinance meeting in which twenty partook. God bless the saints in this place. This is the only place where the “evening light” has been preached in the state of Tenn. There is a large field for laborers in this country. May God send them. From here we returned to Ala. and visited the saints where we had labored during the most of the past year. We had meeting the 19th and 20th at Mt. Zion, and the 21st, at Wood’s grove in the morning and afternoon, and at night at Union meeting house, five miles distant. On the 22d and 23d, we held services at Houston’s school house. Here we baptized six. Traveled ten miles that day. preached the funeral of V. V. Brindley. Thence to Woodland Mills nine miles distant, and preached that night to a very attentive audience. God bless them and seal the truth to their hearts. The next day we went to the mountains and spent the 25th and 26th preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and on the 27th. twelve followed the Lord Jesus in the ordinance of baptism. That night we returned to Woodland Mills and preached to a large audience of earnest listeners. Some walking six or eight miles to hear the word. Next morning we returned to Wood’s Grove and held meeting during the day, then we went to Six Mile and commenced meeting that night, and continued until June 2d, except one night we preached at Mt. Hope for the colored people. We stopped with dear Bro. Humphry who is old and not able to work much with his hands. He has also two sisters to care for, and while we were at the meeting that night, robbers entered his house, relieving him of $670, his little all. But he praised God, saying, “I am glad that it is not my salvation.” He afterward testified at the meetings that it did not hurt him any, but that he received instead of his money an eternal weight of glory. This ought to convince all dead professors that salvation is worth having even in this world. May God continue to reward him with the glory in his soul and provide for him temporally. While on Six Mile we baptized five white and two colored. Thence we returned to Mt. Zion on the 2d, and continued until Sunday the 4th. The meeting was held the last day in the grove, and at least five hundred people were present. Two were baptized at this place. Throughout this short campaign of seventeen days we had a precious and glorious season of rejoicing with the dear saints, having eternal victory in our soul. O praise the dear Lord forever!
My earnest desire and prayer to God is that every one may prove true to God. Let the covenant made with Jesus Christ never be forgotten. Thus ended our years labor in the South. May God keep the South from the many delusions which the devil is sending over the earth. One thing I wish to mention in particular; viz., there is a book published at Battle Creek, Mich., called “The Great Conflict between Christ and Satan.” This is represented to the saints as a work written by SAINTS and thereby some have been deceived. Let me say this is a sectarian work and is calculated to deceive souls, by losing sight of present salvation and looking for Christ to come as a human king and sit upon a temporal throne and give every body a chance through a thousand years reign to repent and obtain salvation. God help the saints to take warning and let it alone, and if you have been deceived into purchasing it, burn it at once and escape its poison. O dear souls, remember that God has no traveling agents selling books. If you want good wholesome literature write to the “GOSPEL TRUMPET,” Grand Junction, Mich. and you will hear what God says, and not have the immagination of some man’s brain pawned off on you. You are safe in keeping your fingers off of all traveling agents.
I wish to speak of one special case of healing. It was that of a girl twelve years old who was afflicted with “St. Vitus’ dance.” Her mind was very much affected and the doctors gave no encouragement. After anointing in the name of the Lord and prayer, her face lit up with a glow so that all saw something had taken place. She. immediately calmed down and next morning she awoke and called, “O grandma, I am well.” A few days after this they had a trial of faith; her disease apparently returned for a short time and then disappeared. Since that time she is sound and well and is going to school, studying all the time, her nerves being at rest. Many persons were clamoring for a sign, but still they refuse to believe. There are however, many souls who believe the word who fail to move out on the promises. May God help them to see their awful danger, and seek salvation while they may. From Ala. we go to camp meeting and after this home to see our children, having been absent from them for more than a year. After this God can send where ever he will. Truly the harvest is great but the laborers are few. My soul is burning to carry the news of salvation to the lost. Pray for me.
Your brother, saved and sanctified just now,
J. F. Lundy.
Anthony, Kan.
