20 April 1893, Volume 13, Number 16.
Let Me Go.
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Let me go where saints are going,
To the mansions of the blest:
Let me go where my Redeemer
Has prepared His people rest.
I would gain the realms of brightness,
Where they dwell forevermore,
I would join the friends that wait me
Over on the other shore.
Let me go where none are weary,
Where is raised no wail of woe;
Let me go and bathe my spirit
In the raptures angels know.
Let me go, for bliss eternal,
Lures my soul away, away,
And the victor’s song triumphant
Thrills my heart, I cannot stay.
Let me go, why should I tarry?
What has earth to bind me here?
What but cares, and toils; and sorrow?
What but death, and pain and fear?
Let me go, for hopes most cherished,
Blasted round me often lie;
O I’ve gathered brightest flowers,
But to see them fade and die.
Let me go where tears and sighing
Are forevermore unknown,
Where the joyous songs of glory,
Call us to a happier home.
Let me go-l’d cease this dying,
I would gain life’s fairer plains,
Let me join the myriad harpers,
Let me chant their rapt’rous strains.
— Selected by J. F. Starcher.
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THE FIRST AND SECOND RESURRECTION.
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WE hope, dear reader, you have carefully read our article in March 23d Trumpet, on the binding and loosing of Satan. If not, be sure to do so yet. Now we will take up the two resurrections. It is essential to the Millennial doctrine that there be a thousand years of time intervening between the resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. But if we prove that no such successive literal resurrections are taught in the Bible, we overthrow that whole theory. In the name of Jesus, and with a single eye to the glory of God, let us examine the word of God about this matter. In Rev. 20:4-6, we are told that, “the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,” etc., “lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Disembodied souls are here spoken of as being included in the first resurrection. During all the cloudy centuries there has been scarcely any recognition of the spiritual resurrection. With that word a literal coming forth from the grave has been almost invariably associated. For that reason the above scripture was supposed to allude to resurrected bodies, even in the face of the plain statement that they were souls, and not bodies, the souls of men that had been martyred for Christ’s sake. But look again at the text. Who constitute the participants of this first resurrection? First, the souls of them that had been beheaded are spoken of. Then we are told, “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” Consider this language. “Rest of the dead lived,” — i. e. were raised to life — then immediately follow the words: “This is the first resurrection.” So the rest of the dead who were brought to life after the thousand years had expired, are positively included in the first resurrection. This is wholly overlooked by the millennium teachers. They associate the first resurrection exclusively with the souls that lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years before the rest of the dead lived. But the word associates the “first resurrection” more directly with the “rest of the dead;” however doubtless including the former souls. That the souls who lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years were not resurrected men on earth, we clearly prove by the words they were heard to speak in Rev. 6:9, 10. Upon the altar, would imply a state of active devotedness to God, but these were under the altar, which suggests a state of rest and waiting; and they cried with a loud voice, saying. How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth.” The language implies that they themselves were not dwelling on the earth.
Remember then that no text in the Bible asserts that there will be a thousand years interval between the literal resurrection of the two classes of the human family, the righteous and the wicked. Nevertheless it must be admitted that a “first resurrection” implies a second. There must therefore be more than one resurrection of some kind. Will not the Bible explain itself? A first resurrection having been spoken of, we should look for some passage that will point out and define the different resurrections. Yes, the book of heaven’s wisdom is its own interpreter, and it leaves no mystery hang over the resurrections, nor the slightest room fur conjecture in the matter. It has left no chasm to be filled by an imaginary thousand years literal reign on earth, lying between two literal resurrections. The voice of God from heaven has introduced his Son to us, saying, Hear ye him. Amen. Hear ye therefore. Thus he speaks; Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. — Jno. 5:24, 25.
Here is the first resurrection. It is spiritual, a passing from death in sin, to spiritual life in Christ. And the second resurrection is immediately introduced by the all wise Teacher.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. — Jno. 5:28, 29. What need be plainer than this? Here are two resurrections taught in the same lesson, from the lips of Christ. The first began to take place already when Christ was incarnate, the second is yet reserved for a certain “hour.” The first was conditional, — “they that hear shall live.” The second is unconditional. “All that are in the graves shall hear and shall come forth.” The first is unto spiritual life of the soul, as interpreted by Isa. 55:2, 3. — Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear and come unto me: hear and your soul shall live. The second is the resurrection of the body from the grave. The first is confined to such as meet the conditions; the second is universal, including “all that are in the graves.” The first is a continuous work, the result of hearing and obeying the gospel; the second will be instantaneous. In one hour all that are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth. With this plain statement of the two resurrections, there is no difficulty in understanding the nature of the first resurrection. But to accept the views of the Millennium advocates, you must set aside the above teaching of Christ. Must ignore the great fact of the spiritual resurrection entirely. A fact so often taught in the scriptures
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. — Eph. 5:14.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. — Col. 3:1.
Surely in these and many other scriptures is taught a spiritual resurrection. Shall we ignore these scriptures in order to make two literal resurrections? God forbid. Any doctrine that is not in harmony with all truth is not of the truth. An old brother who had never received spiritual fire enough to burn out of him the Adventist rubbish accumulated in past years, remarked to us last winter, as we came into the house of God, We have just been talking about the first resurrection. We responded with, Praise the Lord, I am in the first resurrection. Having heard us preaching the glorious resurrection of John 5:24, 25, he knew what we meant, and remarked that he too had the resurrection taught by the Savior in the above scripture. We then asked him if there was any resurrection of God’s people before the spiritual. He confessed there was not. Then we remarked that this is the first. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection,” because that raising of us up together with Christ, — Eph. 2:6, — through the regenerating and sanctifying grace of God, is the very thing that makes us “blessed and holy,” that saves us from all sin. It cannot be denied that the spiritual resurrection is prior to the literal resurrection of either saints or sinners. And is not that resurrection which is first, the “first resurrection?” Therefore to make a literal resurrection of saints at the end of this age the first resurrection, either denies the assertion of Christ that the work of spiritual resurrection had already begun in his day, or else it utterly ignores that resurrection of the soul from spiritual death. But in the name of Jesus we affirm that, that which Christ, and also facts declare to be the first, is indeed the first resurrection.
But let us hear the testimony of other scriptures.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. — Dan. 12:2.
Here again the resurrection of both good and bad are blended into the same event, and into the same point of time. Surely there is no chance for the expanse of a thousand years between the coming forth of these two classes from the dust of the earth. Especially is such an idea utterly excluded by the language of Christ which positively asserts that both classes, yea, “all who are in their graves,” come forth therefrom in the same hour.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. — 1 Cor. 15:20-23.
