4 June 1896, Volume 16, Number 23.
MY CHOICE.
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A life sin and folly
Is not the life for me:
Old! no, I’d choose the rather
A Christian true to be.
Though pictures beauties
Along this dark, dread way,
Our Savior has rich treasures
For all who him obey.
He tells us of one, Mary.
Who chose the better part.
Who chose to be tike Jesus.
And have him cleanse her heart,
O, then, I will, like Mary,
Come bow at Jesus’ feet.
And then I know he’ll give me
A life that’s pure and sweet.
– By Isabel C. Byrum.
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A Few Words to the Professor.
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“PURE religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” — Jas. 1:27.
By applying the above passage of scripture to the great masses of people who claim to be religious, we see that there are but few that are possessors of pure and undefiled religion. As we pass through the large cities of to-day, and see the many so-called church steeples pointing toward the sky, we might get the idea that the people of to-day are very religious. But as we pass on through the streets of modern Sodom, and see the fatherless and the widows on the streets, uncared for, suffering, and dying both physically and spiritually, while the church members (so-called) are having their sociables and festivals, and in fact, going right along with the world; are we not then compelled to say, according to our text, that their religion is not pure nor undefiled in the eyes of God?
Surely Babylon (sectism) is fallen, and has become a habitation of devils; and God is calling his people out of her, that they be not partakers of her sins, and that they receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities. Rev. 18:2-5. The reader can rest assured, that I am writing from personal experience. I have seen widows (or women whose husbands, through the influence of liquor or sickness, were a burden to them instead of a help), clad in rags, with a half naked child in their arms, out on the streets on a cold and rainy day begging bread. Such people knew little or nothing about God, and have no place at all in the proud and worldly so-called churches. Again I have seen children, when they were no more than four years of age whose parents had died, and thus they were left alone without any one to care for them, and were compelled to go out on the streets trying in whatever way they could to get a little to keep them from starving. — Some of them not even having a place to sleep, and without sufficient clothes to keep them from freezing. Such little children do not know much about wickedness when they begin their lives on the streets; but are soon led astray by older boys, because they are not cared for and have no one to tell them of the love of Jesus, so that in a few years they are found doing all kinds of sins and abominations; such as stealing, drinking, secret vice, the use of tobacco, etc. While, if they had been cared for in time, many of them would doubtless have become useful men and women.
Oh, how disgusting it is to see people who have the means shut up their bowels against those who need help (1 Jno. 3:17.), and then profess to love God! Surely they will receive a greater damnation.
A FEW WORDS TO THE SAINTS.
Dear ones, I am now going to have a little talk with you. What are you doing for the poor and needy? Are you doing all you can with means and prayer, to see that the poor have the gospel preached to them, and that the widows and fatherless have food and raiment? It not let us awake to our duty at once. It is not enough for us to take the word of God and prove that the sects are wrong; but we must apply it to ourselves, and see that we measure up to the standard, and that is just what God wants us to do before we condemn others. Read Mat. 7:1-5. Rom 2:1-3.
Now let us see what the Bible says in regard to our duty to the poor.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him?” — Isa. 58:6, 7.
“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” — 1 Jno. 3:18
Beloved, if we do our duty in that line, we will not lose our reward. Read Psa. 41:1-3. Prov. 19:17. Heb. 6:10. Mat. 25:31-40. But if we do not do our duty (when we know it, James 4:17.) we will lose our souls. God is a Father to the fatherless, and the church should and must be a mother to them. Then let us work while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work John 9:4. We all have something to do for God, and let us not try to excuse ourselves by listening to the devil, who tells us that we cannot do much, but let us remember the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4), and the servant that had two talents which received the same reward as the one that had five. Mat. 25:20-23. And if we have nothing to give at all, we can tell them of the love of Jesus, and point them to the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world. Surely God has something for each one of us to do. Let us be sure we do not bury our talent. Mat. 25:18, 24-28.
CONSECRATION.
