The Great Tobacco Sin.
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THE destruction of physical and mental vigor, the defiling of conscience, and blasting of souls, together with this enormous, and useless expense incurred by the use of this poisonous weed, justly entitles it the great tobacco sin; an awful plague of misery and death self inflicted upon the human family. It is simply painful and heart rending to see our poor fellow humans under this devouring curse. And the love and sympathy we have for our enslaved race, move us to make this earnest appeal with much prayer that God will bless it in the deliverance of many souls for Christ’s sake, to whom be all the glory.
It is claimed that the Bible nowhere forbids the use of tobacco. We answer that satan and foolish men have devised many evils, since the Bible was written which are therefore not directly mentioned in the Book. Nevertheless, that perfect and holy law lays down principles of righteousness which stand over against every thing that is vile and sinful, whether it was practiced in ancient Sodom, or invented in modern Sodom and Egypt.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you —Phil. 4:8, 9.
Here the Word of God calls our attention to general principles of virtue and purity. As if to say: The light of my Word and Spirit will enable you to judge of your own selves what things are pure and lovely, and what are sinful and unholy, without a direct mention of every thing on earth that is good, and that is evil. Therefore through our knowledge of God and His law of holiness, we say at once that the use of tobacco, in any of its forms, is a sin in the sight of God. And we will now weigh the habit by principles clearly laid down in the law of the Lord. For to this book we appeal as the standard that must decide what is sin, and what is not. It is very true that some men, whose bodies are steeped, their eyes blinded, and their conscience besmoked in tobacco, affirm that they feel no condemnation in its use. What then! Shall we conclude it is no sin to them? God forbid. For that were making the blinded and seared conscience of man, the standard of sin, and not the Word of God. The prac- of any anything that conflicts with the Divine law is sin. And if some are too blind to know it, the scales must fall from their eyes when God’s ministers, with one accord warn them of the sin, without any palliation or compromise. The use of tobacco, either by chewing, smoking, or dipping snuff, is a sin in the sight of God.
1st. Because it brings the user under bondage to it. Entire Sanctification takes out of our heart, soul, body, and spirit, every thing that God did not create in us; and brings those appetites and desires of His own creation under their lawful and temperate exercise. Hence says Paul: “I keep under my body.” Not the body of sin; for that is destroyed, but the physical body. That is the true Christian life. Christ and the soul take the preeminence over the body. The spiritual over the material. Moral quality does not adhere in matter. Therefore human flesh can neither sin, nor do acts of unrighteousness. But it is neither an instrument through which the mind and spirit sins, or does good. Hence the injunction, “Let no sin there fore reign in your mortal bodies, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” — Rom. 6:12, 13. If, therefore, our body is wholly devoted to acts of righteousness, it is because the spiritual and mental elements that dwell within are all holy, and have perfect control of the members of the body as their instruments of righteousness. But if the body is to any degree prostituted to the works of sin, it proves some inward elements of sin, which use the members of the body as its instruments of unrighteousness.” Holiness uses its temple to serve God. But sin uses the body in acts of unrighteousness, which lord it over the interests of the soul and destroy it. The desires for tobacco, are the “motions of sins, which * * * work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.” — Rom. 7:5. Every tobacco user knows he is under an awful tyrant, from whose demands there is no appeal, save to the blood of Jesus Christ. And the Word of God positively asserts that no man can serve two masters.” Therefore the servants of King tobacco cannot serve the Lord Christ. No person can be saved in Jesus, and be enslaved to any lust of the flesh at the same time. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — Jno. 8:36. But if any peculiar craving in the body has the mastery over you, do not keep under your body;” but the body through the raging of sin, has you in bondage to it. That is just where every tobacco user is in slavery. You are not free. No amount of healthful food will satisfy the burning lust within. It is not so with natural hunger for food. If one article is not attainable, others will supply the need, and in their use hunger ceases, until their nutritive force is exhausted, and more is needed. But the narcotic tyrant makes his demands independent of all food. Yea, he rages the most right after meals, and the slave must yield service to his sway, even though he is placed amid surroundings that compel him to indulge his idol with shame. Suppose a person has been converted to God, and then falls under this hard old master, tobacco; here is the result. “For whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” — whether it be under the power of some man, or some form of lust. And the next verses say: “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that is washed to her wallowing in the mire.” — 2 Pet. 2:18-22.
Read that over, you that have gone from grace to tobacco, honestly confess that Bro. Peter has here drawn your picture; then forsake the hard master, and come back to Christ, and He will set you free. And to every child of God not in the grasp of the dreadful monster we say, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. — Gal. 5:l.
2nd. The tobacco habit is condemned by the Word of God, and is therefore a sin, because it is a filthy practice. There is scarcely a user of the weed that is so diffused by its stupifying poison but what is compelled to admit this fact. And were they all to deny it, it were none the less true; as every clean person on this defiled earth, and in its tobacco smoked atmosphere knows, and more or less suffers all along lifes lane. O the awful repugnance! What a shameful offence, clean men and women, must suffer, through the selfish indulgence of men and women who choose to follow that obnoxious practice. They are scarcely aware of the fact, that their breath and clothes are offensive, they leave their sickening puddle on the floor of meeting-houses, R. R. cars etc., where others are forced to sit in holy horror. They chase ns out of depots to stand in the cold. They drive us off the sidewalks, or compel us to inhale their nauseous smoke. We must run the risk of dropping down, overcome by the deadly poison of their smoke that often densely fills stores, groceries, hotels and post-offices. O who can paint the outrage the tobacco lust inflicts upon the innocent part of society? It cannot be well exagerated. Tobacco, therefore, is not only a sin of filthiness in the sight of God, but as such, it violates this command, “Be courteous to all.”
“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,
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. — Eph. 5:3-5.”
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — Jas. 1:21, 22.
In the defiling use of tobacco, men and women live in constant disregard of the above Scriptures, hence judged by them they are sinners. For if the use of tobacco is not a filthiness of the flesh, we would like to know what can be.
“Woe to her that is filthy.” — Zech. 3:1.
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” — 1 Cor. 3:17.
“He which is filthy, let him be filthy still.” When? “Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man as his works shall be.” — Rev. 22:11, 12.
These texts are solemn warnings of the dreadful doom that will come upon all who live after filthy lusts. Especially such as have better light.
3rd In the habitual use of tobacco, men “live after the flesh.” The term flesh sometimes refers to the physical body, and other times indwelling depravity. There is a close connection between these two meanings of the word. Because the members of the physical body, as we have seen, are the instruments through which inbred evil nature works out in the commission of sin, and life takes on a low animal plane, instead of a spiritual. In the following quotations the term flesh chiefly denotes the “old man,” or “body of sin.” Christians do not live after the flesh.
“That the righteousness of the law night be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that, are after the flesh: do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. — Rom. 8:4 5.
And men that do live after the flesh can not please God.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” — Rom. 8:8.
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others.” — Eph. 2:3.
The practice of uncleanness is the work of the flesh. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultey, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,” etc. — Gal. 5:19. As tobacco using is universally acknowledged to be a “filthy habit,” and as we have just seen that “filthiness” is the works of the flesh, it follows that such as indulge the unclean lust, are living after the flesh. And now we will prove that spiritual death, as well as physical destruction, is in their practice.
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” — Rom. 8:13.
Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” — Jas. 1:15.
So tobacco users are alive to the flesh and dead to God. Especially, we may add, where the pure Gospel has been preached, and they “have no cloak for their sins.”
Again, God positively forbids men living after the flesh.
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” — Rom. 6:12. Read Rom. 13:14.
“This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,” — Gal. 5:16, 17.
Walking in the Spirit, and fulfilling the lusts of the flesh do not go together. So they who do the latter, do not the former. We see two opposite moral forces in the merely justified, who are pictured in Gal. 5:17. The flesh and the Spirit. The former is inbred depravity, the latter, the Spirit of adoption. Now from which of those elements does the desire for tobacco arise? Surely not from the Spirit of Christ, the new man. Then it is a lust of the flesh, the old man, and to gratify that lust is to live after the flesh, and “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” O flee from dead works.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” — 1 Jno. 2:12: 16.
