17 December 1896, Volume 16, Number 50.
REDEEM THE TIME.
_____
Redeem the time; God only knows,
How soon our little life may close,
With all its pleasures and its woes: —
Redeem the time.
Redeem the time; the days go by,
On rapid wings they quickly fly;
Within the grave we soon may lie: —
Redeem the time.
Redeem the time; it goeth fast;
Then use it well. Buy back the past;
Each passing day may be our last: —
Redeem the time.
Redeem the time; give all to God, —
To him who bought us with his blood,
And calls us on the heavenly road: —
Redeem the time.
Redeem the time without delay;
Let nothing hinder us, or stay;
Firm let us tread the narrow way: —
Redeem the time.
Redeem the time with all your might:
For spent the day, quick falls the night;
Soon closed the race and fought the fight: —
Redeem the time.
Selected by Lucy M. Lewis.
__________
Eternity Looms in Sight.
_____
MAN, man, man! What is man? Only a finite being, mortal, conceived in sin, born of woman, placed here upon this island in the infinite ocean of space — not to stay, but as “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” — Jas. 4:14.
How many comprehend all of this fact, that “man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble? He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not?” — Job 14:1, 2. It is only a matter of time until these caskets of clay will be laid away in the silent tomb to await the judgment.
We meet men at almost every turn whose steps have grown tottering, whose hairs have turned gray. Many, too, are aware that they are suspended only by a brittle thread of life, over the dark abyss of despair, soon to be lost — lost forever — from among the living.
Then, dear friends, since time is so short, the days of man so few, do not live as though the great beyond were only interpolated, and the only thing needful were our present needs supplied. Live for God, prepare for the future, not for the reason alone that an awful gaping hell awaits the disobedient; but because God loves us so, and has prepared a place for us, more grand than this — a place where shining angels dwell, a place where the fearful and unbelieving shall not be found. Rev. 21:8.
We would hardly deal fairly with our fellow man to pass this clause of holy writ by unnoticed, because, within the chamber of either fear, or “unbelief,” is couched a world of torment and a continual harrowing of the soul while here upon earth. Alas! that there should be so many, even among us, who spend whole years, even a whole life, toiling in darkness and perplexity and taking nothing.
The world is full of toilers who never get any satisfactory returns for their labor, losing sight of him who is the light of the world, and working blindly and ineffectually, putting forth great effort and pouring out all their strength, and coming to the end of life without ever having found anything worth living for. The world is full of the disappointed and unhappy, just because it is full of those who set their hearts upon securing that which, gained or nor gained, can never satisfy the deepest want of the soul.
On the other hand, to the eye of Christian faith, the sky is always clear, the pathway of ascent from earth to heaven is always open, and angels of blessing are ever coming and going upon errands of mercy. The great inheritance, the glorious home is not far away or hidden in thick clouds of unbelief. God’s presence makes heaven, and he is with us everywhere. Praise the Lord!
Had the sky to Abraham been dotted with clouds of unbelief; and the pathway of ascent closed, he could not have “accounted God able to raise Isaac even from the dead:” but he clung to the divine promise when, to all human judgment, its fulfillment seemed a contradiction and an impossibility.
Then, my dear brother and sister, let us take God at his written Word, the divine book — the Bible — and account him able to do for us far, exceedingly, above that which the human mind can conceive. Have FAITH IN GOD, says the great “I AM.” BE NOT AFRAID, says he that is able to calm the raging sea: “and it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear,” says the fountain of all good. Isa. 65:24.
What is it he will answer? What is it he will hear? “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” — Jno. 14:13, 14. Evoked by imagination? No, by faith; and Paul defines “faith” as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Heb. 11:1.
Now if faith is the substance of things hoped for, it is the essential part, the material of a thing; and if it be the evidence of things not seen, it is that which proves or shows facts. Then when we are in possession of faith we have the thing asked for or the assurance thereof.
May the Lord help us all to see that faith is more than a formula of words hastily repeated — is more than something evoked by imagination and excitement. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” — Jas. 2:20.
Paul, in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, brings up from the creation of the world a train of witnesses to encourage, and prove to us, that only faith formed by labor is profitable; and James confirms Paul’s testimony by saying, “Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” — Jas. 2:18.
My brethren, my brethren of the laity, it will never do to drag along in this life and receive nothing at the hand of faith, neither will it profit you anything to deceive yourself by saying you have faith, unless your works are manifest. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” Here is enough to arouse, and animate — “Can faith [alone] save him?” “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” — Jas. 2:15, 16. Now, if you can look back, and see that you have been praying for the welfare of those in need, and for your own spiritual advancement, and have done nothing by the way of works, your prayer availed nothing. Is it not a fact, many have knelt in prayer, asking God to favor them with his train of blessings, and before out of the attitude of prayer the offered petition has been lost in the stream of precipitance, and carried by the tide of worldly cares over the precipice of deception, and lost below in the bubbles and foam of carnality.
Again the gospel breaks forth in mighty peals, “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end [hope perfectly. — Margin.] for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — 1 Pet. 1:13. Do you hear, my brethren? If we want to make rapid strides toward the apostolic faith and power it is necessary to gird up our minds, so that when we pray we can believe for what we pray; do not ask for a thing with our mind on something else; expel from our mind everything but the great center for which we aim; pray in the spirit, pray with the understanding; ask in faith believing.
“Ask, and it shall be given you.” — Matt. 7:7.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do.” — Jno. 4:13.
“If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” — Jno. 14:14.
“That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” — Jno. 14:16.
“Ask and ye shall receive.” — Jno. 16:24.
“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him.” — 1 Jno. 3:22.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” — 1 Jno. 5:14, 15.
With these few precious promises in view we leave you.
CHARLES FORD.
__________
Insure in the Lord.
_____
“BUT if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” — 1 Tim. 5:8.
We feel this morning like glorifying God by writing a few words in defense of the above scripture, which is so much misused, even by those who profess to be children of God. Those who are in life insurance companies use this scripture, to uphold their creed, and to condemn us who do not believe in such. Now, dear readers, are we to trust men or God? And before going any further let us ask you a few questions. Where in the Word are we commanded to provide for our families after we are dead? Where are we commanded to pay God’s money to ungodly institutions? Where are we commanded to lay up treasures on earth? Where are we commanded to put our trust in men? Now let us use a little Bible and good reason, in examining the above subject.
“Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” — Psa. 40:4.
“It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in men.” — Psa. 118:8, 9.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth forever.” — Psa. 125:1.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” — Prov. 3:5; also 9:10.