Consecration is a secret of salvation, and God wants us to consecrate all our possessions along with our own self. Luke 14:23. Rom. 12:1. And if we are not willing to do this we do not belong to him. I believe that offtimes people come to the altar for sanctification, and fail to get an experience because they do not put all on the altar. They are asked if they are willing to do so and so, and they will answer yes, just because they think that God will not require it of them. While if they were put to a test, they (like the young man spoken of in Mat. 19:16-22) would go away sorrowful. Such people can never have a living faith in God. For God will only give it to those who are in line with his word. They may try to make themselves believe that they are saved, but still their hearts are filled with doubts. And the fact is that they are not saved at all.
Oh may God help his workers to do thorough altar work! Let us remember we are standing between the living and the dead. Let us be sure that the seekers have put all on the altar before we tell them to exercise faith.
Now God does not want all to sell their possessions, and give it to the poor without paying attention to whom we are giving it. But he wants us to have it all on the altar ready to give whenever the Spirit leads. ‘For as many as are led by by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” — Rom. 8:14. But we must be sure that we are in a condition where God’s Spirit can have free access to our hearts; for he cannot lead us if we are not willing to be led. I believe the reason why some are not led to do very much for God and the poor, is because they are not consecrated to do it, and God’s Spirit knows it is no use to speak to them. Your brother in defence of the pure gospel,
Thomas Nelson.
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Errors of Dunkardism.
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CHAPTER III.
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THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER, OR COMMUNION, AND WHAT IT IMPLIES.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remisson of sins.
“But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” — Mat. 26:26-30.
In the above scripture it appears to some that while Jesus was yet eating the passover, he instituted the ordinance of the bread and wine; but that would conflict with John, who says, “Supper being ended,” and Mark says, “As they did eat.” Here a seeming confliction arises in the mind of some, which is caused by that little word “as,” meaning “In like manner to; or while.” While — “time, space of time; during the time that; in which case.” Hence, it is evident that while, or during the time allotted for the eating of the passover, which lasted from the evening of the fourteenth, until the morning of the fifteenth, Jesus took, blessed, and brake the bread, and likewise the wine, and gave to the twelve.
We will now examine Jno. 13:2. “And supper being ended [brought to an end; terminated; finished; or closed].” Here it is argued, that supper being ended, means, the passover was then prepared. But I have clearly proved in the previous chapter that they had already prepared the passover, before Jesus came to the place where they ate it. And when Jesus came they sat down and ate the passover; and Luke in relating the same adds, “And he took bread and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
LIKEWISE ALSO THE CUP AFTER SUPPER [PASSOVER].
“Saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” – Luke 22:19, 20.
Thus we are compelled to see, that “Supper being ended,” simply means that they had finished eating the paschal lamb. And at the same place, after supper, Luke says, Jesus instituted the bread and wine, or the Lord’s supper, which will be more clearly shown as we look farther in to John thirteen, where it is said:
“And supper being ended [passover eaten], the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his handstand that he was come from God, and went to God: HE RISETH FROM SUPPER [passover], and laid aside his garments: and took a towel and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” — Jno. 13:2-5.
Here John relates the institution of the ordinance of feet-washing, which Matthew, Mark, and Luke say nothing about. And John only speaks of the bread and wine as follows: “So after he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, AND WAS SET DOWN AGAIN, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?” — Ver. 12.
It is evident that the passover being ended, (finished or eaten), Jesus then arose from supper (passover), and instituted the ordinance of feet-washing, by washing the disciples’ feet, and commanding them to wash one another’s feet, and again resumed his seat at the table. And according to Mat. 26:26-30, Mark 14:22- 25, and Luke 22:19, 20, he then and there instituted the ordinance of the Lord’s supper or communion, which is the bread and wine.
Hence the whole word of God leaves the Dunkard soup supper standing out in the cold and sinful world of false theories, blind superstitions, and sectarian falsehoods, without one syllable of God’s word to sustain their false claim, the soup supper. Yet, still hoping to find a support for their idolized soup religion, they claim a passover supper consisting of soup, etc., in remembrance of our passing from the law into the gospel dispensation.
