28 January 1892, Volume 12, Number 5.
GOD’S CAR OF SALVATION.
God’s car of salvation is now passing by,
Oh, who’ll go a pilgrimage home to the sky?
Ye wretched and needy, ye lame, and ye blind,
A right hearty welcome on board you will find.
Our blessed Conductor will help you on board,
And gracious assistance and comfort afford;
He’ll see to your baggage that nothing be lost,
And grant a through passage without price or cost
But see that your treasures are every one given
To Christ, the conductor, and laid up in heaven
For you and your treasure, at whatever cost,
Must all go together, — be saved or be lost.
Oh come, weary, waiting one take the first train
For daylight is passing, and night comes amain;
No time to turn homeward to bid friends adieu,
All heaven is waiting to see this train through.
No time to turn homeward to bury the dead,
For the train never waits for the funeral tread;
But dashes right onward and keeps steady pace,
Like a giant determined to win in the race.
But down by the highways and hedges beside
Where the wretched, the poor and the needy abide
’Tis there this train pauses, and takes her supplies
Of pilgrims enroute for their home in the skies.
Then onward, right onward, past traffic and trash;
Part jobbers and merchantmen scrambling for cash.
Past tall steepled churches, and clo..e fisted Jews,
And loud sounding organs, and high rented pews.
For none such are wanted, no room on this train,
For mixing salvation with illgotten gain;
No traffic in churches, no pews bought or sold,
No praying or preaching for silver and gold.
No room for dame fashion, for raffles or curls,
For outward adorning, gold, silver, or pearls,
No room for earth’s pleasures, church picnics or sprees
E’en though the poor preacher doth pocket the fees.
No room for indulgence in any known sin,
In snuff, or tobacco, in brandy or gin;
No room for a Mason, Odd Fellow or Knight,
No walking in darkness and calling it light.
No running to Egypt for barley or corn, [storm.
But running to heaven through tempest and
On! on! through the battle, the din and the strife,
On! on! to the evergreen mountains of life.
Selected.
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EXTRACTS,
From vision of the Ages.
OR
Lecture on the Apocalypse
BY
B. W. Johnson, member of the Christian Sect.
“IT is needful to enquire what the term BABYLON means. It occurs several times in the New Testament. Here, (in the Apocalypse) it is spoken of as ‘that great city,’ and her fall is doomed ‘because she hath made all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication.’ In Rev. 17:5, a scarlet harlot is seen sitting upon the seven headed and ten horned monster, and upon her forehead is written, ‘Mystery, Babylon the great.’ With this woman the kings of the earth are said to have committed fornication. In chapter 18, the fall of the great city, Babylon, is detailed at length, and it is AGAIN said that all the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. The HARLOT with Babylon stamped upon her brow, and the great CITY of fornication styled Babylon, in chapters 14 and 18 are one and the same existence.
There is an ancient city of Babylon often mentioned in the Old Testament, but, ages before John wrote, it had ceased to be inhabited, and the only dwellers among its lonely ruins, were howling wild beasts and hissing serpents. It has never been rebuilt to this day and has passed away forever. John refers, therefore, not to old Babylon, but to some power yet unseen, … when he was upon the earth,) that should be revealed in due time, and of which old Babylon was a symbol. Let us notice some of the features of ancient Babylon:
(1.) On that site took place the confusion of tongues which divided ..ose who before had been of one ..eech and one family, into various ..bes and schisms at variance with ..ch other and of various tongues. ..he name Babylon, a memorial of this event, means confusion, and is ..erived from babel.
(2.) Old Babylon persecuted the people of God and destroyed the temple in Jerusalem.
(3.) It carried the people of God into captivity.
(4,) It was a mighty, resistless universal empire. The antitype, the spiritual Babylon, must correspond. There is a power that exhibits all these characteristics. By apostasy from the truth it originated the schism which has divided the family of God into sects and parties which speak a different spiritual language. It has carried the church into a long captivity by binding upon it the thralldom of superstition. It has been a constant persecutor of the saints, and has enjoyed an almost universal dominion. That power is the woman that sits upon the seven headed beast, the seven hilled city, the false woman, symbolical of a false church, the great apostate spiritual dominion of Rome!”
And, we may add, out of which have come, (directly or indirectly) all the religious sects of the present day. The above extract, coming as it does from a sectarian, speaks volumes. It seems so strange that GREAT men, such as Johnson, and Alexander Campbell of the Christian and Disciple orders and many others teach either directly or indirectly that sectism is not of God, and then remain in them. We will give a few extracts showing how noted men of different religious denominations view this subject, thus showing the readers of the Trumpet that we are not ALONE in our denunciations. We quote from “Facts for the times.” Dr. Barnes says, The word Babylon became the emblem of all that was haughty and oppressive, and especially of all that persecuted the church of God. The word here [Rev. 18:4] must be used to denote some power that resembled the ancient and literal Babylon in these characteristics. The literal Babylon was no more; but the NAME might properly be used to denote a similar power. Wm. Kinkade, in “Bible Doctrine,” page 249 says; “I think Christ has a true church on earth, but its members are scattered among the various denominations, and are more or less under the influence of mystery Babylon and her daughters.”
Alexander Campbell says: ‘‘The worshiping establishments now in operation throughout Christendom increased and cemented by their respective voluminous confessions of faith, and their ecclesiastical constitutions are not churches of Jesus Christ, but the legitimate daughters of that mother of harlots, the church of Rome.”
Lorenzo Dow says of the Romish church: “If she be the mother, who are the daughters? It must be the corrupt, national, established churches that came out of her.” — Dow’s Life, page 542.
In the “Religious Encyclopedia,” Art. Antichrist, we read: “The writer of the book of Revelation tells us he heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, that ye partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues.’ If such persons are to be found in the ‘mother of harlots,’ with much less hesitation may it be inferred that they are connected with her unchaste daughters, those national churches which are founded upon what are called Protestant principles.”
The Tennessee Baptist says: “This woman (popery) is called the mother of harlots and abominations. Who are the daughters? The Lutheran, the Presbyterian, and the Episcopalian churches are all branches of the (Roman) Catholic. Are not these demonstrated ‘harlots and abominations’ in the above passage? I so decide. I could not, with the stake before me, decide otherwise. Presbyterians and Episcopalians compose a part of Babylon. They hold the distinctive principles of papacy in common with papists.”
