17 April 1896, Volume 16, Number 16.
WORK WHILE IT IS DAY.
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If you’re ever going to labor,
Labor how while you have strength;
Perhaps your very next door neighbor
Has been walking for s.. length
To hear the old salvation story,
Told in burning ..ares and true,
How Jesus b.. his ..ome in glory,
To redeem bo.. him and you.
Perhaps some dear one near is dying,
Dying all alone and ..,
And for the kingdom … is sighing
Sore deceived as to the cost.
There are dying souls al.. ound us
Who are thirsting for Christ’s love;
Shall we withhold them the kindness.
Showered on us from heaven above?
If may be too late to morrow,
Then your love will not avail:
You could but express your sorrow,
To the corpse so cold, and pale,
Speak up and do your duty,
Tell how Jesus came to save,
How his matchless love and beauty
Makes a palace of the grave.
Opportunities lost and go..e
Have a tendency to spoil.
The sweetness of our spirit’s song
And pleasure from our daily toil.
Grasp them now while s.. I you may;
Let the Master’s rate be yours,
“I must work while it is day,”
Promptness always p..ace secures.
– Chas. B. Morton
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Truth and Error. — No. 2.
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WE are now in the midst of a mighty battle; a battle between truth and error; between Michael (Christ) and his angels, and the dragon (the devil) and his angels. Rev. 12:7. It is a great spiritual conquest. It is a time “for the accuser of our brethren” to be cast down. The church is laboring in the pains of childbirth, to bring forth and show the spiritual power of the man child — Jesus Christ. Satan is mustering his hosts in order to prevent this, and sends forth his mustered force of evil spirits to devour and destroy anything that would be destructive to his kingdom. And his mode of doing so is to make his attack upon the children of God who are earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.
As Christ was brought forth as a natural child, and manifested his power and strength, the church must now bring him forth in his spiritual power and strength in this evening of time, and manifest the power and glory of God.
In this warfare, the spirit of error mentioned last week, is backed up by the devil himself and is an extremist working on any line wherein souls can be led astray or brought into bondage. The devil is not only making his attack at one place alone, but wherever he can gain a foothold. A short time ago at a place where this spirit was rebuked and exposed, while its delusions were being set forth in the clear light of the word of God, some one came into the audience, who had come about a thousand miles, and was found to be under the very same spirit and delusions. Among the lines of error which is carried to extremes by those under such a power and influence is that of
THE POSSESSION OF DEVILS.
They reach such a stage of the delusion as to think that the Lord shows them that almost every one whom they meet is possessed with devils and must be delivered by the laying on of hands of those who are of this clannish spirit. And after the performance and a great amount of rebuking the devil the accused one is pronounced delivered, when ofttimes the result is that the one prayed for is in a worse condition than before by yielding to the dictates of the delusive spirit. That there are many people at the present time who are possessed with devils, is an undeniable tact, and can be and many are delivered in accordance with the Word. Mark 10:17, Luke 4:40, 41. But to say that one can be possessed with devils and yet be saved at the same time is contrary to the word of God.
Another extreme to which some have gone beyond the teachings of the Bible is in their application of evil spirits, calling them “lamper-eel devils,” stating that they are not literally possessed in the full meaning of the word, but are possessed in a sense, and have a devil hanging to them like a “lamper-eel,” even through their life of salvation. A lamper-eel is something that fastens on a fish like a leech and lives there sapping the life out of it. But in comparison to this to say that a devil fastens upon a saved person, would not be in accordance with the Word which says, “that wicked one toucheth him not.” In one sense this comparison is acceptable, but not as a possession. A person may be tempted and tried much more on some lines than others, and the devil may for a time throw an influence or power over him until through the test he may be unable for a time to know exactly what course to pursue for the present; but if true to God, meeting the enemy with the Word, trusting fully in him with a fervent trust, laying aside every weight, and walking in the light of the Word, the devil will be unable to lay any claim upon the soul. There are persons who during their sinful life were especially given to tattling, lust, etc. may have the enemy to fight on these lines more than others, even after their sins are forgiven, until they are made a strong hold against the enemy, by the power of God.
DISCERNMENT.
This is one of the gifts of the Spirit, bestowed upon the children of God for their spiritual benefit and protection. But when a person turns aside from the Word and becomes exalted, they will begin to see the need of humility, and unless the proper conditions are met a false humility is received, and with it comes transformed light and false discernment. Such a person is almost sure to run beyond the Bible line into some extreme line of fanaticism. We have met those who were under such a delusion who believed that almost every one they met were under a “free love” spirit, and would have to acknowledge and confess it and be delivered from it or lose their souls. Many good honest souls have been brought under bondage, acknowledged, and confessed that they were under such a spirit, when the only evidence they had was what some one with this spirit of false discernment had told them, saying that “God showed,” etc. And by yielding and confessing, it would be done under the accusations and ignorantly, often bringing disgrace upon themselves and the cause of Christ. Step by step the enemy will lead on and set his traps and finally come in like a flood to try to completely overthrow the soul. And especially will he lay his snares where one has been too slack on lines of duty, or failed to walk in all the light the Lord has given, and where spirituality has begun to wane, as the enemy comes with his delusions, although a person may be awakened to a sense of duty; but unless the delusion is fully discerned and renounced, one is apt to yield and even believe things that are utterly false, or give an entirely wrong impression while acting under the influence of this spirit.
Under similar circumstances a brother recently had his testimony in the Trumpet twice, being influenced by that spirit; although having received a benefit from the Lord, yet by being under the teaching and influence of those who were under delusions, he went beyond the Word on the line of confessions, and left the impression that would lead to exacting the same upon others, bringing in erroneous doctrines and to quite an extent a disgrace upon the cause of Christ. The circumstances under which it was inserted are somewhat peculiar, which is unnecessary to mention here, but it was not with the endorsement of the editor. However, there are many persons under the power and influence of free-loveism, and possessed with that spirit, and can easily be discerned by the Spirit of God, and the children of God should not be slow in exposing and taking stand against such spirits in the name of the Lord. Because some have gone into delusions is no reason that any such false spirits should go unrebuked in the Spirit of the Lord. Those who will keep humble before God and follow the direction of his word in all meekness with a prayerful heart at all times will have but little trouble in knowing of the doctrine, and keeping in line with God.
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Love for Erring Souls.