The making alive of all, here affirmed, is, by a subversion of the scriptures, applied by Universalists to the salvation of all souls of mankind. But the connection clearly confines it to the resurrection of the body, and we have already seen that in that awful hour the wicked will come forth unto damnation. Again if the apostle had stopped just where our above quotation ended, it would have left a fine opportunity for Millenniumists to attach their doctrine right on the end. “Afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” “Then cometh the millennuimism, a thousand years reign of universal righteousness on all the earth, followed by the loosing of Satan for a little season, the resurrection of the wicked,” etc., etc. Truly, we say, that would have fit on to the above words of the apostle very nicely; and doubtless that class of teachers thus draw on their imaginations to complete the above narrative of the apostle. But, pray do not be so fast. Look at the lesson again. Unfortunately the inspired apostle proceeds to finish the account himself, not leaving a gap to be thus supplied by the product of imaginations. So we will have to drop out the words, “Then cometh a millennium,” etc, and go back and let the writer finish in his own words.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. — 1 Cor. 15:24-26.
Truly these words lead to a very different conclusion than the above interpretation. If we believe the inspired Apostle we must utterly abandon the thousand year reign theory, and the resurrection of sinners a thousand years later than the righteous. The word of God positively asserts that when the righteous shall be resurrected, “then cometh the end.” The attempt to place the “end,” a thousand years later is a bold wresting of the scriptures. Nothing is more plain and obvious than this fact, the adverb “then,” identifies the time of the end of all things, with the time of the resurrection of God’s children. “Christ the firstfruits — was resurrected — afterward they that are Christ’s — shall be resurrected — at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father: when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” The resurrection of Christ’s redeemed will take place at his coming. “Then” — namely, at his coming and the literal resurrection — cometh the end.” The end of his reign in the putting down of all enemies; the consummation of the entire redemption scheme. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. ’’This enemy is wiped out by the resurrection of all the dead. As long as any bodies lie in the grave, death claims a sway, but the last body of the human race being raised up, death is conquered and destroyed. It is true that the apostle says nothing in the above text about the resurrection of the wicked. And therefore we admit that if the scriptures taught any where else that the wicked would be subsequently raised, the above scriptures might be thought to favor that idea. But two things make it absolutely impossible to so construe the word. First, wherever the resurrection of the wicked is spoken of in other places, it is declared coincident with that of the righteous. Second, the apostle informs us that when the Lord raises his own from the grave, “then cometh the end.” The end of time and all things mundane. By which he certainly meant to inform us that there would no age of time, or second literal resurrection come after. The apostle certainly informs us in the above scripture, that the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous, and the end of all things, even the personal reign of Christ, and the destruction of the last enemy, will all take place at the same time. And other scriptures show us that, not only the righteous, but “all who are in their graves” will come forth at the same awful hour, and the general judgment then take place. So just when deceived men look for Christ to come and set up his kingdom, is when the word declares he will deliver up his kingdom to the Father and cease to reign.
But the apostle speaks of that last great day again in the same chapter, as follows: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For the corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. — 1 Cor. 15:51-53.
We shall not all be called to pass the portals of natural decease and the resurrection from the grave, “but we shall all be changed.” When? “At the last trump; for the trumpat shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Here we are informed that at the same instant that the living will be changed, the dead will also be raised incorruptible. “The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised.” The dead certainly means the dead, i. e., all the dead. “All who are in the graves.” To this event the apostle points as the final hope and glory of the church. But will not the trumpet sound again a thousand years later, to call forth the wicked from the dust of the earth? No, never, never, because the apostle explicitly declares that when “we” — which surely includes himself, and all the righteous — when “we shall all be changed,” it will be at the sounding of the last trump. Here again the millennium tradition, and the two literal resurrections a thousand years apart is utterly demolished by the word of God. If the wicked will not be raised up with the righteous they never will be, for then the last trump shall sound. But the scriptures teach that all will be raised at the same time, and that accounts for the fact that no resurrecting trumpet will ever sound after the righteous are called forth.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. — 1 Thess. 4:16. Here imagination again interposes the another resurrection a thousand years later. Why, say they, did the apostle remark that the “dead in Christ shall rise first,” if he would not have us understand that the dead out of Christ would rise later? This were indeed very plausible, had the apostle said nothing to kill it. But what follows shows conclusively that Paul had not the remotest purpose of furnishing a prop for the millennium creed. In both this and his words in 1 Cor. 15:23 he was only treating on the hope of the church, and made no allusion to the resurrection of the sinners. And if you wish to learn why he said here, the “dead in Christ shall rise first,” you
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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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THE SHINNING LIGHT.
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An interesting paper for children. Illustrated. It should be in every family where there are children. Only 55 cents a year. Address,
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BOOKS and TRACTS.
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It contains 30 pages, with a neat cover. We will send these tracts to any one sending us postage at the rate of one cent for three tracts. Always state just how many you wish sent.
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A conversation, giving Bible proofs that we must live free from sin, containing 48 page. Single copy 2 cts. Per dozen, 20 cts. Per hundred. $1.50.
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A NEW TRACT, BY WM. G. SCHELL.
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The Ordinance of Feet Washing.
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The excellent work on this subject, written by Brother Bradley, has been reduced in price to 20 cents. It is a review of a tract written against this ordinance. A lively exposure of the false teaching of the opposer, and a very thorough vindication of the sacred ordinance of Christ. It contains 84 large pages, and gives much light. Price 20 cts. U$1.90 a dozen. Order of the author, Bro. W. W. Bradley, Watkinsville, Miss, or from this office.
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Holiness Bible Subjects.
BY H. C. WICKERSHAM.
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A book containing 100 subjects with scriptures, concordance, definitions to subjects. Setting forth the true church, its doctrine, its ordinances and its fruits. The fall of Babylon and the coming of the evening light. Illustrated, 376 pages, neatly bound in cloth. Single copy $1.00. Six or more 80 cents each. For this book. Address,
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Requests for Prayer.
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N. G. Miller, Warm Springs, Ark., who is greatly afflicted, desires the saints to pray that the Lord may remove all the afflictions.
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Pray for W. W. Clouser, that he may be healed and fully saved. Pray as soon as you read this.
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April 30, at 2 o’clock, pray for Clarence Gifford, that he may be healed of bronchitis and lung trouble. As many as can, fast on that day.
