31 December 1896, Volume 16, Number 52.
THY WILL BE DONE.
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We see not, know not; all our way
Is night; with thee alone is day.
From out the torrent’s troubled drift,
Above the storm our prayer we lift,
Thy will be done!
The flesh may fail, the heart may faint,
But who are we to make complaint,
Or dare to plead in times like these
The weakness of our love of ease?
Thy will be done!
We take with solemn thankfulness
Our burden up, nor ask it less;
And count it joy that even we
May suffer, serve, or wait for thee.
Thy will be done!
Though dim as yet in tint or line,
We trace thy picture’s wise design,
And thank thee that our age fepplies
The dark relief of sacrifice.
Thy will be done!
Strike, thou the master, we thy keys,
The anthem of the destinies!
The minor of thy loftier strain,
Our hearts shall breathe the old refrain,
Thy will be done!
— John G. Whittier.
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New Year’s Greeting.
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DEAR BELOVED SAINTS, AND READERS OF THE GOSPEL TRUMPET: At the beginning of another year we once more greet you in Jesus’ name, in whom is all power in heaven and on earth, wishing you all a year of peace and happiness in the Lord and that his love, power, and glory may increase and abound in your souls.
As we review the past year our soul breaks forth in praises and gratitude to God for his manifold blessings, and we can truly say it has been a year of constant joy and peace in the service of the Lord. And we have been made to behold the salvation of many souls, establishing of believers, and healing of many sick by the power of God, and a general advance of the church of God.
During the last few months the church in many places has been moving out into the ways of his truth and advancing as never before, realizing that when people are converted and sanctified they are then just to the point where they can move out and gain great victories for the Lord, at his command. It is like the children of Israel when they had crossed the Red Sea, and the river Jordan, and were in the land of Canaan, where they were promised all the land they set their foot upon, as their own, yet the whole land was before them unexplored. There was wealth and riches for them; the “gold of Ophir,” and veins of silver, together with the grapes, figs, and pomegranates, and other luscious fruit of the land, were at their command. But, as yet they could only stand and view those things; walled cities were to be taken, the enemy met upon the battle-field, and victories won through faith in God. At the command of God they marched forward and Jericho was taken; then an advance was made upon the city of Ai. Here they met with unexpected trouble, but when that was searched out and removed, the city was taken and onward they went gaining victory after victory. Had they been content to dwell by the banks of Jordan the land would have been unexplored, and little of its wealth known.
Just so it is when the experience of sanctification is reached, to stop there and conclude that the whole spiritual land of Canaan to the soul has been explored, is a mistake. Only the place has been reached where real advancement can be made, and the riches and glories of the land enjoyed as the soul launches out at the command of the Lord, fighting battles of faith, and gaining victories as the Word commands.
To keep pace with the Lord in this time of fulfillment of prophecy, his saints are beginning more than ever to realize that there are other walled cities to be taken besides sectism, and that the command of the Lord is, “Go forward.”
The prophet Isaiah tells us that “Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” God is sending forth his ministers now to declare his judgment, and preach his word in its purity. Dear brethren in the ministry, how can the church advance properly except the ministers boldly preach the word in its fullness, and practice the same? If the time is here for apostolic power to be manifest, it must be preached positively, fearlessly, boldly, or the people will never reach the standard of faith and power and the ministry will be to blame for not doing their duty; for “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God; and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
In our travels from place to place we generally find the saints advanced in spirituality and faith according as the Word has been faithfully preached. In some comparatively new places they are in advance of those in other places where there has been much preaching for years.
But it does not all depend upon the preacher, as some are swift to hear but slow to act. We must not only be hearers, but doers of the Word. For a long time God has been trying to get his children to advance, and in order to cause them to move, has had to use various means. Many have passed through severe spiritual tests, adversities, and almost backslidden before they could be aroused and awakened to the fact that God was ordering a forward move, and demanded a seeking for a deeper experience of humility to prepare for the first step.
Truly, the devil is “loosed for a season,” and is going about seeking whom he may devour, with all manner of deceptions and delusions. We need to be constantly so filled with the Spirit of God that all false spirits can be discerned and overcome through the grace and power of the Lord Jesus.
The Lord is gathering together the remnant of his people from the four winds of the earth, where they have been scattered during the “dark and cloudy day.” And if we expect to be one of his faithful followers we must keep pace with his word as he thunders it forth like hailstones against the powers of the enemy.
During the last year the everlasting gospel in its purity has been finding its way into foreign fields, and heathen lands as never before. While there are hundreds of ministers and evangelists going forth as flying messengers, carrying the glad news of full salvation, yet the number is so small considering the greatness of the harvest. Let us not cease to pray God to send forth more faithful laborers into his vineyard until the unadulterated gospel reaches every land and every home.
We are glad to notice the spiritual advancement of the children of God and the “signs following,” but it should be a thousand-fold more before the close of another year, and will be so if we all do our part. Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world. “Will you promise God now, that you will be a light for him during the year 1897, and do all you can for him? If you are not called to preach, perhaps you can aid some one else who is called, and thereby let your light shine. We venture to say that if those who have received the light of full salvation, would, during the past year, have given what they could have given for the cause of Christ and the spread of his gospel, the light and truth would have reached millions of people whom it did not reach.
The church in every locality should keep a good supply of tracts and books on hand and not only supply the immediate community, but scatter broadcast wherever they can to the glory of God. Such can be easily supplied with the money from the treasury box. The books can be sold and the money used to purchase more literature.
The Lord has blessed the efforts of the publishing house here, and enabled us to send out hundreds of thousands of papers, tracts, and books to all parts of the world. There are earnest calls for an abundance of the same to India, and other foreign fields, which will be sent as the money is provided to have them printed.
The Lord has blessed us with about fifty consecrated workers who give their services free. He has also provided us with a paper folder and a tract folder, each of which takes the place of several hands. Also several hundred dollars’ worth of bookbinding machinery. A book trimmer and a book-sewing machine, which cost eighteen hundred dollars, and a few minor articles, will complete the whole outfit for bookbinding. A new press is very much needed. The spread of the pure gospel is being much hindered for lack of the needed machinery.
We ask all our readers to earnestly pray with us each Monday night for God to supply these things, as that is the time the Trumpet family meet to pray for the special needs of the office. We desire to kindly thank the dear ones who have aided us with their prayers and means.
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Diligence.
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“WHEREFORE, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” — 2 Pet. 3:14.
