27 February 1896, Volume 16, Number 9.
ALONE WITH JESUS.
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Alone with Jesus, O how sweet!
The seasons spent low at his feet,
In humble, fervent, secret prayer, —
My soul would e’er be resting there.
Alone with him, alone with him,
While in this evil world of sin;
Though Satan rages all around,
Alone with him we’re victors crowned.
Alone with Jesus, sweetest place,
So hallowed by divinest grace,
Where heaven seems all ’round about,
And every earthly thing shut out.
Alone with him, what wondrous peace!
And for my soul a blissful feast;
What blest communion with the Lord
These precious seasons do afford!
Alone with him, ’tis there I gain
The grace in heavenly place to reign:
’Tis there I gain the strength to live,
‘Tis there the Lord delights to give.
Alone with him, I find sweet rest
From all my troubles, on his breast;
I cast on him my every care,
And find sweet peace and comfort there.
— C. W. Naylor.
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Meditation.
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WEBSTER defines meditation as, — “Close or continued thought; contemplation.” Meditation of God, to the saved soul, is indeed precious communion with Him. And one cannot in a spiritual sense be isolated from God and yet be in this communion with him. Meditation is, first, a continued contemplation of God’s goodness to us. Second it is a heartful of love drawn out to him in fervent prayer. “Isaac went out to meditate [pray, margin] at eventide.” — Gen. 24:63. How blessed to the soul to realize constantly the sweet companionship of Jesus, living daily and hourly in silent converse with him, just where we can talk with him, and ask him questions and know he answers! Shall we ever fear while thus living? Shall we ever feel like backsliding? Shall we ever feel like grumbling? Will we not in childlike simplicity rely on Father and humbly ask him for all we need?
The precious secret of living a perfect Christian life is a constant remembrance that he is now with us, helping us, leading us, protecting us. While thus living in God’s immediate presence we will never have any slavish fears about Satan overcoming us; will never have any evil forebodings of a lack of grace to do our duty. One reason sc many are given to doubt and distrust is because they do not recognize God present with an all-sufficient supply of grace, ready to meet the demands of each coming emergency.
“The book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” — Josh. 1:8.
If therefore we want to prosper and have good success, we must meditate in God’s law, day and night. See Psa. 1:2. Paul says, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them,” etc. — 1 Tim. 4:15. We must take Christ into our every day life; consult him when we think, speak, act, or transact business; when lie down, sit up, ride or walk, in the city, at home, in the held, in the house. Whatever our lot or condition in life is, see Jesus by our side to help us. He will never leave us. Isa. 41:10.
We will have a heart full of joy if we live in God’s presence. Psa. 16:11. Refreshings to our souls come from God’s presence. Acts 3:19. God’s presence is a secret refuge. Psa. 31:20. We are commanded to hold our peace at God’s presence; that is, keep still. “Be still and know that I am God.”
Some dear ones never take any time tor meditation. They see nothing in it. This proves they do not see its secret, its beauty. So many are too full of talk. If a part of the time they thus idle away were spent in deep meditation with God, they would be much more powerful and efficient in his service. Some can talk away all the grace they ever had in a very short time and have no conscientious scruples in the matter whatever. It is very cross-bearing for some (saints?) to have much time pass in a company of four or five, without some of them breaking the silence (which should be spent in meditation) with some loud or boisterous laughs, and passing jokes. I have seen these things with sorrow; doubtless you have too. Will you tolerate them again by your silence? I never shall. Oh brethren! remember every idle word, such as will not minister grace (or favor, good) to the hearers. Say what you mean; mean what you say. “Study to be quiet.” How many obey this injunction? Commence now. In love to all souls,
B. E. Warren.
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Salvation and its Effects.
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“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.” — Rev. 12:10.
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THE genuine gospel of Christ, and sweetness of divine inspiration, have a powerful effect upon the one who yields to the influence of heavenly love. Let that man who is headstrong, unruly and abusive in his language, receive the word of God, and step into the sunlight of heaven’s truth, and immediately he is transformed into a harmless and gentle creature. Watch the greedy, avaricious man that seeks only to satisfy his evil nature; see he passes through a transforming process, and behold he returns possessed of a generous disposition, given to hospitality, and freely assisting the needy within his power. That blood-thirsty wretch is instantly dispossessed of his ferocity, and becomes merciful, willing rather to be slain than to slay. The foolish and sinful are by one application of the precious blood, changed into honest, wise and virtuous beings, who behold the beauties of divine revelation. In one laver of purification, all are cast, every evil propensity washed away, grand and noble principles are brought to view, as representatives of the meek and lowly One, who, through suffering became the author of eternal glory. And be it remembered, that where these characteristics are not manifest, the principles of perfect salvation have not been embodied in the soul. So great is the efficacy of Omnipotent power, that when it is admitted into the soul of man, folly is expelled, sin extirpated, and every element annihilated that would foster vice. And thus a great and wise end is accomplished, that places man in the sphere for which he was created.
Salvation as taught in the word of God, if allowed a complete operation, inevitably leads the soul to the heights of incomprehensible greatness, and inexpressible joys, to the exaltation and perfection of our noblest faculties. We should bring ourselves and procreation under the influence of pure religious principles, by promulgating knowledge of purest virtues to the widest extent; for if it be an advantage to one individual to be wise, it is more so for all to receive heaven’s wisdom. If through the reception of saving grace there is something that is productive of profit and joy to man, to be once wise, behold it is infinitely more so for him to be always in such a state. If we avoid sin to day, and receive the evidence of a clear conscience and heart uncondemned, how much more commendable to stand free each day, until thy form lies cold in death. If there is any divine requirement, any imperative command to worship and love God, “with all the heart, mind, soul and strength,” at any time, the same stands out in prominence before us now and forever. If there is ever required a faithful discharge of duty toward God and man, it is equally required of each and all, now and always. If we this hour or day find any pleasure in being pure and holy, and free from sin, if any joy in exercising all our power to promote the enjoyment of our fellow creatures, and extol the name of Christ; or if a communication with God be the means of joy to day, they will have like tendency always, to spring forth in unending felicity.