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“THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself.” How very many times we may have read these words, or heard them read or spoken, with out realizing that we fell short of the true measure of love. We are told if we love God we will obey his commands and reverence and love his teachings. So we see that the sacred emotion of love to God will prompt to a doing of those things which will please and honor him. Then if we have pure God-love to all we meet it will express itself in faithful efforts for their good, if we do not allow the discouragements of the devil or the barriers of the walls of division to hinder the moving of the Spirit within us.
When we meet those who are as icebergs toward us, it seems to chill the flow of love toward them and discourage us in our efforts for their eternal benefit. God permits us to realize this coldness that we may perceive their standing with God, not toward us as individuals, but to show their spiritual condition that we may know how to help them toward himself. If we let their indifference, coldness or opposition hinder the pure God-love from manifesting itself toward them in any way the Spirit moves, we let the enemy of our soul gain a victory over us that may land us in time on the side of variance, one of the works of the flesh.
The enemy of our souls has many wiles and ways to deceive, for he tries to induce people to think they love God when they do not love to obey his commands or honor his teachings. Then he tries to have God’s people so sympathize with those in false doctrines as to compromise with errors, thus making the doctrine of Christ equal with the ways of men which is unholy irreverence. Again he tries to make the children of God so valiant for the doctrine as to overlook love, mercy and brotherly kindness in faithful efforts for the good of souls in the darkness of error. This becomes a barrier between us and hinders the work of salvation by discouragement, asserting that those who reject the dear teachings of the Word on any line of truth are beyond the reach of help. To make my meaning clear in order to be a help to others I will give an experience through which I have passed to the glory of God.
When God first sanctified my soul my entire being was filled and thrilled with love to God and man, so there was a personal effort to win them to the service of God, and there seemed nothing contrary to hope. As the Spirit led me into the truth and I realized more and more how straight and narrow was the way, and how few really found it, instead of grasping more firmly the promises of God by faith I allowed the enemy to press upon me discouragements and darkness until I rebelled against God’s way and compromised with error around us, losing salvation and passing under the antichrist spirit by denying him who is come in the flesh.
Through the loving efforts of God’s workers and the Spirit of truth I was brought to see my condition, and came back to God through the merits of Jesus my Lord. Suppose, dear saints, that those workers had been easily discouraged and when they saw my condition had said, “Oh well, she has forsaken the truth, let her have her way!” Where would I have been to day? Or if they had thrown the truth at me instead of winning me by love and kindness, whose fault would it have been? Are there not numbers in the same condition who can be reached in the same loving and wise way? Can we limit the power of God in any case? Are there not many who have gone farther away who may be reached by an increase of love and wisdom? Dare we yield to discouragement for any one before God withdraws them from the reach of our labors?
After my deliverance from the compromising spirit there were some things that were not clear to me and one was to discern between that spirit and love for those in error. To be on the safe side for my own good I was continually bringing those I met to the standard of truth, and if they fell short, hold up the Bible measure, then let them alone. So it was no wonder that a deep discouragement rested upon me, and some of God’s little ones wondered what ailed me. Did they know and deal faithfully with me?
After attending a camp meeting last August my soul was stirred to know what was my line of labor, situated as I was in this truth-rejecting place, given up by workers as a burnt-over mountain, with little prospect of greater liberty until there was greater victory here. After much prayer the assurance of faith was made clearer to me; so I saw there could be no advance of the work without a decided faith that would receive nothing but victory In looking to the Lord for help, my faith was much strengthened as I humbled myself to be fitted for the work here to the glory of God.
Four weeks ago we began meeting in the name of Jesus, but found the opposition so strong that few would come to the services. We looked to God to send us just the help we needed, and after a real trial of our faith a brother came whom the Lord used to give us such precious Bible lessons as showed us our need in order to be fitted for service among those hardened to truth from the lack of wisdom in presenting it in the beginning, and in holding it before them since.
We freely admit that a lack of humility has been the cause of our failure to see the order of the Lord. By humbling ourselves before him he has removed the cause and filled our hearts with deep God-love for souls, no matter what form their rebellion may have taken. As I lay awake during the silent hours of night, meditating on these things, my soul was filled with gratitude to God as in a vision I beheld myself just over a deep dark abyss from which God had saved me by timely help and instruction.
I firmly believe, dear workers in God’s vineyard, that as we are now established in the present glorious truth, and by him have power over all the power of the enemy, that we must labor more abundantly to deliver souls from the darkness of sectism, snatching them as brands from the eternal burning, remembering that our mission to the world is to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, by the preaching and teaching of the pure gospel. For this faithful service we need to live closer to God; never allow ourselves to work lightly with souls, but realize their worth, and labor in the Spirit with deep love and earnestness. This will make us suffer more with Christ, but bear more fruit; bless the Lord!
May God bless these words to the good of many discouraged workers in dark places, and help us all to ask for deeper God-love and wisdom in winning souls to God; remembering that God only requires submission and obedience from each one, so the way is no harder to find or to obtain than it was in the beginning. Remember me in earnest prayer that I may have all I need for faithful labor here. One dear soul has returned to the fold and is happy in the Lord. Yours in Jesus,
Jennie C. Rutty.
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TESTIMONIES.
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Wamic, Oregon.
Dear Saints of God: I praise God that I have victory over all sin and sectism. I am saved and kept from all sin. Praise God for complete victory in my soul! I thank the good Lord that I got my eyes open to see the evening light, and my heart open to receive it. I am your brother, saved and sanctified,
J. A. Pratt.
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Acme, Miss.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I am praising God to day for salvation of my soul from utter ruin. Bless his holy name for all the true blessings he has bestowed upon me! I have been saved but a few days. My wife was saved last August. We send this testimony because we are walking in the light as he is in the light, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Your brother and sister in the one body,
R. H. and Emma Hare.
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Kenesaw, Neb.
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ: I praise the Lord this morning for salvation that saves and keeps me from sin day by day; for perfect victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. I praise the Lord for his healing power; he has healed me of different afflictions. I realize Jesus is my all and in all. Pray for me. Your sister saved, sanctified and satisfied in Jesus.
Artie M. Eberline.
Page 2
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THURSDAY. APRIL 17, 1896.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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Amos Root. F. Altenburger, A. W. Wexelberg, Jas. D. McKee. S. M. Shafer, Lydia F. Huffman, Mrs. H. Ocker, S. S. Van Buskirk, Wm Gates, Jno. B. Vervalen, G. T. Clayton.