“I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” — Psa. 37:25.
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” — Jer. 17:7.
Now let us turn and see what saith the Lord, to those who trust in men.
“Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath of the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” — Jer. 17:5, 6.
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” — Isa. 29:15.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness.” — 2 Cor. 6:14.
Dear reader, can you not see that the promises are to those that put their trust in God? And the curses are pronounced on those that depart from God and trust in men? Many other scriptures might be given, but it seems that this is sufficient to show every honest heart, that they ought not to be entangled with unfruitful works of darkness. And now turn to the text again, with regard to supporting their families. Suppose in prosperous times, you join the order, and pay your dues and assessments for a number of years until you have paid out several hundred dollars, then come hard times, your income becomes small; finally you cannot keep up your dues and you have to have your policy canceled. This has been the case with many. Or suppose after you have paid a large amount the company fails (they are not absolutely safe), and you lose all. How can you account to God for the way you have spent his money, and provided for your family?
An agent came into the shop one day to talk with me about life insurance. Said he, “It is not as it used to be; for now the churches everywhere are endorsing, it and ministers are preaching it.” Said I, “That is good evidence that they have departed from the faith.”
Dear readers, the adversary of our souls has made many plausible-looking schemes to deceive us, and he has been so cunning about it that at first sight, they look as though they were for our good, but beware, oh, beware, for we have seen some that have lost God out of their heart because they were not willing to give up the order, and after a while were not able to keep up payments, thereby lost God, order, and all. And others that are trying to cling to God and the order, are in a dwarfed spiritual condition. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Now dear ones, do not think that I am trying to screen a lazy person, or one that does not provide for his family the best he can. For I firmly believe the whole Word. I also believe that a lazy person will lose his laziness as soon as he is saved, and will not find it again as long he remains fully saved.
Now let us give a little thought to Matt. 6:20. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.”
These are the words of Jesus, and what do they mean? In the fore part of my experience, while I was joined to the F. M. denomination, I believed, and in fact was taught, that when the Lord blessed my soul, or when I felt him moving in my heart or felt his power, that these were all treasures laid up in heaven. Now, dear brethren and sisters, is this the fact? I love the Spirit, I love the blessings, and I love the power of God (according to his word) with all my heart, but, beloved, it means more than this to lay up treasures in heaven. Notice what Christ said to the young man (Matt. 19:21), “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven: and come and follow me.” Also notice the good Samaritan (Luke 10:33), how he took care of the man who fell among thieves. We understand by the above scriptures (and many others that we might refer to), that to lay up treasures in heaven, we must be fully consecrated to God, self and all we have, living epistles known and read of all men. Ready and willing to do good to every one and everywhere, wherever we can glorify God. As in Rom. 12:9-15 — “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
We believe that we must live so close to God that our prayers will get our friends under conviction, and when they are under conviction they will have confidence enough in us to ask us to pray for them and with them, and especially those of our own household. We believe that we will have our means so consecrated that we will give to the support of the gospel without respect to places. If the pure gospel has been preached where we live, and we hear an earnest call from some one who never heard it, we should be just as willing to help get ministers to them, and feel that a soul there is worth just as much as one in our midst. And now let us give a little thought to Matt. 9: 37,38 — “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
Now, beloved, with reference to the above text, suppose a farmer had several fields of grain ready to harvest. Do you think he would tell the reapers to go into a certain field and cut a little, and then leave it for a field quite a distance away and cut a little there, and so on from one field to another? I think not. I believe one soul as precious in the sight of God as another, and that the reapers should know the will of God in reaping. We have known workers to leave a place and go a long distance to meetings when souls were crying for help within a few miles of the place they left. They would promise to come back soon, but often could not come, and if they did the conviction was gone, so that the meetings were not successful as they might have been. May God give all the workers wisdom on this line, I pray. Your saved, sanctified brother, contending for the truth of the gospel,
E. A. SOULES.
Page 2
__________
THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 1896.
==========
LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
__________
A B. Peterman, C. Horton, Thos. W. Travis, C. W. Koonce, Carl Tuchenhagen, Francis Gregory. Mrs. Amanda McConnell, Grant Teter, J. L. Henegar, E. F. Thayer, B. B. Naff, Geo. H, Nelson.
==========
A few weeks ago we spoke about the call for literature in India. Since then we have received $7. 25 to help towards sending it. We are very thankful for what has been sent. We have a list of names from that country and this week we send $100.00 worth of books to a number of different places in India, and we believe that many dear souls will rejoice as they read the pure gospel. There ought to be a thousand dollars worth of books and tracts sent to that country. If any one desires to help preach the gospel with their means, this will be one way in which much good can be accomplished.
_____
We wish to say that the name of Sister Rutty’s book will be “LETTERS OF LOVE AND COUNSEL FOR GIRLS.” Through the goodness of God we have been able to begin work on its publication. The type for over fifty pages is already set. As a result of the recent call through the TRUMPET seven dollars have been received to aid in the work. One letter said, “Enclosed find $1.25 from two hardworking girls, to be used in the publication of the book for girls.”
The paper and binding will cost several hundred dollars and the book cannot be gotten before the public for several weeks yet. Any who may wish to help speed the publication of these precious words of “love and counsel” will undoubtedly confer a lasting blessing upon many girls. We will let you know from time to time of the progress being made, and tell you when to send your orders.
_____
TO MINISTERS AND GOSPEL WORKERS.
The general passenger agents of the railway associations and companies write us that they desire to furnish permits for reduced rates during the coming year to all ministers and missionaries who are ordained, and such other gospel workers as may be worthy upon proper evidence that they are worthy of the same. And as they are acquainted with us have requested us to secure the names of all such and send them in at an early date.
We desire to aid the brethren in this line, all we can, and now would say that if those who are engaged in gospel work, whether local elder, evangelist, missionary and gospel worker, will write to us at once, we can comply with the request of the R. R. companies by the beginning of the year, and thereby many can be aided in getting tales. In writing to us concerning this matter be sure and remember the following points: Write on a separate sheet of paper from your letter, your full name and address, whether a local elder, evangelist, missionary, or general gospel worker, and amount of time, given to the work. State whether or not you are ordained. Those failing to comply with this request will be apt to fail in getting rates, as the companies are becoming very strict regarding this matter, especially the Western Passenger Association, and some others. Those who are not personally acquainted with us should give us the name of the elder who laid on hands at their ordination, as reference, in case the company should desire to make further investigation.
==========
Requests for Prayer.
__________
Pray that I may be healed of catarrh in my head and throat. Mrs. S. E. Casteel, Carter.