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J. J. Frizzell, Salineburgh, Ky., desires a united prayer in his behalf, that he may be healed of weak back. Also desires some of the ministers to come and preach the pure gospel in that place.
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Calls For Meeting.
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Meeting is wanted at South Omaha, Neb. Address E. L. Cleveland.
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Some of God’s ministers are wanted to hold meeting at Renfroe, Miss. Address R. H. Owens.
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A call for meeting at Rocky Mount, S. C. Address L Sanders.
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We desire Bro. J. Cole to come here and preach for us.
W. H. Kelley.
Edinburg, Leake Co., Miss.
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
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The new song book “Echoes from Glory,” will be ready in a few weeks. Send in your orders and be ready to learn the beautiful songs of Zion. Price sects; per doz. $5.00.
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Within the last few days we have heard from four or five consecrated Gospel workers who will be ready to go as missionaries to the foreign field as soon as the means are supplied.
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Bro. F. Husted is still at work for the Lord in the vicinity of Danville, Ill., and would like to have Bro. Randolph, or some other brother to aid him in the work.
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Mrs. E. C. Dunham, of “Faith and Works Mission,” Waterloo, Ont. desires your prayers that she may be sanctified. She also writes that the blind girl who desired a home, will receive a welcome at their home. Also that a teacher for the school there is needed, and some German workers.
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Bro. F. N. Jacobson writes, that he expects to begin a meeting about May 3d, at Stanley, W. Va., and after the June camp meeting in Mich., desires to go to the state of Washington, stopping along the way, at points where desired, in Wis., Minn., and the Dakotas, and wherever the way opens. His address will be Grand Junction, Mich. He also desires some brother to go with him.
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Bro. Clayton’s sister has been left a poor widow with four children, for two of which she desires good homes. He writes us about the matter, hoping they may be cared for in some home of the saints. They are two boys, four and six years of age. Any one led of the Lord to take one of them or both, address the mother, Lizzie Wolf, Corner of 44 and Willow Streets, Pittsburg, Pa.
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HE REFUSED TO WALK IN THE LIGHT.
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A man of fair education and good natural abilities, by the name of Whitfield, came from the South to the Wichita camp meeting. He received the truth, discarded the so-called holiness church, and was blessed of God. But he gave us evidence that he had not really attained unto entire sanctification. Bro. M. M. Stover writes, that he afterward “became muddled on the ordinances of Christ, and lost his salvation and began to fight the saints and holiness.”
And now comes the sad news from a dear brother in Kansas City, that the poor brother has gone stark insane. Such are the deplorable results of not keeping humble and walking in the light of God. O let us pray God to restore and deliver the unfortunate man.
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Camp Meeting.
JUNE 9-18.
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In the name of the Lord we announce the time of the camp meeting at Grand Junction, Mich., beginning Friday, June 9th, and last over two Sundays, and as much longer as the Lord wills. The meeting will be held on the camp ground, one mile north of town. Bro. S. Michels has charge of preparing the ground and putting up the many buildings and tents for the accommodation of the people. His family with a few other brethren are faithfully laboring and pushing the work in the name of the Lord, in order to have things in readiness for the meeting. They give their time free, and board themselves, and there is work enough yet for a dozen more good able-bodied men, and other dear brethren should not fail to look after their needs, by way of provisions for the table, etc., and means to purchase material for the buildings.
The prospects are this year, that there will be a very large attendance, as people from various parts of the U. S. have already written that they are making arrangements to come.
A general invitation is extended to everybody. Make your arrangements so as to come and stay during the whole meeting. If you have not the means to come, there is plenty of time yet to earn enough to pay your way and keep you while there. But a way will be provided for those who are unable to care for themselves. Last year there was a good attendance; scores of souls were delivered from their sins, the sick were healed, and devils were cast out in the name of the Lord, and his power wonderfully manifested, and we expect a wonderful outpouring of his Holy Spirit this year upon his children, and are praying that multitudes of souls may be saved from their sins. Bring your tents, blankets, and necessary bedding, and come in the name of the Lord.
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THE FOREIGN WORK.
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We have just received a letter from our dear Brother Henry that makes our heart burn for the great work of God, in all the»world. Brother Achor is soon expecting to go to Germany, and he should have a helper by all means. Cannot dear Brother Jas. Krieble go with him? In the name of Jesus, some one should go. Dear Brother Henry greatly needs a band of singers and workers to push the work in England. Dear Brother and Sister Rupert feel much moved to go, if means were provided, and the work in the eastern states supplied. As for the latter, doubtless God has some one to go there, perhaps Brother Kilpatrick and a little Co. It may please God to send us to reinforce him during the camp meeting work. O how our soul longs to go everywhere preaching the everlasting gospel! In the name of Jesus who will send help at once to the office to convey those little ones over the great ocean? O for the love of God! You dear ones that are blessed with plenty of this world’s store, do you not care whether poor perishing souls have a real opportunity to learn the way of salvation? Dear Brother Henry is even in need of clothing and other means. If you know that these sacrificing earnest brethren have need, and you shut up your heart of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in your hearts? Though he does not wish me to make this anouncement we wish you to know it, as a test of your love. O how your unworthy servant would love to give means to start and sustain every good work of God on earth, and help all the true workers that need means! During last summer and fall we paid out not less than $50 to help other ministers, and have since had not a cent left in our own possession. If we preach the gospel free, and help to support others whenever we are able to do so, and that is no more than our duty, are you, my dear brethren, living consecrated lives to God, who seem to live and labor the whole year round almost exclusively to lavish the proceeds upon yourselves? O that men would learn the blessedness of living, working, and giving to the spread of the gospel, and the comfort of the needy!
“Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.” If you were in a far off land, and in a strange city would you not want some dear saints with you in the great battle? But this call is not for the pleasure of haying the blessed company, but to get the ears and hearts of the people to the gospel. The brother writes that if they had singers, a hall could be rented and a large attendance secured.