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We have just finished printing the last pages of the book, “The Secret of Salvation,” and shipped to the bindery, making altogether four and one half tons of the first edition shipped, which will be ready to send out as soon as bound. The paper cover books will be ready in a few days, and the cloth books in about two weeks. When the book was first advertised, we expected to have but about 300 pages, but there will be over 400 pages. The extra number of pages has caused some delay in getting out the book, but we think those who have sent in orders will not complain as the increased number of pages has not raised the price. It is an interesting and valuable work of 109 chapters. Paper cover 35 cts., cloth 75 cts., morocco $1.50.
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— NEW —
SUNDAY SCHOOL CARDS.
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We are now prepared to furnish a full line of illuminated Sunday School cards with beautifully colored flowers, landscapes, figures, etc., with scriptural texts printed on them. The prices range all the way from 5 cts, per hundred to 24 cts., per dozen The size of the smallest card is 1 x 1 1/2 inches. The size of the largest is 4 7/8 x 6 1/4 inches. We will send not less than 16 samples of the smaller sizes, postpaid, for 7 cts. We will also send samples of the full line including the large ones, 32 in all, postage paid for 15 cts. If $1.00 worth or more is ordered at one time, we will deduct the amount you pay for samples. Although we have put the price very low, yet the cards are beautiful and fully up to the standard in workmanship and material.
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Requests For Prayer.
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J. C. Joyner, Iona. — Healing of heart trouble.
Sister E. J. Teer, Prince. — Healing of a cold that has settled on the lungs.
J. F. Holland, Bazette. — Spinal affection; a cripple in both hands and arms.
Please pray for my wife who is in a bad state of health. J. W. Pine, Ft. Worth.
Emma Ryker, Three States. — Healing of heart disease and roaring in head and ears.
I. Drawbaugh, Biardstown. — Pray April 19, that my throat may be healed of laryngitis.
Pray for child of Bro. Alfred Joiner, Hammond. Is three years old, and has not his right mind.
Mrs. Eliza Marks, Tippecanoe. — Healing of heart trouble and nervousness. Also pray for entire sanctification.
Lelar E. McElyea, St. Francis. — Afflicted with rheumatism about ten years. Pray April 19, for healing and sanctification.
Pray for the healing of two large ulcer sores on my right limb. I cannot walk most of the time, and they are very painful.
Emma Huffsey.
Please pray earnestly that God will convict and save my husband. Phebe V. Hollister, Florissant.
I have catarrh of the head, liver trouble, and other distressing complaints. Pray that I may be healed. Linley Baker, Joppa.
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Calls For Meeting.
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E. D. Smith, Stanley, Wis.
Mary Rasmussen, Amery, Wis.
Elizabeth Hattis, Olivet, Mich.
H. J. Pruitt, Roseville, Ark.
J. W. Pine, Ft. Worth, Tex.
Some German minister is wanted to preach the truth in Nodaway, Mo. Address Elise Dudek.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Flease explain in the GOSPEL TRUMPET what is meant in Mat. 16:19; and 18:18.
J. A. K.
Ans. The Papists argue Peter’s supremacy from Mat. 16:19, because Jesus there said to him, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” But these words do not prove Peter pre-eminent, because in Mat. 18:18, Jesus bestows the same power upon all the apostles in the following words: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
“The keys of the kingdom” signifies the power to “reprove, rebuke, exhort,” and “preach the gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” All God’s ministers have these keys, and are unto all men “a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death:” that is, they loose all men for heaven, or bind them for hell, by preaching a gospel, which to obey is life, and to disobey is eternal death. Jno. 20:23 is explained the same as the above.
Please give scripture proof that hell is everlasting punishment.
J. G.
Ans. “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” — Matt. 25:41. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.” — Verse 46.
Those who deny that hell is everlasting, quibble a great deal about the Greek word AIONIOS, from which “everlasting” in the above texts is translated, as it is an adjective form of the Greek AION, and literally signifies “lasting for an age:” therefore, saith these quibblers, hell will only last for a time.
But such quibbling cannot be put forth by any honest man, who is acquainted with the use of the word AIONIOS, among the ancient Greeks. It was idiomatically used, and is the exact Greek equivalent of the English words “everlasting” and “eternal.” It is the only word used in the New Testament for “forever,” “everlasting,” or “eternal,” whether they relate to heaven, hell, God, men or the devil. On the one hand we have, AIONION God, Rom. 16:26; AIONIOS life, Rom. 6:23; AIONLON house, 2 Cor. 5:1; AIONIOI salvation, Heb. 5:9; AIONION redemption, Heb. 9:12; AIONION Spirit, Verse 14; AIONION inheritance, Verse 15; AIONION consolation, 2 Thess. 2:16. On the other hand we have AIONION fire, Mat. 25:41; AIONION punishment, Verse 46; AIONION damnation, Mark 3:29; AIONION destruction, 2 Thess. 1:9. Surely these texts prove that hell is everlasting, or they prove that God and heaven are not eternal for they express the futurity of both in the same terms.
The true definition of AIONIOS is as follows: when applied to temporal things it means as long as those temporal things continue; and when applied to eternal things means everlasting and eternal. Hell is not a temporal thing because it has been prepared for spiritual beings. Matt. 25:41.
The strongest terms found in the Greek New Testament to express futurity is found in Heb. 1:8. Rev. 4:9, 10. Rev. 14:11; 20:10. The first two of these texts apply this term to God, and in the other two it is applied to the punishment of the wicked in hell. The term is AIONAS TON AIONON a compound expression composed of two noun forms of AION (an age). It is an idom, which literally rendered is “ages of ages;” but to the Greeks, as the above texts show, it meant as long as God lives. That is how long the punishment of hell are to last.
W. G. S.
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Blessing.
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“For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous.” — Psa. 5:12. We find here the promise that the Lord will do the blessing. Now let us see whom he will bless, and in what way; also what we must do to be blessed. Webster defines bless: “To make happy, bligthesome or joyous; to confer prosperity or happiness upon.” Therefore to be blessed is to be made prosperous and happy. Praise God!
What must we do in order to be blessed? Ans. — “In that I command thee this day, to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statues and his judgments; that thou mayest live and multiply; and the Lord thy God shall BLESS thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” — Deut. 30:16.
“Behold I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. — Rev. 22:7.
