15 May 1891, Volume 11, Number 10.
The Calm of the Soul.
When winds are raging o’er the upper ocean,
And billows wild contend with angry roar —
Tis said, far beneath the wild commotion.
That peaceful stillness reigneth evermore.
So to the heart that knows Thy love, Purest!
There is a temple sacred evermore,
And all the bubble of life’s angry voices
Dies in hushed stillness at its peaceful door.
Far, far away, the roar of passion dieth,
And loving thoughts rise calm and peacefully,
And no rude storm, how fierce soe’er it flieth,
Disturbs the soul that dwelleth, O Lord, in Thee!
O rest of rests! O peace serene, eternal!
Thou ever livest, and Thou changes: never
And in the secret of Thy presence dwelleth
Fulness of joy forever and forever.
Mrs. Stowe.
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JUDGMENT.
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Questions: — Will the Trumpet please ..l where in the Bible it tells the saints all judge the world, and explain it.
C. M.
Big Prairie. Mich.
Ans. Having for some time been led to ..re an extensive and thorough Bible reading on this whole subject of the saints judge I will do so in answer to the above question. The arrangement of this lesson ..s excufed last winter with a view of de..ering the same in a Southern general assembly, but as we failed to hold such a ..eting, the dear saints, and ministers ..ath, we hope, will be benefitted by this ..icle.
..1 st, Ancient Israel was a type of the church of God, and God gave her judges. “Judges and officers shall thou make ..e in all thy gates, which the Lord thy ..d giveth thee, throughout thy tribes; ..d they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shall not wrest judgment thou shalt not respect persons, ..ther take a gift: for a gift doth blind .. eves of the wise and pervert the words … the righteous. That which is altogether … shalt thou follow, that thou mayest …, and inherit the land which the Lord … God giveth thee.” — Deut. 16:18-20. … evertheless the Lord raised up judges, ..ich delivered them out of the hands of ..e that spoiled them.” “And yet they ..ld not hearken unto their judges, but ..y went a whoring after other gods, and ..ed themselves unto them: they turn- .. quickly out of the way which their ..hers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.”
And when the Lord raised them up judges. … the Lord was with the judge, and de..ered them out of the hand of their en..es all the days of the judge.” — Judges ..:16, 17, 18.
“And as since the time that I commands judges to be over my people Israel, and ..ave ..used thee to rest from all thine en..ies. Also the Lord telleth thee that he ..ill make thee a house.” — 2 Sam. 7:11. These judges were authorized of God, they ..ere to judge justly, and thoroughly, and … means of them, every thing that was ungodly was to be kept out of Israel. In accordance with the above figure.
2nd, Gonerr judgment in His Church. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, ..at I will raise unto David a righteous ..auch, and a King shall reign and prosper, ..nd shall execute judgment and justice in he earth.” “In his days Judah shall be ..aved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and ..is is his name whereby be shall be called. THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” – Jer. 23:5, 6.
“In those days, and at that time, will … came the Branch of righteousness to grow ..o unto David; and he shall execute judgment righteousness in the land.” — Jer. ..3:15.
“Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” – Isa. 32:1.
“In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people.” “And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. ”Therefore thus saith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone ..n tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away, the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” — Isa. 28:5, 6, 16, 17.
“A bruised reed shall ho not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment, unto truth.” He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” — Isa. 42:3. 4.
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till be send forth judgment unto victory.” — Matt. 12:20.
“And Jesus said: For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. — Jno. 9:39.
“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” — Jno. 12:31, 32.
For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.” — Isa. 61:8.
All these texts show that the Gospel is a dispensation of judgment upon every false theory and doctrine. Christ does not execute this judgment all in person, but He “sends forth judgment to victory.” By whom does He send? He Himself is a “spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and foe strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.” He executes this judgment through His messengers, His ministers and wit nesses.
“To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.” — Psa. 149:9.
Here we see that the execution of judgment is the honorable privilege of all the saints. But their work is but the execution and application of the judgments written. And since the Word of God is only spiritually known, only such as are led into all truth by the Spirit of God are capable of judging.
4th. The Jews wished a King, and the professed Christians, sect lords. And what was the result?
“The way of peace they know not: and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” “Therefore is judgment far from us neither doth justice overtake us; we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness” “We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we bad no eyes: we stumble at noon-day as in the night: we are in desolate places as dead men.” “We roar all like bears, and mourn sure like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.” — Isa. 59:8-11.
“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter.” “Yea truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” — 14, 15.
“Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” — Hab. 1:4.
“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.” — Jer. 5:1.
Where the people have no one qualified to exercise holy judgment, the people make them crooked paths, and they walking therein do not know peace, and the people “walk in darkness.” And in vain do they look for salvation. And the wicked mix with, and boldly compass about God’s people, and transgression is multiplied. The sects of these last days have left off judgment as the Jewish sect did near their destruction.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” — Matt. 23:23.
“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” — Luke 11:42.
4th, God restores judgment to His Church, in the last days.
“How is the faithful city become a harlot? it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.” — Isa 1:21.
Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin. And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall bу redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousuess. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. — Isa. 1:24-28.
I beheld, and the same born made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High: and the lime came that the saints possessed the kingdom. — Dan. 7:21, 22.
The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. — Isa. 33:5, 6.
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. — Hosea 6:5.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. — Rev. 20:4.
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. — Rom. 5:17.
For the lime is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? — 1 Pet. 4:17.
For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. — Joel 3:1, 2, 14-17, 21.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall he disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. — Isa. 28: 16-20, These Scriptures need very little comment. The beautiful city that was primitively full of judgment, has become a harlot since judgment and righteousness no longer lodge in her. But God restores her judges, and Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and the wicked shall be consumed. This is during the last day, “consumption decreed.” The reign and power of the beast is broken, and the Church is delivered by the saints having judgment restored to them to excute upon her. And thus “ the Lord is exalted, for He hath filled, Zion with judgment,” and the “strength of salvation.” God’s “judgments are as the light that goeth forth,” when hypocrites are being hewn by His prophets, and “slain by the word of His mouth.”
