Gospel Trumpet – 26 April 1894

26 April 1894, Volume 14, Number 17.

On our Way to Glory.

_____

We are on our way to glory,
Singing victory as we go,
For the blood of our Redeemer
Makes us whiter than the snow.

Oh the light of heaven is shining,
Since we walk the narrow way,
And obey the word of Jesus
Where he says to watch and pray.

Yes we’ve reached the land of promise,
Where the milk and honey flow,
Where there is no fruit of Egypt,
But the fruits of Canaan grow.

Oh our hope is all in Jesus,
And we trust in him alone,
Since he sits within our bosom,
As a king upon his throne.

E. Whitmore.

__________

ABIDE IN ME.

_____

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. — Jno. 15:1. The implication of this statement is, that there is also a false vine, or many of them. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce if it were possible, even the elect. —  Mark 13:22. But Christ wishes us to understand that he is the way, the truth and the life. — Jno 14:6. The only way, because there is salvation in no other. Acts 6:12. The only truth, because outside of Christ all is deception, all is vanity, all is vexa­tion, all is dissatisfaction; but in him all is joy, peace, satisfaction and truth. The only life, because the wages of sin is death. — Rom. 6:23. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. —  Eze. 18:4. But in him there is no sin, 1 Jno. 3:5, consequently no death, but true life.

He tells us also that his Father is the husbandman. We understand that the duty of a husbandman is to look after the interests of the vineyard of which he is in charge, to plant, to engraft, to prune, etc. Now God as a wise and merciful husbandman be­holds the repenting sinner as a wild olive tree, whose fruit would be deli­cious, if it had the proper kind of nourishment. So God takes the poor dwarfed, stunted, barren and lonely tree from the poor and sinful soil where it had been battling with the winds of temptation (which finally overcame and exhausted all its strength for resistance) where it had been depending for life and nourish­ment upon its own roots (which did not reach deep enough to find ever­lasting moisture), and grafts it into the true vine, Acts 2:47, of which it partakes of the root and fatness, of the life and nature, and it becomes a branch. Jno. 15:5. And if the root be holy, so also are the branches. —  Rom. 11:16. Now there are a great many people who claim to be branch­es of this “true vine,” and yet do not claim to be holy, and despise those that are holy. — 2 Tim. 3:3. We can pick up a twig or limb from any kind of plant or tree and tell just what kind of a tree it came from, because it has the same kind of leaves, the same kind of bark, the same kind of sap, and there is a perfect resemblance. So does every true child of God bear the likeness of Christ in his life, his ac­tions, his conversation, his deeds, — all testify to the world that he is a branch of Christ.

Abide in me and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, ex­cept it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. — Jno. 15:4. It is one thing to be engrafted in, and another to abide in the vine. If af­ter engrafting a branch in a tree, we should take it out every morning, or two or three times a day, to see if it were growing, or what the prospects were for fruit from it, we would soon find that the branch had withered and died, and it would be foolishness to expect fruit therefrom. You will say that the man is not wise who would do such a thing. But now let us see. John says in him (Christ) is no sin. — 1 Jno. 3:5. Well if there is no sin in him, and we are in him, we must first get out of him before we can get into sin, or commit sin. For whosoever abideth in him sin­neth not. — 1 Jno. 3:6. It is evident then that when a man commits sin he is out of Christ, and when he prays, “Lord forgive my sins,” he means, “Lord engraft me in again,” which is the thing he should do if he is out. But Christ says, abide in me, for ye cannot bear fruit unless you do. Yet men will ask God to forgive their sins (and of course they should, be­cause they claim to sin a little, more or less every day, either in thought word or deed, and perhaps in all), and still claim to be bearing fruit for God. Let us consider these plain scriptures as follows: Whosoever sinneth abideth not in him (1 Jno. 3:6). Whosoever abideth not in him can­not bear fruit (Jno. 15:4). Whosoev­er beareth not fruit he taketh away (2), and men gather them and they are cast into the fire and they are burned (6). When the Holy Ghost in God’s fire baptized ministers sends forth the word of God, it gathers all those who abide in Christ, together, and leaves all those who abide not, cast out together, and the fire makes them so uncomfortably hot that they cannot stand it, and they either yield or flee; and if they do not surrender they soon become a burnt-over moun­tain, and shall next be burned with fire, be cast into hell where there shall be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

But what about those that abide? Every branch in me that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. Jno. 15:2. Purge means to cleanse from the old na­ture, to purify, to sanctify. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. V. 7. So we see, dear reader, that if we abide in him we have wonderful promises, and if we abide in him we will surely love him; and if we love him we will keep his commandments; and if we keep his commandments we know we are the children of God, and entitled to all the privileges of children. But let us not be deceived, and think we are branches of the true vine when we are bearing evil fruit; because we are in a good tree when we are in Christ, and a good tree cannot bear evil fruit (Matt. 7:18). Let us make sure that we are in the true vine, be­cause it is the only plant that will stand. For “every plant that my heav­enly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up” (shall perish, shall be burned). Matt. 15:13. Your broth­er in the one body,

E. G. Masters.

__________

DISCERNMENT.

_____

“DISCERNING of spirits is one of the gifts of God mentioned by the Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 12:10. It consists in discerning among those who say they are inspired by God, whether they are animated or inspired by a good or evil spirit, whether they are true or false proph­ets. This gift was of very great im­portance both in the Old Testament, wherein it is found that false proph­ets often rose up, and seducers who deceived the people; and also in the New, in the primitive ages of the church, when supernatural gifts were common; when the messenger of Sa­tan was sometimes transformed into an angel of light.” — Cruden’s Con­cordance.

I feel it is my duty to write some on the above subject, to stir up your pure minds. Now if this was a com­mon gift in the primitive ages, how much more should we strive to ob­tain the precious gift! And not only those whom God sends forth to preach the everlasting gospel, but every true child of God should have it to some degree, that we may discern between the good and the evil in these last days. “Now the Spirit speaketh ex­pressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim. 4:1. “This know al­so, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” V. 13. These times surely are come, and we have to watch, to pray, and be filled with the Spirit of God, that we may detect the enemy when he comes as an angel of light. We read in Eccl. 8:5, “that a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.” Solo­mon prayed in 1 Kings. 3:9 — “Give therefore thy servant an understand­ing heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.” Indeed we need a wise and under­standing heart just as much as Solo­mon did in his day. Can we send up a prayer to the throne of grace with him, in faith, believing for it, that God will give it to us, for his glory, for our fellow men’s good?

Discernning of spirits is of just as great importance in the evening as it was in the morning age; yes, we can truly say, of far greater importance, as we have seen in the above scripture, (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1 13). Belov­ed, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits wether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. — 1 Jno. 4:1. The second verse tells us how to try them. We know that when the spirit agrees with the word, it is of God.

How can we go amongst all manner of religious doctrine without having the Detecter in us, which is the Holy Spirit, and not take up with them? How can we help a poor brother or sister if in anguish, and know not what the matter is? How can we labor with precious souls at the altar with­out having knowledge of their condi­tion when they are blinded by Satan? How can we lay hands on the sick without knowing they have faith, or are in the faith? Surely we need much discernment. The apostle Peter had a great measure of this precious gift. We read in Acts 5:1-10, about Ananias and his wife Sspphira, who could not deceive the Holy Ghost. Again we read in Acts 3, when the lame man was healed. Verse 16 we read, “And his [Jesus] name, through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness.” Peter knew the lame man had faith, there­fore he could exercise faith with him. Have those who labor in the Mast­er’s vineyard all of this gift? Surely such ought to have. Can we say that all on whom hands have been laid were healed? Let us take a look back, and we find cases that on account of the lack of discernment, where hands were laid on, they were not healed. Of course the individuals were not in the faith. Paul says in 1 Tim. 5:22 —  “Lay hands suddenly on no man.” He surely knew what he was talking about, that we may find out the prop­er condition of men before we lay on hands, and to know if it is God’s time to deliver.” Wherefore be ye not un­wise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” — Eph. 5 17.

The Lord also wants that we be taught by those whom God has set over his flock. “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” — Eze. 44:23. “The husband­man that laboreth must be first par­taker of the fruits.” — 2 Tim. 2:6. God is on the forward march with his church, and if we would not keep back, we have to run. — Heb. 12:1. O let us live closer, more humble at Jesus’ feet, that we can hear the softest whisper of our Savior. In Canaan’s holy land is much to explore yet; let us set our feet on more ground and it shall be ours. With the shield of faith let us march along in the strength of the Lord Jehovah, and strive lawful­ly. May God bless this for our good, and help us to covet earnestly the best gifts. Yours in Jesus, saved, sanctified, healed and kept by the power of God,

W. Ebel.

==========

THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.

