30 January 1896, Volume 16, Number 5.
TRUSTING IN JESUS.
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“Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus!
Just to take him at his word,”
Just to follow his example,
Giving heed to all we’ve heard.
Trusting him he’ll ever keep us;
And in all we say and do,
Guard our thoughts and every action,
And will keep us ever true.
Trusting him he’ll keep us humble,
Ever grateful for all things.
Keep us with a prayerful spirit, —
Oh what peace and joy it brings!
And though trials gather round us,
We can look to God in prayer,
He who causeth us to triumph,
Making everything so fair.
Oh then may our heavenly Father
Keep his children everywhere,
Standing on his precious promise.
Trusting all things in his care.
May he also truly keep us
All united in his love,
Being of one mind and spirit,
Proving all his holy Word.
— Mrs. Minnie Byrum.
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Brotherly Kindness.
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“A NEW commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you. that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:34, 35.
In the above scripture we see that our Lord taught his disciples to love one another, which love should be the telling evidence to the world that they were his disciples. It was the evidence in the morning; it must also be the evidence in this evening time. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” — Jno. 15:12-14.
What brings us into friendship with Jesus? Ans. Obedience to his word. We find that obedience is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams. 1 Sam. 15:22. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen; to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free; and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” — Isaiah 58:6, 7.
Now brethren, you can see that we who are Christ’s, are of his flesh, and of his bones. Therefore let us look well to it, that we see to the welfare of our brethren. I tear this love is not shown forth among the professed saints of God, to the extent that Jesus taught it should be. Is our love so great for our brethren, that we would lay down our lives for them? Oh my God, may there be a great awakening to the teaching of the holy Word, and a sinking down in obedience thereto, that thy saints may thoroughly fulfill thy holy will on earth as it is in heaven. May this year be the time that the saints may seek the old paths and walk therein, that the world may know of a truth that God has a people whom he delighteth in.
My brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. What does the Holy Ghost say? “But whoso hath this world’s goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 Jno. 3:17, 18. Here is the secret of the whole matter. Our works must prove us. Our profession is naught except it be proven by our works. I trust this will awaken the saints of God to a living sense of duty. We have been led of the Lord to write these few lines. To him be all the glory. Amen. Your brother fully saved, and all on the altar for God,
E. H. Stratton.
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Christ our Love.
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AN Arab wanderer once found a spring of pure, delicious water. It was so good that he could think of no one so worthy to receive it as his chief. So he filled his leather flask and started across the desert to the court of his master. He entered his presence and laid the bottle at his feet, telling him how pure was the mountain stream where he found it, and how far he had gladly carried it for him. The chief tasted it and thanked him for his kindness, expressing his appreciation and delight, and sending him away loaded with presents and marks of his favor. After the stranger had gone, the princes around him asked that they might taste the wonderful water. The chief handed it to them, but as they tasted it they could not express sufficiently their disgust and surprise at his conduct. The water had been carried so far over the burning desert that it had become foul and offensive. “Yes, but,” said the king, “there was something in it that made it taste very sweet to me.” “What was that?” they asked. “It was Love.”
And so our poor service is often like the Arab’s gift, unworthy of so great and pure a Master, and even angels might not be able to accept them. But if they have the taste of love, they are a sacrifice of sweet smelling savor in his presence. Simon Peter could not be trusted to feed his sheep and lambs until he could answer: “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”
After the last of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor. 12, the apostle tells us in the thirteenth chapter that love is greater than all, and that without love all is empty and vain. Power without love is harsh and cold, and pity without love is Phariseeism. The secret that wins souls is love. The power that conquers enemies is love. The weapon that Satan cannot meet is love. The essence of God and the element of heaven is love.
How shall we have this love? “As I have loved you, so love one another.” But how can we love? “Herein is our love made perfect, because as he is so are we in this world.” We must have him in us, and he must be our love, dwelling in us, living in us, loving in us, even as he is.
Selected by E. L. Keck.
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An Alarm Given.
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“STRIVE to enter in at the straight gate, for many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able.” — Luke 13:24. “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain.” — Joel 2:1.
We will now speak of a few points where God wants an alarm given. First, we will notice this class: souls that have lost ground and got under the influence of the evil one, and some even possessed with evil spirits, and then wake up to see their condition, and try to repent; and they so far as to make confession both private and public: but failed to resist and renounce the devil as demanded of them, and failed to get decided against him and his works, therefore failed to get deliverance. I have seen numbers of such cases in the last year, and it is a sad affair. Something must be done; such work is going on to an alarming extent. And as God’s holy ones, we must stir ourselves that the transparency of the pure bride may be preserved. For you know a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have labored with numbers at the altar that would seem to almost get clear, but failed to take a decided stand against the devil as they should, and soon they were in a worse condition than before.
My heart has been pained at such things. As I have cried unto God to know what to do, then this would come to me: If I could get them decided for God and against the devils then there would be hopes of their deliverance. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” — Joel 3:14. “Why halt ye between two opinions? If God be God, serve him; but if Baal, then serve him.” Sometimes people have to make their decision in the darkest hour, but when it is made and made on the Lord’s side, light is sure to spring in! Our contract must be made solid between us and God before he will put his seal upon it. There must be eternal trueness in the heart to either get or retain any of God’s blessings. Some poor souls have gotten into such a habit of joking and jesting that they think they can joke with God. But what a sad mistake! “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Remember this is the dearest contract of our lives, between God and our own souls. Heaven is in it if it is kept; everlasting destruction if it is broken. Our eternal destiny hangs upon our trueness and loyalty to God. If we are decided to be true to him, heaven is our home; but if not, we seal our own doom.
