1 October 1883, Volume 6, Number 1.

Union with God.

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“O, sacred union with the Perfect Mind!
Transcendent bliss, which thou alone canst give!
How blest are they this pearl of price who find.
And, dead to earth, have learned in thee to live!

“Thus, in thine arms of love, O God, I lie;
Lost, and forerer lost, to all but thee;
My happy soul, since it hath le..ined to die,
Hath found new life in thine infinity.

‘O, go and learn this lesson of the Cross;
And tread the way which saints and prophets trod,
Who, counting life, and self, and all things loss,
Have found, in inward death, the life of God.”

—[Selected.

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Christ, the Body, the Church.

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BY JOSEPH C. FISHER.

(Continued from last Number.)

But the s..ts say we are the branches of the church. Not so. There is no mention in the scriptures of branch churches. Christ says, “I am the vine and ye are the blanches; he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing, and if a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered.” A man then is a branch according to the Savior’s word. But a sect is not a branch, but is a cut of section or party, and not joined to the one body, the Body of Christ, hence no part of God’s Church. Against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. — Matt. 16:18. Prevail means to triumph over, or overcome. “And I will give unto thee the keys (speaking to Peter) of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.

Sectarians contend that the Church of God is only a spiritual organization and not visible. How can this be? does not the scriptures teach us that we are all joined to the Lord by one Spirit, and the Lord adds to the Church, what ghosts or apparations? No, but human visible beings, visible to the human eye. And the Lord Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid, therefore visible. The Holy Ghost is an invisible agent, but his effect is visible. Like the wind, not visible to the human eye, its effect may be seen and felt. So the effect of the Holy Spirit can be seen and felt. He joins us together. We feel His thrilling power and love which is the bond of fellowship, which binds all christian hearts together. No human creed, or covenant can bind us so. Any other bond is a yoke of bondage, and robs us of the “liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.” Again, 1 Cor. 12:13. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ; for by one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit Also 18th verse. “But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the Body, (the Church) as it hath pleased Him. 25th verse. That there should be no schism (division sects) in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26th v. “And if one member suffer all the members suffer with it, or one member be honored all the members rejoice with it.” Now we know, and every honest soul must at once admit that this is not so with the present sect churches. Instead of suffering with each other they rejoice over the calamities and downfall of each other and the individual members of one sect does not suffer with the individual members of another sect; which is positive proof that they are rival factions as separate bodies cut off and distinct from each other, and not the Body of Christ. If a single member of our natural body is hurt every member, and every fiber of the body feels it, unless paralyzed, or dead, or cut off. In such case there will be no feeling, or fellowship, or sympathy. Mark the complete unity between Christ, the vine the branches. If the vine is mared the branches suffer. Likewise the vine, when the branches are broken. In the days of the primitive church the heathens were constrained to say, “Behold how these christians love each other.” But now sinners say behold how the so-called christian sects love each other. Sectarians say, we are no-churchites, which is false. We are all members of the only Church recognized by the Spirit, and the Word, which we can prove by the bible. They tell us they are churchites, but they are proven false witnesses by the word. If I tell a man I have a good and sufficient warranty deed of his farm, and the records prove my claims false who is the no-farmite? I am. So you too may say reader, because you are addressing to a sect church you are a churchite, but from the record, the Word of God, you cannot prove it, and in spite of all you say, you are found a false witness, a no-churchite before God and man. Oh beware lest you be found “speaking lies in hypocrisy and God give you over to this delusion of believing a lie and you be damned with all those who believe not the truth, but has pleasure in unrighteousness. Another falsehood, the devil is scattering — the air is full of his lies, which is to the effect that God’s true saints do not believe in any organization because we don’t organize humanly. To which I reply, we believe in all organizations of the bible, and nothing more, which is the spiritual, visible, and eternal organization, the Church of the living God. That spiritual house which men nor devils can overthrow. But ye sectarians say we are tearing down the churches. This is not so. But the word of God and the spirit of true holiness, if it is declared and taught will tear down, and destroy all sect abominations of the devil, yea everything that is of the world; the flesh and the devil. If ye ware of that spiritual house as ye say, ye are, ye should have no fear. But your shrieks and cries only prove your assertions false, and your already tottering, rickety, rotten structures are only temporal. Built upon the sandy foundation of man; which must go down with man: For “all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass withered and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever.” — 1 Pet 1:24-25. So will He endureth forever, and that which is founded on the word of God. Hallelujah! Amen! But must we organize in order to work for God successfully? No, did apostles organize? No, they never organized a church. I defy any living person to prove that they did by the word of God. Did they successfully co-operate and labor together in the one body? Yes. Organization and co-operation are two different words, each having a separate and distinct meaning. Organize means to form or construct or place in due order, or in the bible sense, to “set the members in the body,” in due form, which is the work of the Holy Spirit, and not of man. The Spirit sets in the Body of Christ after which man sets into the sect body, to which the spirit does not agree. Co-op- operate means, to work together, co-opertion, joint labor promoting the same end. For so says the Apostle 1 Cor. 3:7, 9. — “For we are laborers together with God, ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. We, then as workers together with Him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. 6:1. Thus human organization only obstructs and hinders, and weakens because they separate and divide and destroy that unity, and power, which would overthrow the kingdom of the devil, and the powers of darkness.

Must we not have something to bind us together? Yes, and we have if we are God’s true children. We have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us,” and are “knit together in love.” — Col 2:1. “Which is also the bond of perfectness.” — Col. 3:14. “Ye are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Pet. 1:5. Well how do you know each other? The Savior says, “ye shall know them by their fruits. The Apostle says, “he that is Spiritual judgeth all things. (Discerneth all things). 1 Cor. 2:15. Matt. 7:16. “And by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” John 13:34. Well, please tell me how those become lawless and disobedient are cut off from the church. I will. As God sets the members in the body as it pleases Him,” so He also takes them away. “I am the vine and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away.” John 15:1, 2. If a man abideth not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered.” — 6 verse. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise then also shall be cut off.” — Rom. 11:22. Thus they are severed from the Church. But what of the Savior’s words in the 18th chapter of Matt. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother, but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one, two or more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church, but if he neglect, (or disregard) (Ephatic Diaglott) to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and loosed on earth so also in heaven.” In the first place the fault is between two individuals, and what saith the scripture. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” — Gal. 6:1. Thus we see we are to go first privately to our brother and if he will not be reconciled then take witnesses to prove you are correct, and his fault, and if he neglect to hear them tell it to the church (congregation). What if you have no church? Well tell it to the Church of the living God which is composed of all the spiritual believers in that locality and if he will not be admonished by them, also, then let him be; have no fellowship with him, “withdraw yourself from every brother that walketh disorderly;” “note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” — 2 Thess. 3:6, 13. Does the word say summons him to trial and if guilty eject him from the church? No. Th.. ..n cannot do, besides if he has refused to be reconciled to his brother or brethren, he has already committed sin and has been cut off by his disobedience; hence the bond has been broken and he is loosed in heaven and on earth. Do you have no class books? No. But there is one great Church Book kept in heaven in which are written all the names of the children of the Church of the first born. Heb. 12:22 Phelippians 4:2. “He that overcometh shall not be blotted out” Rev. 3; 5. “But all that forsake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, (on sect books) because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.” — Jer. 17:13. Well, are there no deacons or elders in God’s church? Yes. “And God hath set some in the Church. First, apostles; secondly prophets; thirdly, teachers after that miracle, then gifts of healing helps, governments diversities of tongues.” And “he that is spiritual can discern each member and their gifts.” But what if they should all be elders? “God is not the author of confusion.” “Are all apostles, are all prophets, are all teachers, are all workers of miracles, have all the gifs of healing; do all speak with tongues, do all interpret? No. But God’s church is fully equipped, and all are workers. — 1 Cor. 12; 28, 30. Praise God! and one is our Master ever Christ and all we are brethren.

Bangor, Mich.

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Inward Crucifixion.

A Soul, right with God, is a soul crucified. A soul right with God, is a soul, which, in having undergone a painful death to every wordly tie, is a soul, which may be described, in the figurative sense, as being nailed to the cross. The crucifixion of the outward life, by a separation from outward error, and by doing right outwardly, is of far less consequence, in itself considered, and far less painful than the crucifixion of the inward life by doing and being right inwardly.

The subject of inward crucifixion is one of no small interest and importance. It is a subject, which very seldom fails to receive a due share of notice in those devout writers, who have endeavored to analyze and explain christian experience.