He has not been blessed with the presence of that heavenly Dove, who thinks to confine salvation and its work to times, seasons, persons, or places. For what was said unto one was said unto all. And he who saves is the same yesterday, to day, and forever, and is with us until the end of time. Praise his name! He who thinks it grievous or a bugbear to live always in heaven’s cleansing stream, and allow it to permeate his whole being, having his whole life full of holy fire that consumes all sin, would, I think, find it very grievous to live in the presence of God, and to be associated with the holy angels in their celestial abode. They who reject holiness, reject God; they who despise purity despise God, for he is holy and pure, and we must be partakers of his divine nature, follow Jesus who did no sin; be in this world as he is, before we will ever come in possession of that inheritance reserved in heaven for those who will pay the price. Salvation means freedom from sin now and forever. Salvation has come; accept it, prepare to meet God, for eternity is coming and thy doom will be sealed.
W. A. Haynes.
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Romans Seven.
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IT IS NOT A DESCRIPTION OF THE APOSTLE’S HIGHEST ATTAINMENT IN THE GOSPEL.
There is probably no chapter in the whole Bible that has suffered so much wresting and warping as the 7th chapter of Romans. Holiness fighters take this chapter to prove that it is impossible for men to be free from sin in this life, teaching that the apostle was giving his experience while in his best state of grace; And that he wrote this chapter to expressly teach the impossibility of the total destruction of sin, and that we as Christians must ever have the carnal mind to overcome and fight against until death sets us at liberty. They teach that all commit sin, none can be free from it, and even the apostle himself taught that he was the chief of sinners; no freedom from sin; all sin in word, thought and deed. They mis-quote the scriptures, and say, “He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truth is not in him;” and they mis-apply this text, — “There is none that doeth good, no not one.”
“No peace, no rest on earth for saints,
All war without, within:
The soul must struggle on till death.
No freedom here from sin.”
NEITHER WAS THE APOSTLE DESCRIBING HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE BABE STATE OF JUSTIFICATION, BEFORE HE WAS SANCTIFIED.
Again, there are those who believe in sanctification, but teach that this was the apostle’s experience in the babe state of justification. This doctrine originated in Babylon holiness. Sectarian holiness advocates everywhere are using this to try to prove that all have this experience in justification. Indeed, it is one of their strongest points in teaching the need of the second work of grace, or entire sanctification. But praise God for the glorious light which is now revealing the darkness of apostasy, and clearly making known the precious truth!
By the help of God we shall prove to every intelligent reader that Paul never meant to give this chapter as his experience as a Christian, but that he was relating his experience while under the law, showing the nature of the law service, as compared with the gospel.
In the first verse he starts with, — “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law)?” and inverses 1-12 he speaks of the law, its nature, its object, its effect, and how he was married or bound to it, until Christ came, and the law became dead, and he was married to Christ. And he says in Gal. 3:24 that the law was a schoolmaster to bring him to Christ. In verses 14-23 he illustrates his experience while under the law. Read these verses carefully and prayerfully from the Bible, and in the light of the Spirit and the holy Word, let the truth be settled in our hearts.
Now, let us review these few verses. In the 14th verse he declares that he is carnal, sold under sin. In the 23d verse, he speaks of another law in his members, warring against the law of his mind; and in the latter part of the verse he tells us what law it is, — the law of sin. He also tells us that this law of sin predominates. He gives way to this carnal mind, falls into sin and gets into bondage. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” In verses 15 and 19 he tells us that he does the things he ought not to do, and leaves undone the things he ought to do; even does the things he hates, which are grievous to him. In verses 17, 20 and 23 he tells us why he does so. That it is the sin which dwells within which does the mischief, propelling him to sin. In verse 16 he consents that the law is good. But in verse 18 he says the reason he does not do good is because he knows not how to do good. He cannot do it because he is overpowered by this indwelling sin. Again, he says there is no good thing in him. He has a desire to do good but has not the grace to put his desire into practice. In verses 24 and 25 he bewails his wretched condition and cries for help; and then shows that he has found deliverance in the gospel, through Jesus Christ.
HOW IT HAS BEEN MIS-APPLIED IN THE PAST.
Now we will show that this chapter has been mis-understood and mis-applied. There are many professors of Christianity who have precisely the same experience of contending with and falling into sin, as Paul had under the law. They make many crooked paths, do many things they ought not to do, and leave undone the things which they ought to do. They seem to deplore their wretched condition, asking God to forgive, telling him that the remembrance of their sins is most grievous; and as they can see no deliverance, they go on from day to day, sinning and repenting. But behold, a holiness preacher comes around, and as he hears their forlorn and graceless testimony, he says, “Brother, you need to be sanctified; your experience is the same that all have in the state of justification. But now come and die out to sin and get into the second grace where you will be enabled to live without sin.” So the preacher takes the seventh chapter of Romans to show the people their need of the “second blessing” as it is termed. Now, we ask in the name of Jesus, Is. such the state of a justified man? Let us look to the Word for the answer.
THE BIBLE STANDARD OF JUSTIFICATION.
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” He that committeth sin is of the devil.” 1 John 3:9, 6, 8. “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 Jno. 5:18.
Such scriptures and many others, prove to us that the state of justification is a sinless life. A man that is truly justified, lives without committing sin. Instead of making crooked paths, he makes straight paths for his feet. His way is not dark and dreary, but shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. He is not overcome of evil, but overcomes evil with good. Instead of the carnal nature being predominant, he reigns over it. He has power to do that which is good, and that power is the life of Christ implanted in the heart. True, we do have the carnal mind after we are justified, before we are sanctified, and we also have the mind of Christ; but just as the carnal mind predominated when in our carnal or sinful state, bringing us into bondage to sin, now the mind of Christ reigns over the carnal mind, bringing us into subjection to the law of Christ.
Now the justified man must and does live just as holy as the sanctified man, so far as the outward life is concerned. The change in a man’s outward life does not take place in sanctification, but in regeneration. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17. There can be no difference, one lives just as holy as the other. Justification gives us power to live without committing sin, and bear fruit. Sanctification eradicates from our hearts all the inherited sin, the carnal mind, and gives us power to bear more fruit; not another kind of fruit, but more of the same kind. While in sin, sin reigns over us, when justified we reign over sin; when sanctified sin is destroyed. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
So it is clearly seen that Paul was giving the experience he had while endeavoring to serve the law. He loved the law and was zealous for the law, but had not the power or grace to measure to its demands. He speaks of the law of his mind, which was his inward desire to do good, and says with his mind he loved law and consented to it, but when he would do good, evil was present with him, and the carnal law in his members overcame him and he fell into sin.
By this chapter the apostle shows how the law was inferior to the gospel; that while the law was good, it only condemned sin and did not have the power to deliver from sin. But in the next chapter we read: “But what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh: God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” — Rom. 8:3. And in Heb. 7:19: “The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did.