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THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.
Psa. 119:129.
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McGrath, Mo.
Dear Saints: I feel led of the Lord to add my testimony with the rest of God’s children. I am not sanctified, but pray for me that I may receive the full blessing, that I may be one of those of full age, and a shining light to those around me.
Your sister in Christ,
Mary Henson.
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Rio, Miss.
Dear Saved Ones: I feel led this evening to write my testimony again. I am still saved and kept by the power of God from day to day and I am as much determined to serve God as when I first began. I desire the prayers of all the saints and for my children, that all the saved ones may grow in grace and the unsaved be saved.
Your sister in Christ,
Callie Phillips.
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Los Angeles, Cal.
Dear Saints: I praise God for a full and free salvation that keeps me saved all the time. It is so blessed to just take God at his word in all things. The Lord is wonderfully blessing his true people in this part of the country. I am out in the Masters work this summer. Many souls are being saved. Praise his holy name!
Your sister saved in Christ,
Mrs. J. L. Forgy.
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Little York, Ind.
Beloved Brethren: Greeting to all. I am glad to report victory in my soul this evening, and that I am sweetly saved in Jesus. O, glory to Jesus forever! Our testimony meetings are very strengthening to the salvation of our souls. Since the little band of saints have started to worship in prayer meetings, the Campbelites have followed, and their preachers teach just as near holiness as they can to leave it entirely out. O may the Lord help them for Jesus’ sake, for a doctrine so near like the truth and yet not the truth, is the worst kind of a doctrine. We ask the prayers of all the redeemed ones.
Yours in love,
G. M. Scifers, Jr.
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Springfield, O.
Dear Saints of God: I do praise the name of Jesus our Lord that He has set me free from all sin. I do thank our God for ever calling me and setting me free from the sinful lusts of Satan. I ask the dear children of God to pray for me that I may stand firm for the name of Jesus.
Pray also for my brother, who is greatly afflicted.
Your brother in Him,
C. H. Hentschel
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Carthage, Mo.
Dear Brethren: This morning finds me sweetly saved in Jesus. Praise his dear name for ever and ever! O praise the Lord for the perfect peace I have in my soul, and for the victory that overcometh the world! “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Dear souls, have faith in God. For without faith it is impossible to please God. I realize that I am hid away with Christ in God. And I am dead to the world and all its allurements, and my life is hid away with Christ in God, and the life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who died for me. Pray for me.
From your brother in Christ, saved and sanctified and kept in the pure love of God.
Geo. W. Chambers.
Cornell, Neb.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led to testify to the saving and keeping power of God. I am saved and sanctified, and kept free from all sin. Praise the name of the Lord! We had a wonderful meeting here. Bro. and Sister Green came down to have the saints pray for the healing of her arm, which was badly bruised by a frightened horse that she was holding, rearing on her, knocking her down and running over her, fracturing her right arm very badly. A few of the saints were called together and we took her case to the Lord, and in a few moments she had her arm stretched heavenward, shouting praises to God for his healing power, and shook hands with her maimed arm, which she had not been able to use at all since it was hurt. In a few moments the swelling was nearly all gone. Praise the dear Lord! And Bro Jno. Green, Sr., has been away from God for several months, and yesterday he turned to the Lord and shouted with victory in his soul, and set a firm resolution to do the whole will of God. Praise the Lord for victory!
Your brother saved,
J. A. Taylor.
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Atwood, Kan.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I feel so happy in the knowledge that I am saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, that Jesus shed his precious blood for me. Oh I was sinking my soul in utter darkness, going deeper and deeper into sin every day, till I came to Atwood and heard the true word of God preached in all its purity, by Bro. Phillips and Green, who have departed to spread the word of God. Oh how I do wish them success. My greatest pleasure used to be at a dance, but now my only pleasure is in serving my God, and kneeling at the cross of my Jesus who died to save me. Oh I do just praise the dear Lord that he did cleanse me from the very desire of sin, and made it a pleasure to serve him and walk in his footsteps. Oh I want all the saints to pray when they read this that I may stand firm. Almost all of my friends have forsaken me, but my Jesus will not forsake me. He is my just and only friend. I do pray that the almighty God will ever be with the harvesters in the fields.