I will now touch on another point. Souls that have been under the influence or affected by false doctrine brought in by tradition or any other way; getting transformed light on the Word; in short, the devil interpreting scripture to them, and such has brought them into a league with the devil. What is to be done in such cases? Just the same as in the former. First, the heresy must be exposed and renounced, then the devil rebuked and a decision taken against him for God. Yes, get decided against all that God knows is of the devil, and for all that is of God. As soon as you know you are set free from the powers of the enemy, repent of your sins at once and trust the dear Savior to forgive you; and as soon as God leads, go right on and “present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:1, 2. Get filled with the Holy Spirit as soon as possible, so the devil cannot have a chance to come back and possess the temple. You know the temple that was empty, swept and garnished, the devil did not only come in himself, but went and got seven other spirits worse than he, and they all entered in, and the last state of that man was worse than the first. Poor sinners that have never had salvation must first give the devil up, and his works, take a stand against him, God being their helper; then they can repent and accept Christ as their Savior. Now a word to the holy ministry. Will we as God’s true workers in this present evening light be true to the souls of men and hold them right to the truth? Like Josiah of old. 2 Chron. 34:31, 32. And don’t let them go till they make their covenant with God so strong that God will come and witness to the same. “Upon all the glory shall be a defence,” and we have no right to tell souls they are all right until their faith can take Christ for what they need. I do feel that we as workers together with God in this last reformation are largely responsible in this matter. Will we do what we can, as means in the hands of God in bringing forth his pure bride without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, by laying judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, so that the hail may sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water may overflow the hiding places? “Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” — Isa. 1:27. We as God’s ministers must move up and get an increase of discernment, so we can discern the condition of poor souls, and in doing so be the means of helping them get delivered from the snare of the devil. Speak to the people that they move forward.
Mary Cole.
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TESTIMONIES.
“Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” – Psa. 119:129.
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Danville, Ind.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel it would be to the glory of God to write my testimony and tell what wonderful things the Lord has done for me. Praise his name! He forgave all my sins and saved me from a burning hell, and keeps me free from sin, and sanctifies me wholly to do his whole will. He heals my body and gives me strength to work in my old days. I had been so deaf for several years that I could hear scarcely anything, but the Lord’s little ones anointed me and in the name of Jesus called on the Lord in mighty faith, and he heard our prayers. Praise the Lord, he heard our prayers and quickly sent the answer and unstopped my deaf ears, and praise the Lord, I can sit and talk with the dear ones and hear a common conversation. And I believe that I will hear still better. Oh I do thank and praise the dear Lord for his many blessings to us. Pray for me than I may ever be found faithful, may ever be kept pure and free from all sin. Yours in the one body,
Martha L. Walker.
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Michigan City, Ind.
Dear Saints of God: I feel it would be to the glory of God for me to write my testimony. I was saved at the Grand Junction camp meeting last spring, and have felt for some time that I ought to tell of God’s goodness to me. When I went to camp meeting I did not believe there was a God. Not long after arriving at the meetings I accepted and believed, and now I am taking God for everything. This morning I accidentally spilled some boiling water over my left hand, and I prayed God to heal and take the pain away, and he did. My little boy had a chronic sore eye and I asked the dear saints at the Trumpet office to pray for it, and God has taken it away. I also ask them to pray for my husband, that God would take the appetite for tobacco away from him, and he answered our prayers. We are on the forward move for God and wish to do all we can for his glory. I asked some of the dear saints to pray for the healing of my body, but have not received the healing yet, although I am better. Dear saints of God, please pray that my faith may be strengthened and that I may be healed, also that my life may be used for the honor and glory of God.
God’s messengers, or any of his children passing through this city will be gladly welcomed at 810 Tennessee St. Yours in the one body, all on the altar for God,
Florence E. Drake.
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Spokane, Wash.
Dear Saints of the Living God: I feel that God wants me to testify through the Trumpet. Praise God! I do realize what a blessed comfort it is to have the assurance that I stand redeemed before God.
I feel like giving a word of warning to all those who feel that God has called them in the gospel work, and are refusing and excusing theirselves in any way. Oh what bitter sorrow I have suffered in the past few months in refusing to give up all and follow the voice of God, which I have felt calling me into the work for the past fifteen years! I have intended all these years some time in the future to obey the call, but for various reasons have kept putting it off. Dear ones, when God calls he means just now; but the enemy of our souls would have us put it off. This putting off our duties which God makes known to us though they be ever so small is all the work of the devil. After the meetings commenced last summer in Spokane, and Bro’s Byers and Byrum had given us the straight word of God, the words of God came to me very plain, saying, “Go ye out and labor for perishing souls.” but I told my wife that I could not go until we had proved up on our homestead, which would, take another year: Oh I never shall forget how she looked me in the face and said, “Henry, you remember what I say; I feel unless you obey God right now and not put it off any longer, that something dreadful will happen to our family.” But I told her that it was all imagination. Oh what heart pains and sorrows I have suffered for not heeding her warnings! For it was only a few days after she made this remark that she lay upon her dying bed and looked me in the face with that same fond look and said, “Henry, now will you obey the call of God?” I promised her I would; then after the Lord had taken her to himself, I still put off going into the work, and in a very few days I was called to the dying bedside of my only daughter; and as she lay praising God, she called me to her side and said, “Now Pa, will you promise me before I die that you will go and preach the gospel?”
Oh dear ones, who feel that God is calling you, no matter what the call may be, do for Jesus’ sake and for the sake of your own souls, and for the sake of perishing souls, obey the call. Remember that if you are trying to gain wealth, or if your home ties seem to hold you back from doing the whole will of God, your wealth can soon be scattered, and your family in a very short time can all be taken from you, and God may use this very means, as he undoubtedly has in my case, to melt your heart and your will, and to make you submissive in his hands. Remember when God speaks he means what he says, and if he does not use this means it may be at the peril of your soul. Dear ones, do let me urge upon you once more to obey the voice of God at the very moment he speaks. Yours in Christ, settled down through many sorrows to do the whole will of God,
H. Wilder.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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J. L. Green, Oliver Agee, Jud Wilber, J. J. Shoup. Philander Hart, Thos. Sinex, S. W. Hereld, D. J. Stow.
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Are you right with God? if not, how will it be with your soul should death overtake you to day?
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God is calling for more laborers in his harvest, to rescue perishing souls. Will you let him send you? or will you sit idly by upon the stool of do-nothing and let souls go to ruin without offering any assistance?
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There are many going forth trying to work for God, whom he never sent. They mistook their call to get right with God. as a call to preach, and by neglecting the first principles, or failing to get in favor with God where his will could be made known, went forth and instead of being a blessing to the cause of Christ was a curse to it. God wants workers, but he wants to qualify them before sending them forth.
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Heaven is a place for the pure in heart.
No unrighteous people can enter there.
No holiness fighter will enjoy its blessings.
No opposer of divine healing will be found there.
Those who reject the word of God have no part nor lot there.
None can enter its portals who are not free from sin.
Heaven is for all who will turn from their sins and serve the Lord in the “beauty of holiness.”