W. J. Henry.
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TESTIMONY.
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Los Angeles, Cal.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led to write my testimony for the first time. This morning finds me saved and praising God for a full salvation that is able to keep us at all times while we trust and obey our dear heavenly Father. Three years ago the 20th of last July while at home alone with God I was reclaimed, and three days later I was sanctified wholly. The following November the Lord led me out of sectism into the clear light. I have also taken Jesus as my great physician and proved him on that line when all earthly help failed. God is teaching me many precious lessons through his word, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, and showing me the need of advancement; and I am seeking the humility of Christ. The way grows brighter each day as I press on up the mountain, where God said he would establish his church. Micah 4:1, 2. I can say with the apostle Paul, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Phil. 3:13, 14. One of His little ones,
Cora Zumwalt.
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LIST OF MONET LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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S. T. Catlin, C. E. Webber, Annie Harrington, Luke Angle, Geo. Filham, Lena Cooper, Jno. E. Roberts.
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The book entitled, “The Secret of Salvation,” is now written and will contain over 100 chapters. It will make about 100 pages more than we first expected, and will therefore, perhaps, take two or three weeks longer to get it ready to send out, but the price will not be raised.
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We have just received notice from the book bindery at Ft. Wayne, Ind., that they have shipped us 495 cloth books — “Salvation.” We printed the books at our office and shipped them there for binding and were to receive them again in one week, but the binders were delayed in getting some of their material. All orders will be immediately filled as soon as the books arrive, which will probably be before this paper is mailed. The price of the book, paper cover 15 cts., cloth 35 cts.
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Requests For Prayer.
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Mrs. Caroline Steele, Arroyo Grande. — Healing of female weakness.
H. C. Fowler, Adelaide. — Desires healing. Has had paralysis for the last eleven years. Pray March 1st.
J. T. Holland. — Entire sanctification; and that his wife may be saved from the use of snuff. Also the pure gospel is wanted. Address, Bazette, Tex.
Sister S. M. Clark, Norwood. — Entire sanctification; also that my mother maybe sanctified.
Jane Tarter, St. Clair. — Healing of soul and body. Jno. Pixley — Healing.
Rebecca E. Dillinger. — Sanctification and healing.
Chas. J. Bryant. Centreville — For spiritual help. — Also for some one to preach the pure gospel.
L. C. Slate. — Pray for healing of my wife of severe affliction and suffering.
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Calls For Meeting.
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C. Simmons, Marquand, Mo.
Geo. Klingler, Ormanville, Iowa.
Greg Hollyer, Lucerne, Quebec, desires an anointed minister of God to labor with him in the gospel work.
We have a hall and accomodation for any who are sent by the Lord. A perfect salvation has never been preached here.
C. M. Noxon,
Chicago Heights, Ill.
J. T. Yeaman, Moore, Okla.
V. W. Millard, Mount Pulaski, Ill.
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A Request.
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Almira, Wash., Feb. 11.
Dear Brethren: God richly bless you all. We wish to know the name and address in full of firms or companies where good and substantial tabernacles can be bought cheap and reasonable, especially those who will favor the gospel work in reduction. Any brother who can please give us the desired address and information at once, will greatly oblige.
If any of the saints in the East, South or South-west are intending to move to Washington, locate here and make it your future home, I would advise you to start as early as February or March, in order to be here to secure spring and summer work, or to rent or take up a farm. Please write to us at once, and enclose stamp for an answer. I will answer you promptly and assist you all I can. If any of you have written in the past and have not received full satisfaction, write again and I will do the best I can for you. Start in time to be here to take in either the camp meeting in the Big Bend country, at Almira, or the camp meeting in the Palouse country near Colfax. Address us as above. Yours in Christian love and fellowship,
F. N. Jacobson.
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TESTIMONY.
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Dear Saints of God: It is with pleasure and gratitude that I endeavor to convey to you through the TRUMPET, the dealings of God to me. For some time I have felt the need of an advance in my soul, and have advanced to some degree, but I found the secret of the same was humility; and I confess I knew little of this in the past. While fasting and praying I heard the voice of God say: “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.” And after closely examining my heart, found I needed meekness, sobriety and humility, and realized such an emptying of my heart, that I marveled, and was indeed amazed. And while in prayer the Lord revealed to me that he had answered prayer. So I can say he has given me Bible humility, and I am becoming daily more devotional, and yet I have not reached the Bible standard on all points. God is teaching me many precious lessons. One thing he has taught me clearly, that is, the agreement. I now see plainly that each one must get right with the Word, and -when we are agreed with the Word, we will be agreed with each other. Oh praise the Lord. I have not always been real sober, but am forever settled to live for God, and measure to his word in walk, in dress, and in conversation, and am seeking to do all things to the glory of God.
And now as one hath said, “I hope you can bear with me in my folly.” But I want to say that in all my life, even from childhood, I have indulged in sitting up late and getting up late, but the Lord has changed my nature so I now wake early, and rise at an early hour, and spend some precious time in communion with God. The Lord has led in the advance meetings, that they be held early in the morning, and at five o’clock we have been assembling. At first only five or six saints attended, but now some twenty or twenty- four come, and all who have attended have felt of a truth that God is leading these meetings. My soul finds sweet peace. I now testify that I am fully justified, wholly sanctified, and God is doing much for me, also shining glorious light on my path. Amen. Your sister seeking the whole will of God,
Lena L. Shoffner.
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PAY THE PRICE.
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South Haven, Mich.
Dearly Beloved Trumpet Readers: May heaven’s richest blessings rest upon you all is my earnest prayer. Since my confession in the TRUMPET I have received several letters desiring a clearer statement. Some have written stating that they have been brought into trouble regarding their experience.
Well the time has come when the Lord will search out every soul, and every man’s work is to be tried, whether it is of God. We read in Daniel 11:35, “And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end.” We see this purging is in the time of the end, when God will cleanse the sanctuary. The bride of Christ must be a spotless virgin. He gave himself for the church “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Now dear ones, I feel led to ask you some questions. Are you holy and without blemish? To hold your life up to the precious Bible, is it absolutely clear, clean and straight? Are you willing that your wife should know the secrets of the past? that your brethren should know your past life? Are you willing to unfold your heart before God’s chosen ministers? Let the priests of God examine the sacrifice, whether it is without spot or blemish. For God says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” — Prov. 28:13. And again he says, “If we confess our sins he [God] is faithful and just to forgive.” A Bible conviction will bring a Bible repentance, which needs not. to be repented of. Now the Word teaches that we should mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (which is to lust after unlawful things, or unholy desires), and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. Col. 3:5, 6.