After God’s people have come out of babylon, they sit upon thrones reigning in this life, and judgment is given unto them. When God brings out His pure remnant from the mixed and divided state of sect- divisions. He brings all nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat — the Lord judgeth — and there all men have to pass the test of all truth, and the true in heart, who decide to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, pass into the sweet valley of decision; And thank God they will not be few in number. But take warning, as God’s people enter this holy valley, “the day of the Lord is near.” And this judgment of the great whore, brings out a pure church for then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no stranger pass through thee any more.” The saints having come out of all man-made sects, where sinners lodge, and abide only in the body of Christ, “no strangers pass through her any more.”
5th. Scriptures Supposed to Forbid Judging.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mole out of thy brother’s eye.” — Matt. 7:2-5.
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? — Rom. 2:3.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect to a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which area shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” — Col. 2:16, 17.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself: yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the lime, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the bidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. — 1 Cor. 4:1, 3-5.
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts. — James 2:4.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” — James 4:11.
It is clearly seen that the judgment that is forbidden is either attempted by hypocrites with a beam in their own eye, by sinners who are guilty of the same things that they presume to judge others for, or
else it is judging by a wrong standard, as, for instance, by rules of the Mosaic law, which is abolished. The passages in James, are from crites which is the root of our words critic and criticise. All know that the spirit of the critic is to watch for faults, which affords the devil and opportunity to paint them to the fancy. The man’s judgment that Paul speaks of is simply man judging from his own perverted mind, and not by the light and power of God, which is not man’s judgment, though it comes through human lips.
Duty and authority to judge.
“Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Israel be joyful in their King. Let thorn praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishment upon the people: to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.” — Psa. 149.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. — Luke 9:1.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto yon power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. — Luke 10:17-19.
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. — Luke 24:49.
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. — Tit. 2:15.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessel of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. — Rev. 2:26-28.
Bat truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. — Micah. 3:8—11.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed; — 2 Cor. 10:8.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. — 2 Cor. 12:9.
It a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment — Jno. 7:23, 24.
We learn from Micah that when a person is “full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,” he is also full of judgment and of might to declare unto men their sins. We also see why some men, yea even some who once loved to pour out judgment, now “ abhor judgment,” because they “pervert all equity.” They have become corrupt men in the sight of God, and because their deeds condemn them, they wish no one to “execute the judgments that are written” upon them. So they fear and abhor judgment A reprobate adulterer stood in the pulpit at Geneva Center, Mich. and said
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REQUEST FOR PRAYER.
Grovertown, Ind.
Dear Saints: — I do praise the Lord for life and salvation, and for healing me of bodily afflictions. I praise His holy name for all He has done for us in all ways. I thank Him for what He has done for my companion in his affliction. He has been afflicted for a long time, and is not able to work yet. He had hands laid on once and got the victory, but the trials came so severe, that he began to doubt and fear, till it seems that he has lost the victory, but he has faith that the Lord can heal him. I do want all the dear saints to pray earnestly for him that the dear Lord will restore him to health. I believe the Lord will heal him if we all pray earnestly for him. We hope some one will come here to preach.
Your sister in Christ.
Florence Blue.
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Shoals, Ind.
Dear Saints: — I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony for Jesus, that I am saved to the uttermost, and sanctified wholly to do the whole will of God at all times, and under all circumstances. Praise the Lord I have found His grace sufficient in all times of need, and I need the Lord at all times. I have been afflicted for several years with Lung disease, and now am also troubled with La grippe; but I believe God will heal me through the prayers of the saints. I request you all to ask God to heal me of afflictions, if it is the will of the Father.
Mrs. S. J. Morland.
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I ask the saints to pray for my sister. She is very greatly afflicted, and has been for some time, and desires the prayers of God’s people that she may be healed. She is in possession of the blessed experience of sanctification, and is walking in the light.
Your Bro. saved in Jesus.
Cooper Calvert.
Calvert, Miss.
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Cortland, Ohio.
Dearly Beloved Brethren: — May God bless and keep you in the great work. My health is poor. Pray for me that the Lord may heal me. May the blessing of God attend you is my prayer.
Yours truly.
B. F. Rinehart.
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Big Prairie, Mich.
To the Trumpet family, and to all the saints: — I have been led to write to the Trumpet for all the saints to pray for the healing of all bodily afflictions of sister P. R. McCall. She set the 16th day of May for the prayers to be offered up to God for her healing. Written by request. I am still on the Rock Christ Jesus, and intend to 6tay there. Praise the Lord.
P. R. McCall.
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Galesburgh, Kan.
Dear Brethren: — I want to make this request, that you, one and all, pray on the 15th of June 1891, between the hours of 6 o’clock in the morning and 6 o’clock in the evening, for the healing of my wife, Magdelena Hodgden. She is in the insane asylum at Columbus, Ohio. And I will give God all the praise.
C. Hodgden.
EDITORIAL NOTES.
PICTURES, LIKENESSES.
A Bro. writes, “I ask how will any one stand the test in the clay of judgment, who overlooks the following Scriptures against pictures, images, dolls and likenesses. — Num. 33:52. Dent. 4:15-17. Isa. 2. Eze. 8. and 23:14-16. 1 John 5:21. Rev. 17. and 18 chapters. Rom. 1st. chap. Jude 5, 18-21. Jas. 4:4.”
Ans. In the above texts cited from the New Testament nothing is said about pictures, etc. and the citations in Num. and Deut. all relate to devices made to worship. The prohibitory law there set forth simply weighs against idolatry. Of course no child of God, thinks of worshiping a like ness. That those Scriptures simply forbid making any thing to worship, is seen in the text, or in the context of every passage. If we were silly enough to forbid people to make any thing like any thing else in heaven or on earth, we would be put to no small trouble to make an original pattern for everything we invent, or construct. Then the pupil would not dare to closely imitate the teachers copy in writing. Such a strenuous application of the words of the abolished law would destroy all system in the fine arts, and mechanical labor. Whether it be wrong or right to have photos taken, is wholly owing to the actuating motives, and whether the means thus used could not be used to a better end. There are circumstances under which it is all consistent with holiness.