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When a false spirit is exposed according to the word of God, a good way for others to become tainted and brought under the influence of the same, is for them to begin to sympathize with such a spirit instead of taking a stand against it. In order to take a stand against such a spirit, it is not necessary to misuse the person possessed, in the least, but while all love and kindness is shown, a vehement stand must be taken against all false spirits.
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We are glad to report that enough money has been sent in to pay the note due on the camp ground. May God bless and reward the dear ones who aided in the payment of the same. If any over the amount is sent in it will be applied on the next payment which will be due a few months later.
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The book entitled “Salvation, Present, Perfect, Now, or Never,” by D. S. Warner, has just been shipped to the bindery to be bound in cloth, and will be ready to send out in a few days. The book will be well bound, neat and attractive as well as instructive to the reader and edifying to the soul. An extra portrait of the author printed on heavy paper will be sent with each cloth book. 112 pages. Price, cloth, 35 cts. Per doz. $3.00. We bind the paper edition at our office, in a neat paper cover. Price 15 cts. Per doz. $1.44. The book entitled “The Secret of Salvation, — How to get it. And how to keep it,” by E. E. Byrum, containing 108 chapters, will probably be completed in about two months.
Requests For Prayer.
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Mattie Arell, Cnina, Howell Co., Mo.
Wilson W. Conway, Adville, Blount Co., Ala.
Geo. W. Massey, Glen Dale, Daviess Co., Ind.
J. A. Pratt, Wamie. — Healing of neuralgia.
David Shoffner, Roanoke. — Bleeding of the lungs.
Henry Thornton, Benton Harbor, Mich. — An able minister needed.
Wm. R. Larabee, Shelby. — Healing of fourteen-year-old daughter, of piles.
Levi McKee, Victoria, Jefferson Co.. Mo. — Some one with healing power wanted.
Mrs. Hulda McLain, China. — For her husband and three boys who are perfect slaves to tobacco.
Mrs. Hattie Zimmerman, Fall City. — That she be restored to God. And for her husband, that he may be saved.
Sister E. B.. Place and M. H Maxwell, Atchison. — Healing of body of different afflictions. And for G. M. Place. — Fractured arm. Also for Jessie M. Landis. — Heart trouble, and for sanctification.
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Calls For Meeting.
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J. A. Evans, Milburn, Tex.
M. Skinner, West Point, Ky. — Meeting wanted soon
Sarah M. Cleveland, Hartford, Minn. — I am hungry to hear the truth preached.
S. Sinclair, Hooser, Kan. — Wants some one to come to Lodi, Cowley Co., Kan. and hold meeting.
Mrs. Arthur Holmes, Pleasant Plains, Ill. — Some one with gifts of healing desired.
A. A. Welch, Cottage 14, Soldier’s Home, Grand Island, Neb. — Some one wanted to hold a meeting a week or ten days.
Mrs. Sarah J. Baker, Fabins, Mich. — We want some one to come here to help in the work of the Lord — meeting house ready.
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QUESTIONS.
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Would you kindly explain through the Trumpet what the feasts of charity were that Jude speaks about in the twelfth verse?
A. W.
“Feast of charity” is an apostolical name for a real spiritual prayer and testimony meeting. The spots he speaks of in those feasts of charity were crooked professors; whose presence hindered the spirituality of the meeting because of the works of darkness in them.
Is it right to have an organ, or other instrumental music in church services?
No. Jesus never introduced instrumental music into the worship of Christians. And the burden of the evening light is to bring the worship of God in every particular back to the standard Jesus lifted up. Appeals are often made by those who would justify the use of instruments in public to the various texts throughout the Old Testament, which speaks of the Jews worshiping God on various kinds of musical instruments. But let it be remembered, that although the Jews worshiped God upon instruments, such worship was no part of the original Levitical worship, and was not commanded by Moses. Hence it appears that instrumental music in the Old as well as the New Testament, does not properly belong to the public worship of God. We believe musical instruments are all right in their place, but their place is outside of the public worship of the saints.
Will you explain Mat. 12:40? If Christ was crucified on Friday, Mark 15:42. and arose early the first day of the week, Mark 16:9. how could Jesus have been three days and three nights in the grave?
This expression is an English translation of a Greek idiom; and does not convey the same thought when translated into other languages that it does in Greek. It meant simply approximately three days as the texts cited above positively prove. Since Jesus was buried on Friday and arose on the Sabbath, counting both the day of burial and the day of resurrect on, we have, approximately speaking, three days for his stay in the tomb.
Many similar expressions occur in the New Testament which if they were read in the Greek language would appear more sensible. For instance, in Mark 6:2, we read, “After six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John,” etc., in Luke 9:28, we have the expression “eight days after” applied to the
same period of time. They are both idiomatic expressions that signify a week. “Eight days after” meant a week counting a Sabbath at both ends. “After six days” meant a week counting a Sabbath at neither end. One of the above idioms is used in Jno. 20:26, to signify a week. If we consider that Jesus was speaking of his entombment as the antitype of Jonah’s stay in the whale’s belly, we can easily see why he worded the idiom of Matt. 12:40 as he did.
Ques. 1. What is the kingdom of heaven?
Q 2. When was it instituted?
Q. 3. By whom was it established?
Q 4. What are its constituents?
Q. 5. What is the church of Christ?
Q. 6. When organized or set up?
Q. 7. By whom was it instituted?
Q. 8. Who are its members?
Q. 9. Is there any difference between the kingdom and church?
Q 10. What is the meaning of the Greek word “Ecclesia?”
W. D. K.
Ans. to 1 st. The church of God. Its elements are righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, etc. Rom. 14:17.
Ans. to 2d. From about a. d. 26- 30.
Ans. to 3d. By God, through his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Ans. to 4th. All truly saved people and all the elements of Christianity.
Ans. to 5th. The body of Christ. Eph. 1:22, 23. Col. 1:24, 18.
Ans. to 6th. Same as second. Matt. 16:18. Acts 2:1.
Ans. to 7th. Same as third.
Ans. to 8th. All those who are born of the Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13. Jno. 3:3. Whole family in heaven and earth. Eph. 3:15.
Ans. to 9th. No.
Ans. to 10th. This word was used by the Greeks to designate an assembly of citizens regularly summoned. For instance, their legislative assembly. In the New Testament used in a universal sense it signifies the general body of believers or saints. Used in a local sense it signifies a congregation composed of all the saints in any particular locality.
