5 November 1896, Volume 16, Number 44.

JESUS SEES US ALL.

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Dear ones, do you love Jesus,
And serve him as you should?
Is every act obedience?
Is every thought and word?

CHORUS — We cannot hide from Jesus
A single thing we do;
If saved, we cannot hide from men
The love of Christ so true.

We can’t deceive our Father
Who dwells in men by love;
We’ll reap just what we scatter,
Eternity shall prove.

Our blessed Bible tells us —
And it we always heed —
That we who are in Jesus,
From every sin are freed.

Salvation makes us loving,
And gentle, good, and kind;
It gives us holy firmness,
With humbleness of mind.

Professor, come to Jesus,
By Jesus’ blood be freed;
All sin must be forsaken
Before you’re free indeed.

You cannot hide from Jesus
A single thing you do,
He knows your heart’s dark secrets —
You’ll reap just what you sow.

W. B. Preston.

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Love, the Supreme Gift.

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THE great question of antiquity, as of the modern world, was, “What is the greatest gift? We have been told that the greatest thing in this professed religious world is faith. And we have learned to look upon it as such, as the greatest gift in the world. We look down through the annals of time. It has been the keynote for centuries of the evangelical religion. We are wrong, and have been told wrong. We invite the reader into the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. In verse 2 (Revised Testament) Paul says, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not love, I am nothing.”

This was not an oversight. Nor was it prejudice. A man is apt to recommend to others his own strong point. This was not Paul’s strong point. We can detect as Paul gets old, growing and ripening all through his character. The hand that penned verse 13 — “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” — when it was first met, was stained with blood.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Peter says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” The three greatest masters of Christianity stood side by side on this great theme love. Peter says, “Above all things have fervent love among yourselves.” John moves into a greater depth, “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Paul says, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor.” “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Dear readers, did you ever take into consideration what Paul meant by the above text? In those days men were trying to work their passage to heaven by the ten commandments, and a hundred and ten other commandments which they had manufactured out of them (like ten-commandment-keepers to-day). While the above was the topic of the day, Jesus stepped in upon the scene and said, “I will show you a more excellent way.” The lawyer asked the question, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Love will fulfill all of the law and prove the complete fulfillment of the ten-commandment law, found in Exodus chapter 20. We will now invite our readers into Exodus. Each commandment will be followed by some thought on Matt. 22:36-40.

Ex. 20:3-5. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

If a man love God, you will not have to tell him that. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

Ex. 20:7. Take not his name in vain.

If you love God with all the heart, you will never dream of taking his name in vain.

Ex. 20:8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

Love God with all the heart, and you will not wait for the Jewish Sabbath to have a holy day to keep; but will live “in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.” — Luke 1:75.

Ver. 12. Honor thy father and mother.

Love thy neighbor; you will be sure to love father and mother, without thinking about it.

Ver. 13. Thou shalt not kill.

It would be preposterous to tell him not to kill him whom he loved. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

Ver. 14. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Love thinketh no evil. A heart that loves God will never commit adultery — never dream of it.

Ver. 15. Thou shalt not steal.

Would you steal from those whom you love? No! Would rather they possessed the goods than take them.

Ver. 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

If you love your neighbor, you will never speak evil against him, nor be a false witness. Absurd it is to tell him not to bear false witness. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Then you would never have to tell him not to covet what belongs to his neighbor. He would rejoice because his neighbor possessed so much. ‘Love seeketh not her own, thinketh no evil. What if we say we are justified and sanctified through and through, and do not fulfill the whole of this law of LOVE? For an answer see 1 Cor. 13:1 — “Though I speak with tongues of men and angels, and have not love I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” In verse 2 he contrasts it with prophecy. Again, he contrasts it with faith. Love is greater than faith, because the end is greater than the means. What is the use of having faith? It is to connect the soul with God. And what is the use of being connected with God? It is to become like God; for “God is love.” This is to say; faith is in order to love. The end is greater than the means. Love, therefore, obviously is greater than faith. “Love” has nine elements — nine ingredients: first, patience — “Love suffereth long;” kindness — “and is kind;” generosity — “Love envieth not;” humility — “Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up;” courtesy — Love “doth not. behave itself unseemly;” good temper — Love “is not easily provoked;” guilelessness — “thinketh no evil;” sincerity — “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” Patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness, sincerity — these make up the supreme gift, the stature of the perfect man. We praise God so much for this analysis of love. Now, the business of our lives is to fit these things into our character. That is the supreme thing to which we need to address ourselves, to learn love. And life is full of opportunities for learning love.

Dear ones, it is not to fold our arms, or stand up and say I am justified and sanctified and out of all sectism, and out on the blood and fire line for God. This can all be said before the public. But do we act out the supreme gift before the world of sin? Every man and woman has opportunities every day to manifest the supreme gift. This world is not a playground; it is a schoolroom: and its great lesson that we are always to learn is the lesson of love, in all its parts. What makes a good lawyer? Practice. What makes a man a good artist, a good sculptor, a good musician? Practice. What makes a man to be known as good after he is made a new man? Practice in that which is good. Nothing else.

There is nothing capricious about salvation. We do not get the soul in a different way — under different laws — from that in which we get the body. If a man does not exercise his arm, he gets no biceps muscle; and if a man or woman does not exercise the soul, they obtain no muscle in the soul — no strength of character, no robustness. Love is not a thing of emotion and gush. It is a robust, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole character and nature in its fullest development. And these things are only to be acquired by daily and hourly practice. How about looking after the sick, poor, and needy, widows, and orphans? “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Love begets love. It is a process of induction. You can take a piece of iron in the mere presence of an electrified body; said piece of iron for a time becomes electrified. It becomes a temporary magnet in the presence of a permanent magnet, and as long as you can leave the two side by side they are both magnets. So, beloved ones, let each one put himself side by side with him who loved us, and gave himself for us, and you too will become a permanent magnet — a permanent attractive force. And like him you will draw — can I say it? — all men unto you (not to hold you as their god but to adore and serve the true God). Love will draw; for that is the inevitable effect of love. Any one who fulfills the same must have the effect produced in him.

“Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail.” The Book of books is full of prophecies. One by one they have failed; that is, having been fulfilled. Their work is finished except as evidences, as matters of interest, having not much more to do in the world except to feed a devout man’s faith. “Love never faileth.”

“Whether there be tongues, they shall cease.” That was another thing that was greatly coveted. They have ceased, take it in any sense you like. For instance, languages in general, which probably was not in Paul’s mind at all. Take the words in which the chapter was written — Greek. You may say it is gone. Take the Latin, the same. The other great tongue of those days, it ceased long ago. Where is the tongue of our country (Indian language)? Ceased.