I confessed in the last confession that there was a mystery in my life. The deep hidden secret sins I confessed in bulk when I repented fourteen years ago and felt clear that God forgave me, but for my life would not unfold them to any man, or even to my wife. When preaching on repentance and confessing and uncovering the devil, something would say to me, the husbandman that laboreth must first be partaker of the fruit. I could not understand that I would ever have to reveal my sinful life. But the secret sins were hid, and the Word clearly says there is nothing covered that shall not be known, nor hid that shall not be revealed. I began to oppose, which soon brought me into darkness. But oh I am so glad I paid the price! I can call a jury that now know my life in detail from my earliest recollection. There is nothing covered. All is confessed and heartily repented of, and the blood is applied which cleanseth my heart from all sin, and makes me free. Praise the Lord for his love and long forbearance with me! I can say I stand on the word of God, sanctified and made white and tried.
Dearly beloved, pay the price. For when the perfect price is paid, he will send the holy fire. This advance movement will search out every single soul, and you will be weighed in the balance of God’s word; if not full weight, you will be sacrificed. My brethren, measure up at any cost. Crucify the flesh, and the old self which does not want to be exposed. Oh I am so glad I am free; because he whom the Son maketh free is free indeed.
Please address me at South Haven, Mich., where I expect to work in a mission faith home. Will state more of this work in the future as the Lord leads. Yours all for the truth,
S. Michels.
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TRUST IN GOD
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“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” — Psa. 37:3. There has been much said about trusting the Lord, but the Lord has been impressing me with this subject for some time. We often find persons that say they are trusting in the Lord for all things; then when the Lord lets them down to the bed of affliction or lets poverty stare them in the face, they will begin to grumble and say: “We don’t know what we will do; times are so hard,” and various other excuses. Christ said, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather’ into, barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And why take ye thought for raiment: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not neither do they spin.” — Matt. 6:25—34. If the Lord so clothe the fowls and the lilies we ought to be the same to him as a child is to its parents. For he says in Matt. 7:11, “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
O praise the dear Lord for these precious promises! O dear ones, when we see so much weakness on this line it puts a go-through in our souls to see a forward move in this respect. Perhaps a little of my experience on this line would be a benefit to some one. Last winter while times were so hard, we had three seasons of almost famine; not enough raised to do the people through the winter: and all the public works shut down. We had nothing only as the Lord supplied us, and lots of times we would eat the last bite of food we had, and did not know where the next would come from. And we would trust him that is faithful and I would take something, to put in whatever the Lord would furnish, and go to town telling the Lord he had promised to supply our needs, and would trust him to give me work to get something to live on; and praise his name, he always supplied for the next meal. I well remember one time when the Lord had taken us through a more severe test than ever before, I came home and while wife was cooking what I had brought, I took up the Word and opened to these words: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” — Prov. 15:16, 17. Praise the Lord for real contentment with what the Lord sees fit to give us! Dear ones, are we satisfied with the promises of God, or will we trust self and man for our supply? Yours in the one body,
G. W. Stover.
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ON TESTIMONY.
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I have been led to write some on this subject, and especially here of late; as it can be seen very plainly that many errors have made their appearance, and not only made their appearance, but have left some hurtful effects, which cannot be easily recovered. These faults and errors come sometimes through a lack of wisdom, and are of course done ignorantly. But I believe a great many of them are done by professors who like to have people hear them talk, and like to talk themselves very well. I have noticed too that they of this kind generally like to do things to be seen of man. And instead of telling what God is doing for them, they want to preach a small sermon, and if nothing else, give Babylon a few hits, or talk about something they do not know very much about, or they are not talented to explain.
This is something I have seen among us professing saints, and I have been grieved very much to see the sad effects. The Word says, “Walk in wisdom.” Col. 4:5. Now is it wisdom for me or some one that should not be gifted to speak, to get up before an audience and begin talking about something or on some passage of scripture that I know nothing much about, let alone knowing how to handle it, and begin to make blunders, and possibly get the wrong interpretation of it? Now you will all agree that that kind of work will not do. No, no; never. That is not testimony.
Let us see what testimony is. We will first endeavor to bring a Bible definition. Hence we read, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.” — Phile. 6. Next we will bring Webster forward We read TESTIMONY; — “Affirmation in proof of some fact; evidence; proof.”
Surely this makes it plain so that we can conprehend just what it is First, Paul says, that thy faith become effectual by the acknowledging of every good which is in you. So then testimony is the acknowledging or confessing, which are synonymous terms, or can be thus used of all those good things which have been imparted to us by our heavenly Father. And as Webster says, it is evidence; proof. We affirm the fact of having an experience of salvation by testifying openly in public to that effect. So then testimony is telling what God does for us, and not trying to preach a sermon every time we get up to testify. When one has been delivered from the bands of sectism it is all right to testify to it, and tell what God has done for you, and hew he has given you the light, to show you the sin of Babylon, etc. But would not be wisdom every time you testify, to give sectism a blow, especially where the true gospel has been preached for years, and they have been shown the sin of sects and divisions. But testimony is telling and acknowledging what God does for you.
Now testimony is indispensible to every saint of God. Or we might make it a little stronger; we are under obligations to testify if we expect to retain salvation. We have to confess him to the world. We read in Rom. 10:9, 10, — “If thou shalt confess with thy mount the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” 11. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
So then, dear ones, let us ever be ready to testify for our Savior, and tell his wonderful love to us. Some make the excuse that the Spirit does not lead them. Low it may be true that sometimes you do not feel like testifying, but when I see saints or professed saints coming to meeting night after night, and day after day and not having any testimony, and excusing themselves by saying they did not feel led, my advice to such would be to examine yourselves right closely, and see if you have the Spirit at all. Of course if you do not have the Leader, you cannot be led, that is, to testify. You may be led to repentance, if you would confess and forsake your disobedience to God, and promise him to forever obey him. The Word and Spirit agree, and as the Word commands us to testify and confess God’s goodness to the world, just so will the Spirit lead us to testify.