Brother H. writes: “O may God send forth more laborers into the field! Surely some one ought to go to Sweden. I preached to the Swedish people the other day, by an interpreter, and many of them wept, and seemed to receive the truth. They seem to be a refined people. God bless them and send some one to their rescue. Is there not some brother or sister who speaks that language that can give them the pure gospel?” Amen! God bless the nations of the whole earth with the light of heaven. We were very highly pleased with the intelligent appearance of a little Swedish congregation with whom we met in Colorado Springs, Col. last spring. The most interesting foreigners we ever met, and many of them had the fire of God’s love in their hearts, and loved the whole truth. Surely God will find some one wise enough to give their means freely to send faithful messengers to the dark nations of the earth. “Blessed is he that soweth by the side of all waters.” How can this be done? The words that follow explain, i. e., “That sendeth thither the feet of the ox,” Namely God’s ministers. O my dear brethren, as the Lord liveth, many shall have to learn what it is to live practically holy. Instead of giving a few dollars to the Lord, and handle hundreds and thousands in worldly affairs, they shall have to, or rather learn to take pleasure in giving hundreds and thousands to carry salvation to the lost. A very few have believed Christ’s words, and find it “more blessed to give than receive.” “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” O let me plead for help to save the world, or such as would be saved if they knew how. And if any of you, my dear brethren, get weary of our pleading, take a look forward to that solemn day when “the heavens shall pass away, and the elements melt with fervant heat,” and the Judge of all come to reward every man as his works shall be, and standing on that solemn point, where time, and all temporal things come to an end, and the doom of all men are fixed through all eternity, tell me if you think we can do too much to bring souls, to Christ. And please answer before God whether you think you will be satisfied with what you are doing for God. Will you there rejoice that you purchased more property in this world than was really needful? Will you then be happy to remember how, in this life, you thought you could do nothing or but little, to send the gospel to perishing souls, and that you acted upon your worldly thoughts? Will it afford your comfort in the day of judgment that you lived for self, while you yet professed to be consecrated to God? Will the fact that your selfish life accumulated quite an estate to be left to others at your death, and be burned up when the Lord comes, repay your destitution of reward for well doing? In short, place yourselves now as near as you can in the light in which you will see things in the day of judgement, and through all eternity, and let your heart honestly answer, are you doing now all that you will then wish you had done? O beloved, to live every day, and so employ all your means, that the heart is deeply conscious just now, that the judgement day and all eternity will approve the same, is a thousand times sweeter luxury than all this earth can yield.
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Norfolk, Neb., Apr, 10, 1893.
Dear Brother Geo. Vielguth is coming to this place to labor for the Lord amongst the Germans, and I believe we need the prayers of all the saints for help, for the kingdom of darkness is in great power here, and it perhaps requires a very hard battle. Therefore I ask the dear saints to pray earnestly that the victory may be on the Lord’s side. Amen.
J. & Gottlieb Lettow.
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NOTICE.
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Los Angeles,Cal., Apr. 10, 1893.
To the Dear Saints in Arkansas:
Bro. J. W. Means of this city feels the unmistakable call of God to work in Arkansas this summer. The church here is persuaded that the dear brother has the mind of the Lord in this matter, and we also recognize in him the call of God to the ministry. He desires to correspond with the saints in Ark. and Southern Mo. Will be ready to go any time after May 1. Let all the dear ones be ready to co-operate with him in the mighty conflict. Address J. W. Means, 777 College St., Los Angeles, Cal.
Yours in the work,
J. W. Byers.
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A NEED OF CAUTION.
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We feel it would be to the glory of God for us to write a few lines and thoughts to the readers of the Trumpet, and especially to the workers in the field, as to the manner of setting forth the truth. As God has been so kind as to favor us with so much light and truth, and to make us examples of those who shall afterwards believe on the Lord, therefore great responsibility rests upon those whom God has entrusted with the word of reconciliation. We are standing in Christ’s stead before a frowning world that is looking for every point possible to escape obedience to the real truth of God; and if they can find any wrong in those who are professing, it will stimulate them in their sinful ways, and give them a temporary excuse which will only prove fatal in the final judgment.
We are now holding meeting in a seemingly well disposed community of people, who are anxious to know the right way. But we hear so many complaints against some teachers of holiness, who, when asked fair reasonable questions about holiness, the second work of grace, etc., instead of their giving an answer according to the word of God, which all ought to be able to do, only gave a short cutting answer, which only sent the enquirer away in disgust and disappointment. We read in Col. 4:6. — Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. If our answers to fair questions are “short and crusty” and not seasoned with the love of God, it will not minister grace to the hearer. But a self-important air exhibited, just because some body has asked and you are supposed to know, would not be at all inviting to the truth seeker, but would give room to criticism on the part of the unbelieving one, hence would not be a word fitly spoken, which is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. Prov. 25:11. Peter says, Be always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Pet. 3: 15. I often wonder how many realize when they are talking to poor souls who are in darkness, that perhaps their eternal welfare is depending upon the light received through those whom they suppose to be way- marks to the better world; and a few short words or a short harsh answer would cast a shadow of discouragement along their already sin- darkened pathway, and leave them
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never to return to the Lord. Now it is the duty of all to encourage and strengthen all who will receive, not to remain in sin and crookedness, but to give up all their wrongs and accept the way of plain wholesome truth. It is natural for honest fallen humanity to look for something better than what they have or are in life, and we cannot blame them for not accepting unless a better way is held both by doctrine and example. But we would conclude by the lives of some and their harsh answers, etc. that to invite sinners to them would virtually be to ask them to go from bad to worse, from honesty to hypocrisy.
We have seen some who have undertaken to make everything come to their terms, and if they did not succeed they would give vent to very abusive language, which spoke in tones plain to be understood, that they would rule or ruin. “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. Prov. 18:24. And if we wish to win souls to Christ we must show the beauty of God’s great theme of redemption, in language of meekness, easy to be understood. The manner in which we approach a lost one and talk to them about their soul, has much to do as to the hearing they give to the appeal made to them. Your unworthy servant has often noticed this in the commencement of a series of meetings. The manner of the first approach of the people would mark its effect upon them as to the respect shown to the preaching during the rest of the meeting. Read Prov. 27:17,19. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpened the countenance of his friend. V. 19. As in water, face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
There are human instincts that respond from one person to another, that cast an influence either for good or bad upon those we come in contact with. Now if the truth is presented in a driving way or manner it surely will have a driving effect. And sad to say, it will drive people away instead of drawing them to Christ. “He that gathereth not with me, scattered abroad.” “Then there is that scattered and yet prospered.” Now we do not intend to say that to show ourselves friendly is to make friends with this world, which is “emnity with God.” But show a friend (Christ), that sticketh closer than a brother. Surely Christ is a sinner’s friend, for he loved them, when none else cared for them, and died to save them, and surely this great principle must be manifest in order to successfully work for God. But some have appeared as if they were afraid that sinners were coming by main force to take away or steal salvation, and they were set to club away and whip off, etc. But God has made it such that all are drawn in by his love, and won by his goodness to them; so we need not fear that any will gain entrance by unfair means, as Christ is the door, and it is enough to simply tell them all that is necessary to obtain salvation. This does not imply that we are to use great flowery expressions or words of flattery, or prophesy smooth things to the people, which would be equally as erroneous as to use harsh expressions that always cause harm to the work of the Lord. Now brethren, the enemy is very cunning to get any to go beyond what God has intended, and thus become extremists. But let us avoid all extremes and settle down deep into God. Yea, reach the very lowest point of humility, and just let God do by us, for us, and with us as is his own good pleasure. But we have heard those who were saved from using flattery, and all Babylon phrases, who while preaching would use rough, uncouth, crude expressions, just to be using something opposite to smooth words, while at the same time it would cause a cold wave to pass over the meeting. Oh that all would have words seasoned with grace, meekness, love, power, and humility!