Paul goes further and with even greater boldness he says: “Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” The wisdom of the ancients, where is it? It is already gone. Look how the coach has been superseded by the locomotive. Look how electricity — look how the telegraph has come in and put a hundred inventions aside. Ay, and they will have their day and then vanish away.

In the University of Edinburgh, the greatest figure in the faculty was Sir James Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform. His successor and nephew, Professor Simpson, was asked by the librarian of the University to go to the library and pick out the books on his subject (midwifery) that were no longer needed. His reply to the librarian was this: Take every book that is more than ten years old and put it down in the cellar. Knowledge has vanished away. Sir James Simpson was a great authority twenty years ago. Men came from all parts of the earth to consult him; and the whole knowledge of that day, within this short period, is now consigned by the science of to-day to the cellar. How true are the words of Paul: “We know in part and we prophecy in part!”

Dear readers, can you tell anything that is going to last? “Love never faileth.” John says, “The world passeth away.” But “love never faileth.” Amen. Yours in much holy love,

J. A. DILLON.

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Save the Girls.

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(Continued from last issue.)

Advice to you who have been overtaken by this evil — and there are but few innocent. Be sure that you are in a fit condition to go immediately to sleep, before you retire. If not, you should find something to be busied at among the household duties, or perhaps it would be well to spend an hour or two reading some good book — but never novels, they will hasten your doom — until you get your mind on those things that pertain to virtue and honor, then, falling asleep, your rest is perfect. Then the moment you wake, arise and busy yourself all the day with something useful. If lustful feelings arise, dismiss them by thinking of something good. Take your stand that you would die rather than to submit to the cowardly and immoral, beastly passion.

Lewd thoughts are visitors that must not be entertained. They bring feverish excitement that overpowers the nervous system. They will draw a curtain of darkness over the window of true love, and shut out the graces that adorn the citadel of honor. Virgin purity is priceless. Preserve it and around the pure and lovely will cluster all the precious elements of womanhood.

The magnitude of this evil cannot be conceived. The depth to which it has carried humanity cannot be fathomed. Like the death grip it has fastened upon the vitals of our race, as an inveterate enemy. As the elements vanish before the magician’s wand, just so do the lovely principles of nobility flee before the presence of this destroying monster.

Oh have we no wisdom at our command? Is our knowledge of holiness so limited that we nowhere can find an avenue of grace by which we may escape? Your decision must be made, and that soon. Your frail bark is flying down the stream of time and will soon be hurled over death’s cataract. Ensnared in the trammels of hell, you will then realize, but too late, that your life has been a failure, hope lost, heaven lost, and your soul lost, never to be found outside the dread despair of eternal shame. Link after link is added to the chain of darkness, inch by inch the cable shortens that binds you to your awful doom. The light of life is gradually growing dim, the flickering flame of virtue is now smoldering beneath the globe that encircles the soul, which should have been, perfected love and truth.

Stop, now, ere you are lost? Yonder is a city of’ refuge. It is called “Continence.” Flee to it at once or the slayer will give the final blow.

These beastly gratifications are indulged at the expense of every moral endowment. Summon a troop of energies and with Justice’s sword utterly annihilate the tyrannical passion. Seize the heavenly gem of virtue and drag it from the impending danger. There is a path that leads to joys eternal; another, to darkest night. Give up vice and take the former, or continue in evil, and the latter is inevitable.

If the path of virtue you choose, here is my pledge: I shall help you all I can. If you continue in vice, good bye; for we will never meet in a brighter world than this. The windows of grace are so polluted by sinful lusts that the all-inspiring sunlight of holy recreation fails to gladden the wretchedness of the poor captive of despair, by the rays of glory from the throne of freedom and peace. The door that should have given a glad reception to the feast of good things prepared by the Bridegroom of heaven, is closed against the Son of God, and is receiving instead the mists of death. A horrible tempest in this whirlwind of judgment to be reaped by all who violate the laws of purity, is whirling your poor soul in the bosom of despair. Around and around you are tossed by the archfiend amid shrieking demons that torment your already miserable existence, with the thought that a few more bitter days will send you to the great unseen, before the tribunal of the Almighty.

The end will come, and ten thousand thunders will reecho from the clouds of endless night the wail of the soul that is conscious of its polluted state and the brightness of the heavenly home. The bells of heaven toll the requiem; the death march begins, led by the devil, never to cease unless eternity comes to an end.

There is a time when you may break loose from the docks of shame. But the time is also when hope is in the past, the sting of conscience smites you, and you groan beneath the weight of a blackened future. You find so many abnormal characteristics embodied in your nature that every propensity seems to tend downward instead* of aspiring to a noble existence.

Seek such associates as have a reputation for things manly and courageous; try to identify yourself with the feelings of all such, and with the principles that advocate a virtuous life. Invoke the help of God and he will surround with an influence that will give you energy and fortitude to accomplish your aim. Vitality will return; courage, increase; and strength, abound. That enervated, shrunken, almost lifeless spirit will be renewed, those depressed feelings will flee, an object will appear that will be worth living for.

As you are now, you are a failure everywhere; you must do something for yourself. A good character is what you need. Character is a heavenly capital, and all who invest in wisdom’s way will realize a profit of everlasting riches.

Let all see to it that the foundation is laid broad and deep upon the “Rock of Ages.” Be honest with yourself and God; for “your sin will find you out.” Your conscience will cast up before you the filth of your soul. The very wind will sigh forth your iniquity. Beware of a seared conscience or the things you once viewed with horror you can practice with shameless impunity.

It has been truthfully said that, “Character is a building, and every act a stone;” and I will add — If every stone is a principle pf integrity, added one by one, joined by the seal of holy love, a grand temple will stand in honor to God, and fairer than the costless marble, will stand a monument of power and praise to the spotless soul. Our mind and the faculties of the soul are tools with which we frame this great structure. So let all be careful to see that the workman who operates them is the hand Divine, not the infernal.

Remember that secret thoughts never expressed mould the character in indulgences of imaginary wrong. The lie never told for fear of being detected is the devil’s brush that paints the windows of honor and affects the character as much as if the whole world knew it.

Would you labor for rubies? Character is worth more. Would you strive for a kingdom? A pure character will make you a queen in any nation under the sun, and give you a throne in glory. You have no time to waste, eternity is dawning; your moments are more precious than

(Continued on fourth page.)

Page 2

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1896.

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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED

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Chas. Oglesby, Ruby Neff, Mrs. Laura Blodgett, C. O. Dodge.

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MEETINGS IN THE SOUTH.

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The Lord willing, after spending a few days in Ohio in meeting we expect to start on South arriving at Louisville, Ky. about Nov. 17, and remain about a week with the church at that place, then go South, probably stopping at Tullahoma, Tenn., Huntsville, Ala., and Hartsells, Ala., then go to Mississippi, and wherever the Lord may direct. We desire to visit as many of the churches as possible, and expect to spend about six weeks in the South if the Lord so directs.