There is a man-fearing spirit that gets a hold on so many professors, making them seem really to be afraid to get up before a congregation and tell the people what God has done for them. This must be rebuked and overcome. And if you have such feelings to come over you, just consecrate down deeper in humility; consecrate for an entire experience of sanctification. Be baptized with the Holy Ghost and the old man will be entirely destroyed, and you will have the experience spoken of by Solomon in Prov. 28:1. You will be glad for an opportunity to testily, and not have a fear to do so. And another spirit of the devil which I mentioned in the beginning, let us ever be free from; and that is, well I will call it, a want-to-be-heard spirit, and a want-to-say-much spirit. This will make it plain to all. Whatever we do, do to the glory of God, and let us be sure that we glorify God when we testify. We do not mean that you are to say a few words and then sit down; but there have been some in the habit of getting up and talking a long time, and then hardly tell whether they are saved or not, and sometimes say things that hurt the cause; and I am sure this does not glorify God.
Charlie Akers.
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News from the Field.
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Titusville, Pa., Feb. 17.
Dear Saints: I can testify that I have the victory in my soul over all the powers of darkness. God has opened a place where his gospel now is preached to the people in this city. I labored here almost four weeks going from house to house before I could get a public place to hold meeting. Now I have a hall rented for one month. It was wonderful how God opened the way. The congregations are increasing. And the poeple are getting interested. I need help here, as I am all alone in this battle. I wrote to two of the brethren but do not know if the Lord will send them or not. Your sister under the blood,
E. J. Billig.
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Phillipsburg, Kan., Feb. 17.
Dear Saints: We remained at Slate ten days. God has some real true children at Slate. The meetings were blessed of God. Some were reclaimed; some sanctified; some healed. The dear people at this place have kindly given us the use of their court house, where they assemble nightly to listen to the truth. We hold daily street meetings and go from house to house lest some poor soul might be neglected. Many who heard the Word through Bro. and Sister Cole and Co. last fall are in favor of it now. Pray for us and the salvation of many souls. Yours all on the altar,
John E. Roberts and Co.
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Butte, Okla., Feb. 12.
Dear Saints: We can report a present salvation. Praise God’s holy name! We came to Arapahoe, Jan. 9 and began a meeting, which lasted until Feb. 9, with victory all the way. Truly God was in our midst in conviction, saving, and healing power. About forty souls came to God, confessing their sins. Feb. 5, twelve dear souls were buried with Christ in baptism; others soon to follow. On the evening of the 5th we met at Bro. H. H. Newcomb’s house in a precious ordinance meeting, and God did wonderfully own and bless. The church at that place was wonderfully-settled down in the present truth. From there we came to this place and commenced meeting in the name of king Jesus. We need your prayers that God may keep us low and humble, all out of sight, and God manifest in all things. From your saved brother and sister in the one body,
J. W. W. and R. T. Newkirk.
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Burkett, Ind., Feb. 17.
Beloved Brethren: May the peace of God abide in you all. Since our last report we have held meetings as follows: At Jalapa, Ind. A few souls set free, and one out of sectism. From Jalapa we went to Sweetser, Ind. At this place God gave us a wonderful feast; only a few saved. From Sweetser we returned home, after being away three months. We then began meeting in Olive Bethel in Bro. Leiningers neighborhood. The meeting continued four weeks, during which time God set free many dear souls. Between thirty-five and forty were pardoned. Monday, 10th, eleven happy souls were immersed in the name of the Lord. The 14th, 15th and 16th inst. we had meeting at Beaver Dam. Two souls saved, and about fifty happy people who love Jesus took part in the ordinances of God’s house. Brethren, God is blessing in these parts. Bro’s A. B. Palmer, S. Michels and H. C. Wickersham were present in the Olive Bethel meeting a few days. We remain your blood-washed brethren in the gospel,
S. L. Speck and C. B. Morton.
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Gospel Ark, Hazel. O., Feb. 17.
Dearly Beloved: We are still enjoying the Lord; he is our all and in all; has supplied and provided for us beyond what we expected, although being hindered for want of means. As we learn it is a query in the minds of some as to the work being hedged here; will just say by way of explanation that our financial affairs were so that we could not invest means in making the Ark comfortable for services during the winter. And as the Lord did not move others to assist us, the work closed for the present. All we have is in the hands of God, and as soon as he opens the way this difficulty will be removed. God supplied the Ark with humble consecrated workers who labored effectually for souls, until the meetings had to stop on account of cold weather. We are not in need of help at present, as the Gospel work cannot open here until spring. We will trust the Lord to send whom he will. Pray for us that we may advance in the Christian graces and become more efficient in the work of the Master. Your brother and sister in the one body,
L. C. and Jennie I. Mast.
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Freeny, Miss., Feb. 15.
Dearly Beloved: We are at home again, after one month’s stay in East Louisiana where we met many of the dear saints whom we never met before. God bless them all for their kindness to us. I feel that God is moving us deeper down than ever in Bible humility. While God is moving to give us any of the gifts of the Spirit, let each one of us see that we are humble enough to receive them. While we were in La. God taught us some precious lessons on this line. While he was teaching us these lessons he did manifest himself to us in greater power than ever before, in healing the sick and lame; crutches were laid aside in the name of Jesus; fever was rebuked in his name; the ones who were bound arose praising God every whit whole. To God be all the glory. Amen.
Dear Saints, God bless you all, and above all things let us have fervent charity among ourselves, and walk in love as Jesus has loved us. I am praising God for perfect freedom in my soul to day, and I am his for a forward move in all things. Pray for me and mine. Your brother saved in the evening light,
R. H. Owens.
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Almira, Wash., Feb. 10.
Dear Brethren: The meetings at Almira closed the 5th with glorious and sweeping victory. In all, about thirty souls were saved out clear and free for God, from the Congregational, Presbyterian, M. E., U. B. and mostly from the Baptist sects. And some sinners were saved and added to the Lord, most of whom went on to perfection and received the experience of sanctification. The work of grace in most of them was clear, bright and thorough. Many others raised their hands for our prayers, who we trust will yet be saved. Nine were immersed in God’s name; more to be baptized in the near future. There were at least twenty cases of divine healing. Some of them were truly wonderful healings; ’Grippe, bad colds, weak and sore eyes, catarrh of ninteen years standing, and some real serious complications of diseases of eleven or twelve years standing, beyond all of the skill of the doctors to cure. Some of the saints at Creston attended the meeting. The Lord had used Sister Davis for his glory, in scattering tracts and holding up the light and truth to the people. Toward the last of January Bro. Martin returned to Spokane. Feb. 2, we met in a joyful ordinance meeting in which twenty-seven happy saints participated. Sister Almira Davis was ordained of the Lord as overseer of the flock. Amen. They will hold their regular weekly meetings and a holy Sunday School, and the Lord willing a camp or tabernacle meeting will be held at Almira, from May 22 till June 15, 1896.