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” — Jas. 1:25.
Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day.” — Deut. 11:26, 27.
If therefore we wish to have the blessing of God resting upon us, it means perfect OBEDIENCE on our part; and while we are living in this present time of advancement it means more, dear brethren, than a mere listening to or reading of some of the truths; but if we wish to be blessed we must do as James 1:25 says, to be not a forgetful hearer but a doer. Now while there is much advanced truth going forth from the pens and lips of those who are sinking into God’s truths, are we only hearers of it, or are we doers? May God stir every honest heart to walk as never before in all the light of God’s word.
There have been articles written (by able brethren and men mightily used of God) and printed in the columns of the Trumpet, and they have been rejected by some, but generally by those who are not able to rule their own house. Again, I have heard able sermons preached (not very long since) when there would be those to get up and walk away before the sermon was finished, and remark afterward that they were not going to listen to such preaching, while others would worry it through to the end of the sermon and then hasten away with a sour and contracted-looking face, and yet in the midst of all this when an opportunity was offered would arise and testify of being saved and sanctified. May the Lord help us all to see that salvation will take away all distorted looks. Remember, dear ones, “be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Perfect obedience to the word of God only will give us the blessing. Isaiah says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land.”
I fear there are some who think they received the blessing by some great emotional feeling. But we do not find this in the Word, and if you go by feeling the devil will be sure to palm off a counterfeit on you. While it is true that God’s blessings make us feel happy and make us to feel quite good, yet we can feel so and be deceived of the devil. As an illustration, I will relate to the glory of God an incident which occurred not long since. I asked a brother a certain thing he would “talk to the Lord” about it, and let me know. In about two weeks I asked him again what he had decided on doing concerning what I had asked him, and his answer was that it would not be to the glory of God. I asked why; and he could not point to one scripture to justify himself; and I could not help but tell him that if he asked the Lord concerning it the devil gave him the answer; for it was in direct contradiction to God’s word. And I found out afterward that it was a relative to which he went for advice, and no doubt also asked God, then for an answer he left God’s word, and took the advice of the other. So you see, deal ones, it is very easy to be deceived. Only by walking in the light of the truth can we expect God’s approval upon us. It is the devil’s business to get us to go to the reason and experince of some one else for advice instead of fleeing to the one thing that shall never be destroyed, — God’s word May God help us not to lean on the arm of flesh.
Many, instead of walking out by faith on the promises, go by feeling: the feeling goes and down they go. So with the blessing; some will be going through some deep trial and feel very bad, then they begin to wonder why the Lord has left off blessing them, when the fact is, if they are in God’s order he is only blessing them with probably the very thing for which they have been asking, as an increase of faith, more humility, a deeper settling in God, or whatever it may be. Praise God for the blessing!
Whom does the Lord promise to bless? First, we go back to the introductory text and we find it is the righteous. Again in Prov. 10:6. the just. Prov. 28:20, the faithful. Are you among the faithful? if so, you are being blessed.
What does he bless with? 1st, peace, Psa. 29:11; next we find it maketh rich. Prov. 10:22. You that are seeking after riches, if you have the Lord’s blessings resting upon you, you shall acquire not gold nor silver, but you shall be made rich in faith and the graces of God, and heirs to his kingdom. We are not only promised God’s blessings on us spiritually, but he promised to bless our bread and water, Ex. 23:25, and all our supply. Read Deut. 28:1-14. We have a promise here in the 12th verse, that all the work of our hands shall be blessed. But we find the following terms before we can expect the blessing.
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shaft hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth; and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” — Verses 1, 2.
What must we do in order to receive the blessing? Ans. — “For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” — Ex. 32:92. We shall do as Isaac did. Gen. 26:12.
Isaiah says, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” There are many opportunities in which we can sow the seed, by sending out papers tracts, books, etc., also in our lives by talking to others, and also at times by keeping silence; also by our means, and many ways are open for every one to sow seed. Let us therefore make use of every opportunity. If any one doubts whether the Lord would bless them or not, just prove him and be convinced.
Mal. 3:10. — “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
I have frequently prayed and have heard others also, that the windows of heaven might be opened and showers of blessings poured on us. Well I praise God I have learned that if we bring ALL the tithes into the storehouse, we have not only the promise but also the blessing. Your brother enjoying the blessings,
B. F. Weikel.
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PREACH THE GOSPEL OF HEALING.
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Kalamazoo, Mich.
Beloved of the Lord: We are happy to report victory through Jesus. And while the Lord is so graciously advancing his chosen ones out into the deep things, our soul and mind have also been on the advance, and we have been led by the Spirit out into the more perfect light of holiness and knowledge of the word of God, and we can truly say our soul is satisfied with his likeness, and we rest complete in him.
In out past experience in the ministry we can look back and see many things where we have come short of doing all we might have done for the advancement of this great reformation now going on in all the land. But we thank the Lord that we have been able to see by the Spirit, and we have been enabled by the grace of God to step up to the Word and to forever settle down upon the same, knowing that it is as firm as the everlasting hills.
We have always believed that the Lord was able to and did heal his people, but we have been so delicate and slow about teaching and practicing the same, and scarcely ever speaking of the healing power from the pulpit; and the result has been that the people with whom we have labored have not the real faith of the Word to take hold of the Lord in time of affliction. Many have and are still praying as we have in the past. “Heal, O Lord, if it is thy will,” not knowing that it is God’s will to heal all of the afflictions of the holy people. David said, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him OUT of them ALL.” — Psa. 34:19.
We do know that it is God’s will to heal us, for provisions are made for our bodily afflictions in his will (word). Jesus says, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the Lord shall raise him up.”
The apostles at first did in this same manner. Mark says that they cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. 6:13. The work of the ministry and that of healing are closely connected, and the Savior intended that both should be preached and practiced together, and that the latter should be a proof that the ministry was of God; for the promise is, “These signs shall follow them that believe; they shall cast out devils * * * they shall lay hands on the sick and they SHALL recover.” Mark. 16:18. And Peter said, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles and signs and wonders.” Acts 2:22. Jesus proved his calling of God and ministry by these signs; and we also should have faith in God and prove our calling to the work by working these works, and every one who has been called of God to the work of the ministry shall be approved of God by these signs which follow them. But one may say, “All cannot have the faith.” But God has so arranged it that the elders should have the faith, for he saith, “Is any sick ? Call for the elders.” He intended that they should have the faith and work the works of God.