E. E. BYRUM AND WM. G. SCHELL.

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Requests for Prayer.

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I ask your prayers that the Lord heal me of cough. Noah Duncan.

One of my lungs is gone. Pray that the Lord will heal me. Mary Brown. Carrollton.

Pray that I may be healed of nervous trouble and indigestion; also that I be saved from all my sins. D. N. Webster, Clinton.

I am very badly afflicted with rheumatism. Please pray for my healing. Mrs. Amanda Hood, Mineral Ridge.

Let all pray November, 11 for the healing of my sister. Anna Dennis. She has consumption, and is getting weaker and worse. Mrs. J. Hoops, Comly.

Pray for my brother that he may be healed of lung trouble and that he may be sanctified. Also that my father may be sanctified. R. W. Wells.

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Calls for Meetings.

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Some of God’s true ministers are wanted to come and hold meeting here, eight miles north of Guthrie, Okla. Address R. W. Wells, Lima, Okla.

I would rejoice to have some of God’s true ministers come to this place to preach the pure word of God. There are no saints here, and the sects are all dead. Address J. C. Hosier, Box 76 Coalburg, Delaware Co., Iowa.

We notice in the TRUMPET that Bro. William Warren and company are coming North to hold meetings. We wish to let them know that we desire meetings at Bliss and surrounding country whenever the Lord permits them to come. Workers coming this way are needed very much. F. E. Isaac, Canby, Emmet Co., Mich.

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QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

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THE FIRST PRINCIPLES.

A brother who has met some Christian Scientists, who oppose the scriptural means of laying on bands in prayer for the sick, desires an explanation of Heb. 6:1, 2, to be published in TRUMPET.

The above reference has no such meaning as to do away with the laying on of hands in healing Jesus says among the signs that were to follow those who believe, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” — Mark 16:18. The apostles practiced it, for verse 20 tells us that they went forth preaching everywhere, and the Lord confirmed his word with signs following. Paul practiced it (Acts 28:8) in praying for the sick, and it would be a great inconsistency if he or any of the rest of the apostles were to advise the Hebrew brethren to ignore that which Jesus said they should and did do.

What the apostle here refers to is the first principles of Christ. The margin reads, “The word of the beginning of Christ.” They are exhorted to advance beyond the starting point. They were much disposed to remain in their babyhood. They were dull of hearing. Heb. 5:11-14. They should have been teachers themselves, but instead of this, they had need of being taught the first principles, and had need of milk. Therefore in the reference in question, they are urged to go on to perfection and not any longer lay the foundation for these first principles of repentance, etc., among which are the laying on of hands, which was frequently an apostolic practice after baptism had been administered (Acts 8:17. 19:5), for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and is here considered by the apostle as one of the means of grace which belongs to a young convert in his initiative experience.

Anti-ordinance teachers frequently use this same scripture to disprove the obligation of baptism, but such is a shameful perversion. The apostle by no means ignores the necessity of these things to those who come into the kingdom, but on the other hand gives recognition to them, as the very first principles by which a soul is brought into the blessings of gospel grace; but, now, after having thus been brought in, let us go on to perfection. Let us make use of what we now have received, and become strong men, with our senses well exercised.

A schoolboy learns the fundamental principles of mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but when he has gone through them, it is expected of him that he now make use of his knowledge thus obtained, in its practical application in problems. He cannot ignore the principles of addition etc.; but instead of continually learning how to add, and never getting beyond it, he now makes use of what he has received. It would be discouraging to both pupil and teacher to have the child kept in addition in the primary class.

The Hebrew brethren had not gone on in their Christian experience and grown up to manhood, but kept among the babies — milk babies — and were no credit whatever to the cause of Christ; falling and getting bumped and bruised, and crying, and representing salvation as a very unsatisfactory burden. How many there are to day who are just like these brethren were! The admonition is good for us all. Let us move out into the higher Christian attainments and by the grace of God become strong; so that instead of having others burdened by. us we may be able to bear the infirmities of the weak. Let us also leave the first principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on unto perfection.

“Launch out into the deep.
Oh let the shore lines go;
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine.
Out where the full tides flow.”

J. W. B

I wish you would explain to me Isa. 11:6-8, and Rev. 21:2. P. A. H.

Isa. 11:6-8 is a highly figurative prophecy of the peace of soul enjoyed by those who are saved in Christ Jesus. The words of the text are, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.”

Some millenarians apply this text in a literal sense, but such is a ridiculous application, since Jesus never atoned for the salvation of the lower animals.

In Rev. 21:2 John saw the new Jerusalem descending from God put of heaven. He says she was “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Verse 9 denominates this same new Jerusalem, “The bride, the Lamb’s wife.” These expressions enable us to see. that the new Jerusalem is the church of God, since we understand that the New Testament teaches the church to be Christ’s wife. See Rom. 7: 4.

Verse 14 tells us the city “had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” As the apostles are foundation stones in the church Eph. 2:20, this also serves to confirm the above interpretation.

The reader will observe that the revelator saw two descensions of the new Jerusalem, verses 2 and 10, and between them, an age when great wickedness abounded, verse 8. These two descensions signify the morning light and the evening light. And the age of prevailing wickedness between them, the age of the apostasy.

WM. G. SCHELL.

PERFECTION.

There are some here who fight Christian perfection and quote Phil. 3:12 as well as other scriptures. Will you explain this verse through the Trumpet? H. S.

This verse was explained a few months ago, but for the benefit of some who have not seen that number of Trumpet, it will be well perhaps to briefly speak of that verse again.

“Not as though I had already attained. either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” — Phil. 3:12.

The apostle speaks here of the resurrection of the body, which is plainly mentioned in verses 10, 11. This state of absolute perfection will not be attained until God’s appointed time, when this mortal shall have put on immortality. Then shall we reach that state which is affirmed by the apostle in verse 12 that he has not yet reached. In verse 15 he speaks of a perfection which is here and now attainable, and of which he and those to whom he was writing were in possession. This is Christian perfection, and we are commanded to attain to it in this life. It is not to be perfect in knowledge, wisdom, judgment, or understanding; for in these things we are to grow more and more. Perfection does not imply a state of maturity in this life, beyond growth, but it is the blessed grace by which we are inducted into our normal state for growth. It is the state of being PERFECT IN LOVE.

“Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — Matt. 5:48. ‘And this we wish even your perfection. Finally, brethren, farewell; be perfect.’ — 2 Cor. 13:9, 11. “Let us go on unto perfection.” — Heb. 6:1. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, strength, and mind.” — Luke 10:27. “Put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” — Col. 3: 14. “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.” — 1 Jno. 2:5. “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.’ — 1 Jno. 4:12-17.