W. G. Schell
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SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.
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There does not seem to be sufficient earnestness on the part of professed followers of the Lord Jesus to study the word of God. I have felt like saying to the dear ones and especially to those who do not have much preaching; if you would study the Word as we have at North Eagle for the two last years, it would be a great benefit to all. We have the book on “Holiness Bible Subjects.” One of our number would take this book; the rest took their Bibles and Testaments and read in turn the scriptures that were given out. This was a help to the young to more readily turn to the different books and chapters in the Bible. Surely we are all in the school of Christ, and we ought to be faithful students.
This manner of searching the scriptures has proved a great benefit to us all. Then we read the Trumpet, and other good books we have and ought not neglect.
Surely God is leading his hosts. If we would see the body of Christ, and know our place within it, we must know what God has said about it. I can see no excuse for not knowing. We have the word of God read and explained to us so faithfully. And the church has never had in all its history, the thorough, stirring Holy Ghost literature that it has at the present day. If we have been converted to God, we have to his word. When we see how God is taking away so many of the dear faithful ones, we should walk before him in all the faithfulness and obedience he requires. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” How essential that we have a practical knowledge of the word of God within us! And with the true humility of Christ we shall have the faith that is needed, and grace to perform the duties that are resting upon us.
Julia M. Cheeseman.
WALK IN THE LIGHT.
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“The people that walked tn darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Isa. 9:2. Praise God for this great light that goes before us as did the pillar of fire before the Israelites, that we need not walk in darkness. We find a beautiful lesson in the 14th of Exodus when Moses led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. When they came even to the Red Sea, they were encompassed on every side. The sea before them, and the enemy in the rear. They could see no way of escape. But what was the command? Go forward! And by the obedience of Moses, through faith, the enemy was defeated and God’s name magnified.
As God is leading his people in these last days by his word illuminated by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, we, as people of God cannot fold our hands and sit down because we are saved. Time is short. The enemy is on every side. A voice is heard throughout the church of God in thundering tones. GO FORWARD! Will we obey God? The first step to be taken on this line is a sinking down into the very dust of humility where self is forever killed out, and Christ is first and last. Unless we are in this condition we need not expect God to trust us with the wonderful things of his storehouse. Oh, let us begin right on this line! “Take root downward and bear fruit upward,” that there may be no failure. Then all the land we put our foot upon will be ours. Then shall we sing the sung of Moses, “The Lord hath triumphed gloriously.” “Arise, shine; for thy light has come.”
Praise God for this evening light that shall shine forth as the morning! The light which shall lead us farther and farther away from this world and launch us out into the great deep of God. As we realize the awful fact that we are living upon the very verge of eternity and God is moving rapidly, we must also advance or we will be left behind. “The King’s business demands haste.” But let us be sure we only move as God moves. Many are looking forward that the church will soon reach the apostolic standard. We believe this must be. The church must be restored to her primitive condition before the end. God not only wants the church to advance in one, but all the gifts and graces. His ways are equal. Oh may we contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. When we shall have reached the apostolic standard, will not the same persecutions follow? Does our consecration reach the point? Oh Jesus, help that this advancement begin in each individual heart.
I praise God for a real settling down in my soul, “choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” God is stirring my soul to be up and doing the work whereunto he hath called me. Let us rally round the standard and push the battle to the gate. “When the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Oh may God give us deep humility and much heavenly wisdom, “that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Your sister all the Lord’s,
Lucy M. Lewis.
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MY EXPERIENCE.
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Humboldt, Kan.
When about nineteen years of age I joined the U. B. Sect, lived an and down life for ten years, never understood God’s will or ways. Was sick a great deal, and when near death’s door I promised God if he would spare my life I would live better, by his help. God spared my life. Soon a minister came into the neighborhood and preached sanctification. I cleared up in justification, then consecrated and was sanctified. Then the Holy Ghost began to teach me. Soon my heart and mind were led out on the line of healing. I never had heard a sermon on it; did not know there was such a thing as the gifts. Space will not permit me to tell how God led me out on the line of healing. Then in a few months the Lord began to show me to leave the sect. I had never heard a word on the true church or Babylon. I took it to God in earnest prayer and God showed me to come out, and I obeyed the call.
God also gave the call to work for souls. I knew the call; I understood the Shepherd’s voice, although many times others have tried to convince me I was mistaken in the call. At one time when one was trying to talk me out of obeying, I went to the Word for consolation, opened the book, and my eyes fell on these words: “Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:17. At another time the opposition became so strong I began to think perhaps God was through with me, and would let me stay at home and put in all my time training my own children. So I prayed and wept and wrestled with God till way in the night, but he did not take back the call; and in the night he showed me a dream, and showed me that I should obey him in working for souls.
At another time when others were trying to convince me I was wrong, I again thought, “Well, now perhaps God will not want me to go any more; so now, Lord, will you let me off with what I have done? you see the persecution; you know I have a family; now Lord, will you let me stay at home and teach and train my own? Surely that will be enough for me to do.” I wept and begged of God to excuse me, but the Lord knew I loved him and he knew it was through opposition that I was in such a strait. So again after I fell asleep he gave me another vision and showed me that I must the seed.
Then in a short time after I was led to visit a young man who had consumption. I went and talked and prayed with him till God saved him. He took up family prayers and lived for God three weeks, when God called him home. Then when I stood by his dying bed, saw him rejoice; and when past speaking he smiled and pointed upwards. Oh how I felt! I went into a room and wept tears for ever asking God to take the call front me; for had he done so this soul would have been lost and required at my hands.
Well I obeyed God, when last spring the devil turned on me again. Some that had fallen and other sinners told some things, and some of the saved ones believed them, and thought perhaps it was my own ideas instead of God’s leading. Well I let that hurt me and concluded I would quit the work. How I suffered! But at last I concluded to go into a business to make money. Of course it suited the majority of the people, but I soon lost all burden for souls, and God showed me that a soldier should not be entangled with the affairs of this life. My health began to fail. I consecrated to God again, but I took down very sick. And alter passing through severe afflictions I have promised trueness to God and souls.