Brethren, let us henceforth pray as apostles of old, after they had been called in question by the rulers and scribes and threatened, and after they were released they hastened to their own company, and they all
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prayed thus: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word; by stretching forth thy hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”
Thank God, our eyes have seen this day, and Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled, that the eyes of the blind, shall be opened, and the deaf ears shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.” — Isa. 35:5-7.
During a six weeks meeting that we held in the city of Kalamazoo we saw most of the above prophecy fulfilled. One old lady who had gone upon crutches eight years, I think, came to the meeting and hearing the word of the Lord on the line of healing, she believed and in fact she had always thought that the time would come when God would heal her; but as she had never heard the scripture on the line of healing she had never thought or knew that now was the time, but after hearing and believing she gave up all to God, and after she had been anointed and hands laid on and prayer offered she arose up and walked free without crutches and went down the street home carrying her sticks in her hands, praising God.
And another deaf and dumb lady who believed that God was able and willing to heal her after she was anointed and prayer offered, her tongue was loosed; and she was going upon crutches at this same time, and her crutches were set away and she walked forth without them, and the last we heard from her she was still strong in the faith and increasing in strength. Many were the signs we saw and witnessed by God during this meeting which increased our faith in God. The last morning we were in the city we visited an old lady who had been confined to her bed for twenty years, and after she felt that God had saved her soul we anointed her and prayed for her healing; she arose and walked around the house with a little aid from one or two of the sisters.
O brethren, the time is short and all of the chosen of God must have the living faith which takes hold of God and knows no failure in the eternal promises, for what the Lord saith, that will he do, for he “cannot lie.” O let us forever settle down upon his word and preach and practice the same before all people, and he will witness to the same in making bare his arm to heal, and his power and glory shall be made manifest to and before all people. Amen. Your saved brother,
W. B. Grover.
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News from the Field.
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New Carlisle, O., Apr. 8.
Dear Saints and Trumpet Readers: May God bless you all. We are glad we can report victory in Jesus, and our soul advancing. For some months we have been laboring for God in Clark Co., holding meeting in different places in company with Bro. Schell and others. We had the pleasure of meeting with the saints in Tremont City last week, and holding a few meetings on Sunday evenings. We obeyed the ordinances of the Lord’s supper, and the washing of feet, and found the truth fulfilled: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Praise God! I know not just how many took part, but suppose some near twenty May the Lord bless and keep them and save others who are assenting to the truth. We go to assist Bro Wickersham in meeting at New Pittsburg, Ind. Bro. Schell goes to Antwerp, Ohio to hold meeting there. Your sister separated unto the gospel,
Lena L. Shoffner.
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Chauncey, O., Apr. 7.
Dear Saints: We can again report victory in our souls, and say truly we are on the advance for God. After closing the meeting at Dowler Ridge, we went to Strouds Run where we found the devil at work. But God sent forth judgment unto victory and the devil was defeated, all having profited by their experience and are now sinking down gloriously into God. But greater shaking times are coming yet, and I warn all in the name of Jesus to keep their eyes off of everybody else but Jesus.
We came from there to Chauncey where we have been since. Here we found the church in a prosperous condition, with the exception of a few. But God has been sending forth his word on faith, divine healing and general advancement, and the saints are on the forward move. We expect to go from here to Millfield and hold meeting a few weeks, Lord willing, and then begin to wend our way to camp meeting, where we are expecting and praying for a general and thorough sifting time, and a wonderful manifestation of the power of God. Your brothers, advancing,
E. G. Masters
and J. W. Myers.
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Brushy Prairie, Ind.
Dear Trumpet Readers: We are thankful to God for victory over the enemy. The meeting at Garret was attended mostly by people that had the light. The Lord was with us and he did search hearts. There were a few consecrations and we believe the church was benefited, and those that moved to the light were settled deeper down in the will of God, and made real advancement. May God keep them on the forward move. After the close of the meeting we returned to Brushy Prairie, and began meeting at Mt. Pisgah. Bro. Merica from Garrett helped us. God used him in giving the Word to the people. There were a few saved in the meetings. We thank God for saving Bro. Forbs from sectism.
After this meeting we went to Hatmaker, Mich. where there were meetings at a school house held by a Latter Day sinner, for he does not believe we can be saved from all sin; and he preached to the people that they would all be saved. He preached death and hell into the lake of fire and said they were banished, and the moral men and other sinners would get through. We listened to him Saturday and Sunday evenings, and on Tuesday evening we had the privilege of talking to some of the same people on the same subject. The people that were honest saw the difference between truth and error. The preacher mentioned above and people of that sect call themselves Latter Day Saints, but by their fruits ye shall know them. He that is of God heareth God’s word.
We have a good tabernacle in which to hold meetings in northern Ind. and desire to begin as soon as the weather is warm enough. We need some help, one alto singer, and a tenor singer; also need one to help in the preaching. If any brother and his wife feel led to come to us here or meet us at the Grand Junction C. M., and come with us from there, our address is Brushy Prairie, Ind. Yours fully saved,
Edward and Nora Ellis.
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TESTIMONIES.
“Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” – Psa. 119:129.
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Three Rivers, Mich.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led to write my testimony for the first time. Last August I was taken with a disease in my limbs called the consumption of the limbs. I did not have any use of my left limb for three months. I had to use crutches. Was given up by three different doctors. So I gave up taking their medicine and took the Lord for my healing. I had faith that the Lord could heal me. The brethren laid hands on me and prayed for me and anointed me in the name of the Lord, and I got up and walked without crutches. I am able to walk all over now. Your brother, saved in Christ,
B. C. Hicks.
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Fayette, Ohio.
Dear Ones in Christ: I am praising God for salvation, and for the healing of my body. Since the breaking of my limb, (eight years ago) it has always kept swelled, and about one year ago I noticed a small calloused spot, but did not think much about it until six months ago, then it began to be very painful. I told the little ones about it at the prayer meeting, and they prayed God to increase my faith. And oh God wonderfully answered prayer that very evening! He has taken all pain away and healed my limb. Hallelujah to God! He helps me to praise and thank him for the victory he has given me over the world, flesh, and the enemy of my soul. O God is teaching me precious lessons. Pray for the little church here; there are about eight that meet in the name of Jesus. Your sister in the one body,
Carrie Hitchcock.