As time speeds onward to eternity (like unto the lightning express being bound for the city), which will forever seal the doom of the transgressor, my soul is stirred within me to such a degree, that I am compelled to raise an alarm once more, and give warning against the awful soul-capturing stupidity, which the archfiend of the infernal regions, and the enemy of all truth, is beginning to settle upon the saints of the living God. My brethren, we must awake!
Although the whole world lieth in wickedness, bound by Satanic chains of darkness, rocked to sleep in the soul-destroying cradle of lethargy, being fed from the hand of the father of lies, upon the opiates of hell, it seems that this horrible existing state of affairs, is not sufficient to satisfy the ravenous appetite of the open-mouthed dragon, which is roaming about amid the beloved of the great Jehovah, seeking as the vicious devouring beasts of the forest, to steal a prey upon all those who are not supremely energetic to walk in all the light of the Word and increase with the increase of God.
Beloved, the time is upon us, when an experience may be obtained at any point from legions of evil spirits, to that of Paul of old. If the full price is paid, the real Bible experience is sure to be obtained; thank God! But if there is a dodging or shrinking from the truth, the devil is ready at any moment to supply you with a delusive, adjustable experience, which will only drag your immortal soul down to an endless tell.
How that old Serpent is cheered, and filled with hellish energy, when he discovers an individual that was once full of the holy fire, diligent to obey all the precepts of God’s word, and desiring with all his soul to see the cause of God prosper, now become negligent in prayer, not so zealous for the cause, failing to do his duty, by not aiding the needy, and in fact his lamp is growing dim, and the cool waves of dullness steal upon him, producing a sensation of stupidity, and causing a state of spiritual drowsiness. Here the enemy of our souls does a slight piece of work, by wrapping one more coil of negligence around such, and departs; the persons realizing little if any effect of the evil, crafty work performed, owing to the spirit of numbness with which they are being encompassed.
Hearken! beloved, and let us hear a warning from the awful truth of his word, by which we must be judged: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness [purity], without which no man shall see the Lord: looking DILIGENTLY, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled,” — Heb. 12: 14, 15. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” — 2 Cor. 6:1.
We see by the above texts, that there is much danger of falling into reproach and a snare of the devil, by not being diligent. Therefore, dear ones, if you have thus been ensnared by the stupid element of the wicked one, arise! and shake thyself from the awful stupor, and BE DILIGENT; redouble your energies and consecrate yourself anew. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Eph. 6:11.
Peter, likewise exhorts us to diligence, in his second epistle. “And besides this, giving ALL DILIGENCE, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound [through diligence], they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give DILIGENCE to make your calling and election sure; for if you do these things, ye shall never fall.” — 2 Pet. 1:5-10.
By thus being obedient to the truth, and through our diligence adding to our experience the above Christian elements of God’s holiness, we will be forever able to stand, and will give the adversary of our soul much trouble.
Beloved, let us look back over our past experience and behold our old battle-grounds, where the enemy was indeed raging, but through Jesus, our captain, we were made more than conquerors. (See Rom. 8:35-39.) But says one, “I know of no such sights in all my experience; then how can I look?” How, indeed? Ah, here is the point. It has been too near a compromise with us. The enemy has long since been encamped on our suburbs; often has he broken into our ranks, when unexpected, and succeeded in capturing a number of precious souls, and through his deceitfulness, bound them in awful chains of darkness. On being awakened to the fact, we would go out shyly on a skirmish, which would be but a small contest indeed; but through faith in him who has all power in heaven and in earth we gained the victory, and learned the sad lesson of negligence, which should never have been permitted to steal upon us.
Again, after God in his mercy and pity delivered us from the awful prison house of Satan, in which we, with our fellow creatures were enslaved, we have made too small an effort to rescue them from the same destructive dragnet. When we read from the awful truths of his word (which is forever settled in heaven) the following quotation, let us each answer to God: Are we putting forth our every effort for the rescue of his fallen creation?
“And to you who are troubled, rest with us; when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” — 2 Thess. 1:7-9. Truly, beloved, this ought to lead us to the rescue of the perishing, with greater diligence than ever before.
Let us look over our past experience and see if we have been causing the enemy of our souls the slightest trouble. My brethren, he is too much undisturbed; he is swaying his huge scepter of sin, too free from trouble. Oh let us awake! and at once, in the all-prevailing strength of Jehovah, and in the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and in the unity of the faith and Spirit; let us push the battle to the gate. Be diligent! we shall not fail, we shall conquer. “For great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of thee.” — Isa. 12:6. Hallelujah! We shall never more cease firing, until Jesus has said, It is enough, come up higher. Praise the Lord!
We will now notice our manner of warfare, and conclude. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Eph. 6:12. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge, of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Cor. 10:3-5.
O brethren, let us not rest; neither hold our peace, until Jerusalem be established a praise in the earth, shining in her beautiful garment of holiness, and the salvation thereof be made to shine forth like unto the radiance of the sun.
The sum of the whole matter is, that we must BE MORE DILIGENT THAN EVER BEFORE, that God may use us in the advancement of this glorious holiness reformation in which we now live. Therefore improve every moment, “that ye 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.” — Phil. 2:15. Truly, brethren, this reformation has only begun to tighten down a little; and only the pure gold will be able to stand.
Yours on the advance for God,
A. J. ELLISON.
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THURSDAY, Dec. 31, 1896.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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D. C. Shutt, G W. Goff, Thos. Carter. Jno. F. Frick, Emanuel Myers, W. H. Porter, J. H. Auman, W. B. Hobbs, Rachel M. Strong, Isaac Van Matre, Oly M. Judy, Mrs. M. E. Baldwin, Wm. Jenkins, J. W. Robison, Jno. N. Slagle, Chas. H. Meyer, J. D. Hatch, J. W. Haynes, C. J. Nelson.
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As we were about ready to print this issue of the TRUMPET there occurred a break in the press, and as we had to wait several days for repairs, we are late in sending out this issue. We hope, however to get next week’s paper out on time.
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WE wish to state to those who ordered children’s books and failed to receive them, that we did what we could to keep a supply on hand, but the publishers in New York were unable to supply them to us fast enough, as our orders were far beyond what we expected. All the orders will be filled as soon as the books reach us.
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Requests for Prayer.
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My father-in-law, James Ellyson, requests the church in general to pray for the salvation of his soul, Jan. 3 at 10 A. M. Pray that he might have the real witness of his acceptance. Chas. Ford, Foraker, O.
My little boy has a sore eye; please pray that he may be healed, on Jan 3. We desire some one to come into this neighborhood to preach the pure word. Mrs. Sarah J. Stokes, Auckland, Tulare Co., Cal.