These scriptures and many others teach perfect love, the result of which will be

PERFECT UNITY.

“For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” — Heb. 2:11. ‘And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through thy truth. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they may be one in us. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.’ — Quotations from Jno. 17.

PERFECT IN CHRIST.

‘That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. And ye are complete in him. That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.’ — From Col. 1:2, 4.

PERFECT IN PURITY.

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”’ — 1 Jno. 3:3. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” — 2 Cor. 7:1.

A PERFECT HEART.

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong, in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” — 2 Chron. 16:9.

THIS IS ATTAINABLE.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” — Eph. 4:13. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything ye be’ otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” — Phil. 3: 15. “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” — Heb. 10:14. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by the which will we draw nigh unto God.” — Heb. 7:19.

To any honest heart, no matter how badly it may be traditionized, these many witnesses of scripture ought to be conclusive, and they will put an eternal period to the arguments of men of carnal and contrary minds. It may be scripturally said that there cannot be one single verse in God’s word used in its proper meaning according to the mind of the Holy Spirit, that would in the least oppose the glorious doctrine of Bible or Christian perfection. How men who profess to be followers of Christ can oppose such plain teaching is indeed a marvel.

Let us publish it in the face of the opposition of men. “Lift up the standard for the people, cast up the highway, gather out the stones.” The holy people must shine forth. We must arise and shine, for our light is come. The blessed Holy Spirit, the divinely authorized teacher, is shining upon the pages of the sacred Word, and reflecting his glory into our hearts, and truly the words of the prophet are fulfilled. We can serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

J. W. BYERS.

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An Appeal.

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GRAND JUNCTION, MICH., Oct. 31, 1896.

Another assembly of the saints at Grand Junction is numbered with the past; but its effects are moving right on. Truly this meeting was a very precious one to our souls, as we learned some very beautiful and instructive lessons. Our souls are advancing in the Lord, and we appreciate the goodness and mercy of God more than ever before. We were also pleased to meet some of God’s holy children whom we never met before. We believe all who came to do good and to learn of God received a real benefit from the hand of the Lord. We believe that the people present realized the needs and duties of this place more than ever before. Now, dear ones, as winter is fast approaching and we are not fixed for heating the buildings, we want to make an appeal for help to purchase a boiler. Piping is placed in the schoolroom and also in the Home building that will be used for hot-water flues as soon as the Lord furnishes us with boiler or furnaces. There may be some secondhand boiler somewhere that can be purchased cheap. If any know of such they would oblige by notifying us. There are also other needs, such as meat, lard, soap, provisions, etc. We pray that all may take this to the Lord and give as the Lord has prospered. 2 Cor. 9:6, 7, 8. Yours, preserved in Jesus Christ,

JNO. H. MERICA AND FAMILY.

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To the Scattered Sheep.

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THERE must be a great many of God’s people who are scattered up and down through this world in twos and threes, and many more entirely ‘ alone in this evening light, unable to meet with the saints and never having the pure gospel preached to them except through the columns of the blessed TRUMPET.

It is always sad to think of dear ones being far away from home and brethren; but have you who have been thus singled out by the Great Shepherd, recognized the fact that you are elected to an honorable and responsible position? If God has set you for a sentinel in a lonely place at a distance from your chosen comrades is there not all the more need for you to be wide awake — ready to sound the alarm to souls in danger and point them to the fort?

Your dearest wish is that you lived near some of the saints, and you fondly hope that time and circumstances will work such a change that you will be permitted to worship in the congregation of the living God. This is well and natural that the Christ life within should seek companionship with Father’s family. And this He will give you, too, when you have faithfully performed the work in your corner. Psa. 37:4.

There is not a true Christian anywhere, who is so isolated, so ignorant, so poor, or so hampered by work or family cares that he cannot find opportunities to help the spread of the gospel. Have you a neighbor whom you have never invited to Father’s house? Go with meekness and love in your heart and a prayer to God for spiritual guidance and tell that sweet story of God’s love to man. Tell of your own weakness and inability to walk aright without Jesus — of his mercy and goodness and how he has blessed. Tell of the deep peace in perfect trust.

Send a quarter or a dime to the Trumpet Office and get some little tracts such as. “Have Faith in God,” “The Apostasy.” “Must We Sin.” etc. Put some in your pocket when you go to town or to the neighbor’s and don’t be afraid or ashamed to hand them out. Send a prayer after them and leave the rest to God. Put one in each letter you write and send them on the wings of every opportunity. “And whatsoever ye do, * * * do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Col. 3:17.

And oh how zealous we should be in this cause when we can scarcely go anywhere without seeing souls going to ruin, and when we know that so soon the day of salvation will be past! Let us then be up and doing, regardless of our surroundings or circumstances, regardless of what men may think or say. Let us not “be dismayed at their faces,”, neither pause in the good work for fear of the harvest. “God giveth the increase.”

Let us get more love in our hearts for perishing souls and then we shall be more faithful in “holding forth the word of life,” and will not be so easily discouraged when all about us seem to be scorning our blessed Savior. We should expect to be despised by worldlings; for we are no better than our Master. Matt. 10:24,25. We should pity them and remember Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” and seek in meek and loving deeds to let cur light so shine that men may see our good works and glorify our Father. Your redeemed sister,

F. DAYTON.

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Spread the Gospel.

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BRETHREN, is the time not upon us that this gospel should be preached to all nations? For we read in the word of God thus: “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” We know this is true, for it is the word of God. But where are God’s evangelists? Are they obeying the word of God? Have you waited on the Lord and know that you are called as an evangelist, and holding back from going

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out to foreign fields? “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Truly the enemy is very busy and watching every move, and many real honest souls are caught and fettered for the want of hearing the pure gospel.

Cannot the gospel be preached to these poor souls? Surely God is calling some to go forth with the gospel. Gan you not trust him? For thus saith the Lord: “Go ye therefore 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.” Truly, that is a glorious promise, and never broken, and again, it is a command to those whom God has called to be evangelists. And does not God talk to you when you sing or read that beautiful song, “Hear them calling for the gospel”? Many honest souls all over the world are seeking for the true light, and how cautious the enemy is to catch them with his false light, he is a busy missionary. May God protect all honest souls until the pure gospel is preached unto them. Are you going at the Lord’s command?

ROBERT CROASDELL,

Liverpool, England.

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News from the Field.

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FIKETON, TENN.