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Arroyo Grand, Cal.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led of God to write my testimony this morning for the first time. I never heard of the evening light until almost three years ago. I accepted the truth and Jesus did wonderfully save my soul. Praise his name forever! And he also healed me of female weakness about four weeks ago in answer to prayer. I took that trouble about six months ago, and I kept getting a little worse until I got so bad I could not be on my feet scarcely at all; such suffering I cannot describe. But I would not take one drop of medicine. I took God for my physician and he did wonderfully heal me. And now I am perfectly well, and I want to give God all the glory. I have learned by this precious lesson that God is all we take him for by faith. Pray that my dear husband may be saved and that I may be wholly sanctified. Yours in the one body.
Mrs. Caroline Steele.
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Lowndes, Mo.
Dear Saints of God: I praise the Lord for a full salvation that gives me complete victory over sin and Satan, and that keeps me increasing with the increase of God. Praise the Lord forever! I am filled with comfort, and am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. I am here alone in the evening light; but dear ones, you are in my heart to die and live with you.
It does seem to me it would be to the glory of God for a camp meeting to be held here this fall. I have bought one acre of land for the saints to preach on. Now brethren take it to the Lord and let Father send whom he wants. Oh! if you could see the condition of the people here you would surely come to the rescue.
But praise the Lord, he keeps me each day; and he is our physician. One of our little girls took a fever this winter and we just got down upon our knees and asked Father to heal her, and she got right up out of bed. Hallelujah! And one slipped and fell on the ice and bruised her mouth and nose until it was perfectly black, and the blood run in a stream. We prayed for her and the next day you could not tell it had happened. Dear ones, help us praise the Lord for all this. Pray for us. Your brother in Christ,
H. W. White.
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Veedersburg, Ind.
Dear Saints: My soul doth magnify the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men. I am sweetly saved, trusting in Him who alone is worthy. He has done so much for me in the past few months; tongue cannot express, in settling me down into his will. He has taught me some precious lessons on humility, resisting the enemy, obedience, and other points that are sweet to the soul. Praise our God! Truly the Lord is working among his people. Let us move out. My soul is encouraged in the way of peace and righteousness. I read in Psalms 34, “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Dear ones, let us believe that God is true, because the Word says he is true and in him is no lie; and that we recieve the things we desire of him. Let us praise the Lord for his precious promises and claim them as ours. How good God is to us when we put our whole trust in him! He will not withhold any good thing from those that walk uprightly. My faith has been wonderfully increased on account of God’s dealings with my soul. When God began to search me and I began to search myself, I found so many things I lacked that were the privilege of all God’s chosen ones to have, and I then cried to God to fill up the vacant place and truly I can rejoice to say he is answering prayer as fast as I get where I can take him in. Praise God, the rock of our salvation! Let us press forward. Pray for me that I keep humble before him. Yours in Jesus,
Anna Husted.
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Claypool, Ind.
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Two years ago this winter the Lord sent Bro. and Sister Palmer to Claypool. The first meeting I attended was severe on me, for I was a sinner. But the Lord soon took hold of me and gave no rest till I repented of my sins and was converted, and God spoke peace to my soul. The Sunday I was saved I sat back of the saints feeling very sad. Oh how I longed to be among the happy faces! But praise God, before the meeting closed I was one among them. That will be the way it will be in the great judgment day; the poor careless sinners and ungodly will be standing by weeping and wailing, seeing God’s children going before to meet their blessed Savior and his angels who will come and take us home to glory where we will live forever. And those who are not saved will go to everlasting punishment.
Oh poor sinners who may read this, take warning and get saved before it is forever too late! It is almost heart-rending to see our loved ones taking the downward road which leads to destruction.
A year after I was saved God let a great affliction come upon me. I had poor health and was continually taking medicine. I was a perfect slave to medicine; it seemed almost as natural for me to take medicine and pills as it was for me to eat and drink. But praise God he has taken that desire from me. Every little medicine pamphlet or advertisement I got hold of I would read to see if I could find something that would give me health. The Lord showed me he would heal me if I would put my whole trust in him, so I quit taking medicine and told my friends and relatives I was trusting in the Lord; and he was ready to heal me. Praise his dear name!
My disease was female trouble, and I had prolapsus uteri in a very severe form; it seemed that my life was dragging out by inches. We are poor in this world’s goods. But God came to my rescue and healed my awful disease, and I have had no symptoms of it since. The devil tried to interfere in every way and would whisper that it would be impossible for the Lord to heal such a disease; but God’s blessed word says, He is no respecter of persons and he would heal all our diseases. It has been almost a year since I took any medicine, and enjoy better health since I have been healed than I had all through my married life, which has been over six years. I want all of God’s children to send a praise to God for the blessing he sent to me. May God have the glory. I want you all to send a prayer to God in my behalf for my unsaved companion and relatives, that we may live in love and harmony. Your sister saved and kept,
Rose A. Bisel.
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DIVINE HEALING.
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God’s Remedy.
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HOW natural it is when in trouble, to seek at once some means of deliverance! Sin entered into the world and death by sin, as time passed on wickedness increased. The fetters of bondage were strengthened, the powers of captivity multiplied.
The glory of God’s creation, the crowning beauty of his exquisite workmanship — man — was struck with that deadly blight — sin — and with it came all the dreadful maladies under which creation is groaning to day. The cries, the tears, the sorrows, which overflow from hearts, saddened and crushed by sin and death, but indicate the true condition of fallen man. Every son and daughter of Adam’s race is thus affected by this awful leprosy, from which there can be no recovery nor redemption through human power
The Etheopian cannot change his skin nor the leopard his spots, neither can a man extricate himself from the depths of bondage into which he has been plunged. All effort is but a failure and though deliverance may be assured and thrown out to the sinking soul it will prove to be but a straw, as the fainting hand lays hold upon it, and will but sink with the perishing one.
The demand of the crying need can no where be met, and the world sinks deeper and deeper into hopeless despair. Sin, sickness, suffering and disease, have securely fastened their unrelenting grasp upon humanity, and death and ruin are inevitable.
Sad indeed is the picture, from the human side, but as we turn our eyes with upward gaze to God, (who knoweth our frame and remembereth that we are dust), we hear the blessed imitation: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”
The great redemption plan is finished and deliverance is freely offered to all. As we look with wonder and admiration, we behold the Redeemer, a glorified man, to whom has been given ALL POWER in heaven and in earth, who by the grace of God has tasted death for every man and by so doing has made powerless him that had the power of death and has offered deliverance to all who are in bondage.