THE WEEKLY TRUMPET.
It is very evident that the time is near when we must issue weekly. The surplus of good matter that we are unable to publish, and more especially to meet the needs of the great work, by way of timely notice of meetings, etc., demands that the Trumpet of the Lord be sounded every week. And such are the desires of the people expressed to us personally where ever we have been, and in many letters. So we are well assured that God is moving in the matter. Perhaps a few months more will bring us to the Lord’s good time. And when His time comes He will bring it to pass, and to Him be all the glory: If two thousand of our readers are led of the Lord to pay each $1.00 extra for the first year of the weekly issue, an additional press can be purchased, and about all extra expenses met, with the addition of such donations as He shall move men to give. His will only be done. Amen!
But what we here say is not intended as a suggestion for brethren to send in for the weekly issue yet. We have felt the Lord moving us for some time, and had expected to make a proposition in this issue But since returning home, we find that several bills, to the amount of over $500, must soon be paid, and these must be met before any other steps can be taken. The fact is, hundreds of dollars worth of paper is being purchased, printed, and sent out free, in tracts and papers. Many dear saints know this, or if they do not, are nevertheless moved of God to help in this good work. O may all do the whole will of God in helping this lost world to a knowledge of the way, the life and the truth.
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Bro. Moore writes us from Odon, Ind. “The people at this place are anxious to see you again. They have come to the conclusion that the saints are no bad people after all. Prejudice is removed to a great extent. There are some young people that take a great interest in the meetings, and in Bro. Roe’s singing. If we only had a meeting house the work would prosper here, I think. We have not received any donations yet from abroad, but we are still praying and trusting God to move the hearts of the saints abroad to send us help. Tell them to send to Wm. E. Moore, Odon, Daviess Co. Ind., box 207, for there is another Wm. Moore here. This is a money order office. Money may be sent by money order, express order, postal note or registered letter.”
The brethren remember the recent call for help at that place. As they can buy a lot and frame already up for $50, they expect to go ahead and build.
In answer to questions the brethren asked respecting the house, we would say, of course, secure your deed before you proceed to finish the building. Have the house deeded to the Church of the living God at (the name of the locality, or place of worship), in —— township, —— Co. Ind., in trust of the elders and deacons of the Church of the living God at (that place), and their successors in office. But to come within the letter of the law of Ind., you must call a meeting for the election of trustees in and for said church, and give notice by posting up a bill at some prominent place near by, at least ten days before said election that such trustees will be then and there elected. The church can there, without any voting (as that is contrary to the reign of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ) choose and acknowledge the elders and deacons, giving their names, and their successors the lawful trustees of said house. Then the result of that meeting together with the notice of the same previously posted, must be recorded at the county seat. As only elders and deacons are Scriptural officers, we avoid the creation of new ones, and keep in the New Testament by making them trustees.
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List of Camp and Grove-Meetings.
AN ORDINANCE MEETING will he held, the Lord willing, at the Log bethel near Grand Junction, May 17.
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Bro. Orr. writes from Tampico, I Ind, “Sweet peace fills our soul in the name of Jesus. O how we do praise the Lord for what He is doing. We are expecting to have a grove meeting here this summer if the Lord will. And we desire all the saints present that can come.”
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Bro. G. E. Bolds writes from Carthage Mo. “I believe it would be to God’s glory to have camp-meetings at St. James. Norwood, and Carthage, Mo. and at Frisco Ark. Will you and your Co. or Bro. Speck and Kilpatrick be through this way this fall? This will be a convenient line of meetings, at d though we publish the notice of the C. M. at Norwood, as sent to us, for July 23, would it not he better for that meeting to be deferred until after the Beaver Dam meeting, and then drop in line with those other places. Bro. Bolds please confer with parties and make out a practical lines of meetings to the southwest, to start about Aug. 20, if the Lord will.
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A GROVE MEETING will be held, the Lord willing, in the vicinity of Belknap. Allegan Co. Mich. May 29-31. Bro’s. Palmer and Warner are desired, and everybody invited.
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CAMP MEETING, NORWOOD.
The Lord willing, a camp meeting will be held near the above place in Wright Co. Mo., beginning July 23rd, to continue as long as the Lord wills. Brethren write from there as follows: “We invite a saints that can, come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. We have a good large tabernacle. We want some of God’s Holy Ghost ministers to come and carry on the meeting, as we are not accustomed to holding camp meetings. We expect Bro. Bolds and family, and any other preachers and companies the Lord leads. Such as need help to come, please correspond with us, and we will aid, if the Lord will, what we can. Let all the saints pray for us, that God may abundantly bless the camp meeting in the salvation of many souls. Any one wanting information can address
W. M. Wilson,
Wm. Gausvener,
Peter Mc Kinley.
Norwoon, Mo.
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THE BANGOR CAMP MEETING will begin June 10th 1891, and continue about 9 days. Let all the hosts of God assemble that can. Come and visit us at the office, if the Lord will.
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Gratiot Co, Mich, camp meeting will begin, the Lord willing, June 24th 1891, and continue about nine days. It will be held, we suppose, upon the beautiful new camp ground, a couple miles from St. Louis, Mich. More particulars hereafter.
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GROVE MEETING.
There will be a grove meeting held in the Shellhammer neighborhood, Armstrong Co. Pa., beginning June 4th 1891, D. V. We are expected to be there, also Bro. S. Martz, and S. P. Gilger. All coming via. A. P. R. R. stop off at Kelly station. Notify Jacob Shellhammer, Cochran’s Mills, Pa. They will be brought to the ground.
Yours in Him.
J. A. & A. J. Dillon & B. E. Fink.
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REMEMBER THE POOR.
Snyder. Oklahoma, Apr. 13.
It seems to be my painful duty again to ask the dear saints of God to help our daughter, and family, four little children. They are almost at the point of starvation. In about two months her husband can … work in Kan., and I hope he will then … able to support his family. If the sai.. could only help a little at present it wou.. be a great blessing. God bless those w.. sent aid before. Send to Mary Hawl.. Snyder, Canadian Co. Oklahoma, in care … Eliza J. Hoffer. May the dear Lord mo.. upon those who are able to send help. … know God does not want His children suffer for food, when there is plenty … other places. It is all we can do to g.. through until we can raise something. M.. the dear Lord bless all the dear saints … cry where.