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Carrie Moreland.
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HEALED OF THE LORD.
Merrill, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: This morning finds me praising God in soul, body and spirit, which are his. I am standing upon the clear sea of glass, mingled with fire. Oh how glad I am that we have a Father that we can go to with our infirmities! Praise our God! On the morning of May 15, at one o’clock I was taken with a very hard chill, which lasted until about five in the morning, when the Erysipelas broke out on me very severely and spread very fast over one side so my head and face and neck, and was very painful. I thought if the Lord did not touch my body I could not endure it long. About eight o’clock I requested the family to ask the Lord to take away the pain and at the very moment when the request was made the work was done. Hallelujah to our God, who says if we abide in him and his words abide in us we should ask what we would and it should be granted us! Oh I do thank God that I do abide in him. Bless the Lord O my soul! How glad I am that I do live in this evening light. Well dear ones, we are doing what we can for God. He saves me and keeps me daily by his mighty power and gives me victory over all the works of the devil. Amen.
Your brother in the body of Christ
M. H. Basore.
Atwood, Kan.
Dear Saints: I can testify to a full and free salvation, a salvation that keeps me free from all sin. I was a member of the Campbellite sect for one year, but when I heard the pure word of God preached I was set free from all sects, although the devil kept me back as long as he could. But praise the dear Lord, I am now free and saved through the blood of Christ. We are way out here in the west and very seldom meet with God’s dear children, but we have the dear Savior with us forever. We do pray God to send some of his dear workers out here to this wicked place.
Your sister saved through the blood of Christ,
Sallie Harper.
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OBITUARIES.
Ellisville, Miss.
N. N. Flowers, died near Ellisville, at the residence of her son, June 1, 1893. Born in Perry Co., July 2, 1840. Aged 52 years, 11 months, 1 day.
Mother Flowers died in the arms of Jesus, as only a Christian can die. About one hour before death she called her husband, children and friends and kissed them all good-bye and asked them all to meet her in heaven.
Beautiful toiler thy work all done,
Beautiful soul into glory gone;
Beautiful life with it’s crown now won,
God giveth thee rest.
Rest from all possible sighing and tears,
Rest through God’s endless wonderful years.
Funeral services by,
G. A. Thomas.
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Near Tekonsha, Mich, on the 4th day of June, 1893, Haxie Eldridge closed this life, and went to his long home. Aged 78 years, 1 mo. and 4 days. He is the father of Brother Chr. H. Eldridge, and made his home in his family. He was born in Rhode Island, early removed to New York, and from there emigrated to Mich., 56 years ago, and has ever since resided on, or near the place upon which he died.
We are informed that when a young man he was converted to God, and for a time was quite fervent in Spirit, but alas! he made ship-wreck of his faith, and ever after drifted away from God, and left no ray of hope in his death. O let every child of God take warning and abide in Christ! Near the close of life when interogated by a sister, he said that had he his days to live over again, he would live a different life than he had. He would give his heart to God and serve him. And he farther said, he advised all young men not to live as he had. The poor man seemed conscious of his lost condition, but had no inclination to seek God. Ah! it was too late, too late! O that every poor sinner would take warning and flee from sin! A large congregation convened on the funeral occasion. Services by the writer.
The following lines have been suggested to our mind by the departure of this aged father.
O! could I live my life again
In vain this sad lament;
For, O! alas, I can’t regain
My years in folly spent:
But all is o’er,
And never more
Shall hope inspire my sinking soul.
If I could but traverse again,
The solemn path of life,
I’d fix my eyes on higher plains,
From sin, and all its strife,
I’d turn away,
In youthful day,
And give myself to piety.