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: I am glad I can report victory through the TRUMPET again. I have been working west of Huntsville, Ala. for some time. The Lord gave us souls for our hire. We had baptizing last Sunday. Four were baptized, then after baptizing we went to Huntsville where we make our home. Staid there awhile, then I got word that the people in east Tennessee wanted me to come and hold meeting. The way opened up for us to go, and I was sure that God was calling me up here. I got on the train and started. Got here the 21st, started up meeting Thursday night. The people in this place seem to be starving for the pure gospel. The standard of salvation has been let down in this place. There have been preachers in this place trying to preach sanctification and did not live it themselves. So you know it was an uphill business to them. They teach people that they can be sanctified and use tobacco and stay in their so-called churches. I know that’s not so, for it is not according to the Bible. By the help of God I aim to lift a standard for the people. Your brother in Christ,

NOAH DUNCAN.

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GOSPEL ARK. MINERSVILLE, OHIO.

DEAR SAINTS: We all send greeting in Jesus’ name. Are still holding up the truth in this dark town. God is working. Four dear souls at the altar since our last report, and several request prayer. One sister baptized. Bless the Lord! Have received $4.25 toward repairing the Ark, for which we bless the Lord. We are still holding on to God and expect to keep asking until we receive. Brethren, unite your prayers and faith for souls in this place. Yours in Christ,

L. C. MAST.

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SYRACUSE, N. Y.

L. C. MAST,

MINERSVILLE, OHIO.

DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST: I see in the Trumpet you have received but one dollar for the repair of the Ark. I really thought God would move more to send to your aid and I believe he is speaking to the people, but it must be they don’t want to listen. I was thinking that if you did not receive enough to fix the Ark comfortable, you would be like the Syrophoenician woman, you would have to ask until you did receive. Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given unto you;” but he did not say we were to ask just once and stop at that, but, “Seek and ye shall find.” Naaman had to dip seven times in Jordan before he was cleansed. We certainly can do as much. If you don’t receive this time, keep asking until you do receive all you need. God has promise to supply all our needs, so we can come boldly to the throne with the assurance that we are going to get it. I do not always get what I ask for, the first or second time, but if I persist or hold on to God I get an answer.

I send you two dollars this time, and if God gives to me so I can, I will send every time you ask. And may God stir up the people to give of their means for the spreading of the gospel. I believe that God’s people ought to be stirred up some on this subject more and see if they are doing all that they can with their means. 1 John 3:17 says, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” May God help us to realize this scripture more and more and show our love for our brethren by what we will do for them in their need. Oh that the people would wake up and see the lost souls going to hell, and none to warn them, because they do not help by their means to send it to them! It is getting almost impossible to get the people to realize their condition now by preaching the word of truth to them. How few that hear the true gospel go forth in its purity believe or are willing to measure up to it! A few years ago, many would have received it gladly, but now the devil has so blinded them they cannot see, and it is getting worse all the time, and soon they will reject it altogether and persecute those who preach it. May God send out more consecrated workers before too late! May God bless you in your labors and give you souls for your hire, and supply all your needs, is my prayer. Remember me at the throne of grace that I may stand true for God in this wicked city. I would like to see the work go on in this city and God’s people gathered together into the one-fold. Your saved brother,

S. L. C.

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TULLAHOMA, TENN., Oct. 31.

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: It has been some time since I have taken up any space in the columns of the TRUMPET, but I will by the help of the Lord try and say a few words in regard to the work where I have been in the past few months. After the camp meeting in June, feeling that our work was done at the Children’s Home for the present, we took our departure in the name of the Lord. The first meeting held was at Benton Harbor, Mich., which resulted in a number of souls getting cleared up and some good done in the way of strengthening the little church at that place. We were rejoiced at the coming of Brother Carter and wife of Chicago, and also the saints at Covert, who took an active part in the meeting. From there we went to Tekonsha and held a grove meeting at that place in company with Brother Eldridge, which was a rejoicing season to our souls and also refreshing to those who listened to the pure word. Many precious souls were saved and some sought the second work of grace and found the Lord a complete Savior to purge them from all inbred sin. It was a continual wave of glory from beginning of the meeting to the end. We were met at this place by dear Bro. Welch who took us to his place and we held a few days’ meeting at Fayette, Ohio. We there met with Bro. Fidler and began to make preparations for our departure to the South to Tennessee by wagon. We held a few meetings at Zion, Ohio, while preparing for our journey, which was a general seed-sowing time.

On Sept. 10, we started on our journey, on our way scattering many Trumpets and tracts, upon which we ask God’s blessing. We held meeting over Sunday in Bro. Howard’s neighborhood and all the saints seemed to enjoy our coming. The next sabbath we camped in a nice grove on the banks of the Ohio, on the Kentucky side of the river, and asked privilege to preach in a Baptist meeting-house in the hills, which was freely granted and the dear souls enjoyed the word as it went forth. Our next place of meeting was a few days’ meeting at Louisville, Ky., where we found the dear brethren anxiously awaiting our coming and had a precious season with the Lord together. Five dear souls sought sanctification and two were baptized. From there we went twenty miles down the river to West Point, and held a few meetings in a new field, which resulted in two dear souls following the Lord in baptism and the establishing of a little church in that place. The next stop was at Sunny Lane, Ky. from Friday until Monday. We preached – few times in the Campbellite meeting-house and then took our departure for Tullahoma, Tennessee. Arriving at that place we found things in the hands of the enemy to some extent, but by the word being’ put forth in its purity, and sin and the devil and his works being rebuked we gained the victory over the darkness, and the work is moving on in spite of the enemy. Several doors are open here for the truth. Pray for us that God sends us where he will and that we be useful in his hands. Your saved brother, set apart for the defense of the gospel,

J. L. PIKE.

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Testimonies.

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HAMMOND, LA.

DEAR SAINTS: I will to the glory of God send in my testimony. Praise his holy name! He justifies me freely and sanctifies me wholly. He is all and in all. Praise his holy name! Dear ones’ pray for my un-saved children.

H. H. PARKER.

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HAMMOND, LA.

DEAR SAINTS: I feel it would be to the glory of God for me to write my testimony. I am glad it is my privilege to tell you I am saved and sanctified through the blood of Jesus. I want the prayers of all the saints that I may hold out faithful to the end. Pray for my unsaved children. Yours, under the blood,

C. L. BENNETT.

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IONIA, S. C.

DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: This Monday morning finds me on the forward move for God, and I am determined to go through at any cost. I do praise God for being free in Jesus. He can make us free from everything that is not like him. Dear ones, pray for me that I may be clothed with humility. Your brother all for God,

J. C. JOYNER.

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ST. LOUIS, MICH.

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: I can say this morning that I am saved, and thank God for it. Since the Gratiot C. M. my little boy caught fire and burned his face and right arm very severely. After that I scalded my foot with hot tea which I was making for some company, and irritated it by walking with my shoe on. But I praise God for healing them all. Pray earnestly for me that I prove faithful and always live true to the cause of Christ. Amen. Your sister,

ETTIE M. STRONG.

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WHITE OAK, W. VA.