Look at this wicked, besotted world, and see them revel in tobacco. Do they not love it? Does not the cigar, pipe, and quid go hand in hand with the fiend of intoxicating drinks? Does not the stench of drunkenness and that of tobacco mingle together, and rise up like smoke from the bottomless pit. Did you ever see or hear of a notice on the walls of a saloon, “No smoking allowed here?” No, that and in hell itself, is the place for the smoke of sin and lust; and God pity the poor deceived soul, who after hearing the real Gospel of God, imagines he can breathe an acceptable prayer to God that is mingled with the stench of tobacco; except it be this one, “God, be merciful to me a sinner,” and then it will not rise as high as his breath, unless it be accompanied with “I here give up my tobacco and all sins forever.”
We have already shown that the filthiness of tobacco is the works of the flesh, and in our last text it is affirmed that the “lust of the flesh” is “not of the Father, but of the world.” And “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” This is a close point, but it is God’s Word.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that, denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” — Tit. 2:11, 12;
“These are mummurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts: and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” — Jude 16, 23.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” — 1 Pet. 2:11. “That ye no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.” — 2 Pet. 4:2: 3
No man can live sober, righteous, and godly, and indulge worldly lusts at the same time. Every tobacco user lives in direct opposition to the above command of Peter, hence is a sinner. What are the spots of the flesh on men’s and women’s garments? Namely, such as the trappings of pride, and spots and scent of tobacco, or any thing else that was the dictation and work of the flesh, or inbred sin. Such is the radical change wrought in conversion. The new man hates every remembrance of the lusts of the old man. But the tobacco loving professor continues to love and chew what the corrupt old man loves.
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust to be punished. And chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness. 2 Pet. 2:9, 10. O hear ye this, ye unclean tobacco slaves. God threatens those who walk after the lust of uncleanness with special punishment in the day of judgment. It would appear that the above words were written expressly for the tobaccco user. Some live after the flesh in the lust of the eye, in worldly pride. Others walk after the flesh in greed for money, or ambition for honor. But here is a class spoken of who “walk after the flesh in the lust of unclean ness.’ That is, they indulge a lust that makes them unclean. And the tobacco user admits that his practice is a “filthy habit,” therefore he must be the man for whom Paul has reserved special punishment. O flee to Christ.
4th It is a sin, because a superfluity, and the Bible forbids such. “Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls,” — Jas. 1:21. It is not food, but only feeds the craving itself has cheated. The pleasure derived from it, is like
the sensation produced by scratching and rubbing the skin when men have the itch. Were it not for the disease, there would be no pleasure derived by the friction. And so were it not for the disease of the tobacco appetite, the use of tobacco would sicken instead of find pleasure.
The tobacco habit is a sin, because a profligate and unnecessary use of means. In Bro. H. C. Wickersham’s excellent new book entitled “Holiness Bible Subjects,” we have those figures:
TOBACCO, COST OF USE.
Money spent in U. S. for tobacco in one year $350000000.
The following figures show the expense of smoking two and three cigars a day, at 5cts, each, for fifty years at 6% compound semi-annually.
- Two cigars a day at five cents each
$11469.25
- Three cigars a day at five cents each
$16216.37
Also, chewing one cents worth a day amounts to $1146.92 in fifty years.
And chewing 25cts. worth per week amounts to $4096.12 in fifty years. Pages 91 and 92.
Only the cost of bread and whiskey in the U. S. exceed that of tobacco. Just think of the people of this country spending three hundred and fifty million dollars per year to gratify a sin created appetite, at the sacrifice of many real comforts and necessities of life. How wretched and disgusting that filthy picture of humanity so common, where from forty to one hundred dollars per year are spent in a family for tobacco, and yet, to the helpless infant, all suffer for food and clothing, and the general comforts of life. Recently we stopped a few days in a house, in which a family had lived nine years without a single window light, nor as much as a hole through the wall for a window. During which years their tobacco bill would not fall short of about $200 or $300. Enough to buy a good farm in the state of Miss. This is a sample of the shiftless poor under the tobacco plague. The nasty weed is a cruel tyrant over them, and its demands must be met, if the family is even destitute of food and clothing. O the crying sin against God, against helpless mothers and infants!
7 A sin against the users own body, mind and soul. Tobacco is a deadly poison, as is well known. And the constant use of poison can but impair the physical structure, sap the mind, and leave men without sufficient energy and stamina to seek and obtain salvation, and live a righteous life. As a close observer of natural laws, and effects of their violation, we are assured of this fact. No person on earth under the stupefaction of tobacco is actually well, or in a normal physical condition. The very appetite is itself a disease. In conversation with some women recently who were clamoring for their tobacco, one whom God had given more than ordinary constitutional vigor, remarked that she had dipped snuff ever since a child, and was as well as any one she knew. But having confessed that she was very wretched, and could hardly live if without the snuff, we showed her that she was badly mistaken in her supposed good health. That her use of poison had so far destroyed her body, that she could not live on healthy food. That the stomach was so impaired that it was notable to digest and assimilate food sufficient to sustain nature. Hence the distress without the poison. So if you wish to see how destructive of health your tobacco poison is, just stop its use a short time and, see where you are. The dreadful results of petting and humoring children is not seen so long as it is kept up. But just stop it and you will soon find that your silly course has entailed an injury upon the children, and a curse upon yourselves. Much squalling, and war in the family makes the home almost unendurable. Just so you foolish tobacco, opium, and intemperate coffee and tea users, never see how you have murdered your systems until you attempt to stop your sinful practices. Then, worse than spoiled children, you are so extremely ill natured, miserable and distracted that no one can live in peace where you are. For the simple reason you are spoiled, badly spoiled. Nature is subverted, and corrupted, and you are of all men most miserable. You have tampered with the old serpent, and become bitten, and now you are nearly a foaming mad-man. You cannot live that way. One of two things you must do. You must either come to Christ, the only
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Correspondence
Cushtusa, Miss.
To all the Saints Greeting: — I am glad to testify to the alt cleansing power of the Son of God, who cleases me from all sin, and sanctifies me wholly just now. Praise His holy name forever! As I have never testified through the Trumpet before, I will give some of my experience along the line. When I was about 16 years old I joined the Missionary Baptist sect, and the Lord justified my soul, and the dear Lord wanted me to go on unto perfection; but they fought against it, so I was bound to go back into darkness. I struggled alone a while with a dead formality, and at last yielded to the tempter in full, and was worse than ever before, and had about decided that religion was a failure. But in course of time the Spirit of the Lord visited me again, and I was justified again, because I saw my awful condition, and as Peter did I wept bitterly, and repented of my sins; but instead of complying with the conditions of God’s Word and offering my body a living sacrifice, I joined the Methodist sect with its dead formality, and drug along just living a moral life, and not knowing but what that was all of religion, until five years ago when I heard the whole counsel of God declared, and my soul was sanctified. And the Lord called me into His vinyard to work for Him. I gave up the profession of medicine, and preached the Word one year, was then persuaded to take up my profession of medicine and preach also, which I did. But I know the Lord is able to save all who come to Him by His Son Jesus Christ, both soul and body. He saved me from a premature grave by His all cleansing power. So I can only recommend medicine to those who have no faith. But I can recommend the love of God to all as a physician of both soul and body, and a present help in every time of need. I want all the saints to pray for me. I am away from any of the saints, and have to stand alone with Jesus, for my wife and relatives are about all unsaved and are despisers of all good. Christ says: “In the world ye shall have tribulations, but in me ye shall have peace.” This is worth all to me. Because the Word of God tells me, if we do not forsake father and mother, wife and children, houses and lands, all for His sake we are not worthy of him. And by the grace of God I ever expect to be faithful to the end. Pray for me and my poor unsaved family.