My life has been an idle tale,
And here the story ends;
All hope must now forever fail,
As my poor soul descends
With guilt and fears,
And wasted years,
To answer at the bar of God.
I knew the right, but yielded to
The tempters subtle snare,
I heeded not the warning true,
And stifled many a prayer.
And now, too late,
I dread my fate,
Upon the brink of endless woe.
I give advice to all young men,
Now, with my dying breath,
Live not in sin, as I have done,
Avoid the way of death.
The bitter lot
My sins have brought,
I loudly warn yon all to shun.
O’er three score years and ten were giv’n,
Tnat I might well prepare,
My soul, for all the bliss of Heav’n;
And yet, in dark despair
I’m forced to go.
From mortal woe
To worlds more dark than shades of hell.
D. S. Warner.
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of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid: and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Namaan my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of this leprosy? Wherefore consider, I pray you and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again unto thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, he will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee, do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. — 2 Kings 5:1-14.
Here we find an instance of direct obedience to the commands of God, even in what would, and did seem to be very small and simple matters of instruction, which had to be carried out to the fullest extent of the directions given, before the work was accomplished. It was not enough for this captain to believe that he would be healed by making application to the prophet, but he had to go and wash himself seven times in the river Jordan. As he was a man of authority, he thought surely the man of God would come out and make a great ado over him; but on the other hand the prophet only sent a messenger and told him to go and wash in Jordan. This at first seemed to be too small a matter for him to perform; it was beneath his dignity and did not meet his anticipations; was just a little too humiliating, yet he had to come to the point where he would willingly obey, and as soon as he obeyed, and had dipped seven times, he was made every whit hole. Dipping in another river would not have sufficed; dipping six times only would have left him still a leper.
This instance of healing teaches us a lesson which we will find taught all through the Word of God, that to obtain healing through the power of God, we must obey his word by doing that which he has commanded. Under the present gospel dispensation there are professing Christians who almost abhor the idea of obeying James 5:14, 15, by anointing with oil, and laying on of hands, and praying over the sick for their recovery. Where you find persons rejecting these commands, you will find they do not take God as their only physician. The virtue is not in the oil, any more than in the waters of Jordan, but in Christ. When faith and works unite upon a line with God’s word, then virtue goes forth and the work is accomplished, and the captive now set free can “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,” and shout victory over sin and disease.
Selected from Divine Healing of Soul and Body.
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ORIGIN OF PROTESTANTISM.
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TO clearly show the origin of Protestantism, it is necessary that we should examine carefully her organization, governments, theology, laws, and ordinances, weighing them carefully in the balance of God’s word. Then will we be able to see how much she comes short of the Bible standard; and will be qualified to advance to a positive conclusion concerning her origin. We will first consider the organization of Protestantism. The failure of the reformers to see the true Bible church, and how it is organized, is perhaps the best excuse for the many schisms of modern times. I cannot think that such men as many of the reformers were (if we are to believe what the chronicles say of them), had they possessed a clear understanding of the polity of God’s church, would have defiled their hands with human organisms. But thinking as they did, that the organization and government of the church must be accomplished by men they are excusable in their mistakes. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at [overlooked]; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts. 17:30.
That the protestants have never fully discerned the Bible church is evidently seen in their teaching that the many schisms compose it. The word church in the New Testament is translated from the Greek EKKLESIA, which word the Greeks used to designate an assembly of citizens regularly summoned. SEE LIDDELL AND SCOTT’S LEXICON.
Jesus and his disciples use this word to designate the universal assembly of the sain’ts. The Bible calls the church “the body of Christ,” and declares God has tempered it together that there should be no schism in it. Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:24; 1 Cor. 12:24, 25.
Again, the protestant adage, “There is good and bad in all churches,” is another proof that they do not discern the Bible church, which is composed of saints only. 1 Cor. 14:33. “Thy people also shall be all righteous.” Isa. 60:21.