Now dear ones, keep hands off the ark; do not interfere with God’s work. God says. “Judge not from outward appearance, but judge righteous judgement.” I have been feeling for some time that there is much in the near future for God’s children to learn and do, especially on the line of healing and miracles; and we must walk in the light and let nothing impede our progress. Sometimes the way seems hedged up through others, but I expect to pray and trust my way through. I find to obey is better than sacrifice. Your sister consecrated to God,
Sallie Rogers.
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News from the Field
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McKinley, Oklahoma, Jan. 17.
Dear Trumpet Readers: We are praising God for salvation that saves from all sin, and for real sweeping victory over all the powers of the enemy. We commenced meeting at Lone Oak school house, five miles south-west of Cushing, Dec. 21, ’95. Held meeting over two weeks with victory for the Lord. Closed with a precious ordinance meeting at Bro. Teter’s. Seven followed the Lord in the ordinance of baptism. From there we came to McKinley, the 7th of Jan., found the little ones at this place divided. The devil having brought in divisions and heresies. The word of God went forth and they saw their condition and were willing to measure to the word of God. The Lord has taught us many precious lessons on standing on the Word. There were also several cases of healing in answer to prayer. The Lord willing, we expect to commence meeting at Telaro school house the 21st. Anyone desiring meetings address us at Lima, Okla., as that will be our P. O. until further notice. We earnestly ask you all to pray for us. Yours in the one body,
Hattie A. and C. A. Walker, and S. N. Jones.
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Thornport, O., Jan. 24.
Beloved Brethren: We are here in the battle with Christ the captain of our salvation at the head. We have perfect and complete victory over Satan and all the powers that oppose. After our report from Foraker, O. one more was sanctified there We left there for this place, and began meeting here the 16th. Were shut out of the school house last Sunday night. Since then have held meeting in private houses with good results and a few souls have been saved. To God be all the glory. We expect to hold a few meetings in Thornsville. O. and then go to Sidney, O. We praise God that he is giving us an increase in our souls, and we ask all who can to be agreed with us for the whole will of God in our case. Our souls are on a stretch for the apostolic faith and power, and we are willing to pay the apostolic price. Dearly beloved, it is an undeniable fact that there has been some compromise in the church concerning the gifts of the Spirit, and especially the gifts of healing (see 1 cor. 12.), and 1 feel stirred in my soul to be more definite and more radical in the future on the line of these gifts, viz., healing, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, working miracles and speaking with tongues, etc. I do not intend to allow the devil to have me stretch myself beyond my measure, but the reality of Heb. 2:4, and Mark 16:20, is what my soul longs for, and I pray God to bring it to pass. Amen. Yours for a forward move in God’s order. Pray for us.
J. N AND M. J. HOWARD.
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Aurora, Mo., Jan. 20.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I am praising God for full and free salvation that keeps from all sin and that prepares us to serve him. Well dear ones, I am here in the name of Jesus holding meetings in this town, and the Lord is blessing his word here. This is a town of about 4000 inhabitants, and there is room — for a great work to be done here, as the most of this town are laboring people, and of the best morals I ever saw about a mining town. Now dear ones, God has shown me some of his means can be used here in spreading the truth. There could thousands of Trumpets and tracts be used here to a great advantage, also some means to rent houses and furnish fuel and lights in different parts of the town. May God help every one that reads this to ask God to show you what he would have you to do. If any feel send money to the Trumpet office and have them to forward us tracts and Trumpets, as God may lead; or you wish to send means here to help open up the work you can send it here direct to me or Bro. Samuel God’s cause be used to advance God’s cause here. We are now behind some at the Trumpet Office and as they have a heavy burden to supply so many free tracts and papers, dear saints, consider this matter for eternity. There are calls in the country for some meetings. There are several months work before me; and any of the workers passing through, would like for you to stop and give us a call. We are living on Springfield St., south part of town. We are poor but ready to do all we can for God’s cause. There will be meeting in some part of town nearly all the time. Any one led to stop with us, drop us a card and some one will meet you at the train.
We are praising God that he is at work in this place at the present time. Some souls have been delivered from sin and sectism. The Protestant Methodist sect has opened their hous to us for meeting. There is good attendance. It is in what they call the Gulerner mines. Let them that cannot help with their means be agreed with us that God will save many souls here. Oh I do see the need of consecrated means for the advancement of God’s cause and workers. May God bless all his little ones. Your brother sanctified and satisfied,
W. M. Wilson.
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Tekoa, Wash., Jan. 14.
Dear Ones Scattered Abroad: After the assembly meeting that was held at the Saints’ Home, we came to Clear Creek school house and held a two weeks meeting in which God was with us in power. Several cases of healing; and several were convinced of the truth, but did not have the courage to take a bold stand for God and get saved. One man that was almost deaf wanted to be healed, but not bad enough to give up sin. I praise God that healing is the children’s bread. The church at this place was greatly strengthened and some got spiritual advancement.
We had some trouble at this place caused by a false teacher by the name of Pickle (the most of the brethren that live near the Saints’ Home are acquainted with him). He goes from house to house and tries to lead astray whomsoever he can, teaching his Advent doctrine. He stood right up in our meeting and began to contradict what we had been teaching. The Lord put it on us to stop him doing his false teaching in our meeting, which we did in the name of the Lord. We warn all the brethren against him, for truly he is a false teacher; and pray God to show him his error and save his soul.
After the close of this meeting we came to Cabbage Flat and got permission to hold meeting in the M. E. meeting house, which lasted two weeks and four days; in which six souls were saved and two sanctified. The last night of the meeting five were saved and one renounced sectism, all of one family, the parents and four children all at the same altar and at the same time. We were reminded of Job’s time, when the son’s of God came together to worship, Satan came also. Three young men came to the altar pretending to want to get saved, thinking to fool God’s people like they do sectarians; but scriptural discernment was more than a match for the devil. They were questioned so close that they were anxious to get away from the altar. So their intentions were brought to light and they were publicly exposed right there. I no not think they, or any one else in this neighborhood, will ever try to fool any of God’s people again. Praise God for spiritual discernment! Our testimony is we are saved, sanctified, satisfied, healed, and kept by the power of God. Amen.
O. A. Chapman and Co.
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Cochranton, Ohio, Jan. 20.