The term crucifixion implies suffering. The crucifixion of our inward nature cannot take place without the experience of suffering. The suffering, which we experience, is mental, and is analogous to that, which we experience at any and all times, when our desires are crossed and disappointed. It is the pain or suffering of ceasing to be what we have been by nature, and what by nature we have loved to be. A desire, a love, a passion, disappointed of its object is always a sufferer. Such is the natural law in the case. And the intensity of the pain will be in proportion to the intensity of the passion. It we loved the world with but little strength, if we were bound to it but by slight adhesion, the process, which sunders this attachment, and disappoints this love, would give but slight pain. But bound as we are in fact with a tie which reaches forth from the heart to its object with the first moment of life, and which grows stronger and stronger with every pulsation, until it embodies, if we may so express it, the whole strength of the soul, the pain of the separation, which corresponds to the strength of the previous attachment, is keen and intense indeed. The suffering of a parent, who sees all his attachments and hopes expiring in the death of a beloved child, are not keener. Hence in experiencing the new inward life, we are said to be crucified to that which went before; not only because we die to it, but because in dying to it we suffer.

To be inwardly crucified is to be dead to every desire, whatever it may be, which has not the divine sanction; to be dead to every appetite and every affection, which is not in accordance with the divine law; to have no desire, no purpose, no aim but such as comes be divine inspiration or is attended with the divine approbation. To be inwardly crucified, is to cease to love Mammon in order that we may love God. to have no eve for the world’s possessions, no ear for the world’s applause, no tongue for the world’s envious or useless conversation, no terror for the world’s opposition. To be inwardly crucified is to be, among the things of this word, “a pilgrim and a stranger;” separate from what is evil, sympathizing with what is good, but never with idolatrous attachment; seeing God in all things and all things in God; having God for our friend and heaven for our country. To be inwardly crucified, in the language of Tauler, “is to cease entirely from the life of self, to abandon equally what we see and what we possess, our power, our knowledge, and our affections; so that the soul in regard to any action, originating in itself is without life, without action, and without power, and receives its life, its action, and its power from God alone.”

The truly crucified man, like the truly humble man, does not desire great or eminent things for himself; but deeply sensible of his unworthiness and dependence; it is entirely natural to him, in his new state of feeling, to seek, and to take the lowest place. In other words, as one or the results of his being crucified with Christ, he is dead to the perception and the pursuit of wordly honors. If, however, God should see fit, in his providence, to call him to a conspicuous and important station in the world, as he did anciently some of his pious servants, the fact of inward crucifixion would leave him no choice but the divine choice, no will but the divine will. He is entirely acquiescent, and not only acquiescent but rejoices alike in what God gives, and in what he takes away; because he esteems all things which he has, whether it be more or less, wheter it be regarded by the world as honor or dishonor, in the light of a gift from God, and looks upon it as valuable only as it is subservient to God’s glory.

The inwardly crucified man receives with entire acquiscence and peace of spirit all adverse occurrences of whatever nature, the misrepresentations and rebukes of his fellow-men, the various injuries of body and estate, the disappointments of broken friendship and violated faith, the natural and unavoidable disruptions of social and family ties, and wathever other forms of human affliction exist. Whatever comes upon him, he feels that ho deserves it. He opens not his mouth, except to praise the hand that is laid upon him. Satan, it is true, avails himself of the trials of his situation, and tempts him to evil thoughts; but he is enabled with divine assistance to resist them and to triumph over them. It seems to him a light thing to suffer anything which God sees fit to impose. It is true, that the trials which he endures sometimes occassion sorrow and even deep sorrow; but it is a sorrow which is consistent with reconciliation to his lot and even happiness; a sorrow without repining, grief without bitterness.

Religion, in its highest sense, implies an entire union with the will of God. The true food of our souls is God’s commandment which is only another name for God’s will. A desire of any thing, and complacency in any thing, which does not place God’s will first, is infidelity to God’s claims. Holy joy is not a thing which comes by volition; but by a necessary law. If our hearts are right with God, such joy will always come in its appropriate place; not because it is called or willed, but because it cannot help coming. It is a thing which flows from holiness as from its natural fountain. The truly crucified man, therefore, is right in seeking the fountain first. Holiness ..s something which must be desired and sought for itself; something, which must stand, independently of its pleasant results, first in the mind’s eye, first in the heart’s affections.

Inward crucifixion, when considered in particular instances, is the same thing as taking up the Cross; and if the Scriptures require us to take up the Cross daily, as every reader of the Bible knows that they do, then inward crucifixion becomes our DAILY BREAD. I think it may be said with entire truth, (indeed the scripture command implies it,) that not a day passes, which does not furnish occasion for the fulfillment of the scripture requisition. Crosses, planted by the hand of a wise providence, ..ut ..t … at every stop. And we are not at liberty to avoid them. We cannot avoid them without turning aside from God himself. And accordingly, in the spirit of a heart crucified, we must always stoop to the burden, which they impose upon us and must take them on our shoulders, and must bear them as humbly, as willingly; and as rejoicingly as Christ bore his. And happy is the soul; that knows from his own inward experience, that a sanctified Cross is a storehouse of spiritual blessings.

Upham.

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Why Not Now.

There is only one little point of time at which any one can receive salvation, and that is the point now. We are justified only by a present faith that God does now, for Jesus’ sake, forgive us all our past sins of every sort. In like manner, we are sanctified only when we believe now that Jesus does cleanse us from all indwelling and heart sin. The territory on which saving faith must firmly stand is indeed a narrow neck of land ‘tw..xt two yet unbounded seas of past and future; yet it is as deep and as sure as it is narrow. If you want to get free from inbred sin and enter into deep soul rest, you must utterly drop the intire past out of your hand of God. Then you must utterly commit the entire future just as it may be, into the hand of God. You have nothing left but the space of a moment — now. On that little narrow now you must fix the foot of faith and claim Jesus now, just as you are, as your full salvation.

Open your eyes and look at this new cleansing a little closer. How long will you have that root of sin in you?

The very fact that you now have sin in your heart is the very reason why you ought, right now, just as you are, just where you are, to reckon yourself dead to sin, and claim Jesus to cleanse you now from sin.

Settle down on the naked word of God, and by simple trust assert that He cleanseth. God cannot make you holy so long as you attempt to do it yourself. He is only waiting for you to quit the last in order that He may do it. Why cot let Him do it now?

— Words of Faith.

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Tobacco.

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“That man who chews and smokes his tobacco is doing that to himself which should be called gradual suicide: and that for his future offspring which should be denominated man-slaughter. It is to him, that truth would direct her long and pointed finger saving, “Thou are the man.” His brain and nerve are tinctured with that foul and loathsome thing, which none else will ever eat except the miserable tobacco worm, and the rock goat of Africa.

Tobacco is one of the most deadly narcotics found upon the list of poisons.” — L. B. Cole.: Philosophy of Health.

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy which ..emole ye are. — 1 Cor. 3, 17.

— The Light House.

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THE GOSPEL TRUMPET.

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A DEFINITE, RADICAL, ANTI-SECTARIAN HOLINESS JOURNAL.

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Edited and Published semi-monthly
in the Name or the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the Purity and Unity of His Body,
the defence of ALL His Truth,
and the abomination of Sect Babylon.

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D. S. WARNER, __________ Editor.
J. C. FISHER, __________ Corresponding Editor.
D. D. JOHNSTON. __________ Publisher.

BUCYRUS OHIO.

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TERMS, $1.00. Per Year. To the Poor, Less, or Free.

Entered at the Post Office at Bucyrus Crawford Co. Ohio. as second class matter.

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We tend this paper, for a season, to many who have not subscribed for it. Fear not to take it out of the office, it shall not cost you any thing until you are led of the Lord and your own free will to support it. Please let us hear from you as soon as you shall have made up your mind for or against the paper.

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Healing in Christ.

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“And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” — 1 Cor. 12:28.

Observe that God has set these respective gifts and callings in the Church, and they constitute the variety in the members of the Body of Christ, and in all them together consists the utility and perfection of the divine organism. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” This, taken with the first quotation, identifies as one and the same thing, the Body, the Church, and Christ Himself. Now in this Christ’s body is set, by the hand of God, the gift of healing. Hence its manifestation in the name of Christ, in the manifestation of Jesus Christ Himself. Hence the spirit that sets itself against the exercise of this gift, is set against Christ, — is anti-Christ.