Put let us come at once to the subject of organization. In the first place we will see whom the Bible makes the organizer. Jesus says: “I will build my church.” Matt. 16:18. “He that built all things is God.” Heb. 3:4. “He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the church is represented by a stone cut out of a mountain without hands. Dan. 2:45. God calls the church, “The branch of my planting, the work of my hands.” Isa. 60:21.
These texts give ample proof that God is the sole organizer of the church. Therefore, weighed in the balance of God’s word, Protestantism is found wanting, for the organization thereof is human throughout. There is not one text in the inspired volume conferring upon man the power or privilege of organizing a church. And those who attempt it unwarrantably tinker up what time proves to be the detestable thing so positively forbidden in God’s word; viz., a sect. It is commonly reported that we do not believe in church organization. This is a mistake. We firmly believe in all the organization found in the Bible. It is human tinkering and sect organizing that we renounce. We hold that the Bible contains all things essential to life and godliness; and that all the organization not found therein is superfluity, hence cut off and condemned. Jas. 1:21.
But what does the word organize mean? Webster defines it as follows: “To form with suitable organs; to construct so that one part may cooperate with another; to distribute into suitable parts, and appoint proper officers, that the whole may act as one body.” This definition includes everything pertaining to church organization; but there is no work included in it that the Bible does not ascribe to God. “To form with suitable organs.” God does this. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Cor. 12:18. How does God put the members into his church? “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” 1 Cor. 12:13. The baptism here referred to is spiritual birth. It is therefore taught in God’s word that men can enter the church only through the birth of the Spirit.
One man cannot put another into the church, for Jesus is the door. John 10:9. He is also the doorkeeper. “He openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth.” Rev. 3:7. God puts unruly members out of his church. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away.” John 15:1, 2. How does God put them out? He answers: “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex. 32:33. The book herd spoken of is the “book of life,” which is the only authorized classbook of the church of God. “To construct so that one part may co-operate with another.” God does this. “God hath tempered the body together * * * that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Cor. 12:24, 25.
“To distribute into suitable parts, and appoint proper officers, that the whole may act as one body.” God does this. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Cor. 12:8-11. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:28.
“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. 4:11—13. “Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28.
The above scriptures, without comments, clearly show that God, by the Spirit, distributes into suitable parts and appoints all the officers in his church. But, says one, Does not the New Testament clearly show that the apostles ordained elders, deacons, evangelists, etc.? Certainly; but there is a vast difference between the apostles’ recognition of the gifts and callings of God in their brethren, and the voting and ceremonial arrangements of modern sects, called by them ordination.
The apostles never voted anybody into an office of any kind. But when God, by the Spirit, placed somebody into a vocation, they acknowledged the gift of God in him, by a season of fasting and prayer, and the imposition of hands. Acts 6:6; 13:1-3; 14:23. Nor did they “lay hands suddenly” on a man who professed a calling of God, but waited until he proved his gift by exercising the same. 1 Tim. 3:10. This is why Paul left Titus in Crete to“ordain elders in every city.” Tit. 1:5. Otherwise he would have ordained them himself before he left Crete. Paul himself preached the gospel about ten years before he was ordained by the imposition of hands. See dates in the margin opposite Acts 9:22; 13:1-3.
Now reader, seeing that the Bible teaches a divine church organization, are we not forced to the conclusion that the human machinery of Protestantism is heterdoxy? There is still another important point in this subject, that we wish to call attention to. You will observe in Webster’s definition inserted above, that he gives as the object in organization, “that the whole may act as one body.” This is both the object and result of organization. Therefore, what the protestants have so long imposed upon humanity for church organization is in reality church disorganization, because it makes the whole act in many hundred different bodies.