Psa. 119:129.

_____

Evansville, Ind.

Dear Saints of God: I feel led to write my testimony. Praise the Lord! I know that God has pardoned my sins, and I want the whole world to know it. I want all the saints to pray for me that I may be sanctified wholly. Your sister in Christ,

Mrs. Henry Nisbeth.

_____

Stanley, West Va.

Beloved in Christ Jesus: I can praise God for a full and free salva­tion, that cleanseth me from all sin just now. I am glad that the pure gospel was ever preached at Stanley. Praise God, I stand on the rock of Christ Jesus. When I was in the sects I would get mad and say some bad words, and go on professing to be saved, but it was the works of the devil. We have to live free from sin if we enter into that holy city. I can praise God my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, which is kept by God in heaven, not by men on earth. I was a backslider for about three years, but God convicted me and I gave him my heart, and he wonderful­ly blessed my soul, for which I give him all the praise. Pray for me that I may do the whole will of God. Your brother saved,

Oscar S. Garner.

_____

Reddick, Illinois.

Dearly Beloved Saints of God: May the God of all comfort, grace, and truth ever keep you. I am re­joicing in the love of Jesus. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word,” and to know that he has said, “I will never forget thee.” Oh what a privilege we do enjoy to be permitted to live, walk and commune with our dear Savior here in this life, and to know that we are traveling to a “city which hath foundations, whose builder and mak­er is God!” Oh the blessed assur­ance! The Spirit of Christ bears witness with my spirit that I am his child. And to you, my dear ones, who are out of Christ, I would say, Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. Oh! be­hold him in all his loveliness; for truly he is the one altogether lovely, the chief among ten thousand to my soul. Unto you who are bowed down with a heavy burden of sin and sor­row, he is saying in tender love, come; “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And you who are thirsting and longing for pleasure, Oh come to Jesus, he will give you sweetest pleasure in this life, and you will spend an endless eternity in that home where sin, sorrow or death can never come. O the untold joy of serving the Lord here in this life, and to think of all eternity beside, to be in his presence! Your sister sav­ed, sanctified and happy in the ser­vice of God,

Lottie E. Kriebel.

_____

Almota, Wash.

Dear Saints of God: May the dear Lord bless you all. I do feel that the dear Lord wants me to write and tell what he has been and is doing for me. Glory be to his dear name! About one year ago Jesus spoke to me and truly I knew it was my last chance, for I had been so wicked, and had made so many promises and did not fulfill them; but the shock that went through me I knew came from God, and I settled it right then. I asked the brethren to pray for me, and that night the dear Lord wonderfully sav­ed me. I used tobacco for many years; was a slave to it, but God just cleansed me all up, has even taken all desire from me, and the smell of it makes me sick. Oh glory be to Jesus for salvation!

Some time after I was saved I join­ed the U. B. sect, though it did not seem right to me, for I had heard the true church preached a few years be­fore this; but I was a wild sinner then, and did not think much about it, and all the rest of the brethren had join­ed, so I did too. Well truly the Lord was leading us and showing us differ­ent things which we should do, such as washing the brethren’s feet, etc. Well it was talked about in our meet­ings but we did not obey, and we went into darkness. We wandered down in Egypt and kept praying to God for light and freedom. Well glory to God, he heard our cry, and sent a dear company here with the pure gospel, and on Oct. 9, God brought us home to Mt Zion. Oh hallelujah to our God! I found I was a professed sinner, and went to the altar a sinner, and with a very bad cold. I could not talk loud. The Lord did forgive my sins, and after­wards, glory to Jesus, I presented my body a living sacrifice, holy unto the Lord, and also took him for my physician for life. He sanctified my nature and also cured my cold at the same time. God has built up his church here. Now dear saints, I do humbly ask you all to pray for me, that I may be kept humble, and that I will understand his word better, for I do know the dear Lord has a work for me to do. God has called me to preach his word. When I look and see souls being deceived by these false prophets, it breaks my soul all up. Truly God is bringing his true children out of Babylon, and time is short, and let us do all we can for poor perishing souls. I am young, and young in the cause, but God is teaching and leading me. I am in the hands of the dear Lord, just to do whatever he says, and to go when he tells me to go. I haven’t any ed­ucation to speak of, but glory to Jesus, I have God in my soul. Since God has brought me out of sectism I do feast on Mt Zion, where there is plen­ty to eat, and the way grows brighter and brighter. I am no longer a U. B., down in a little cage, shut up; but God has brought me out and adopted me in the great family of God, when there is freedom and lib­erty and oneness. The Lord has healed me at different times, for which I give him all the glory. I take him for my all in all. Amen.

Your brother saved, and sanctified by a second work of grace,

J. C. Peterman.

Page 2

THE GOSPEL TRUMPET.

__________

A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL.

__________

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.

__________

PUBLISHED AT GRAND JUNCTION, MICH.

__________

D. S. WARNER, – Editor.

E. E. BYBUM, – Office Editor.

E. E. BYBUM and S. MICHELS, – Publishers.

__________

TERMS, $1.00 Per Year In Advance.

Free to the poor.

==========

Entered at the Post Office at Grand Junction, Van Buren Co., Mich.. as second class matter.

__________

NOTICE.

All business communications, moneys, &c. must be addressed to Gospel Trumpet, to insure credit; otherwise we will not be responsible.

__________

NOTICE.

A commission of 20 per cent will be given on each new cash subscriber, to all who will labor for the Gospel Trumpet. We make this offer so as to help the brethren that are in the field, as well as the circulation of the paper.

Parties desiring papers to canvass with, should notify us regularly of their address.

__________

NOTICE.

How to Send Money. – Remit by Post Office Order or Postal Note. Where these cannot be procured, send by Express Order. Registered Letter or small amounts in stamps.

Change of Address. – Subscribers wishing their address changed, must be sure to give their former, as well as their new address.

Missing Papers. – It occasionally happens that numbers of our papers sent to our subscribers are lost or stolen in the mails. In case you do not receive yours when due, after waiting a sufficient length of time, write us a card, and we will gladly send one in place of the missing number.

When you write, be sure to give your full address, name, post-office, county and state.

Should there be a mistake at any time, write us at once, and we will gladly rectify the same.

Address all letters to Gospel Trumpet, Grand Junction, Mich.

==========

* THE * SHINNING * LIGHT. *

–:::–

An interesting paper for children. Illustrated. It should be in every family where there are children. Only twenty-five cents a year. Address,

THE SHINING LIGHT,
Grand Junction, Mich.

==========

TRACTS AND BOOKS.

_____

Babylon is Fallen. What Church Should I Join? Sects. The Master’s Call. A Wonderful Deliverance. Second Work of Grace. Price 10 cents per dozen.

Small tracts of various kinds for free distribution, at 10 cents per hundred.

__________

Marriage and Divorce. A tract of 32 pages, giving the Inspired word of God on the subject. Price 5 cents.

__________

The Great Tobacco Sin. 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.

__________

Must We Sin? A conversation, giving Bible proofs that we must live free from sin, containing 48 pages. Single copy 2 cts. Per dozen. 20 cts. Per hundred. $1.50.

__________

Question and Answers on the Church. A tract containing four letters with many questions concerning the church, and the difference between the true church and sectism. Price, 10 cents per dozen.

__________

The Sabbath Tract. This tract contains 65 pages giving the word of God on the subject of the Sabbath. It overthrows Saturday keeping and proves that the first day of the week is the proper day to keep. Price 10 cts.

__________

“No-Sectism.” A tract bearing the above title, written by A. Sims, has been reviewed by D. S. Warner, showing the difference between sectism and the Church of the Living God. It exposes the false theories set forth by Sims. This tract contains 52 pages. For free distribution, 15 cts. per dozen: $1.00 per hundred.

__________

The Church of God. A tract containing 32 pages, proving what is the Church and what is not the Church of God. Price, single copy 10 cents. Per dozen 80 cents.

__________

What is the Soul? By D. S Warner. Or 100 scriptures proving that man possesses a spiritual and immortal element called the Soul, the Spirit, and the Inner Man, which goes to God at the death of the body. The same also proved by the early Church History. Price single copy 10 cents. Per dozen 80 cents.

__________

The Bible Readings. Bible readings or references on about 100subjects. Price 75 cts. each.

__________

Anthems from the Throne. This hook contains 148 songs. 90 with music. About all new. When sung in the spirit of God these songs will be found glorious. Manilla cover 25 cts. Cloth 40 cts. Per dozen $2.40 & $3.60.