Your brother saved and sanctified through the truth.
W. H. Lovett.
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Pleasant Hill, O.
Dear Brethren: — This evening finds me saved and redeemed in the blood of the Lamb. Glory to Jesus! I am praising God continually for His goodness to me. He has so wonderfully answered my prayers in so many things. I do praise God for this blessed evening light that I have found, and for the love of God that I have in my soul. I feel like telling through the Trumpet what the dear Lord has done for me in His healing power. In November after coming home from my sisters, I took very sick with the Typhoid Fever. I had asked the dear Lord to heal me, but when I was about to lose my mind I asked Bro. Crumpton to pray for me, as we are the only two saints here. We went in earnest prayer and asked God in the name of Jesus, to heal my body if it be according to His will, and the dear Lord healed me; and the next day I was able to do my work. I was still weak, but I asked God to strengthen me, and I received strength in a short time. Also my child was sick with a high fever several times. I asked the Lord in prayer to heal her and the fever departed and she was healed. Oh, Glory to God for His kindness toward His children. Oh I do praise God for salvation. My daily prayer, is that God will lead us out of this country where we can be assembled with the dear saints. I ask all who read this to pray much for us, that the Lord may keep us strong. We have not been to meeting since Oct., when Bro. Campbell and wife, and sister Amanda Keefer, were here and preached the true Gospel; all who are saints, may know how my soul is craving to go to meetings, and be assembled with the saints of God. I feel it is the will of God for me to move to Paulding, O., or near there, but I am very poor, and I trust the Lord will move on some of the hearts of His children to help us with means to move with, and when the Lord prospers me I will gladly return it.
Your saved sister in Christ
Mary C. Runnels.
St. James, Mo.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — The Lord is very precious to my soul. The more I learn of the way and the Lord’s dealings with me the move precious is the commandment and my Savior to me. It is a source of ceaseless wonder and praise how the dear Lord has saved and kept me as He does through all ths trials, temptations, and afflictions I have passed through in the last three years. Glory to His name! We have only to make a perfect consecration with faith in His word, and maintain a perfect obedience to the same to prove His mighty power; the Word says to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations. The trial of our faith being more precious than gold etc. I can truly say that this, with all ether Scriptures, is true. What I have passed through in the last three years is wonderful, but it was needful to fit me for the work the Lord has for me to do. I have been hindered from the ministy for the last three years to which I am called; but Jesus has been with me in the furnace. Praise His name! And I have come out more than conqueror for Him that loved me and gave Himself for me; and the Lord is letting me go and work for Him again. Oh how He does bless my soul in dealing out the bread of life to hungry souls. How precious is the truth to those who are seeking light. I never yet have seen such an opening for workers. The harvest truly is great and the laborers are few. O to see the people calling for help! Souls are perishing for the precious truth. Is there no one to respond to the call? Who will go work in my vinyard? Of course, there are many out and many more that would be if they could; and others that could, but will not. Pray for me that the Lord may heal my lungs.
Your sister in Christ.
Julia Myers.
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Kenesaw, Neb.
Dear Brethren: — I praise the dear Lord for salvation full and free, and rejoice in the love of God, who sanctifies me wholly and keeps me by His mighty power. Glory be to Him for ever and ever. I was so great a sinner that I thought there was no mercy for me. But His Word says, “come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” I believed the Lord and found His Word is true. I joined the Evangelical sect, but came near losing my salvation over their ungodliness. During the time I lived in a justified state, I knew there was something lacking, until last winter I read a book on holiness, and was deeply convicted. I went to our preacher and he said the Bible teaches sanctification and he believed in it. But he did not have it himself. I went to the M. E. preacher and he discouraged me with his explanation. Bro Haner and Willis came here and I went to hear them a few times, but they did not suit my ideas of getting into the light. I was a sectarian through and through. So it went until this last time, when they came back. Then I said, if this is God’s way I will seek it, and I shall know for myself the doctrine, whether it is of God or of man. I cast away all pride, and what the world would say, if I go down on my knees like a sinner and seek the Lord in humbleness, and glory be to Him forever I found Him precious to my soul. I laid all and myself on the altar and the altar sanctified the gift. Glory to Jesus! I am saved and sanctified by His power. Oh it is glory in my soul; I praise Him for all things, for He has given me complete victory over the flesh, the devil and the world.
Chas. Schleehauf.
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52 Whitney St. Binghamton, N. Y.
Dear Saints: — I am so glad to know of God I am saved and sanctified by power divine. Hallelujah! Love and praise to Christ belongs. I want to praise God for sending brother Stilwill this way blowing the “Gospel Trumpet.” We are a band of workers wonderfully raised up by God and led into the battle field. Victory is ours on all sides, and so much and so great is the work that we had no time to consider the leadings of God, or whether there were any others like unto us in the world, until our brother came this way, and we were wonderfully led out to meet him. A stranger in a strange city, but we soon became known of each other. O how wonderful it all is. Praise God forever! persecutions and oppositions are very great, but our encouragements are greater. We see the lowest and the worst saved, and oh so wonderfully saved by power divine. That is more to us than our meat and our drink. Our faith and our courage overcomes every obstacle. Have faith in God, dear saints. A book entitled, “Out of The Depths” gives our experience and leadings for the past few years. I wish that every reader of the Trumpet, would send for one that they can understand the present experience better which will be given in the Trumpet if space is given. “Out of the depths” is doing its work in prison and clinch. Please send 25 or 50 cts, or one dollar, or five, as one woman did, and the half shall be given to the Trumpet; and the rest shall be used to push the work, in this and in other places. It is Christ against Anti-Christ. The battle is the Lord’s. God bless and keep the saints.
Yours in Christ.
Mrs. M. Lane.
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ANOINTED AND HEALED. — JAS. 5:14, 51.
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Smithville, O.
Dear Saints: — I am saved, sanctified and healed. Glory to Jesus. I feel led to testify through the Trumpet of the wonderful healing of my body. A year ago last September I overheat myself, and in nine days after took Epileptic spasms. I had as high as one hundred and twenty in twenty four hours. All who saw me said my earthly work was done. But my wife and sister-in-law had faith to believe that Christ had power to raise me up, and so He did. It was not instantaneous healing, but gradual healing. I then was impressed that I must obey the Lord in all things, that I must present myself before the elders and have them anoint me with oil in the name of the Lord; and I was also impressed that I must be ordained an elder, as I had been neglecting it and had been preaching for some years. When the elders laid hands on me the power came so strong on me that I had to just cry out and shout. I came home and the next day went to work and have been working ever since. Glory to Jesus for His mighty healing power. This was at the Bangor campmeeting that this work was done. O glory to Jesus, I had not been able to do any thing from the time I look the spasms until I was anointed.
David J. Lytle.
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Kennard, O.
Dear Trumpet Reapers: — When I first heard of this evening light, or holiness as it is taught in the Bible, I very bitterly opposed it and all who believed in that way. Finally, the Lord sanctified my wife at home; but I went on serving the devil and afterwards refused to let her have a horse and buggy to go to meeting. I kept rejecting the Lord until finally He fastened my tongue so I could not talk; then He used my wife as an instrument to tell me of His true holiness. And the Lord would not let me loose until I gave up. Then I saw where I was and confessed to Him, and He forgave all my sins. I pray God to take some more sinners down the same way, and not let them loose until they obey Him. I have laid all on the altar, glory be to God. People may say about me what they will, or say that I am not smart, or do not know very much, that makes no difference. I have the victory over the devil and the world, and am willing to bear all persecutions for His sake. Glory to God! Pray for me.
Your Bro. saved and sanctified.
S. L. Yoder.
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Moberly, Mo.