Your in Christ,
E. F. Houghton.
News from the Field.
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Kent, Neb., April 7, 1893.
To all Father’s Family, Greeting: This morning finds me joyful in glory, saved to the uttermost, kept by the power of God. Meeting began April 5, at this place. The truth had never been taught here. Some are willing to accept it. God is blessing in the reading of his word. I will go from here to Burwell, Neb., then to Brewster if the Lord wills. There is great joy in my heart for the blood that makes whiter than snow.
Your brother, saved and sanctified wholly,
M. A. Fly.
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Stockton, Kan., April 8, 1893.
Unto the Church of the First Born: Grace and peace be multiplied. Amen. I am rejoicing in a Savior s love. Praise the Lord! My last report was that meeting had begun at Slate, Kan. The evening light had never reached that community before. When the word was preached in its purity and unity, the seed was sown broadcast, and much of it fell in good ground. Many dear souls thirsted for divine truth, though living and walking in all the light they had received. Bound down by the galling yoke of sectism, they knew not how to be free. Several came for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and found that the anointing destroyed the yoke. Isa. 10:27. Glory be to Jesus! Some that had never known the Lord even in the forgiveness of sins, found peace to their souls. Babylon raged on the account of her desolation, and that she is fallen is clearly manifest, when revealed by the word of eternal truth. Some were afraid of the truth and would not come to meeting, but still clung to their fallen creed. May the dear Lord have mercy on them all. April 5, four dear souls were buried with Christ by baptism. Others we hope will soon follow. The last night of meeting we followed our dear Savior’s example in washing the saints’ feet, and commemorating the death and suffering of our blessed Lord. O how the Spirit did give boldness to the little ones, and cause them to step out on the promises of Jesus in spite of all opposing elements, and follow him in humbleness of Spirit! Twelve saints participated in these holy ordinances. Bro. James Eadie and his father were with me through the meeting, and the Lord used them in singing and talking. God bless them and keep them humble. I make a special request for some of God’s ministers to visit Slate soon, if possible. Several hands were up the last night of meeting, requesting the prayers of God’s people that they might be saved. Could not Sister Mary and Brother Geo. Cole visit the little ones there in the near future? If any one comes near there, do not by any wise pass them by. Will begin at Stockton now, Lord willing, then start east, visiting the churches on my way to the camp meetings, which I wish to visit if the dear Lord wills. Any wishing meetings between here and Michigan, and desire me to come, please address me at Stockton, Kan.
Your brother saved.
W. A. Haynes.
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Hopkins, Mich., April 10, 1893.
Dear Saints: May the love of God protect and keep you forever. It has been some time since I reported through the Trumpet. My testimony is that I am delivered from all sin. Praise the blessed name of Jesus! Wife and I commenced meeting at Hopkins about March 4th, which lasted for several weeks. But on account of rain and bad roads the work was somewhat hindered, yet we are thankful to say that a good work was done in establishing the church that the Lord had planted through the instrumentality of Sisters Fink and Shoffner who labored so faithfully against opposition and the powers of darkness last winter. I must say that truly God did bless us, weak as we are, to deliver the pure and unadulterated word of truth without mixture, that fell grievously upon the head of the wicked, and which resulted in five souls for pardon, and fourteen for sanctification. Praise God for the second grace wherein we are enabled to stand! There are now about forty-five in this place who have real Bible salvation. Sunday afternoon at 2 P. M. we assembled on the bank of the Rapid river to attend to the solemn ordinance of baptism, wherein we had the privilege of burying eighteen by immersion, as our Savior commanded. Our heart was filled with glory to do his blessed will. There will be ten or more to follow the command soon. May the Lord bless the work at this place, and defeat all the powers that would try to hinder it. Dear saints, pray that we may be used to God’s glory in doing our Master’s will. Since our last report we passed through many trials; but thank God, none of these things move me. Pray for us.
Yours for the truth,
A. M. Bixler & wife.
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Nishnabotna, Mo., April 8, 1893.
Dear Saints of God, Greeting: May the blessings of God abide with you all. We take pleasure in reporting to you all through the Trumpet that we have perfect victory over all the power of the devil, through Christ Jesus pur Redeemer, who gives us a perfect salvation in our souls. Since we parted with our dear Bro. Warner, about March 14th, at Langdon, Mo. we went from Auburn Neb. and held a meeting that lasted sixteen days with good results. There were some saved, and some sanctified wholly, and quite a number more praised God tor the truth that they were permitted to hear, and said that it was the first time that they had heard the gospel. We hope they will walk in the light. We left the saints at Auburn abounding in the love of God, and we pray God to ever keep them firm and true for Jesus. Since we left Auburn we have had the pleasure of meeting the saints at Forest City, Mo. at which place we held three services. The saints were much strengthened there, and built up in the faith of the gospel. We also met with the saints at Napier, Mo., and found them all well and praising God for a complete salvation in Jesus. On the evening of March 25th, we met with the dear ones at Nishnabotna, Mo. and had meeting that night, and also Sunday night. Three came to the altar. Praise God in the highest! At the place of the meeting, our dear Bro. J. M. Harrington was ordained to the work of the ministry, by the laying on of hands and prayer. Pray that God may continue to fill him with his Spirit and give him wisdom in all things, so that he may be much used of the Lord in the spread of the glorious evening light. Would say to the praise of God that the church at the above name place is now abounding in the fullness of God. May the blessings of God continue to rest upon them all. We go from here to Langdon, Mo., and the Lord willing, from there to Kingston, Mo. Pray much for us.
