2 February 1893, Volume 13, Number 5.
God Holds the Key.
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God holds the key to all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if he trusted it to me
We might not find the surest way.
What if to-morrow’s cares should come
Without a rest,
I would that he unlock the day,
And as the hours fling out their ray.
Walk in the truth, the light, the way.
I cannot read the future plain;
But this I know:
I love the smiling of his face
And all the riches of his grace,
While this is here my dwelling place.
The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For groping in the misty way,
I feel his hand and hear him say,
My grace sufficient for thy day.
Enough, this covers all my wants,
So I will rest;
For if I cannot, he can see,
And in his care I sure will be
From sin and condemnation free.
Susie F. Drew.
Salisbury, N. H.
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SEPARATE FROM WHAT.
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A friend writes us from Kalamazoo, Mich., saying, I cannot see how you make the word sanctification mean perfection. Look in Young’s Bible Concordance and you will see that every original word translated sanctification means “separation,” “a setting apart,” so also of the words “holy” and “holiness,“ yet I notice you always give them the meaning of sinlessness, or perfection. Where is your authority? I would be glad to find it in the word. The Dictionary gives us the meaning of the word sanctification, “Purifying from the dominion of sin,” but that is not the Bible meaning.
ANSWER. Dear Bro., I ask you to read your Bible again, and you will see that the above definition from the Dictionary is in exact accordance with the New Testament. Would you indeed be glad to find our authority for teaching that holiness and sanctification in the word of God means purity from sin? Then we can soon make you glad. Open your Testament at 2 Cor. 7:1, and read as follows: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” If we perfect holiness by cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, then perfect holiness is perfect moral purity, or sinlessness. This is so plain that it cannot be misunderstood. Now read in 1 Thess. 4:3. 4. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.” Here we see that sanctification puts a person into, and preserves him in a certain moral state. What is that state? In verse seven you can see what it is. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. The word holiness here, and sanctification in the third verse are the same word in the original. Now you see my dear brother that the opposite of holiness is uncleanness, therefore holiness or sanctification is cleanness.
We do not say that the word sanctification means perfection. The words have each their distinct meaning. The former in the New Testament means purity, or separation from all sin and unrighteousness, the latter implies a complete, or normal condition. Possessing all the elements of man’s primitive moral character, or condition, and free from all unholy elements which were not in his original moral constitution. A perfect man is one that fills the measure of God’s ideal of the human being. And that ideal is expressed by the Creator thus: Let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness. This original type of man is thus explained. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love — Eph. 1:4. Since God hath predetermined to make man in his image, and also holy, it follows that his image stamped upon man was holiness. It further follows that if holiness is the image of God in man, then if we can attain unto holiness now, we also have the divine image restored to the soul. But does the scriptures so teach? Yes. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. — Col. 3:3. The image of him that created us, is the image of God who created Adam, and this is declared to be a present experience. The Ephesian brethren were first quickened, raised to spiritual life, see 2:1, 5, afterward admonished to put off the old man, old fallen nature, and be renewed in the spirit of their minds. That renewal we have seen restores the divine image to the soul, and here it is defined as putting on the new man, new image or nature, which after God — i. e., after his likeness or image, — is created in righteousness and true holiness. This proves again that the renewed image of God in man is true holiness, and holiness we have seen is perfect purity, or sinlessness. Therefore though the words perfection and sanctification are not identical in meaning, they are both used to represent the same state of moral purity. For by one offering he [Christ] hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. — Heb. 10:14. The perfected state is reached by the experience of entire sanctification. But the operation of sanctification necessarily inducts into the state of sanctification. Therefore the state expressed by sanctification, is the same as that expressed by perfection. And wherein the words differ in their shades of meaning, they represent different features of the same glorious perfecting grace.
Many other scriptures prove that New Testament holiness is perfect purity. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered without the gate. — Heb. 13:12. To consecrate or set apart merely is man’s own act, but here sanctification is declared to be the work of Jesus Christ. That is something more than the creature’s act of dedication. Yea, Jesus Christ sanctified us with his own blood. And if we walk in the light as God is in the light we have have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7. So in our sanctification by the blood of Jesus we are cleansed, purified; hence sanctification or holiness denotes moral purity. It is true that in the Old Testament, to make holy or sanctify very often only meant to set apart for a sacred use, and to sanctify ceremonially. But all that ceremonial cleansing was a figure for the time then present, and represented the real moral transformntion of entire sanctification in the New Testament. Both type and antitype, or shallow and actual purification are seen in Heb. 9:13, 14 in these words: “For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” So you can see that our being purged, cleansed by the blood of Christ, is sanctification, only “much more” thorough than that of the law. That being formal and symbolic, this being an actual inner purification, and the fulfillment of the figure. That New Testamant sanctification is not simply our act of setting apart is seen in Jude 1st verse. Sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ. Even God the Almighty Father sanctifies his children. This is no formality, but an actual work of grace, a moral transformation. In Rom. 15:16, and 2 Thess. 2:13 we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This also shows that it is not merely our act of setting apart, but God’s act of salvation in us. On the day of pentecost the one hundred and twenty received this glorious Sanctifier, and Comforter. At the house of Cornelius the same experience was attained. Concerning which Peter speaks as follows: And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. — Acts 15:8, 9. So you see the apostle declares there was no difference between the work wrought on the day of Pentecost, and that received by Cornelius and his friends, and that in the reception of the Holy Spirit by the latter, their hearts were purified. Therefore the same was produced in the former, for there was no difference. So the sanctification of the Holy Spirit is a purification.
But suppose we teach that sanctification is “separation,” “a setting apart,” as the brother understands it. We would ask him what the separation is from? Is it not from sin, and sinners? and therefore is all the same as purification. What is essential to our being set apart for God’s service? Ans. Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life. — Rom. 6:22. How are we separated unto God? We are purified unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Eph. 5. So this thing of being devoted to God involves a purification of ourselves to God. Amen.
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DEATH AND LIFE.
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SPIRITUALLY there are but two classes of people in this world, one class denominated by God’s word as saints, the other as sinners. Those two classes have their existence together here in this world, in the same community, in the same congregation; yet nothing can well be more widely separated. One has membership in the family of God, the other of the devil. One a child of heaven, the other of hell. One has life, the other death. The one a saint, the other a sinner. These two classes are peculiar the one to the other. What one loves the other hates, and they strike fellowship together only by beginning to love the same things. “Love not the world, for its friendship is enmity with God,” says James and John. The manner of life of the heaven- born child is foolishness to the child of sin: and those who walk in death vex the souls of the righteous by their unlawful deeds. Now of whichsoever class you are, you are so by choice. God has set before all life and death, good and evil, and wills that all choose life, but those who do not his will abide in death. In Jesus only there is life. “He that hath the Son hath life.” Without Jesus there is death. “He that hath not the Son hath not life.” The adversary of the righteous, on one occasion, plunged the world into sin and death. Since that time all are by nature the children of wrath and death. But we read of a passage from death unto life. Jesus says to those in their sins, “I am come that they might have life.” — Jno. 10:10. Hence, the passage from death unto life, is effected through Jesus; “this life is in him.” We continue in life by continuing in him and keeping his word. “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” — 2 Jno. 9. We read also of a passage from life unto death, as in the Eden affair. This passage is effected through Satan. “He is come seeking whom he may devour.” Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. — 2 Jno. 9. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not. — 1 Jno. 3:6. Dear ones, let us serve God in purity, not only calling him Lord, but doing his will from the heart, confessing him by word and works, loving and praying for one another.