Dear Brethren, Greeting: Since our last report, we are glad to say that we have been able to have and keep the perfect victory in our souls, and this morning we must honor God by testifying that he justifies us freely and sanctifies us through and through by the blood. To God be all the glory. The first meeting we held since our last report, was near Sunol, Pa. Here much holy seed was sown in the presence of many attentive hearers, which we hope in the near future will bring forth much precious fruit to God. Also, there was brought to light some of the deceptive work of the devil, which he had been trying to palm off on the people for Bible holiness. This working of the enemy had for years been concealed in a man who signs his name Z. R. Powel, who, when told of his badly deceived state, made no effort to get out of the awful deception, but chose to remain (seemingly) content in his lost condition, not careing whether he was acknowledged or not by God’s ministers, as being in unity, or of the body. We hereby warn all the dear saints against this man, by admonishing you to have no part with him, in his present condition; for he is under a false spirit which is of the devil, and will only cause trouble among God’s little ones if he is permitted to hold meetings or profess with them. We hope he will yet be rescued from his lost condition. Others who had taken a wrong stand against the elder at that place, was found in a decieved state, as to their salvation. We are sorry to say that some were so set in their false way, that instead of getting under the blood, and obtaining a real experience, left the meeting, and remain in their lost condition. But others being honest, having recieved instruction, afterward got clear for God. To him be all the glory. May God bless the dear ones and help them to be more wise in the future.
From here we went to Henderson, Pa. Here we found the devil had been to work for some time stirring up division, contention, etc. And after having so disgraced the cause wanted to drive God’s church into obscure darkness. But God seeing the state of affairs, came to their rescue, and got much glory to himself, by a perfect defeat of the enemy. Praise God! Christmas day, four happy saints followed the Lord in the precious ordinance of baptism.
From here we went to Wesley, Pa. This meeting was held in the showery season, and God did wonderfully bless our souls in delivering the gospel truth to the people. After a few days Bro. A. J. Kilpatrick went to the Monterey assembly meeting, where he remained about one week. During this time we went on with the meeting at Wesley, which resulted in a real settling of the little ones in that place. We gladly received assistance by the coming of Bro. J. S. Perrine and wife, son and daughter. We closed this meeting on Sunday night, Jan. 12, and returned to Henderson, Pa., and held three meetings. In the meantime, God set fire to the remaining bit of stubble, and ere long it was completely consumed. Tuesday evening, we commemorated the death and sufferings of our Lord Jesus, by washing the saints’ feet, and eating the Lord’s supper. About forty happy saints participated in these precious ordinances. Oh how we enjoyed following the dear Savior in his perfect example of humility!
From there we returned to Ohio, and are here with the dear ones in Marion county, until the dear Lord orders otherwise. Pray much for the success of the gospel, and for our continual advancement that only the life of Jesus Christ be made manifest as we live in this world. We are ever your humble servants in the one body,
A. J. Kilpatrick and A. J. Ellison.
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Eldorado, Kan., Dec. 9.
Dear Saints of God: We are praising God for salvation in Jesus. The house of the Lord is being set forth here, and souls are being awakened. God is mustering the host to battle, and we are in for the holy war against sin. Yesterday afternoon we had consecration services. Nine presented themselves at the feet of Jesus; some for sanctification, some for pardon. Some came out of the Salvation Army. The glory of the Lord was manifested. Fourteen in all have consecrated; several have been healed. Jan. 20, closed meeting in Eldorado. Much seed sown. The last two weeks held meeting in private houses, mostly among the sick, all were benefited; mostly the poor received the Word. We expect to return if the Lord leads, and then hold meeting in three different school houses in the country, and in the town. We are at Atlanta now, where the church is seeking the deeper things of God, and the Lord is advancing our souls. We are doing all we know to get deeper in God. Your sister and brother,
S. J. and Wm. N. Smith.
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Almira, Wash., Jan. 16.
Beloved Saints: We stopped off in Spokane intending on stopping one night at the Gospel Mission, but the Lord kept us there a day and two evenings which was blessed and owned of God. Quite a schism had broken out and was working among the beloved ones there and vicinity, which had greatly grieved and broken the unity of the Spirit. They met together and the Lord melted all down into love and humility. They confessed their faults and wrongs and repented, and unity was restored, or seemed to be before we left. The Lord then met with us in real victory and spiritual blessings. One who had lost the victory got back to the Lord. One was sanctified wholly, and two or three applied to the Lord for the healing of the body. Lord willing, we expect to return to the mission in March or April, with a full company and hold a meeting in his name steady for a month or longer, when we expect a real victory from God. We then left for Almira. Here we began meeting Jan. 1, in the W. M. meeting house. God is with us in power. After we had held meeting a week we were joined in the work here by the arrival of dear Brother and Sister Benton and Bro. Martin from Spokane. Ninteen have been saved out free for God with joy and glory, from the various sects and sin. Many are seeking and others almost persuaded. The country for miles around are under the power of conviction and under arrest by the angel of the Lord. To God only be eternal glory! Amen. Some have also been healed. We are expecting a rich harvest of souls and greater victories during 1896 than we ever witnessed in our ministry in His name. Hallelujah! Pray for us earnestly, ye saints of God. Yours in perfect love and meekness of Jesus,
F. N. Jacobson
AND Co-Workers.
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TESTIMONY.
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Ableman, Wis.
Dear Saints: I feel that the Lord would have me tell what he has done for me. Over three years ago he fully saved my soul, and of my own free will I joined the Free Methodist sect. I felt somewhat at home with them, but I could see they were falling away from the standard that God had set for his people, and began to conform to the world, and the real unity of Christ did not exist among them. So God in his goodness sent one of his servants along with the real gospel teaching in his heart, to open our eyes to the awful abomination that the sects were in God’s sight. The Lord has shown me what an awful spirit the sect spirit is. He has wonderfully delivered me from it and has shown me the real body of Christ, and he opens up his word to me and makes it so plain that my heart is full of praises to him. He is precious to my soul. I am learning new and precious lessons and I do thank God for it. To him be all the glory. Amen.
Mrs. J. B. Borders.
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DIVINE HEALING.
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Have Faith for Healing.
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WE may believe there is such a thing as divine healing, and even see people healed, insomuch that there is no doubt in our mind but that such can be done, and really is done; but unless we ourselves have faith it will not do us much good, although the Lord offers it just as freely as he does salvation to the soul. Divine healing is not mind healing, so-called Christian Science, Spiritualism, mesmerism, nor any of the devil’s healing: it is a work wrought by the power of God through faith in his word.