In the Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge we read: ‘‘An important question, however, says Mr. Jones, still remains for inquiry: ‘Is anti–christ confined to the church of Rome? The answer is readily returned in the affirmative by Protestants in general; and happy had it been for the world were that the case. But although we are fully warranted to consider that church as ‘the mother of harlots,’ the truth is that by whatsoever arguments we succeed in fixing that odious charge upon her, we shall, by parity of reasoning, be obliged to allow other national churches to be her unchaste daughters, and for this plain reason, among others, because in their very constitution and tendency they are hostile to the nature of the kingdom of Christ.”
When one of Martin Luther’s guests remarked that the world might continue fifty years, he replied: “Pray God it may not exist so long; matters would be even worse than they have been. There would rise up infinite sects and schisms, which are at present hidden in men’s hearts not mature. No; may the Lord come at once, for there is no amendment to be expected.”
Mr. Harthy, a learned churchman has remarked as follows: “There are many prophesies which declare the fall of the ecclesiastical powers of the Christian world; and though each church seems to flatter itself with the hope of being exempted, yet it is very plain that the prophetical characters belong to all. They all have left the true, pure, simple religion, and teach for doctrines the commandments of men.”
A. B. Palmer.
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Religious Pensioners.
THE United States are now supporting many of the union soldiers as pensioners, and no doubt the most are worthy. But the kind which we refer to, are the ecclesiastical pensioners, and they are legion; the country is outraged by the army of those sectarian sponges. Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. — Micah 3:5, 11.
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock. Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. — Eze. 34:2, 8, 10. The devil through men has legislated the pension systems and has men, women and children to swear allegiance to the craft by joining their sects. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares: they set a trap, they catch men. — Jer. 5:26. And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them. in their net, and gather them in their drag; therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. — Hab. 1:14, 15, 16. Woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. — Matt. 23:15. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. — Acts 20:30. The pensioners make their own law and mostly regulate their fee or salary; and yet the people are so blind that they will not see this fraud and deception. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. — Matt. 7:15. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. — Matt. 24:24. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. — 2 Pet. 2:3. Pensions are granted in this fraudulent scheme in proportion to their zeal, hypocrisy, eloquence and loyalty to the creed. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. — Rev. 13:17.
The devil never furnishes means to save souls, neither do those hirelings labor for the salvation of souls. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. —Rom. 16:18. But woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. — Matt. 23:13. The sect calls such men hustlers and some of the sects have complained of the tyranny of the past, and they have known but little of the inside working of their sect, as the laity had no voice, and those that had were debarred by the expenses, while others were filled with disgust at the wire pulling; yet, with all they did not see that this carnal machinery was only the works of men, and that Christ’s church is a divine institution. What would the world do without the sects, their missions, colleges, etc? Ans. — The world could get along better without them than they could without the world. If the world did not support this truckling, hireling ministry I am sure true Christians would not; and as a result those covetous gluttons would soon be compelled to seek other employment.
$1,000,000 of missionary money collected by the M. E’s, and what is done with it. One report says $6,000 for one missionary one year in a foreign field is explained in this way: $5,000 for educating a young man at the expense of the sect for five years:$1,000 for his first year in the foreign field, at the end of which he returns on account of ill health. It is true they bind them to pay this back if they get able, but it is scarcely ever done. This case at Chautauqua, N. Y. is enough to make hell blush. $9,500 that was collected for the free Masons’ aid society (that is, colored people in the South) and was used for building the college, then they passed a resolution prohibiting any colored students from attending.
I belonged to the West Pa. eldership of the Church of God sect for several years: there was money collected for foreign missions, widows’ funds, and several other purposes that neither widow nor heathen ever knew anything of; for before the eldership adjourned every dollar was gone and orders held over for the next year. Can the world get along without such gulping? Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; thas useth his neighbor’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. — Jer. 22:13. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy they do not judge. — Jer. 5:27, 28. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. — Micah 3:10. Yes with slaves and souls of men. Rev. 18:13. Will this empty, pompous fraud continue without being condemned, when the Lord has said so much against it? But they shall proceed no further; for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. — 2 Tim. 3:9, 13.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord Jesus Christ that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices: cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. — 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 14, 15.
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee: and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Rev. 18:20-24.
God’s chariot wheels are rumbling
The walls of ruin are crumbling
The gems of truth are booming
On the hill and on the wave,
And amid the cannons rattle
In freedom’s holy battle [grave.
The song of triumph thunders o’er opinion’s
G. T. Clayton.
Page 2
THE GOSPEL TRUMPET.
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A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL.
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DEFINITE, RADICAL, ANTI-SECTARIAN.
Sent Forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the Purity and Unity of His Church;
the Defence of ALL His Truth;
And the Destruction of Sect Babylon.
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The Ordinance of Feet Washing.
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. $1.90 a dozen. Order of the author, Bro. W. W. Bradley, Watkinsville, Miss or from this office.
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ANTHEMS FROM THE THRONE.
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REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.
On Feb, 10, pray for Clarence Holmes, who is now five years of age. When two years of age he fell from a chair and injured his knee, and since then he has been a cripple, but believes the Lord can heal him. Take his case to the Lord in special prayer.
I sincerely request the saints of God to pray the Lord to save me from my sins, and sanctify me to his sendee, also to heal my afflicted body,
Alfred Lockhart.
Ashland, Ohio.
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Della Hunter of Sargent, Mo., asks the saints to pray that she may be sanctified and healed of cancer in the face. She also desires some one to come there and preach the truth.
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Dearly Beloved of the Lord: Ye who know the power of the living God pray earnestly for the salvation of a precious soul who is bound hand and foot by the powers of darkness. O pray that these bonds of iniquity be forever broken, if necessary by the chastenings and even the judgments of a loving Father’s hand, and this poor soul be set free in Jesus.
A soldier for Christ.
Pellston, Mich., Jan. 18, 1892.
Dear Saints in Christ: I have been afflicted with Catarrh deafness for 30 years; have not heard a sermon preached for 20 years. I have tried many things and spent many dollars but it did no good. I have Catarrh of the throat and stomach, have liver and kidney trouble. Last fall the Lord saved me, and now I gave up all medicine and give my case into the hands of God who is able and willing to heal all our afflictions if we will give ourselves up to him. Dear saints, I want you all to pray for me February 7 that I may be healed of deafness and all bodily affliction. Pray earnestly that God will open these deaf ears of mine that I may once more hear the glad sound of salvation before I am called home.
Your sister saved,
Lavina Hawkins.
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Mrs. Carrie Thomas of Battle Creek, Mich. who has been sick for several weeks, and under medical treatment, requests the saints to pray for her that she may be saved, and healed. Her husband also desires your prayers.