We remain your humble brother and sister in the one body,
A. A. & Jenet K. Kinzie.
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Pittsburg, Kan.
Dear Saints: We came to this place and began meeting in the name of Jesus. Found much darkness and prejudice to contend with, but the Lord was indeed with us, and aided in giving out his word. One dear old lady sixty-five years of age found peace in God and was delivered from bondage of tobacco. Also a brother who had been under the teaching of the anti-ordinance people came out clear for the whole truth, received a full salvation and was baptized. Another made his escape from the Salvation Army and was baptized. We found an element here who claimed to be out in the light, but proved by their works that they were not. Some of them were attending Babylon meetings and thought that good enough. They also spoke evil of, and railed against the saints for teaching against worldly dress, etc. One of them who also belonged to a secret society, railed bitterly against us, taking up grudges without cause, and declared he would go to hell before he would forgive or fellowship us. We warned him, but to no avail, then left him as a “heathen man and publican.” — Matt. 18:17. When he was cut off by the word, several of like spirit went out with him, and leaving the meetings, they begun to meet by themselves. — 1 Jno. 2:19. We have prayed very earnestly that God would show them their condition, and if possible bring them to repentance. May the Lord keep those who are standing free from compromise and all sin. As this element have declared their intention to get some band of workers in among them, we feel it our duty to say to the brethren in the field, if you have a call here, first write to Bro. Sherman Graham, or Bro. James Keller. We desire to work toward the eastern camp meetings if the Lord so wills, and will say that if our labors are desired by any of the saints in Mo. Ill. or Ind. please address us at Half Way, Polk Co., Mo. Bro. Swinburn has gone home for a time to help arrange their affairs, that both he and Sister Swinburn may give their whole time to the gospel work.
Yours in the love and fellowship of the gospel,
R. M. & Lizzie Haynes, & R. W. Swinburn.
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THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.
Psa. 119:129.
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Forney, Texas.
Dear Ones of the Most High God: May God bless you all. It is with much grace and gratitude that I endeavor to write my testimony. I am here in this wicked place, battling against the power of darkness. Oh I have so much to praise God for, I hardly know where to begin. Pray for me, that I may watch in all things. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin, and the very God of peace sanctifies me wholly. Praise God for victory just now!
Your brother,
W. O. Williams.
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Slayden, Tex.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I am still rejoicing with freedom in the love and power of Jesus. Praise his dear name! For our God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. Oh how I love this blessed holy rest! The way grows brighter day by day. My heart is made glad to read of so many of Father’s children through the Trumpet, which declares unto us their love in the Spirit. This is a wicked, sinful country. My prayer to God is that he will soon send heavenly anointed heralds through here. I know God has a people here. So do pray mightily with me that truth may yet prevail here in this land of darkness, and for me that I may ever continue to walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, and be faithful in every good work.
Your saved sister,
Julia A. Marcee.
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Teegarden, Ind.
Dear Trumpet Readers: This afternoon finds me saved and sanctified, willing to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. I have felt led for some time to send in a testimony to glorify God for the healing of my afflicted body. I have had poor health as far back as I can remember, and as I was growing older I kept going down till I became discouraged and tired of life. I would often wonder why it was that the good Lord spared me. But I can truly say all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. The Lord took home our darling child that was so precious to me. I knew I had one little angel in heaven, and that only brought me closer to the Lord. I then realized that the Lord had pardoned my sins, and I was walking in all the light I had. When I would meet with the saints I would feel that they enjoyed salvation, and that they preached the gospel in its purity. And when I had the privilege of attending their meetings, I came out straight for God and presented my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord, which was my reasonable service. And then I said I was going to trust the Lord for my healing. And then I began to pray for the Lord to give me faith to believe that he would heal me, and he did. Praise the Lord forevermore! I cannot glorify God enough for it.
Yours for Christ,
Rebecca Sheets.
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Hiawatha, Kan.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I do praise God this morning that I am saved and enjoying the blessed salvation of God. I am happy to know that Jesus is reigning in my soul. I am sixty-five years old. I have been sick, but the Lord is my physician. He healed me but now I am poorly again. But I am trusting God to heal me if it is to his glory; if not, I can say, Amen, thy will be done. I am glad that God ever let this blessed evening light shine in me, that I in my old days might be saved with a blessed salvation. I enjoy reading the Trumpet, for it gives me so much light. I do not live near any of the children of God, but God keeps me every day, trusting him. I may not live here in this world long, but can live with Jesus forever.
From your saved sister, all on the altar for God,
Mary J. Winkler.
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Licking, Mo.
Dear Saints: I do praise the dear Lord for continued victory in my soul. I realize that he is blessing and keeping me. Praise his name! I am so glad that I first counted the cost and was willing to give up all for time and eternity, that I might be able to build upon the eternal Rock. I do praise the name of Jesus that I have the blessed privilege of living beneath the cleansing wave of his precious blood. And as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever. I have an appointment for each Sabbath in the month. We have many hard battles to fight. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: the Lord knoweth them that are his. Praise his dear name! Their are but few of us in number here that are consecrated to the Lord. Nevertheless the Lord is our Shepherd. But their are many precious souls here that are rejecting the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh I do pray God to send some Holy Ghost and fire-baptized saints in here, to warn the unruly. The devil gets wonderfully stirred, and persecutes on the right and left. But praise God, the Lord thundered out of the heavens, and the enemy is discomfited, and God’s love manifested in mighty power. Glory be to his dear name! Pray for me and my husband, that we may continue to stand firm for the Lord.
Your sister saved and under the precious blood,
Mrs. Mary Musgrove.
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OBITUARIES.
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Dimondale, Mich.
Carrie Bell, infant child of H. and Maggie A. Morrison, departed this life March 1, 1892; aged 9 months. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord! We know that its mission was done here; for just a short time before the little one passed away, the father gave his heart to the Lord. And the mother feels the need of living closer to the Lord. As they did not know where any of the brethren were to preach the funeral sermon, the dear little church from Holt gathered at the house, had prayer and singing, and one of the brethren made a few remarks, after reading a portion of the scripture. Written by request of the mother.
R. J. Canedy.
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have but to read on; for he immediately adds, “Then we, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Not the righteous first, and the wicked second. But the dead in Christ first raised, then the living changed. In the preceding verse he reveals the fact that in our ascension to meet Christ, the living that are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye “shall not prevent — go before-them that sleep.” And to make the matter more plain he says, “the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.” And yet just such scriptures our two-literal- resurrection teachers are driven to for their proof texts. But the only proof they can get out of it for their theory is what their imagination puts in it.