Your sister in Christ, saved and kept … the mighty power of God. Amen!
Eliza J. Hoffe..
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NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Lima, Ind. Apr. 28th 1891
Dear Trumpet Readers: — May God ri..ly bless you all. Amen! After the Ang.. meeting, dear Bro Yoder conveyed us … his consecrated home near Brushy Pra.. in whose home we held meeting one we.. closing with victory for God. Owing … the bad roads and the rush of spring w.. the attendance was not large, except … Saturday evening and Sabbath. The ..der and attention was good. A few consecrated their all to God, and all seen … to get the victory in holiness except o… On Sabbath evening we received word t.. Bro. Gerren was not expected to live. … knelt in prayer and laid his case bef.. God. when the dear Lord showed us tha.. was His will to heal him, accordingly a.. meeting we were taken about 17 mi.. reaching his home between tiro and th.. o’clock at night. We proceeded accord … to Jas. 5:14, and he was healed perfec.. He has been well since and doing work. Sister Nora Greenawalt was ta.. very sick, with the Measles, and she, … was healed by the Spirit of God. The p..er and glory of God that filled my s.. before and during healing was indeed wonderful, to God be all the glory. My d.. companion was taken very painfully … with the Lagrippe and healed. A few d.. later our beloved child was also taken … the same disease and lung fever and … Lord healed him. Bless His name! T.. He confirmed His own word with si.. following. From there we were conve.. to this neighborhood by our beloved … Greenawalt. The work is moving on h.. souls have been made free and compl.. We expect to labor about several we.. yet in this county. Then return to … vicinity of Angola, Ind. Thence home … Auburn. Much holy love and esteem.. the beloved holy people of God. P.. mightily to God for us that we may ke.. pure and in His order. Being made ve.. useful and successful, for Him in His services.
Yours in Him fully saved upon the s.. of glass.
F. N. & Susie A. Jacobson.
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Tekonsha, Mich. April 27th 1891.
Dear Trumpet Readers — May the rtche.. of God’s blessing rest upon you is o.. prayer. We left dear Bro. Cooks Thursday the 16th of April, and went over … Bro. and sister Sutherland’s, and held meeting. Bro. and sister were sanctified, an.. some were under conviction. We close … Friday night April 16th, and came bac.. to Bro. and sister Cook’s. On Saturday night we met with the dear saints, and th.. Lord did bless our souls abundantly. Also on Sunday there was much clearing up of the little ones. Praise the Lord for honest souls. Sunday night four came to the altar, the Lord done a good work for them Praise the Lord forever! for what He is doing for the people. If the dear saints can get on the faith line for God, and keep humble, they will go through all right. “The just shall live by faith, hut if any man draw back my soul shal have no pleasure in him.” I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” — Gal. 2:20.
April 28th, Monday afternoon there were wo buried with Christ by baptism. The following evening there were two sanctified. We observed the ordinances of the Lord’s house. Praise the dear Lord! O how the Lord blessed our souls in obeying the commands of the dear Lord. There were twenty one took part. The meeting has been a grand success. The power of God has been manifested in healing, there has been several healed. O Lord, keep us pure in thy sight.
Your Bro. in Christ saved and sanctified. Pray for us that we may keep clear in our souls. Love to all the dear saints of God.
Marion Welch & d. J. Cross.
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Continuing our journey homeward, we came to Howard Co. Ind., a few miles from Greentown, where we spoke to the people three nights and in one day meeting. Here lives Bro’s. Bagwell and Burns, of whom we spoke in our last report. There are a few more in the neighborhood who love the Lord, and receive the truth. We enjoyed our stop there, and the preaching of the Gospel of God in the Spirit. Bad order had been feared, as meetings had been much disturbed therein the past; but the Lord held the attention of all, and good order prevailed. All the spiritually minded were blessed in hearing the truth, and the seed sown will surely produce good.
Next we stopped near Deacon, Cass Co Ind., preached to a good sized congregation in the meeting house over Sabbath.
April 30th, reached the Leininger neighboorhood, and met many saints that night assembled in Bro. Ballenger’s house to whom we tried to talk. Our heart being too full of gratitude for any thing else but thanksgiving to God for his wonderful love and kindness to us, in permitting us to return once more and greet the loved ones in the Holy Spirit of God. O bless the dear name of the Lord forever and ever! We were especially thankful for the privilege of meeting some who had been saved and added by the Lord to the Church last winter in the meeting held by Bro’s. Speck and others at Beaver Dam. Some who had for some time past been prodigals, and others who have for the first time entered the joyful kingdom of heaven. The next day visited Bro. and sister Samuel Speck at Yellow Lake. Though laboring with their hands at present, we found them in the Spirit. They expect to be ready to devote themselves wholly to the Gospel again in a few months. Saturday night and Sabbath May 2nd and 3rd, we spoke to the people in the new brick bethel at Beaver Dam. Doubtless, over one hundred saints of the Most High God assembled on Lord’s day. O bless the Lord forever for the pure and holy fellowship of the sons of heavenly grace! O how our soul was blessed of God to meet such a throng of precious saints. The ordinance services were very glorious, after which a young man fell down at the altar and cried to God for mercy, and soon found the Lord in the pardon of his sins, and rejoiced for the glorious deliverance.
Monday, May 4th, we came on to Walkton, and met the little church two evenings, and we rejoiced together with the love of God in our hearts. Praise God! His little church still lives here, and all seem strong in the Lord. On Teusday we drove about 18 miles to visit the sick. The Lord was with us to bless and strengthen them in soul and body. God bless the little ones at this place. Once more we wish to thank all the beloved along our line of march for your great kindness and practical love shown to us. The Lord reward the saints at Beaver Dam and the little church at Walkerton for your very precious liberality.
Through the tender mercy of our God, we arrived home May 6th, and find all well, and joyfully devoted to the great work of publishing salvation to the ends of the earth.