It is true, we have that which is termed the Christians’ passover, in the gospel; and Paul in relating the same, says, “Purge out therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened; for even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us.” — 1 Cor. 5:7. Here we find that Christ is the Christian’s passover; yea, he is the gospel lamb. See 1 Pet. 1:19. — “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” And again, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” — Rom. 10:4.
It is evident that the lamb slain by the Jews, was typical of Christ, the lamb of God, the Christians’ passover, which was now sacrificed once for all. See Heb. 9:25, 26. — “Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” And again, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.”—Heb. 10: 10-12.
Christ being the antitype, the law with its types and, shadows was at an end. And we now have the better things that God had reserved for us. See Heb 11:40. It is evident that Christ, our passover, was now sacrificed. He being the end of the law, now set in a new dispensation. Hence, the law with all its rites, ceremonies, sacrifices, feasts, and ordinances, was now at an end, and should proceed no further. The lamb was no more to be slain and eaten. But now, just as the Jews ate the lamb, in remembrance of their exit from Egypt, we are to eat that which belongs to this new dispensation, in remembrance of our deliverance out of the law dispensation and from the bondage of sin.
Paul says, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” — 1 Cor. 11:23-25.
Thus it is evident, that the bread and wine, which Jesus gave to the twelve, the same night of his betrayal, is that which the New Testament Christians are to eat and drink in remembrance of Christ their passover. And these alone constitute their passover supper (if it is proper to call it such), communion, or the Lord’s supper.
Paul further expresses it as follows: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” — Eph. 2:15.
Christ thereby repealed and made void the law dispensation, but in particular its law of commandments contained in ordinances, thereby bringing in a new dispensation, new law, a new church, and new ordinances; yea, a new creation. Eph. 2:10. And again he says, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup [wine], ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” — 1 Cor. 11:26.
Only by eating this bread, and drinking this cup [wine], can we show forth the Lord’s death, and do in remembrance of him. Hence we have no need of the Dunkard invention, the soup supper. Thus, one by one the word of God knocks the props from under this false theory, and completely obliterates it.
And right here is brought to pass the saying of the prophet, “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” — Isa. 28:20. Oh how true! God’s word does not reach far enough to satisfy the soup appetite, hence they have added their own notions, and others, their disciplines. See Rev. 22:18, 19. Yet they all try to justify their proceedings by the Bible; but the cover being too narrow the shame of their nakedness doth appear. See Rev. 3:18. Oh for your poor soul’s sake, heed the counsel of heaven, and get the raiment that will clothe you, which Is the righteousness of the saints. See Rev. 19:8. Yea, repent, and get salvation, which will place you in the path of righteousness, and obedience to all the word of God. Then what you teach, will be the gospel of the kingdom, or church of God, and no man can find Bible to refute your doctrine. But when you preach your own notions, and the theories of your sect, then when the word of God is preached with the Holy Spirit as in days of yore, it will knock down your false theories, and expose you as having taught a false doctrine. Though you may claim it to be Bible, yet you cannot wrap your false theories up, but that the word of God will reveal and expose them.
In the next chapter I will notice the claim of this sect, to be the church of God, and shall prove it to be a daughter of the old mother of harlots, which has filled the world with the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and with whom the kings (Babylon traffickers) of the earth have committed fornication, until the world has been filled with her harlot daughters.
G. W. Howard.
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TESTIMONY.
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Grand Junction, Mich.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: We are glad that we can tell you once more of the goodness of God to us. We are saved to-day with an everlasting salvation, and know while we stand upon God’s word our souls are secure from all the darts of the devil. Praise God! We are learning more of God and his will concerning us. Though we have not reached the hights, breadths, and depths of the love and power of God, we are advancing and getting more and more, according to me power that worketh in us. We have been here at the Trumpet Office the past few weeks, and expect to remain here until after camp meeting; then we expect to go to Missouri, and will likely go to Tennessee in the near future. Pray for us, dear saints, for we feel our need as never before. Any one desiring to write us, address us here.