The great Creator knew just what it would take to effect the cure. All the groans and tears, the sorrows and pains of suffering hum unity, have not been unnoticed by him who neither slumbers nor sleeps. He spared not his own Son, to pay the ransom. “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” One look upon the brazen serpent in the wilderness was the remedy for suffering Israel from the fatal malady of the fiery serpents. So one look of faith upon the Christ of Calvary, and the open tomb, is the remedy for the suffering world from sin and disease; he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with pains.
He received the stroke of justice that should have fallen upon us, for our sins. He was wounded for our transgressions; the iniquities that were resting upon us, God laid upon him, all centered upon his holy head, that we might go free. The chastisement of our peace was also upon him, and when hopelessly under the bondage of disease, and sickness, he took them all upon himself, that we may be healed. “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.”
What more could be done? The atonement is perfect. The remedy for all the ills of mankind is complete. Christ is all and in all. The conditions simple; no one need mistake them. All center into one word, OBEDIENCE. He is the “Author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him.” Praise God! There are none who need be deprived of this abundant salvation. Whosoever will may come and partake of God’s remedy and be made every whit whole. Would that suffering humanity might look and live.
Brethren, it is with much joy that we behold some of the ransomed of the Lord looking to Jesus for healing; but can we feel satisfied with this, when multitudes have not yet heard the sound of the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ? God’s remedy for sickness is so little known among his children. How can the suffering world hear it when the church knows so little about it? Let us learn more of Jesus and his power to heal, then tell it out to the world that God has indeed provided a perfect remedy for all the ills of mankind.
J. W. B.
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A Consecrated Pocket Book, and How to Use It.
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BROTHER Schell’s recent article on financial duties brought forth from my soul a hearty “Amen.” I believe it will be to the glory of God to call the attention of the dear Trumpet readers to a further consideration of that subject.
We know that it is only the natural outcome of the spirit of division for such as have not learned to have complete confidence in God and be led by him, to cry “Organize! organize!” They tell us that their manmade societies, machinery, and salaried officers are necessary to carry on God’s missionary, charitable, and philanthropic enterprises.
But now, is that so? I say nay. And it gives my soul a vast amount of righteous satisfaction to be able to cite such praters against God’s way of doing things, to the rapidity with which the “faith once delivered to the saints” is at the present time being carried all over our broad land and to various parts of Europe by God’s consecrated messengers without salary or collection, and with no other assurance than God’s word. More than that let such ones look at the tons of gospel literature scattered broadcast from the Trumpet office; and on the line of charities, point out to them the children’s homes and schools and the establishments like the Open Door Mission, which God is raising up in so many of our large cities. Truly this great reformation is backed by something infinitely beyond human plans and push. Yes, Lord, thou art our King and our Master- builder. Thou dost set every member in the body as it pleaseth thee. Our fortunes, our talents, our time — all are thine.
And now dear brother and dear sister, the question to you and to me is, “Are we his faithful stewards?” Have we any of the Lord’s means hid away in a napkin? When we hear, as we do so often, of places where dear souls are starving for the bread of life, and of other places where Father’s work needs consecrated hands, can we freely and cheerfully look up and say, “Here am I, Lord, SEND ME?”
I do not hesitate to say that if God’s church and every professed follower of Christ had remained thus consecrated there had never been need of missionary societies, Bible societies, temperance societies and the thousand and one secret organizations that are demanding attention and support because of their charitable (?) deeds.
Now, dear saints everywhere, we know that the church in this evening time has not yet attained to this ideal state of consecration as regards the pocketbook. But awake thou that sleepest! The King’s business demands haste. How many, many times the good work that I have already mentioned must be multiplied before the gospel shall have been carried to every nook and corner of the globe, and before the widows and orphans shall be cared for according to the New Testament plan! Truly, brethren, there must be a great advancement along these lines, and if we do not awake and do our duty we shall lay ourselves liable to censure, shame, and even the wrath of God.
Let us all promise God now that we will find out as soon as possible what God is requiring of his church in these last days, and just when, where, and to what extent he would have us as individuals use our means.
Here are a few scriptures that if they don’t furnish definite and positive commands, may give some very plain hints as to how to use a consecrated pocketbook.
TO WHOM SHALL WE GIVE?
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” — Mat. 5:42.
[This does not mean that we are to give to any who only wish to consume it upon their lusts. But it must be wisely interpreted, and perfectly understood. Ed]
If you will also read the remainder of this chapter you will see more clearly the grand principle of brotherly love that Christ was setting forth, and it is not nearly so limited as we have sometimes supposed. Indeed we find that Christ’s teaching on this line is everywhere characterized by the same liberality.
GIVE TO THE POOR.
Mat. 19:21. — “Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shaft have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Read also to the end of this chapter and see the contrast between the rich man and the one who has consecrated all to God. In this connection see also 1 Tim. 6:17-19. Prov. 19:17 reads, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him again. See also Prov. 28:27. Eccl. 9:1. Mat. 25:34-36; and the Jewish law as given in Ex. 22:25.
GIVE TO WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
“Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath shall wax hot and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” — Ex. 22:22-24.
So much for the Mosaic law, and now, if you will read Job 29:11-13, you will see an example of Old Testament practice. And when the Jews had disobeyed and forgotten God’s law we see how they were reminded of it in Isa. 1:17, and Jer. 8:6, 7.
In this last favored dispensation of God’s goodness, think you that our heavenly Father is any less mindful of these unfortunate ones? Let us see. 1 Tim. 5:3-17, shows us plainly that it was a responsibility resting upon the church to “relieve them that are widows indeed.” As examples in practice we see in Acts 6:1-4, that there was a complaint because certain widows were neglected, and that it resulted in the choice of seven deacons to look after this very matter. And in Acts 9:36-39, the noble deeds of Dorcas are mentioned, and we see how those whom she had befriended mourned her death. If still we need convincing truth, how can it be more tersely put than in Jas. 1:27? — “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Certainly this visiting implies helping when they need help.