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211, 33 ave, Denver, Col. April 28th, 1891.
Dear Saints of God: — God bless you and supply all your needs. Amen! I praise God for salvation. As I already stated about the work at Wymore, and was at Mahaska, Kans., we found there only a few were standing true to God, for one whom satan has entered, had been there to devour the flock. Praise God! We went to the work in the name of Jesus. And God worked to save some, and settled the work on the firm basis of the Word of God. We left the work in good condition. God cleared the Church of some cumbrances that had been hindering the progress of Zion.
From there we went to Clay Co. Neb. to a new field and preached in a Baptist chapel, but they were expecting the Salvation Army to come with their theatrical performance, and would take little interest in the Word of God. One was converted and two consecrated for sanctification and accepted the evening light. Her husband was sorely convicted, but would not yield. His father gave up the horrid use of tobacco. Praise God! They are very anxious for us to come back in the summer: which we expect to do if the Lord is willing, and expect a great work then.
From there we went about five miles west to a school house, where dear Bro. Caldwell held meeting in the fall. It being very rainy and farmers so busy we did not have many at the meetings, but God did work most wonderfully. Several seemed to be under conviction. Many made a fight at first for sin, but when we answered all those objections they were silenced and seemed to enjoy the truth. God sanctified some here. We closed with an ordinance meeting, and the next morning parted; Bro. Stover to go to his home, Bro. June to Iowa, and I to Kenesaw to visit the saints, and return home. We preached two nights at Kenesaw and ordained dear sister Kriebel to administer the Word of God. She being ordained by the Holy Ghost, and qualified to the office in every respect. Although some who were trying to hang on as saints had been causing some disturbance here about a woman teaching, I gave them to understand, that it was because they were not right. I want to say to the dear saints, the most of them, have done their duty toward supplying our needs, and may God’s richest reward rest upon them, and keep them in perfect peace. While there the first time a woman said she wanted to be saved, but would not yield. I was moved in spirit one night to declare that it was the last opportunity for some one that night. While I was gone, that person died in despair, without hope. I arrived home Saturday evening found them all well, and hope we may be able to get out soon again in the field. Neb. is open for work. Amen!
G. R. Achor.
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Neosha, Mo. May 1, 1891.
Dear Saints: — I feel led of the Lord to give a report of the work in this place. I came here a week ago last Monday. Sister Sunderland and husband came Tuesday. We commenced meeting that night, and the power of God came down. From the beginning there has been good work done in the meeting. Bro. Stanberry is here and is doing good work for the Master. Eight professions up to date, two professed last night, and 5 left at the altar seeking.
Your Bro. in Christ, saved and sanctified.
Hugh Caudel.
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Monteray, N. Y. May 5, 1891.
Dear Saints: — Is it possible that nearly two months have passed since last I sent you greeting. Well, for me it has been two months of blessed communion with Christ, two months in which he has given me many kinds of work to do for Him. Is it not blessed to be able to do whatsoever we do for His glory? Does it not wonderfully glorify and beautify the homely every day things? In this past two months He has in His own way taught me many lessons that will last a lifetime. For several weeks I was in Watkins, N. Y. There was no chance for meeting there as I had not means to hire a room, and could not get the use of one free. But I worked from house to house, and sowed the seed, and hope that another winter I shall be able to have meeting there. Monteray (from which place I am writing this letter) is a small village with between three and four hundred inhabitants. It is the place where I spent the early years of my married life, the place where my husband died and is buried, the place where I was first led to seek the Lord; and I think, it surely is one of the most wicked places on earth. Years ago I united with the Methodists in this place. And a member of that sect hearing that I had been doing evangelistic work, went and told their minister that the people wanted me to speak here fast Sunday. Well, Sunday after the first bell rang, the minister walked in, and asked me if I would speak. I think that he expected me to refuse because of having no time to prepare, but praise the Lord, I am always prepared to speak of Jesus, and I told Him I would speak. I do praise God that He gave me that opportunity. I gave the people some truth that was new to them. To-day I have a great many enemies in town, who heretofore have been my friends, but I am to conduct four meetings in town this week, one at the meeting house and three at private houses. Even here there are a few who are hungry for the truth, no matter what it may cost them. Pray for this people, dear ones, and especially pray for the three or four young girls who made a new consecration last Sunday, and determined to be true to God in the face of the whole community. I hope to be able to go through all this section of country in the fall, and reap some fruit for Jesus from the seed I am sowing in His name now. Pray for me, dear saints. O who needs the earnest prayers of God’s people as those whom He sends out to spread the truth! In one place we meet so much opposition that there is danger of discouragement; in another place, so much flattery that there is danger of our becoming puffed up. O more and more I feel my weakness! More and more I need His strength. To-day I know I am His, fully saved, and blessedly kept. Pray for me.
Your sister.
May R. Peck.
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Reeds, Mo. May 1, 1891.
To all the Saints Greeting: — May the dear Lord ever keep your feet firmly fixed on the Solid Rock, that the gates of hell may never prevail against you. Our heart is filled with gratitude to God for His goodness and mercy. We are happy to report again that we are saved in Jesus blood. We have just returned from Harper and Kingman Co’s. Kan., where we have been since the 11th of March. The Lord greatly blessed our labors. To Him be all the glory. The saints are rejoicing, though the enemy is raging. O that God will ever keep them faithful and true, and give holy wisdom and deep discernment to all His little ones that they may ever escape the prowling wolves; who, under the cloak of holiness, assume humility and affect great love for those they seek to devour. Of this class we knew one, J. C. Millhollan of Mo., who, a few years ago, stranded on the rocks of Zinzendorfism, and then set himself to work to devour the lambs of the flock. He drew away a small number after him, all of whom went into spiritual darkness. Some of them returned to sect babylon, and others are working in harmony with her; and Millhollan is now publishing a political paper. May God keep His dear ones free from such influence. We expect to remain at home for a short time, and then return to the field for the summer, and labor as the Lord may direct. Bro. Ed Houghton will have his tabernacle ready as soon as the weather will permit, and we expect to spend the season in Kan., Indian Territory and Oklahoma, if God wills. Let all the saints who desire a tabernacle meeting this season in the above named territory write at once to brother E. F. Houghton, Ward, Wilson Co. Kan, that we may make arrangements for the summer campaign. We feel that our work will be in the West for the present, but are free to go wherever the Master sends. Pray much for us, that we may always be kept in perfect humility, and know the truth — the whole truth — and nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, that Christ may be all and in all, and the Lord alone exalted.