The 6th we held a very profitable meeting at Hartline, with victory for His cause. House packed to its utmost, with an earnest and attentive congregation. Are now holding meeting in a Presbyterian house, ten miles S. E. of Almira. Four stepped out into the light to day. God is moving in power and glory in this country as never before. We have a fixed faith in God, and are rising higher in his power and glory. Hallelujah! Yours in his name,
J. C. Benton,
F. N. Jacobson and Co-workers.
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Knox, Ind.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I started for this place Jan. 22d, but stopped off at Burkett, Ind. and paid dear Bro. Speck and family a visit, which was very much enjoyed by us. Bro. Speck being engaged at that time in a meeting in the neighborhood of Bro. D. Leininger, near Beaver Dam, Ind., we attended two meetings at that place. The Lord was working in the salvation of souls. We came on to Knox the 25th and commenced a meeting in a school house about six miles east of town. The Lord helped us a few evenings to preach the everlasting gospel to the people in that place. The meeting was pretty well attended. One dear sister renewed her covenant with the Lord. My heart was touched with a feeling of sympathy on the account of the poverty of the people in that neighborhood. But there was one thing that I could not sympathize with and that was so much filthiness and dirt. Soap is cheap, and water in Stark Co. is plentiful and of good quality; and salvation will cause a free application of each on person, clothing, beds and household in general. Feb. 6 we came to the town of Knox and commenced meeting in the Latter Day Saints’ meeting house. The gospel had never been preached by the Holy Ghost in the evening light before. The attendance was good, with the exception of a few evenings when the people were drawn away by other meetings in town. The interest was good and we had some very precious meetings on the account of the presence of the Lord, to bless in preaching the Word and the salvation of a few. Two consecrated to the Lord, one for pardon, and the other for sanctification; and others in the sects testified to salvation. And we believe that God has a few children here in the sect. Quite a number testified by rising up that they would take the word of God for their guide and that alone. We hope they will give earnest heed to the things which they have heard, lest at any time they should let them slip. We go from here to Donaldson, and La Paz, and after a few meetings at these points we expect if Lord wills to commence a meeting about the 3d of March in Grover Hill, Paulding Co., Ohio. Any desiring our labors in the Lord, address us at New Pittsburg, Ind. Your brother saved in Jesus,
H. C. Wickersham.
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Melrose, O., Feb. 20.
Dear Brethren: We are praising God for perfect victory. From Thornport we had expected to go to Rushville, O., but the way closed up and so we came on to Sidney, O. and met with the little ones, seven miles north-west of Sidney, Wednesday night Jan. 29; rested our wearied bodies next night and then began the battle in earnest Friday night; and was agreeably surprised and also comforted by the coming of our dear Bro. A. J. Kilpatrick and others. Bro. K. was used of the Lord in pushing the battle to the gates. The truth has been preached there for several years and the devil has been operating certain ones all that time in such a way as to bring a reproach on the cause and disgust, and drive sinners away; but God’s judgments were faithfully executed and laid to the line, which exposed the Achans, and thank God a few precious souls made their escape from the snare of Satan and were reclaimed. To God be all the glory.
Bro. K. was with us a week and then returned to Waynesfield, O. where he had arranged to hold a series of meetings. The day following his departure we were reinforced by Bro. Geo. W. Howard, of Castine, O. This was the fiercest battle we have engaged in this winter, but God was our munition, and complete victory was the result. At this place is a man, A. J. Fosnight, who was one of the first ones to accept the truth, but now confesses publicly he never had the experience. He also confessed publicly that he was under the influence of a free-love spirit. He was at the altar at different times during the meeting, but before he would humble himself enough to own that he had been a hypocrite and have the devil exposed and rebuked, he concluded to “wait awhile and consider it over.” In the past this poor man has assumed the position of teacher or elder, and was possessed of a real mimicking spirit. May God have mercy on him and some others who are in a measure in the same condition. And may God bless and sustain the dear little ones at that place and keep them free.
Now to all the workers, let me exhort one and all in Jesus’ name to be more thorough in the work. I am fully convinced that there is plenty of room for advancement in this line. God help us all to be able to take the precious from the vile. My prayer to God is, help me to more perfectly discern between the righteous and the wicked, and between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Meeting closed the 16th. Bro. Geo. H. returned to his home and we came to this place, and will remain a few days battling for the Lord and precious souls. Pray for us. Yours and Christ’s, advancing as the Lord leads. To him be all the glory.
J. N. and M. J. Howard.
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TESTIMONIES.
“Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” – Psa. 119:129
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Harper, Kan.
Dear Ones in Christ: I feel like adding my testimony for the glory of God. It will soon be four years since God saved my soul and gave me light on his word, and I have enjoyed much peace and happiness in my soul. God’s word says if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. After I was saved it opened up to me like a new book. I was claiming sanctification, yet the Methodist denomination I joined was so against it I kept it to myself. Oh what blindness the souls are in to day! When I heard the truth as it is in God’s word preached and began to measure myself by the Word, I was far from being sanctified as I had thought to be. I was sanctified unto the world instead of to God; and when I met with the children of God I saw they were very plainly dressed people and I know I did not feel like them. “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
God works in mysterious ways to bring us unto him. He has permitted me to endure some very sick spells while unsaved, and sufferings which only God and myself can tell. He permitted me to be in a cyclone which almost took my life. I bear the marks on my face and body to day. While God saw fit to take my little babe which I had in my arms unto him, in his tender mercy and kindness he spared me that I might prepare to meet him. So you who are proud and rebelling against God and have your little families still around you, remember that in an instant God can take one in a way that you would not be thinking of.
The Lord has been a wonderful physician to me. While unsaved I would suffer so badly in case of confinement with all earthly help and doctors could do for me; but since God saved me I have gone through with child-bearing without the least of suffering and without doctors too. Praise the Lord! I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Amen. Your saved sister,
Daisy Tomlin.
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DIVINE HEALING.
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The Life of Christ in our Bodies.