It is truly wonderful and glorious to be really alive. It is awful to be dead. To be alive in Jesus means to live holy, righteous, pure and sinless, which life is always attended by heaven’s glory. Praise the Lord! Many are professing Christian life, basing the same on subscription to a creed, on a past experience, or on good works. The wicked one is deceiving him who is dreaming of safety, simply because he is within the pale of the creed, or trusting in an experience of ten years ago, or relying upon the formal keeping of a few of the commands of scripture. There is no process of evolution of character, until one gradually develops into Christian life. There is no spontaneous generation of either literal or spiritual life. Life can only come from pre-existing life. There is a school of science, which teaches evolution of physical life from a lower order to a higher, in the “survival of the fittest,” but it is proven to be a false science. There is a school of theology which teaches that man may, by a process of gradual development, come into possession of eternal life. But such theology is proven by scripture to be false. No mental energy, no intellectual education, no moral effort, no reforming within one’s self can endow the soul with the attributes of heaven. The point of distinction between the natural and spiritual man lies not in mental characteristics, or intellectual faculty, or theoretrical knowledge; but in generation. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. It is not said he “will not,” but “he cannot.” The mighty oak of the forest may boast of its stateliness, of its strength, of its high life within itself, yet it has no correspondence with, no knowledge of the life of the bird that sits in its branches. The bird has a higher life, a wider correspondence than the tree, yet it has but a limited communion with nature as compared to that of man. And the natural man, like the oak, may boast of his strength, of his intelligence and of his high life within himself, but above all this lies the sphere of Christ life, of which he has no correspondence, no communion, to which many — though poor and unlettered — are raised and sit with Jesus. Man may scientifically learn the wanderings of the stars: he may measure space; he may endeavor theoretrically to learn of Christ and gain a footing in the kingdom of heaven, but theory is not life; stars are not heaven; space is not God. The distinction, therefore, between the natural and spiritual man is not in intellectual worth, but is that the one is dead, the other living. The spiritual man, though he be unlearned, is even more distinct from the natural man, though he be a sage, than a living plant from a dead stone. There is a gulf fixed between the inorganic stone and the organic life of the plant that the inorganic cannot, of itself cross. The insensible rock or lifeless earth cannot spring independently into plant life. But the plant life can reach down into the deadened earth or rock, drink up its substance and bearing it across the the gulf, transform it into a living plant. There is a spiritual analogy.
Between death and life a gulf is fixed,
Too wide for man alone to cross;
In Jesus’ name we bridge the same,
Regain the life in Eden lost
The natural man has no understanding of the things of the Spirit of God, they are foolishness unto him. The spiritual man has a life within his soul that knows and understands God, that holds communion with him.
My soul is made to mourn and cry unto God as I behold a multitude of people accepting and resting in some satanic substitute for the true life in Jesus. May those who are enjoying the life and delight of Eden ever keep themselves free from all Satanic snares and heed the warning: “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” Also remember that we take the life of whatsoever we hold communion with. Cut loose therefore all connection and correspondence with the world and commune thou only with God. Put your whole trust in Jesus. It is he, do not be afraid. Have you many severe trials? Does Satan cunningly whisper thus and so? Are you almost ready to despair? Be of good cheer, for unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake. — Phil. 1:29. Are you not willing to fill up that which is behind in the afflictions of Christ in your flesh for his body’s sake which is the church? Col. 1:24. If you have the holy life of Jesus in you, are you not willing in all patience to manifest the same by bearing about in your body his dying? Who will say, amen? Keep up the armor of faith and continual abiding in Jesus, lest Satan through deceit make an entrance into thy heart and the Christ life ebb away. One of the most cunningly devised strategems ever planned in the councils of hell is to steal away thy life ere thou art aware; therefore the in junction, “Watch and pray.” Many who have lost their life through the deceitfulness of sin are holding fast their profession in which Satan rejoices. You can dwarf a soul as you can dwarf a plant. Deprive a plant of all communion with dew, heat and light, and it will soon assume the pallor of death. Deprive the soul of communion with God and heaven, it will quickly asgbnle the pallor of the flower — it is dead.
Now the questions. What is eternal life? and How get in possession of it? Eternal life is not as many believe, simply to live forever. Of course it includes everlastingness in its meaning, but Jesus says. It is TO KNOW Christ and God. Jno. 17:3. Not to get into possession, lose your sinful life for Jesus’ sake, Matt. 16:25, and as we eat and drink to maintain physical life, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life. — Jno. 65:53, 54. Is this a hard saying? Open the door of your heart at Jesus’ knock and he will take up his abode there, and in him is life.
Your quickened brother,
Charlie Orr.
Page 2
THE GOSPEL TRUMPET.
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A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL.
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DEFINITE, RADICAL, ANTI-SECTARIAN.
Sent Forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the Purity and Unity of His Church;
the Defence of ALL His Truth;
And the Destruction of Sect Babylon.
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PUBLISHED AT GRAND JUNCTION, MICH.
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D. S. WARNER, – Editor.
E. E. BYBUM, – Office Editor.
E. E. BYBUM and S. MICHELS, – Publishers.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS RECEIVED SINCE LAST ISSUE NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED.
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Nancy Harp, James Eastman, J. F. Hewitt, J. L. Green, T. I Davis, F. N Jacobson, Elsie Gilmore, H. C. Sounders, Mrs. F. Raymond, Lavinna Coblentz S. Jacobson, H. H. Long, Sarah Briggs.
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REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.
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Winona, Ind.
Sister L. A. Whetstone, wishes the dear saints to pray for her and her wayward husband. Pray for him that the Lord may convict him and save his soul.
Your sister in Christ,
L. A. Whetstone.
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Galesburg, Kan.
To all the dear ones that are ready and prepared, and waiting the coming of the Lord, greeting: I send a request in the name of the Lord for your prayers, tor the healing of my dear wife who is in the insane asylum at Columbus, Ohio. The appointed time for prayer is on the tenth day of Feb., at twelve o’clock.