Please earnestly pray for Melinda Miller, that she may be healed of lung trouble.
Pray that the Lord will heal me of bodily afflictions. Yours in Christ, B. C. Hicks, Three Rivers.
Please pray that Mary Brown may be healed of terrible injuries received front a fall. Alice Walton, Marionville.
Pray that I may be saved, and for my bodily healing of eczema, and that my hearing may be restored. P. A. Barnes.
Pray that we may be sunk deeper in the love of God, and that our baby may be healed of a very bad cough. Pray for the healing of Sister Jennie Nosler’s children; they have the whooping cough. A. M. Webb, Holt.
I do desire you to pray that, the Lord will heal me of a pain in my head, and trouble in my stomach, that has bothered me for over twenty years. Also pain and weakness in my hips. Pray December 27. John Liming, Jaqua.
My niece, Mrs. Anna Slates, of Kilgore. O., has been helpless for almost two years, caused by scarlet fever. She is also afflicted otherwise. Pray that her heart may be changed, and she be healed. Pray that her husband may be saved Julia Newell, Conotton.
Pray for Mrs. L. D. Miner, Moundsville, W. Va., for healing of womb trouble: also pray for the healing of her daughter, who has had some kind of throat trouble and cannot talk, caused by catarrhal fever in infancy. Pray that her speech may be restored. Sunday, Dec. 20.
I desire very much the prayers of all of God’s dear children, that I may be wholly given up to God soul and body. Please pray that I may be healed of a dreadful headache I have most of the time. I do not take medicine; for I am determined to have Jesus for my physician. Oh I do want to be one with you all. How I long to have some of God’s true messengers come here to this wicked place; for there are many honest souls here Mrs. E. H. Crossman, Easthampton. Mass. Lock box 50.
I want to request the prayers of all my brothers and sisters in the Lord for my healing. I have the catarrh in the head and throat, and I think it is working down into my stomach. I believe Jesus can heal me. Will you all pray for me that I may be healed, and my hearing brightened up, and catarrh cured entirely? I am a locomotive engineer, and do not belong to any sect. All that can lay hold of God’s promises, do so, and claim my healing from the wonderful Physician. Bless his holy name! Pray on the 23d of December at the Wednesday evening meeting. Your brother, E. J. Fisk, Boone.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD I feel led to write you desiring an interest in your prayers in behalf of my companion, who is a Progressive Dunkard and is so bitter against the truth. I was saved last winter at a meeting held by Bro. Palmer. Since that time he has been accusing me about the saints, at last turned me out of house, made sale, rented farm, and got places for children. So you see my trial is severe; feel so discouraged by times, do not hardly know what to do. If I go back he will not allow me to attend meetings nor take any part in the cause. Dear saints, do pray earnestly that God will let him see his mistake and give him salvation. He is doing his best to lead those children away from me and the beautiful light. Pray earnestly for me and my dear children, so that I might see them saved, and that God will show me what to do in this case. I want to do his will. Your sister in Christ, Mary L. Baker, Cedar Creek, Ind.
==========
Calls for Meetings.
__________
Meetings are wanted at Marionville, Lawrence Co., Mo. Address Alice Walton.
Cannot some of God’s holy workers come to Council Grove, Kansas, and work for God in rescuing souls from sin? Who will come? Daniel Fike, Box 314, Council Grove, Morris Co., Kan.
This is a dark place for the want of the gospel. Cannot some of God’s holy ministers come here at once? The means will be provided. You can have a home at our house. Your brother and sister in Christ, T. C. Kuykendall, Malden, Ill.
I wish, if any of God’s anointed ones pass through here going to Peoria, they would stop here for a short time at least. I know that God has a few chosen ones here as well as in other places, if they but heard the Word preached in its purity. Mrs. Leonora Turner, Henry, Ill.
==========
Meetings.
__________
An assembly meeting will be held at Crowland, Ont., commencing Jan. 2, 1897. J. A. Dillon and Co.
There will be an assembly meeting at Carrollton, Ga. with the saints of God. All the dear ones who feel led of the Lord to come are desired. Write to Bro. H. Robinson, at Carrollton. Ga.
There will be an assembly meeting of the saints held at the Ripley Co., Mo. camp ground, ten miles south of Doniphan, two miles east of Poynor. Meeting to commence Dec. 25 and last one week or ten days. C. C. Scales.
There will be an assembly meeting held in the saints’ new meeting-house near Georgeville, Pa., beginning Christmas morning, to continue over two Lord’s days and longer if God leads. All the saints that can are invited to attend, and we will care for them the best we can. Bros. McCoy, Rowe and whoever the Lord may send are expected to be present. J. T. Stowe. Hamill, Pa.
There will be an assembly meeting at the meeting-house ten miles north of Brownstown, Ill., to commence Dec. 25. and last as long as God wills. We expect some more of God’s ministers to meet us there. Those coming on the train, can write to me at Funkhouser, Effingham Co., Ill., or Samuel Wrice, Brownstown, Ill., and one of us will meet you at the train. Pray for this meeting Your brother in Christ, R. L. Parsons.
There will be a general assembly of the saints of God of Texas, to be held at Ft. Worth. Will commence Dec. 24. The brethren extend a general invitation to all the people of God, far and near, to attend. Come prepared to take care of yourself as far as possible. The workers will be cared for. Brothers Achor, of Kansas, and Rich, of Arkansas, will be present, and others, the Lord willing. For further information write J. W. Pine, Ft. Worth, Tex.
On the 27th of December, the Lord willing, there will be an all-day meeting in the Saints’ meeting-house at Davy Hill, eight miles from Tidioute, Pa. on the Youngsville and Tidioute (wagon) road. Let there be a general turnout from East Hickory, Titusville, Grand Valley and surrounding country. This is a new place, and the meeting will continue as long as the Lord wills. We are expecting the Lord to send some one to help in this meeting. Your brother. H. T. Gibson, Box 78. Tidioute, Fa.
There will be a general assembly at Augusta, Ga., to commence Jan. 1, and continue till the 10th. All the saints in Georgia and South Carolina, who can, are earnestly requested to attend, but especially the ministers. We believe it will be for the glory of God, that all the ministers and workers be present during this meeting. Come prepared to take care of yourselves, as far as possible, and help those who are in need. Bring bedding if possible. If you are poor and cannot care for yourself, come trusting God. Bros. Byrum and Schell will be present, the Lord willing. God will be present to advance the saints, save sinners, and heal the sick. Let all who expect to come, and are not otherwise provided for, notify Bro. J. F. Macbeth or Henry Summers, 1446 Marbury St., at once, so arrangements can be made for them. Eatables also can be brought as baggage on the train. Yours saved in Jesus, J. F. and Kittie Lundy.