We read in the word of God the promises for healing, and it is for those who believe, those who are willing to meet the conditions of his word. And when we consider that the Lord means just what he says in his word, and then we go about it and measure to the standard of his word it is not difficult to apply the Word to our own case. Jesus said that all things are possible to him that believeth, and if our believing becomes firmly enough fixed upon the eternal truth or God there will be wonders performed. Many people believe that God is able and does forgive all our sins, and have those words of salvation abiding in them, but if they have never been taught divine healing by the Word they may not so firmly believe, and may not believe to the extent that the words of healing are abiding in them, therefore do not enjoy the blessings of healing.
In order to show the privileges of God’s children, Jesus said in Mark 11:23, “That whosoever shall say unto this mountain. Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Now what are the conditions in that promise? It is to have the utmost confidence in God, that he will do what he has promised. It is to believe and “doubt not in your heart.” Then he says, “It shall come to pass. Then in the following verse he gave another promise, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Here it says, “What things soever ye desire.” Now if a person is sick and desires healing, will not this scripture include that as well as anything else? Although the majority of preachers in sectism have been preaching that the day of miracles and healing is past; yet they cannot find a scripture to show when it stopped, nor when God ever would withdraw such blessings from his believing children. These two passages of scripture would have to be taken out of the Bible first, and likewise hundreds of other scriptures bearing on the same subject.
After we are in proper relation with God where we can learn his will concerning matters, then it is our privilege to “ask anything” that is according to his will; and it is not only our privilege to ask anything, but to have that for which we ask. Let us read 1 Jno. 5:14, 15: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hear th us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Why need we then be afraid to have faith in God, and to enjoy some of these privileges? We need not fear that he is unable to perform what he has promised, because the Word says that he “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Eph. 3:20 What is needed then is to lay hold upon these promises, and make a practical application of them to our own case and enjoy the benefits intended for his children to enjoy.
Healed of Heart disease, and Deafness.
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Standard, Okla. J. T.
Dear Saints of God: The dear Lord leads me to write my testimony this morning for the first time. I am saved, sanctified and kept by the power of God each day. He heals me both soul and body. Praise his holy name! Last fall when God’s true workers were here holding meeting I heard Bro. Byrum preach on divine healing, and the dear Lord showed me that I could be healed. I had been troubled with heart disease for several years and went to the altar for healing. They anointed me with oil and laid on hands and prayed for the good Lord to heal me, and I could feel the mighty power of God go through my whole system. Praise the Lord! And he did heal me, and I am sound and well. To God be all the glory. I give him all the praise.
My husband was healed at the same meeting. He had been deaf for forty years in one ear; he can now hear the clock tick across the room. Praise the Lord forever! Pray for me that I may be kept humble and low down at Jesus’ feet where he can use me at all times.
Della Harnden.
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The Modern Protestant Church.
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Continued from Jan. 9.
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AGAIN THE WRITER QUOTES FROM PRESIDENT GATES.
“FOR us to attempt to bamboozle ourselves with our fine statistics about the wonderful missionary work that is being done, in comparison with what the children of the kingdom are privileged to do, is sheer nonsense, and we know it is nonsense. It is whistling in the dark to keep the bugaboos away.”
How true it is when we read the Word, and point to fallen sectism, sectarians cry, “Look at our churches;” see the many missionaries; notice our fine colleges, and our many members! Thus they try to console themselves with such ideas, and as Mr. Gates says, bamboozle or deceive themselves, which is sheer nonsense; and more still he says, they know it is nonsense. The truth, in the eyes of the sectarian world is the greatest bugaboo they are tormented with. And they keep up a great whistling in the dark to ease their conscience and calm their fears, thinking to keep the everlasting gospel away, and save their sect. But the truth hunts them out, stares them in the face, becomes to them such a tormenter or bugaboo that they either flee from sectism, fearing her doom, or from the truth, fearing the exposure of their ungodliness. O God, let thy truth come! Halleluiah!
“To day there are no real revolutions in the hearts of men. The revivalistic tendencies, once so marked and powerful in the days of Whitefield and Finney, are almost imperceptible now.”
“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon [sectism] be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” “And the light of a candle [God’s word] shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom [Christ] and of the bride [church] shall be heard no more at all in thee.” — Rev. 18:21, 23.
The thing that characterizes the holy remnant of God’s elect is the precious word of God being taught in its fullness. No sect on earth preaches the whole truth. The entire gospel is never witnessed in their pulpits. Protestantism has effected her mission; she now rejects the candle of truth. To reject the Word is to reject Christ. Jno. 1:1. They cannot cast it away and hold to him; hence he moves out, and the church which includes every saved soul, follows him. Jno. 10:27. This is why there are no such revivals in sectism as there used to be. Then come, dear precious souls, escape her fold or you perish in her ruin.
“As on the day of pentecost, hundreds became believers in Christ under Whitefield’s impressive and persuasive gospel, now it takes a big-hearted preacher, four or more plotting deacons, and a membership of two hundred worldly minded men and women, to bring one soul to the cross. Then one sermon brought conviction to a thousand souls; now it requires one thousand sermons to convict one soul. A marvelous condition this is.”
The fire of lamentation is burning in the bosom of this beast. O glory to the King of saints, the truth of the Omnipotent is gnawing at his vitals! Writhing in despair, he seeks to alleviate his pain. But, oh Father, let thy judgments come, until every conscientious soul leaps o’er the threshold of confusion, and presses firmly the Rock of grace that paves the way to everlasting joys. What blindness to say, it takes preacher, four plotting deacons, and two hundred hypocrites (for worldly minded men and women who claim to follow Jesus are hypocrites), to save one soul. This very state of affairs has cursed the human race, and where one soul is truly converted, they make ten skeptics. One man filled with the Holy Spirit preaching the Word will convict one hundred percent more sinners than ten thousand ungodly professors of salvation. “One thousand sermons to convict one soul!” Hear that, do you? One sermon a day, almost three years, to convict one individual. Is it any wonder that so many sectarian preachers get a lung or throat trouble, and retire to the mountains, etc., for a little recreation? “Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded; yea, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.” — Micah 3:7. A desolate wilderness indeed, a court for owls, a dancing room for satyrs, a habitation for dragons; doleful creatures dwell there; mournful sounds we hear from souls that are lost. But from heaven a voice is echoing, “Come out of her, my people.”
W. A. Haynes.
(To be continued.)
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TESTIMONIES.
“Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” – Psa. 119:129.