Your brother in the body,
Chas. Hodgden.
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Meeting.
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A meeting will be held by the writers the Lord willing, at the Cross Road school-house, Franklin Co., Tenn., near Tullahoma, beginning March 11, to continue as long as the Lord wills. Anyone north of this place desiring a meeting, please correspond with us at Tullahoma, Coffee Co., Tenn. Yours in the faith,
Thos. Carter & J. F. Lundy.
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
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The latest news from Bro’s Achor and Henry was, two souls sanctified at their meeting.
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Bro. Husted reports much interest in the work at Danville, Ill., and needs some one to assist him in the work, also in singing. Who will go?
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THE UNEASY MAN.
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For a number of years J. C. Fisher and others of the same spirit, have been busily engaged in railing out against, and trying to defame the character of God’s true ministers, and those who serve the Lord in the purity of the gospel. And especially does he make great efforts against the work here at this place, because we have exposed his life of adultery, by the word of God. He has been continually declaring the saints of God a sect, and Bro. Warner, the founder, and as his declarations have failed to come to pass, he now tries to force the matter, and in his Jan. number of the Gospel (?) Sword, he publishes what he knows is not true in order to deceive souls and turn them from the truth, declaring that we are now, positively organized into a sect, under the laws of the state.
He says:
“We are informed by brethren that live near the Trumpet office, that it is a fact and can be proved, that at the time of their general camp meeting held near Grand unction, Mich., in June last, they formed a state association by choosing 20 responsible men as founders, and out of the 20 they elected 9 directors to manage the business of the association: E. E, Byrum, office editor, was elected president and W. B. Grover, secretary. They then wrote out articles of association or incorporation which they signed, and had them recorded in the office of Secretary of State, at Lansing, Mich.
This makes them a state organization, and gives them all the rights and privileges under the civil law, of an incorporated sect.”
This looks very plausible indeed; very sectish. But we read in the Bible that the devil is the father of lies, and his children are not far behind him in the same kind of work. He says 20 responsible men were chosen as founders. I have failed to ever see a list of 20 men for that purpose. And surely I ought to know whether such took place or not, as he says I did the business for them.
We published the proceedings in the TRUMPET. His assertions are scarcely worthy of notice, but as he labors so hard to deceive souls we will now copy direct from the papers for the benefit of a few who may desire to know about it. When the campground was procured last spring none of the brethren cared to have full control of it, so a few of them met and took the responsibility upon themselves according to the laws of the land. Was this for the organizing of a sect? No. Their article of agreement reads: “The purpose of this is to lease or purchase suitable grounds in the township of Lee, Allegan Co. and state of Michigan, improve and erect suitable buildings thereon and to aid in the preparing of homes for the homeless.”
While I have helped the brethren in the business affairs, yet it was unnecessary for me to sign their article of agreement and I did not do so. It would be very inconsistent tor us to organize a sect, and then continue to preach against such, for we have continually faithfully admonished all men every where to join nothing but the Lord, and to keep out of sectism. Shame on any one who will publish such stuff as he has published, in order to mislead souls. In all his wonderful pieces he publishes against the children of God, Fisher never tells about leaving his lawful wife — viz., Allie R. Fisher — and marrying the lawful wife of a Mr. Davis of Pennsylvania, with whom he is living in adultery at the present time. The Bible tells us that no such person shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:21. Such a class of men or women will resort to almost any thing in order to ensnare souls. The word of God admonishes you to beware of such. And if Bro. Warner, of any one else organizes a sect, we admonish every body to stay out of it. Thank God! we have found a completeness in Christ where we expect to continually abide.
E. E. Byrum.
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NEWS FROM THE FIELD.
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Stafford, Kan., Jan. 23, 1893.
Dear Saints: God bless you everywhere in Christ Jesus. Amen. Our short stop at Denver was blessed of God. We found the precious little church nearly all in good condition, praising God. Some had made much advancement. One young lady gave her heart to God. One backslider was restored and a few consecrated to God for entire sanctification, and all, we trust, were much strengthened and built up in the faith once delivered to the saints. If the Lord could keep a good holy minister of the gospel there a few months, who is gifted for city work, a good strong church could, we think, be gathered there. Thank God, the “pillar and ground of the truth” has been set up there, and we do not believe the gates of hell shall prevail against it. But any person looking for a pleasant easy berth, has no business going into a city to work for, nor in fact, anywhere else. In these perilous times, when the Spirit is so nearly grieved out of the world, by the abominations practiced under the cloak of religion, and Satan has the whole Gentile race so generally sacked up and marked for hell, it requires the most desperate efforts, the most indefatigable labors to pull a few out of the fire, and bring them to God. The perpetual sleep into which the devil and his false teachers have got the whole world is such, that easy place seekers are of no use to God. Right down hard labor and hand to hand fight with the powers of hell, armed with the most potent gifts of the Spirit of God, are absolutely necessary to raise lost men from the awful death that reigns in these last days.
Dear Bro’s R. W. Swinburn, and John E. Roberts were ordained by laying on of hands, as Elders in the Church of God. The former is called of God to go forth in the work, while Bro. Roberts is being much prepared of God to feed the church.
We were loth to leave there so soon, ana indeed so was the church sorry over our speedy departure. But yet their sanctified hearts could say, The will of the Lord be done. Bro. Swinburn accompanied us here to Stafford, Kan., from which place he will soon return to Arkansas City to join Bro. Willis in the work of the Lord. From here I go to Topeka, Kan. Jan. 25.
LATER.
Topeka. Kan., Jan: 28.
Dear Saints, Greeting: Our stop in Stafford was blessed of God. For some five years we have longed to visit that place, and now that our stay had to be so brief our prayer to God was that much good be accomplished in the short time. We arrived on Saturday Jan. 20, and that night preached in the Christian house of worship, in the village. Sabbath A. M. and night in the Corn Valley school-house several miles in the country. There was much conviction manifested. Sinners wept and some four or five raised their hands for prayer. O that God may save their souls. Monday night, Tuesday P. M. and night we again occupied the meeting house in town. In the day meeting about S consecrated to God for entire sanctification. Some at least, took advance ground in the faith once delivered to the saints. Though the church at that place has had peculiar trials to pass through, thank God it still exists. And in force enough to accomplish much good if all labor together faithful for the glory of the Lord and the fishing and hunting of souls for him.
May God bless them and keep them to the end. Amen.
On Wednesday Bro. Swinburn and I took our leave, traveling together as far as Newton, Kan., where he turned south to Arkansas City, and we came on to this place, where we find a good door open for the gospel. There are many here that have been driven out of Babylon by the corruptions that reign there, and are as sheep without a shepherd. We expect to remain here to about Feb. 2. and then go on to Nishnabotna, Mo. I wish it would please God to send a good band of workers here to carry on the work. No doubt a glorious church can be gathered here. If any are led to come, address Bro. John Cochran, 125 N. Branner St., Topeka, Kan.