MASONIC SALVATION. By Fred Hasted. Thin little volume treats the subject of Free Masonry from a Bible standpoint. The writer having been a Master Mason, boldly brings the hidden and mysterious things before the public in a clear light. Price, paper cover 15 cts. Cloth. 35 cts.

BIBLICAL TRACE OF THE CHURCH. By W. G. Schell. Tracing the church in prophecy from her birth to the end of time. Containing a brief history of more than 400 Protestant denominations. The author aims to show the difference between the true church and sectism, giving historical and scriptural proofs. Paper cover, 35 cts. Cloth. 75 cts. Address the Author at Anlo, Ohio. or this office.

ECHOES FROM GLORY By B. E. Warren and D. S. Warner. A second and thorough corrected editon of this new song book has just been issued. Containing 232 beautiful spiritual songs, of which the largest portion are new and fresh inspirations from heaven, both words and music. Many beautiful and touching invitation and exhortation hymns for revival meetings. It sings nearly all the doctrine of the Bible; especially the glorious themes of present truth. With primary instruction in music. Simple and concise — A practical self instructor for beginners in vocal music. Neatly bound in pasteboard, price reduced to 40 cts. Per dozen $4.00. all prepaid Address. B. E. Warren, Springfield. Ohio D. S. Warner. Sixth st., (Floating Bethel). Pittsburg, Pa. or this office.

DIVINE HEALING OF SOUL AND BODY. By E. E. Byrum. 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. 248 pages. Paper cover. 25 cts. Cloth, 75 cts.

THE BOY’S COMPANION. By E. E. Byrum. This is a neat little volume with interesting chapters to the boys, concerning the Secret Vice and other bad habits and their effects. Every boy needs advice and warning in time, and too often parents fail to give the needed advice until too late. The book is illustrated with suitable pictures which are aimed to leave a vivid impression upon the young minds and turn thorn from the downward road to a pure life. It als0 contains testimonies and experiences from those who are inmates of the states prison. Boys of every age should have one of these books to read. Price, paper cover 25 cts. Cloth binding 40 cts.

The Secret Vice.

A small illustrated tract of 16 pages with neat cover. It gives a timely warning to the boys against the evils of Self Abuse, a habit which is prevalent throughout the land. The tract is attractive, interesting, and points out certain evils against which boys of every age need to have warning in time. Price, doz. 10 cts. 100, 40 cts. 1000, $3.00.

==========

LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED.

__________

Mrs. M. Genz. Sarah A. Thornton, S. P Mc Cully, Foster O. Williams, Priscilla Whiteford, Jas. A Montgomery, W. N. Myers, Thos. Sinex, Emma Weller, B. F. Heath, Wm. Jones, Chas. Bright, Mrs. N. A. Hunt.

Requests for Prayer.

_____

Pray April 30, for the healing of my body.

Lee Sanders.

__________

Prayer is requested May 31 at 7 A. M. for Nimrod S. Clem, that he may be whol­ly sanctified.

__________

Ramsay, Ill.

Dear Saints: As soon as you read this pray for me that I may be delivered from evil spirits. It seems I am tempted al­most beyond measure. Pray that I may be converted and fully saved.

Lewis Strode.

__________

I was saved while out in the field at my work, and delivered from the use of to­bacco, and last August the Lord healed me of chills. Two of my children have been sick for some time and I ask you all to pray that they may be healed.

J. F. Knox.

__________

1220 East 18 St. Sedalia, Mo.

Dear Saints: I humbly ask you all to pray for me and my poor afflicted daugh­ter Gracie who has convulsions almost daily. Pray that she may be healed. I feel that your prayers will be answered. Your sister in Christ,

S. B Watson.

__________

St. Louis, April 14, 1894.

Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel led of God to write my request. I am all on the altar, saved and sanctified to the whole will of God. I do want all the saints of God to fast and pray for the healing of a terrible cancer and abscess, on the first day of May at 10 A. M. I have the strong faith that Jesus will heal me. Your saved sister in Christ,

Mrs. John Westbrook.

==========

Calls for Meeting.

_____

Bro. Orr, or some other minister is de­sired to come here and hold a meeting.

Mary A. Carr,

365-10th St., Jeffersonville, Ind.

__________

Any one led of the Lord to come here to hold meetings will find a welcome at our house. Address,

Amanda Blackwell.

Washington, Washington Co., Iowa.

__________

Sister S. J. Freeman, Custer City, Texas, desires some one to come there who is able to to teach holiness and divine healing. She also requests the prayers of the saints for the healing of her body.

__________

It seems our country has been slighted; none of the true gospel preachers have been here. We would like for them to come.

J. L. Coffey.

Loveland, Ia.

__________

My brother, O. A. Weidner, Monitor, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., would be glad to have Bro. R. M. Haynes and Co., or any of God’s ministers to stop there while traveling through that part of the country.

D. E. Weidner.

__________

Elk Grove, Sac Co., Calif.

If any of God’s ministers chance to pass by this way and could stop and hold a meeting it might do good. The people need the pure gospel here. I have been an invalid for five years. Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Belinda Anderson.

__________

Pray that I may be cleansed from all sin, that my children may be saved, and that some of God’s true ministers may come here and preach the gospel.

Adelaide Morgan.

Douglas, Butler Co., Kan.

==========

MEETINGS.

_____

Akron, Kan.

It is the desire of God’s people in this country to have a camp meeting at Win­field, Kan. this fall. Anyone that feels led to write concerning it, address me at Akron, or Bro. D. T. Reynolds, Atlanta, Kan. Your brother in Christ,

J. T. Yeaman.

__________

Anderson, S. C. April 11, 1894.

The saints expect to have a meeting at their house of worship, commencing about the 10th of August to continue as long as the Lord wills. We expect Bro. Thos. Carter to be with us and would like to have Sister Mary Cole if the Lord wills and any others that the Lord may lead this way. We would like to buy a cheap tent for the work in the south, and also to correspond with any one that has one in good condition for sale.

J .A. Welborn.

__________

GRAND JUNCTION, CAMP MEETING JUNE 14-25.

Rates will be procured on the C. & W. M., & M. C. R’ys. the same as last year. This will be a general camp meeting, and gathering together of the children of God from all parts of the United States and elsewhere, to worship God in the beauty of holiness, and we trust it will be one of the most wonderful meetings held in these last days, on account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are already receiv­ing letters from ministers, workers, and others from various states, who are ex­pecting to attend. Let every lover of the truth that can come, begin to make prep­arations to be there. Pray much for the meeting and the salvation of souls.

==========

Any one desiring cottage or board tents erected on the camp ground for the June camp meeting should write to Bro. S. Michels at once, and make arrangements for lumber and build­ing.

GERMAN EDITION, “DIVINE HEALING.”

The German edition of the book of “Divine Healing of Soul and Body,” is now printed and in the lands of the binders and will be ready to send out in a few days. Paper cover twenty-five cents; cloth, fifty cents. The German church tract will be printed this week. Price five cents each; forty cents per dozen.

__________

As Bro. Rupert has lately arrived in Germany to preach the pure gos­pel of full salvation, and can use a great number of tracts and books, we feel that ten or twenty thousand tracts and a few hundred books on Divine Healing, and others should be shipped to him at once. If any of the. brethren feel led to help send holiness literature to Germany that the German people may be led into the light of full salvation, we will for­ward the same as soon as the means arrive. As a number of our German brethren have been anxiously wait­ing for German books and tracts to send to their friends, we would say they are ready now, and we are ready to send them out upon receipt of or­der.

==========

News from the Field.

_____

Curtisville, Ind. Apr. 17, 1894.

Dear Brethren: We are still saved in the Lord. Our trip down to Markleville was not in vain. We could see the hand of the Lord in every meeting. There were twelve consecrations. If the Lord wills, we will commence at Windfall, Ind. next Lord’s day. Yours in Jesus, saved and sanctified,

J. W. High and Wife.

_____

Springfield, O., April 19, 1894.

Dear Trumpet Readers: We held one meeting at Fern, Pa. Then we visited Bro. Heeter and family at Turkey City. Pa. Had one blessed meeting with them. We visited the church at St. Petersburg one night and also at Monterey two nights. Good was done, and a few souls made free. From there we went on to Butler, Pa. Remained over Sabbath and then came on home. God bless the brethren who kindly looked after our needs. We remain home, the Lord willing, until about May 20. Your brother, saved. Pray for us.

B. E. Warren.

_____

LaRue, O., April 16, 1864.