We now pass to the solemn resurrection and general judgment scene in Rev. 20. In the preceding chapters God’s people were called out of Babylon, and the great whore was judged. Those called out are the acknowedged bride of Christ, arrayed in white, and then placed on white horses, they go forth with their Almighty Leader to the great battle. And at this time Satan is loosed and marshals his great host of Gog and Magog, on the opposite side. This last great battle is suddenly brought to an end in Rev. 20:9, by the fire of God’s wrath from heaven, which destroyed the enemies of God’s church. Now this fire will come down from heaven when Christ himself comes in flaming fire, taking vengeance on all who know not God and obey not the gospel. — 2 Thess. 1:7- 9. But the coming of Christ will be the instant of the general resurrection, as we have proved, and also the time of the general judgement, as many texts show. The following will be sufficient: 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Jude 14, 15; Matt. 25:31-46. Therefore we should expect the general resurrection, and judgment scene, to immediately follow the revelation of Christ in flaming fire destroying the great Gog and Magog army. And, behold! that is the very next scene portrayed.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. — Rev. 20:11-15.
The earth and heaven — atmosphere — fled out of existence, is just what Peter testifies will take place when Christ comes. The entire “earth and the works therein,” the heavens — air — and all the elements of this sphere, shall be “dissolved,” “melted,” and “burned up,” hence flee out of existence. Then, in the great revelation of God’s plan, John says the dead — which evidently means all who had been dead — small and great stand before God. A man in Los Angeles contended that only the wicked composed this vast throng, and that God does not judge his people at all. But the word teaches that God will verily judge his people. Moreover we read here “the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.” Why was the book of life opened if the righteous were not present to be judged? Sinners have not their names and record in that book. And in that day of final doom, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire. ’’This clearly shows that both classes were present. But whence came, they? “The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death — all bodies held in the cold grip of death — and hell — hades, the hidden, or intermediate world — delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged.”
In this scene the resurrection and final judgment of both classes take place at the same time. And so we close without finding a single text that places a thousand years between the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Therefore every doctrine based on such an idea is fictitious. Believe the truth and prepare to meet God. Amen.
In conclusion we remark that we need not wait for a higher and future plane of righteousness, a fancied millennium, in order to be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him, as we see those souls did. Rev. 20:6. For 1 Pet. 2:9, asserts that “ye are a royal priesthood, an holy nation,” etc. Royal means kingly, a priesthood of kings. “Kings and priests unto God.” Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,” etc. 1 Pet. 2:5. And in Rom. 5:17, They that receive abundance of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one Christ Jesus. So that we are indeed kings and priests unto God in this age of divine grace, and we reign with Christ on the earth now, as well as those souls reigned with Christ under the altar. Amen.
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MASONIC MYSTERIES.
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WE have before given evidences of the fact that Masonry of to day and the so called Ancient Mysteries are identical, thus proving by extracts from Mackey, Pierson and others that Masonry is really ancient idolatry, modernized and presented as a universal religion of whom the “God of Nature,” in Masonic language the “Grand Architect,” is the central figure. Among the idolatrous nations the sun-god has always beep considered the chief deity and worshiped as such symbolized by fire, etc. Worship among the heathen was of two kinds. Public, in which all took part; secret, in which a favored few only were allowed to participate.
Warburton says, “Each of the pagan gods had (besides the public and open) a secret worship paid unto him, to which none were admitted but those who had been selected by preparatory ceremonies, called initiation. This secret worship was termed “The Mysteries.” Now we have the origin of Free Masonry pointed out clearly. Masons sometimes give us to understand that Adam was a Mason. They, however, never use the strongest argument that can be produced in the case, which in our eyes would be the fact, that Adam was the first man to wear an apron. Gen. 3:7. Though modern Masonry has taken the apron away front the woman.
Masonry as a religious system, and Masonry under its present forms of government is rather different in point of time. The former extending back to the Garden of Eden, according to Masonic authority; the latter only to 1717.
Mackey says, “If we seek the origin of the institution, moulded into outward form as it is to day, we can scarcely be required to look farther back than the beginning of the eighteenth century and indeed not so far.” While he says again, “If we seek the origin and first beginning of the Masonic philosphy, we must go away back into the ages of remote antiquity when we shall find this beginning in the bosom of kindred associations, where the same philosophy was maintained and taught.” — “SYMBOLISM OF FUEL MASONRY.” Page II.
Masons, as a rule, are ignorant of these distinctions and so boast of that of which they are not aware and so firmly declare the fact, unwillingly, that they are idolaters of the very worst type, while maintaining their position, that they are of ancient origin. Mackey says again of the mysteries, page. 15 of the book above quoted — “These mysteries existed in every country of heathendom, in each, under a different name, and to some extent under a different form, but always and everywhere with the same design of inculcating, by allegorical and symbolical teachings, the great MASONIC DOCTRINES of the unity of God and the immortality of the soul. This is an important proposition and the fact which it enunciates must never be lost sight of, in any inquiry into the origin of Free Masonry; for the Pagan, mysteries were to the spurious Free Masonary of antiquity, precisely what the Master’s lodges are to Free Masonry of the present day.” — Could anything be more plain than the language of Mackey who by the way, is a Past Grand Master, as well as a Past General Grand High Priest of the order. Pierson, another Grand Master says, “The identity of the Masonic institution with the Ancient Mysteries is obvious, from the striking coincidences found to exist between them.” D. Sickles, another Masonic author says, “In Egypt, Greece and among other ancient nations. Freemasonry, that is, the Mysteries, was one of the earliest agencies employed to effect the improvement and enlightenment of man.” Masonic writers, everywhere, seem determined to prove the identity of Masonry and the Mysteries, and they have accomplished the same admirably, yet in so doing have heaped up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath, increased their knowledge, making their condemnation doubly and trebly just.
The common people of ancient Egypt, Assyria and other countries worshiped the idols of brass, wood and stone, and gave them the reverence, looking no further. Their wise men, however, according to the mysteries when they met, had somewhat of a higher idea and looked beyond the image of wood or stone, to a God similar to the Masonic Architect, or God of Nature. Their ideas or ceremonies were kept secret from the common people and known only to the priesthood, the kings, lords, sages and great men. Many of these were no doubt wise, considering the circumstances in which they were situated, yet they kept this so-called religion far from the common people, showing the same selfish traits that we find in Masonry, the vile daughter of Ancient Paganism, to day. Those of old might set up the plea, ignorance. These to day are worshiping the Grand Architect in the same blind mysteries, when the true knowledge of God fills the earth.