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Masonville, Ia., Jan 19, 1892.
Dear Trumpet Readers: Please pray for my sister, Fannie Gardner, that she may be healed of heart trouble, and be saved and sanctified. Her address is China, Cal.
Your sister in Jesus,
Della Gardner.
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CALLS FOR MEETINGS.
Oh that God may soon send some one here to preach the pure gospel to the people, is my constant prayer.
Yours in the love of Jesus,
Nettie Henderson.
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Can some one come here to preach the truth to the people?
C. B. Tracy.
Clarendon Hills, Ill.
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
Do not forget the requests for prayer.
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This issue of the Trumpet is a day or two late on account of changing machinery in the office.
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Since the Lord moved on us to purchase a new press and other machinery, he has also already moved sixty persons to help to pay for the same. The donations came in as follows: one $100.00; one $15.00; two $10.00; eight $5.00; five $4.00; four $3.00; eleven $2.00; thirty-three $1.00 and $8.59 in small amounts. Total, $270.59.
God bless the dear ones for their aid in the spread of the Gospel.
Question.
WHEN did the apostles and first disciples enter the church?
Answer. There are a few persons we have heard of, who, though they believe and teach that conversion and regeneration are coincident experiences and that the new birth inducts into the church, yet think it did not do that for the apostles and first disciples of Christ. They base this distinction upon the fact that the church was not fully organized until the day of pentecost, hence, say they, no one could enter it until then. Though this is a matter of no vital consequence to use now, it is very evident, that God is not glorified in that small point, or any other shade of difference between his saints, and neither does the word of God leave any necessity for it. Let us cast down imaginations, and appeal to the word. Is there one text of scripture that plainly teaches that regeneration did less for men before the day of pentecost than since then? We confess we have never found it. When Christ said, “Ye which have followed me in the regeneration,” the word signified all the changes expressed by the apostle, when he said, “He saved us by the washing of regeneration.”
One erroneous idea usually springs from another. And the notion that the apostles and primitive disciples were not in the church prior to the day of pentecost is the result of limiting the church within one of its discriptive figures, and not taking the whole scope of the word, and not even considering the meaning of the word, “church.” Namely, the church is compared to a building. That figure beautifully conveys certain features; but like every other figure, it must not be carried beyond its proper use. It must not be made the one picture from which every idea of the church is drawn. It gives some good object lessons of the church, but false doctrine results from making every thing in a building a point of analogy in the church: and here has arisen this false reasoning: “A building does not exist until the material composing it is all placed in order in it. Therefore there was no church for men to be inducted into until the day of pentecost when the material gathered by the Savior, was fully set in order, organized or built.” The premises is true but the deduction false. What is true of a literal building, in that respect does not hold good in the spiritual. This we prove, first by the meaning of the term church, — Ekklesia. It does not necessarily, or really include in it the idea of an organic structure. It means the called out, or an assembly, or congregation. Now whenever and wherever that existed which is contained in the word church, there the church existed. But John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ, called out disciples, who left all to follow him. Of whom the Lord testified, “They are not of the world,” but are “saved out of the world.” Here then were the called out, the church, the assembly of God. Now we admit that complete organization pertains to God’s church, but is not an absolute characteristic. That is, the church has an actual existence, according to all that the word Ekklesia signifies, as soon as one Or two souls, or more, in any place, are actually born of God, even though they had not received the mighty sanctifying, and organizing power of the Holy Spirit. The comparison of born again children of God, to piles of stone and timber thrown about in confused heaps, from which a building is to be erected, is simply absurd. The analogy does not hold true at all. For instance, the timber is of no actual use while yet in that condition. Not so of justified disciples of Christ; they already bring forth fruit. John 15:1. And even “much fruit.” Again, the building material thus laid upon the gound possesses no cohesion, is bound together by nothing. But this is not true of any who are born of the Spirit. Their hearts are already wonderfully knit together in love. The word of the Lord compares his church to a building, but it never compares converted people to heaps of stone, timber and lumber, collected for the purpose of building something. But upon thus carrying a scriptural illustration, beyond its proper limit, and into the ridiculous and absurdity has been deducted.
The kingdom of God, is in substance the same thing as the church of God. Did people enter it before the day of pentecost? Yes, the law and the prophets were until John, and since then the kingdom of heaven is preached and all men press into it.
But the highest, and most sacred description of the church is that by the family or household of God. John testifies that as many as received Christ, to them gave he power to became the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born * * * of God. Now we say that the kingdom, and family and church of God, are all essentially the same thing. How then could the disciples of Christ be in the former two and not in the latter?
Again, to be in Christ, is to be in the church. — 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:30. Therefore to say the apostles were without the church until pentecost, would be to say they were yet out of Christ, and had no spiritual life and were not branches in the vine. But Christ declared that they were branches in him as the vine.
The peculiar notion we are here correcting, supposes that men born of God before the church was fully organized by the Holy Spirit,, were left outside by their regeneration. But after the full enduement of power, and the complete arrangement of the church, the new birth inducted people into it. If that were so, then it would follow that when men and women are born of God, in a community where the church is yet young, and only on the first plain of Christian experience, they are not yet inducted into the church, as no church is there yet built: but ten miles from there souls are being born of God through the. labors of a sanctified and fully built church, and these new converts are brought into the church, by the same work of grace their brethren ten miles away are left out. But should it be said, that since the day of pentecost, all are born into the church, we would like to know how it can be, and by what principle and by what cause, men converted where there is no sanctified — built — church to day, enter the church, when under the same conditions they could not in A.D. 30. Or if regeneration did not induct into an unsanctified church in Jerusalem, how can it do it in a still less sanctified church in New York. Change of time and place makes no change in this matter. Like causes, under similar conditions, produce like effects.
In the name of Jesus we hope the nonsensical whim, that regeneration did not induct the pre-pentecostic converts into the church of God will be forever dropped, by the one or two persons that have been talking the vain jangle.
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NEWS FROM THE FIELD.
Deshler, O., Jan. 11, 1892.
Dear Saints of the Living God: Praise God, we are standing on the sea of glass, and are doing our heavenly Father’s will. On the morning of Dec. 19, we bade farewell to our loved ones in St. Louis, Mich., and came to Lindsey, O., where we remained a few days, had the privilege of reading the word of God and talking to the people in the Sugar Creek school house, near the town of Elmore. God bless the dear people in that place and lead them in the perfect light and liberty of the gospel for Jesus’ sake, is our sincere prayer. Sister Gerding, Sister Sarah Hess and Bro. Zarns are standing alone in that place. Our prayer to God is that they may sink deep into Christ, where they can endure all things patiently for Jesus’ sake. We expect to stop there again on our way home and hold a series of meetings, the Lord willing.