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Webb City, Mo., Jan. 25, 1893.
Dear Trumpet Readers: This morning finds us saved and sanctified with real victory and glory, in our souls. Praise the Lord! We are holding meetings now in the meeting house and in private houses. The Lord is blessing our labors and some souls are getting saved. The saints are being benefited and the interest is getting deeper all the time, for which we are praising the good Lord. We are expecting to get a tabernacle this spring, the Lord willing. We are now raising the money for that purpose and if any of the saints feel led of the Lord to help us out in this, send it to me by March 20. Address George E. Bolds, Webb City. Mo.
G. E. & Mary A. Bolds.
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Cochran’s Mills. Pa., Jan. 25.
Dear Saints: To day I am saved and sanctified, and realize I am obeying the Lord in all things for which I give him all the praise. My family and I have been in the gospel field since last August, and the Lord has abundantly supplied all our needs. As we have here no continuing city but we seek one to come whose maker and builder is God. we count not our lives dear, for the excellency of the gospel of Christ. The meeting in the Black meeting house near Manorville, Pa. was of considerable interest in opening the way. As the weather was so bad and we had so far to go we only continued one week. I took several days in visiting the saints on my way to the assembly meeting at Henderson. Pa. We commenced meeting here Jan. 11. The Lord has been very present five have consecrated and many are under conviction. Bro. Jerry, Sister Annie and Jennie Stow are with us.
G. T. Clayton.
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Arkansas City, Kan., Jan. 24, 1893.
Dear Saints: We closed meeting here last night with a glorious ordinance meeting, about 45 took part in the ordinance of washing the saints’ feet. Meeting closed at twelve o’clock. This meeting was a glorious victory. Many souls were converted and sanctified, and the holy fire has spread for many miles through the country. Many places are open for the work now.
We had baptizing on Monday 23d. The power of God was present. Bro. Swinburn of Denver and Bro. Markwell of Wichita and others were with us in this meeting. God was with us in mighty power. We expect to return home from this place. Our address at home is Gresham, Neb. Pray for us. Your brother saved fully.
James Willis.
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Carthage, Mo.
Dear Saints of God: We feel it is our duty as well as a privilege to write our testimonies to the GOSPEL TRUMPET. This evening finds us sweetly saved and trusting in Jesus, ready to go anywhere the Lord leads. Since the Webb City camp meeting we have been in gospel meetings nearly all the time. By God’s assisting grace we expect to be out in the work all the time. There have been a number of souls saved. We were in one meeting at the chapel south of Granby, Newton Co., Mo., where over fifty souls were saved; four were baptized; others will be in the near future. We expect to start soon on a trip east and north, probably not to return home again for a year or more. Any desiring a meeting in East Mo. or Ill., please write to me at Carthage, Mo.
Your saved and sanctified brother and sister in Christ.
E. Cox & Co.
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Pittwood, Ill.
Dear Saints of God: I feel like giving a few worths of testimony to the glory of God; he saves me with an everlasting salvation. Father Smutz and I arrived here yesterday evening. Had a good meeting in the school house; the Lord wonderfuly blessed us in preaching the truth. Expect to continue the light against the devil in this community as long as the Lord wills. Have two other calls at present. We are in need of a helper in the work of the Lord, one that can sing. Father Smutz will be with me but a short time yet, then I will be entirely alone. Praise the Lord for the evening light! Believing that we are in the evening of the day of God’s grace to the Gentile world, it makes my heart ache to see the great trouble that is hanging over the ungodly. Dear saints, pray that the Lord will send some one to help sow the seed of eternal truth in this locality. May it please the Lord to send Bro. June down this way. Address us at 601 Harmon Ave., Danville. Ill.
Your brother saved and kept by the power of God.
W. A. Davison.
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Chanute, Kan.. Jan 23. 1893.
Dear Saints: We are still praising God for full salvation and his keeping power. Praise his holy name! From Cedar Valley we went to Galesburg, Kan. Commenced a meeting in the name of the Lord; the Lord blessed us very much in the meeting. The church was very much strengthened and built up in the faith once delivered to the saints. From there we went to the Meeker school house. The Lord was with us in power. We trust much good was done. A number of consecrations. Some professed to get saved, but Satan with his many tricks was on hand to deceive the people by his lies against the truth. But much precious seed was sown, and we cleared our skirts of their blood. We expect to remain in this part of the country for some time and our pos office address will be Chanute, Kan.
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till farther notice. The last night of the meeting at Meeker school house, we had an ordinance meeting; had a precious waiting on the Lord and were much blessed of the Lord. Sixteen took part in the washing of the saints’ feet, also partook of the one loaf and wine, discerning the one body.
Yours in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Wm. N. & S. J. Smith & Co.
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Wichita. Kan., Jan. 27. 1893.
Dear Saints of God, Greeting: May the Lord give you grace abundantly to keep you walking always in his ways, and may the joys of his saltation continually fill your souls. Amen. Our last report was from Bushong. The Lord continued to work there. Our meetings were held in private houses during the last two weeks, and few except those who were of the families of the saints came out. We had an ordinance meeting at Bro. Hazard’s house which was glorious because of the power of God. It did our souls good to see even the the little children joyfully follow Jesus in washing the disciples’ feet and taking the Lord’s supper. On Sabbath nine were baptized, and truly it was glorious to see them come up from the waters shouting and praising God. The power of God continued to the last. About sixteen consecrations for justification and about as many for sanctification. The last night three were justified and one sanctified, they being the only unsaved in the congregation who regularly attended the services. Praise the Lord! Me has done good work in establishing the church at that place. May the dear Lord keep them each one faithful, walking in all the light. We met a few times with the church in Wichita. From here we go to Attica. Harper Co., Kan. Those who wish our labors can address us at that place.
Yours in the fellowship of the gospel.
R. M. & Lizzie Haynes.
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Lewistown, Ohio. Jan. 30. 1892.
Dear Brethren in the faith of Jesus, and Trumpet readers: May the eternal peace of God rest upon you all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. We are truly happy in Jesus that he still keeps us saved and well in our bodies, for which we are thankful to God. The meeting in the saints’ meeting house near West Liberty. O. continued one month, during which time God most wonderfully set at liberty nine precious souls and reclaimed one who had let go of faith. The church in general received much good in the way of light in the word of God. We left many under conviction whom we trust will give up in the near future. We return there at the close of this meeting to do baptizing and have ordinance meeting. We came to this place yesterday and had meeting last night. I am much impressed that the gospel is much needed here in making the crooked straight and strengthening that which remains. Bro. G. J. Detweiler was with us in most of the meeting near West Liberty, and is with us in this meeting. Sister Warwick of Clark Co., Ohio, is with us in Co., whom God has blessed in song. Some time next month we go into Marion Co. near La Rue. From there we do not know where the Lord will have us go. We ask all to pray for us and the work of the Lord in these parts. Our permanent address will be Burkett, Ind.