Our Masonic friends say that Masonry is founded on the Bible, but Geo. Wingate Chase in his “Digest of Masonic Law,” pages 207-8 says, “The Jews, the Turks, each reject either the New Testament, or the Old, or both, and yet we see no good reason why they should not be made Masons. In fact Blue Lodge Masonry has nothing whatever to do with the Bible. It is not founded on the Bible. If it was, it would not be Masonry, it would be something else.”
Now then you “Christian(?)” Mason, what do you think of that? You are sworn to act and think as do the great Masons above you command you, so you either agree with the above or are violating your obligation. Can you, my friend, stay by, support and honor an order by your presence, whose rulers acknowledge so plainly the heathen origin of the same? whose great high priests declare times without number, that they are following modes, forms and rites prescribed by ancient idolatry? where the rites of Egypt, Greece, India, Assyria and other countries have been taken and remodeled to make a religion to substitute for God’s salvation? Not only does Masonry discard the Bible, but it mutilates much of what it does use. We give below a few passages of scripture which Masons make use of.
|
BIBLE. |
MASONIC RITUAL. |
| 1 Pet. 2:1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. | 1. Wherefore brethren, lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. |
| 3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone dis- of allowed indeed of men, but chosen God, and precious, 5. Ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. | 3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4. To whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious. 5. Ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, and holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. |
| 2 Thess. 5:6. Now we command you brethren, in the name name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us. | Now we command you brethren, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which ye received of us. |
| 12. Now them that are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness the work, and eat their own bread. | 12. Now them that are such, we command and exhort that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. |
Here we have abundant evidence of the nature of Free Masonry and what it tends to do. You will observe my friends, that in the ritual the name of Christ is taken from the passage as used there. Christ then is set aside. Now then let us examine Rev. 22:19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the Holy city and from the things which are written in this book. See also Deut. 4:2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord which I command you. Now then how will you justify yourselves for diminishing from the word? What will you do in the day of visitation? Will you repent and forsake the abominable, idolatrous. God and Christ-dishonoring institution? or will you go on until you join all your ancient brethren in the lodge where your first Grand Master, the devil, invented the first apron, and coming into the peaceful and happy world brought so much sin and sorrow when he presented Adam the first apron of your ancient order, which was by no means the emblem of innocence, that you would make us to believe?
How often we are made to cry out from our soul, when we see the abominable evidences of hellish design, work and purpose carried about by men who are ignorant in many cases of the vast work of destruction they are engaged in, yes many times! God help poor deluded man and save him from these fearful designs of hell, these council chambers of Satan, even as I have been snatched as a brand from the burning. Praise God for his wonderful love! Yet many professing Christian people tell me, “You should not expose these things; you promised to keep them secret, you will perjure yourself,” etc. The devil is a cunning fellow and would make you believe much, but I know him as the father of lies. This work is for the salvation of souls, for the waking up of those who are sleeping on the very brink of hell. These articles are waking up Masons, and not only that, are being seriously considered by those who wished to join the order. I feel sure that God is in this work. And I praise God that I have no fears for myself in the matter. God permitted me to see Masonry that I might be an instrument in his hands to wield the sword against it. Praise God indeed for deliverance through his Son!
Your saved brother,
F. Husted.
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THY TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL.
Psa. 119:129.
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Portland, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: This afternoon finds wife and I saved. Glory to God for keeping us saved! Seven years ago last January the good Lord gave me this evening light. I am so glad I accepted it. When I received the light I was in the Methodist sect, but I walked right out of her and have never been back. I left the old craft for good. Praise the dear Lord! He saved me from tea. coffee and tobacco, and cleanses me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness. Glory to our dear Lord forever!
Ben & Jane Todd.
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Dushville, Mich.
Dear Saints: May the Lord bless you ail. I feel like writing my testimony for the glory of God. I am so thankful that I got saved, and that I have such a precious Savior. I give all the glory and praise to him. Oh! it’s sweet to know that when trials and cares like a storm come upon us, we have such a precious hiding place. This is my first testimony. I am deaf and dumb. I want the saints of God every where to pray that the Lord may open my ears and loose my tongue, that I may hear and sing the praises of God. I can say, God’s will be done and not mine.
Your sister redeemed,
Miss Sarah Brown.
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Ithica, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I do praise God this evening for salvation, and for keeping me in these last days, where there is so much sin and wickedness all around us. I do thank God for his precious promise. He tells us he will give us grace to reign over all the works of the enemy of our soul. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace: in the world ye shall have tribulation. but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. I do thank Jesus that through him I have overcome the sinful things of this world. When my heart was running after the vain things of this world, and was full of pride and folly, God in his great goodness came to me. and cleansed my heart from sin. and made me a child of his. I can say I am getting stronger in the Lord each day of my life. My will is to do the will of my God.
Your saved sister,
Jessie M. Reeves.
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Faith and Works Mission, Waterloo, Ont.
Dear Readers of the Trumpet: I am only slightly acquainted with you, partly through my dislike to the people whom 1 called “No Sects,” as I have been educated to fear them and turn from them as those who bring in heresies, and strife, and partly because I had like Ephraim, got joined to my idol “the church.” I have been a member of the Free Methodist Church. Twenty-six years ago I was genuinely converted and experienced entire holiness, but did not keep the definite experience long, because I failed to hear the voice of God and obey. I have always heard them preach “Come-out-ism,” so of course this is no new doctrine. I have always preached it too, but I expected the people to come over to our church, as I thought we were the people. I have said from the first that I would stay with them while they kept their simplicity, but I should have come out ten years ago, but I had set up an idol in my heart, not willingly, but the outcome of life in the churches is of this character. God has delivered me at almost the price of my soul and body, but I praise him I am through the mists, and the clouds have gone, the sun up. My soul rejoices in God as my Savior, and I am believing for the entire work of holiness in my heart. I welcome the light of God and gladly die to all but him. I feel that the cross and spears are welcome now. I have what the majority of holiness people teach, but I am not satisfied. I see the standard too low. The Bible way is a way cast up and my soul longeth to live there. Amen. I pray God to bless you and help in this work against sin. Should any of you pass this way we will always be glad to see you.
Yours in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,