==========
FROM INDIA.
_____
CALCUTTA, INDIA.
MY VERY DEAR BROTHER: As I could not send the letter by the last mail, I may as well write a few lines more. Here in Bengal, there are many Protestant sects — (1) Church of England; (a) Oxford Brethren; (b) Society for the Propagation of Gospel; (c) C. M. S. Church Missionary Society. (2) Presbyterian Church of Scotland. (3) Presbyterian Church of England. (4) Free Church of
Scotland. (5) Episcopalian Methodist. (6) Wesleyan. (7) Baptist. (8) Plymouth Brethren. (9) Quakers. (10) Salvation Army. (11) Roman Catholic. (12) London Missionary Society.
Recently there has been a great quarrel between the S. P. G. and the Baptists. In East Bengal the Baptists were working peacefully and successfully until last year when there appeared some of them who were dissatisfied with their own denomination, and invited the S. P. G. people, who readily responded to their call, of course to the greatest sorrow and grief to the Baptists. And from that time they have been working there side by side but with all hostility and ill-feelings between the two parties, so much so that a S, P. G. would not invite a Baptist on any occasion, and vice versa. One of the greatest evils that has been produced out of this party spirit and ill-feeling, is that whenever any one is reproved for a fault or weakness by his minister, he at once leaves the church and joins the S. P. G., and the same thing happens when any one is excommunicated or given a low pay or a small salary for preaching (you know there are salaried pastors and teachers all over the field — hired laborers). Generally, the Baptist Society is poor and therefore can’t afford big salaries, and as people work more for the sake of money than for the Lord, they prefer to be S. P. G. in many cases.
Oh, what a pity! Can there be cases sadder than this? Again the S. P. G. people, having no regular public preaching system, do not get many converts, and therefore are very glad and willingly ready to get men enrolled into their church register. Gospel indeed is being preached, but its true light is yet hidden from many of the preachers themselves. Men and women, not a few, are striving to further the interests of their particular sects, and not of Christ and his church. Oh, would that their eyes were opened to see the truth as it in Jesus! Your younger brother in Christ,
A. D. KAHN.
__________
The Meaning of Salvation.
_____
SALVATION means entire, complete and eternal divorce from sin. Salvation means to be born of God, after the Spirit, so that we know and love him as unmistakably as the child knows and loves its mother. Salvation means to be saved from everything that can curse us, and saved to everything that can bless us. Salvation means to be taken out of bondage and made sons and freemen. Salvation means new powers, new purposes, new incentives and new ambitions. Salvation means leaving the army of the devil and getting into the ranks of God. Salvation means a change of nature, a change of life, and a change of kings. Salvation means to be able to see with the clearness of the noonday sun that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not by force, but by the gentle, omnipotent power of love. Salvation means sweet submission to the known will of God, absolute and unquestionable trust in his love, unwavering devotion to his cause, and unquestioning faith in his word.
Selected.
__________
Apostolical Succession.
_____
APOSTOLIC succession, though not mentioned in the Bible, is often offered by the oldest apostate sects, as an argument in favor of their genuineness. How foolish for men to exclaim, “The Bible is all we need,” and then base their hopes upon something outside of the blessed volume! Besides, apostolic succession is fraught with more uncertainties than most any argument that might be offered. There is no diocese to-day, claiming apostolic succession, that has not passed under the rule of heresies of the blackest dye. Hence none can justly claim apostolic succession. The foolishness of such a claim is beautifully set forth in a little work on the Culdee church, by T. V. Moore, from which we quote:
“The only apostolical succession that is worth anything is the succession of the apostolical truth, of the gospel, as apostolical men proclaimed it. That is necessary and, fortunately, that does not depend upon the hands through which it has been transmitted to us. The truth of the epistle to the Romans does not depend on whether we have received is through a thousand hands from Rome, or five thousand hands from Corinth, so we have the genuine epistle, any more than the nutritive properties of a loaf of bread depend on our ability to trace it through a baker, miller, merchant, farmer, etc., to the harvest field. If it is bread, it is not the less nutritive because we do not know the pedigree of its transmission. If the Bible is conceded to be the inspired truth of God, it is not less true because we cannot trace the hands through which it passed from the pen that first traced its pages. Now as all parties here in question, concede that we have the genuine apostolic teaching in the New Testament, we have only to go back to that, and drink from the fountain itself, and not depend on the long and tortuous pipes that run through centuries of corruption and darkness, for the blessed water of life. This is what Jesus and the apostles have told us to do, and we are satisfied with their authority.”
W. G. S.
__________
A Serious Lesson.
_____
SAINTS HOME,
PULLMAN, WASH.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I have not written through the TRUMPET for some time and I feel it would be the Lord’s will for me to tell of his dealings with me. I am praising the Lord for a present and full salvation from all sin, with victory over disease and sickness. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” — Psa. 62:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul! I can truly testify to God’s goodness to me.
We left Spokane last May to attend the camp meetings in June and July and thought we would return to Spokane and resume the mission work there again in whatever way the Lord led; as we were led of the Lord to the work in Spokane and did not feel when we left then that God released us from it.
After camp meeting we thought it was God’s will for us to leave the mission work until after harvest, so I could work with my hands and earn a little means which we needed (or at least thought we did), but I was not fully satisfied it was the will of the Lord for me to do so. However, I thought I had better help myself and not be chargeable to any one; so I engaged a place with a thrashing-machine. I worked a little over four weeks, but on the 28th of September I met with the sad part of my experience. My left hand caught in the gearing, which so cut and mangled it that it had to be taken off. I soon got the lesson, while it seems mysterious in some ways. I have been enabled by the grace of God to praise God for his goodness to me and I want to give him all the glory. When the surgeons amputated the hand, they said I would have to take some medicine to help my system over the shock and loss of blood, but I told them I was in the hands of the Lord and would not take any medicine. So they said they would not be responsible, if I did not follow their instructions and take their medicine. I released them of their responsibility and told them my trust was in God and that he would carry me through. Praise his name!