We remain your brother and sisters, fully sanctified and kept from sin.
S. L. Speck & Co.
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Holt, Mich., Jan. 19. 1893.
Dear Trumpet Readers: God bless you all. Our last report was from Merrill, Mich. We then came to our home. St. Louis, Mich. Held two weeks meeting there, in the name of Jesus. Bro. and Sister Cox and Sisters’ Viola and Bertha were with us during the meeting. The Lord used Bro. Cox in dealing out the truth in all its purity and simplicity. A goodly number consecrated and some declared their freedom from sectism. Truly good was accomplished in the name of Jesus and we believe the church in St Louis is in a better condition than ever. Oh praise God! We trust they will stand firm and be true to God.
On Thursday. Jan. 13th, we came to Holt. Mich. Commenced meeting Jan. 15th, in the village of Holt, in the Evangelical meeting house. Here we found a goodly number of dear honest souls belonging to the Evangelical Association. To this sect, companion and I belonged many years, until the Lord sent dear Bro. Warner in our community to preach the glorious evening light and we stepped out into the glorious light and liberty of the gospel. This dear people never heard the truth in all its purity, as it is in Christ Jesus, excepting Bro. Noah Reed and his dear companion, who moved here three years ago from Sandusky Co., O., where we formerly lived. We found them standing out straight for God, and a number of others are coming out. It makes our souls rejoice to see these dear ones drink in the truth, and we expect to see a glorious church established in Holt before we leave this place. The Lord blesses our souls in reading his word to the people. O praise his name forever! Pray for us.
Yours in Christ,
J. R. & Elizabeth Walter.
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Marquette, Mich.. Jan. 18, 1893.
Dear Brethren in Christ: I am praising God this afternoon for the victory I have in my soul over all this world of sin. Praise the name of the Lord! I came to this place in the name of the Lord to help in rescuing perishing souls. Two weeks ago today I met with Bro. Wooden and a little band of saints filled with the glory of God. We had a meeting that night at Bro. Samuel Smith’s, and found the people hungry for the pure word of God. We held five meetings here which greatly strengthened and settled the little flock. Sunday afternoon we were taken to a school house and held one meeting and found much of darkness and prejudice against the truth, so we felt directed to leave them in the hands of God and move on to another place where they were anxious to hear the word, and held five meetings in a private house. The attendance was small on account of the cold weather and bad roads, but the word was received and souls were under deep conviction. There was no one made a start until the last of the meeting. Sabbath morning the house was filled; a load of saints came from this place and we had a glorious time in the Lord; two precious souls came to the altar and received the pardon of their sins. May the dear Lord keep them in the narrow way and lead them on unto the standing grace is our prayer. Bro. Wooden had wonderful power and liberty in teaching the word at this place, and much seed was sown that we believe will bring forth fruit in the future. We came back to the little church at this place, held three glorious meetings and closed Tuesday night to go to other fields of labor. The result of this meeting was that three came back to the Lord and one sanctified, and many more were won over to the truth whom we hope will give their hearts to God soon. Pray for us that God may keep us humble and use us to his glory, and he shall have all the praise.
Your saved and sanctified brother,
William Stowell.
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Galesburg, Kan., Jan. 29, 1893.
To all the Saints of God, Greeting: We are well soul and body, sanctified and preserved in Jesus Christ. Amen. Our last report was from Norwood, Mo. The dear Lord gave us some precious meetings in those parts, our first meeting was six miles from town, and held in a school house. We had quite good success; a few consecrations, and some were cleared up in their souls, and God’s children strengthened. But there were some that were professing holiness that were not straight, so when the straight word was given in the power of the Spirit they rejected admonition and became offended at the word, also at God’s anointed. It was sad, but we did our duty and left it with God. From there we went about seven miles and held meeting in another school house with good success. Seven consecrations, six for pardon and one for sanctification, and all seemed to get what they came for but one. Some of them were converted for the first time, and heads of families too. From there we went twenty miles and visited a family, of which the father was an M. E. preacher when we were in the sect, and he preached and lived holiness as best he knew how, and because of that he was persecuted severely. So he became discouraged and quit preaching, and went to doctoring for a living, not knowing God’s order. He kindly received us and prevailed on the M. E. preacher to let us hold a service in the meeting house, which we did, and the Lord blessed us in so doing. Pray earnestly for the dear brother, that God may lead him out all right, and that he may discern the Lord’s body the church. Also we visited a family of saints near by and had a precious time of refreshing with them. Then we returned and held a few days’ meeting in Norwood. A few sanctified wholly and came out bright, and much prejudice broke down. Attendance good; some favorably impressed, and a number raised their hands for prayer. We are now on our road for Anthony, Kan., but have stopped here for a short time, visiting the church. Pray much for us and God’s work. Amen.
Your sanctified sisters and brother,
Mary & G. L. Cole, & Lodema Kaser.
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Antwerp, O., Jan. 28, 1893.
Dearly Beloved: God bless you all for his name’s sake. Amen. We are happy to greet you all once more in the love of Jesus and to bring good report of the Lord’s work in these parts. The meeting, at the saints’ meeting house, four miles N. W. of this place, was a very glorious and fruitful one. We were sorry when we went there, to find the church, not by any means in a good condition. Many by lack of prayer and neglect of other duty, had brought leanness to their souls, and thus opened the way for Satan to sow the seed of discord. The unity of the Spirit was broken, and but very little life or power was manifest in the meetings. Let everybody take warning and watch unto prayer, lest ye enter into temptation; for neglect of prayer will surely bring leanness to the soul, and open the door for every evil work. But God, from the beginning of the meeting, sent forth his word in the power of his Spirit, and as the light of God’s truth revealed their condition, they being humble and willing to straighten up to the standard of Bible holiness, reconsecrated themselves to God to do service for him. And many who had not been having family prayer erected family altars. Most of these were sisters who had unsaved husbands, but were not forbidden, and some not at all opposed by them. But because it was inconvenient and somewhat a cross for them, had neglected to have any family prayer, and God had withheld his blessings from them. But as all that had been out of the way, straightened up and reconsecrated, and family altars were erected, and thus getting under the windows of heaven, showers of blessings came down and the place was filled with shouts of praise to God. Some backsliders were reclaimed and a number of sinners who had never known the love of Jesus, were made happy in the same. Some believers also were sanctified. A precious ordinance meeting was held and the promise verified: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Truly the place was made glorious by the presence of the Lord. We pray God to keep the dear ones faithful, and help them to live in discharge of every known duty. That God may be pleased to send showers of blessings in their seasons, and souls be added to the church. We expect to begin a meeting here in Antwerp to-night to continue as the Lord leads. All pray for us that God may use us in the salvation of many souls. Any desiring our labors address us at this place. Sister Louie Bolds who has been laboring with us for some time has gone to labor with Bro. Dillon and wife. So wife and I are alone now.