DEAR READERS OF THE TRUMPET: This beautiful morning finds me praising God for his saving grace, with faith in Jesus that keeps me from sin each day. There are but four of us and we feel the need of a Holy Ghost minister to come and stay in West Virginia and work. It seems that the ministers do not love to stay in these hills; but God gives the hills as well as the valleys. Pray for us out here. Yours, saved in Jesus,

MARY E. DAVIS.

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NORMAN, OKLA.

DEAR READERS OF THE TRUMPET: My name has never before appeared in this paper; but I am so glad that “my name is written in heaven,” and I do rejoice that I am counted worthy. I praise the dear Lord that he ever taught this plain, narrow, self-denial way of holiness, that has cleansed and purified my soul and made me a child of God. I do not belong to any sect, but I am free indeed. My soul is on fire for God, and my desire is to help some one to see the light on this blessed plan of salvation from sin. Yours, sanctified and kept by power divine,

G. W. FREEMAN.

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LOUISVILLE, KY.

DEAR SAINTS: I want to testify to the glory of God to a present and perfect salvation; first, by faith unto justification, a free gift to all who truly and honestly repent, and by a second work of grace through faith sanctified and cleansed from sin inherited or the carnal nature, and through obedience to his word by faith was healed several times. I was healed lately of chills and fever, in which illness I was convinced and gave up the use of coffee. Seven years ago last January I gave up beer and whiskey and tobacco, and the Lord destroyed the appetite, and about four weeks ago he did the same with the coffee and healed me of a disease of sleepiness of long standing, which I believe was produced partly if not entirely by the use of coffee. But praise the Lord for perfect deliverance and complete healing! Yours in defense of the truth,

W. L. BIRCH.

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CHINA, MO.

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: I believe it will be to the glory of God for me to write a few lines and tell the goodness of God. He is all and in all. Oh praise his name for saving my soul! He is our physician. Two years ago I testified that the Lord had healed a cancer for me and also healed my boy’s eye. He could hardly see. I can say to-day my cancer is still healed, and so is my boy’s eye. Praise God for his good-ness! I trust him for all diseases, small or great. He can heal all of our diseases. Praise God that I ever gave up all for Jesus. Pray that I may sink deeper in his will. Your sister in Christ,

MATTIE ARELL.

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ELLISVILLE, Miss.

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: I will add my testimony to the glory of God. I am saved through the blood of Christ, and am living up to all the light that I have. Praise the Lord! I ask the prayers of all God’s people to strengthen my faith that I may ever trust the Lord for all that we have. I want that healing faith, as I have three little children myself. My husband is away from home a great deal. I ask a special prayer in his behalf. He is afflicted with a cough. Some say it is catarrh. But’ I believe the Lord will heal him. Now let us all pray on the fifteenth of November for his healing. Your sister, under the blood of Jesus,

VIRGINIA B. JONES.

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CURTISVILLE. IND

DEAR TRUMPET READERS: I feel impressed to tell what the dear blessed Lord has done for me. He pardoned my sins, then sanctified my nature, and also healed me of several afflictions. Oh praise his name forever! Now I take him for my physician in everything. It is only since last March, when I first heard the gospel preached m its purity, and now I do praise God continually in my soul, for he keeps me every day. This is my first attempt to write what the Lord is doing for me, but the Lord is my helper so I can easily write of his goodness. I am fifty-three years old, and to think that I lived so long in sin. Oh I praise our Lord forever that I was willing to lay hold of his precious word! Now I do ask the prayers of God’s children that I may still continue to stand firm on the rock Christ Jesus. Your sister, saved and sanctified,

MARY E. HEADLEY.

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DE SOTO, Mo.

DEAR READERS OF THE TRUMPET: I feel that the Lord leads me to give my testimony, which I gladly do for his glory. I was raised by religious parents, taught to pray “Our Father” at the knee of a faithful mother; and when I was seventeen years of age the Lord forgave my sins, and of course, as was natural with the teaching I had, I joined the Methodist sect and at twenty-one was licensed to preach. I have preached more or less ever since; but of course, my experience has been fluctuating, about in the same manner as my preaching and other duties were performed. Finally, God showed me my true condition, which was most anything but right. And yet I was doing my duty before the people, though perfunctorily, and trying to feel all right. But praise the Lord forever, the true light now shineth. In my case the mist is cleared away. I am saved now, and I am anxious to do more in the vineyard of the Lord than ever before. I want to help spread the truth abroad. In this city there is a population of six or seven thousand with ten sect churches and a big membership. The doors of all are closed the very moment they understand what we teach on the church question. We have no place to hold meeting. There being but a few of us, and we are all too poor to build a house for the Lord in De Soto, we are trusting the Lord to provide a house for us in some way. Your brother in Christ,

D. L. WALKER.

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THE SECRET TOLD.

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The Secret of Salvation, or
How to Get it, and How to Keep it,

By E. E. BYRUM, tells the secret of a holy life. A book full of good things that will both interest and help you. A new book just published during this year, and having a very rapid sale. It teaches the Bible doctrines of

Repentance, Faith, Justification, Sanctification, Divine Healing, etc.

It makes plain the principal doctrines of Christianity by simple occurrences that have come under the observation of the author. In style it is plain and easily understood, simple yet comprehensive, without affectation or dullness. A common-sense book for the masses.

OVER 400 PAGES. ILLUSTRATED.

Paper, 35 cts.Cloth, 75 cts.

==========

You have good company

when you have a good religious book; company that if properly treated will well repay you for all time bestowed upon it. The book entitled

DIVINE HEALING of Soul and Body

is a cheerful and interesting companion. The doctrines of full salvation and physical healing are set forth in the light of divine. truth. Contains many interesting testimonies of those who have been healed through the prayer of faith. English or German.

 — — 248 pages. — —

Paper, 25 cts. Cloth, 75 cts.

==========

BIBLICAL TRACE OF THE CHURCH.

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Giving a history of the Church from its foundation to the end of time, by the prophesies of the Bible.

It shows that the Christian era is divided into four periods of time and that we are now in the last period and near the second coming of Christ. Many interesting prophesies explained.

Cloth, 75 cts.Paper, 35 cts.

==========

SPECIAL TERMS TO AGENTS.

 — — AGENTS WANTED. — —

GOSPEL TRUMPET PUB. CO.

Grand Junction, Mich.

Page 4

Divine Healing.

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Sickness the Effects of Sin and Satan.

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To more fully convince the reader that sin imposed by the devil, is the cause of maladies in their different forms, I will call attention to the 13th chapter of Luke, in reference to the healing of the woman of the spirit of infirmity, in which she had been bowed eighteen years. It reads as follows: “And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, “There are six days in which men ought to work in them therefore come and be healed and not on the sabbath day.”

The Lord then answered him and said, “Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” — Verses 11-16.