The scoffing cry of “healer sect,” against the members of Christ, for performing their normal functions is born of blindness and carnality. Every thrust at the manifestation of this gift is a thrust at Christ, an attempt to maturate “His body His flesh, and His bones. — Eph. 5; 30, by either crippling or cutting off of its normal members.

Christ is a Savior from all sin because “He bare our sins in His own body;” and He is just as regularly; and designedly a Saviour from all physical ills, because “Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” — Matt. 8:17.

“He healed all manner of diseases,” and “He is Jesus Christ, the same yesterterday, to-day and forever.”

Neither has His power declined, nor His love and sympathy become less, than when He wept at the grave of Lazarus, and put forth His healing touch to all sufferers that thronged His way. If we follow Him in His ministration of mercy, we find Him, both healing and pardoning in the same instant, “Whether it is easier to say thy sins be forgiven thee, or take up thy bed and walk.” As a perfect Savior He did both at once, but the healing being outwardly manifest and the pardon not, He says, “thy sins be forgiven thee,” “that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.” And there is no intimation from Christ or any apostle that He ever intended to change His plan, or do less for the needy souls and bodies that saught His benign help. Yea, Ho even declares that after His ascension to the Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the wonderworking power of God should be manifest through those that believe, to a still greater extent, than it had been through Himself.

Verily, verily. I say you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with yon for ever: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because if seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. — John 14:12-17.

You see the Savior begins with a verily VERILY. As if to say, most certainly I assure you that after my ascension to the Father and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the manifestation of miracle power shall increase in the Church, notwithstanding all the puffed up sophistry of collegely wise, spiritually blind “dum dogs,” who teach that it was then soon to cease. The fact is the coming of the Holy Spirit, throughout the bible, marks the real beginning, of this last wonderworking dispensation of time. I think we are safe in saying, that whatever privilege is vouchsafed to us through the Comforter, is the heritage of the saints to the close of time; because He was to abide with us forever. But the weak child of God may say, there must be a mistake somewhere. I read with awe the wonderful miracles of Christ, and I do not feel able to do any such works, much less greater works. Will just look at the 13th verse, the difficulty is removed, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that I will do.” Ah, yes, in doing these “greater works,” your part is simply to ask, while the very same Jesus stands pledged to perform the real doing of the same. There is no decrease neither increase in His power, but it is a fact that the manifestation of His power was, and still is modified by the measure of faith in the people. And it being a fact that the reception of the Holy Spirit of promise after that we believe, not only “establishes the heart unblamable in that holiness,” but also “perfects our faith,” it reasonable fellows that greater works should be expected after the day of pentecost had come to the Church than before, and that the longer we walk in the light as God is in the light, the greater still those displays of divine power in us. This being true, what manner of men ought we to be in all the manifestations of Divine power and glory. But the proud and drunken priests of babylon have “broken the hammer of the whole earth.”

“Faith (in all its forms) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” “but how can they preach except they be sent.” And God says, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them; they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their hearts.” — Jer. 14:14.

Christ says that miracle power should increase after His departure to the Father. This is the word of God, and a corresponding faith comes by hearing it; but these “evening wolves,” that Christ has not sent, through their educational ignorance of God, prophesy lies, saying that miracles were soon to end after Christ’s departure in person. And as faith comes by hearing the truth, so infidelity comes by hearing a lie, and the world is well filled with it through the priests of babylon, who thus, out of the “deceit of their heart,” rob Christ of His power in order to excuse their own impotence.

Many feel well assured that Christ is able to heal them, but they listen to the questionings of the devil, that it were possibly not to His glory to do so. But the Lord has not left that an open question for satan to discuss.

After declaring, with a double emphasis, that they that believe on Him shall do greater works than He had done. He adds, “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Then take it as a fact, settled by the Lord Jesus, that it is to the glory of God to heal all men that will properly consecrate themselves to Him; except that sickness which the providence of God decides shall be unto death. Besides, observe, the words, “The works that I do shall he do,” and “greater works shall he do,” imply a positive command. And it is farther enforced by the 15th verse. “If ye love me keep my commandments.” Both the command of Christ, and your profession of love to Him, lay you under obligations to do the works Christ did and and even greater.

Do you say you have not the faith, and power? This is no excuse, because “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” — 2 Cor. 9:8. O wonderful, wonderful promise? Why cannot you do the works that Christ did, when you may be “strengthened with all night, according to His glorious power.” — Col. 1:11. Of course, no one is to possess all the gifts of the Spirit. Neither is it in God’s order for all to have any one gift, not even that of healing. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the spirit, to another the gift of healing, to another the working of miracles, to another prophesy, to another discerning, of spirits, to another divers kinds of tongues, the interpretation of tongues.” All the Saints are to receive the sanctifying Comforter, but the divers gifts, are the manifestation of the Spirit to profit with all. The real qualification for usefulness. And that God may be glorified in our lives we are to “covet earnestly the best gifts.” — 1 Cor. 12:7—10, 31.

And immediately connected with the command to do “greater works,” is the promise, “If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it.” So you see we are all without excuse before God, if we do not grasp those mighty gifts of power.

We propose setting forth this important subject of the Gospel of Christ, from time to time. For the present please consider well the wonderful alls always in 2 Cor. 9:8. And the “verily, verily,” — “shall do,” “ask,” — “Father glorified.” John 14. Amen!

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Camp Meeting in Iowa.

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On Monday September 3, we took flight in the midst of heaven to preach the everlasting Gospel to them that dwell in Iowa. About 1 o’clock the next day we reached the camp of the holy people, in a beautiful grove on the bank of Skunk River, quite a large stream, about five miles southwest of Mt. Pleasant, the county seat of Henry county. The meeting had begun on Friday previous. The King was in the camp from the beginning of the meeting. Several souls had been converted and sanctified. The Spirit of the Lord attended the services from day to day. The little ones were much strengthened, and advanced in the light of present truth. They are dear consecrated and sanctified souls. Cleansed from the sect idol, yet a number have a mere nominal membership in some branch of babylon. How sensibly we could feel these chords, as an element of weakness. Scarcely any testified to being saved from the old “city of oppression.” And this lack of perfect victory and testimony, caused a very perceptable absence of that brass on the hoofs and iron on the horns, that is necessary to “shoot at her round about,” and shout against her,” as we are commanded to do in the power of the Spirit. Though all receive the truth of God’s own Church, the body of Christ; and are scarcely conscious of any bands of union with the sect, there is yet a death for some of them to die, and a victory to be achieved over the dragon: which we trust they will experience in the near future. A few years ago when Bro. W. W. Roberts moved to that counts, there were scarcely any there in the experience of entire sanctification; now the blessed truth is spreading in every direction, and God is raising up a holy people for His name. Bros. Lindlay, and Vincen, in Mt. Pleasant, are laboring with Bro. Roberts in the Gospel, also Bro. Wm. Thatcher. We hope to hear of increased numbers added to the Lord in that county.

There were a few healed in body during the meeting. Some soundly converted, and more sanctified wholly. How many no one has recorded but the Savior. For “The Lord shall count when He writeth up the people,” “And of Zion it shall be said this, and that man was born in her, and the Highest Himself shall establish her.” — Psa. 87.

There were some Adventists attended the meeting, one of whom professed to receive sanctification, and no doubt did receive an experience in salvation. This gave rise to the Sabbath question, accordly a bible reading was given on that, subject, but they that who were joined to their Ishmael idol, “rejected the counsel of God against themselves.” While all the “children of the free woman,” rejoiced in the “perfect law of liberty,” the precious “grace and truth that come by Jesus Christ.” What is more perverse than this modern Hager faction. One complained that we did not confine our self to reading the Word of God, because we read the several mias Sabbatons — “first Sabbath” — applied to the first day of the week, in the pure Greek Testament. This his ignorance disputed as scripture, and yet ho said he had tracts he wanted the people to read.

Another contradicted us, when we remarked that Adventist lecturers deny Christ the character of a Lawgiver. And before he left the ground we heard him remark that “if the law given on Sinai were

abolished, there would be no law to lead the sinners to repentance.” Which is doing just what he tried to screen others of his sect from. It is directly denying that Christ gave any law at all the despiration of that idol to escape the sword of “the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.”

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Strong but True.

Bro. W. W. Roberts said in a discourse at the Oakland camp meeting that when men say they were sanctified wholly, when they were converted, deep down in their hearts they know that they speak falsely. First, they do not profess entire sanctification, except when they are driven to it for argument sake.