It is just wonderful how the Lord did care for me by day and by night, and how we could see the hand of the Lord so manifested through it all. He sent Bro. and Sister Chapman to the home of Bro. J. M. Cochrans, where I was taken soon after the accident, and when the surgeons had my arm dressed I asked the dear ones to take my case to the Lord. They laid on hands in the name of Jesus, rebuked the pain, and fully committed me to the Lord; and praise his holy name, he kept me by his mighty power. I did not have any one sit up one hour with me, but the Lord gave me rest and good sleep and I was able to be up and out every day, and I might say it is all healed up without the use of medicine or salves of any kind. To God be all the glory! I can say he doeth all things well and I know all things work together for good to those who love God’ I expect now to devote all of my time
Page 3
to the gospel work as the Lord may lead, and I have learned the lesson that God would have us trust him for all things. I feel more settled in my soul on God’s promises than ever I have been before. I want to live where I can know God’s precious will in all things, and be more used of God for his glory in the salvation of souls.
I am owing the TRUMPET OFFICE for books and tracts I used in the mission work. If any of the dear ones feel the Lord would have them do anything for the Lord in helping meet the bill, it will help spread the gospel more, and make me feel more free in the work.
I feel led to say to all whom God has called to the ministry to be sure they know the will of the Lord before they turn aside from the gospel work to labor for means that they think they need, and maybe meet with some providence of God that will teach them the lesson in a serious way that will not soon be forgotten. Dear saints of God, I need your prayers that, the Lord may have his way and fit us in the place he means for us to fill. I am glad ‘God places the members in the body as it has pleased him; and we know that he never makes any mistakes, and if I do not fill the place God has called me to it is not his fault, but he has promised all needed grace. 2 Cor. 12:9 Pray that my experience may reach that for which Paul prayed for the saints and faithful brethren at Colosse. Col. 1:9-11.
The Lord willing, we will return to Spokane, and labor there for the Lord until he leads us elsewhere. Your brother, saved and kept by power divine,
GEO. MARTIN.
==========
News from the Field.
__________
FLOATING BETHEL. HANNIBAL, O.
DEAR SAINTS: This morning all on board are saved and rejoicing in the Lord. The Bethel lay four weeks at Proctor, W. Va., and the presence of the Lord was with us throughout the meeting. Some got a real experience. This is where Bro. Kauffman labored last winter, which greatly prepared the way. We had a precious ordinance-meeting the last Sunday. Many were won to the truth, and there are now many places in that county open for meetings. I also spent one week visiting the churches at Moundsville, West Wheeling, and Rush Run, during which time there were three saved and one baptized. Address us at this place.
G. T. CLAYTON AND CO.
_____
GOSPEL ARK.
MINERSVILLE, OHIO.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We are still on the advance for God, filled with joy and glory. Hallelujah! The work is still moving. Last evening the Lord gave us a precious meeting. The Spirit of God was present in administering the Word. Many were melted to tears but would not yield, but we shall continue to hold on to God for this people. On last Lord’s day Sister Myers preached for a colored congregation, among whom are some souls who seem to desire more of God. We find several dear ones here who really have the Spirit of God and gladly receive the word of God. Several also have requested prayer. Dear ones, we have received $31.45 toward the repair of the Ark and desire to thank all the dear ones who have given to this end. Truly God is answering and he shall have the glory. Pray for us. The Lord has recently manifested his healing power in our midst, which has greatly strengthened our faith. Bless the Lord! Your humble servant in the gospel,
L. C. MAST.
_____
TIDIOUTE, PA., Dec. 7.
DEAR SAINTS: We are happy to report victory in Jesus’ name, and that we are saved just now and satisfied with his dealings. Praise our God! Since our last report we were invited to go to Davy Hill to hold a meeting, which we did in the strength of our King, this being on the 13th of September. We were to have the schoolhouse, but when we got there the house was locked up. Some of the unsaved people got very indignant over it, and when we came on the ground they began to break the lock, but we hastened up and told them not to do so as the yard was good enough place for us to preach. So we had meeting in the school-house yard that Sunday and the next meeting also. Then we had the house for a few meetings, but prejudice and sectism are so great that they again shut the house against the Lord and his word. But God has a few honest souls there, and they said they wanted the straight way laid down. One man said he would give an old house in which he used to live, and the ground, providing it would be moved to a more convenient place. So we said amen and took the house, and God put it in the hearts of the people to come and help move it to where we chose for it to sit; and, praise our God, it is almost ready for worship. Pray much for us and the work here. Your brother in the one body,
H. T. GIBSON.
_____
CHARLESTON, S. C., Nov. 30.
DEAR SAINTS: We greet you all in the name of Jesus. We reached Charleston on Oct. 25, and commenced meetings in the saints’ Mission room, which continued until Nov. 25. We found the work suffering from a spirit of heresy which had crept in and was doing its deadly work. The presence and power of God helped in rebuking this spirit, and the place was delivered from its awful curse. While all who were affected by this spirit did not humble themselves before God and find deliverance, yet a number did renounce it, and we hope and pray God that they may forever keep free from division, and every other delusion of the devil.
We call special attention at this place to what Peter says, 1 Pet 5:5-8. — “Be sober, be vigilant,” be humble. Without real humility we cannot escape the snares of the devil.
The presence of the Lord was manifest in healing the sick as well as in delivering souls from sin. From here we go to Lamar, Darlington County, to attend an assembly among the saints there.
We feel the need of more humble, consecrated laborers in this part of the South. By far too many are running who are not sent of God. The devil is sending many after honor or ease. We humbly ask the saints to pray for us and the work here. Yours, saved in Jesus,
J. F. AND KITTIE LUNDY.
_____
DAWSON, PA., Dec. 5.
DEARLY BELOVED: Since our last report we have labored about four months in southeastern Maryland. We held two tabernacle meetings, which resulted in a few souls being added to the church. Twenty-seven happy saints were immersed during the summer. We were reinforced in the fall by Bro. Henry and company. We held a very successful assembly meeting in the saints’ new meetinghouse, Nov. 3-22. Several souls were saved, and believers received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. A few were healed. On the evening of the 17th we observed the ordinances of God’s house. About fifty saints were present. Bro. Snow from Massachusetts and a few saints from eastern Pennsylvania attended the meeting.
Bro. and Sister Hunter left for Moundsville, W. Va., Nov. 16. Sisters Fry and Howard expect to open the work in Delaware. Bro. Henry expects to remain in Maryland and push the work in the East. Bro. A. J. Ellison will assist him. Brethren, pray for the work in the East. Truly God has a precious church in eastern Maryland. We bade farewell to the dear ones and started westward Dec. 2. Wife and children went to Apollo, Pa. Bro. Fry and I enjoyed a couple of days in Washington City. I arrived here this morning and will probably hold meetings here over two Sundays. We expect to attend the Assembly meeting at Georgeville, Indiana Co., Pa. This meeting will begin about the middle of January. The date will be given later. Let as many of the workers and saints in Pennsylvania as possible attend. We believe it will be a time when God will be “fearful in praises.” Let us pray to this end. After the above meeting, wife and I will start for Lincolnville, Crawford County. Any of the churches along the Alleghany River that desire us to hold short meetings, address us at Cochran’s Mills, Pa. Yours, under the blood, saved and kept.