To all the Faithful: May God bless and keep you filled with the ev­erlasting fullness. I am happy to tell you all that I am still fully sanc­tified, and that the fire and mighty zeal of the Holy Spirit burn in my heart. Oh hallelujah! On our way home we stopped off at this place and held three meetings with the saints in Bro. John Clement’s neighborhood; also baptized five holy ones in the name of Jesus. Truly this little church of about sixteen happy saints are full of the real fire of God’s Ho­ly Spirit. It is wonderful how God is dealing with them. We shall hold a tabernacle meeting in these parts some time in July or August. Bro’s Schell and Warren are also wanted to assist in the power of the Spirit. To night and Sunday we will hold meetings in Morral, about seven miles from here. This is a new place and the people are anxious to hear the gospel preached in its full­ness. On Monday I will return home to my family after an absence of four months in gospel work. Address me at my home post office, Burket, Ind. I am your true brother all aglow with perfect holiness, and ready for the battle for Jesus,

S. L. Speck.

_____

Floyd’s Knobs, Ind., Apr. 13,’ 94.

Gospel Trumpet: Meeting closed last night at Galena, Ind. There seems to be a number of honest souls at this place, who are favorable to the truth at present, after getting a bet­ter understanding, and I am sure that they will like it still better when they get the real experience of glory in their own souls. May the Lord speed the day when they will let Christ make them “free indeed.” Some see that a real holy life in Christ is bet­ter than formality, and that to be a real saint in God’s pure church that Jesus Christ built (church of God), is far better than only to be called a “Latter Day Saint” in the sect that Joseph Smith built, and named “The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” (Mormons.)

One of that sect appeared in the meeting and endorsed the twelfth chapter of 1 Cor. after Bro. Keeling lad preached on the Church, and then enquired which one of the sects have the twelve apostles. In answer to that, I would say I do not know of any sect that has carried the counter­feiting business so far as to counter­ed the twelve apostles except the Mormons. The church that Jesus Christ built still exists, hence we do not need any re-organization or sub­stitute, but are well satisfied with the real church, a spiritual house, etc.

Bro. Keeling has gone to Blue Lick, nd. to begin meeting. May the Lord give victory in the name of Jesus. Amen. Your’s in Christ, and on the forward move in his kingdom, and happy on the way,

J. Cole.

_____

Renfroe, Miss., April 16, 1894.

Dear Saints: At home again; found all well. Oh I am so glad to report victory for King Jesus in Lou­isiana. In our last report we spoke of laving some more to baptize. Six followed the Lord in baptism, that day, and the next day nine. Bro. W. F. Ward was ordained elder in the church of God at Casto, La. The Lord also has called Bro’s A. Bebee and K. Cooly to his work in Louisiana. All of these brethren are out of the Baptist sect. Pray that they may live in a way that God can use them in the salvation of many precious souls. Dear workers North, if any of you can come south to our help, please write me at Renfroe, Miss. We are in need of a campany of workers that are strong in faith and power of the Holy Ghost: If any one feels led to come, please let me know at once. Pray for me. Yours in the war for God,

R. H. Owens.

_____

Somerville, Ala., April 18, 1894.

Dear Saints of God: We are glad to report victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our last communica­tion concerning the work was from southern Tenn. We left there the 16th of Feb. and came to Mt. Zion, Ala. and held a few days meeting with the saints. From there we went to S. Decatur and held meetings over two Sabbaths with Bro. Otto Bolds. This was a new field and a seed-sowing time. The powers of darkness were great, but gave way to some extent before the close of the meeting. We believe that the seed sown there will yet bring forth a harvest of souls. From there we went to Taluca and held meetings over three Sabbaths. Nine or ten con­secrated and thirteen were baptized. God bless the little church at this place, and help each one to do his duty. From Taluca we went to Houston’s school house and held meetng over three Sabbaths. This was a precious meeting; eighteen or twen­ty consecrated for either pardon or purity, and we believe most of them obtained what they sought. Quite a number were at the altar at different times but were not willing to pay the whole price. Some resisted the truth until they became possessed with picking spirits, which will doubtless be a sore trial to the saints, especial­ly the babes. Our earnest desire and prayer to God is that they may ever look unto Jesus to keep them by his mighty power, and ever resist the devil and all his imps. Our soul is joyful in glory all the way. From here we expect to go to Six-mile, the Lord willing. Saved in Jesus,

J. F. Lundy and Otto Bolds.

_____

Bay View, Mich.

Dear Saints: We are receiving visitations of grace in northern Mich­igan through the gospel message of “glad tidings” to hungry souls. Sister’s Fisher and Gardner are engaged in very earnest service for the Master near Harbor Springs. The house is crowded sometimes beyond the seat­ing capacity with eager listeners, many of whom are standing in the valley of decision. The people are made to feel the truth of the prophe­cy which says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and on my servants, and on my hand maidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophecy.” I never witnessed a more evident working of the Spirit upon the hearts of the people through the preaching of the word than at this meeting, proving the word in­deed to be “quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asund­er of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Stout hearted men and women are moved to tears as the word goes forth in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God, and are free to acknowl­edge that the message is from God. The Baptist church in the village of Harbor Springs, and the Lutheran church in Petoskey, also several other points are ready for meetings.

From your sister.

J. E. Courtney.

_____

Blue Ridge, Va., April 18, 1894.

Dear Saints of God: I am happy to report to you again that I am still having the real rejoicing in my soul with victory over all this world of sin. Since my last report, have closed the meeting at Hopeville school house. From there went four miles to Mt. Camel M. E. meeting house. Had several nights meeting. From there went five miles farther towards Harpers Ferry, along the mountain, to a Baptist meeting house. Reached to large congregations; held meeting twice on Lord’s day April 8, on Thursday 12th, and on Lord’s day eve, 15th. From there came back about one mile and com­menced a meeting in the M. E Chap­el, Monday evening April 16th, to continue as long as the wills. Have good congregations, and very good order; find a very sociable people. Much conviction on the people; many getting stirred about this way. I praise God that I am finding quite a number of Bereans here; they have took to searching the scriptures to see if these things are so. Some have told me they find more sanctification in the word than they had any idea of. Dear brethren, ministers in the field, I would exhort you all in the name of Jesus to hold up a pure gospel, a perfect Christ, a perfect salvation that saves from all sin in this life. In Jesus’ name I preach justification by faith, as the first work of grace, and sanctification by faith as a second work of grace, or rather a selling out entirely to God, saved and sanctified just now, not to morrow. I am not only preaching this sanctification, but I enjoy it and am living it. Praise the Lord for ever! The plan I have taken is this: while not preaching in the day time I visit from place to place, sing, read the word, pray, and talk this great salvation. I find no time to waste in idleness, and in this way the Lord does wonderfully bless my soul, for which I do give him all the glory. I only seem to be sowing the seed of the kingdom. I have bright prospects of a good harvest of souls being reaped here in the near future. It will only be revealed in eternity what has been done along this mountain. Dear ones, keep praying for me and the work in this place. There ought to be more work­ers. I am getting calls in all direc­tions. Would say again to the dear ones, Every one be faithful; we are in perilous times. You have my pray­ers. Your brother all sold out for God,         

F. Rosenbery.

_____

St. Louis, Mich., April 16, 1894.

Dear Saints of God: May the grace of God rest and abide with you all. Amen. When the meeting at Holt closed we felt deeply impressed by the Spirit of God to come home to attend the ordinance meeting, six miles west of this place, and we also felt that just then was the time a se-

Page 3

ries of meeting’s should be held in St. Louis; Bro. Grover also was con­vinced by the Spirit of God that he should come this way and in the name of Jesus conduct the meeting, and truly the Lord did use him to preach the gospel in all simplicity and power. This meeting commenced March 19, and closed April 4. The meeting was a success; sinners were saved, backsliders reclaimed, and some received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The church in general is more established in the truth and in better condition spiritually than ever. The last Sunday of this meet­ing in the evening, we followed the example of our Lord in washing the saints’ feet, and breaking bread. There were present some fifty of the saints who participated in these ordi­nances. Up to this time the church here had no elder nor deacon. This matter was earnestly taken to the Lord in prayer, and all were ful­ly convinced by the Spirit of God that Bro. Eli Wagoner should serve as elder, and Bro. John Harn as dea­con. The church with one accord agreed that these two brethren should be ordained by the laying on of hands. God bless these dear breth­ren, and may they realize the great responsibility resting on them, and prove themselves worthy of their calling, and be examples to the flock in Jesus’ name is our prayer. Among those who were saved was our dear son-in-law (Sherman). Many of the saints in the past have prayed much for the salvation of this dear boy. Bless God, we are happy to say our prayers were not in vain. We ask all the dear children of God to pray that he may go on to perfection. Would not forget to mention the brethren C. E. Reeves, Cox, Carlton, and Charley Wright, who took part in breaking the bread of life in this meeting. The next day after the meeting closed, while Brother and Sister Grover were yet with us, a goodly number of the saints both young and old gathered in our home, some to visit with Brother and Sister Grover and others, who knew not that meeting had closed; came for meeting but found the hall closed. They came to our place.