Many of them speak in derision of the “sanctified,” and of “these people that profess to be holy.” Yea they, by example, teach their children to hold with contempt, such as profess entire sanctification. Now is it reasonable to suppose that such do really classify themselves with the very people they so slightingly?

Again if a stranger were to come into the community and ask man, saint, or sinner, for some holy or holiness person, such as reject the second grace are never pointed out as the place to find the man in question.

And should the stranger meet the Zinzendorfer himself and ask for a wholly sanctified man, he would not sory, “I am the man,” but would probably say there are few fanatics over in such a neighborhood that profess to be wholly sanctified; and about nine cases out of ten their words are accompanied, by expressions and intonations that practically say, “I don’t believe they are as holy as they pretend, beware of them stranger, they are fanatics, deceived, or hypocrits.” Now if they were wholly sanctified in regeneration, as they sometimes say, why do they so commonly, speak reproachful of others who are wholly sancified.

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An Old Pilgrim.

On Monday, September 10, Brother and Sister Carpenter took us several miles west of Mt. pleasant, Iowa, to visit Jacob Rogers, who will be one hundred and six years old next new year’s day. He was born January 1, 1778, in a village called Raubstown, Pa., not very far from Pittsburg. He served under Gen. Scott in the war of 1812-15. He was wounded in the arm on the 15 of August 1813 in the battle of Lundies Lane, in which engagement he says Gen. Scott, was severely wounded. In that battle he also lost a brother, another was wounded, and two cousins were killed. The old patriarch is quite comfortable in body, and could walk about freely if his sight were better. He has endeavored to serve his God for a great many years. He was desirous to converse on religious subjects. Though he feels pardoned, of the Lord, we could see a slight disturbance in his mind on account of having used the weapons of war, under the orders of his officers. Though he does not know that his fire ever took life. Let all who would have a cloudless sky and an unruffled peace in the evening of life, eschew war and every other sin and walk in the light of perfect holiness.

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Saved and Healed.

I praise God this morning for what He has done for me. Nine years ago this month I was converted, and joined the M. E. sect at Coloma, and through false teaching was led to think, that, having a little water sprinkled on my head was baptism. Oh how I praise God that He did show me that, that was no baptism at all. Four years ago last June I joined the so- called church of God at Bangor and was immersed. I thought it was the right church, because they bore the name of the “church of God,” but I praise God this morning that He has led me out of that too. I do know that they have wandered away from God and are joined unto their idols. Oh glory to God this morning I am free from all these things, and free in Christ and enjoying the blessing of sanctification, cleansed from all sin, sanctified wholly to God. Praise the Lord oh my soul. I praise Him too, for the healing power, for since He has led me out of the sects He has healed my eyes. I was a great sufferer for four years. There would be two months at a time that I was obliged to keep in the dark; could not go out in the light without green glasses on. I tried almost everything I could hear of for them, but all did no good only for a short time. For about one year I could not see not to read the headings of the newspapers with my left eye. But about four months ago I threw all the medicine away and went to God in prayer with Brother and Sister Fisher and He healed them. Praise God this morning I can see to read writing, and read in my Testament with my left eye. Oh glory to God for the healing power and for full salvation. May God’s blessings rest on you and yours, and on the efforts you are making to spread the GOSPEL TRUMPET. It proves a feast to our souls every time we receive one. Your sister in Christ.

Adaline Coon.

Bangor, March 80, ’83.

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C. Z. Lindlay, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, a local minister in the M. E. sect, became wholly sanctified to God, and as a result he ceased to glory in Methodism, but worshipped God in the beauty of holiness. This did not please the sect, and the brother was examined in quarterly conference. Fnally this question was put to him. “Will you be loyal to the Methodist Episcopal Church; loyal to her discipline, loyal to her doctrine, loyal to her customs and usages.” Before answering, Bro. L. requested the privilege to counsel the Lord. Which being granted he dropped into a class room and looked to the Lord. He did not have many minutes to wait, until Cod spake to his soul these words: “You be loyal to Me and to my word only.”

Praise the Lord! he reported accordingly, and his license was withheld. Here is another practical demonstration of the fact that simple loyalty to God does not satisfy the demands of the sect, hence their government is not the goverment of God. Entire, and executve submission to the law and authority of Christ, binds all under one sweet reign of love and truth, in one fold and under one shepherd. But every sect has taken, and continues to maintain its existence by the erection of another standard of loyalty besides simple loyalty to God; another authority and government besides the pure law and scepter of Christ’s righteousness. And the sect government being distinct from, is necessarily a rival to Christ’s government, hence they are anti-Christ corporations.

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The World’s Market.

The world has many markets where mankind come to buy, and sorry bargains have they made. Esau purchased a mess of pottage, but he sold his birthright for it. Judas got his thirty pieces of silver, but for it he betrayed his Lord. The world offers honors, pleasures, fame and wealth, but the goods do not prove equal to the representation. Whoever trades with satan is cheated; whoever trades with the world is deceived; but he who purchases of Christ buys gold well tried, and raiment white and fair.

Selected.

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The Saloons are the schools and haunts of every grade of criminality; the first places shadowed by detectives after the perpetration of crime; the principal source of supply for criminal courts, jails and prisons; the main cause of taxation and beggary and infamy; and the last covert of him who fills the drunkard’s grave. He who engages in the business and he who abets and defends it, have enrolled themselves among the enemies of society and the country.

He who fears to cry out against it, is not worthy the name of man; and ho who hesitates does not realize the duties of citizenship.

— Seminary Press.

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Saturday September 22, two young men, the sons of respectable families, living near New Washington, O., were in company attending different saloons and partaking of the accursed poison until late hours, and started for home and got as far as the railroad. It is supposed they were so much intoxicated that they fell asleep on the track; the train came along, instantly killing one; separating his body and taking part of it some distance, and the other knocked senseless and likely to die. Oh where will their never dying souls spend eternity? May God help every voter who has any respect for God and humanity to vote on the 9th day of October so as to wipe out these thousands of little hells in Ohio.

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Joy flourishes in the sunshine, but love grows and flourishes in the storm also. God may hide His face from us, but hearts of love still look in that direction where His face is.

“ ‘Tis Love unites what ain divides;
The centre, where all bliss resides;
To which the soul once brought,
Reclining on the first Great Cause,
From His abounding sweetness draws
Peace, passing human thought.”

Page 3

Temperance.

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Know ye not that they which run in a race ran all, but one receiveth a prize? So run that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore to run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.

But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Cor. 9:24-27. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, just, holy, temperate. Titus 1:8. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Titus 2:2.

GOLDEN TEXT. — So ran that ye may obtain.

CENTRAL TRUTH, — God cannot give us the prize without self-denial.

St. Paul alludes to the footraces in the Isthmian games which were held once every three years on the Isthmus of Corinth, and were great events with the Corinthians.

The prize was a wreath of pine from the groves that surrounded the stadium or race-course.

The words used in our Golden Text are the very ones in which the racers were cheered forward when they started for the goal.

By “striving for the mastery” is meant a contest of wrestling, which was an important part of these national games.

Every candidate was obliged to be at least ten months in training, to deny himself wine, live on the coarsest diet, and submit to a very severe discipline.

Every Greek city had is gymnasium where the youth were instructed in athletic exercises. Is these shools the pupils frequently had sham fights in which they struck out at imaginary adversaries.

When people abstain from the use of tobacco and all spirituous liquors, eat plain food and observe regular hours we call them temperate in their habits.

Statistics show that temperate habits are the strongest protection against disease.

People of temperate habits can do more work and do it better than others.

The greatest scholars have always been temperate men.

If we search the lives of philanthrophists, missionaries and others who have done great things for God and the world we shall find that they were always strictly temperate.

We ought to deny ourselves all hurtful dainties. If we are not willing to do this, we have no right to blame the drunkard whose appetite is so much harder to control.

Habits are formed when we are children.

It we learn to be temperate when young it will come easier to us when we grow up.

PRACTICAL TRUTH.

Temperance prolongs life. It makes us strong, active, clearheaded.

Christians have a race to run, a battle to fight, and they need to put forth every faculty of mind and body.

Children are invited to run this heavenly rack and light this warfare, and they are not too young to learn lessons of temperance.

The most remarkable instance of long life on record is that of the famous Thomas Parr who lived to be 152 years and nine months, and died in 1635. He was a farm laborer all his life, and like all laboring people in that age lived on very plain and coarse food. King Charles II. hearing of his great age was so anxious to see him that he sent for him to come to London, where he soon died from dyspepsia caused by the unaccustomed richness and variety of the royal fare. The famous Dr. Harvey made a post mortem examination bat could find no other cause of death.