Robert and Julia Farquar.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1896.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED
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C. W. Foose, Ella Wessel. G. F. Hesselton. J. B. Mills, Geo. Filhour, Jessie Irland, J. E. Wallace.
A New Book. — Just Out.
By E. E. Byrum.
Over 400 pages — 109 chapters. — Illustrated.
It not only instructs the sinner how to get saved; the believer how to become established; and the sick how to get healed, but has some precious chapters on the subject of healing, salvation, faith, trust, trials, temptations and how to overcome them, etc. Also chapters on “How to make the Lord hear,” and “How to make the Lord answer.” Any one can get a benefit through reading it. The cloth books are beautiful, well bound, good plain print. Those desiring to work for the Lord and help souls, will preach many lasting sermons wherever one of these books is placed in a family. Agents find ready sale for them. Send for special terms. Price, paper cover, 35 cts., cloth, 75 cts., morocco. $1.50.
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Requests For Prayer.
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S. E. Crocerlus. — Healing, chronic disease.
J. A. Chandler. — Healing, catarrh.
Mrs. John S. Tracy. — Healing of eyes.
John Harmon. — Pray for soul and body.
G. A. Freese, Jemison. — Chronic constipation.
Boby Howard, Forney, Tex. — Salvation and healing.
Laura Goff. — Healing of body.
G. B. Thomas. — Pray June 10, that my wife may be healed of fits.
Pray for a lady at Butler, Pa. — An invalid for six years.
I ask all the sisters in Christ to pray for my healing June 18.
Alice Imes,
Windsor.
Pray for Mrs. Bartley, near Odon, who is a cripple, and has not been able to walk for several years.
Kezie Harmon.
I have been going on crutches for three years. Am suffering much from rheumatism. Pray for my healing.
S M. Clark, Iola.
Pray for myself and family. My husband has lung disease, also my little girl is greatly afflicted. We desire some minister to come here and hold meeting.
Nancy Standefer,
Maggard, Letcher Co., Ky.
Pray for the healing of three children by the name of Uuderwood, aged six, ten, and thirteen years, who have the use of their hands, but cannot walk. Pray the second Sunday in June.
W. D. Sumner.
Mrs. Mattie Culins, Tompkinsville. — Female trouble.
Sarah DeLashmit, Bethany, Moultrie Co., Ill. — Pray for my unsaved husband, who is sick. We also want some true minister here who will preach divine healing.
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Calls For Meeting.
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Geo. W. Shepherd, Nehawka, Neb.
C. H. Wilson, La Rue, Ark.
R. H. Priest, Big Prairie, Newaygo Co., Mich.
We want some one sent of God to come and hold a meeting here.
Victor D. Zerdzwick, Colorado, Mitchell Co., Texas.
Dear Saints: Pray much that the dear Lord will send some of the saints here to hold a meeting. Make this a special subject during camp meeting. Your brother, saved, and healed. Praise God! J. W. Pine, Ft. Worth, Tex.
Some one chosen of God is wanted to hold a meeting here. We have a good house ready. Address S. H. Edwards, Mount View, Howell Co., Mo.
Cannot some one with the gift of healing come here from the Grand Junction C. M. and stay and preach for us and hold a grove meeting?
J. W. Wilson,
Blackford, Webster Co., Ky.
Council Grove, Kan.
Cannot a company of workers come here this summer and hold a tabernacle meeting and work for souls?
Daniel Fike.
Marquand, Mo.
We would be pleased to have a camp meeting at Concord about five miles from this place, and would love to have a company of workers to come and help us. Also desire a tabernacle, as we would like a short meeting at this place just before or after the camp meeting at Marquand. We would like to have the meeting the last of August or the first of September. May the Lord send whom he will. For further information address G. W. Stover, C. Simmons, or Thomas Gibbs.
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MEETINGS.
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Grand Junction camp meeting, June 10-19.
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The coming camp meeting near Elberton, Wash. June 12 till July 5,
F. N. Jacobson, Colfax, Wash.
The McLallen Corners, Erie Co., Pa. camp meeting will be held June 19-30.