Dec. 23d, we took train for Sugar Ridge, where we stopped with Bro. and Sister Reed, who are standing alone in the evening light, in that wicked place. Their trust is in God who promised to never leave nor forsake them that trust him. God bless and keep them in his own name for Jesus’ sake.
Dec. 26, came to Weston. The saints there are four in number, perfectly united in the love and unity of the Spirit of the Lord. They had secured the old school house, where we lad meeting a few nights; we had good order and conviction rested on the people, and we heartily believe if the meetings had continued in the school-house, souls would have been converted, but in the meanwhile the house was sold, and the meeting was moved into Bro. Long’s house. Only a few came, but God wonderfully blessed our souls in searching the scriptures, especially on New Year’s day, which was a day set apart for prayer and fasting and Bible reading. It was truly a profitable day to all the dear ones that were present, and we believe all received a better, knowledge of God’s word, and his holy will. Jan. 8, we took train for Rising Sun, but by the way we stopped off at Deshler. We had a strong desire to get acquainted with the saints there. So we concluded to stop over night. But to our surprise the saints had sent a letter to Weston the same day for us to come here and help them in a meeting, which had been in progress for some time. God has done a wonderful work here in Deshler. The old mothers in Israel in the first place comtemplated holding a prayer meeting in behalf of the unsaved people in and around Deshler. This meeting continued over a week, when Bro’s Hill and Miller and others came to their help. Quite a number were added to the church, by the conversion of sinners; believers were sanctified, and still the meeting is going on. Praise God! We had the privilege of holding sendees in the Opera Hall over Lord’s day. Our hearts were filled with love and gratitude to our heavenly Father for permitting us to read his word to a large congregation on Sunday evening. Solemnity rested on the people, and two dear souls found their way to the anxious seat. One gray-headed man came who at one time was saved and called to preach the gospel, and did preach for some years, and the Lord would not let him join any sect, but he went so far as to help the sect preachers hold revival meetings, which he felt was against God’s will: he had heard nothing- of this evening light as yet. But by compromising with the sects he lost all his salvation. He knew not what to do, or where to go, but through the allwise providence of God he was lead to this place over Lord’s day. He came to the meetings, the truth melted his heart, the Spirit of God witnessed to his soul the fact that this was God’s people. He gladly accepted the gospel and was ma.. to rejoice in God, the author and f..isher of his faith. He vowed to … that he would obey him in all hi.. known to him. Let all the sain.. that he may sink deep into t.. of God, go on to perfection, an.. … come useful in Lord’s Vineyard. A.. for us that utterance may be giv.. unto us that we may open our mout.. boldly to make known the mysteri.. of the gospel. Amen! When the Lo.. is through with us here we shall go … Rising Sun. Let all the saints that ca.. come to that meeting, and help us … the work and those that wish to wri.. to us, direct to us at Rising Sim, Wo.. Co., O.
Your saved sister and brother,
Elizabeth & J. R. Walte..
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Bethel, Mo., Dec. 23, i89…
Dear Saints: By the help of God being led by his Holy Spirit, I w.. endeavor to write a few lines in h.. half of cur blessed Master. Glory …
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his name! The Lord has been doing much for his children who put their trust in him. The evil one is gradually being thrust aside. The professors are being made to realize that they need a deeper work of grace in their hearts. The light of sanctification has dawned upon them. Sinners are flocking home and believers are being sanctified. Glory to God! The Lore has not forsaken the people of Missouri. A series of holiness meetings have just closed at the aboved named place, Bethel. The meetings were conducted by Bro. W. A. Spicer. During the meeting sixteen were converted, and thirty-five came out on the Bible line and professed sanctification. Some twenty-five were healed. Thanks to the Lord for his healing power He says he will heal his people, and glory to God the people are getting to be wise enough to take the Lord at his word and be healed. If any one doubts the healing power of the Savior let them listen to the testimonies of those who have tested it and found the promised good. I for one can testify to it. He saves, sanctifies and heals me both soul and body. Praise his holy name!
Another series of meetings conducted by Bro. Geo. Weaver, a short distance from this place in which there were about eighty saved and sanctified. At this meeting the fire of holiness was kindled in this part of the Lord’s vineyard and, praise the Lord, it is spreading rapidly. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! My prayer to all professed followers of the Lamb is to get on the whole armor of God, Eph. 6:13-19, that you may withstand in the evil day.
F. L. Smelser.
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Bushong, Kan., Jan. 17, 1892.
We still report victory in Jesus’ name, in our souls and for God’s kingdom. Praise ye the Lord! Our meeting at Robinson, Kan., continued until Jan. 4. God was with us in much power by the spirit of holiness. Souls came flocking home to God. Secret societies, sects, narcotics and all manner of sins were willingly given up for this great salvation. Perhaps fifteen or more were regenerated, and the greater part of them sanctified. Eight followed the Lord in baptism; others we trust soon will. Bro. Wm. N. Smith and Co. came up from Huron and stayed four days; we were all much refreshed in the Lord. I went to Wymore, Neb., Jan. 5. I visited with my relatives a few days, and held two meetings. There were so few that were true to God, that we were much grieved inspirit. Found no suitable building for meeting at reasonable rates. I returned to Robinson, and with the company soon came to Bushong, where our God is marshaling the host to battle. Next we go to Galesburg, where we expect to meet Bro. Achor.
Yours in the patience and faith of Jesus, sanctified by the Holy Ghost as a second work of grace,
Geo. L. & Mary Cole & Co.
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Union Grove, Ill., Jan. 18, 1892.