But it is not merely in order to have a long life that we should cultivate habits of temperance. We are very prone to forget that our bodies are not our own — that they as well as our souls belong to God. We have no right to drink alcoholic liquors which will poison the brain and nerve centers and derange the whole system. We have no right to use tobacco, causing a vile ill-smelling breath, disodering our circultaion and digestion, and unfitting us for all grand and noble work in the world. Nor have we any right to shorten our lives by rich and dainty living. It is a well-known fact that high livers though they may look hearty and well are often struck down by apoplexy when they might have lived years longer by adopting plain and simple fare.

We owe it to God, to the world and to ourselves to keek our bodies healthy and Strong, so that we may do the most and the best work possible, for him and for humanity.

Yield not to temptation for yielding in sin,
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win.

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Testimony.

Worstville, Ohio, Sept. 3.

Dear Brother and Sister Warner: — God forever bless you. Glory to God! for victory in my soul just now. I feel moved by the Holy Ghost to write a few words in honor to God for the TRUMPET. Glory to God! for his wonderous power to save: Hallelujah to God and the Lamb forever: I was about fifteen years old when God showed me that I was a wretched sinner and doomed to hell without repentance. Glory to God! for his convicting power. And I saught the Lord while the was to be found and called upon Him while He was near. I forsook my wicked ways, and my unrighteous thoughts and turned to the Lord and He had mercy on me. Glory to His name! and to our God and He did abundantly pardon me. — (Isaiah 55:6, 7.) Glory to God! for His converting power. I was grafted into the true vine — (John 15:1). Glory to God! I was then put into the house of God, which is the church of the living God. — (1 Tim. 3:15.) Had I known it as God now shows it to me in His word I would have stayed out of the abomnible sects. O my God! help us to “shoot at her round about” and expose her fallen condition to the few of God’s people yet in her who are groaning to be freed from her galling yoke, and from under her damning influence; Amen! After God had set my soul at liberty removed my sins as far as from the east to the west, I had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!

“All Glory to the dying Lamb
I now believe in Jesus.”

And for about one month I must say that I was perfectly satisfied with my relation to God, except the movings of sin in the heart (inbred-sin the works of the devil), but at the end of that time two of the carnal priests had meeting at my Parents house, one evening in which my soul was gloriously blessed with many others, and we had a time of refreshing from the Lord, but just, before dismissing they said, “we will now open the doors of the Church,” and those that wish to unite with the M. E. Church can give this Bro. your hand; and those that want to unite with the U. B. Church give their hand to this Bro. For a short time there was a division in my mind but finally joined the U. B. sect. I dare not rob God so much as to call such an abomnible idolitrous habitation of devils the Church. There I drank the first drink of the “wine of the wrath of her fornication,” and become drunk on the same; for about eight years I lived in the wilderness, until Glory to God! He raised up some Joshuas to lead me into the land of Canaan I laid my all on God’s altar and the fire of God come and consumed the sacrifice. O Glory to Jesus He sanctified me with His own blood. O Glory to God! though but three days before I had publicly declared that I belonged to the United Breathren sect (Church I called it then) and that I expected to as long as I lived. Glory to God! who is able to do more for us than we ask or think. When He saved me from all sin, He saved me from the prison house of the devil from the gates of hell. Glory to God! they cannot prevail against the pillar and ground of the truth — (1 Tim. 3:15). What! do you say this is to strong talk? Is not hell the place that devils inhabit? Yes, it is the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit etc., etc. — (Rev. 18:2.) O Glory to God! for complete deliverance from such carnal machinery, it is declared babylon by the Angel of God to befallen, to be the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit. Mark the language of the Angel every foul spirit, fiends of hell murderers, drunkenness, blasphemers, idolitors, adulterers, thieves and robbers. O mighty God, save thy people from this awful pit of hell. I ask every true child of God, in the name of Jesus is this a fit place for a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. A few words to you reader, if you are a sect member and have peace with God in the name of Jesus hear the voice of the Angel, and “come out of her, that ye recieve not of her plagues and that ye be not partakers of her sins.” Why come out of her. Read Rev. 18:1-13. Remember you cannot remain in her very long and retain your relationship with God. If you are longing for freedom you can find it in Christ — John 8:32, 36. He can make you free from sin — Rom 6:18, 22 and 8:2, 32. And if thus freed from sin, let us stand fast in the liberty where with Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage — Gal. 5:1. And to all of the dear saints, let us be obedient to God, “reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works” etc. — Rev. 18:6. 7. “Put your self in array against her, Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow spare no arrow for she hath sinned against the Lord” — Jer. 50:14, 15. “Her sins have reached to heaven” — Rev. 18:5. “Blow ye the Trumpet in Zion sound an alarm in the holy mountain” etc. — Joel 2:5. God bless you. O Glory be to God forever. The blood of Jesus saves me to the uttermost. Raise the Trumpet to its highest blast. Yours for the whole truth.

P. N. Howard.

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Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 1883.

Dear Editor: — I thought I would drop you a few lines to Jet you know I was at your printing office, and did not find you at home. But I felt that the Lord was there. I have been in the fountain of cleansing for eight years. I found that the Lord has a few names in your town that know the power of full salvation, and they shall walk with God in white.

In God’s name I will hold up the banner of holiness unto the Lord. I will declare the whole counsel of God, without favor or partiality. I want the prayers of all the saints that I may be bold and faithful to do the full work of God. Yours in Christ.

J. W. Penelton.

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Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 13.

Dear Bro. and Sister Warner: — It is needless for me to try to tell you how greatful I am to receive the TRUMPET once more, after the trials and straggles you have passed through. If I were near Bro. Johnston I would give him a shake hands that he would feel from head to foot. God bless Him! I believe the Lord has set the right man in the right place.

Glory be to God forever! “My life is hid with Christ in God,” is my present experience, and a great deal of my enjoyment is beyond expression.

May God bless every one that reads and that helps the TRUMPET. Your Brother.

Thomas Nelson.

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Philadelhhia, Pa., Aug. 28.

Beloved BROTHER in the Lord: — I, a Servant of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, the Father, am this day, with much thanks giving and praise, in the Spirit, made to write unto you greeting. Grace and peace be unto you from God, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. I am made greatly to rejoice in God that it hath pleased Him to give us a being in these last times, even now while the mystery of God is being finished, for upon us is written.

Twenty nine years ago the Lord called me, through His abounding mercy and grace to repentance and the pardon of all my sins. Soon after He showed me the carnal mind, which is not subject to the will of God neither indeed can be; and also that Christ was manifest to destroy the works of the devil. I yielded my all to God and He revealed His son, Jesus Christ, the Day Star from on high in me, as my sanctifier.

After that the Lord made known unto me mystery of babylon, the beast the old harlot. Also God’s judgements upon her, her overthrowal and the angels shouting Allelua I saw the smoke of her torment ascending up forever, and ever. And the angel said unto me the time is at hand, gird they loins and be thou ready.

The Lord has led me through a deep furnace of afflictions, and tribulations: but by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of my testimony He has enabled me to overcome. And now I stand with the Lamb upon the mount Zion. And having overcome the beast and his image and his mark and the number of his name, I stand on the sea of glass, mingled with fire, having, the harp of God. Not only am I able to sing the song of Moses the servant of God, but also the song of the Lamb. Having of late been permitted to read a few numbers of the TRUMPET with great interest, permit me to say unto you, as the Holy Spirit says unto me, “Be strong in the Lord,” and of good courage, for the Lord, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of Peace, hath come down to the earth, to set righteousness to the line, and judgement to the plummet: and to bring in the preaching of His pure word to sweep away, the refuge of lies, and to overthrow their hiding place. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has come forth in

His might to cast down the old serpent the devil, and satan. For the mystery of iniquity has worked long enough, but now he shall be destroyed by the brightness of His coming.

Give, O give the Trumpet a certain sound, every blast. This is truly a great work, and none but dead men, have any busness to think of taking hold of it. God help us is my prayer. Yours truly.

G. R. Doud.

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Wesley on Dress.

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“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel.” — 1 Peter 3:3.

What harm can there be in the wearning of gold, or silver, or precious stones: or any other of those beautiful things, with which God has so amply provided us? May we not apply to this what Paul has observed on other occasions, that “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refected?”

It is certain, that many who sincerely fear God have cordially embraced this opinion.