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Camp meeting in Canada near Fenwick, Aug. 13-23. Address John E. Smith, Fenwick, Ont.
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Camp meeting at Stanley, W. Va„ is to be Aug. 14-25. G. T. Clayton.
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Camp meeting near Vichy, Mo. is to be held on James Thornton’s place ten miles north-east of Rolla, and ten miles from St. James. No definite time has yet been given for this meeting. Address James Thornton, Vichy, Mo.
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Camp meeting is wanted about the first of October at Phillipsburg, Kan. S. M. Handy.
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A camp meeting is wanted at Bliss, Emmett Co, Mich., about July 15. Address J. E. Keiser.
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The Clifton camp meeting will be held on the camp ground about two miles north-east of Thayer, Mo., the Lord willing, from July 17-26, or as long as the Lord wills. B. F. Chase, Thayer, Mo.
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There will be a camp meeting, the Lord willing, at New Zion post-office, Leake Co., Miss., from July 24 to Aug. 2. R. H. Owens.
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The camp meeting in Alabama will begin Aug. 6, to be held five miles east of Hartsells, Morgan Co. Noah Duncan, Huntsville, Ala.
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Camp meeting at Moundsville, W. Va., July 31 to Aug. 9. Address Bro. Alfred Tomleson, Moundsville, W. Va.
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The general camp meeting will be held June 10-19 at Grand Junction, Van Buren Co., Mich. People are already coming from a distance, and many are writing us from all directions expecting to attend the meeting. A general invitation is given to every lover of the truth. Let all who can, bring tents. There will be provision made to care for the people as much as possible, but at a large camp meeting it is well for those that can possibly do so to rent or buy a tent and bring it along. Also, if some of the brethren have a tabernacle to bring along, it can be used to the glory of God. Many who are sick and afflicted write that they are coming expecting to be healed. Others are coming for the purpose of getting saved, many for spiritual advancement and a better qualification for the work of the Lord. Rates have been granted over most roads in Michigan, Indiania, Ohio, and Illinois. Those coming expecting spiritual help or the healing of their bodies should come in faith, doubting nothing. Coming just merely to try the Lord, will not amount to much, and the work is not likely to be done; but those who come with a determination to have the work done will find that it will be according to their faith. Those who cannot come can help the work along by their earnest prayers. We are expecting a glorious time in the name of the Lord. The sick who cannot come, will be remembered at their homes, by those who are at the meeting.
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There will be a grove meeting commencing the 19th of June, and lasting over Sunday, nine miles east of St. Louis, Mich., on the banks of Pine river, Midland Co., Jasper township. We will have a large tent, and all who can, come and bring small tents. We expect a large gathering together, and would like Bro’s Grover, Palmer or William Warren, or whoever the Lord may send. We want all the ministerial brethren from Gratiot Co., to come and help. David Mitchell, St. Louis, Mich.
Ash Grove, Mo, camp meeting will be held four miles south-west of Ash Grove, Green Co., Mo, Aug. 27 to Sept. 7. Bro’s W. G. Schell and Geo. E. Bolds are expected to attend this meeting, and all whom the Lord may send. Those coming from the East by R. R. write R. H. Marton, Ash Grove. Mo., Box 87. Those coming from the West write Bro. Geo. A. Compton, Emmett, Dade Co., Mo. Pasture for all teams furnished. We are praying the Lord to send many of his saints to this meeting, and may the real searching power and presence of our God come with them.
A. T. Martin.
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The Lord willing, we will hold the following tabernacle meetings:
Marion, Ind. June 24 to July 12.
Brock, Ohio. July 29 to Aug 9.
Gaston, Ind.. Aug. 19 to 31.
Reddick, Ill. Sept, 9 and as the Lord wills.
Let all who have called for the above meetings be prepared when the time comes for a real profitable time and also to see the salvation of souls. Also let all who feel led of God to attend the above meetings come prepared to take care of yourself if possible and also help to bear the burdens of the meetings with your means, especially in Marion. S. L. Speck and Co.