Please read Deut. 10:18, 19. Psa 68:5; 146:9; 10:14. Prov. 15:25; 23:10, 11. Hos. 14:3. And allow me to call especial attention to Jer. 49:11. — The sectarian world to day has a revised version of this passage. Most of their teachers have it about as follows: “Leave thy fatherless children; your brethren in the I O. O. F., A. O. U. W , etc., etc., will look after them; and let thy widows trust in a life insurance policy or a pension.” But praise the Lord, his word reads thus: “Leave thy atherless children; I [God] will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”
Now brethren, it is not enough to simply put our own trust in God. We see how mindful he is of the widows and orphans. Can we be his children and not partake of the nature of our Father? We believe that saints cannot belong to secret societies. What then shall we say to come of my wife and children? The saints won’t provide for them.” At times when I have heard that I have known that it was stern truth. But dear saints, when the church comes up to the apostolic standard we MUST and CAN and WILL do this very thing. If God is going to look after such nothing follows more naturally than that he must do it with some of the means which we have consecrated to him.
GIVE TO SAINTS.
I choose to treat this part of the subject under this separate head, to bring out more clearly the fact that God’s care for the helpless extends not alone to his children and our brethren in the one body. I see nothing in the scriptures mentioned thus far to indicate discrimination between saint and sinner.
To shorten this part of this article so as to leave space for others who have some valuable message to bring to the Trumpet readers, I will give only references to scriptures teaching our financial duties to one another. See Acts 11:29, 30. Rom. 15:25-28. 2 Cor. 8:9. Gal. 2:10. Mat. 10:40-42. Heb. 6:10.
GIVE TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
Christ said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15. This will take a vast army of consecrated messengers, and until God has called and chosen and sent them (which must be several years), what more effective way of preaching the gospel to all the world, than by the profuse scattering of gospel literature? Many a man has been turned to God by reading a tract or leaflet picked up on the street, handed to him on a dark night, tucked in his pocket, or thrown in his wagon. God only knows the results of such unassuming acts, but we know that he keeps accurate account of them. Am I going too far in venturing the assertion that within a year, the truth could in this way be carried to five million souls who have never heard it? I believe that there are enough consecrated workers to keep the outfit at the Trumpet office running night and day for a year. But you say, it wouldn’t amount to any thing. The papers and tracts would only be thrown in the fire. Let me ask you to answer to yourselves this question. — It ten souls, or live, yea, even one poor soul should in this way be saved for eternity, who never would have been reached in any other way, what would the expenditure of time, labor, and money amount to when compared to the value of one son saved from an endless hell? Besides, such a dissemination of free gospel literature would undoubtedly result in a very material increase in the regular circulation of the Trumpet, and more than that, very likely there would come forth numerous calls for some one to come and preach the truth.
Now brethren, I cannot see why the publishing work should be hindered by our slackness in furnishing financial foundation. If God be God, follow him. If this work is of God it rests upon us to push it. I do not believe that there is another publishing house in the world whose foundation principles are faith in God, and whose laborers are consecrated to give their services free of charge, and depend on God for food and raiment. Dear saints, when we know these things and know about their needs and expenses, let us not allow shame to be brought upon this work and condemnation upon ourselves by making it necessary for notice to be repeatedly given in these columns of the needs at the Office. Such will inevitably follow if this thing goes on until the Trumpet comes, to be chacterized as “always begging,” as has been the case with a certain sectarian publication that I have in mind.
Now dear Trumpet readers, I hope you will not be wearied by this long article, and more than that, I hope that it may arouse many in church to search the scriptures and act along the lines that I have suggested.
At sometime in the future I hope, the Lord willing, to open up the truth on the line of our duties in supporting the ministry, and then if possible, to show what the Word teaches in regard to the amount that each individual should give
In the meantime I am your humble saved brother kep.. … the power of God and … .. know … to do his will,
W. Milo Gleeton.
ADVANCEMENT.
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Examine Yourselves.
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“LET every man prove his own work.” — Gal. 6:4. “Let a man examine himself.” — 1 Cor. 11:28. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” — 2 Cor. 13:5.
For some time our minds have been agitated on the subject of advancement, and our hearts have yearned for more of God, and we have been making desperate efforts to grasp a greater depth of spirituality, and a closer walk with God, and now do we at all realize that we have made any real spiritual advancement? If we have been seeking more humility, do we still find within us the outcroppings of pride and self esteem? If we have been seeking sobriety, do we still find in ourselves light and frivolous words and deeds that do not glorify our heavenly Father? If we have been seeking more faith, do we realize that we can trust the Lord butter than we used to? If we have been seeking to become more devotional, do we pray more than ever before?
If we realize that our souls have truly been moving forward, let us set up the Bible standard by the side of our experience, and determine wherein we still come short, that we may know what sort of advancement to reach out after from this time forth.
Let us first compare our experience with the Bible standard of humility. True humility is not a mere knowledge of our nothingness, but is truly thinking that we are mere nothingness in God’s sight. Paul says, “If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” — Gal. 6:3. Again he says, “If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” — 1 Cor. 8:2. There is a vast difference between knowing in our head that we know nothing of our self, and thinking so in our heart. I have long since been enabled to see from a head knowledge that I knew nothing, but it was not until recently that I have reached the point of thinking so in my heart. Such is the Bible standard of humility.
Let us next consider the Bible standard of devotion. “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thes. 5:17. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” — Eph. 6:18. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” — Acts 6:4. Does your experience measure up to the standard of these texts? If not, just what you come short is how much you need to advance on the line of devotion.
In Mat. 6:5, 6, the Savior teaches that secret prayer is to be preferred and appreciated by Christians above all other kinds of prayer. Is this our experience, brethren? Do you love the secret closet above every other place of prayer? To my knowledge I have not in all these years that I have labored in the field for the Lord, conversed with a single pro lessor of religion on the subject of secret devotion, who did not profess to love secret devotion above all kinds of prayer, and yet I can but think that very few of them enjoyed the secret closet as they said they did. There is room for great deception here. But how can we test our appreciation for the secret closet? By considering whether or not our visits there have been more frequent than to any other place of prayer: for it cannot be that we can have such great love for secret prayer without retiring often to some place of seclusion to have a sweet conversation with the Lord.
We will next consider the Bible standard of meditation. David says concerning the righteous man, “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” — Isa. 1:2. “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” — Psa. 119:97. “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.” — Verse 148. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” — Psa. 63:6.
Do these scriptures set forth your experience, brethren? Do your thoughts actually run on Bible themes? Oh! be sure that these sublime truths are planted deep in your hearts, and are practiced in your daily life, for head knowledge will never advance your soul in spiritually.