Yesterday was the day set apart for fasting and prayer. It pleased the Lord for us to stay at home and meet with the church here for worship in the morning and evening. There were thirty of the saints present in the morning and more than that num­ber in the evening, and our souls did feast upon the good things from Fa­ther’s table. Amen. Pray for us. Yours in the Gospel,

Elizabeth and Joshua Walter.

_____

Hamburg, Germany, April 11, 1894.

Dear Bro. Byrum: Your letter just came to hand which was forwarded to me from Liverpool, and which I read with pleasure and it did encour­age me to go forth on the good way. Well I am truly thankful that God is so wonderfully keeping us all and that his cause is on the forward move. I never in all my life felt the confidence and trust in God and his word as I do since coming to this dark place. Truly dear brother, I was put to the test to such an extent that sometimes I thought it was more than I could endure; but praise my dear Jesus, he soothes every pain, and calms every wave of trouble. This is the way it was: You see I felt God calling me to Germany but had not the means to go and take my dear wife, so it came to the point, would I be willing to go and leave her? Well, it was a trial to start for a strange land all alone and go steerage at that, with hardly money to expect to do anything with, but I started in the name of Jesus and you see what happened. The day after I left, my dear wife received the fifty dollars. Oh how good the Lord is to them that will walk up­rightly! Praise his holy name forever! Well I have not much to report as I can see thus far for God, only that he gives me victory and a faith that takes hold of him for souls in this dark city. I wrote you a few days ago and told you they would not permit us to preach on the street, and now I don’t know if they will allow us to preach at all, as the city is under the control of the police, and they have the pow­er to prohibit what they will. But God says he will make a way where there is no way. We can give out all the tracts we wish, that is one good thing. I am going to try and rent a room for meeting and see the police. I expect to send for wife soon, the Lord willing. I am so glad the Divine Healing is being printed in German.

Now brother in regard to sending the tracts I will say you can send them to this address: J. H. Rupert, Sailors’ Institute, Brookthorquai, No. 3, Ham­burg, Germany. And nay God bless the sender, and the tracts to the sal­vation of many souls. I wish to thank the brother for the money and will use it to the glory of God. Please inform the brother that I received it all right, and tell him I will write him in the near future. Give my love to all the dear brethren, and continue to pray for the work in Europe, and for the workers that we may all be low at the feet of Jesus. Bro. Daugh­erty is in Scotland, so my dear wife writes me. God bless his dear soul, and keep him is my prayer. God bless your dear soul and keep you saved. Amen. From your brother in Christ,

J. H. Rupert.

_____

Prismatic, Miss., April 13, 1894.

Dear Saints and Trumpet Read­ers: The Lord bless you all. After a long and tiresome journey from my home and loved ones in Ponchatoula, La., I arrived at the home of dear Bro. Wright this morning. After leaving home I came to Similucy where I held a few days meeting, in which I met with many of the true and tried of the Master, and am glad to report a forward move for God and the whole truth. We came on from there to Hebron where we met with many anxious souls seeking for the truth. I staid with them a short time and left many seeking the Lord in earnest. I stopped off at Holisbury and met some of the dear saints there. Also stopped at Ellisville, our former home. Here we met with dear Bro. and Sister Jones, and many other friends. We then came on to Corine and on the 10th held services at the McLamore meeting house where we met with many of the dear saints; and from there to Meridian. We held meeting on the way. Here we met with many others. It was a real feast to our souls to meet those dear ones in Jesus once more in life, and oh how glad I was to see them so true to Jesus. From there we came by Bro. Bozeman’s, found dear Bro. Samuel Bozeman recovering from a long and serious illness, but he thinks of being in the work again soon, as he is improving very fast. While in Meridian I was called to see Sister Ellen James who is a great sufferer from a cancer, and desires all the saints to pray for her to be heal­ed. Oh dear ones, if you only knew the sufferings of this dear patient sister, you would all surely offer a special prayer for her.

LATER.

April 16, 1894.

We commenced meeting here in the name of Jesus last Saturday. The congregations have been good and still increasing, until on yesterday and last night it was immensely large. Order good and interest good. I will now write a few lines of warning in regard to two great evils that I find are doing no little harm in this coun­try among the dear saints. First, many of the dear ones in their zeal for the truth are too ready to credit an evil report on a brother or sister. O dear ones, let me beg you to re­member that the devil is on the war path against the truth and all who sustain it. There is no lie too low and mean for him to start on a child of God, and the better the man the bigger the lie he will tell on him. The devil has lied so much on God’s little ones in this country until all good people have about found out that he is a liar and the father of lies; and he has had the enemies of the truth em­ployed as lie peddlers for him, and they have in their blind zeal for his infernal cause, made themselves so ridiculous until they have no influ­ence over honest hearts. So now the devil is solely dependent on you, dear ones, to effect any thing or to injure the life and influence of any good man in the work. You may think strange of this, but let me explain: The devil can not start any lie on the true and tried of God here that will not fall to pieces of its own rotten­ness, unless he can deceive you and get you to fear that the report is true, and in your zeal for the cause of Christ, credit it. If he can do this, he can through you get the attention of the world and effect an evil. Oh when will God’s little weak ones cease to credit or believe the devil’s lies on their dear brothers and sisters? Oh when will false professers of holiness cease to peddle the lies of Satan on God’s children? We all remember well it has only been a short time ago that the GOOD WAY (so called) and its advocate in their blind zeal for their little sect under the false name of straight holiness, blinded the country with false reports against the way of holiness, and those who love and preach the whole truth. Satan started those evil reports and those dear souls peddled them for him, and they soon fell to pieces. But of late the devil has employed the lying tongue, pen and sheet (STUMBLING STONE), under the false title of a holiness preacher, to peddle his lies. And in his blind zeal for his master (the devil) because he has stuck his offensive little sheet under the nos­trils of many of the saints in the Unit­ed States and England, until its very name has become repulsive to good men, and to many honest souls it has become a thing of contempt. The devil having failed to accomp­lish his designs through this instru­mentality, he now seeks to stir a kind of fault finding, or fault surmis­ing, or fault hunting, or a fault be­lieving spirit among the little weak ones of God, so as to hinder the cause. Oh brother) sister, do not let him use you. Be careful, be prayer­ful, be slow to believe, and slower to scatter evil reports from wicked men and devils, on your brethren, especi­ally when the evil arises through some false holiness system, for nothing hates the whole truth worse than a false professer of holiness. Now dear ones, this warning is not given before it is needed, and although it may seem rough and plain to you, it is given in all love to you all. The time is come when we must cry aloud and spare not.

The other evil that I wish to warn you against is this awful Adventism that is darkening counsel, poisoning minds, and cursing souls, of which I will write in my next article. Pray for me. Your brother in Christ,

W. W. Bradley.

==========

THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.

Psa. 119:129.

_____

Piqua, O.

Dear Brothers’ and Sisters in Christ: I do praise God for full sal­vation, that keeps me free from all sin of this wicked world. But oh how it makes my heart ache some­times to think of so many poor souls that will be lost, that will never re­pent. Dear saints, pray earnestly for my husband, that he will get salva­tion that will keep him true until the end. It fills my soul with joy to know how much the Lord has done for me. I cannot do enough for him. I have given him my soul and body, and am willing to do his will at all times. Praise the dear Lord! I want all of God’s little ones to pray as soon as this reaches you through the GOSPEL TRUMPET, that my dear husband will be saved. I am praying that the dear Lord will send some true minis­ter filled with the Holy Ghost, down here and hold meeting some place.

Your sister,

Clara L. Smith.

_____

Fenwick, Ont.

Dear Children of God: May God ever bless you and keep you all in his order. Amen. I do praise my dear heavenly Father for ever saving me and keeping me by his mighty power. It is so sweet to serve the dear Lord and do his will in all things) We can report victory in the name of Jesus over all the world, the flesh, and the devil. Praise God! The work is moving on with glorious success; God is adding to the church daily those being saved. We do ask your prayers that we may ever be kept low and humble at the feet of Jesus. How sweetly the Lord leads us day by day when we keep in his order! Praise his dear name! We would be glad if some of God’s ministers would come out and help us in the labors of the Lord. Pray that all the honest souls may get their eyes open to the truth and be willing to walk out in all the light of God. I am your sister, saved to the uttermost, sanctified by a sec­ond work of grace, and kept by the mighty power of God,

Ella Birdsall.

_____

Potterville, Mich.