Your brother saved and sanctified wholly to-day.
J. F. Lundy.
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Dear Saints: — We are glad to report to you that the Lord has given us means to purchase a new tabernacle for the work of the pure Gospel of Christ in these parts. May God bless all those who have so kindly given us of their means in this way. The tent will be on hand and ready in a few days. All who are wanting tabernacle meeting in Kan., south west Mo., or I. T please let us know so we can arrange in proper order. Bro. Lundy of Mo. will assist in this great work. Let all pray for us, as the enemy is terribly at work in Kan.
We remain as ever yours saved and sanctified by a second work of grace, and out for the whole war. Praise God who has redeemed our souls from the awful wickedness of satan. Amen.
Address: — E. F. Houghton.
Ward, Wilson Co. Kan.
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167 N Spring St. Los Angeles, Cal.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — May the rich blessings of God abide with you, and may He enable you to cry aloud and spare not, for Jesus sake. Amen! Since our last report in the Trumpet, we have closed the Swedish meetings in San Diego. Had a call to go to Los Angeles to work among the Scandinavians there, which we also did, preaching a few times. The Lord has a few children among them that are not yoked up in babylon, but the light of entire sanctification has not been preached very much here. I attended a meeting of the Swedish “Mission Friends” a quite ‘‘free” (?) sect. They do not believe in sanctification. I was asked to speak, which I did, but my language being that of Canaan, the preacher did not understand it, and so he told me most emphatically that I must not speak like that. “We have always to wax against the flesh,” said he. Poor soul. Hallelujah! It is glorious to know that our heavenly Father has the power to destroy the root of bitterness. Jesus said: (the Swedish version.) “Every plant that my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be pulled up with the roots.” We have a mighty God, and this is His will even your sanctification. The 23rd of April we went to a small city called Riverside, to preach to the Scandinavian people. There, had meeting Friday evening, Sunday afternoon and evening. In this place we had the joy of seeing five seek pardon. They professed to have found the Lord precious to their souls. But God knows their hearts. Monday 27th, we took the train for Los Angeles. Again preached one night in our colored sister’s, Lucy Simms’, tabernacle to quite a large audience in English. Sunday May 3rd found us in Riverside again, and preached in the afternoon to a full house of Scandinavians. Conviction was stamped upon many faces, but none would yield. Left Riverside Monday for San Bernardino, where we had announced meeting for the Scandinavians. We had a grand little meeting. Found a few of the Lord’s little ones here, one sister, E. Wilson who is free from all sects. Tuesday morning we left San Bernardino for Los Angeles. We expect our brother J. W. Byers up here the 7th, from San Diego. May 8th we will leave Los Angeles to obey a call for the Gospel at Lompoc, Santa Barbara Co. Cal., where we will meet brother and sister Clayton. Let all saints pray for the work of the Lord in California.
Your saved brother on the Gospel altar, sanctified and kept for the Master’s use.
Ludolph Schroder.
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Correspondence.
Watkinsville, Miss.
Dear Saints: — I feel it would be to the glory of God to write my testimony to the Trumpet. Two years ago I consecrated myself to Jesus, He then sanctified my soul. Jesus says, if ye continue in my words then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. — Jno. 8:31, 32. I know that I am in Jesus. Pray for me that I may be faithful and low at the feet of Jesus. May God bless the Trumpet and the readers. Your Bro. in Christ.
S. L. Dennis.
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Breedsville, Mich.
Dear Saints: — God bless you all and keep you saved, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. I feel led to write a few words to-day to honor and glorify my Master. I am still rejoicing in a Saviour’s love. I have been called to pass through many trials this winter, but God has brought me through and has given me complete victory in my soul. I am bound and determined by His assisting grace to see the end of the Christian race. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, and these words are the sentiment of my heart to-day.
Julia R. Crowell.
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New Rochester, Ohio.
Dearly Beloved Saints: — May the Lord bless you all is my prayer. We are saved to the uttermost. Praise the Lord forever Amen! The people around here are quite anxious to hear the true Word of God preached. Could any of God’s ministers come? Any one that feels led to come, the means will be provided to send them elsewhere from here. Come to Bowling Green, on the T. & C. C.. R. R. or to Pemberville on the Ohio Central. If any of the brethren come, let us know. Your Bro. in Christ.
Wm. Brown.
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Cochrans Mill, Pa.
Dear Trumpet Readers: — I feel led to write my testimony. This evening finds me still saved and sanctified and trusting in Jesus, and ready to do His will at all times. Oh, I cannot praise the Lord enough for the sweet peace and joy I find in doing His blessed will. I am determined to live for Jesus and do His will while I live. I ask you all to pray for the people in this place, that there may be a mighty work done here ere long. Your humble sister wasted in the blood of the Lamb.
Minnie M. Shelhammer.
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Hartsells, Ala.
Dear Saints: — I am saved in Jesus. Praise the Lord. We have prayer meeting every Lord’s day night and Wednesday night, and I feel the Lord is with us in our efforts to serve Him. Praise the Lord! Pray for us. My feet are placed upon a firm foundation. Praise the Lord, for His glorious grace and power manifest in my soul. He preserves me from the wicked one; He is my source of all blessings, both spiritual and temporal.
Your Bro. saved and sanctified.
Thomas Patterson.
OBITUARIES.
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Died — near Payne, O. Apr. 11th 1891, Hallie Victor, on of Frank and Jane Smith, aged 6 mo. and 21 days. I pray God to bless this act of His providence to the good of the father and mother, and two sisters, and may this bereavement be the means in the hands of God of causing these poor prodigals to come to themselves, and arise and return to Christ Amen. Services by the writer.
Victor dear, how short thy stay,
And how we’ll miss thee every day.