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There will be a tabernacle meeting in Bro. J. J. Breese’s grove four miles west and one mile north of North Enid, Okla . the Lord willing. To commence June 6 conducted by Charles Bright and Co. This meeting will not interfere with the October meeting. All are invited, especially they that labor in the Word, Yours in the one body, W. G. Rippey.
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The south-west Missouri C. M. will be held at Granby; commencing July 16. continuing as the Lord may direct. Granby is situated on the St. Louis and San- fransisco R. R. The camp ground is in the south-west part of town. We urge all the saints every where, who possibly can, to attend this meeting. Let all who can do so bring bedding: those who are unable thus to do, let it not hinder your coming, you will be cared for. Preachers and workers who teach the gospel in all its fullness are cordially invited to assist in this battle. Come to the rescue of perishing souls, for the advancement of the children of God, and to the help of the sick and afflicted. Suffering ones come in faith committing your case entirely into the hands of the Lord Jesus. For any information concerning the meeting address S. S. and C. H. Sunderland or Samuel Peters, Granby, Mo.
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
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Please explain the scripture, “Let the dead bury their dead.”
In some instances the word “dead” is used in scripture meaning those dead in sin — the spiritual dead, as in John 5:25. Eph. 2:1; and 5:14. This doubtless is the meaning of Jesus in the use of the word in this case. The literal dead could not bury the literal dead, but the spiritual dead, they of the world, could attend to the work of burial, and the one whom Jesus called to go and preach the gospel, was to go at it at once, leaving every other work, to follow him. Luke 9:59, 60.
Explain Psa. 7:11. How is God angry with the wicked every day?
In Mark 3:5 we read that Jesus looked upon the unbelieving people “with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.” It is here explained. It was not a rage, nor furious passion in him, but he was grieved. He was made sad to an extent which could be seen in his countenance. So God is continually grieved and provoked with the wicked.
Do you think Judas the traitor was saved when he died?
No. If he could have been forgiven for betraying Jesus, he might have been, but his last act of self- murder evidently gave him no chance to repent. He was saved when Jesus sent him forth to preach, but we read that by transgression he fell.
Please explain John 10:9. “Go in and out and find pasture.”
This expression doubtless has reference to the freedom and privileges received in Christ. Free access to all the benefits of grace. “In and out,” perfect liberty and abundance of pasture. All this is found in him. He is the door, and through him we have all things, pertaining to life and godliness. It does not mean to be in Christ and out again by backsliding, but in the depths of his love and moving out upon his promises.
Does James 5:12 have reference to taking oath in court?
The command in the above text is “Swear not.” In Mat. 5:34 Jesus says “Swear not at all.” In the light of these plain commands we are forbidden to take oath under any circumstances. Neither is it necessary in any United States court. The term “Solemnly affirm” is accepted anywhere, and should always be used where oath is demanded. It may seem somewhat of a cross to some to stand up in court and say we are conscientiously opposed to taking oath, but let us let our light shine in this as in all other commands of Jesus.
What is meant by Isa. 11:6-9? Has that time ever been or is it still in the future?
This prophecy expresses the individual condition of the hearts of God’s sanctified people. All carnal dispositions represented by the different ferocious animals, are taken away and in all God’s holy mountain (Mt. Zion, the church) there is no one that will hurt nor destroy. This is certainly a present truth to the sanctified ones.
Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him (1 John 3:6). How about the backslider that has been sanctified?
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not. In Christ there is no sin. Out of him there is nothing but sin. He cannot be in sin. Sin cannot be in him. No one can have the knowledge of being in him and commit sin at the same time. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him (in the act of sinning) neither known him (in the act of sinning) because Christ and sin are exact opposites.
Please explain John 20:23.
By preaching the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit every responsible sinner who hears will either accept or reject the counsel of God. In 2 Cor. 2:15, 16, the apostle speaks of his ministry as a savour of life and death. Of life in them that are saved, of death in them that perish. This is equally true in the work of every true minister of the gospel. By it men’s sins are remitted or retained as they either receive or reject the Word of life.