Your humble servants in the Lord,
Otto Bolds & wife.
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East Jordan, Mich., Jan. 23, 1893.
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ Jesus: May the Lord bless you for his name’s sake, and add unto you the riches of his glory which is the inheritance of the saints in light.
Since we last wrote you the Lord has been with us and is keeping us by his power, and using us to his glory in the salvation of precious souls. Brother and Sister Sheldon and myself returned to East Jordan from Clam Lake on the 27th of Dec. Met with the church at East Jordan, at the weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting. God gave us a wonderful refreshing in his presence; several were at the altar and received the blessings sought, and one poor soul who was ensnared into the hands of the devil and became possessed was gloriously delivered, but not until he had a terrible struggle; it seemed the devil was determined to kill him before he would leave, but we held on to God in the name of the Lord until he was obliged to depart, and the Lord gave him a glorious experience. The next day we went to Boyen City and began meeting on the evening of the 30th of Dec. in the name of the Lord. The people were much prejudiced against the truth, but it came forth in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, and no man dared gainsay or resist. There was much prejudice removed and five souls were saved. We continued the meeting three weeks and left them with much truth to digest and many invitations for our future return. God has a little church of seven there now. They are going to have meetings at Bro. Sweet’s house. May the dear Lord abundantly bless their souls, and may they become rooted and grounded in the love of God.
We returned to East Jordan on the 19th of Jan. Met with the church Sunday morning and had a glorious feast which lasted until after three o’clock. There were some expressed their desire for a deeper consecration. We gave an invitation and the altar was filled. There were more than could get at the altar, and they found an altar wherever they could. Several were converted, some sanctified, of some devils were cast out. Another glorious meeting was held in the evening, four presented themselves for healing and received the witness to their healing. We will continue the meeting until Wednesday evening, then we expect to go to Norwood to begin meeting the 28th of this month and continue as long as the Lord wills. Remember us in your prayers that the Lord may use us to his glory, and that precious souls may be saved.
Your brother and sisters in the love of Jesus, kept by his mighty power,
Leroy & Flora Sheldon, & Allie R. Fisher.
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NEWS FROM EUROPE.
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Liverpool, Eng.
Dear Brethren: I feel led to address you this morning, although far away in a distant country where I cannot see you nor attend any of your glorious meetings, but hope the time will not be long when we shall have as good meetings over here. We left New York City Jan. 7, 1893, on the ship Bothnia of the Cunard line, of steamships sailing for Liverpool, England. We had an extremely fine voyage for this time of the year, only about mid-ocean we had quite a hard wind for about one day and night. When at about the worst we kneeled down before God in our little bed room and committed all to our Father in heaven who watches over his children with such great care and asked him to rebuke the wind and sea as he did when on the boat with his disciples, and there came up a great storm and he was asleep in the hind part of the ship, and they awakened him and he rebuked the wind and sea and there was a great calm; so when we asked him he rebuked the wind and told us the worst was over. Oh bless his dear name, it was so wonderful to hear Father’s dear comforting words in such a time, saying, The worst is over, and more than that too, to see it fulfilled; for from that we had as nice sea as one could wish for. One very odd thing occurred the second Sunday on board, for we were bn board two Sundays; while eating dinner a fire broke out in the storage room right near the oil room, and they had to work hard to put it out. If it had got into the oil the ship would have been burned up, but there was another ship in sight.
When we came on the coast of Ireland at night we could see many lighthouses, some great ones and some with revolving lights of different colors. And nearer harbor light-house boats, then some small concerns that just stuck a few feet out of water, all for the safety of the passing vessels, and were it not for these the ships could not tell where to go in dark nights. So it is in this dark world, many poor sin-tossed, judgment-bound souls could not see or know where to go or what to do were it not for lighthouses. Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world, etc. Matt. 5:14. I thought, how many of the dear readers are a light unto the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Dear ones, can you see the need of being a great light-house, or even a small one just out of the water: which is just as needful as those great ones. If you cannot stand mountain high, shine in your sphere, but let your light so shine that others seeing your good works will glorify our Father in heaven. How can we be lights? Jesus said he was the light of the world? We can be lights by having Jesus abiding within us, and let him shine through us, reflecting his image to the world, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Cor. 4:10. When we are doing that there is no unrighteousness in our lives. Well we arrived in Liverpool, England, Tuesday. Jan. 17, 1893. Just ten days to the hour on the waters of the great deep. Liverpool is very old, dirty, smoky, and they tell us: one of the most immoral places in the world. After securing a neat comfortable room, in a pleasant part of the city, neatly furnished for ten shillings ($2.50) per week, we called at a restaurant and took a refreshing dinner for a shilling each, brought our trunks to our room and began our long neglected writing to our dear friends in America, also to addresses in England to arrange for the work in the future. Praise our God from whom all blessing flow! We sold six books on Divine Healing on the ship; some go to America, one to Ireland, one goes to France and Rome, Catholic priest, two to India, M. E. preacher, and some to England, etc. May God bless the seed. One strange thing we see here is the groceries and laundries are delivered by boys with carts, and sometimes by young men. Well dear ones do not forget to pray for us separated from you for the work of the gospel.
Yours saved. Amen.
G. R. Achor & W. J. Henry.
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OBITUARY.
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Antwerp, Ohio.
Seth Spencer was born in New York state December 15, 1803; died in Paulding Co., Ohio, Jan. 1-5, 1893: aged 89 yrs. and one month. Died without any preparation to meet God that we know of. At the funeral a gospel sermon was preached to the living, by the writer from the text: “Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour when ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.” — Matt. 24:44. A goodly number were present and heard the Word.
Otto Bolds.
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HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
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TEMPERANCE.
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CHAPTER VII.
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DRINKING, CONTINUED.
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COFFEE, a most popular beverage and as generally used, almost, as bread the staff of life, and yet one of the accursed bones of the human economy. It is recognized as a beneficial stimulant, but like alcohol is a poison and a narcotic. It stimulates like all poisons, by provoking an increased action.
In the first place it dilutes the fluids, robs the function of digestion, of its dissolvent qualities, and the conglomerated mass of homogeneous matter containing the anima of continued existence, fraught with material for recuperating muscle, bone, etc. becomes a mass of narcotized substance, not much fit for the swill tub and only to go to nature’s common scavenger, the hog.