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Springfield, Oregon.
Dear Brethern: Praise God this morning that we are members of the one body, whose head is Christ the rock and foundation. We can give in a pure testimony. The blessed Savior saves and sanctifies my soul. I praise the Lord that he has healed my body. We love the way that Jesus has laid down. I was a member of the M. E. sect ten years and had no salvation. I praise God that I heard the gentle knock at the door of my heart and let the Savior in. We want to get our names off from the class book, and have them written in the book of life. Pray for us that we may be faithful. Your sister in Christ,
Lillian Beebe.
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Ash Grove, Mo.
Dearly Beloved Saints: I do praise the Lord for this wonderful salvation that has taken my sins all away and made me clean. I am healed both soul and body of a wonderful disease. The doctors called it consumption. I have had a cough for about nine years and I have been treated by five different doctors, but received no benefit. I have been under the doctor’s care for two years. My cough grew worse all the time, would have to be lifted in bed. The doctor said he could not do any thing for me, and said I was liable to die any time. I was drinking whisky and taking lots of medicine all the time. I would use about a quarter’s worth of chloroform in three nights, and then I could not sleep much. I could see my life depended fully on God. After we spent nearly all we had to the doctors and for medicine, we called for the elders and they came and anointed me in the name of the Lord, and I just laid all on the altar; and praise God he healed me soul and body just as soon as I complied with his promises. He is gradually giving me strength day by day. Praise his holy name! He has sanctified me wholly. I have made five visits since the Lord healed me, and can help do the work. I ask your prayers. Your sister, saved and sanctified,
Mrs. Liza Hosman.
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Danville, Ind.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I am saved and kept by the mighty power of God. I have a salvation that keeps the soul. He keeps me free from sin and gives me such sweet peace. Praise his dear name! Two weeks ago last Sabbath evening I was taken very sick for the glory of God. The Lord let me get pretty sick that his power might be made manifest here in the midst of a rebelious people. The enemy raged because we did not get a doctor. I told them I did not want a doctor. I had a wonderful physician that had promised to heal all manner of disease, and that he would raise me up. We obeyed James 5:14-16, and I got relief for the time, and I got worse again. And the Lord showed me that my companion was possessed with evil spirits, and he showed me that I had a work to do. I called him in and in the name of Jesus began to talk to him, and the Lord showed him his condition. We called the little ones together and called mightily on God, and he cast out the evil spirits. Glory to his name! Then offered up the prayer of faith that I might be raised up and I grasped his promise and claimed the healing, and he filled my soul with praises, and I arose from my bed and went all over the room shouting praises to God who giveth the victory. Well dear ones, I desire your earnest prayers that my companion may get saved. He thought when the evil spirits were cast out that he was saved, but he is not. We are holding a meeting here for the advancement of the little ones Pray for us that God may wonderfully settle us down and that there may be much good done here. Yours in Christ,
Addie Matthews.
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ADVANCEMENT.
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THE greatest of all the perils to be avoided is pride. The good book says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” Prov. 16:18. This is invariably true. When a man’s heart begins to be lifted up with pride, he leaves off watchfulness and prayer, and becomes so careless that he begins to neglect duties, and to do little things that he knows are not right, and soon he finds himself robbed of the power of the Spirit, and in a backslidden state.
The chiefest manifestation of pride is shame. “When pride cometh, then cometh shame.” Prov. 11:2. If any of you feel a little sense of shame when you arise to testify for the Lord, it is because there is a little pride in your heart. If you have faults, and are ashamed to confess them, it is because you have pride in your heart. If you have a dread of the public altar, it is because there is pride in your heart. If you are ashamed to go out in the audience during altar services, and invite souls to Christ, when the Lord puts such duties upon you, it is because there is a little pride in your heart. And to the dearly beloved brethren in the ministry, we would say, if you feel ashamed to deliver the Word in the presence of other ministers, who are older in the work, it is because you are not as humble as you should be. It is our privilege to sink so low in humility, that we will see only Jesus always.
Pride is the worst of all the enemies Christians have to oppose. It has many times overthrown whole churches. I have often noticed a rapid decline in the spirituality of local churches immediately after building a convenient house of worship. It was not until recently that the Lord has shown me why this is. A brother once in private conversation with me remarked, that he thought “the Lord was displeased with the building of church houses by the saints: because a general decline in spirituality usually follows.” But this is not the true cause of the degeneration. But the church not possessing the depth of humility necessary to ascribe all the glory to God under the reception of such a blessing, becomes proud of their convenient house of worship: hence the coldness, and the falling away from spirituality in the church.
Pride is the most deceptive of all the elements in the devil’s kingdom. Oh beloved, beware of it! It will creep into your heart before you are aware of it. Nothing but a constant and firm grasp by faith on the real humility of Christ, will shield you from backsliding, and enable you to make real spiritual advancment.
Another essential to keeping salvation and making advancement is the holding of the human body under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 9:27. The human body after it is sanctified wholly, possesses all the normal propensities and passions of humanity. Salvation only destroys those that are foreign to primitive humanity, as created by God. For instance, anger is a passion that does not belong to humanity, but comes from carnality, hence is destroyed in sanctification. But appetite, natural affection, etc., belong to our humanity and remain after our heart is purified, to be kept under subjection by constant prayer and watchfulness.
It is by drawing out these natural propensities that Satan tempts. James tells us that “every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” – Jas. 1:14. If therefore we keep our every natural inclination under the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit, we shall be kept from many of the most dangerous temptations. This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
Very few have the body under perfect subjection, hence they are constantly falling into the hands of the devil, and cannot make any advancement, because it takes all their time to get saved again.
Natural affection is a God-given element, and is in every sanctified heart. And where sin has destroyed this part of our being, salvation restores it. By natural affection is meant the love of parents for children, and children for parents; husband for wife, and wife for husband, etc. This sweet element if not kept hid away from the touch of Satan, may become the source of serious and almost irresistable temptations. If the devil succeeds in fixing your affections upon one of the opposite sex, not intended by God for your companion, he has his most wily coil around you, and you are a victim of free love. Give God the charge of the door of your heart, then no one can enter it unless he lets him (or her) in.
Appetite is also a propensity through which the devil can do much injury to body and soul, which for want of space we cannot now comment upon. Suffice it to say, that few have it under perfect subjection. Many have not sufficient victory over it to fast, or abstain from foods injurious to the body.