Jesus took thee home to where
All his glory you shall share.
Father, Mother, warning take,
Your peace with God O quickly make!
For you, like Victor, must go too,
If not prepared what will you do?
And brother, sisters, let this be
A solemn warning unto thee.
Prepare to meet thy God to-day,
And with Him dwell in endless day.
J. N. Howard.
St Louis, Mich.
Bro. S. S. Scott departed this life Apr. 14, aged 49 years and 8 days. The last testimony he gave he said he was saved. May God bless the mother, children and friends who are called to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held at the house by the writer.
Wm. E. Warren.
Edson P., only son of Bro. Martin and sister Catharine Basore, died near Merrill, Mich. Apr. 18, 1891, aged 20 years, 11 months and 6 days. Dear Edson was unsaved up to the time he took sick, when he asked the saints to pray for him, and also prayed for himself, and we trust was saved. During his affliction he seemed to be reconciled to the will of God. The dear parents have no doubt but what he is saved. May God bless the bereaved family, and save the dear sister who is out of Christ, is our prayer. Funeral services by the writer.
Elizabeth Walter.
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Died — near Briceton, O. April 12, 1891, Bro. George Sprague, aged 48 years, 8 mo’s, and 28 days. He leaves a wife and one son to mourn their loss. May the Lord bless the sister and comfort her in this bereavement, and show the son the great necessity of getting saved and ready to meet God in judgment. Amen. Funeral services by the writer. Text Heb. 9:27.
J. N. Howard.
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Died — near Cartersville, Mo. Feb. 20th 1891, Bro. Freddie V. Brake, son of Sarah U. and Geo. W. Brake. He departed this life in peace to be with Christ forever. Aged 11 years, 9 months and 8 days. He had been saved in a meeting held by Bro. George E. Bolds and Co. some three or four years ago, and so far as we have learned lived true to his profession to the time of his death. May God help the friends to be ready to meet dear Bro. Freddie where parting shall be no more. Funeral services by the writer.
Otto Bolds.
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Died — in Emerson township, Gratiot Co. Mich, on the 11th of March 1891, sister Celinda Cunningham, at the ripe age of nearly 90 years. Mother Cunningham was the mother often children, forty three grand children, over one hundred great grand children, and a number of great great grand children. She always enjoyed good health until about six days before her death. Many years ago Mother Cunningham gave her heart to the Lord, since that time she found Jesus a stay and staff, even down through the valley and shadow of death. Her last testimony was, “I have fought a good fight, and there is a crown of glory waiting me.” God bless the many bereft friends, and help them to be ready to meet their dear departed Mother where no separation can ever come. Short services at the house, then by her request her remains were taken to her old home, Hudson, Mich., to be laid beside her husband. Where services were again held.
A. J. Shelly.
Sweetly sleep and rest, dear Mother,
Your work on earth is done.
Leaving earthly care and sorrow,
The Master bids thee come.
Sadly here wo miss you, Mother,
Here stands your empty chair;
For you’re sitting with the ransomed,
All peaceful over there.
O each mourning son and daughter,
Your hearts and lives prepare
For heaven and immortal glory,
To meet your Mother there.
M, E. Shelly.
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he was a backslider, but if he got back to the Lord, and would work among the saints again, they must not judge people any more. Truly it is a very unpleasant thing for a hypocrite to try to live with men who are “full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.”
If such triumphant power and authority were given to Christ’s ministers before the day of pentecost, as we see in Luke, how much more are they invested by the full possession of the glorious Sanctifier. This authority the Lord has given ns for the benefit, and not for the destruction of souls. The words of Christ in John 7:23, 24 show us that we are not to rashly rebuke persons because there is something wrong in appearance, but when discerning the real condition by the Spirit of God, who searcheth all things, we can rebuke and judge righteous judgment, “with all authority.”
WE JUDGE FALSE DOCTRINE BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. — Jno. 16:14.
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4.
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. — Titus 1:15.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth. — 1 Jno. 2:20, 21.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him. if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shift make you free. — Jno. 8:31, 32.
Preach the word; he instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. — 2 Tim. 4: 2.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. — Jno. 13:17.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. – Jno. 3:19.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. — 1 Jno. 3:19.
The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth, i. e., into “the knowledge of the truth.” Yea, saith the Lord, “ye shall know the truth.” John 13:17 proves that we are to know the truth respecting the positive ordinances of Christ, as well as on all other points of His doctrine. “We know we are of the truth,” hence know that every person that strives against us is not of the truth. There is good sense in the position taken by the inspired apostle John. “Ye know the truth, and that no lie is of the truth.” Knowing the truth, we know that every opposite teaching is not of the truth, because God’s sacred truth is one harmonious whole. Therefore as we can clearly discriminate between the doctrine of God, and all doctrines of devils, we are prepared to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with, all longsuffering and doctrine,” and “with all authority,’’ as the Word teaches. This is the very point over which the devotees of Mo., and all other sect holiness have become our enemies. Because we are on the sea of glass that is mingled with fire, and have the Holy Ghost authority to preach the Word, which they, in the mists of babylon do not, and cannot have; therefore they try to cover their own emptiness by crying, bigot, etc.
8. WE JUDGE FALSE SPIRITS BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF SPIRITS.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. — Luke 10:19.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye ha reheard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore they speak of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 Jno. 1:1-6.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus. — 1 Cor. 5:3-5.
For this cause we also, since the day we beard it, do not cease to pray for yon, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. — Col. 1:9.
Lest Satan should get the advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. — 2 Cor. 2:11.
But 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. — 1 Jno. 1:7.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man. save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we. might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of Christ, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ — 1 Cor. 2:10-16.
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another the discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. — 1 Cor. 12:10.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. — 1 Pet. 5:8, 9.
And the God of peace shall bruise Sat an under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ he with you. Amen. — Rom. 16:20.