H. M. RIGGLE.
_____
HUNTSVILLE, ALA.
DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN: We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are happy to report once more victory in our souls and bodies under the good hand of God, which so carefully shields us from all evil.
The meeting near Tullahoma, Tenn., mentioned in our last report, was mostly held in a Methodist house which the brethren had secured for the purpose. As the precious truth was being planted in some honest hearts, a prominent member of the sect who owned the house came and closed the door against us. We were then compelled to move to the dwelling of one of the brethren, where we continued the meetings while we remained in those parts.
The order during this meeting was not so good as has generally prevailed in our meetings since we came south. After the services were closed one evening, before the congregation had left the house a rock was thrown by one of the “baser sort,” which barely missed our head and made a gash about a half-inch deep in the board wall. We praise God for warding off the blow, which but for the Lord’s protecting hand might have made the ruffian a murderer.
But despite the raging of the devil we believe some of the saints received lasting benefits, and that good seed was sown which will germinate and grow in the future. Bro. Byrum left the meeting two days before it closed to visit the little church at Fayetteville, Tenn. Thence came to Huntsville, Ala., where we are now preaching to a people eager to hear the truth.
WM. G. SCHELL AND E. E. BYRUM.
==========
Testimonies.
__________
CHAUNCEY, OHIO.
DEAR SAINTS OF THE LIVING GOD: I feel it would be to the glory of God to write a few words of testimony this evening, for the first time. It was one year ago the fourth day of last August that God spoke peace to my soul. I can truly say that I was a sinner and was saved by the blood of Jesus. Praise his holy name! When he saved me, he saved me from all sin and all worldly pleasures. How miserable I was when under conviction! I could neither eat nor sleep till I made a full surrender to God. I do praise God that he sent one of his firebrands here to preach the gospel in all its purity, and that he gave me a willing heart to accept the light, and a holy boldness to walk therein. I can say with a great many others of the saints, that by obeying James 5:14, I was healed of ague about two months ago, for which I give God all the glory. How glorious it is that we can take God even for our physician. It was said by the world when the church of God was first established at this place that in one year the saints would not profess anything. But praise the Lord, the church is growing stronger every day. Hallelujah to Jesus! He said in his word he would add to the church daily such as should be saved. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” When we do his will we know within our hearts that we have the blessed assurance of heaven. Again, he says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” I can say for one, I love Jesus because he first loved me, and walk in the light as he lets it shine upon my pathway. Pray for me that I ever be humble and abounding in his sweet will continually, Your sister in the one body,
HATTIE KARNS.
_____
MEARS, MICH.
DEAR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS: I desire to write a few lines to you to mention a few of God’s kind dealings with me. When but a child of nine years I became the subject of the strivings of God’s Holy Spirit, and in a Methodist revival I gave my heart to God according to the light I had, but that was not sufficient; for when temptations came I did not understand how to resist the adversary, and consequently fell from the little I had, but oh the remorse of conscience! But I never disclosed my condition to my parents or any one else. What kept me back so much was, my parents were in the same condition as myself and I thought I could not live a Christian without attending “class-meetings,” and that I could not do on account of living so far away from a meeting-house.
Oh how sad it is for any one to think they cannot serve the Lord without going through a form prescribed by sect regulations! Well, I went on in that state of mind until I was thirteen years old, and then I determined to serve the Lord and not let any one know it. That went on for two or three months and then a lady living near by sent to mother to let me go to assist her about the louse; and she had me sleep with her, and I wanted to kneel and pray but did not want to be discovered. So I decided to relinquish my duty to God, and it turned out as it frequently does, she was the very one that upbraided me for being so wicked as not to pray before I retired. So then I was thoroughly disgusted with myself and made up my mind to let the whole matter alone.
But when I was nineteen years old my parents sent me with my brother to live on a place they had bought, until they were ready to move on it; and while there I was considered rather strict, as I refused to receive or pay any visits on the Lord’s day, but went to Sunday-school and services. But all this time I was growing harder, until the United Brethren came into the neighborhood and held a meeting and they took so much interest in me that God in his infinite mercy blessed their efforts to the salvation of my soul, and I was exceedingly thankful to God for the pardon of my sins, which was very clear.
But it was not long before I discovered that I had not the spirit of Christ; for I read in God’s holy word that I must love my enemies, and I found I could not do it. I saw the Word required it and many other commands, but I never understood how to attain unto it, and these last ten years I sought diligently for full cleansing. I went to the altar two or three times but could not get right until I heard Bro. Filhour preach on sanctification and also saw him illustrate it. Then I was very strongly impressed to go to the altar and there consecrate myself to God, and. dear ones, I praise God with all my ransomed powers that he guided me by his Holy Spirit to do so. I have not as grand an experience as some of the TRUMPET correspondents, but I have what I never had before. I can love and forgive my fellow beings and love God supremely, and make advancement in the divine life.
I cannot make you understand how grateful I am to my heavenly Father for his forbearance with me. If I had only been instructed when I was young as I have been since I heard God’s saints, I might have done a little in the Lord’s vineyard, but now I am over sixty years old and yeeble for that. But think the Lord, my spiritual strength is getting stronger. Your sister in Christ,
ANN SPENCER.
==========
De Aubigne’s History of the Reformation.
_____
This book is too well known to need much description. It gives an elaborate account of the
GREAT REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY,
led by Martin Luther and others. It also tells you about Luther’s birth, his youth, his conversion, and first labors, etc. It has been well said that “Truth is stranger than fiction, and will always prevail,” and, as we read this truthful and intensely interesting historic record of God’s wonderful dealings with men, in defeating their plans and establishing his truth, we cannot but stand in awe and delightful amazement at his wonderful display of wisdom and mighty power. This is a
NEW TRANSLATION CONTAINING
THE AUTHOR’S LATEST IMPROVEMENTS, with three full-page steel engravings, and two hundred other illustrations including portraits of the most eminent reformers. It is a fine edition of this standard work, large size, measuring outside when closed, about 8 x 10,5 inches and containing 728 large double-column pages. Strongly bound in cloth.