To all Dear Saints, Greeting: We commenced meeting in Cottonwood in the M. E. house on Jan. 2d, in the name of the Lord. We only intended to hold over two Lord’s days; but as the Methodist preacher and trustees gave their consent to hold as long as we pleased, we concluded to hold over another Sunday. On Saturday evening we announced that we thought the Lord wanted us to present the church question in two sermons the next forenoon and evening, Sunday. In the morning just at meeting time we were informed that the M. E. peacher would commence meeting there in the evening; we announced that we would close our labors in Cottonwood at present with an ordinance meeting at Bro. W. Daniels’; at which there were four or five at the altar, some were converted and two were sanctified. Bro. W. M. Daniels was ordained as elder and Father B. V. Daniels as deacon. May the Lord ever bless, and use them to his glory During the two weeks’ meeting there were a number of consecrations. The word had its effect; much prejudice was swept away and we believe others will yet step out into the evening light. Bro’s Addison, Edwin Kriebel and Knipe were here from Reddick, Ill. Also Brother and Sister Bunn and Sister Jennie Thompson from Kingston, Mo. There were also a goodly number of saints from adjoining churches in this part of the country. Altogether we had quite a refreshing time, for which we praise our God. We expect to go to Fair Haven from here on Wednesday the 20th, and expect to stop there over Sunday; from thence to Clinton, Iowa, where we expect to open up the Lord’s artillery in His name in that wicked city on the evening of Jan. 26th. We have another urgent call from Kingston, Mo. where we expect to go if we get our premits over the R. R. If we do go to Mo. we probably will remain until May or June, or longer if necessary. Bro. Palmer will return to Michigan sometime in March or April, the Lord willing. After the June C. M. in Mich, we expect to be able to go far or near, wherever the Lord leads or the way is opened up, even unto the Pacific coast, Atlantic coast, Gulf coast or the Northern regions, — any where for Jesus.
A. B. Palmer & wife, & J. A. Dillon & Co.
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Denver, Col., Dec. 29, 1891.
Dear Saints: We have had a glorious feast of good things from the presence of the Lord in Denver, during the past week. The searching truth of God has been dealt out to sinner, professor, and saint with unabating love and impartiality. And so manifest was the power of God through the Holy Spirit, that the hail did sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters did overflow the hiding place. Oh that all who are out preaching the gospel would lay judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet in love! Here is where lies the secret of success. Praise the Lord for honest hearts in Denver, the great Sodom of the West.
Oh, the word of God is quick and powerful! It lays every thing bare that is false. Some of those who were saved before had given heed to doctrines of devils, through the subtlety of Satan, and had been switched off the narrow way. Myself particularly, had been led to believe that a sanctified man could never fall. The Lord proved to me that it was a false doctrine by letting me down. Pray for me that I may evermore rightly divide the word of God. Amen. A vast pile of wood, hay and stubble was destroyed here and many have reached the solid Rock again. One dear soul was blessedly and thoroughly saved who had been a Baptist. There is more pure sweet harmony among the saints in Denver to day than was ever known to the church here. And if it please our heavenly Father that dear Bro. James Willis should at any time return here in the service of God, he will always find a welcome here, for there are hearts full of love, and consecrated purses in Denver. We shall ever think of Bro. Willis as one who went about doing good, preaching deliverance to the captives. O dear saints, let us watch and pray without ceasing, for these are truly perilous times.
Your brother in the love of Jesus,
Jno. E. Roberts.
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Piqua, Kan., Jan. 18, 1891.
Dearly Beloved of the Lord: In much love and great remembrance of God’s mercy, we came to Humboldt, stopped awhile in town and the people were anxious for meeting but not prepared. We stopped Saturday night after a long absence with Father Wolfe. It seemed so odd and how we wished to see Sister Victorine, but praise God to know she is faithful to God. Sunday, went and had meeting and a refreshing time with the Otter Spring saints. Found them in good condition, doing go d work for the dear Master, had four meetings. One sanctified and two justified. On account of appointment four miles north we came here in a new place where the gospel never was preached in its fullness. The meeting has been with profound interest from the first and deep conviction is upon many. Four sinners were most wonderfully converted last night. Every one bright. There are many openings over this country calling for meetings where this never has been preached. What a wonderful work God is doing! O praise the Lord! Yours in the holy war, equipped, shod and shielded. Glory! We expect to go to Neosho Falls, a new place next. Sister Smith from Galesburg opens the way for us. She lives there.
G. R. Achor.
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Green Forest, Ark., Jan. 16, 1892.
To all the Saints, Greeting: May each one of you be kept saved from all sin for Jesus’ sake. Our last report was from Davis City, Iowa. From there we came to Union Star, Mo. Bro. A. W. Haynes met us at the depot with team and took us to his place where he had commenced a meeting, but the roads being so muddy, the meeting closed there, and then we went to Flag Springs and hired a hall. We had good attendance and splendid order and the dear Lord helped us in teaching his word to the people. The people declared that it was the truth, but none were willing to step out on the promises of God, however they want us to come back. The Lord willing, we want to told a week’s meeting at this place. Yours in him,
J. L. June & A. W. Haynes and wife.
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TESTIMONIES.
Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” —
Psa. 119:129.
Colorado Springs, Col.
Dear Saints: I feel led to give my testimony in the Trumpet. Four years ago I was converted in the Salvation Army, realizing that God did For Christ’s sake, forgive my sins. I lived in their ranks for some time, but finally found that I needed a higher experience. I saw the abomination of that sect and came out from among them. I stepped out upon the promises of God, and he blessed me with wonderful power in preaching the truth. My wife and I are all alone in this warfare, but God being with us and in us, we both stand firm in the faith of our Lord. I find that in these last days it will not do for us to accept every spirit that makes a profession, but we must try them, whether they be of God or not. I praise God that my soul is made white in the blood of the Lamb.
Your brother and sister,
C. P. & M. F. Shore.
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Dear Saints: I feel impressed to write my testimony. I do find God an ever present help in time of need. O how sweet he is to my soul just now! Dear reader, keep your eyes fixed on Christ and not on things of the world that we may always follow in our Savior’s footsteps. Four years ago last May I heard the gospel for the first time, and it brought conviction to my soul. I opened the door of my heart and invited Christ in and he came in and took up his abode at once. O praise God for such a Savior! I found that the joy and peace cannot be told which is in Christ. He kept me saved for nearly four years, and I could shout amidst all trials and temptations. After all this the devil got me to thinking I was something just when I was nothing, and got me to looking at myself instead of Christ, until I lost my experience. All my joy was gone and I had lost sight of Christ. I was in an awful condition. I had said some things about some of God’s children and thought at last that they were none of them that were right. I did commence to look at the F. M. sect and thought that I would go there, but I could not do so and feel at rest with Christ. I knew the scripture too well for that. I could not see where I was. I was left without any comfort day nor night. I looked to God many times but got no answer. There was someth.. … me to do. I had to confess what I had done and the Lord was ready to receive me back. The Lord sent dear Bro. and Sister Grover to show me my condition. I do praise God that the light does now shine. I am at rest with Christ again, ready to walk in all the light.
Your brother in Christ,
Oscar Bebee.