Dear Saints: — The dear Lord has just healed me of an attack of chills and other afflictions which lasted me about three weeks. To our God be all the glory. My faith used to be very strong on this line, but I let the devil get the upper hand of me by listening to other people. I had been taking medicine just before the Lord healed me, and a voice whispered to me, “The Lord has promised to heal all our diseases if we only trust Him.” Then I threw ray medicine away and received the witness right away that the work was done. Praise God forever. While my faith failed me we paid out about $50 as Dr. bills. Just think of it. Money that our little children ought to have had, or that we could have used in spreading the Gospel, How much good we might have done. O dear saints of God, keep your eyes open and do not let Satan blind you as he did me. Praise God for the faith once again. We thank God for the Trumpet. It is a welcome visitor at our house; how I love to read the testimonies and other pieces. I am also real glad that the children have a paper.
Your sister trusting in God for all things.
Mrs. Mollie Robinson.
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Kendall, Mich. Dec. 19, 1890.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — As I have been reading the testimonies of God’s little ones, through the Trumpet, I have been impressed of the Spirit, that it would be to the glory of God that I tell you what the Lord has done for me. One year ago the 19th of Jan. by a full surrender to God, He wonderfully spoke peace to my soul. Praise His name forever! I rejoice as I think of that still small voice that came knocking at the door of my heart, whispering peace, be still. Glory to God I feel like raising my voice in shouts and praises to His name for it. I had even lost all love for home, and was no company for my family. The first thing I thought of after my work was done at night, was to go out in the neighborhood and get with some persons as bed as myself, and play at the devil’s game, called pedro, and then sit and spend several hours of the night, and go home with the devil raging in my soul. But praise God! He has saved me from all that, and has put a new song in my mouth and in my heart, even praises unto God; and has set my foot on a Rock and established my goings, with a river of peace flowing deep in my soul. Praise God forever and ever! Your Bro in Christ.
A. D. Kennedy.
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McDonald, Mich. Dec. 14, 1891.
Dear Saints: — The Lord still keeps me saved from all sin, and sanctified to do His will. Although I do not got to meet with the saints very often. I have a friend that never leaves me, and is always ready to help me. Some time ago I was very badly afflicted with Rheumatism all over my left side, arm and shoulder from which I suffered very much, and the Lord impressed me to write to the Trumpet office for the prayers of the saints, but I put it off until I got so bad that I commenced to get numb, and gasp for breath, and my family said that I must have the doctor at once; but instead of getting him. I sent a few lines to the Trumpet office asking the saints there to pray for the healing of my body, and the next day received the witness from heaven that I was healed, and I arose and walked from room to room praising God. And have since then been able to do my work. I have perfect peace in my soul, which the world cannot give neither can it take away. Pray for me that I do the will of God, for that is my whole desire.
Your sister in Christ.
Jane Potter.
—:o;—
Six Points, Ohio.
Dear Saints: — In the name of Jesus I now write my testimony. Through the grace of God, I am now saved and sanctified. I feel like praisig God for keeping me, He leads me by His Spirit. He is so willing to save us if we will trust Him. I want, to tell how He cases for me. The more trials I have, the closer it drives me to Him and the more I love to do His will. I have gone through some fiery trials, but God’s grace has been sufficient, and I will trust Him let come what will. I am glad we have so many promises in the Word of God for His children. I am glad that when I read His Word, that I can see new beauties in it. Praise His holy name! my heart burns with the love of God as I write. I do feel sorry to see so many that are being deceived in these latter days. So many that think they are serving God, and are yoked up in babylon. Oh, I am so glad that I am free, and God saves me from all the pride and fashion of the world, and all the works of the devil.
Your saved sister.
Leah Cupp.
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“HE HEALETH OUR DISEASES.”
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Friendsville, Ohio.
I feel led by the power of God to write my testimony. I am saved by the blood of the Lamb. His blood cleanses me from sin, sanctifies and keeps me every moment; not only saves the soul, but heals the body also. I was afflicted for two years so I could not do any work. On the 26th day of October, the children of God came to my house to hold meeting. I was so weak that I thought every breath was going to be my last. I asked them to lay hands on me for the healing of my body, that I might be spared to raise my children, for their father was taken away from them the 8th day of April 1889. And I thank God He heard my prayer and the prayers of God’s children; for from that time until now I can do a big day’s washing, and walk three miles to meeting and back the same day. I was a slave to the pipe and he has cleansed me from all tobacco and every thing that is not of God, and He has saved three of my children.
Pray for me that I may be kept by the power of God, ever ready to go and work for Him. Your saved sister in Christ.
Amelia Dilgard.
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Binghamt..n, N. Y.
Dear Saints: — The blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour saves me from all sin and all unrighteousness, and keeps me clean Bless His holy name forever and forever! How my heart has been rejoiced to know through our dear Bro. Stillwill, what a wonderful reformation there is going on over the whole earth, and glory be to God there is no power that can hinder it. I do not know how to praise God enough, that I have lived to be one of the number, that has been gathered out of babylon. I praise God that He is beginning to bring His people out of misty conclusion, and all crookedness. God is wonderfully leading His band of workers in this city, and wonderfully saving lost men and women; those that were in the awful depth of sin, and God’s servants did not reach them. Homes where alcohol and profanity ruled, have been changed, and now the Holy Spirit has the right of way, and grace abounds. Glory to God in the Highest. God’s leading brother Stillwill to us, makes us see as never before that surely “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” Surely He is riding above the storm. May God bless and keep all the saints is the prayer of your Bro. in Christ.
H B. Marsh.
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Auburn, Ind.
Dear Saints: — This morning finds me saved through the blood of Jesus, from all the works of the devil, and perfect victory in my soul. Praise the Lord, I am out of babylon and babylon out of me, and I am in the body of Christ which is the Church.
About one year ago brother Jacobson came here to hold meeting, and I went to hear Him preach. The lord showed me I was a sinner although I was making a profession. Praise the Lord! I got down at the altar, and the Lord pardoned all my sins, and I had perfect peace in my soul; for He has said in His Word: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Rom. 5 1. I found in Rom. 12:l, that we should present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. I presented my body a living sacrifice, and praise the Lord I received the fullness. And now, dear saints, experience and the Word teach me that we should bear fruit. I find in St. Jno. 15:2. — Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that bearth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. So we see that it is the fruit hearing branches that are sanctified. Well I do praise the dear Lord for the salvation of my soul.
Pray for me.
Samuel J. Miller.
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Jordan, Ind.
Dear Brethren: — I am glad to report that I am happy and contented. The Lord met my soul with wonderful sanctifying power Nov. 29th at the Willow Chapel meeting. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” I had tried to receive the second work of grace before, but had never made a full surrender, consequently I could not reckon myself “to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” May the Lord abundantly reward those that are sending the Gospel Trumpet forth. It has been rich food for my soul. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As I have found the “pearl of great price,” and purchased it, I feel very rich.
I stand redeemed and ready to do the whole will of God.
B .F. Roe.
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Cedar Creek, Mich.
Dear Brethren: — Praise the Lord! I am saved, sanctified, and free in the Lord, in His Church the pillar and ground of the truth. I am willing to be where Jesus chooses to place me.
Your sister saved in Jesus.
Lotta Bishop.
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Blanco, Pa.
Dear Saints: — God bless each one with such blessings as seemeth to be good in His sight. Amen. I do bless God for a complete salvation. Praise the Lord! I have found a satisfying portion in Jesus. He is all in all to my soul. O dear ones, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and in every trial and trouble look to God alone; for the Word says, “He is a present help in time of trouble,” and His Word is truth. And you, dear ones, who have started to serve God and are not yet established, keep your eyes fixed on Him and press onward to the second grace. Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” And Paul says the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost I do praise God for this kingdom in my soul.
Your humble blood washed sister in Christ.
Mary Sowers.
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St. Petersburgh, Pa.