Dear Saints and Trumpet Read­ers: I have been searching my heart and the word of God, which we read is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-eged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar­row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12. The word also says, Ye shall be judg­ed. I am too honest for my soul’s sake to have one thing left covered up in my heart that should rob me of the glory that my Father has prepar­ed for me and that I have so long fought and battled for, and in the sifting and searching this is what my Father has shown me; that I have talked and found fault with others, when I should have left it all with him, therefore I haste to confess it. I do believe we are in the last days, because sin and wickedness does abound on every side of us. I believe in the healing power, and all that Jes­us commissioned his disciples to go out into the world and do. But to do these things one must be pure and holy, walking and talking with God instead of about his children, or even those that profess to be and are not. I believe in the laying on of hands for healing according to the Word. I know also, that one can be healed when alone with God, and also when one of the children of God is sick or hurt, that in the absence of the elders, the church who has the faith, can pray and sing and lay on hands and they shall be healed. Mark 16:17. I do believe this all to be in God’s or­der. But dear ones, this is one thing where I have been tried almost be­yond endurance, so much of this laying on of hands for healing and no good result, and especially preach­ers going from place to place talking about some one, then laying on hands to heal the sick. Oh how I have been tempted and tried over this work of healing until I lost all confidence of all but a very few men and women! When there has been such wonderful articles sent out through the TRUMPET to warn people against the prac­tice, I feel it should have been heed­ed. My soul was made to rejoice when I read, but to mourn when I saw it was not heeded. But my soul is made to rejoice to day that my Father has searched me out and forgiven me, and I do know that every one of his children will also, for I ask all to for­give me and I know to day that I have perfect victory in my soul over the flesh, the world, and the devil.

I have been sifted and tried in the fire. Pray for me that I ever keep humble, and where Jesus will be pleas­ed with me. I am earnestly praying the Lord to open the way so I can meet with the saints of the redeemed at the June camp meeting. We will be glad to receive any of God’s chil­dren if they come here. Your sister in Christ,

Angie Coggon.

_____

Beamsville, Ont.

Dear Readers of the Trumpet: I feel led by the Spirit of the Lord to write my experience, and tell to all, of God’s wonderful dealings with me. God deals with man in mysterious ways, but he never makes a mistake. Praise his name! It is a well known act, and the history of thousands of cases proves beyond a doubt that God does allow man to be afflicted in various ways to show him that he is dependent upon Him. I do not know that my case has anything particularly strange when viewed from a stand­point of God’s way, but from a human way of thinking it appears wonderful. I was confined to my bed for a year, with a disease that all doctors said there was no hope for, for their skill was exhausted and my condition was continually growing more hopeless. But praise God’s holy name, there are a few who have not bowed the knee to Baal, and his saints are yet to be found on earth. And provi­dentially I was visited by some of them who take God at his word, rely on him for their physician and helper in everything; and they prayed for me earnestly and frequently, and thanks unto God, I was raised up, and three weeks from the time I got up the first time, after lying a year with­out sitting up at all you may say. I visited them, riding to their home in a wagon, attended meeting where the ordinance of the Lord’s supper and feet washing were observed, and was a partaker of that beautiful emblem of my dear Saviour’s death and the humility he expressed in washing his disciples’ feet. People look upon my recovery as miraculous, which indeed it is. Still I am not fully recovered yet, but I do praise his name that I am as well as I am. I am fully con­vinced this sickness was for the glory of God, and I have often said I could say with David, I was glad I was af­flicted, for when I was in health and strength I was a great sinner; but glory to God I have been wonderfully saved, and that is of more importance than all earthly consideration. There was for a good while I felt perfectly safe and resigned to God’s will, but lately doubts and fears seem to be crowding themselves in my mind. Now I want to make this special re­quest of you, to make my case a sub­ject of prayer, that my body may be entirely healed, and that I may have a clear knowlege of my accept­ance with God. I want you to take this matter to the Lord. I earnestly and truly believe you are Holy Ghost people, and I also know that the ef­fectual fervent prayers of God’s peo­ple avail much. Hoping that God’s richest blessings may rest on the saints of God everywhere, and Zion uplifted, I remain your weak brother, longing for perfect liberty in Christ,

Jerome Tufford.

==========

OBITUARIES.

_____

Addie Arbuckle, was born in Jef­ferson Co., Ind., July 25, 1872. Was married to Walter Etchison, March 25, 1894. Died April the nth, 1894. Age twenty-one years, eight months and seventeen days. Services by

John W. High.

_____

Hoppertown, Mich.

Sister Tinnie Flory departed this life to be with Jesus, April 20, 1894. Sister Flory has been a great sufferer the most of last winter and present spring, until the Lord saw fit to take her home. A few weeks before her death she with her husband gave themselves to God. She had lived two years and a half of happy mar­ried life. She was perfectly resigned to the will of the Lord and talked of her departure with perfect calmness, and gave directions concerning the disposing of her things, and request­ing her companion to meet her in heaven. A few hours before her death all pain and suffering was taken away, and a calm peaceful smile came over her face, which remained there even in death. She leaves a loving companion, father and mother, one sister, and a host of other rela­tives to mourn their loss, which is to her, eternal gain. May God comfort the husband and friends and prepare them to meet with their loved one where they shall never part. The remains were taken to the home of her parents, in the town of Hope, for burial.  

Julia Lawver.

Page 4

ECCLESIASTICAL AMUSEMENTS.

_____

By E. F. Marvin.

[Extract from a 32 page leaflet.]

The church has gone into the amuse­ment business largely. In the days of the primitive simplicity it was thought that the world and Satan had a monopoly in that line. This, however, is ‘an age of progress,’ so called, and the church has entered the market, and is in competition with these great caterers. Indeed, the whole alphabet of amusements, and all the colors of the rainbow are exhausted in these carnal and crazy forms of ecclesias­tical amusement. But such is the contin­ued complaint against “long-faced piety” and the demand for an “attractive relig­ion,” that no one can predict the future career and end of this modern craze. The idea is becoming popular that we cannot attract people to anything serious or ele­vating without the bait of food or fun. The discovery has been made that the church, in order to hold the young people to its altars, must provide for the natural crav­ing for amusements. It used to be held that Jesus and his work furnished ample resources to meet the loftiest aspiration of a saved soul. It was sung —

“Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in thee I find.”

That sort of sentiment is now thought not to be up to the times. Sad as it may ap­pear, judging from the new order of things, Jesus is not equal to the occasion. A lit­tle amusement must be thrown in. In or­der to keep the people from the theatre and opera, our churches must be made in­to semi-theatres and semi-operas; we must play at church. Faith in the gospel as the chief attraction fails; the royal ordinance of preaching retires before the popular ordinance of entertainment. Pagan, papal and patriotic holidays furnish convenient reasons for their unblest practices.

Now I wish to utter some earnest words of testimony to God’s professed people, concerning fairs, festivals, concerts, or­chestras, tableaux amateur, theatricals and variety shows as methods of winning the heart and purse of the world.

1st. As methods of raising money for the Lord these are all contrary to the precepts and examples of his word, and therefore, they cannot please him; they are counter­feit methods of giving, and they cultivate bogus benevolence. On a certain occasion Jesus sat over against the treasury, and be­held how the people cast money into the treasury (Mark 12:41). The motive and manner or giving to the Lord should be regarded as much as the amount given (Matt. 6:1-4). God even curses services of any kind performed in a wrong spirit (Jer. 23:36-40). The simple method of freewill offerings alone is approved, and all other methods are virtually condemned. (Study Ex. 35:5, 21, 29; 2 Cor. 8 and 9; Luke 6:35; and Matt. 10:8). The least de­parture from this is the first step towards all current abominations. One-tenth, or more, cheerfully and directly given was the law of Old Testament stewardship, and it is the privilege of the new These unscriptural methods are often very costly in time and money. What if Moses had instituted a grand carnival or bazaar to draw the surrounding heathen into his camp and get means to build the tabernacle? How would it comport with the character of the early Christians to read in one of Paul’s epistles a suggestion that the saints at Corinth get up some amateur theatri­cals or isthmian games to raise money for the poor saints at Jerusalem? Or an ex­hortation to Lydia to stir up the godly women of Philippi to get up a grand fair, festival, crazy tea, or baby show, with fan­tastically dressed Christian girls and all our latest modern devices? The word of God teaches that giving is an act of wor­ship. Acts 10:4. But these ecclesiastical vanity fairs are scenes of carnal revelry and ungodly mirth.