I have been sick for seven years, and four years of the time unable to do any work. I ask the prayers of all the saints for my healing.Sarah E. Cates.
Please pray for the healing of my afflicted thumb. I have faith that God through your prayers will heal it. Mrs. Emery Boden, Morely, Mich.
I want all the children of God to pray for me, that I may be healed, soul and body. Hannah Goodson, Hartsville, S. C.
Please pray that I may have a real settled experience in the Lord. Amanda Crampton, Chambersburg, O.
Pray that I may be completely healed of piles, A. G. Page, Lyons, Ia.
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Whom is the Lord Calling?
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“Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” — 1 Chron. 29:5. The above question was asked by king David on the occasion of the preparation for the building of the house of God. There were workmen needed, and the question was asked who was willing to take part in the Lord’s service.
So likewise to-day God needs workmen. The harvest is great, but the laborers few. In the first place God demands that all his children consecrate their life and service unto him. The blessed state of entire sanctification includes the consecration of ourselves to God. It is in the plan of God that every one of his children be crucified to self, with every talent and energy devoted to his cause and service. It is the normal state of the Christian to be wholly given up to God, dependent upon him, and thereby a free partaker of his grace. Christ has purchased us with his own blood, and has delivered us from the bondage of sin; why, then, should it not be reasonable that he have our whole life service? Yea, the apostle says it is our “reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1.
We believe God has consecrated workers, and each has his proper place in the body of Christ, the church. He has workers for every part of his work. But he needs more. Consecrated and willing workers are in constant demand.
It is hoped that by these few lines God may speak to some willing one, and thus the proper one be found for that part of his work which I am about to mention. Being engaged in the Lord’s work at the GOSPEL TRUMPET Office for the last five years, I know that it takes consecrated service here. Persons who think the dear ones here have an easy time, with not much to do, are greatly mistaken. There is much to do, and helpers of the consecrated and willing kind seem to be constantly needed. I do not mean that the work here is not pleasant or joyous. Indeed, to those who are divinely called, there is no other place that could be more desired for real agreeable work for God. But if any soul is completely given up to God, he can be assured that whatever work the Master calls him to do will be a service of joy and happiness to the soul. Sometimes those come here who are not in the order of God in their coming. They no doubt had some selfish motive that prompted them. Such do not find the Lord’s work here very agreeable. It is when work is done for God with divine motives and feelings, that it is pleasant to the soul.
There are various departments in the work here, and persons that are called to certain departments are expected to either have qualifications for that line of work, or a natural aptness to learn the same. We have learned that when God puts any one in his service, he always acts in harmony with himself; that is, he calls to such a work where the God-created faculties of the individual can have their use! Thus we see that our “calling” in the body of Christ is not by an absolute choice of God either at the time of our salvation or afterwards, but his choice partly depends upon certain laws and principles of disposition which he has already created in us. And it is only after we are saved from all sin that our God-created faculties can rightly be brought out. So we say God acts in harmony with himself. And persons who suppose God wants them to do this or that, without a harmonious inclination to the same, will find themselves deceived in their calling.
One of the great needs of the work here at the Trumpet Office at the present, and which I wish to mention, is some one to do the business of the subscription department. The GOSPEL TRUMPET, SHINING LIGHT, and EVANGELIUMS POSAUNE, each have a subscription book containing the account of each subscriber, and these accounts have to be kept. There are new names to enter, some old ones to discontinue, names and post-office addresses to change, credits and receipts to make, errors to be corrected, back numbers and missing copies to be supplied sometimes, and letters to answer. The GOSPEL TRUMPET book alone contains between five and six thousand names; so one can see that there is considerable business to do in this department. I have had this part of the work for some time, and consider it nice work for any one qualified for it. I have taken this work along with my work in another department, because it seemed to fall to no one else. But altogether there is too much work for one person, so that justice cannot be done to the work in either department. We expect to make some improvements in our methods in the subscription department for the coming year, and I think the work will make just about enough for one person to do, if managed rightly. A person, to do this work, should be neat, clean, and plain, in penmanship, and have a disposition to be careful and accurate, and should be business-like in work, and especially in correspondence. A knowledge of what is commonly called bookkeeping is not necessary, but the above named qualities are. One need not have the knowledge of German, though often it would be quite a help.
Now this is a want that has been felt for some time, and we believe God has some one for the place. Some saved brother or sister who has been a school-teacher would probably fill the conditions, provided their work is plain and neat. There are many who could do this work, and now whom does the Lord have his hand upon? We have felt that by stating the nature of the work, any one feeling led to come would be better able to decide the matter. Who will “consecrate his service this day unto the Lord” and take this matter to him in prayer? If God has his hand upon any one for this place, let us hear from you. Address Bro. E. E. Byrum, Grand Junction, Mich. Yours in the Lord’s service,
ANDREW L. BYERS.
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
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EDITOR GOSPEL TRUMPET: Please answer the following questions.
W. B.
Are all the commandments in the Bible binding on the people to-day?
Those given before Christ came were for the people under the law, as we read in Luke 16:16: “The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached.” When Christ came, he gave commandments to his disciples and told them to go forth and “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” — Matt. 28:19, 20. Here you see the people of to-day are to observe all the commandments Jesus gave to his disciples.
Is the Bible all fulfilled yet?
No. When it is fulfilled the earth will be destroyed and the elements melt with fervent heat. 2 Pet. 3:10, 12.
The second coming of Christ, is it a past or future event?
It is a future event, which will take place at the end of time, at the fulfillment of 2 Pet. 3:10, 12, and at his coming “we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” — 1 Cor. 15:52. Then will be the scene described in Matt. 25:31-46. But there will be no millennium of a thousand years at his coming, as many suppose.
Were the Gentiles ever under the Mosaic law?
Paul answers this in speaking to the Gentiles in Eph. 2:11, 12 — “Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
In Matt. 24:29 what is meant by the “sun, moon, and stars,” and what do they typify?
The text reads as follows: “Immediately after the tribulation of these days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” The “sun” represents Christ. “Being darkened,” — the time after the destruction of Jerusalem when Christ was not lifted up by the preaching of the Word in its purity. “Moon” represents the church. “Shall not give her light” — hidden behind the apostasy. “Stars” represent God’s ministers. “Shall fall from heaven” — fall from their state of purity. “The powers of the heavens shall be shaken” — the shock Christianity received through the apostasy.