Dear Saints: — God bless you all with much joy and peace in believing. Amen. I feel thankful to God this morning to know that I am free from all sin and inbred corruption. Praise the name of Jesus. The blood saves me from all sin this morning and sanctifies me wholly, and preserves me blameless. O it is just wonderful how the Lord can keep us when we put our trust in Him! The dear Lord keeps us in this Sodom of sin just as sweet as heaven in our souls. Truly the Lord is good to Israel, to those who obey Him in all things. The work of God is moving on, praise Jesus, and many poor souls are flocking home to God in these last days. O Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight! The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall sound, and the Lord shall descend. Even so, it is well with my soul.
Your blood washed sister in Christ.
Alice J. Dillon.
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Meriden, Kan.
Dear Gospel Trumpet: — How much the children of God do love you for bringing to them the words of Jesus, the words of truth and soberness. To God be all the glory and praise. May the dear Lord bless each of its readers with a clearer realization of their duty to precious souls this year than ever before; and may each one be perfectly free in the Lord. My testimony to the children of God in His fear is, that by trusting in Jesus I am saved, sanctified and kept from all sin, just looking to Jesus for all I need, and am never disappointed for He doeth all things well. May the dear Lord send whosoever He will into this part of His vineyard for souls are perishing with the truth before them. Pray for the little church at Meriden, that we be kept just in God’s order.
Your sister in Christ.
Jennie C. Rutty.
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La Fayette, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I do truly thank God for keeping me. It has been eleven years since I was converted to God. I was raised a Catholic, and since that time I never have had any desire for any sect. I have all that time seen the abominations of sectism, and my prayer to God is that every one that is professing to love God, will discern the Body of Christ. Christ cannot be the head of all the bodies of the denominations, because every body has its own head. Christ is the Head of the Church that He died to purchase. There is one body recognized in the Gospel. — Eph. 2:16. Gal. 3:15. Read Christ’s last prayer, St. John 17. It is good for every honest man and woman. Our testimony to-day is that we are saved and sanctified.
From your humble brother and sister.
Wm. & Adelia Kennett.
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Windsor, Mo.
Dear Saints: — My testimony is that I am saved and kept by the mighty power of God. I have great reason to be thankful to the Lord, for He is still leading me through green pastures and by the side of still waters. All glory to God. This is the home of sister Mary Cole, and the Lord has sent her this way again and she has been sowing Gospel seed. Many express themselves dissatisfied with sect confusion and desire the light. Please let all the dear saints keep praying for the success of the church at this place. Sister Mary and sister Lodema Kaser go to Kansas from here. We all pray the Lord to still use them to His own glory in building up His Church at other places, and in winning many souls to Christ.
Your Bro. saved and sanctified wholly.
Sanford C. Evans.
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Plainwell, Mich.
Dear Readers: — The Lord has sweetly saved and sanctified my soul find made me complete in Him. A year ago, I was the servant of sin, more than the righteousness of God. But I do praise God who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. — Col. 1:13. In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. I do thank God for the evening Light. I can shout glory, hallelujah! I belong to the Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven, and that is creed enough for me.
Your sister in Christ.
Mrs. L. A. Smith.
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Hayden, Ind.
Dear Saints: — I do feel so happy and free in my soul this morning. Praise God it is wonderful how God can keep His children. All glory to God! I am so glad that I am saved; no longer in bondage- saved from all the evils of this world and trusting a true and living God Some time ago while at Columbus, Ind., I found one poor soul that said she wanted salvation; was willing to give up all for God. She is very anxious to hear the Gospel preached. The true Gospel has never been preached there. Pray for her and if it be God’s will, we trust He will send some of His saints this way that souls may hear His Word and receive His eternal truth and be saved.
Your sister saved and sanctified just now.
Emma George.
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Brock. O.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I am still trusting the Lord who is able to keep me saved, although I am hungering to hear the Word of God preached. We have no meeting here as there are but few of us in this place. I have not heard a sermon since last summer, but I feel happy to think the way is open to have meeting next summer if the Lord wills. There is no house we can get, but my husband gives consent to use his barn. It is a new one and has never been filled. There is plenty of room to hold quite a large congregation. I trust the Lord will send some of His people here for the good of the community.
Yours saved in Jesus.
Mollie Martin.
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Merrill, Mich.
Dear Saints of God: — My testimony to-night is that I am drinking at the fountain, where I ever would abide, for I have tasted life’s pure river, and my soul is satisfied. Praise the Lord for salvation. My soul is filled with joy, peace and victory over all the works of the devil. Five years ago the Lord saved me a wicked sinner in His sight. He so wonderfully convicted me, that I got out off my bed at two o’clock at night, and had the brethren pray with me, and He created in me a clean heart, and He keeps me doing His blessed will all the time, and I ever expect to walk in the light as He gives it to me. Pray for me.
Your Bro.
Ed Ehl.
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Conehatta, Miss.
To the Dear Saints and Readers of the Trumpet. — The blood of Jesus has cleansed me from all sin, and from all foolishness and lust and worldly pride. Praise His holy name. He is ready to cleanse all who will come to Him in a spirit of humbleness and meekness. Oh dear saints, let all work this year with more determination than ever for our blessed Master, remembering that there is a reward awaiting us. Oh how blessed it will be in that last and final day to meet around the throne, to receive the crown that Jesus has prepared for us. Pray for us that we may be kept. Thank God for the evening light.
W. H. & J. V. Horton.
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Chambersburg, Pa.
Dear Brethren: — I am far away from all the saints, but I believe if some of the Holy Ghost ministers would come here and hold meetings, some of the people would believe the truth and come out of babylon. I thank the good Lord for sending brother Rosenbery to this place. He talked to me and gave me the Gospel Trumpet, and I have been reading it for almost a year. I want you all to pray for me that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. Your sister at the foot of the cross.
Annie Dechert.
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Blacken, Ind.
Dear Saints: — I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony. I praise God that I am saved from all sin and walking in all the light the blessed Father gives me. I praise God for the blessed evening light. I am saved from all the doctrines and commandments of man, and from all babylon confusion. Praise God for what He has done for me. My prayer is, that God will bless all His saints, and keep them true until death.
Isaac Beaver.
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Dawson, Ia.
Dear Saints: — I am so glad that I can once again testify that I am saved and trusting in the Lord. I praise God for a complete victory in my soul over the enemy. I live here among sinners and do pray for God to send some Holy Ghost minister here to preach the straight word to the people. They are in awful darkness and going the downward road to ruin. I pray God to convict them so they will get salvation.
Your sister in the Lord, saved and sanctified.
C. Sisco.
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Dushville, Mich.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — The Lord keeps me by His power and fills my soul with His love, which is a well of living water springing up in my soul. We have come up through great tribulation, and our robes have been made white through the blood of the Lamb. We have much opposition, but Jesus is at the helm and gives us the victory at all times.
Your sister in Christ.
Mary A. Smith.
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Antwerp, O.
Dear Ones in Jesus — I can say that I am fully saved, sanctified wholly to the service of the Lord ready to do His will in all things. Praise the Lord. About a year and a half ago I died to all sin and sectism, and was resurrected in the Church of God. Praise the Lord for deliverance. I praise God for His keeping power, and expect to trust Him for keeping power.
I remain your saved Bro.
B. J. Fleck.
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Manchester, Ia.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — I am praising God for salvation full and free. I know that I am saved just now from all sin. Glory to God! He keeps me by His power. One year ago I was saved from sect babylon and all sin. Before that time I was a slave to tobacco; but praise God the appetite for that filthy weed is all gone, and I am sanctified wholly.
Your brother kept by His power.
C. E. Hosier.
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Walkerton, Ind. Dec. 17, 1890.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I am glad that I can testify to the glory of God that He saves, sanctifies and keeps me at all times. I have been in South Chicago, laboring with my hands for the support of my family, but have been permitted to see a few souls come to the Lord in that place. May God bless them.
Your saved brother.
Samuel P. Strang.