Coffee causes disintegration, or a breaking down of liver tissue. The liver being a great screen, through which all the blood in the body flows, and the impurities, called bile, is taken up and secreted in the cyst, ready when required to be produced into the duodenum, for to digest the fats, which are not digested in the stomach. But when the liver is incapacitated to perform its function, the bile being retained in the blood, is not secreted; consequently there is not an abundant supply to complete the already ill-begun work of digestion, the result is, the food is sent on into the lower vicera, in a condition not to be taken up by the many succulent tubes prepared for that purpose and remains in the alimentary canal, a loathsome burden and disease-producing agent. Hence, the individual now develops liver disease, stomach, rectal, and other diseases; and the now irritating bile has to pass through the kidneys, and they, haying to be overtaxed to do the work of the liver, soon become in as bad a condition, and the result is only told in years of suffering from various forms of renal trouble and perhaps end in the incurable Bright’s disease.
The bile retained poisons the blood, which leads to many human ailments. The person suffers with heart disease, nervousness, sick-head- ache, general debility, sleeplessness, great anxiety and epileptic conditions. In fact, the way the human family is and has been living for many years in the past, they have degenerated horribly to a generation of invalids. Some say, such an one has used alcohol, coffee, etc., and they have lived to be extremely old. Surely, a few generations back, people were much stronger and robust than now. They used liquor and those various things, and what is the result? Their posterity, largely, a generation of drunkards, dyspeptics, invalids. “Their iniquities are visited upon their children to the third and fourth generation.”
Dr. Trail, speaking of coffee, says, It usually acts as a laxative to the bowels for a while in those unaccustomed to its use, but its long continued employment, always results in constipation.” He says, “It deranges the digestive functions and the secretion of the liver.” Pareira says, “The immoderate use of coffee is said to produce various nervous disorders, such as anxiety, tremor, disordered vision, palpitation, and feverishness.”
The fact is, the use of coffee produces poison blood, rotten liver, with abcesses, indigestion, rectal ulcers, glandular derangement, generally the so called heartburn, flatulency or bloating, palpitation of the heart, nervousness, nervous debility, nervous headache, with various forms of female diseases.
G. R. A.
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THE FAITH OF GOD.
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FAITH according to the teaching of God’s word is what lifts man to God, and is the important means through which salvation is secured; hence it is well to know what is meant by the faith of God. Many are resting upon a false hope from the erroneous idea that if they simply believe, or subscribe to a certain creed or doctrine taught by some sect or body of men they will be saved some day. Now the faith that saves us is not merely the assent of the human intellect or mind. The faith of God cometh to us by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10:17. So then if we have an ear to hear, and are willing to receive the truth of the gospel, faith comes from God into our hearts and gives us the assurance of the remission of our sins, and finally an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. Acts 26:18. The faith that comes from God is one, Eph. 4:5, and makes men one; hence the apostle exhorted to come into the unity of faith. Eph. 4:3. Also another apostle tells us to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Jude 3. And again Paul exhorts us that with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Phil. 1:27. But all men have not the faith of God. 2 Thess. 3:2. And yet they believe in the doctrines and creeds which have been and are taught by men, and rest in hope that they are all right. For say they, “According to your faith so be it unto you,“ meaning that if they believe in some one of the various creeds it will be accepted of God. What an awful delusion! And yet it is a fact that this idea is very prevalent in the minds of multitudes to-day. A great mass of professed believers are under this awful delusion, and hence these hundreds of sects with but few members in them who really have experienced salvation through the faith which is by Jesus Christ. Acts 3:16.
That faith is not in man in his fallen state. It comes by hearing and receiving the word of God, and not by hearing and receiving that which man has invented. The faith of God is not created in the heart of the person who simply has subscribed to the so-called “Apostles’ Creed,” a document over which millions have stumbled; because it is not the apostles’ creed from the fact that repentance is not taught in it. John, the forerunner of Christ, as he preached, said: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus Christ walked the plains and climbed the hills of Judea and Gallilee, and as he traveled he preached and said. Repent, repent, for the kingdom of God has come nigh unto you. Peter, the sanctified apostle, preached on the streets of Jerusalem on the day of pentecost, saying, “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Repent! repent! is the ring of the gospel, but there is not a word about it in the creed which men have falsely taught and believed to be the apostles’. Repentance is the initiatory step into the kingdom of God. Many who are adherents to the said creed never knew what it meant to repent of sin; they have therefore not the faith that saves, and consequently are void of the joys of salvation. There is a people under the sun of whom it will always be said: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the FAITH of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. Dear reader, are you and I of that class? Paul a servant of Jesus Christ had that faith and preached it. Gal. 1:23. And when he had finished his course he said he had kept the faith, and rejoiced in hope of the reward. 2 Tim. 4:7.
S. N. Sorenson.
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TESTIMONIES.
Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.
Psa. 119:129.
Watson, Mich.
Dear Beloved Saints: I leel it would be to the glory of God to write my testimony; I do praise God for what he has done for poor unworthy me. He has delivered me from the power of darkness, and has translated me into the kingdom of his dear Son. O blessed Jesus! He saves and keeps me by his mighty power. About a year ago I gave my heart to God, and about six weeks ago I presented my body a living sacrifice and the altar sanctified the gift. O I do praise God that I am free from Babylon, standing in the church of the living God; blessed be his name! He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isa. 40:29. I have no other desire than to be true to God. O bless his holy name forever! Pray for me that I may ever be humble at his feet.
Rose Wilcox.
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Coldwater, Mich.
Dear Saints: I feel led to write my testimony. I am so glad that I am still able to report and testify to the wonderful saving as well as keeping power, also for the healing of my body. I am so thankful for a faith that is able to lay hold upon God’s promises and obey him in all things Oh that souls would forsake all to follow Christ and abide in him alone. Pray for me.
Your sister, saved and sanctified,
Louisa Cunningham.
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Floyd’s Knobs, Ind.
Dear Saints: God bless you all and keep, you forever. I do praise him for sweeping victory just now over all sin. Praise the Lord! Have just been reading the Trumpet and do feel God’s power mightily. The Lord permitted me to attend the meeting that was held five miles from Crothersville, Ind. Was greatly rejoiced to meet a few saints at that place. God bless and keep them true and trusting Jesus. This is the first time we had ever been away from our neighborhood to help in the work of the Lord, and God did strengthen us. Pray for all the saints at this place.
Yours in Jesus,
Bessie Moore.
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Stenger, Pa.