In Rev. 20:2 what is meant by the “dragon, serpent, devil, and Satan?”
It means just what it says, and he is the “father of lies,” who will with his children, the wicked, spend eternity together in the regions of the damned.
Please explain Matt. 24:19, 20 — “And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.”
The time spoken of here was the destruction of Jerusalem. It had been a custom before this time during war as well as in time of peace, to reverence women with child, and small children; but when Jerusalem was destroyed they were not spared, but met the fate of others. “That your flight be not in winter” — if so, they would perish with cold. “Neither on the Sabbath day” — the gates of the city were closed on the Sabbath day.
Please explain Heb. 12:14 — “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” And Rom. 14:10 — “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
We read in Matt. 24:32 that when Jesus comes at the end of time all nations will appear before him and he will then separate them as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats, and he will speak unto all those who have not an experience of holiness in this life, saying: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” — Verse 41. They will not be permitted to ascend and enter the portals of glory and see God the Father; but only those who are holy will hear the words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Please explain 1 Cor. 7:36.
The subject under consideration is marriage, and the propriety of marrying or living single is the point mentioned. The Emphatic Diaglott, a translation of the Greek, renders it as follows, which needs no further comment: “But if any one think he acts improperly in remaining single, if he be past age, and thus it is fitting to be married, let him do what he wishes, he sins not; let him marry.” The Greek word commonly translated “virgin” also has been rendered as meaning a state of virginity or celibacy. The Greek pronoun for “them” in that verse can also be correctly translated “him.”
What is the difference between the true church mentioned in the Bible, and the so-called Christian church, or Campbellite sect?
It will only be necessary to show a few points of difference to make it clear. The one spoken of in the Bible is the “church of God.” Acts 20:28. Jesus Christ is the door. Jno. 10:9. Salvation as a spiritual birth is the mode of induction, or way of entrance (1 Cor. 12:13), and is received by faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:30, 31. God sets every one of the members in the church. 1 Cor. 10:18. No sinners are in his church. 1 Jno. 3:6, 8, 9. Jesus built it. Matt. 16:18. It is his bride. Rev. 21:9. And is without spot or wrinkle — sanctified. Eph. 5:25-27.
The other is a so-called Christian church, or Campbellite sect. They teach that water baptism is the door and way of entrance into their sect. It is received at the hands of the preacher. The preacher sets the members every one of them in the sect by putting them under the water. They do not believe in living without sin. Alexander Campbell built it. It is a daughter of the mother of harlots. Rev. 17:5; Zech. 2:7. It is full of spots and wrinkles, and is not sanctified.
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“She Hath Done What She Could.”
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MARK 14:8.
DEARLY beloved children of God, can each of you say you have done what you could? Some dear ones will say they have no chance of doing good, and especially dear mothers that are kept at home with their family duties. They will say, “I have no time to do anything else,” and excuse themselves in that way.
Let me appeal to you. Have you done what you could? Is there something that you could have done for some poor soul? Could you not have offered a prayer for some one? or read a little scripture to another? or loaned a good book or papers to some one else? Such little deeds might have led them to the dear Savior. You could say a kind word to some faltering or erring one, and in so doing might touch a chord in that heart that had hitherto lain silent, and cause it to vibrate once more and new hope to spring up, which would lead the soul to Christ.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psa. 126:5), and “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” — Dan. 12:3.
Dear ones that want to do something for Jesus and cannot see anything to do, look around you; the fields are already white unto harvest.
“Let her alone * * * she hath done what she could” — not what she could not, but what she could. You who are anxious to see God’s cause prosper and want to be coworkers with Jesus in the same, are you doing what you can? or are you anxious to do something you cannot do, like a disobedient child, wanting your own way? I have seen people wonderfully burdened about imaginary duties that God never put on them, and leaving the duties undone that God wanted them to do.
Dear children of God, consider this matter well and see to it that you do what you can. Do you sit around idle when the harvest is so great and the laborers are so few? “He that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal.” Are you receiving wages? and are you satisfied with them? When we look at things in their right light we see there is much we can do for Jesus. Some are always looking for some big thing to do, and fail to see the little things they can do which would add just as many stars to their crown of rejoicing as it they had done some great thing. God’s word says to despise not the day of small things (Zech. 4:10), “forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Not long ago as I was musing over this thought, that there was but little chance of doing good where I was at the time, these words came to me: “Have you done what you could?” I stopped to think. Then I said, “No I can visit more families and pray with them; I can go and invite more to meeting;” and other things came rushing to my mind that I could do. I could pray for different ones that I had not been remembering. So I saw that there was a great deal yet that I could do if I was willing to do what I could, and by the help of God I am.
One day I went and prayed with a family that seemed almost to sneer at the worship of God. When I came home, I thought to myself that I had thrown my time away in doing so. Then God spoke to me these words, “You have done what you could.” Oh the consolation it brought to my heart! I cannot describe it. Dear ones, to have this testimony, that you please God, is so blessed and satisfying.
Nothing can be compared to it. Then let us strive to have this testimony at all times.
Now, dear souls, you that God is not calling to preach his word, either by mouth or pen or are not led out into his work at all, you can give of your means to support those whom God has called to spend all of their time in his vineyard. God’s work would speed on faster if there were more consecrated means at his disposal. The work has to move on slowly in the different cities and towns because there is not consecrated means to pay hall rent and so on, and before we would take up a collection or subscription or beg money in any way, we will preach on the streets the rest of our lives if God wills.
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I imagine I hear some one say, “I would like to give, but I have nothing to give.” Do what you can. If you have no means with which to help the cause, you can pray God to open the hearts and pocketbooks of those that have means, and “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” So you see there is still something you can do, if you are willing to do what you can. Your sister under the blood
MARY COLE.
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From India.
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SIXTH LETTER.
CALCUTTA, INDIA.
MY DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER: The handkerchief you sent for the afflicted sister was received with great delight and after much prayer was applied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It did its work wonderfully. Although the sister was not instantaneously healed of all her sicknesses, but that the Lord touched her and began the glorious work she did not doubt. One of the attendant results that have been produced is that her faith has been a great deal strengthened. She is much better now, and there is a great change in her look, as the friend testified that she looks decidedly better than before. She determined to do the will of the Lord more firmly than ever, cost what it may. She is feeling decidedly better, and she is believing that a day will soon come when she will become entirely new and fresh in body as well as in Spirit. She had to pass through a severe trial of faith, in which she was enabled of the Lord to fight the devil successfully with the two-edged sword of the Spirit. The other day she attempted to walk some three miles, which she never did within several years. This she did to the glory of God. Again, one day when her nephew was not well and was suffering from dysentery and also lost his sight almost, she was led to pray, and asked the boy to believe that the Lord would heal him without medicine, which he did, and the healing virtue came from the Lord and healed him. The words: “The blind are receiving their sight,” written in Bengali in a piece of paper was applied with prayer and he received his sight; but the people suspecting the thoroughness of the work, took him to a doctor to be examined, who, to the glory of God, pronounced him entirely cured Bless the Lord! He is a jealous God to guard his own honor.