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“WE also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
The normal state of the Christian is herein set forth. “Lively stones,” not the soul life alone to the exclusion of the body, but the “whole man” energized and filled with that lifegiving power which is consequent from the relation existing between our great head Jesus Christ, and all who are born of his Spirit; for “we are bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh.” We are commanded to be holy both in body, and in spirit, and there is a divine instinct implanted within us, wherein “our hearts and our flesh crieth out for the living God.” We would have him reign in and rule over the whole temple that it may be filled with the Holy Ghost.
It was a matter of much surprise to the apostle Paul that the Christians at Corinth failed to recognize this important truth; and in his letter to them he asks them three times if it is possible that they do not understand the relation existing between the Lord and their bodies. “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? — 1 Cor. 6:15. “What, know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost?” — 6:19. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? — 3:16.
If the Christians of the apostles’ time were slow to understand the Bible relation of the indwelling Spirit, it is no wonder that in our day, this lack of knowledge and faith, together with the forces which have combined to usurp his rightful reign, have given place to multiplied diseases, and infirmities, as the years have rolled on.
The living presence of the Holy Ghost rebukes the progress of disease, and enables us to “run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.” We are commanded to present our bodies a living sacrifice, “holy and acceptable unto God, and as we comprehend that our bodies are the members of Christ, and discern his body by a living faith, we shall have his own life flowing through us, giving spiritual vigor through every organ and tissue, and every nerve and muscle, beyond any natural health or strength.
It is a fact that our bodies have been left out of our religion in the vital sense of the matter. True, we have asked God to bless, and preserve, and to heal us when we were afflicted; but the time is coming when we shall realize more fully that “our kingdom is not of this world,” and while the nations around us are depending upon natural means to overcome sickness and preserve health, we may receive day by day, the same divine life through our bodies upon which the life of the soul depends. We need to be equally watchful as to physical temptations, and hold the “shield of faith” in defence of the welfare of the body the same as for the life of soul, “that we may be in health, even as our soul prospereth.” Thus we may have increasing ability to glorify God, and do him service.
J. E. Courtney.
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Healed of Deafness.
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I am glad to testify that the Lord is my healer. I have been hard of hearing for eleven years. Lost my hearing through over work and much excitement while living in Vineland, N. J. Have tried doctors in Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Alameda, but no help. They all said my ear drums were destroyed. I used an ear trumpet which was some help to my left ear: the right one was so deaf that I could not hear with the trumpet.
I was told of the gospel Healing Home in Oakland. A sister and myself attended the morning prayer service where they preached to me and read out of the blessed Book through my ear trumpet. I was prayed with for increased faith, and after attending the second morning meeting I felt that I was getting near to the place where my faith could take hold of the pomises.
On the morning of Feb. 2, after prayer I was anointed in the name of the Lord, and instantly my ears were opened. Oh how my heart was filled with glory! That was a happy moment, and the week that has just passed has been the most blessed week of my life. My right ear that was totally deaf now hears distinctly, and I know that I shall be strengthened more and more. Praise the holy name of Jesus! Your sister saved and healed,
Bertha Kullman.
1815 Oak St., Alameda, Cal.
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Healed of Bronchitis and Lung Trouble.
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In writing this testimony I do pray God that it may become a blessing to many who have not yet received faith to take Jesus for their physician. With all my heart do I praise and glorify Him, who has made me healthy in spirit, soul and body.
One year ago I was a wretched man, but was led to Jesus by a dear sister who taught me the way. Soon after Satan tried hard to get me back again. I was sorely tempted and also afflicted in body. Had bronchitis and lung trouble. I tried all kinds of medicine that I could hear of, but nothing helped me; I had to go to the hospital. Was there three months but was no better. I called upon God for help, but not knowing how to accept healing I was not helped. I suffered on until I heard of the Gospel Healing Home, and was told that the brother there taught the people how to obtain faith. So I went a few mornings to the house of prayer but could not find much relief, until the dear Lord showed me that I should obey the command in Jas. 5:14, 15. I did so; I was anointed and prayed for, and that very moment I felt the Holy Spirit fill me and he took possession of my whole being. I testify to the honor and glory of God that I am a healthy man now. Praise his name forever! Your brother in Christ,
William Munzel,
Oakland, Cal.
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A Word of Warning to Girls.
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I FEEL like speaking a word of warning to the young girls. When we look around us and see the sin that is committed among the girls of to day, it makes our hearts sad to see them rushing headlong right into hell, never stopping to look where their pathway will lead their souls, reveling on in their sins and carnal pleasures; attending all manner of places of vice and sin, such as dances, theaters, ball rooms and such like, and even getting drunk and have to be carried in off the street. In the name of Jesus I warn you to stop and look where this is leading you to. Just think of that lake of fire that burns for ever, that was prepared for the devil and his angels, and all those that serve him; a place where the flames are never quenched and the worm dieth not, but your souls will be in torment forever and ever. There will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and cursing Almighty God. Oh just think of that awful place where there are whoremongers and every unclean person, and all manner of evil spirits to be your companions through all eternity! But on the other hand there is a place that God has prepared for those that love and serve him, where all is peace and joy and happiness, ever in the presence of God.
THEIR MOTIVE.
I feel the Lord wants me to talk plain. The great motive of the girls of to day is to seek the company of young men. Some start out when only ten years old. The first they know, Satan has his bands so tight around them that it is impossible for them to escape unless loosed by Jesus. They are persuaded by vile men to indulge in gratifying the lusts of the flesh. They allow them to get around them in such a way that it is almost impossible for them to resist the temptation, and on the other hand the girls will tempt the young men in such a way that they will partake of the temptation, and the first thing they know their character is gone and they are steeped in sin and degradation, and they turn out into the world caring not what they do, or go to some house of ill fame, there to spend a life of wretchedness and misery. Oh the hundreds and thousands of young girls that are wrecking their lives in this way!
THEY DO NOT OBEY THEIR PARENTS.
Many a poor mother’s heart has been made to ache on the account of their wayward daughters. In the name of Jesus heed Mother’s warnings. The word of God says, “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth.” — Eph. 6:1-3. Do not keep company with young men until you are of a suitable age to know what kind of a man is fit for you to go with. Give your hearts to God and live a pure life before him, and if he sees fit to give you a companion he will send you the right one; and then you can live together in peace and happiness, and life will be a pleasure instead of misery. The word of God says, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
ARE LED INTO A WRONG MARRIAGE.