And their practice is suitable thereto, they make no scruple of conformity to the world; putting on, as often as occasion offers, either pearls, or gold, or costly apparel.

And indeed they are not well pleased with three who think it their duty to reject them: the using of which they apprehend to be one branch of Christian liberty. Yea, some have gone considerably further; even so far as to make it a point to bring those who had refrain from them for some time, to make use of them again, assuring them that it was mere superstition to think there was harm in them. It is thererefore, certainly worth our while to consider this matter thoroughly; seriously to inquire whether there is any harm in the putting on of gold, or jewelry, or costly apparel?

You know in your hearts, it is with a view to be admired that you thus adorn yourselves; and that you would not be at the pains, were none to see you but God and his holy angels.

Now, the more you indulge in the foolish desire, the more it grows upon you. You have vanity enough by nature, but by thus indugling it, you increase it a hundred fold. Oh, stop! Aim at pleasing God alone, and all these ornaments will drop off.

The wearing costly apparel is directly opposite to being adorned with good works.

Nothing can be more evident than this, for the more you lay out on your own apparel, the less you have left to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to lodge the strangers, to relieve those that are sick and in prison, and to lesson the numberless afflictions to which we are exposed in this vale of tears. If you could be as bumble as when you choose plain apparel (which I flatly deny), yet you could not be as beneficent, as planted us in good works. Every shilling which you save from your own apparel, you may expend in clothing the naked, and relieving the various necessities of the poor, whom “ye have always with you.” Therefore, every shilling which you needlessly spend on your apparel, is, in affect stolen from God and the poor! And how many precious opportunities of doing good have you defrauded youaself of! How often have you disabled yourself from doing good, by purchasing what you did not want. For what end did you want these ornaments? To please God? No, — but lo please your own fancy, or to gain the admiration and applause of those that were no wiser that yourself. How much good might you have done with that money? And what an irreparable loss have you sustained by not doing it, if it be true that the day is at hand, when “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor?”

I pray you consider this well. Perhaps you have not seen it in this light before. When you are laying out the money in costly apparel which you could otherwise spare for the poor, you thereby deprive them of what God, the propoletor of all, had lodged in your hands let their use. If so, what you put upon yourself, you are in effect tearing from the back of the naked, as the costly and delicate food you eat, you are snatching from the mouth of the hungry. For mercy, for pity, for Christ’s sake, for the honor of his Gospel, stay your hand. Do not throw this money sway. Do not lay out on nothing, yea, worse than nothing, what may clothe your poor, naked, shivering, fellow creature.

Many years ago, when I was at Oxford. In a cold winter’s day, a young maid (one of those we kept at school) called upon me. I said, “you seem half starved. Have you nothing to cover you but that thin gown?” She said, “Sir, this is all I have.” I put my hand in my pocket, but found I had scarcely any money left, having just paid away what I had. It immediately struck me, “Will thy Master say, “Well done, good and faithful steward? Thou hast adorned thy walls with the money which might have screened this poor creature from the cold.” O Justice. O mercy. Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid? See thy expensive apparel in the same light, thy gown, hat, head dress.

Everything about thee which cost more than Christian duty required thee to lay out is the blood of the poor. Oh, be wise for the time to come. Be more merciful. More faithful to God and man. More abundantly clad — like men and women professing godliness — with good works. I conjure you all who have any regard for me, before I go hence, that I have not labored, even in this respect, in vain, for near half a century.

Let me see before I die, a Methodist congregation, full as plain dressed as a Quaker congregation. Only be more consistent with yourselves. Let your dress be cheap as well as plain. Otherwise you do but trifle with God and men, and your own souls. I pray let there be no costly silks, among you, how soever they may be. Let not any of you who are rich in this world, endeavor to excuse yourself from this by talking nonsens.

It is stark, staring nonsense to say, “Oh, I can afford this or that.” If you have regard to common sense, let that silly word never come into your part of it in gay or costly apparel.

For this is no less than to turn wholesome food into deadly poison. It is giving so much money to poison both yourself and others, as far as your example spreads, with pride, vanity, anger, lust, love

of the world, and a thousand “foolith and hurtful desires,” which tend to pierce them through with many sorrows.” O God, arise and maintain thy own cause. Let not men and devils any longer put out our eyes, and lead us blind folded into the pit of destruction

— Wesley’s Sermons.

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Meekness.

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Is love at school — love at the Saviour’s school. It is Christian lowlihood. It is a disciple learning to know himself; learning to fear and distrust and abhor himself. It is the disciple practicing the sweet but self-emptying lesson of putting on the Lord Jesus, and finding all his righteousness in that righteous other. It is the disciple learning the defects of his own character, and taking from hostile as well as friendly monitors. It is the disciple praying and watching for the improvements of his talents, the mellowing of his temper, and the amelioration of his character. It is the living Christian at the Saviour’s feet, learning of him who is meek and lowly, and finding rest for his own soul.

Dr. James Hamilton.

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The true way to advance another’s virtue is to follow it, and the best means to cry down another’s vice is to decline it.

Quarles.

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When Christ lives in us, then there is no more trying to love God; but love springs — wells up spontaneously. This is a style of religion that goes without trying. The Christ-life is a sovereign power in the soul; impelling it onward in the King’s high wav, shining more and more. You may be tempted from without to be angry, to bo proud, to indulge your appetites; but there will be no inward struggle. The inward presence of Christ is the victory.

Words of Faith.

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Please read with care, B. J. C. Fisher’s article on “The Church” in this No. Then get your last paper and re-read it all, it is too rich to be read only once.

D. D. J.

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Men who are in a settled state of self- righteousness, it is best to let alone. They will face you down, and are so full of arguments, and cavils, and bullyings, that you gain nothing.

Finney.

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Pure Gems.

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To-day is ours; the future belongs to God.

Jesus, is the purest among the mighty; the mightiest among the pure.

When we are most ready to perish, then is God most ready to help us.

The grief that swells the Christian’s heart, is the bud of a new beauty, bursting into flower.

Spiritual intolerance is evidence o‘ spiritual disease. The healthy soul is always active.

Distinction is not in being heard of far and wide, but in being solid, straight-forward, and loving the light

God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers, on the clouds and stars.

If we could see the end as God does, we should see that every event is for the believer. When we get to heaven, we shall see that every wind was wafting us to Glory.

How true it is that their is room at the top of the ladder. Drones swarm around the foot, unambitious persons crowd about the first step, while on the topmost round there is plenty of room. Aim high, set out for the top, where there is room and to spare. Jesus wants the whole human family there.

Selected.

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Brother T. H. Low writes that there will be assembly of the saints of God at his place. La Grange county, Ind., some time in October. Prepare to attend it. The time will be announced hereafter.

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“BIBLE PROOFS.”

Bend orders for “Bible Proofs of the Second Work of Grace.” Bound in cloth, five hundred pages, less seven. Price $1.25. Many have declared it the best book written on the subject.

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Have you a book or tract, you wish puplished? Would you like some beautiful tract envelopes, letter heads, or circulars, of any business consistent with holiness? Or would you like some beautiful cards, with bible mottos! Please send us you orders. We would love to print much good religious matter. We are now well equipped with presses and power. Praise the Lord!

Get subscribers for the TRUMPET.

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ASSEMBLY MEETING.

There will be an assembly of the Saints in Northern, Mich. commencing on the 12th. of Oct. Parties coming from the North, can stop off at Breckenridge on the Saginaw valley and St. Louis R. R. Those coming from the south can stop at St. Johns on the Detroit and Grand Haven R. R. where brethren will meet them if notified. Those coming from the south address Bro. John T. Lyon, Maple Rapids, Mich. Those from the north, address Bro. William Kennet, Lafayette Gratiot, Co. Mich. Let there be a general rally,

— J. C. Fisher.

Page 4

A Horrible Reproach.

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One great difficulty of Christians is their expecting to live in sin, and this expectation. insures their continuance in sin.

If an individual expects to live in sin, he in fact means to live in sin, and of course he will live in it. It is very much to be feared, that many professors of religion never really meant to live without sin. The apostle insists that believers should reckon themselves dead to sin, that they should hencforth have no more to do with it than if they were dead, and no more expect to sin than a dead man should expect to walk. They should throw themselves upon Christ, and receive him in all his relations, and expect to be preserved and sanctified and saved by him. If they would do this, do you not suppose they would be kept from sin? Just as certainly as they believe in Christ for it. To believe in Christ that he will keep them, insures the result that he will. And the reason why they do not receive preserving grace at all times, as they need and all they need, is that they do not expect it, and do not trust in Christ to preserve them in perfect love. The man tries to preserve himself. Instead of throwing himself upon Christ, he throws himself upon his own resources, and then in his weakness expects to sin, and of course he does sin. If he knew his own entire emptiness, and would throw himself upon Christ as absolutely, and rest upon Christ as confidently, for sanctification, as for justification, the one is just as certain as the other.