Another brother who heard about the teaching we have received through your books and who accepted the same about healing, was sick and did not use any medicine, but prayed and was healed. He does not live in Calcutta, but some hundreds of miles away in the plains of Bengal, where he is a preacher of the Word. He is now quite well, as he has written in a letter. No doubt the Lord is spreading his truth everywhere.
Pandita Ramabai Saraswati (a lady of South India — one of the profoundest Sanskrit scholars and well versed in the Hindoo philosophy and learning, but praise the Lord, now a Christian worker at Poona) was seriously ill lately, but did not use any medicine, but was healed of the Lord himself through the prayer of faith. It is very encouraging that a learned lady like herself would be humble enough to lay aside all the civilized means of cure in these enlightened days (?) and trust God alone, which is very rare in such circles in India. I hope many will follow her noble and scriptural example and thereby give all the glory to the Great Physician who healeth all our sicknesses, and to whom properly all the glory is due.
You would be very glad to hear, dear brother, that a friend of mine, when he heard all about you and read some of your papers and books that I gave him, declared that so far as he saw, he agreed with you and found it scriptural. I hear also some encouraging remarks about the GOSPEL TRUMPET and I hope to get some subscribers for 1897, for this year is almost past. I will let you know all about it afterwards. Your tract, “Babylon is Fallen,” and “Little Things,” are appreciated by many. I distribute the rolls of papers that you send. I have a friend in the northern part of the city who helps me in distributing them in that quarter. I am praying that the truth may be spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. Lord bless you all in your noble efforts. I am, with much holy love, yours, in the body,
A. D. KHAN.
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News from the Field.
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DECATUR, MICH.
DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST: Since our last report we have been in the battle-field, fighting for precious souls, against the powers of darkness. Praise God for perfect victory in our soul! We held a precious meeting five miles west of Elkhart, Ind., where several precious souls were saved. A series of meetings had never been held in that place before. Then the Lord sent us to Three Rivers, Mich., where we met dear Bro. Eldridge and had a precious meeting. The brethren were much strengthened and the day of judgment will reveal the work done there. We expect to stay at home for a few days, then go forth in the battle again. Pray for us that we shun not to declare the whole truth.
F. W. SIMMONS AND WIFE.
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JEFFERSONVILLE, KY., Dec. 23.
DEAR SAINTS OF THE LIVING GOD, GREETING: It has been some time since we reported through the columns of the TRUMPET; but we are glad to say that the Lord has been blessing us in many ways. Since we last wrote we have visited several places, but only stayed a short time in each place. A few souls have been saved. To God be all the glory. Since the assembly meeting at this place, I have been laboring with my hands part of the time building a house. The Lord has greatly blessed us with help and success, and we are about ready to go forth in the name of Jesus to preach his word, and work for the salvation of souls. We receive many calls to hold meetings, and there seems to be a great opening for workers all through the mountain country of Kentucky, where we expect to labor for some time, the Lord willing. Our address will be Jeffersonville, Ky. We earnestly request the prayers of all the saints, that the Lord may keep us humble, and give us success in winning precious souls to the truth. Yours in Jesus, contending for the faith,
THOMAS, LILLAWAH, AND AMANDA CARTER.
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MOORLAND, MICH., Dec. 21.
To ALL THE DEAR SAINTS, GREETING: In our last report we said we intended to go to Hart to help Bro. Filhour in a meeting, but the way was closed for the present; so we began meeting five miles from here at the Bates schoolhouse. We thought our work was done here at present, but we found out differently in a few days. We only held four meetings in that place till the Lord showed us he did not want us there. So we came back and began to hold cottage meetings, and the first night there were five at the altar. Then we began to see our work was not done here yet. The next night there was one; and the next, five. There have been fourteen consecrations. There were six in one family. “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” — Psa. 34:3.
The Lord willing, we expect to begin meeting the 25th in the village of Moorland. The Crusaders have just held meeting there five weeks, but the people are anxious for us to come. We want the prayers of all the dear saints, that God may keep us humble and that we may have heavenly wisdom; for he that winneth souls is wise. Our address is Grand Junction, Mich. Yours in the Lord,
LEROY SHELDON AND CO.
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2322 W. JEFFERSON ST., LOUISVILLE, KY.
DEAR ONES: We greet you all in the name of our God with glad tidings. We are still in this city. The Lord’s work is slowly progressing. Several are obtaining both pardon and second cleansing: are being delivered from different of the sects, and false “missions.” Others have been miraculously healed by the power of God according to Jas. 5:13. A young preacher and several others whom the Lord may use, are scaling the walls of division. Pray God they may follow on and be established in the “present truth.”
The work has been retarded here, and the little ones have been suffering from an awful spirit of heresy. Certain ones have pulled off from the body who want to be teachers, and “draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29 — 31), but God has brought the honest back. The factious ones are still puffed up, running a rival mission, and are trying to undermine the real work of God. We have visited and plead with them in love and kindness to see their error and return, but stubbornness and emulation have barred their hearts against admonition and retraction. We understand these parties have recently run into the “Millennium” delusion. We doubt not that they will go into worse and worse pitfalls if they thus continue. God help the little ones here to lovingly and yet uncompromisingly deal with such for their good and the safety of God’s cause. These are the most slimy and clannish spirits we have met for a long time. A lack of humility is the cause of this. We are ready to meet them at the judgment. Oh, brethren, pray that we may be humble, self-denying, and self-sacrificing workers for Jesus. We are scattering the truth on street-cars, railroad trains, and by every means. Good results are already seen and we anticipate more.
B. E. WARREN AND CO.
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THOMPSON, NEB., Dec. 19.