Dear Saints’: I feel that it is my duty to write my testimony this evening. I do praise God that he ever led me out in this evening light. It has not been a year since this evening light has been taught in this place. I do praise God that he ever sent his servants in this place to teach the true word to us. Bro. Miller and Bro. Rosenberry were with us and we had a precious time. I do praise God for this wonderful salvation, which saves men and women from their sins. I am walking in all the light that he has given me, and I want all the saints to pray for me that I may be an earnest worker in the Lord’s vineyard.
A. Beltz.
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Wentzville, Mo.
Dear Saints: I want to honor and glorify God by giving my testimony for him. Jesus keeps me and saves me to the uttermost. Praise his holy name! I have come to Jesus for the purpose of doing his sweet will, and find it so delightful in following him through evil report as well as good. I am walking up to all the light I have, all on the altar and under the blood. Wife and I are praising God for his goodness to us. We have the word of God to read, and the GOSPEL TRUMPET with its abundance of gospel food and testimonies from the dear saints. God bless you one and all.
From your saved brother and sister,
Lou M. & S. C. Evans.
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LaGrange, Ind.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony this morning. I am saved and sanctified, ready to do the whole will of God. Bro. and Sister Dyer and Bro. and Sister Grote are holding meeting in this neighborhood. It was there I received the Holy Spirit, and I do praise our God that he keeps me each day, by his mighty power. I have only been in this good way a short time, but praise God, I am not tired. I was a backslider, and none know, only those who have had the sad experience, what a life of misery that is; afraid to live and afraid to die. O how merciful God is! I am praising him all the time, for what he has done for me.
Your sister kept by the power of God,
Bell Wolford.
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Galesburg, Kan.
My testimony is to-night that Jesus saves me just now, and I am standing on the sea of glass, all sold out to Jesus to do his holy will. I live alone with Jesus and he is a present help in time of need. Oh how wonderful to trust Jesus for all things! Sometimes I do not feel well enough to do my feeding, as I have some stock, and I tell Jesus I do not know how I can go in the storm, but praise his holy name, before I must go here comes some poor hungry boy to my door and says, Lady can I do some work for you for my supper; I am hungry. I tell him, yes, go and feed for me and I will give you something to eat. And I try to tell these poor wanderer about this blessed salvation. Oh it pays to live for Jesus.
Your sister, saved and sanctified,
Sarah Darr.
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West Monterey, Pa.
Dear Saints: I feel led to write my testimony and tell what God is doing for me. I praise God for salvation full and complete. It is one year ago since the Lord called after me and saved my soul. Blessed is the name of the Lord. He keeps me from all sin and leads me every day, and teaches me many precious lessons. If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I thank my Jesus for lifting the veil from off my eyes that did blind me so long in sectism. I have paid the price for this sweet salvation that always keeps the soul happy.
Your brother, sanctified wholly, under the blood,
W. D. Keefer.
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Gaskill, Kan.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I praise God for this blessed privilege of testifying through the Trumpet once more, to the wonderful power of God to save and keep, and I realize the one is kept in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on the Lord. O praise God for the peace that passeth knowledge and that fills the sanctified soul. We are doing what we can for the Lord, holding forth the words of life to all around us, but dear saints, we long to leave the farm and give our undivided attention to the work of the Lord, for we realize the harvest is passing, the summer is almost ended and millions of poor immortatal souls are going down to eternal death. But we have a family to care for and we feel it would not be to the glory of God to take them out with us, so we are patiently waiting the will of the Lord and have faith to believe that he will make provision.
Your humble sister,
Ada Hewitt.
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Shandon, Cal.
Dear Readers of the Trumpet: I do feel led of the Lord to write my testimony once more,that I was justified and then sanctified by a second work of grace. I can testify to the healing power of our Lord. I have been all alone by myself tor nearly two weeks, as my husband is away at work and nobody else anywhere near. I was taken with severe pains in my bowels the first day of the year between 11 and 12 P. M., and I had no one but the Lord with me. I called on him and I said, O God, if the devil causes these pains, rebuke him and heal me or Jesus’ sake; and bless the Lord, I never had another pain. I don’t think I ever had severer pains in my life, as I could not obey James 5:14, 15. O bless the Lord, the work was done. Dear Trumpet readers, I do ask you one and all to pray that I may stand unto the end; and pray for my unsaved husband that he may turn unto the Lord and get saved.
From your sister, justified, sanctified and tried,
Nancy H. Richards.
Gosford, Pa.
Dear Saints: I feel it would be to the glory of God for me to write my testimony this evening, that I am saved and sanctified, ready to do God’s will at all times. Praise the Lord that saves from all sin! Pray for me that I may ever keep humble at his feet.
Your saved sister,
Mary Watterson.
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St. James, Mo.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I praise God for a full and free salvation, one that saves to the uttermost. I can say that I am not bound down by sectarian chains, nor penned up in denomational creeds. But glory to God, I am perfectly free and filled with his love and rejoicing in this blessed evening light. Whom the Son makes free is free indeed. It was a long time after I received the light until I was entirely free from sects. But praise the Lord, I have been led into the true light, and find that the Bible condemns divisions, and also tells us not to be yoked together with unbelievers. I am convinced that holiness is the true way, the Bible way, and the only way that we can be saved. All religion that is void of heart purity and true holiness is a fraud and is deceiving poor souls and sinking them to eternal ruin. May God help the people to accept the truth, and may the true light of the Son of God shine deep into their souls, and show them their true condition is the prayer of your saved brother in Christ under the blood.
David Engle.
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Weston, O.
Dear Saints: We praise God this morning for salvation and for perfect victory in our souls, over the beast and over his image and over all babylon confusion. All glory to the Lamb! We are still contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, though we find a great deal of opposition to this way, but the apostle Paul says, But there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ, but though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto yon than that we have received, let him be accursed. I want no other gospel than that set forth by Jesus Christ and the apostles; it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth. Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
From your saved brother and sister,
Wm. & N. E. Long.
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Payne, O.
Dear Saints: I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony. Praise God for ever and ever! I am saved and sanctified and all on the altar to do the will of the Lord. The good Lord has just wonderfully delivered me from the habit of tobacco; just took the desire instantaneously away, and glory be to God, it is gone forever! I was tormented with this evil habit for years. I tried in my strength to quit, but oh what a complete failure I made of it! I would form good resolutions and say I would quit, and throw my pipe and tobacco away, but the desire was so strong it would over rule and bring me in subjection. How I did love to smoke and chew, and chew and smoke! And notwithstanding all this. I knew it was a filthy habit, and would ask the Lord to take, the desire away, but it still remained. I did not want to confess it publicly as a sin, and yet I knew it was a sin. The dear brethred preached so strong and so much against this filthy habit I was brought to see and realize that I was a sinner in the sight of God, and got down before God and repented and got forgiveness. God bless and reward the dear brethren at Payne and elsewhere for laying judgment to the line and rightousness to the plummet. Amen.
Your humble brother, saved in Christ,