No one that trusted in God for anything he has promised, ever failed to receive according to his faith, the very thing for which he trusted. If you trust in God for what he has not promised, that is tempting God. If Peter had not been called by Christ to come to him on the water, it would have been tempting God for him to get down out, of the ship into the water, and he would have lost his life for his presumption and folly. But as soon as Christ told him to come, it was merely an act of sound and rational faith for him to do it. It was a pledge on the part of Christ, that he should be sustained; and so he was sustained, as long as he had faith. Now, if the Bible has promised that those who receive Christ as their sanctification shall he sanctified, then you who believe in him for this end have just as much reason to expect it, as Peter had to expect he should walk on the waves. It is true, we do not expect a miracle to be wrought to sustain the believer, as it was to sustain Peter. But it is promised that he shall be sustained, and if miracles were necessary, no doubt they would be performed, for God would move the universe, and turn the course of nature upside down, sooner than one of his promises should fail, to them that put their trust in him. If God is pledged to anything, a person that ventures, on that pledge will find it redeemed, just as certainly as God possesses almighty power. Has God promised sanctification to them that trust him for it? If he as not, then to go to him in faith for preservation from temptation and sin is tempting God. It is fanaticism. If God has left us to the dire necessity of getting along with our own watchfulness and our own firmness and strength, we must submit to it, and do the best we can. But if he has made any promises, he will redeem them to the uttermost, though all earth and all hell should oppose. And so it is in regard to the mistakes and errors which Christians fall into. If there is no promise that they shall be guided just so far as they need, and let into the truth, and in the way of duty and of peace; then for a Christian to look to God for knowledge, and wisdom, and guidance, and direction, without any promises, is tempting God. But it there are promises on this subject, depend on it, they will be fulfilled to the very last mite to the believer who trusts in them; and exercising confidence in such promises is only a sober and rational faith in the word of God.

I believe the great difficulty of the Church on the subject of Christian perfection lies here, that she has not fully understood how the Lord Jesus Christ is wholly pledged in all these relations, and that the church has just as much reason and is just as much bound to trust in him for sanctification as for justification. What saith the scripture? Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: How came the idea to be taken up in the church, that Jesus Christ is our Redemption, and has made himself responsible that the meanest individual who throws himself on him for justification shall infallibly obtain it. This has been universally admitted in the church, in all ages. But it is no more plainly or more abundantly taught, than it is, that Jesus Christ is promised and pledged for wisdom and for sanctification to all that receive him in these relations. Has he promised that if any man lack wisdom, he may ask of God, and if he asks in faith, God will give it to him? What then? Is there then no such thing as being preserved by Christ from falling into this and that delusion and error? God has made this broad promise, and Christ is as much pledged for our wisdom and our sanctification, if we only trust on him, as he is for our justification. If the church would only renounce any expectation from herself, and dio as absolutely to her own righteousness, or the expectation of being saved by her own works, Jesus Christ is as much pledged for one as for the other. The only reason why the church does not realize the same results, is that Christ is trusted for justification, and as for wisdom and sanctification he is not trusted.

The truth is, the great body of believers having begun in the Spirit, are now trying to be made perfect by the flesh. We have thrown ourselves on Christ for justification, and then have been attempting to sanctify ourselves. If it is true, as the apostle affirms, that Christ is to the church both wisdom and sanctification, what excuse have Christians for not being sanctified!

If individuals do not as much expect to live without sin against Christ, as they expect to live without open sins against men, such as murder or adultery, it must be for one of three reasons:

Either we love our fellow-men better than we do Christ, and so are less willing to do them an injury.

Or we are restrained by a regard to our own reputation; and this proves that we love reputation more than Christ.

Or we think we can preserve ourselves better from these disgraceful crimes than we can from less heinous sins.

Suppose I were to ask any of you, if you expect to commit murder, or adultery? Horrible! you say. But why not? Are you so virtuous that you can resist any temptation, which the devil can offer? If you say so, you do not know yourself. If you have any real power to keep yourself, so as to abstain from openly disgraceful sins, in your own strength, you have power to abstain from all sins. But if your only reliance is on Jesus Christ to keep you from committing murder and adultery, how is it, that you should get the idea that he is not equally able to keep you from all sin? O, if believers would only throw themselves wholly on Christ, and make him responsible, by placing themselves entirely at his control, they would know his power to save, and would live without sin.

What a horrible reproach is the church to Jesus Christ.

You see why it is that converts are what they are.

Degenerate plants of a strange vine, sure enough! The church is in such a state, that it is no wonder those who are brought in, with few exceptions, prove a disgrace to religion. How can it be otherwise? How can the church, living in such a manner, bring forth offspring that shall do honor to Christ? The Church does not, and individual believers do not, in general, receive Christ in all his offices as he is offered in the Bible. If they did, it would be impossible they should live like such loathsome harlots.

Finney’s Lectures to Professing Christians.

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Will a Man rob God.

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Once more we are impressed with the duty of warning men to desist from the sin of robbing God, by ascribing to man, a mere worm, that which only belongs to God.

“He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant forever Holy and reverend is His name.” — Psalm 111:9.

This is the only scriptural example and use of the word reverend. It is only ascribed to God, the redeemer of men. And when men attach reverend to their own name, — as Rev. Isaiah Reed, Rev. B. J. Roberts, Rev. B. G. Huber, and all the rest, it looks as though they would sit in the temple of God, and with the Pope of Rome, show themselves that they are God. To our mind it is very wrong to ascribe rever. end to any mortal man, but far more egotistic and hateful in the sight of God

for men to attach it to their own names, and thus in form at least, ascribe reverence and worship to themselves. After rebuking this vanity nearly two years ago, B. J. Roberts attempted a defense of his self reverence, in which he thus defines reverend, i. e., “to revere, to stand in awe of, and to fear and tremble before, by calling himself “Rev. B. J. Roberts.” But God says, we should fear Him alone, and worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall thou serve.” O how vain, how foolish, how sinfully egotistical to still call himself “Reverend,” after properly defining that term, as denoting an exercise of devotion that is only due unto the most High God. Some months ago, the Lord directed wife to address a private card to Bro. Huber, editor of the “Highway of Holiness,” admonishing him for Christ’s sake, and the pure Gospel’s sake to abandon this man worshiping reverence. In reply she received the following five questions:

  1. “How do you know it was the Holy Spirit impressed you to write me as you did.” It is possible that a man who claims to be acquainted with the Holy Spirit himself would ask such a question. How does Bro. Huber know when his wife speaks to him, that it is not some one else?

Why you would say, you are too familiar with her voice, to be thus mistaken. And who can have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him and not be sufficiently acquainted with Him, to distinguish between his voice and His opposite. Just such questions come from infidels formalists and all such as have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost,” but should never be asked by persons who claim themselves, to be acquainted with the Comforter.

  1. “Wherein would the Gospel be benefitted by leaving off Rev?”

Does not Bro. H. know that ever unscriptural, and world conforming practice among such as profess to represent the Gospel of Christ, is an obstruction to the salvation of the Gospel? Does he not know that a practical disregard for the light of the Gospel, upon the part of such as profess to believe it, is the great curse of the age, and the parent of all infidelity in the world? What is this use of reverend, but conformity to this vain world that is cheering each other on to hell by high sounding and honorary titles.

“Be ye not conformed to this world.”

  1. “How do you know there is no scripture for the use of such titles?”

By the kind providence of God, we are blessed with the bible in our house, and have learned to read it, and bless the Lord! we do read it; and have never found therein, a Rev. Paul, Rev. Peter, Rev. John, nor a Rev. Enoch or Abraham, or any one else called Rev. but the most High God. Neither have you, Bro. Huber, and you know it is not in the bible, and should have honesty and humility enough to confess the fact, instead of trying to daub over your self reverend bigotry by these silly questions.

  1. “Is reverend of which Rev. is an abbreviation, not used in the scriptures.”

Look and see. You use the word, why do you not bring your practice to the light of the bible? Why ask such a question? If the bible sustains your practice why not show us the chapter and verse. If it does not, why not honestly confess your past sin, and cease to rob God in the future?