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A WARNING AGAINST MORPHINE.
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It is destructive to both soul and body. How many when afflicted have been induced to use morphine, thinking it would relieve pain. But instead it is only increased because of the poison (morphine) taken into the system, causing it a double work; namely, to throw off the disease fastened on the body and to throw off the poison. A constant use of morphine alone would soon destroy life. Can anyone then use it to the glory of God? We read in 1 Cor. 6:19 that the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Also 1 Cor. 3:16, 17 – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” Therefore we plainly see it cannot be used to his glory. Neither can opium, whiskey, tobacco, or any other narcotic, because they defile the temple. So in Jesus’ name, we lift a warning voice against these things. If you are afflicted come to Jesus, he will heal you. If bound by any of these habits come to him, he will set you free. Praise him forever! From your sister saved and sanctified,
Emma O. Dansberger.
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News from the Field.
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Payne, Ohio, May 26.
Dear Trumpet Readers: God bless you all is our prayer. We are saved and have the victory in our soul. Praise the Lord! We are holding a tabernacle meeting at Briceton, Ohio. Good interest is being shown. We have the Springfield tabernacle for a short time. We have taken it to the Lord and feel he would have us purchase a tabernacle. Any one reeling like helping us in doing the same will address,
J. N. Worden,
Box 74, Payne, Ohio.
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Ft. Worth, Tex, May 18.
Dear Trumpet Readers: Praise God for full and free salvation in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am so glad I am free. Brother Wixom and family and myself and family went out twelve miles to Brother Sharum and Brother Louck’s place. We four families are all that we know of in this country that are in the evening light. We had a grand time with the Lord out there. Bro. Sharum was gloriously healed. We think it was bright’s disease of the kidneys; we obeyed Jas. 5:14 and the Lord healed him. Praise God, wife was also healed of sick headache. We are asking Father to send more of the saints here or raise them up in our midst.
J. W. Pine.
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Hallsboro, N. C., May 26.
Dear Saints of God: Since our last report from Stokes Bridge, S. C., we continued a few weeks there in the gospel work with Bro. and Sister Lundy, whom I left one week ago in Darlington, S. C., to come to this place. The work is opening up here against considerable opposition to the truth. While we are holding up God’s way to the people, honest souls are investigating and seeking to get in that way. This is a new field and we ask your prayers for the poor misled people of this country. While I cannot be with you at the camp meeting. I send in my name as one desiring your prayers for special advancement on any line that God may choose for me. We are looking for Bro. Lundy and wife to join here soon, if the Lord wills. I am on the altar for service or sacrifice, just as God pleases. Yours on the forward move,
E. B. Haynes.
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Marshall, Okla., May 23.
Dearly Beloved Saints: We are rejoicing in victory through the Lord Jesus Christ, and feel that we are making advancement in the deeper things of God. Praise his holy name! Since we last reported we visited the church at Atlanta, and the Lord blessed us in giving them many precious truths, for which they seemed to rejoice and take fresh courage. We were at Western Park for a short time. From there we returned to Eldorado and six followed the Lord in baptism. Also stopped with the saints at Arkansas City for a while, and had the pleasure of being with Bro. Newkirk and Co., in a meeting in that city, where the Lord blessed his word to the hearts of many. We are now here in the name of Jesus. The Lord is showing his power in healing the sick and saving the soul. Praise his holy name! We ask all of the dear saints, to still remember us in your prayers. We would like very much to meet with the dear ones at Grand Junction C. M. but are not able to do so. Yours in Jesus,
Wm. N. and S. J. Smith.
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Granby, Mo, May 26.