Price, postpaid, $2.25.
==========
The Works of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS.
This is another equally valuable book, well known as a standard work of great value as a historical record. It gives a
HISTORY OF THE CREATION, DELUGE, TOWER OF BABEL, ETC.,
and it gives probably the best and most complete account of the rise, progress, and final destruction of the Jewish nation, there is extant. This author lived at the time, and was an eye witness of the destruction of Jerusalem, and his vivid and detailed description of the awful sufferings endured by the Jews is sufficient evidence to convince the most skeptical of the truth of the Savior’s predictions in the 24th chapter of Matthew. In general it comprises
“The Antiquities of the Jews,“ a “History of the Jewish Wars,” and “Life of Flavius Josephus,”
written by himself, together with three dissertations concerning Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, James the Just, etc. It is a large work. 978 double-column pages neatly bound in cloth.
Price postpaid, only $1.50.
The same with seventy-nine illustrations, bound in law sheep, library style, Price $2.25.
==========
Fox’s Book of Martyrs.
“All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” Often do we hear these words used, but how few there are who know anything about real persecution — much less, have suffered the same.
THIS BOOK IS A COMPILATION FROM “FOX’S BOOK OF MARTYRS,”
including much additional matter not in the original. It begins with the martyrdom of Stephen and follows with incidents connected with the death of Christ’s apostles. It pictures vividly the horrors of the butcheries perpetrated by Catholicism, and gives a history of the persecution of Christians in all lands, down to 1830. Contains also sketches of lives of eminent reformers, and an account of the French Revolution of 1789.
You should read it and know what has been and what may be, before
“The evening shall be as the morning.”
Over 500 pages, neatly bound in cloth, and
All for 50 cts. THINK OF IT.
GOSPEL TRUMPET PUB. CO.
Grand Junction, Mich.
Page 4
Divine Healing.
__________
Reasons Why Jesus Healed.
_____
MEN have invented many reasons why Jesus healed the sick and afflicted when on earth; reasons that are vain and can be disposed of at will, presuming thereby to explain away Jesus as our present healer. But my Bible gives reasons why he healed; reasons that are as firm now as they were when the marvelous work of healing was going on through him and his apostles; reasons that cannot be explained away by the will of the flesh. Praise God!
The first reason we offer is, God’s mercies and compassion.
“For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; yea many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.” — Psa. 78:37-39.
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” — Psa. 86:15.
“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” — Psa. 111:4.
“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.” — Psa. 112:4.
“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works.” — Psa. 145:8, 9
“And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place.” — 2 Chron. 36:15.
“And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord.” — Hos. 2:19, 20.
“I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie; so he was their Savior. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them and carried them all the days of old.” — Isa. 63:7-9.
“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” — Isa. 55:3, 4.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” — Lam. 3: 22, 23.
All these scriptures declare God’s character to be full of compassion and mercy; all of which is pledged or covenanted perpetually to his people through Jesus Christ, who is the sure mercies of David. Thank God, it is a sure thing; we are betrothed to him in mercy and faithfulness. So whatever Christ has teen to his believing ones, through the mercy and compassion of our God, he must be that perpetually; for his mercies fail not. Bless his name! Therefore GOD’S COMPASSION AND MERCY is the principle that moved and inspired Jesus to do all the healing or salvation work ever did or will do for mankind. “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” — Matt. 14:14.
“And, behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. [They wanted “mercy.”] So Jesus had COMPASSION on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” — Matt. 20:30, 34.
“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” — Mark 1:40-42.
The man that was possessed with a legion of devils and was delivered, prayed Jesus that he might be with him. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but said unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” — Mark 5: 19.
A child was possessed with a deaf and dumb spirit. The father said, ‘ But if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” So the child was healed. See Mark 9:14-29.
In Matt. 15:30-39; Mark 6:34-43; and Mark 8:2-9, Jesus was moved with compassion toward the hungry multitude and performed miracles in feeding them.
In Luke 7:12-15, Jesus had compassion on a widow whose only son was dead, and raised him to life.
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” — Read Matt. 9:32 to 10:16.
So we see it was compassion for the sick and sinful multitude that moved Jesus to qualify and commission his disciples with power and authority to preach salvation and heal their sick.
But is “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and forever?” Heb. 13:18. In the face of Jesus Christ and God’s immutable word, infidelity and unbelief in pulpits answer, No, emphatically no. But “let God be true and every man a liar.” HE IS JUST THE SAME TO-DAY
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” The feeling of our infirmities touches him; his sympathies are drawn out; his mercy and compassion move him to heal. “Let us therefore come boldly unto a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ’’The high priests under the law (being typical) were compassed with infirmities so they might have com-passion on the ignorant and on them that were out of the way. See Heb. 4:15 to 5:2.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Christ] also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy [render powerless] him that had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death [by sickness] were all their lifetime subject to bondage. * * * Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a. merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” — Heb. 2:14-17.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.” — 1 Pet. 2:24.
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” — Psa. 103:3.
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matt. 8:17), which Peter says he (Christ) did on the tree.
Mercy and compassion pertain to God; and Christ is a merciful high priest in things pertaining to God. Hence, we have through him the benefits of God’s mercy and com-passion, which caused Jesus to save from sin and heal from sickness when on earth. That is one reason why he healed then and why he heals now. Amen.
G. L. COLE.
==========
Important Truths.
_____
FOR DOMESTIC HAPPINESS AND DEVOUT SERVICE TO GOD.
THE real need of congeniality in domestic circles is clearly seen on almost every hand. Love, kindness, confidence and courtesy are precious and indispensible elements of domestic happiness. When these are lost sight of, coldness, harshness, hardness, and neglect of each other are always seen. All such elements are foreign to Bible Christianity, and yet, they are frequently seen in the lives of those who profess to be like Jesus. The cause of this great trouble is not, in many cases, because people do not know better; it may be through neglect in some, and downright stubbornness in others. In both of the above cases, there is a lack of grace. They may want to do better, but if they don’t get down humble and apply their hearts to the real truth in confession, consecration, and self-denial, they will never get victory over the devil. When we live to the Bible, walk close to the Lord every day, we shall never lack for abundance of grace in every emergency. 2 Cor. 9:8. Watching and praying are duties each of us should perform in our every-day life. It would be well if words, thoughts, actions, and deeds would be premeditated and prayerfully considered in the light of God’s word. We should deal with all as we would deal with Jesus; we should speak to (and about) all as we would to Jesus. We should think about all of God’s little ones as we would about Jesus. Brethren, we must have our lives incorporated into the moral life of Jesus, as it is set forth in our rule of faith and practice — the BIBLE. Eph. 5:30.