If we were to answer Jesus’ last question here, we would say, Yes, she ought to be healed from such a condition as is ascribed to her. Just look at it as it is told here. First, she was bowed together by her infirmity; second, and bound this way by Satan. Satan here in this case is directly pointed out as the author of her diseases; he is the one that held her in that awful condition, until Christ had pronounced her whole.

That the devil binds people in different ways by imbecilities, cannot be denied. Just look at the experience of Job! Satan smote him with sore boils, from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head. Job 2:1-9.

Thus agrees the testimony of Peter which he spoke while preaching to Cornelius and his household, saying: “He * * * who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” — Acts 10:38. The devil then is the cause of all these things. And by imposing them upon us he thinks he can break down these temples.

We then can say that it is a victory over Satan, that we be delivered from these diseases inflicted upon us through infringement of the laws of nature, or rebellion against the law of God; and in a great many cases it is deliverance from the very clutches of the devil. Therefore God is glorified, and Satan cast down.

Well,” says one, “if Satan is the source of disease, can one be sick, and saved at the same time?” I will answer yes; the Bible does not teach physical sickness to be sin; but demonstrates it only to be one of the effects of sin. Many are ignorantly led into things which are abusive to the laws of nature; such individuals, not knowing the results of these, should not have it counted unto them as sin. And even if they did transgress against the laws of nature, to the extent that they were afflicted as a result of it, we could not say the sickness is sin; we could only say it is the effects of sin. Therefore one can be saved in God, and sick at the same time. Afflictions only affect the body, while sin affects the soul, and a great many times the soul and body combined.

The soul is the seat of sin or purity. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” — Ezek. 18:4 The soul must be saved. “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” — 1 Pet. 1:9. The soul or inner man. (2 Cor. 4:16. Eph. 3:19.) is that which sins or serves God. If the soul is saved, and yet if the body be afflicted, we could only say, that the material part of man is diseased, while the soul would be free before God. The soul can be in a state of advancement, while the body may be in bondage to affliction. We read, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” — 3 Jno. 2. We would gather from the thoughts expressed here that Gaius may have been in poor health, physically, but his soul, (at the same time) was prospering. The apostle wished him good health. And that he might prosper physically even as his soul prospered spiritually.

Sickness does not affect the soul to the extent that it is made sinful, but in the most, it can only affect the body to such an extent as would render the one sick incompetent to call upon God. Some diseases so affect the nerves, mind, and other parts of man’s constitution, that they render him in such a condition that he is made powerless, in most every sense of the word. One in this condition unsaved, would have a very pour chance to reform. And I am afraid that many who have been supposed to have repent-ed have departed this life with their soul lost forever, on the account of inability to reform. Although on the other hand, if one who is fully saved, be afflicted through the infringement of natural laws, and has done ignorantly, he not exercising sufficient faith, nor having any elders in his community to call for — if such should be brought into a prostrate condition, and die in the same, his soul would fly into the hands of God who gave it, while his broken-down body would go to dust, from whence it came. Sickness does not affect the soul, only in this way.

I do not wish you to understand, in any sense of the word, that every one who is afflicted, is directly bound of Satan. I do not teach it. But I do hold, with God’s word to corroborate it, that all sickness is only the result of sin. It is an effect, which has its cause. And when we perceive the cause of it we are carried back to the sad time when the devil gained a victory over humanity, bringing the whole of Adam’s posterity into sin and despair, with untold misery. There in the garden was the down-fall of its horticulturists, where Satan in all his subtility and deceitfulness, brought our foreparents under awful darkness of sin, which resulted in all the misery and sufferings in which we now see humanity writhing. Oh the horror of miseries that some even have to undergo, by not obeying God nor trusting in the healing virtue!

But look! the scene changes when we reflect back to the time when Jesus came to the earth, in all his glory and power, with the virtue of heaven and all the love and compassion that could emanate from the celestial regions, — to do what? — “To break the bands that bind, to loose the prison doors to them that are bound.” “To forgive all our sins, and heal all our diseases.”

Then listen: don’t you see that a God of love does not want you to suffer? He does not want that monster, the devil, who is the enemy of God himself, and of you, his creation, to bind you in any of his chains at all. Praise God for such a Savior!

Manifestly is the divine object of this healing fast being brought to light. It is as plain as can be that when we attain unto such salvation, Satan is “trod upon” on all sides, and all his binding chains he uses to bind poor suffering humanity, are broken with a complete victory- over him.

When we realize that God created man for his own pleasure (Rev. 4:11), we see that it is all according to the divine plan that our bodies are healed. We all know by experience or by our good reason’s conviction, that man is incapable of glorifying God, when sick, to the extent he can when he is in perfect health. If one is so deranged that he cannot concentrate his mind to the worship of God, and to an effectual prayer of faith, he is incompetent to do his whole duty. Hence God would be glorified in his healing, making him competent to carry out God’s eternal purpose with him.

While sin is demonstrated to be the cause of sickness, sickness is one of the many effects that sin brands upon humanity. Therefore it is closely connected with sin’s punishment, not that God directly imposes it upon those that sin thus, but nature is prompted to punish the infringements of her just laws. If it then be brought upon humanity as an effect of broken laws of nature, or the written law of God, it is punishment due to sin, and effected by one’s own actions, hence brought upon humanity by sin.

But sin; what is it? “Sin is the transgression of the law.” Are we under more than one law? No; not more than one written law. But God’s creation is all run by law; that is, the whole of it, including the planets and all he created. This law is a natural law. God has never from the beginning published its infringements openly to humanity. But it is agreeable with the written law of God. and in principle, a unit. The word of God demonstrates to us many things concerning the law of nature; and as they have their origin of God and were established by his omnipotence, we must confess that things antagonistic to them would be contrary to his appointed will, and infringements of natural law. If they are established laws, then the transgression of them would be sin, “For sin is the transgression of law.”

But what is the penalty of disobedience to this law? If a law, and an established one, there is surely a penalty enacted against disobedience to this law and its functions. This is well portrayed in conditions some have been left in who have been very abusive to natural law. Those who have been practicing things which have resulted in the breaking down of their constitution, are, or should be, aware of the penalty of breaking natural law. The penalty is the great effects its infringements leave on the person guilty of breaking them, with that which the Al-mighty sees just.

A knowledge of the different features and characteristics of the natural laws is very profitable in one’s journey through life. People bring upon themselves many things that there is no need of, which, if they were acquainted with the laws of nature, could be avoided. Knowledge of these is surely requisite to the obeying of natural law, the origin of which was concocted in the mind of God to carry out this great design, to which we must show allegiance.

If then the breaking of this law is sin, from whence must we conclude that the one prompted to do such acts received such inclinations? Not from God, for he tempts no man. Jas. 1:13. But from whence? It is from the one who wishes to destroy your constitution, both physically and spiritually. He is the instigator of all evil. And as it is sin to do such things, the devil surely has a part in it. He is ever ready to lead you into some little foolish thing to expose your health and cause you to become afflicted in some way or other.