  1. “Is there any scripture against the use of a title to designate a minister?”

There is scripture against the use of Rev. in application to men, “Holy and reverend is His name,” and “The Lord God, is a jealous God, He will not give His glory to another.” The scriptures call God’s ministers elders, which is proper, but your abominable sect government distorts and perverts the word of God and make an elder a lord over a district of preachers and people; hence you join with drunken, proud, sacrilegious babylon in ascribing to proud, carnal, bigoted, fop priests, the reverence that is due to God. only. O my dear holiness see thou do it not.

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Holiness to the Lord.

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See that your religion be purely divine, and that first upon the soul, and then upon all that thou hast there be written, “Holiness to the Lord!”

“To be holy is to be devoted to God, and given over entirely to His use. Our hearts and lives must not, therefore, be ‘common or unclean.’ To live a holy life is transcendency above all success in moneymaking, and all perfection in the sciences and the arts. To whatever extent God’s Spirit is upon us and in us, so much out present condition is more excellent than the highest wordly good can advance us to. To the true believer, God should be the first and last; and the all in all. Our whole life should be swallowed up in God. When we awake in the morning, our first thoughts should be of God, and our meditations of him should be sweet. Whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God. In the various activities of life, we must be able at all times to say, I do this, or I do that, because it is his will. I do it to please God; to glorify him and enjoy him.”

“O reader, can you take God for your Owner, your Sovereign, your Savour, your Portion, your All? If not, you fail to be a godly man. If his authority have not move power upon you than the authority of the greatest upon earth, you are ‘none of his,’ whatever you may pretend. But if ‘holiness to the Lord’ be written upon you, and upon all that is yours, you are devoted to him, and you are truly a child of God. Slavery to the flesh, the word, and the devil, is the mark that is written upon the foreheads of the ungodly; and Satan, the world, and the flesh have the services of such. But if you are consecrated to God, and are bearing his name and mark upon you, let all mankind know that you are his, that you are resolved to live to him, love him, and to trust him. Let God be the very life of you, the beginning and the end of all you are to do.”

Richard Baxter, 1657.

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Living Fire.

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When John, in the Apocalypse, saw the Lamp on the throne, before that throne were the seven lamps of fire burning, “Which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth;” and is only by waiting before that throne of grace that we become imbued with the holy fire; but he who waits there long and believingly, will embibe that fire and come forth from his communion with God bearing tokens of where he has been. For the individual believer, and above all, for every laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, the only way to gain spiritual power is by secret waiting at the throne of God, for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Every moment spent in real prayer is a moment spent in refreshing the fire of God within the soul. This fire cannot be simulated; nothing else will produce its effects. No more can the means of obtaining it be feigned. Nothing but the Lord’s own appointed means, nothing but “writing at the throne,” nothing but keeping the heart under “the eyes of the Lamb,” to be again and again penetrated by His Spirit, can put the soul into that condition in which it is a meet instrument to impart the light and power of God to other men. If thou wouldst have thy soul surcharged with the fire of God, so that those who come nigh thee shall feel some mysterious influence proceeding out from thee, thou must draw- nigh to the source of that fire, to the throne of God and the Lamb, and shut thyself out from the world, that cold world which so swiftly steals our fire away. Enter into thy closet and shut thy door, and there isolated “before the throne,” await the baptism. Then the fire shall fill thee, and when thou comest forth, holy power will attend thee, and thou shalt labor, not in thy own strength, but “with demonstration of the Spirit and with power.”

The Tongue of Fire.

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Following the Spirit.

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Washington, D. C. May 1, 83.

Dear Brother Warner: — As a young child of God my heart longs to read the GOSPEL TRUMPET, because it has the truth, like Bro. Dolan’s Sword. Oh! what solid meat. I was, until two years ago trying to get to heaven by works, but Jesus stopped me, and told me I was a thief, climbing up another way than by holiness, and through His blood and righteousness. I was somewhat like Paul, I immediately said, cost what it will, I will follow Jesus.

He permitted me to enter one of the sects, to have a testimony and education against them. Having been sealed from the first “with the earnest of the spirit,” I fought with zeal against all sin, up to my light. And having read Rom. 8:14. “As many as are led by the spirit, they are the sons of God.” I seized that verse, and buried it my heart, and allowed no man to touch me. I grow very rapidly among the hypocrites and pharisees, too honest and thorough for them, for they began to kill me in my absence; and they hurt, and made me stumble; for they would not go in themselves, nor suffer me to go. But Jesus, while on my knees, in a solemn appeal, strengthened me with the holy fire of heaven. I then began to speak boldly, and without fear, until He gently led me away from them. I joined another sect and began to hate being called a Methodist. I simply wanted to be a child of God, and member of God’s Church.

They then began to come after me, I told them I was following the Spirit of God; until one morning while reading Heb. 3:1, 6, it was revealed to me as plain, as if He was before me in person, what His Church, and house were. I could not remain in my chair; I went to my room, and there shouted and praised God for His marvellous light. I immediately left one the most corrupt and high-toned, hypocritical, sect nests I knew of.

Our Lord also gave light to another honest but despised soul in the same sect. And now anti-Christ has killed us both, spiritually, for not worshipping the “image of the beast.” We glory only in the cross, and do all to the glory of God, and in the name of Jesus.

We would, by the grace of God rather die, than move an inch back wrongly. The Lord help us to watch; cry aloud and spare not. Your brother in Christ.

N. C. Page.

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Out of Babylon.

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The churches as organized and operated to-day are very little aid to the true followers of Jesus — are they not reverse, a hindrance?

Along with precious truth, they mix so return error received through Papacy—they have so much human dross and alloy mixed in with the Gold of God’s word, that the fine gold is become dimmed. The spectacles through which every consistent member must look at God’s character and plans, are so colored as to misrepresent him. In creeds and doctrines — like the iron shoes of Chins, hinder the growth and strength of those members confined.

Come out into full freedom from all such shackles into the liberty of conscience, liberty act only to study, but to believe God’s word though it overthrows all the creeds and traditions of men — your rightful liberty as sons of God — the “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” and be not again extangled with any yoke of bondage. We are scarcely aware, of the slavery into which long ears of obedience to man’s traditions has brought as. Slavery both of thought and action. We desire to see all free, not to do evil, nor to neglect God’s service and worship, but free to engage in it more fully, and as He directs in His Word.

Many are the letters coming to us touching this point and asking how, they should withdraw — “take a letter,” or what? We answer, take no letter, the desire to hold a name in good and regular standing is the trouble of many. They have scene reputation at stake and fear to lose it. They want to carry before the world, the honor attaching to a nominal church membership, that they may be respected instead of despised and rejected of men. Yet they sing lustily.

“Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor to the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s Band!

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm.
Dare to make it known!”

They talk tad sing about freedom sad many believe themselves free, but like children used to an apron string they fear to a stand alone; they must have some sectarian yoke of bondage — or they would not feel comfortable. Poor creatures, many of us were born into the bondage of creeds and cannot appreciate liberty.

“Search the Scriptures” said Jesus, come out, follow me and ye shall not walk in darkness — nor lack for food. Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. — John viii 32.

We append a copy of a letter handed recently by a sister of this city to the church with which she had been for some sixteen years connected. It is well enought worded to be used as a model for others. It may assist some, hence we publish it here.

Brethren: — Believing that we are in the harvest of the Gospel Age as, spoken of in Matt. 13:30, when the reapers are separating the wheat from the tares, which the Lord has permitted to grow together during the age, and also that the nominal church of all denominations is represented by the wheat and tares in the field — in which both have been growing, and that its mixed condition of worldly-mindedness and lukewarm christianity is displeasing in the sight of our Lord, I have heeded the counsel of his Word — Rev. 3:18 — to bey of him “gold tried in the fire” — truth that will stand test of all opposition, and for it have concluded … sell all that I once found dear — my reputation a.. my friends if need be — my time, my talents, … means, my all.

This mixed condition of truth and error, worldliness and lukewarmness, etc., I believe to be the Babylon described in Rev. 18, in which are still some of the Lord’s dear children. To all such he says (vs. 4.) “Came out of her my people that ye be not partakers of sins, and that ye receive act of her plagues.”

In obedience to this command, I ask to have my name taken off the list of membership of the nominal church. It is written in the Lamb’s bock of life and that is enough.

— Watch Tower.

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“Faith is to believe what we do not see and the reward of this faith is to see what we do believe,”

Selected.

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