Modern worldly courtship and matrimony will quite well illustrate the spiritual experience of a great many religious professors. The young man waiting on a young lady offers to carry her shawl, hold her parasol, help her over the fence, out and into the carriage or wagon, says, “Yes ma’am,” “No ma’am,” etc. But after they are married, behold the change! — “Carry your own wraps and parasol,” “Climb over the fence yourself;” “Get in and out the carriage yourself;” “I want you to do this, or that;” “No, I don’t;” “Yes, I do,” etc. Thus they live, fussing, scolding, blaming, and hating each other betimes. What is the matter? They have surely lost love for each other, if they ever had it. In many instances true love never existed, but a mere false and free-love, worked up by modern courtship, which only lasts for a season. This is of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and I warn all who want to please God and have a happy life to shun these things as you would a serpent. The practice of these things is what gives rise to so many domestic irregularities. If you are in this sad state already, salvation will get you out, when the price is paid.
The above is a true figure of professors of religion. When first saved they are anxious to attend meeting far and near. Prayer-meeting is their delight; praying, singing, testifying, trusting God, etc., are really relished by them. Also, they love the brethren, and see nothing to pick at, they only see Jesus. They have confidence in their experience, in prayer, in the brethren. But, after a while they don’t go to meeting, don’t pray as before, nor testify, nor sing; don’t have confidence in themselves, nor the brethren, can’t trust God, don’t hear hearty “Amens,” and “Praise the Lord,” as before. What they do in service to God is urged on them by some one; yet, it is hard and irksome. What is the matter? They have “lost their first love.” Please read the second and third chapters of Revelations. This is not to condemn those who may have such experience as is described above, but help them out of such an unhappy and Christless state. What if Christ should come and thus find you? My beloved, the following is
THE STANDARD.
“Wherefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” — Matt. 7:12.
We cannot live to this high standard without genuine love in our hearts to both God and man. The latter depends on the former. 1 Jno. 4:7-12, 21. Unless every element of aversion be extricated from our hearts and real love fills the vacuum, we will fail to line to the above text. After we see our duty and where we stand, then reject or neglect moving up, God repudiates our experience, according to Jas. 4:17. We must not think we are living there if we are not, for this would not raise us up to the standard. Self would like to get us into such profession and thus debar us from the real experience without meeting all the requisites on our part; but we must not be deceived. “God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” — Gal. 6:7. After the needed plane of victory is reached, then, we must “keep under our body,” and bring it into subjection (1 Cor. 9:27), “must deny ourselves daily and follow him or we cannot be his disciples.” — Luke 9:23.
We were taught, in the infancy of this reformation, that sanctification takes out all self, which would be hedging up the way of advancement. This was overshooting the Bible mark in a measure. True, sanctification does take out carnal self and makes the heart clean. But there are natural propensities, or normal elements of the body which are God-given, and he never intended to destroy these, but to give us grace to govern them. We should have the spirit reigning over the body and not the body predominating over the spirit. May God get the needed truth on this line of BIBLE ADVANCEMENT stamped and burned into all hearts. Let us remember that unless we have a clean, clear, normal experience in both justification and sanctification we are not where we can truly advance. Can we advance without this? Emphatically, no. We must advance into these, and then on. Humility is the key that unlocks our Father’s storehouse, and supplies, through his promise, all our needs. Phil 4:19. Shirking, shrinking, backing down and running from the devil, thus failing and neglecting duties in various ways, are things displeasing to God and must be abandoned in the name of Jesus as things of the past, or the cause and faithful ones will move on and leave you in a still more graceless state.
We must follow on to know the Lord; yea, must move apace with him or our moving will be in vain. You cannot remain fenced in by some excuses and plead innocence much longer; too much light and truth are shining. May God keep us truly pressing along the Bible line. Your brother and companion in the gospel,
B. E. WARREN.
==========
Advancement.
__________
Pay Heed to These Things Lest You Let Them Slip.
“THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” — Heb. 2:1.
It seems to me, dearly beloved, that we do not pay the earnest heed to the advanced truths the Lord is revealing to us, that we should. So often the saints receive light under the preaching of the word, and resolve they will measure to it; but they neglect to carry out their resolutions, and in a short time these truths have slipped into the sea of forgetfulness, and they continue as before. This is no way to make our Christian life a success.
When the business man discovers a plan upon which he can make money, if he defers his investments on that line, he will either let it slip entirely from his mind, or he will lose the real freshness of the scheme, and with this his concern about it, to a great extent. In such a case when he does make the investment, he does it carelessly, nor does he pursue it with zeal and energy, and the result is in many instances he is the loser.
The successful business man is one who invests as soon as he discovers an opportunity to make the money, and the freshness of the plan begets in him a zeal, which causes him to follow up his investment with all the energies of his business faculties, and the result is in nine out of ten cases he gains.
And we brethren ought to learn wisdom from the merchant of this world; for the Bible tells us “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” — Luke 16:8. Every ray of light should be applied to our experience as soon as God lets it shine upon our pathway.
If we neglect to pay heed to advanced light as soon as we see it. we are liable to let it slip entirely from our memory, and will become such as the Hebrews of old, who needed to have the same things taught to them again. Heb, 5:12. Or if it is not entirely forgotten, the real freshness of it will depart from our minds, by which the real concern of the soul will be to some extent destroyed, thus rendering it impossible for us to pray with the same faith and zeal, which will make it more difficult to gain possession of the advanced light than it would have been when we first saw it.
The successful Christian is one who always practices every new duty and takes possession of every advanced grace, and walks in every ray of advanced light as soon as it is presented to him. And so doing he is always ready for new light, and his soul is always on the forward move.
But let it be remembered that more than mere resolution is needed to take possession of advanced light. We must pray the prayer of faith until God plants the forward move in our hearts, then our advancement will become practical. And sometimes it will be found necessary to join fasting with our prayers before we can gain some points. If we thus take the cities as fast as we come to them, we are advancing as God desires us to advance.
It would be well ofttimes, when you discern in your soul a deficiency, to confess it before the church and ask them to at once engage in prayer with you until the void is filled with the necessary grace of God. A general prayer of the church at the close of a sermon that has shown the saints much advanced light, while a sermon is fresh in their minds, will enable the dear ones to grasp the grace by faith that will enable them to practice what they have just heard preached, better than many prayers at a later date. This is doubtless why the apostolic church sometimes closed their meetings with prayer. Acts 20:36.