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Robinson, Kan.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I wish to tell you all that the evening light has reached Northeast Kansas, and praise God that I am one that has accepted the light and come out of Babylon. I am sweetly saved and rejoicing in the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh praise God that he did send us the true gospel through his messengers! I worshiped at the Baptist shrine for thirty years and got so lean in my soul that I almost lost all faith in God. But I am now Feasting on heavenly manna and eating the good of the land. Praise God!
J. M. Marcum.
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Merrill, Mich.
Dear Saints of God: God bless you all with the unlimited fullness of lis love is my prayer. Amen. My testimony is, I am saved through the flood of Christ, and he keeps me saved. I love the straight and narrow way that is cast up for the redeemed to walk in. Praise God forever and ever! My soul doth magnify the name of the Lord. How wonderfully he saves us and keeps us; though fiery trials assail us yet he stands with outstretched arms to help us if we put our trust in him. I praise God for his word which he has made plain to me. Once I was in darkness and could not understand God’s word, but when his Holy Spirit came into my heart the veil of darkness was taken away. Oh praise the Lord for the blessed evening light, that God has let shine in these last days! The Trumpet truly is a feast to my soul. How our hearts burn within us when we read the testimonies of God’s little ones! May God bless and keep the Trumpet pure and holy. To the glory of God I can say that God is my physician. He healeth all my diseases. Pray for me.
Your sister in Christ,
C. Basore.
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Barkeyville, Pa.
Dear Saints: To the glory of God I want to tell what the Lord has done for me. I was partially deaf for 24 years. I believed that if I would come to the camp meeting of the saints in Pa. and be anointed and have hands laid on me for healing, that I would get my hearing. Praise God! I received it. I could not hear preaching when I was near the preacher. Now I can hear distinctly. Praise God forever! I am so glad I can hear his gospel preached in power and the Holy Spirit. I was also hungering and thirsting after righteousness and He filled me. Matt. 5:6. Praise God!
Your saved sister,
Mary A. Creager.
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Dear Saints of God: I feel led of the Lord to write my testimony. On the night of Nov. 9, 1889, the Lord found me a poor backslider in the devil’s kingdom, from which he most graciously delivered my soul. A short time afterward he sanctified my soul and filled me with the Holy Spirit. I went on in this way for a little over a year when the Lord called us to the ministry; but instead of obeying the call I began to make excuses. Truly the devil got me led off and got my affections on things of the world, and in ways that were not in accordance with God’s word. So I lost the peace of God out of my soul, and in that way I wandered on till about the 1st of last August when I promised God I would forever give up and forsake all things of the earth and all things that would keep me from enjoying the fullness of God in my soul. From that time the Lord most wonderfully cut me loose. I attended the Beaver Dam camp meeting where I consecrated to the work of the Lord. Since then I have been in his service and do ask all those that have been laboring in my behalf and especially the saints in Ohio to forgive me for my past wavering. By the grace of God he has established me on his. word, and I am willing to suffer anything the Lord may take me through, or go wherever he may lead. Pray for me, ye his saints, that the Lord may keep me humble.
Your brother, saved by grace,
W. J. Henry.
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Daleville, Miss.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel led by the Lord to add my testimony that I am a witness for Jesus; for he says, Ye are my witnesses. I have set out to follow Him. Oh I am so glad that I heard the true gospel preached; it gave me light. When I was at a holiness meeting three years ago I received the holy light of God, and I realize that I am saved and wholly free from sin. I am so glad that I can say that l am in the holiness family, in the true church. I praise God not only with my lips but with the whole heart. Dear saints, pray for me that I may hold out faithful to the end.
Your sister, saved and sanctified through the blood of Jesus,
Mary M. Carlton.
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Big Prairie, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: We are saved in the Lord, praise his holy name! We are trusting the Lord for full and free salvation and we are praising him for his mighty healing power. He keeps us out in the ocean of his love day by day. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust. Yes, in him we are trusting all the time and by faith we intend to inherit the place that Jesus has gone to prepare us. Pray earnestly for us.
Your saved brother and sister in Christ,
Cyrus & Mary Moon.
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New Washington, O.
Dear Readers: It has been impressed on my mind for some time to write my testimony. I am praising God for a full and complete salvation that saves from all sin. I do realize that Jesus saves me just now from all sin and sanctifies me wholly. Praise the Lord! Oh, how good the Lord has been to me in leading me out of Babylon! I am free from the yoke. I am so glad the Lord spared my life to see the sin of confusion. O glory to Jesus for Bible salvation! Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls: for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Oh, praise our God! I have found it so. It is so sweet to trust the blessed Jesus for all things. Pray that I may be faithful and kept under the blood. We would be glad to see some of the Holy Ghost ministers come this way and preach the straight word of God.
Your sister in the body of Christ,
Rachel Rosenberry.
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OBITUARY.
At Ellisville, Miss., Johnnie Bertrand Jones, son of J. J. and Jinnie Jones, died Dec. 23, 1891; aged 10 months, and 22 days. He was a bright promising child; he was sick but a short time and the Lord saw fit to call him to his bright home above. May God bless and comfort Bro. and Sister Jones by his Spirit and help them to live true to God unto the end, and they can be with their dear child where sorrow, death and partings will be no more. As David said, “He cannot come to me, but I can go to him.” God help us to always bow in submission to the will of our heavenly Father, who works all things together for good to them that love him. Amen.
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Her Desolation.
A special from Philadelphia says a sensation was created at the regular weekly meeting of the Methodist Preachers’ Association Tuesday by a complaint made by Rev. Dr. Roche of Brooklyn, that Methodism is declining in New York City and Brooklyn. He said that every church in New York, from St. John’s to One Hundred and Eighteenth street, now looks for maintenance to the church societies. “Try as we may,’’ he said, “and use every endeavor, it is impossible to get a congregation. This state of affairs is not the fault of ministers engaged in the work, for I have filled my pulpit with the most able preachers, and the body of the church had not been half filled. There is no use trying — employ every device, you cannot secure a congregation.”
Thus Babylon bewails her desolation. The priest of a sinking religion proceeded to point out some of the causes of this alarming decline. One cause is, he thinks, the following: “That church work has not kept up with the progress of the world.” God says this world lies in wickedness, hence its progress must be in wickedness, and we think the sects have kept up pretty well, or run an even race with the world in vanity, fraud and sin.
Another cause of this trouble, the writer thinks is, “the denominational dogmas,” “persistent doctrinal differences,” prevent intelligent people from patronizing their sects. He hits the point a little better this time. On this point he further says, “If the number of denominations could be reduced to two or three, the Christian religion would become much more comprehensive, reasonable and acceptable.”