Hence sickness must have its origin with the devil. He was the originator of sin. He is the ungodly demon that caused the first sin to be committed, and has been the instigator of every one since. And while sickness is effected through sin: the invasion of sin into the world brought about all we see now manifest upon humanity. And we shall ascribe it to the devil as his own architecture.

CHARLIE AKERS.

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SAVE THE GIRLS.

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(Continued from first page.)

“Thousands of gold.” The wealth of worlds cannot buy one moment’s rest in the world to come, while your time if spent in prayerful consideration will open to you an entrance into the storehouse of endless joys. There are characteristics of lofty sentiment embodied in your being, which, if cultivated by prudence and watered by heavenly graces, will contribute to an elevation of those noble faculties, which surmount every difficulty. With truth as watchword, backed by a grand purpose, you win for your own soul imperishable honors.

You may lose worldly honors, never gain national laurels, be no distinguished character among the world’s busy throng; but as conqueror of sin and self, you stand a heroine. Your name may be cast out as evil, and yet it is written among the stars of heaven. Your lot may be cast among foes to love and truth, demons beset thy pathway, and thorns goad thy tenderest feelings; yet the sweet inspiration of power divine makes thy life to bloom with fragrance, as the purity of the fairest “lily upon the slimy stagnant waters.”

Lay aside all false dreams of worldly greatness, with every sinful influence, and angels will sing a sweeter anthem around the throne in glory. Begin where true honor begins. Dig deep, and under the great stone of humility lies concealed, gold that will stand the fire of eternal judgment — a lasting treasure not to be reaped by strange hands; but it will crown thy soul with everlasting felicity.

You say you are poor. That is no disadvantage. God has given you purity, if you will but retain it; and that is a gem that makes the possessor greater than the king that sways an earthly scepter. It scatters gladness on the earth, and causes a rejoicing in heaven. You cannot afford to be perpetually calculating and adjusting chances. Your moments are “sands of precious gold.” You may wait, doubt, and hesitate, until, alas, you step into the river of death and the cold, dark waters bear you to your hopeless destiny.

Let your life be so surrounded by a halo of love, that the blaze of holy recreation will kindle in the hearts of those with whom you come in contact. Like a self-balanced tower you are able to stand erect amid the flood of worldly temptations. As you have in times past helped to swell the tide of sin, now pour your influence into the channel of purest virtues, and help extend to your fallen comrades the knowledge of saving grace. You may be weak. If so, do not throw one drop into the corrupt current.

Never join yourself to any man as a helpmeet until you have mastered yourself. Shrink with horror from the thought of becoming a mother until you are yourself controlled by virtue’s power. You were created to make someone happy with your presence, but better is it that you should spend your time and die in a solitary existence, than to blacken the future for some innocent soul, and sow tares for your helpless procreation to reap.

This world is governed by your power. Did I hear you say that you desire to see more noble men in the world? Very well, men are moulded after the mother’s heart and fashioned according to her purity or unworthiness. Your life’s blood is to traverse the veins of the whole nation. A boy is generally just what his mother or sisters make him.

Compare the blackness and misery of earth with the joys of virtue, and choose that better part that shall not be taken from you. Seek the prize and start now. The joy bells of heaven are waiting to chime the glad refrain: Another soul is free! Hell is waiting to seal the doom of another careless soul, while demons laud and angels weep.

With the key of firm resistance you may lock the powers of hell, and by trust and prayer you may unlock the door that encloses heaven’s brightest gem. WHAT IS YOUR DECISION?

W. A. HAYNES.

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Testimonies.

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GLENVILLE, NEB.

DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST: Myself and wife praise the dear Savior for a free and full gospel. We had heard frequently of the saints, until a little more than one year ago the Lord, by his providence, led us to Beaver Dam, Ind. camp meeting, where we heard Bro. Hahn and other brethren preach on sanctification. Here the Lord let us see that the saints were the true children of God.

We went there by rail and were well paid for our pains. What blessedness has come to us, when we could say that the Lord Jesus made us entirely free from sin! Hallelujah! We had also the privilege, for the first time, of taking part in feet-washing. What joy, when we do the will of the Lord! Oh praise the Lord!

Recently Bro. Jacob Gistrap has been with us and preached the full gospel. Many were moved to tears, but some of the Baptists rebelled against the truth. Our prayer for them is that the Lord may pardon them.

It is now over thirty years since we were born of God, and often we realized that there was something more in store for us. Praise the Lord with us, at last he has given us a full and entire pardon. We took our leave of the Baptists, desiring to belong only to the church of the living God. Pray for us and for our children.

RENKE SCHLIER AND WIFE,

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Advancement.

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Speak the Truth in Lone.

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But I speaking truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” — Eph. 4:15.

Here is a matter concerning which there should be a great deal of praying, especially by the Lord’s holy ministers. God wants us to uncompromisingly speak the whole truth on every subject, but he wants us to become so filled with his love, that our words, and the very tone of our voices will carry with them such a sweetness, that they will fascinate the hearer and draw him unto Christ. Truth spoken in love is possessed with an irresistible fascination that will melt the hardest heart; but when spoken in harshness, notwithstanding the fascinating nature of truth itself, it appears obnoxious to the hearers, who will by such means be driven from the truth in disgust.

James says, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” — Jas. 3:2. To offend in word is to wound the hearts of the hearers by our harsh expressions. We can but expect that some will be offended under the preaching of the word. But when we speak it in love those who take offense are offended at the plain truth and we are innocent in the matter. When, however, we speak the truth with harshness, men are oftentimes offended more at our harsh, raspy expressions than at the truth. In such cases we are offending in word.

Dearly beloved, we need to make advancement on this line. The good book tells us that “grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1), and surely, we do not expect to win men to Christ by stirring ths carnality in them to exasperation.

I have sometimes heard the remark that some men must be made angry before they can be brought to Christ. I must say I do not believe this is true. I cannot see that God can use carnality in men, which is but the works of the devil, to bring their souls to salvation. I have known a few to come to the altar and seek salvation soon after they had manifested anger, but this does not prove to our mind that the angry state of mind they had fallen into, had influenced them to turn unto the Lord.

We have also heard it said that it is difficulty to speak the truth in love without compromising. This is also a mistake, if we speak in the love of God. Human sympathy might prompt a withholding of the truth, but the pure love of God can but prompt a declaring of the whole counsel of God.

But let it not be thought possible for those who are filled with harshness to always speak the truth in love. The harshness must be by the blood of Christ purged out of our very nature. Then it will be natural for us always to speak the truth in love, and I am certain we will be instruments in saving many more souls.

WM. G. SCHELL

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