DEAR TRUMPET READERS: It has been some time since we reported through the TRUMPET of the work the Lord has been accomplishing through us, but we are still praising God for victory. After spending a week in Chicago we went to Muscatine, Iowa, where we held a few cottage meetings with the saints, which were blessed of the Lord. We attended the assembly meeting at Pine Creek from the 22nd to 30th. Bros. Nelson, Achor, Daugherty, Rhaben, Ridenhour, and myself were the ministers present. It was truly a feast to our souls. The Lord wonderfully manifested his power in saving, sanctifying, and healing all that applied. Bro. Alteneder was led of the Lord to build a large addition to his house for meeting purposes, which he did, and it is well furnished and seated. It was dedicated to the Lord by the assembly meeting.
Wife and I bid friends and relatives in Muscatine adieu the 31st and started West. We found Bro. W. A. Haynes at Milton, Mo., and were truly glad to meet him and his family and also our little son Ira, but we found Bro. Haynes much in need of rest. We had a few meetings there and with the saints at Mill Creek, where we preached Sunday, the Lord blessing by his saving and healing power. Tuesday of last week the brethren furnished us with team and buggy, and we drove through from Milton to Thompson, a distance of about 140 miles. The Lord favored us with good roads and good weather, and we scattered the precious seed by the way. We stopped one night with Bro. M. M. Stover at Table Rock. We found them still praising the Lord, but much in need of a meeting at that place. There is also much need of a meeting here at Thompson. While we are resting and visiting we are laboring with our hands, which we believe to be to the glory of God and financially necessary. We expect to return to Missouri, however, by the last of the month, where we will continue for some time. Your brother and sister, saved,
E. G. AND SUSAN B. MASTERS.
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GENEVA, IND., Dec. 19.
DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST: I have enjoyed many precious seasons with the Lord since my last report. Though I have been at home the greater part of the time, I have attended many precious meetings in which God has greatly manifested his power in the healing of the afflicted, soul and body. Wife and I left home for Bluffton, Ind., Nov. 20, where we found quite an energetic people. Though it was a new field of labor, we found some that really enjoyed the Spirit and readily received the word, and rejoiced greatly in the same, thanking God for sending them the truth. There were some few souls saved in this meeting during our short stay, but while the interest was good, and increasing steadily, we had to close on the account of diphtheria, for one week, after which we began again. But when the scare was over and the work began to look promising again, we had to close for a short time, but hope to go back and resume the work soon, as the people were very anxious for us to return. We came from there to Bro. J. Hockenberry’s neighborhood in Adams County and held one week, which resulted in the settling down of the church more perfectly in the truth, especially in love and humility. Truly God is moving on, and if we keep pace with him we must be up and doing. God help us to ever be on the forward move, and above all be filled with the love of God, that our hearts become like the great heart of Jesus.
We are now at Bunker Hill, near Geneva, Ind. Began services here the 16th and will hold as long as the Lord wills, thence as the Lord may direct. Any one desiring our labors, let us hear from you soon. Address Portland, Ind. Your saved brother and sister,
B. N. LONGERBONE AND WIFE.
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Obituary.
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Monroe, Ind.
LIZAR. — Leroy Ellsworth, youngest son of brother and sister Appleton Lizar, was born May 30, 1887; died Dec. 13, 1896; aged nine years six months and thirteen days. We know that our loss is his gain. Service by writer, assisted by Bro. Jacob Roof. Elmore Cook.
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PHIPPS. — Ellen Phipps died at her home, Nov. 30; aged seventy-six years six months and fourteen days. She fell asleep in Jesus. She was saved about two years ago. She called on the name of the Lord up to the time she was speechless. Funeral services by brother
Alie Fickle.
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FISHBAUGH, — Died in Los Angeles, Cal. Nov. 12, 1896; Bro. Frank T. Fishbaugh; aged twenty-one years five months and sixteen days. Bro. Frank found the Savior precious to his heart in his last sickness and talked much of Jesus, and what he would do if God spared his life. But God saw fit to call him home. Funeral services at the Baptist meeting-house at Anthony, Kan. by the writer, before a large concourse of friends. He leaves father and two sisters, all of whom were saved during his last illness. May God bless and keep them true.
S. G. Bryant.
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SPINK. — Died at her residence in Clinton, Ill., Sept. 11, 1896, Sister Alice Spink; aged forty-two years ten months and fourteen days. Sister Alice was born Oct. 28, 1853. She was converted in her youth and joined the M. E. denomination and lived a consistent member for years, but hearing a sermon on the true church and sanctification in 1892, told the writer it was just what she had long yearned for, and shortly after was sanctified wholly at Beaver Dam C. M., and from then on lived and worked for God. She died fully trusting in Jesus and exhorting all to come to Christ. Sister Alice was a faithful Christian, a devoted companion, a loving mother. She leaves an aged saved mother, a husband, children, brothers and sisters, to mourn their loss. May the blessings of God rest upon them all. Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord.
S. G. Bryant.
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De Aubigne’s History of the Reformation.
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This book is too well known to need much description. It gives an elaborate account of the
GREAT REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY,
led by Martin Luther and others. It also tells you about Luther’s birth, his youth, his conversion, and first labors, etc. It has been well said that “Truth is stranger than fiction, and will always prevail,” and, as we read this truthful and intensely interesting historic record of God’s wonderful dealings with men, in defeating their plans and establishing his truth, we cannot but stand in awe and delightful amazement at his wonderful display of wisdom and mighty power. This is a
NEW TRANSLATION CONTAINING
THE AUTHOR’S LATEST IMPROVEMENTS,
with three full-page steel engravings, and two hundred other illustrations including portraits of the most eminent reformers. It is a fine edition of this standard work, large size, measuring outside when closed, about 8 x 10,5 inches and containing 728 large double-column pages. Strongly bound in cloth.
Price, postpaid, $2.25.
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The Works of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS.
This is another equally valuable book, well known as a standard work of great value as a historical record. It gives a
HISTORY OF THE CREATION, DELUGE,
TOWER OF BABEL, ETC.,
and it gives probably the best and most complete account of the rise, progress, and final destruction of the Jewish nation, there is extant. This author lived at the time, and was an eye witness of the destruction of Jerusalem, and his vivid and detailed description of the awful sufferings endured by the Jews is sufficient evidence to convince the most skeptical of the truth of the Savior’s predictions in the 24th chapter of Matthew. In general it comprises
“The Antiquities of the Jews,” a “History
of the Jewish Wars,” and “Life of
Flavius Josephus,”
written by himself, together with three dissertations concerning Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, James the Just, etc. It is a large work. 978 double-column pages neatly bound in cloth.
Price postpaid, only $1,50.
The same with seventy-nine illustrations, bound in law sheep, library style, Price $2.25.
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Fox’s Book of Martyrs.