God pity the poor bewildered Babylonians. They have organized, systemized, divided and subdivided, and claimed their multitude factions were all necessary to evangelize the world, and now, since they have their fill of sects, they find themselves desolate, and the whole business on the decline, and without the respect of intelligent people. But the poor blind guides, never having discerned the body of Christ, the one and only church of the living God, and all sufficient fold, would have their legion of sects reduced to two or three. But they should do as God says, “Come out of her my people.” “Flee out of Babylon.”
Another cause stated is this: “Men and women, at their homes, can read better sermons from the secular papers than they can hear from the sacred desk.” “Another hindrance to the cause is that church membership in the large towns is too expensive for the average citizen. Right here in Rochester good preaching costs twelve dollars per sermon, twenty-four dollars per week, which is very high compared with the other benefits and blessings of life, and it is a constant drain upon a moderate membership. Formerly the people were taught to believe that salvation is free,’ but the learned expounder of the gospel today demands and receives from one thousand to fifty thousand dollars per annum for such services.” This desolation and its cause is well described in Zeph. 3:1-6.
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Question.
We are requested to state whether the offspring of wholly sanctified parents are born free from inbred sin, and if not, why not? Ans. – We have no record or knowledge of such an event, and the whole tenor of the Scripture is against it. Though such an effect might very naturally be supposed to follow, there are, nevertheless, good reasons that come within our comprehension, why such should not be the case. The work of salvation, as a moral transformation, embraces two successive changes. The first changes the alien from guilt to justification, and infuses the spirit of life and adoption. The second removes inborn evil nature, or bent to sin, and fully restores the divine image. Now if either one of these changes, and corresponding moral states were transmitted to our offspring then the parents salvation would include their … … … … would not … … … … ividually … be saved. But this would be contrary to the whole plan of redemption, which requires that each individual of the race, who has come to the years of accountability, must apply in person to Christ for salvation, who holds in his possession all the treasures of grace and mercy that he purchased for the race, and neither is there salvation in any other. Hence the child of holy parents does not have salvation in either degree in its parents. If you ask why, it is enough to say that God with a view to the honor of his own Son, did not so choose to have it. Therefore he did not cut off the need of his Son’s grace, in procreation. Though there is a great difference in the good and bad characteristics of children, growing out of the character of their parents, and the drift of their minds and affections.
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Questions.
IF I believe on the Son of God, and try to have the faith spoken of by the apostles, and am baptized by a minister of the gospel, teaching the Bible and nothing else, am I not a Christian, if I have conformed to the word as near as I know how?
I will state my case plainly, found a people here, who profess to try to live to the Bible. And having a desire to lead a new life in Christ Jesus, I repented, of my past misdeeds, and earnestly asked God to make me a better man. Next I was baptized in the name of the Lord. And the people that the minister preached to extended to me the hand of brotherly love in the name of the Lord, and I became one of them. Do you think I am wrong in joining their society. The people I speak of owe allegiance to no man, but to God, and are known as the Missionary Baptists. Please answer in the Trumpet. If some one would come here of you people I believe they could do good. An earnest enquirer after the truth as it is in Jesus.
B. R. Wolff.
Rich Hill, Mo.
Answer.
Dear Bro: Your letter awakes much concern in our heart for your spiritual welfare. We truly believe you sincere, but in all love we must say that you have not reached a satisfactory experience in the grace of God; this we clearly read in your letter. We should not simply believe the best we are able and then receive baptism. For possibly the foundation of saving faith has not yet been laid. Faith that saves the soul does not come from trying only, but “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Men should either hear or read the word, with an open heart to God, until conviction reveals the fact that they are in a lost condition, and then they will not ask God to make them a better man, but confess they are all sin, and deserving of hell, and then they will cry to God, “Save or I perish.” Then heartily repenting the soul is enabled to put forth the act of faith that instantly brings pardon, and the witness of the Spirit that you are a child of God. This is “repentance unto life,” eternal life in Christ. And it is “believing with the heart unto righteousness;” namely, it results in a change of heart, a” translation from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” For a description of this mighty change wrought in the heart, and as a result in the life, through faith in Christ Jesus, read Eph. 2. All can see that the act of faith in Christ precedes baptism. But we should not suppose ourself to have put forth that act of faith, until the Bible fruits and effects are present.
A few results of that true faith we give as follows: “First, the instant a soul believes in the Lord Jesus — believes with the heart, — salvation takes place: — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” — 1 Peter 1:9. That genuine act of faith makes a person a child of God. In other words, the heart be.. … … Christ God performs the conscious and supernatural work of regeneration and adoption. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. — Gal. 3:26. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.” Now this new birth takes a person into the kingdom of heaven. — John 3:3, 5. Persons may go through a mere form of repentance, believe with the head unto good desires, and a moral life, be baptized, and do it all sincerely, and yet only have a form of righteousness. Because the deep searching word of God has not been preached into their hearts, by the gospel through the Holy Spirit of God. And such, come up out of the water, and matters being still unsettled in their souls, in all honesty, they come to some confident friend, and ask, “Do you think I am now a Christian?” But, dear readers, be assured of this one thing, that a genuine grasp of faith will bring a salvation to your soul that utterly precludes all questions, and all uncertainties. “The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirits, that we are the sons of God.” And his testimony is absolute, positive knowledge. Hence it is written, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” This love, is not only a profound respect, and admiration for God’s people; for many sinners have that, and have no evidence of the divine transformation. But it is a holy fellowship and blending together in the Spirit of Christ. “If any man has not the Spirit of God he is none of his.” But “hereby know we that he abideth in us, because of his Spirit which he has given us.” Salvation is not an inference, but a positive conscious experience. Not an effort to restrain evil, and develop good, but a new divine life in the soul, which naturally produces a holy and sinless life; for “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” — 1 John 3:9. To try to be a Christian by good works, were like trying to make a good apple- tree of a thorn bush, by sticking good apples on its limbs. Such were a deception to the eye, appearing outwardly, what does not come forth of its inward nature. So Christ says, “Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good.” For we are his workmanship, created unto good works that we should live in them.” “If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature.” Birth, resurrection, passage from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. And many other radical terms used to describe the first work of grace surely describe a marvelous change through which no person can pass without realizing the glories and work or God. Of course, persons who, with sincere motives take on a profession of Christ, without this real miracle of salvation, will be more or less blessed, and their faith, though falling short of a real appropriation of salvation, may even help much to reform the life.