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Diamond, Mo.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — I feel led of the Lord to tell of His goodness to me. On the 11th of January while on my way from Carthage, I met with an accident in which my leg was injured, and I called on the Lord to heal me, and He did wonderfully heal me, to Him be all the praise. Pray for me.
Your saved Bro.
Joseph Norman.
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Massilon, O.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I wish to testify, to the glory of God, of His goodness to me. About two years ago the Lord sanctified and healed me, and He keeps me each day and gives me strength to do my work. His mercy endureth forever. We would be glad to have some of the saints to come and visit us.
Yours saved and kept by the power of God.
Rachel M. Stauffer.
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Blendon.
Dear Readers: — I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony. One year ago I was a professor and yet, by the Word of God, I denied Him. Oh how it makes my heart bleed when I think of it! Oh I do praise my blessed Jesus that He ever sent the dear saints to Blendon, and that I ever saw the evening light. I do know that God saved my soul and my feet are placed on the Solid Rock. Praise His holy name! I know that. I was saved three years ago. Praise God!
Your sister saved.
Emma Puls.
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Oakville, Ky.
Dear Saints: — I feel led to write my testimony to let you all know that I am saved by the power of God; and He keeps me every moment of my life. Glory to God in the highest. I ask you all to pray for God to send some of His ministers here to preach the Gospel in its purity. Pray for me that I may stand firm unto the end. If some one will come here I will provide them a place to stay and do all I can for them. Pray for me and my family.
Your sister saved and wholly sanctified.
Mary Slocum.
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Odon, Ind.
Dear Brethren: — My testimony tonight is that I am saved and sanctified and kept by the mighty power of God unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Oh I am so glad that Jesus has ever saved me from sectism, and that He has ever given me a real experience of holiness.
Your Bro. saved from all sin and walking in the light as He is in the light.
W. E. Moore.
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Carthage, Mo.
Dear Saints: — I realize that the precious blood of Christ flows over my soul making me whiter than snow just now. Praise the Lord forever! Oh, I do praise the Lord for deliverance, and for letting me see my condition so I could get a real experience of salvation.
From your brother sanctified and kept by the power of God.
Edward Ellis.
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Fair Haven, Ill.
Dear Saints: — I feel led of God to write my testimony. I was a member of the Evangelicals for six years, and dersired most of all to be a true child of God; but was not satisfied, and did not know how to obtain the satisfying portion until Bro. Palmer came here and preached the Evening Light. I am saved, sanctified and fully trusting in God. Pray for me that I may be kept humble.
Sarah Tilton.
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Watkinsville, Miss.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I feel the love of God burning in my soul and I know my name is written in heaven, in the Lamb’s book of life. I counted the cost and paid the price, and God wonderfully saved and sanctified my soul. Praise His name! I thank Him for sending Bro. Warner and Co. here to the South. Pray for me.
Your sister in Christ.
M. L. Boon.
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Ganges, Mich.
Dear Saints: — I feel led to write my testimony. Glory to God! I am saved and sanctified, and walking in the light as God gives it to me. Praise His holy name. Praise God for His cleansing power. He cleanses me from all sin. Glory to God.
Your brother in Christ.
George H. Newcombe.
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Sherman City, Mich.
Dear Saints: — This morning I feel that I am drinking at the fountain. Praise the Lord! It has been about 14 years since the Lord showed me my condition, without a hope of heaven until I gave myself to Him. I was with the U. B. sect about two years, but the Lord called me out and I was not slow to obey. Wife and I are on the salvation line. Praise the Lord!
John & Susan Whipple.
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Beech, Miss.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — The Lord saves and sanctifies me wholly, and keeps me from all sin. Praise His name for full salvation.
Your Bro. in Christ.
Samuel Robbertson.
Ridgeville Corners, O.
Dear Saints: — I can say this morning that the clouds of darkness have rolled away, and I feel that my sins which were many, have been blotted out of the book of remembrance. I am not sanctified but I mean to hold my case before the Lord till my faith can reach the promise.
I ask the prayers of all the saints. Amen!
Enoch Graffis.
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Halsted.
Dear Brethren: — I feel led by the Lord to write my testimony. I thank God that I am saved and kept through the precious blood of Christ. I do praise God that He is able to heal our bodies as well as save our souls. Pray for me.
Your sister saved and kept by the power of God.
Sophrona Howe.
-:o:-
Corsica, Pa.
Dear Saints: — My testimony is that I am walking in the blessed evening light that God shows me. My companion and I gave our hearts to God two years ago last August at the Red Valley camp meeting. Pray for us that we may always stand firm.
From your brother in Christ.
P. P. Taylor.
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St. James, Mo.
Dear Brethren: — I am saved and sanctified wholly, and kept by the power of God and walking in all the light He gives me. Praise His name forever and ever. Amen! I still want all the light I can get on His Word. I want all the saints to pray that I may abound more and more in the love of God. Amen!
J. H. Morrison.
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Geneva Centre, Mich.
Dear Saints: — I am still saved and walk- in in the light with the real fire and power of God in my soul. I am all the Lord’s all sold out to do His blessed will, whatever it may be. He saves and sanctifies me just now. Your sister ready when the Lord comes at morning, at noon, or at midnight
Susie Reeve.
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Coldwater, Mich.
To the Dear Saints of God: — I am thankful that the Lord will not turn any away empty that come to Him with a broken and contrite spirit. Satan would like to keep us from falling at Jesus feet for the cleansing. Today finds me saved, sanctified and ready to do the Lord’s will.
Henry Keagle.
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Beaver Dam, Ind.
Dear Saints: — The Lord has saved me from all my sins which were many, and keeps my soul filled with His love each day, for which I give Him all the praise Your sister in Christ.
Mary E. Harsh.
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Bellevue, Mich.
Dear Readers: — I am still trusting the Lord and trying to live a Bible christian. Praise His name. I do feel that I am born of God and have a salvation that saves from all sin.
Your brother in Christ.
C. B. Wood.
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Odon, Ind.
Dear Saints: — I thank God that I am one of His free children. Pray for me that I may always be ready to do my Master’s will.
Your sister saved through the blood of Jesus.
Kezia Harmon.
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Edenville Mich.
Dear Saints: — I do bless God to-day for ever saving my soul, and for what He is doing for me. Pray for us here in this place. Your brother saved in Jesus redeemed by His precious blood.
William Flegel.
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Venango Co., Pa.
Dear Saints: — We are still praising God for His saving and keeping power. He has redeemed us from all the sins of this world, and sanctified us wholly unto Him. Praise His holy name.
J. S. & M. M. Gadsby.
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Continental, O.
Dear Saints: — The Lord saves and keeps me day by day and enables me to abide in the Vine. Jesus says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” All are branches who do the will of God.
Your sister saved in Jesus.
Florence Dick.
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physician that can extract the poison from your system, and be healed by His miraculous power, or return to the cursed habit that has spoiled you, and keep on in your self destruction until your burning lust is quenched in death, and your defiled soul is forced into the presence of God to be punished for the “lust of unci easiness.” See how the sin of tobacco using robs youth of its bloom and vigor, and puts an old haggard look on the face, and dwarfs the body and mind as well as defiles the conscience. Every chew, smoke, and dip of the destructive poison, is singing a note that you will have to pay sooner or later in sickness pain and death, just as sure as nature’s laws are inflexible. This fact could be proved, if space admitted, by the unanimous testimony of medical science. Besides a direct curse upon its victim, the tobacco plague leads to intoxicating drinks, and a thousand other destructive vices.
Let us now hear the tobacco user’s defence before the judgment bar of God’s Word. One steps forward and says, “I use it to relieve the tooth ache.” Well the filthy stuff rots and destroys the teeth and then the poisonous drug will stupefy the exposed nerves and lessen pain. Get rid of your decayed teeth, and the stuff that destroyed them, and give your soul and body to Christ and He will both save and heal you.