Walking in the light as God is in the light, and cleansed from all sin, we have fellowship one with another. Now “fellowship is of the spirit,” and is a conscious blending, and joyful communion of souls imbued with the same Spirit of the Lord. And as fellowship of pure spirits is a conscious fact, contact with spirits that do not blend with the Spirit of God in our heart, is also a matter of consciousness. Hence we can discern and judge spirits, by the glorious power of fellowship, and its negative. John informs us that there are many spirits not of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. They have gone out of the kingdom of heaven, and yet they, by satan’s orders, continue to wear the garb of God’s prophets. It is a fact there is a false spirit corresponding with every false doctrine. Just as God’s Spirit agrees with His Word, and is the “spirit of truth.” In first John 4: 2, 3. according to the Greek text, Dean Alford’s, and the Emphatic Diaglott translations, it is not every spirit that confesseth, or confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is, or is not of God, but every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ himself, is of God, and every spirit that confesseth not him is not of God. Though false spirits will confess Christ in many respects in order to deceive, they are sure to deny Him in some way. They will either deny Him by words or by their works. In His power to sanctify wholly, or heal the body, or deny Him in His sacred ordinances. All heresies (sects) are more or less under the anti-christ spirit, because “they deny the Lord that bought them.” How can we know and judge false spirits? Ans. “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” This is some more Scripture which sect holiness teachers being deprived of, are unwilling we should use. But we shall stand upon the platform of all truth, in defiance of all the croaking of those who yet grope in the mists of babel confusion. In addition to t he common possession of fellowship in God’s Church, there is the gift of discerning among others set in the body of Christ, and never removed. We think about all God’s teachers should possess this glorious gift, “lost Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” And through “Him that is in us” we can judge, and rebuke all spirits of devils.
9th. WE JUDGE BY EXECUTING THE WORD OF GOD.
“Let the high praises of God be in their month, and a two_edged sword in their land; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron: To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord. — Psa. 149:6-9.
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand: A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as a garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen so shall they run. Like the of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a string people set in battle array. Before their face the people are much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the walls like men of war; and they shall march everyone in his ways, and they shall not break their ranks. Neither shall one thrust another; they walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not he wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city: they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses: they shill enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall he dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for lie is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it ?” — Joel 2:1-11.
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever. The month of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue speaketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. — Psa. 37:28-31.
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth hack his sword from blood. – Jer. 48:10.
All Scripture is given by inspiration o.. God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. — 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
Preach the Word; he instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” — 2 Tim. 4:2.
These Scriptures need no comment.
10th THE RESULT OF JUDGMENT.
1st. Judges the whore.
For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. — Isa. 34:5.
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other god’s, and worshiped the works of their own hands. — Jer. 1:16.
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. — Eze. 22:1, 2.
And the great city was divded into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. — Rev. 16:19.
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters. — Rev. 17:1.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. — Rev. 18:4, 8.
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying. Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand Rev.19:1, 2.
2 The power to execute judgment given to saints, ends the apostasy, so far as relates to the history of God’s Church.
Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment. was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it unto the end. — Dan. 7:22, 26.
They, namely, the saints, shall take away his dominion, to consume it, by the fire of holiness and to destroy it.
3. This power of judgment restored to the saints, results in a pure church, the cleansed sanctuary.
“Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts wish righteousness.” — Isa. 2:27.
“And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall he called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” – Isa. 4:3, 4.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall ho no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth, even forever The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this: — Isa. 9:7.
Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. – Isa. 26:8, 9.
“For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” — 1 Cor. 5:3, 4, 5.
“And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye alter him through toe city, and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” — Eze. 9:4-6.
Another parable put ho forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy lath done this. The servants said unto them, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together
until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reaper, Gather ye together first the tares, and hind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. – Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43.
The Church is purged and purified by the Spirit of burning (holiness fire), and by the Spirit of judgment, and then she is called holy. The parable of Mat. 13 is a historic picture of the kingdom. It was all pure wheat in the beginning, then the mixed state of the dark or middle age, wheat and tares all mixed, through substition of sects for the Church that Jesus had founded. Then in the “time of the end” the Lord sends His angels (true ministers), and they separate the tares and wheat, when the latter appears again all clean, as at the beginning.
11. WARNING NOT TO REJECT THE JUDGMENT OF THE SAINTS.
Ye who turn judgment into wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth. —
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. — Amos 5:7, 24.
Accept the judgment of God’s holy saints as an overflow of divine mercy to your soul, and the result will be righteousness as a mighty stream. Woe unto “ye that turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth.” Alas for that poor soul who, through the devices of Satan, turns the kind and faithful efforts of God’s children to save him into wormwood, by rejecting the same. Such leave off all righteousness, and freely foam out their shame; and become fierce haters of those who faithfully endeavored to pull them out of the fires of destruction. But such must be the case when men and women will not got pure in their heart and tree in their souls. They must he labored with whether they will humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, and get right, and then thank God and the instruments of their deliverance, or whether they turn the judgment into bitter hatred in their hearts, take the sop, and go out from among us. The cause of Christ must be rid from every barnacle that hangs upon it, by either pulling it in, or letting it drop. In most cases where men are corrupt and will not get right, earnest efforts to get them saved is alt that is needed to drive them away.
A few words to all the saints in reference to this solemn duty. First, he sure you are filled with all goodness and love in your heart. Be sure that your efforts spring from a heart that only seeks the good of all men. You must sink so fully into God that no selfish or vindictive word or feeling can have any place in your heart. Again you should he so anointed of God and filled with the Spirit, and so illuminated with wisdom from on high, that you can draw the most exquisite distinction between such as are out of the way by giving way to pernicious spirits, and such as are to some extent switched through weakness and ignorance, and who are entitled to sympathies, rather than sharp rebukes. O how near to God all his dear workers should live! So that you may be able to keep the Church of the living God pure, so far as He uses instruments, by the “Spirit of burning, and the Spirit of judgment” Just as sure as the spirit of unity is broken among God’s people, there is some old stale leaven of some kind that needs to be purged out. And God’s plan is that it must go out from among us, whether it is purged out of the heart where it lodges, or goes out man and all. But by much prayer and supplication to God, and every possible effort, try and pull the soul in, while the bad stuff goes out. But in the Spirit of God judgment must go forth unto victory to the Church, however the matter may turn with the person judged.