“All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Often do we hear these words used, but how few there are who know anything about real persecution — much less, have suffered the same.
THIS BOOK IS A COMPILATION FROM
“FOX’S BOOK OF MARTYRS,”
including much additional matter not in the original. It begins with the martyrdom of Stephen and follows with incidents connected with the death of Christ’s apostles. It pictures vividly the horrors of the butcheries perpetrated by Catholicism, and gives a history of the persecution of Christians in all lands, down to 1830. Contains also sketches of lives of eminent reformers, and an account of the French Revolution of 1789.
You should read it and know what been and what may be, before
“The evening shall be as the morning.”
Over 500 pages, neatly bound in cloth, and
All for 50 cts. THINK OF IT.
GOSPEL TRUMPET PUB. CO.
Grand Junction, Mich.
Page 4
Divine Healing.
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Steps to Healing.
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THERE is a road to health. It is a way of faith, marked out by the Divine himself. It is reached and traveled by power divine, and one desiring to travel this way and enjoy the blessings thereon must look well to the necessary steps. The first step for the sinner to take is to get out of sins. Then he can approach God in confidence, having a heart free from condemnation, and can then realize the weight of these words: “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” — 1 Jno. 3:22.
It is the will of God for us to be sanctified. 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18-23. Having thereby the heart cleansed and purged from the elements of depravity, it opens the way for a clear exercise of faith and moving out at the direction of the Lord.
Sometimes people apply for healing, who are in some line of error, or deception, and God, seeing their sincerity and honest desires, sometimes sees fit to delay the healing until the snare of the enemy is discovered. Again, the afflicted one may be doing something which continually irritates or prolongs the disease. In such a case the cause needs to be sought out and removed. Then call upon God to do the healing.
When sickness comes upon you, at once you should thoroughly examine your consecration before God according to his word, until you know you are clear in his sight Then ask him that you may know the cause, or lesson to be learned. and you can then ask for the healing in all confidence, doubting nothing.
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Reasons Why Jesus Healed.
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“THE CURSE OF THE LAW.”
“CHRIST hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” — Gal. 3:13.
The Lord promised blessing to all that obeyed the law, and curses to the disobedient, saying, “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day,” etc. — Deut 11:26-28. Also Deut. 30:1 — “And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee.”
Now if we find disease, sickness, infirmities, and plagues in the “curse of the law,” and Jesus hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, he redeems us from disease, sickness, infirmities, etc.
This also locates healing in the redemption plan, making the same our redemption right, and placing us on equal footing with all that had need of healing while “the multitudes sought to touch him; for as many as touched him were made whole of whatsoever disease they had, for virtue went out of him and healed them all.”
“SICKNESS THE CURSE OF THE LAW.”
“The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby. thou hast forsaken me.” — Deut. 28:20.
“The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.” — Ver. 22.
“The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the hemorrhoids, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart.” — Verses 27, 28.
“If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.” — Verses 58-61.
All the diseases and sicknesses mentioned in the book of the law are included in the “curse,” also all sicknesses and plagues that are not written in the law (which includes all sickness everywhere and in all time to come) are equally included in the curse of the law, from which Christ hath redeemed us. And that little pronoun “us” includes all who will accept their redemption right, “and with his stripes we are healed.”
This redemption right was not for the Jews alone who were under the law, but, “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.” — Gal. 3:14.
So Christ redeems Jew and Gentile alike, and extends equal rights and privileges to all. The Canaanitish woman (a Gentile) received healing for her daughter. The centurion (a Gentile) obtained healing for his palsied servant.
The general commission to all nations, Matt. 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-20, embraced healing for the sick. Paul healed these barbarians on the Island of Melita. Acts 28:1-9.
Disease and sickness are included both in the fail of man, and in the disobedience of the law. But Christ redeems from all; “for where sin abounded grace did much more abound.”
Jesus told the people, “Moses gave you the law and none of you keepeth it.” Hence, “This people who knoweth not the law are cursed,” and there were multitudes of sick and infirm people among the Jews when Christ came, but when they were obedient, though nearly two and one-half millions of people, the Psalmist said, “There was not one feeble person among their tribes.’’
Sickness was therefore incorporated in the curse, and Jesus came to remove the curse, redeem us from it. That is a reason why he healed and a reason why he heals now. ‘‘Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” Amen.
G. L. COLE.
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Why We Can Live Without Sinning.
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GREETING to you all in the name of Jesus, and blessing, and honor, to our God, who causeth his faithful few to triumph over every foe. What a blessed thought that we, through the precious blood of Jesus, can be made unto our God kings and priests, and even reign on the earth! Yes, reign, yea, triumph over every sin.
We see many who profess to be God’s children in word, but are not in deed and in truth. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Yes, they say we cannot live without sin, thereby denying the power and word of God.
Now the command is, ‘Let no man deceive himself. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.’ — 1 Cor. 3:16, 17, 18. Again, “God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them.” — 2 Cor. 6:16.
Now in Heb. 4:14, 15 we read how Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Again, in 1 Pet. 2:21, 22. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” Now this same Jesus (for in Heb. 13:8 we read, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever”) that was ridiculed, yes, mocked, spit upon, scourged, tempted, and was even crucified, did no sin amid it all; and he has said he would dwell in us, providing we let him, and he will live the life of Christ through us, if we let him. In Rev. 3:20 we read, “Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Dear reader, will you let him in? Will you let him dwell in you? If you turn the other master out, and let Jesus in, yes, let him come to stay, you will soon learn that he is much the better master — so good, so gentle, so ready to help, that you will surely never want to let that cruel tyrant Satan come back into you to live any more.
I tell you, my friends, in all candor, I was so sick and tired of Satan that I never want to be found serving him again. I have thought sometimes when trials and persecution were raging the hardest that I would rather give an arm, or an eye, or even my life, than to give up serving the Lord: and I felt down deep in my soul that sweet peace, and grace sufficient. I have thereby felt encouraged to move on, realizing that our God will give grace for whatever and whenever it is needed.
One reason some fall in time of temptation is because they get to looking at the temptation, instead of looking to God for a way of escape. Dear ones, get to God, you that think you cannot live without sin. Repent, confess your sins to God, and forsake them; ask God to par-don, believe that he dues pardon you, because he says, “He that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” Get the carnal nature extracted, purged out. Then throw your whole being into God’s care. Let him do the keeping. Pray much everywhere. Yours, saved and kept,
VIANNAH CRITES.
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Testimonies.