Another cries out, “I use the weed to reduce flesh.” If your corpulency is a disease, Christ can heal it; if natural, diet will do much for you. But do not defile the temple of God with tobacco, or God will destroy both soul and body in hell.
Many raise the clamor, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out,” etc. In this language Christ had no reference to tobacco, whiskey and such like evils. He simply spake against the superstitions, and rigid tradition of the Jews in washing their hands before eating; as though the smallest atom of dirt in their food would defile their souls; while, at the same time, their hearts were a sink of sin, out of which proceeded “evil thoughts,” “adultery,” “murder,” etc. See Matt. 15:2, 11 20; Mark 7:2 23. Hence it is a perversion of the Word of God to apply the above Scriptures to the use of tobacco, whiskey, etc. But even in resorting to it, the user of the weed condemns himself; because both his sickening ambier, and suffocating smoke came out of his mouth. But while he condemns himself, he justifies beer and whiskey topers; for the nasty stuff they swallow down does not usually come out of their mouths again, as the tobacco does.
Another excuse we have heard professors of Christ use for their idol, is this: “My pipe is much company for me.’’ Others, who live alone, have said, “It is all the company I have.” And we have known some to affirm that their tobacco was all the comfort they had in the world. All these expressions too truly and sadly declare a graceless heart, and a Christless life. Every real child of God has far better company, and an everlasting comfort in the presence and approving smile of Christ, than the “miserable comforter” of tobacco stench. And the very fact that they condescend to such filthy company, proves them without the comforting presence of the pure Son of God. May no professed child of God ever again insult Christ by prefering the vile weed rather than Him for your company.
Finally, it is said that God made the tobacco plant for man, and pronounced all He made “very good therefore it is good for man to use. In answer to this plea, Bro. A. J. Kilpatrick has called our attention in Bible Readings to the distribution of herbs, fruits and plants for man, beast, birds and insects in Gen. 1:20-31. Which reads as follows: “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Here we see that God created some things for man, and others. “such as green herbs,” for “birds, beasts and creeping things.” And all was “very good” for its designed purpose. But things good in their place, become a curse when subverted to wrong use. So the Creator has clearly indicated that it was hot His purpose that man should stuff every thing He had made into his mouth and stomach; but should use proper discrimination between that which was made for him to eat, and that made for worms. And transcending his bill of fare, he invariably finds that things “very good” for worms are very poison for him. Recently one rejoined thus: “Did not God make corn, peas, fruit, etc., for man, and yet the worms will eat them?” We remarked that such little blind things do not always know enough to keep their own plants, but that man had ought to know better. And since man, who stands at the head of God’s creation, and far above all mere animal life, has so shamefully foraged on the worm’s domain it should not be thought strange if these little things should occasionly steal a meal from us. But man’s trespass upon the worm’s rights, is much more abominable than the encroachment of the latter. These seem to be aspiring, while man disgracefully steps down to dine with the nastiest worms. If men were seeking to rise above their sphere, and “eat angel’s food,” it would not look so bad. But to rob the big green worms, and cram their lawful food into his mouth, is shameful in the extreme. Yea, they kill the insects and plunder their food, and then are not able to eat it, but only chew it up and spit it out, and so defile every thing on God’s footstool. If any man doubts that tobacco was created for large green “creeping things, go to the tobacco field, and see how wonderfully they grow and fat on it. Almost daily men must go through the field and kill hem, in order to take their food. Which, we ask, was the plant made for? man or worms? Look at the two classes of tobacco lovers. The worms grow rapidly and fatten lusciously upon it; while the silly army of human tobacco consumers are, with few exceptions, a lean, haggard, filthy, dried up, smoked and wretched class. So what is “very good’’ for “creeping things,” proves a curse to man, and tends to make him also a poor sluggish creeping thing on the earth. O that men were wise, and would keep themselves pure and upright from the great transgression! Amen!
As tobacco using involves both ft sinful practice and a filthy condition, it is both the province of justification and entire sanctification to remove it. As the first work of grace is conditioned upon a thorough repentance, and an entire cessation of sinning, no person who has heard the Gospel fully preached, which condemns the great tobacco sin with all others, can repent of, and receive pardon for other transgressions, and still use tobacco, no more than he can find mercy in the continuance of any other vice. He cannot do it. He must repent of, and abandom all forms of transgression, or find pardon for none. And here, in “first principles” of salvation, is the proper place for sinners to “cleanse their hands’’ from handling, and their mouths from using the filthy weed. Yet we will allow the possibility of men attaining pardon, with out giving up the unclean weed, under the low standard of babylon preaching, which does not condemn the sin, but frequently justifies it by the filthy example on the part of the preachers and people. But even such as have made a profession of Christ without having heard tobacco using renounced as a sin, if they continue its use, will do so under more or less protest of conscience. They know and feel it is wrong, and if they have any degree of justification before God, it is because they are not able to quit the habit, and have not learned that Christ can and will purge it out of them. Such are more or less overcast with doubts, and beset with shame, because they know their practice is not to the glory of God, but the result of an unnatural “lust of uncleanness, which has the mastery over them. Hence all such, when the “true light shines,” unto them, have to stop their practice, repent of the same, “clearing themselves.” — 1 Cor. 7:11. After which they are fit to present themselves for entire sanctification. Even without the light of holiness, or any teaching on the subject, many children of God get condemned for their unclean habit, and quit the same. While doubtless a greater number get under condemnation and remain there. Unheeding the voice of conscience, it becomes seared as with a hot iron, and they imagine themselves all right while living in their filthy lusts. But with the light of Bible holiness shining, no person can be justified, much less sanctified while using tobacco. Were it possible to be free from every other form of unrighteousness, a person were still impure, and not wholly sanctified while the filth of tobacco still pervades the body, and taints the life. Ho person is wholly consecrated to God, much less sanctified, who either uses, or sells or handles it. No person can sell tobacco in the name of Jesus; because Christ is not in such filthy business: hence the dealer in tobacco disobeys the law of the Lord, which requires us to “do all things to the glory of God,” hence the business is sin.
One fact leaves every tobacco slave with out excuse, who hears the pure Gospel of Christ. Namely, His power and willingness to cleanse the very worst cases, and so perfetly heal the tobacco disease in an instant, that the stuff is utterly loathed from that time forth. There are thousands of living witnesses of that fact on earth today, many of whom have used it to an awful extent, and for as many as forty and fifty years. It is a great miracle of course but none the less a fact. Though the poison impregnates every drop of blood in the system, and every fiber of the body, this Scripture is fulfilled: “For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion,” — Joel 3:21 And in this wonderful purifying miracle of God, we have our final proof that tobacco using is a sin. Namely, the fact that God treats it as such. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” And “If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:7, 9. Here is the promise of God that the blood cleanseth us from all sin, and all unrighteousness. But the precious blood does cleanse from the tobacco lust, therefore that filth comes under the head of sin and unrighteousness. As is clearly seen by God’s own treatment of it. This fact cannot be denied by any possible device or reasoning. Coffee and tea, though not so filthy, are also narcotic poisons, and produce similar effects upon the body as tobacco. And it is also true that we have known many to be purged, by the touch of Divine power, from the effects of these superfluous drugs, O let all who read these words be pure through the blood of Christ, and glorify God with clean mouth and hands, and a pure heart. Amen!
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EVILS OF CORSETS.
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Dearly Beloved of God: — “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall bo as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” — Isa. 1:18-20. Now let us reason, dear ones. God our Father has been impressing us for sometime to speak a few words through the Gospel Trumpet about the evils of corset wearing. He also has placed in our hand a few facts gathered from the best physicians in the land, such as Dr. Kellogg, Alice Stockham, Dr. G. Gleason, and others, whose names are unknown; and we give you what they have to say on the subject “Corset wearing is a popular practice by which thousands commit suicide. The terrible evils of this murderous fashion are: 1st. It produces serious disorders. The circumference of the waist of a woman of medium height and dimension measures, on an average, when not cramped and distorted, about thirty inches; but those who wear corsets may measure no more than twenty inches, and sometimes even much less.”