2d. Their unblest devices are belittling, contemptible, and sometimes positively dishonest. It is almost a shame to even speak of them in detail as they appear in all our newspapers, not unfrequently as the butt of worldly ridicule and contempt. When the churches become ashamed to practice such things and our missionary journals ashamed to tempt the young by advertizing and commending them, we shall be ashamed to mention them. What shall we say, what would the Master say of a bevy of vain and bedizened young ladies, fascinating and cornering suscepti­ble young men, to sell them commodities above value and which they did not want? or a dance gotten up by the “King’s Daughters?” What of the many devices like grab-bag, fish-pond, bean-counting, ring-cake and raffle, involving the gam­bling principle?

3d. Their methods abate and corrupt the spirit of gospel benevolence in the church and bring it under bondage to the world. Instead of “acts of worship” and exer­cises of benevolence they are scenes of car­nal revelry and selfish pleasure. They fos­ter the worldly spirit of self-indulgence instead of the Christian spirit of self-denial, as designed by the institution of alms­giving. They are tricks of traffic with the Lord and devices by which to give him ‘‘what costs us nothing.” They are “giv­ing made easy,” patents for the conven­ience of stingy saints, cloaks for covetousness, anaesthetics for the painless extraction of charitable (?) gifts from ungodly people. Says a pert disciple of this school: “I am not going to give my money unless I get some fun out of it.” Well, if persons can­not be persuaded to give to the Lord, “ho ping for nothing again,” in the spirit of willing and cheerful benevolence, we have the best reason to believe that he does not want them to give at all. Luke 6:35; 2 Cor. 9:7; Matt. 10:8. Perish the Jesuitical principle that “the end sanctifies the means!” Can there be any doubt as to the sin and folly of this double-faced, indirect method of trying to raise money for the Lord’s cause in contrast with the straight­forward, honest appeal to men to give of their substance to him on whom they depend for all things? These methods are especially designed to draw money from the “out-siders” and thus spare the “in­siders;” but we should remember that the world, the flesh and the devil claim a mortgage on all institutions which they help to support. We should not expect Satan to help pay for the weapons with which we assail him. The world expects its stock to vote in a church as well as in a railroad corporation. If we beg of the world to help us to support the church we must al­low the world a measure of control in it, and it will gradually become “a church of the world.” Taxation without representa­tion is tyranny. The early Christians never dreamed of asking the world to support the church. Long before this, Abraham and Zerubbabel had refused such offered aid. Gen. 14:22, 23; Ezra 4:1-3.

4th. Many of these practices are evil in in their desecration of our places of wor­ship, and in degrading them into places of merchandise. Even if we do not re­gard places now as consecrated, like the temple, all agree in. the expediency and importance of hallowed associations. Though there be “no religion in surround­ings,” these are powerful incentives and hindrances to spiritual worship. After the memorable scene of transfiguration, Peter calls the place a “holy mount.” Rever­ence in worship is naturally connected with reverence for the sanctuary of worship. Certainly the spirit of the law in Lev. 19:30: “ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and rev­erence my sanctuary; I am the Lord,” has never been made void. But what undevotional associations must linger on Sun­day in the sanctuary where we lately at­tended a “necktie and apron social,” or saw the Sunday school children play “cock-robin” or “Mother Hubbard,” or where the pastor lately lectured on Jack Horner and Jack Spratt? A pastor used the following language in dedicating his church: “Holiness becometh thy house. Let this church never be desecrated to worldly and secular uses. Let the tables of the money changers and of groveling worldlings never find a place here. Every part is sacredly the Lord’s.” After an en­tertainment in the church, I asked a friend to what the church was dedicated. He replied, “We dedicated it at first to the Lord, but last night we dedicated it to Shakespeare, Dickens and Bret Harte.” The law to tax churches that are used as play and pay houses is just and equal. Our solemn ceremony of dedicating or conse­crating buildings to religious instruction and worship is manifestly a sacred farce if they are to be used as play-houses or club rooms.

Fair and festival, frolics untold,
Are held in the place of prayer;
And maidens bewitching as sirens of old,
With worldly graces rare,
Invent the very cunningest tricks,
Untrammeled by gospel or laws,
To beguile and amuse and win from the world
Some help for the righteous cause.

Christ twice cleansed the temple court of abominations far less offensive than these, and it he were here we may be sure that nothing less severe than a whip of small cords would suffice. If pulpit watchmen would give clear and ringing testimony to to the imminence of the Lord’s coming again, it would startle many a slumbering saint out of these abominations. Matt. 24:42-51.

5th. Amateur dramatics to please the world and put money in the purse of the church, silence the testimony of the pulpit against the stage, and even promote its interests. The theatre has always been a school of immorality, from the time when the Greeks sang and danced around their wine-god Bacchus until now, and these performances are training schools for the play-house. But some one may say: “Sup­pose we should have fearless and faithful pulpit testimony, go out of the show busi­ness, and administer wholesome discipline, according to our standards, who would be left in our churches?” I reply, Christians would be left! And they would be left disencumbered of a great mass of ecclesi­astical worldlings who are falsifying the gospel, caricaturing Christianity, grieving the Savior, hindering the Spirit’s work, and thwarting the endeavors of their unequally yoked Christians. Yes, “lovers of God” would be left when their “lovers of pleas­ures” were gone, and I should expect the grandest revival of salvation ever witness­ed in America! If they do not want to be “tied up,” let them go and take their kitchen annex and club house with them.

6th. Their practices turn the church aside from its legitimate and heavenly cal­ling, and fritter away its spirituality, its time and energies. The church was pur­chased by the blood of Christ for no such secular, trifling or corrupt purpose. Her mission is her commission. The church is not designed to be a bureau of amusements for the world, strew the broadway with flowers, and cheer on the world’s frolic to perdition. It is her mission to save “our young people,” and God does not bless such means, directly or indirectly, to this end. We must not forget that the cross itself, with all that it represents of toil and suffering, attracts heroism. The church tri­umphed when it was the fashion to believe, to love and to suffer; the church has made its grandest conquests when most holy and separate from the world, so that God could work through her and the world could see something to be converted to. Christianity has its repulsions, and the church ought to be holy enough to expel the unholy. Christ knew how to attract and hold, and what is his call? Mark 8:34-38. “We study to please,” is the motto of the stage; but “we study to save,” is the motto of the church. The church is to be a Christ-witnessing, light-bearing, missionary agency. It is a divine propa­ganda, and it has no apology for its exist­ence in any other character. Christ and the apostles never dreamed of making almsgiving, preaching or worship an enter­tainment. The church in its corporate state has but one thing to do.

7th. In fine, these methods of ecclesias­tical amusement and money-making, blight the spiritual life, influence, activity, and usefulness of the church, and promote al­most every species of carnality and world­liness. They open not merely a wide door, but the whole broad side of the church, and invite the world to free and easy fel­lowship; if they will only help to support the church it is both downgrade and broad gauge. In the Holy Spirit and with trum­pet tone, we utter our solemn dec aration and testimony that this new ecclesiastical dispensation of frolicking and mirth is ab­solutely contrary to the truth and Spirit of our holy religion, corrupting to the church, ruinous to the world, and offensive to God. We are purchased, separated, and sent into the world for Christian work, and not play. When we magnify the spirit of play and amusement to please our young people we make them “lovers of pleasure,” but not “lovers of God.” The church is always corrupted when “it pays” to join it. Study such scriptures as Eze. 33; Acts 20; 1 Thess. 5; Titus 2; and Jas. 4; and learn the serious import of this present proba­tion in its relation to eternity. Salvation is not a selfish luxury, but a tremendous trust. It cannot be propagated in fun, av­arice, or ease. Study the lives of Christ and Paul and see if you find in them this “spirit of the times,” this gospel of fun, this “jolly club” business, so regnant in many churches. These lax Veins, this pic­nic religion, this go-as-you-please life, can­not possibly coincide with the religion of Jesus Christ. Most of the play-people of the church have no clear, firm, and influen­tial faith in the creeds to which they have subscribed, and they despise discipline; they propose to make religion attractive, but they most of all make it appear gloomy, by their manifest disrelish tor all spiritual things, lack of the joy of God’s salvation, and their frenzy for worldly pleasure at any price. They constitute no part of the true church, but are merely a dead weight of baptized worldlings. Professing godli­ness and practicing worldliness, they are making more infidels than all our enemies outside of the church. Phil. 8:18, 19. The gospel demands an earnest life. The doc­trine of universal immortality and a con­ditional salvation is the most solemn and tremend ous faith ever conceived. It is the great pending concern of the universe; and if men will not give their money cheer­fully and liberally to this cause, we may fear that they have no part or lot in it.