There are many persons, both girls and young men, that marry just to gratify their lusts, or to hide their guilt and shame that they have brought upon themselves. Now this is not of God, and they will not. live happy together. There are many girls that marry just to keep from being old maids. Now dear girls, let me warn you to beware that un less you are joined together in the right way life will be a misery. You had a thousand times better be an old maid than to join yourself to some one that will be unkind to you. Just think of the girls that are ruining their lives and their happiness forever in this way. They meet with a young man that has a nice appearance, and they say, “Oh well, that is the one for me.” They are wanting so bad to get married they will take up with almost any one. The young man will show all love and affection for that girl, and deceive her in such a way that she will think he loves her with all of his heart. And it may be he will get around her in such a way that he will persuade her to sell her virtue, promising to marry her; and then after her character is gone, he will leave her in shame and disgrace. Or if he marries her at all he will be brutish and unkind to her, causing her to be a slave to his brutish lusts, and causing her life to be a misery. Oh dear young friends, take warning and beware!
A WORD OF ADVICE.
Now I feel like saying a word to the young saints. You should live very close to the Lord; and he says, “Shun the very appearance of evil.” This means for us to shun everything that looks like sin. When we start to serve the Lord, we must cut loose from the world, for we cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. Therefore, dear ones, do not keep company with unsaved young men. They may seem all right in an outward sense, and tell you they are saved; but dear ones, if we have the Spirit of God dwelling richly in us we can detect these things. The devil can transform himself into an angel of light, to deceive the very elect if possible. But praise God forever, if we have the real discernment we can tell these things. God says he does not leave his children in darkness.
If you keep company with an unsaved young man you are putting yourself in a place where the devil can throw all kinds of temptations around you. In this way he has a good chance to slip some of his straps on you before you know it, and the first thing you know you have lost your experience of salvation. The devil will get you to think it is no harm to joke or jest a little or laugh at their idle, ungodly tales. Now these are little things but the Word says it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. So beware of little things. As little a thing as a mouse can destroy much if it gnaws a hole in a sack of meal. Though the hole be small, that meal will keep leaking out until it is all gone. Just so with the soul; if we let these little things come in they will cause our salvation to leak out.
Some may say they are going with some young man to get his soul saved. But this is a very poor way to do it. But it is a good way for Satan to slip his bands on you. Instead of going with that one you should be praying for the Lord to convict his soul of his sins, and that he may give his heart to God. Then if it is right for you to keep company with that one, the Lord will show you. God says if we are led by his Spirit then we are his sons and daughters. He also says in his word, “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Now dear ones, this means for us not in any way to be partakers with sinners.
“For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord; and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” — 2 Cor. 6:14, 15, 17.
This is one of God’s commands. He says, “He that loveth me keepeth my commandments.” May God’s richest blessings be with you all. Yours in the one body,
Mrs. Jennie Walker.
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TESTIMONIES.
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Vera, Ill.
Dear Saints: I am praising the Lord for a present salvation that keeps from all sin each day. I thought I would add my testimony with the rest. The Lord is my present help in every time of need; the Lord will answer prayer. I can further add my testimony about our little boy being healed. He is eight years old; he had great faith in being healed. He was anointed and the Lord healed him. We give him all the glory. I want all of God’s people to pray for me that I may be wholly sanctified. Your sister in Christ,
Sarah Crotser.
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Lacomb, Oregon.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: I have felt like writing my testimony for some time. God saved my soul over two years ago and blotted out my transgressions. During that time the Free Methodists were holding meeting here, and I not understanding the evil of being joined to a sect, thought I should join one, and joined on six months probation. But before the time expired for me to be taken into full membership I began to get my eyes open, so I did not go into full membership. Praise the Lord for it! This morning after prayer I was made to realize the great responsibility that is resting on God’s children that they be not stumbling blocks in others’ way. We are much in need of some of God’s ministers to come here and preach the Word in all its purity. Pray for my husband and I that we may be nearer to God and have more light on his word. Your sister,
Mary Dobson.
ADVANCEMENT
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Walk by Faith.
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“WE walk by faith, by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7. No text better expresses the true principles of spiritual advancement, than the little text which says “we walk by faith.” But it requires especial help from God to fathom its depth. The church must make a great advancement on this line. We are too much like men, and not enough like God. We see things too much as men see them and not as God sees them.
We read that “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7. Now true it is, that men are naturally inclined to look upon the outward appearance; even after we have received salvation, the same inclination remains to be overcome by an increase of faith, and trust in God. How naturally men are inclined to think that God’s work is prospering when they see it outwardly manifested, and to think it is not moving, when they see no outward manifestations! How naturally men are inclined to think God is in the camp when ecstasy and joy is seen in his people, and to think he has forsaken the camp of his saints, during times of extreme quietness! God help us all to walk by faith, and be strong in the Lord. And if we ever expect to be strong, we must walk by faith. We must learn to obey the commandment which says, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” — Jno. 7:24. We must have a faith that will believe against every opposition in outward appearance; that will not shrink whatever be the opposite appearance in our circumstances.
There is also an inclination in man to see everything a little better than it actually is. Like the camera, he pictures everything it little nicer than it really is. If you have your picture taken in black, your likeness in the portrait will be dressed in black, though somewhat lighter than the clothes you wore. But if you were dressed in a light striped, or checked suit, your likeness will be dressed in white. You will observe also that in views of natural objects, such as trees, lakes, mountains, etc., the camera puts a fascinating tint upon them, that is not upon the natural object.
The above beautifully illustrates the weakness in man, of which we are speaking. Like the camera, man fails to see black things, in all their blackness; and fails entirely to see slightly colored spots and streaks in things that are nearly white. It is an imperfection in the camera that prevents it from picturing things as they actually are; so, also, is it a real imperfection in man that prevents him from seeing spiritual objects as they are. God wants us all to advance to a state of spirituality that will enable us to see the devil in all his ugliness, and the elements of his kingdom in all their abominableness.
We must advance to the real inside track of Christianity, in which we can see with an eye of faith, and need not trust to the sight of the eyes and the hearing of the ears. This is Christlikeness, for we read of him, “He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears, but with righteousness shall he judge.” — Isa. 11:3, 4.
Brethren, we must get down into God where we can see with the eye of faith, everything just as it is, or we will never be where the devil cannot by transforming himself, pass among us for an angel of light. Ye must learn to “walk by faith and not by sight,” else, we can never a plane from which we can all be taught of God. Isa. 54:13.
Wm. G. Schell.
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HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” — Mark 11:24.