Come, let us reason. Now what is the condition of the several organs contained within the chest and abdomen? They are of course, compressed and pushed out of their natural shape, and caused to protrude in places where they cannot correctly perform their function. There are few causes of as many diseases as this corset wearing, which so thouroughly displaces and wedges together so great a number of the internal organs, and this largely renders them incapacity for the discharge of their functions. Shortness of breath, congestion, and even inflamation of the lungs, congestion of the liver, of the kidneys, palpitation, and subsequent disease of the heart; fainting, Bronchitis, indigestion, jaundice, obstruction of the bowels, rupture, falling of the womb, etc, are only a few of the many evils arising from this custom of wearing cot sets.
“Physicians unite in testifying that more than one half of all the diseases of women are caused by wearing corsets, and that nearly two thirds of those that fill consumptive graves are killed in the same way. The corset with its inflexible stays, and hour glass shape, grasps the expanding lungs at their lower parts like an iron vise, and prevents their proper filling with air. The lungs thus crowed up into the upper part of the chest, and are pressed against the projecting edges of the first ribs, upon which they move to and fro in the act of breathing. The friction thus produced occasions a constant invitation of the upper part of the lungs, which induces a deposit of tuberculous matter; and the individual becomes a prey to that disease Consumption. Another sufferer is the heart. The dark impure venous blood rushes from the heart to the lungs for purification. The lungs are so compressed, that only a portion of the blood can get through. The remainder is crowded back into the heart, causing enlargement and disease. The individual then suffers from fluttering and palpitation of that organ, and a constant fear that sudden death will cut short her earthly career.” Corsets also injure the liver. Dr. Kellogg gives the case of a woman who had nearly divided hers liver into two parts by this foolish practice. He thinks that thousands of young ladies cut their livers nearly in two in the same way. What does the prophet Jerimiah say? “When thou art spoiled what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair: thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.” — Jer. 4:30. More than one ease is on record of ladies, who by the use of the belt or corset, have ruptured their blood vessels, and caused almost instant death.
2. The above remarks apply to corsets whether tightly laced or not.
Question. “What possible harm can a corset do if worn loose? Answer. Put a band quilted full of cords and bones upon the arm of your active boy, whose athletic feats are your pride; let him wear it ever so loosely, then witness the deteriorating effect upon his muscle. Put a similar bandage upon you cat or dog, just as loosely as can be retained, and watch the result upon inspiration, digestion, and circulation. You will find it will take more than Pepsin to make the food of that animal digest, or magnetic insoles to keep its lest warm.” “It the corset is not laced, and a close fitting waist worn over it, if is made in such shape that the waist fastens it close to the body, and thus the muscles become weakened by the pressure of the whalebones and steels. This is why after a corset has been worn by a young girl only a short time, she says she can not hold herself up without it The muscles that should be strong enough to hold her up have been made weak by the steel bands. The only remedy is to throw the comet away, and give the muscles a chance to regain their strength. We must admit after one has formed the habit of wearing one they feel uncomfortable without it, and she fancies she must continue its use. Rum and Beer drinkers and tobacco users feel very much the same way, when deprived of their usual stimulant. Let a strong man strap his arm to a board and wear it constantly for a year; he will find it almost useless. Its muscles will be hin, placid, and powerless. The corset has the same effect on the muscles of the chest, which are by nature designed to support the trunk. Even if corsets were worn perfectly loose, and divested of every piece of steel and whalebone, still they would be unhealthful; because they are not made so as to give equal temperature to the body. Some of them have an open space in the back, leaving the spine with less covering than the rest of the body.” Come, let us reason. Would it not be more healthful to have underwear coming up as high as the collar bone, and reaching down below the hips, with buttons around the waist, with which to button the skirts.” God and nature impresses us that the above should take the place of corsets; for they torture and deform the body — the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is dishonoring to God. Most of those who wear the corset do not look as full and round as they naturally would, but present a flattened appearance, especially when sitting. God the great Creator, who framed the human structure knew just where and just how to locate the organs of the body. If fashionable people interfere with His work, and crowd one organ down upon another, and try to com press themselves so as to possess, what they call, a better figure, they should expect to suffer the consequences in painful diseases. Can you expect God to heal your body and go on torturingit..y wearing corsets? It is a serious reflection on the Creator. One of the most common pleas for the corsets is, that without it I do not present a sufficiently nice figure.
This is practically telling the Lord that He has made a blunder in making the human frame, and it is necessary for the god of this world to improve her original shape. Oh, what a wicked reflection; what consummate pride is this. All human beings were born with large waists, as may be seen on examination of any young child. Indeed all mothers are perfectly familiar with this fact from common observation. But inasmuch as this shape of the waist is not fashionable or popular with a small portion of the human race, they hasten to apply binds and belts around the infants waist, to bring it into shape as they term it, and make it look like something. (Small waists look better.) Did God make a mistake? But in order to satisfy the demands of fashion, and receive the commendation of society, she will say: “Well I can plainly see that I am too course and healthy.” When on goes the corset, and at it she goes with all her strength pulling at the strings, books and eyes, until she gets so weak she can faint at the sight of the smallest insert.
3 Alice B. Stockham, M. D., says: “If women had common sense, instead of fashion sense, the corset would not exist One of the most cruel sights on earth is a little girl, from ten to twelve years of age, with a corset on. The little one at first does not generally like it, her sides ache and she feels bound in it. But her mother thinks she is too round and plump to be a beautiful form in fashion’s eye, so the mother undertakes to mould her over, and get her into better shape. Just as if God had made a mistake in the laws of physical development, which she must rectify. The mother begins the murder of that girl, by slowly torturing her day after day, until life becomes a burden. And thus with intellect impaired, and the whole body a wreck, she steps upon the stage of womanhood a slender form — slender indeed for the work of life. Perhaps she marries, becomes the mot her of a few sickly babes, drags out a few years of pain and sorrow with them; then leave them in the world without a mother.”
Fashion demolishes beauty, virtue, peace, and all along the way digs graves for the young. All who knowingly bring upon themselves disease or death, by tobacco, corsets, or any other custom, are suicides; and drunkards and suicides cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven. It is written: “Thou shalt not kill.”
Your humble saved Bro.
Jno. A. Dillon.
NOTE.
We have often been impressed with the duty of admonishing all the world of this evil. But before doing so we counseled certain faithful mothers in Israel, and were assured that a sensation of weakness resulted from laying off the corset and that a real pleasure ensued from its use. This relieved our mind, until quite recently, after a conversation with some women who were clamoring for their dip-sticks, because when deprived of snuff, they felt very miserable, it came to our mind, that, just as the tobacco user feels the poisonous effect of their practice when denied the weed, so corset wearers are left with a sense of weakness, produced by that “iron jacket,” when it is laid off. And above we have the same idea. We cannot cast away that conviction, that the steel staved article is a general curse to the female sex, and the whole race of mankind that use it. And we pray God that, all His children may cease to patronize the fashionable abomination. Amen!
D. S. W.
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Sprankles Mills, Pa.
Dear Saints: — I rejoice in Jesus my Savior for what He has done for me. The sweet peace that passes all understanding fills me with glory, and the holy fire is burning in my soul. The Word of God says expressly in His teaching that God requires that we should be sanctified into into one body. We read in Heb. 2:11, “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for winch cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” So we see that every one that is baptized into the body of Christ is of one mind, having the mind of the Master distilled in their hearts, and joy flows continually in the soul. They are not up one day and down the next.
Your sanctified Bro. in Christ.
Henry Troutman.
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Bailey, Miss.
Dear Brethren: — I do praise God for a salvation that saves me from all sin and filthiness of the flesh: I do know that of a truth I am walking in all the light that God gives me. Pray for my dear Father and Mother that they may be saved before ton late.
Your sister saved and sanctified.