The fact that division is the chief corner stone of Protestantism is an explicit proof against her orthodoxy. For division is a heinous sin condemned in every part of God’s word. Paul teaches that divisions are contrary to the Christian doctrine; and that they who cause them are not servants of Christ. Rom. 16:17, 18. Notice also that he places heresies (sects) in the catalogue of sins that bar men out of the kingdom of heaven. Gal. 5:19-21. Again he says: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10. Peter says: “There shall be false teachers among you; who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Pet. 2:1.
It is thus that divisions and sects are renounced throughout the Bible. But when we execute “the judgment written” against such things, we incur but the hatred and opposition of many. Oh how changed! The apostles taught that there were no schisms in the. church. Modern theologians teach that all the schisms are in the church. In the early days of Christianity, the founders of sects were called heretics. To day they are promoted to the highest honor. The people of to day can scarcely endure a Bible discourse on the unity of the church. On one occasion a brother testified in a sect meeting that he was saved into the “one fold.” Scarcely had he taken his seat before a sect preacher sprang to his feet exclaiming, “That is the most damnable doctrine outside of hell.” Oh what a reviler of wisdom’s Son, who hath designed that his people should all dwell under “one shepherd” in “one fold!” Jno. 10:16.
A sect preacher once cautioned me against opposing divisions, saying, “We are apt to dwell too much on these minor points, and get our eyes off of Christ.” “Minor points!” said I, “do you make unity a minor point? Are not unity and purity urged upon the people by Christ and his apostles more than any other two features of the church?” He answered in the affirmative. The absence of unity proves the absence of sanctification; “for both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one.” Heb. 2:11. Paul knew the Corinthians to be unsanctified by the envying, strife, and divisions among them. 1 Cor. 3:1-3. Those who cause divisions are called deceivers. Rom. 16:18. Unity is therefore not a minor but a major point.
We will now come to the government of Protestantism. This article might be entitled human legislation. For protestants govern all things by means of conferences, synods, annual meetings, councils and conventions. By creeds, disciplines, discussions, committees, voting, wire pulling, etc. All this routine of human interposition is without warrant in the Bible.
Let us now open the sacred volume and quote some texts that will clearly substantiate divine church government. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isa. 9:6, 7. “For the kingdom is the Lord’s; and he is the governor among the nations.” Ps. 22:28. “But thou Beth-lehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:6. The church is subject unto Christ. Eph. 5:24. “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church.” Eph. 1:22, 23. You see, dear reader, that the Bible makes Jesus the sole governor of the church. Therefore, when men claim to be governors they are guilty of gross assumption.
From Biblical trace of the Church.
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THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.
Psa. 119:129.
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McGrath, Mo.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony. I am praising the dear Lord for complete salvation from all sin. I am saved and sanctified wholly to do my Master’s will. I desire the prayers of all the dear saints.
Yours in the one body,
Joseph Henson.
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McGrath, Mo.
Dear Saints: I feel led to write my testimony. I am sweetly saved in Jesus from all sin and sectism, and am reigning in this life. Praise the Lord! He has shown me this blessed evening light. The Trumpet is food to my soul. Pray for my dear wife that she may be saved and healed of bodily afflictions.
Your brother under the blood,
F. H. Young.
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LaPaz, Ind.
Dear Saints: I am glad to say I can praise God for salvation that saves me just now. I have complete victory over the world and everything that is not of God. My soul rejoices in the precious love of Jesus. Truly the way is strait and few there be that find it. May God bless and keep all his dear children and give each one a willing heart to follow him. God has a few faithful ones here that are standing true to him.
Your brother in Christ,
J. M. Deniston.
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Johnstown, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel it would be to the glory of God to testify to what the blessed Lord has done and is doing for me. He healed my body of rheumatism, and I can say it was a complete and wonderful healing. O bless the Lord! I have not felt the least symptoms of it since. Oh it is wonderful how much the dear Lord will do for us when we are willing and obedient. He saves me just now and gives me complete victory in my soul over all the works and workers of darkness, and makes me a child of the light. O bless his holy name!
Your humble brother, saved by the precious blood,