The gospel presents both the brightest and blackest possible future for humanity — morning and night, love and wrath, punishment everlasting and life eternal. The worldly policy of attracting the world by conformity and fun is of recent origin, but it has been tried long enough to prove a wretched failure. The vast and formal visible church scarcely exerts the strength of her little finger for the world’s conver­sion. Her “mixed multitudes” are “dan­gerously rich,” but she takes to pleasure, and merely plays at missions, giving her shreds and crumbs, which cost her noth­ing. The church has no relative advantage over apostolic times propagation of the gospel. Our modern improvements are just as available to our enemies as to us. It cost the early church something. Self-sacrifice and earnest missionary zeal are just as necessary now as then. In life we are to be neither ascetics nor world­lings. We “rejoice in the Lord always,” but have fellowship with a suffering Sav­ior in his great and self-sacrificing mission. We should be earnest and true even if we sometimes appear blue. We should save many out of the world. If we do not al­ways please worldlings, if we sometimes use vinegar instead of molasses, it is be­cause we deal with bad men and not silly lies. Already have these crooked meth­ods of counterfeit benevolence and carnal pleasures corrupted the church to a fearful extent. Notwithstanding the untold wealth of the church and these novel schemes of extracting it, our boards are almost con­stantly in a state or humiliating debt and mendicancy. While apostolic missions, like those of the “Taylors” are well sup­ported in the apostolic way. Our treas­uries and spirituality must suffer more and more from these ways that are “nigh unto cursing.” The Bible principles and meth­od of giving, for redeemed and consecrat­ed stewards, may be clearly seen. The Pentecostal blessing made money plenty. Acts 2:45. Will churches that have ex­hausted their wits and energies on other methods, now try this? Will the church, for the sake of God and humanity, confess its folly and forsake it, come out from the world and be separate, take on a higher life of piety, cultivate the genuine grace of giving; and give the old gospel a fair trial in God’s appointed way? Probably if all Christians who are “exercised” in con­science about this matter, had the courage to act out their convictions, this great evil would soon be abated or entirely removed, and we should have a better church and a better world. Let us do it.

NOTE.

The above is copied from the Union Signal. The writer shows very truthfully the extent to which the principles of a so-called Christianity now combine with the world. But while calling such a worldly profession the church, he only shows that he himself still lingers in the fogs of Spiritual Babylon, not discerning the real body of Christ, which on­ly is the church. Let all who hear the voice from heaven, “Come out of her, my people,” Rev 18:4, hasten to escape out of the midst of Babylon, “that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” V. 4 and 5. Christ is gathering out bis elect, and preparing his bride (church) for his coming. Amen.

==========

THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.

Psa. 119:129.

_____

Hessel, Mich.

Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel led to write my testimony to glorify the name of our blessed Savior. I was brought low at death’s door, but through the laying on of hands the Lord brought me back to health once more. Praise his holy name! Your brother, saved and kept by the mighty power of God,

G. A. Robinson.

_____

Summer City, Tenn.

Dears Saints: l truly feel thankful to God that he has spared my life to enjoy this privilege of writing my testimony through the columns of the TRUMPET. Blessed be God! I am still trusting in Jesus, and through him I am able to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testi­mony. His praise shall be the fruit of my lips continually. Oh how I praise him that he ever saved my soul from the awful works of bondage.

I am saved from all sin and kept by the power of God, and am praising him for his love. Pray for me, all the saints of the Lord, that I may keep humble. Pray for my family. Your sister in Christ,

S. C. Mansfield.

_____

Brownstown, Ill.

Dear Saints of God: I want to testify through the TRUMPET to the glory of God that these are the best and brightest days of all my life. I do thank the dear Lord that I am in the evening light of the gospel, and that I am free from all creeds and divisions. Jesus saves and sanctifies me, and keeps me by his power. I never had the assurance that I was in the order of the dear Lord like I have at the present. Praise his holy name! Oh how he blesses my soul and fills me with his Spirit. I have lots of trials and some persecutions, but the dear Lord gives me complete victory over them. Dear ones, pray earnestly for us at this place, and that the work here may be built up. Your brother justifi­ed and sanctified,

Samuel Rice.

_____

Bloomingdale Mich.

Dear Saints of God: I feel that it will be to the glory of God to add my testimony with the rest of God’s little ones. This leaves me saved and sanctified, and willing to do the whole will of God. I saw in the TRUMPET a number of requests for prayer that different ones may be cleansed from the appetite of tobacco, and I feel that it will be to the glory of God for me to tell my experience with tobacco.

I used tobacco over 27 years, and about 15 or 16 years of that time I belonged to the M. E. sect. Some­times I felt that I might spend my money in a better way, but the devil had me blinded and although I search­ed the scripture I could not, in my blinded condition, rind anything that condemned the use of tobacco. About three years ago I began to go to the saints’ meetings, and I saw the brothers greet each other with a holy kiss, and I saw by the word of God that it was right. One day I was in the woods working alone, and was thinking of the word of God, and of God’s people, and I thought about them greeting with a holy kiss, and then the thought came to me that Christ and his disciples must have greet­ed with a kiss, and because it was the custom with them, Judas betrayed Je­sus with a kiss. Then the thought came to me, what would Christ say if one of his disciples should kiss him, with a chew of tobacco in his mouth? At that moment I heard, or seemed to hear, a voice say, “For Christ’s sake throw it away.” Praise the Lord, it went. I had a chew of tobacco in my mouth at the time. The instant I heard the voice, I threw the tobacco, and said “Any thing, oh Lord, even Though it kill me. Well the Lore took away the appetite, and filled me with praises to him; and I can truly say that I have had no desire for it in any way since, but it has been disgust­ing to me. I just give God all the glory, for I know that I never could have quit in my own strength. My willingness to give it up for Christ’s sake, and obedience to his will, is why the Lord blessed me so wonderfully. I cannot praise God enough for what he has done for me. And to those poor souls that are bound down by tobacco or any other habit, I would say, Go to Jesus. Jesus Christ came on earth to set the captive free, and whom the Son maketh free is free in­deed. Praise the Lord! I know that I am free in Christ. Pray for all the little ones at this place. Your broth­er in Christ,

Chas. Wraight.

_____

Tullahoma, Tenn.

Dear Saints of God: This morn­ing finds me saved and sanctified, and ready to do the will of the Lord. I care not for the pleasures of this world. My thoughts are centered above. When I was a small girl I was very unruly and did many bad things. I had four brothers; then the Lord sent me a little sister whom I loved dearly, in fact I worshipped her. She was my idol, while the good Lord in his mercy was continually chastening me of my erring way. So at last he laid the hand of affliction upon my dear sister, and from that moment I was convinced that the Lord was going to take away my dear sister to teach me a lesson. It was then I be­gan to mourn deeply for my past life. Well she only lived one week and then passed to her heavenly home, and while her body was yet with us, one dear brother was badly afflicted. It was then I could not hold out any longer; it seemed that the good Lord would take him too, and while my father paced to and fro across the floor, I followed his steps. He turned to me and said, “Nan, what do you want?” But I was too full to tell him my determination, but it was to begin from that hour to serve my Lord. And it was then I asked him to spare my brother. And then every morn­ing when my work was done, I would take my hymn book and Testament and go to a certain place to worship the Lord. It was there and then the good Lord blessed me, and he spared my brother. Bless his dear name! Well, they all soon began to notice that I was a changed child, and would say, Now if you want to live a Chris­tian you must join some church; you cannot live it outside of the church; they will be so much strength to you. But I could not see where I belonged (did not know that I was in God’s church). Well I lived in this way until I was about eighteen years of age, when there was a large revival going on at the Baptist meeting house where my parents belonged. It was there and then that I gave my hand to the Baptist sect, but my Bible nev­er was the same to me as it was be­fore. I lived and up and down life until about a year ago, when dear Bro’s Lundy and Carter came here and preached the whole word. I thought at first they hit me too hard, but as I was seeking after the truth I soon became convinced that I was wrong, and was willing to accept the truth. Praise the dear Lord forever! Now I was very much afflicted in nu­merous ways; I had weakness so bad that I could scarcely do anything, and dyspepsia so bad that I kept a chunk of magnesia lying on the stand by my bedside, to keep my stomach sweet or I could not sleep at night. And I suffered much with canker sore mouth, and neuralgia. In fact I was generally debilitated, for which I applied to the great Physician who healeth all of our diseases. We obeyed James 5:14, 15, and left it in the hands of the Lord. I believed that he would heal me; and bless the Lord, I have no canker sore mouth, dyspepsia or neuralgia, and am quite stout in every way. I had not done my washing for three years, and now I am doing my own washing. I give God all of the glory, and my family all trust him for their physician. Your sister, saved and sanctified,

Nancy Jellis.