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CORSICANA, TEXAS.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I am praising God for a full salvation that saves me from all sin. Praise his holy name forever! Oh I do praise my blessed Jesus for his wonderful keeping power. I know that I am sinking down into the real humility of Jesus. Dear ones, as I sink deeper down into the sweet will of God, how grand it is to feel his presence in my soul! I feel the holy-fire burning on the altar of my heart. The way is getting brighter everyday. The dear Lord is teaching me many glorious lessons. Dear ones, you who read this, if you feel led to come this way to preach the pure gospel of Christ, write at once; for the pure gospel is needed here so much. There are some souls here wanting the truth. Yours in the one body,
J. T. HOLLAND.
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AUGUSTA, GA.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I do praise God for saving me from all my sins and for also calling me out of sectism, and giving me a willing heart to obey him. I do praise Him for this full and free salvation which enables me to take him for my physician. I was a sufferer from heart trouble, also neuralgia. But glory to God I was gloriously healed after being fully saved. I was a free user of medicines. There was not a whole month passed that I dared, as I thought, leave off taking medicine. But glory to his dear name, on hearing the word of God on divine healing, the good Lord gave me faith to believe, and so I told my husband I was going to let the Lord heal me. He thought me senseless, but had much patience with me.
I remember shortly after telling him I was going to let the Lord heal me, I had a severe attack of neuralgia in the head. I had to take my bed and thought I would die. My husband asked me whether he should go for a doctor or not; I told him he could if he wanted to. Well, he went and called in a doctor. He came and gave me some pills. He gave me one to take before he went, and told me when to take the others. When he had gone, oh how condemned I felt! Husband of course felt all right after the doctor had come and helped me. He thought of course I would be well shortly, after I got up and about, though very weak. I had one of the saints washing for me, and she, seeing my condition, would tell me how sick she had been several times and how the Lord had healed her every time. That strengthened me wonderfully and gave me a stronger determination to really take God at his word. But I never got any stronger from the attack I had in the head, and so I told husband once more I meant to take no more medicine. One morning seeing no improvement in my health, he told me on going to his work he would send the doctor to see me. I told him he need not send him as I was not going to take the medicine. He left, saying he would send him. and sure enough, after going to the doctor’s office and telling him what a condition I was in, and also my belief in faith cure, or being healed by the Lord, he went to his work.; and the doctor came. After smiling sarcastically at my belief he smoothed it over by telling me how he appreciated my having such faith in God. He then went on to show me in his blind way, that God never would have put the doctors here if he did not mean them to give medicine to his people. I frankly told him I meant to take the Lord for my physician anyhow. On leaving he left a prescription, which my husband got filled, which was a bottle of liquid medicine. He also at the same time left a prescription for some pills. I told my husband when he came home from work, I was not going to take the medicine he had bought for me. So I took the bottle the next day and emptied it out and threw the prescription for the pills in the chimney, and praise the Lord, I was healed. Though Satan has tried me mightily since, the Lord is still my physician.
I also praise God, since that time my husband got gloriously saved, and both of us can see alike, and there is peace and harmony in our home, for which we give God all the praise. We can see eye to eye in any matter. Our little boy has been seriously ill with bowel trouble; we thought he would die, but praise God he is healed and is now a fat boy. At one time my two children and cousin were all in the bed at one time with the measles. We just trusted God, not using any medicine at all, and the Lord gloriously healed each one of them. Oh praise his name! I write this hoping it will strengthen some. Yours in the one body,
MATILDA EDWARDS.
DEAR SAINTS: I am also praising God that I am saved and kept by God’s power free from sin and committing sin, and also praise him that I can take him for my physician. Pray much for me that I be kept humble and at the feet of Jesus. Yours in the one body,
JAMES EDWARDS.
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Treasury, Continued,
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THE collection of money in the early church is thus described by the pen of Justin Martyr, a writer of the second century: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. * * * And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows, and those who through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among us, and, in a word, takes care of all who are in need.” — Apol. Chap. 67.
This is evidently the same system of collecting money instituted by Paul in 1 Cor. 16:1, 2. Justin said “they who were well to do, and willing,” contributed; and Paul commanded. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” — 2 Cor. 9:7.
Paul also commanded us to give as God prospers us. 1 Cor. 16:2. Are we living to the standard of this text, brethren? Many suppose that to give as the Lord prospers, is to give when money is needed for any particular purpose, if they at that time happen to have something to spare. And as it often happens that camp meetings and revival meetings etc. come just at the time when they have but very little money in their hands, they will not give more than a dollar or two in a year, when perhaps the Lord has prospered them with $300.00 during the year. This is not giving as the Lord hath prospered.
God wants us to practice giving every Lord’s day during the year. In this way we will have a chance to give when we have much and when we have little. Sometimes we may have but a few cents to give to the Lord, and sometimes we can give a dollar, and sometimes much more than that. The church of God has a great advancement to make on this line.
I doubt not that a great many now in the evening light, give less to assist in spreading this glorious truth, than they gave to support the false doctrines of Babylon before they heard the evening light. Doubtless, very few of those who have been saved from the use of tobacco, coffee, etc., give as much annually to the support of the pure gospel, as they spent for these narcotic poisons.
Let us figure on the annual expenses of the average tobacco and coffee user. I suppose 25 cents for tobacco and 15 cents for coffee, for a family is about the average weekly cost of these habits. At this rate the tobacco habit would cost 52 times 25 cents, or $13.00 in one year. The coffee habit would cost 52 times 15 cents, or $7.80 in one year. Both habits would cost $13.00 plus $7.80, or $20.80. How many of you give this much to spread the gospel in one year? You perhaps think yourself very liberal if you give $5. 00 to the Lord during the year. Oh shame! You do not love the Lord’s cause as you did your tobacco and coffee.
Doubtless many of those whom the Lord has so wonderfully saved from tobacco, coffee, and tea, will say, they are too poor to give anything to help in the spreading of the gospel. And some of them will even claim they are too poor to pay for the TRUMPET, and must go on the free list. This we know is not true. Before they were saved they managed to pay the tobacco and coffee bills. And if they had never been saved would be paying them still. A man who is not able to pay for the TRUMPET or give anything to the Lord is one who is not able to pay for coffee and tobacco, if he still had an appetite for them. God help all to be honest with God.
If a man is truly too poor to give anything, the Bible makes the following allowances for him. “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.’ — 2 Cor. 8:12. But all those who are able, before they can make great advancement in spirituality, must learn that putting something into the Lord’s treasury is a regular duty of Christians upon the Sabbath day