Our brother also seems to be without the real witness of God’s approval in joining that denomination, hence is exposed to doubt. We have been in such places, but thank God we have escaped. Though sectarian parties are often honest, in their education, there is nevertheless a real fraud practiced in extending what they call the right hand of love and fellowship. All the saved do love each other, and lave fellowship in Christ Jesus, and this love manifests itself to each other in various ways. But when a fellowshiping service makes a man a member of some order, sect, or denomination, which the act of salvation does not induct a person into, believe it, a a fraud has been practiced. Christ says he is the door, and by him if any man enter in he shall be saved. If a man is thus taken into the Missionary Baptist, or any other sect, without salvation, it becomes a snare to the soul, and thousands of graceless hearts are leaning on their sect-membership, having no place in the body of Christ. And if a person has indeed found salvation, he has no need of joining anything else, being already in the only church the New Testament teaches. — See Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18, 24. Being saved into Christ, and in his own church. We are complete in him. We will be drawn to worship God with true Christians, who have the Spirit of Christ. … also obey all the commands of Christ, but join no fold, but that which saves us; namely, God’s own church. Amen.
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A brother writes us from the West saying, “I am a minister of the Church of Christ, an organization of about four years standing.”
How is this? In A. D. 32 this Christ said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Did he put off the building until four years ago? No, for Paul said in A. D. 64 the building was then erected. — Eph. 2:22. Did the one Christ built come to an end, that it was necessary to make another? No, for then the gates of hell had prevailed against it. Did he find defects in the one he founded then, and therefore made a better one four years ago? No, it was a perfect structure. Did Christ conclude that it is best to have more than one church? Then he would need have taken back the New Testament he gave us, and given us a different one, reading thus: “As we have many members in two bodies,” etc. “There are two bodies, and one spirit,” etc, Now Christ would surety not get up a plurality of bodies, without revising his book, which acknowledges but one body. We find in the history of sects, that they change their creeds from time to time, to conform to their practice. But Christ has never changed his word. So we are forced to a serious conclusion; namely, that the New Testament never was right, or should have been revised, and is therefore not right now, or that the four-year- old organization is not the church of Christ. Because he only claims to have one church, and that he has had for nearly nineteen hundred years. It is very certain that the last conclusion is the only one that can be true; hence, though it is hard on the young daughter, we must render our verdict accordingly. God bless all the good people, who have joined the new thing, and call them out, that they may only abide in Christ.
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Truly God is Moving on in mighty power.
With a firm conviction that God was pressing our minds forward to procure new and enlarged facilities to hasten forth the pure light and saving truth of God, we moved out with great assurance and blessed tranquil repose in the arms of Jesus. And now, while we write these lines, our heart is filled with gratitude to Him who has led our steps, and blessed our labors, that he has so wonderfully signalized his love toward us in supplying all our needs. Just now the steam is rising in the new engine to start the new press, and about six hours ago the last dollar was paid into the banker’s hands. In a few minutes more the machinery will start up, if the good Lord continues his favor, and its first revolution will be unclogged by any mortgage held by the press company. O let all the dear saints of God join with us in giving him everlasting praise and glory. O Lord, our heart is pressed down beneath a weight of gratitude to thee! What can we render unto the Lord for all his wonderful mercies bestowed upon us! Let all the saints of God help us to praise the worthy name of Jesus. And God bless you all, dearly beloved of the Lord, who have so nobly sent in your precious offerings unto the Lord. I know that God indeed makes you feel that it is blessed to give for Christ sake, yea, more blessed to give than receive, and we know you have given for his sake, for your names are not blowed as in Babylon. Nine hundred dollars were borrowed to complete the payment, on seven hundred of which we have plenty of time, but the other two hundred must be paid soon. The type debt also stands, $200, which must be met in about 20 days, and some heavy paper bills following close on. But God is working, and he will work in all hearts his own good pleasure and we will only ask in the name of Jesus, trust in the Lord, and do his own good pleasure, and bless him evermore.
The Foreign Field.
Owe do praise God for the prospects of seeing the pure gospel carried unto the foreign and heathen lands. This day the following came to our hand, which we send you all, as another occasion to glorify God with us:
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus our Lord, praise, honor and dominon is due unto our God. My soul is oh fire; because of the presence of my Lord. Great and holy is his name. Marvelous are thy works O Most High! While I write I am inspired to exclaim, O who will come up to the help of the Lord? What a wonderful privilege we have that we may experience the blessed words of our Master, “It is more blessed to give than to recieve.” And surety it is a blessed privilege that we may give of our substance unto the Lord; then we can eat of our own, for the wise man says, “A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth and honor, so he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it. This is vanity and an evil desease.” — Eccl. 6:2. Now if we desire to eat of that which God has given us and no stranger, lend unto the Lord and thou shalt eat of the substance of thine own house. We will eat in this life an hundred fold, and through all eternity. God now opens a way so we ourselves may eat and no stranger. In opening up the great foreign mission field, oh how great and how grand it is that we may all have a share in this great work! if not in going to the field, let it be in Returning unto God that which is his own. And as Bro. Achor contemplates going, arid is without doubt called thereunto, let us all put our shoulder to the wheel of salvation arid provide that which is necessary for the work.
Bro. Warner, please find enclosed $50 for a commencing stone towards getting a little home for our dear brother’s family. Please hold the same in readiness until cabled for. Yours under the blood, washed, made whiter than snow. O glory to God! I am saved.
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TESTIMONIES.
Thy Testimonies are Wonderful.” —
Psa. 119:129.
Emlenton, Pa.
Dear Children of God: May the Lord bless you all. I am saved and sanctified, reigning in this life by Christ Jesus, following him where he leads me. I am dead to this world and alive unto God. There are some who are professing holiness and yet using tobacco. God help such to know that they are not doing his will.
From your blood-washed brother,
A. H. Wesston.
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Rolla, Mo.
Dear Saints: I want to add my testimony to the cloud of witnesses. Glory to Jesus for saving me from all sin! I do feel the pure love of God in my soul, and I know my name is written in heaven.
Your sister, saved and sanctified,
Mrs. Hattie Hill.
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Munson, Mich.
Dear Saints: I do thank the Lord that he has justified and sanctified me faith, and I am out on the clear sea of glass, mingled with fire. I am saved from Babylon and everything not of God. I can shout as her city doth burn.
Your saved brother,
F. Howard.
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Adrian, Mich.
Dear Trumpet Readers: Our testimony is that we are saved through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time, Praise the Lord for freedom in Christ! for whom the Lord has made free is free indeed.
Yours in love,