Dear Saints: We have returned from the Joplin Mission. The Lord blessed the work there, although not as much was accomplished as we would liked to have seen, yet a few were saved and many acknowledged the truth was preached. Conviction rested upon many, some of whom, no doubt, will yet be saved. Many homes were visited, and with but few exceptions all were willing for us to sing and pray with them. Tracts were distributed and thus seed was sown, which will be watched over by the kind Father and will germinate and bring forth fruit. Special services were held for the children, which will not soon be forgotten by them. The Lord wonderfully cared for us during our stay. But please do not understand us to say we were not tested. Many times we could see no way through, but never were we forsaken. In some unexpected way the Lord would provide. The last month of our stay, a building for holding services was given free of rent, with the privilege of occupying it the same way if we return, which we may do after the camp meeting season is over. That wicked place has many souls that are perishing for the bread of
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life. Some will accept the truth, while others will reject and go down into the great whirlpool of destruction. Dear saints, may we all have the burden of souls upon us that God requires. Pray for us.
S. S. and C. A. Sunderland and Co.
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Yankton, Ore., May 21.
Dear Saints: May God’s richest blessings rest upon you all is our prayer. God is with us and is blessing our labors and by much prayer and faith we have the victory over all the powers of hell and darkness. Praise the Lord! We have been very busily engaged in the work for God all winter and spring, and we know by experience “faith in conflict waxes stronger.” While my uncle was in California I was staying with an uncle and aunt who are residing in Portland, Ore., and I spent most of my time canvassing for the book on Divine Healing and scattering tracts and Trumpets and talking to poor lost souls, who are groping along in darkness and sin. Many thanks to the brethren at the Trumpet Office for the Trumpets they sent to me. At present we are holding forth the blessed Word at Yankton, Ore. We believe God has a work to be done at this place and some are willing to measure up to the standard. May God ever have his way with us in all things. Your sister all for Jesus, saved, sanctified, and kept,
Nora A. Armstrong,
J. L. and Lydia Green.
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Grand Junction, Mich.
Dear Readers of the Gospel Trumpet, Everywhere: I can report just now perfect victory in my soul over all the powers of sin, through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah! For some months back I felt the hand of God upon me to be more fully engaged in the service of the Master. So we went to God in earnest prayer about the matter, and felt that it was his will that we should sell our little place in Indiana and that I should give my time wholly to the Lord. We have tested God in various ways on the movements which we have been making, and do sincerely believe that it is the hand of God that has led us so far. When we came to Grand Junction we knew not what the Lord was going to do with us here; but the way was opened for me to work in the school until the Lord sends some one else which perhaps will be in the near future. If any one is led by the spirit of God to this responsible place, I pray they will be obedient and move out in the faith of God. In my judgment the school is progressing, though not so fast as it might, should some of the hinderances be removed. One of the hinderances is a lack of text-books. We would have enough books if they were not of so many different series. Now the books that we principally use are; Harper’s Readers, Harpers Geographies, Ray’s Arithmetic, Barnes’s History, Kellogg’s first book in Physiology, also Steele’s Physiology. The books which we need most are Readers, Geographies, Arithmetics, and first book in Physiology. We could use other books than those mentioned, if enough of one series were sent to form classes. Also pencils, slates, and tablets are needed. Now if any feel to help on this line they will glorify God by so doing. Brethren, let us be interested in the education of the children. Your brother in Christ,
Jno. H. Merica.
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TESTIMONIES.
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McCartyville, O.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I feel it would be to the glory of God to write a few lines to the TRUMPET. I can say I am saved and trusting in God, and doing his will as far as I have understanding. I know the Lord forgives my sins and sanctifies my nature, and my whole desire is to live for God. I can testify to the healing of my body also, for which I interest in the praise. I desire an interest in your prayers that I may be wise in understanding the will of God concerning me. Your sister, kept by the power of God,
Mrs. Della Baker.
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Edmore, Mich.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I can say that I am saved and sanctified and kept by the power of God, and I do praise him this morning for what he has done for me. He has been feeding my soul with the bread of life and with spiritual food. Praise his holy name for leading me out of sectism and into the blessed evening light! Myself and companion stand upon the walls of Zion, willing to follow where the Lord leads. Pray for us that we may ever be kept humble.
Iulia Cross.
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Edgewood, Mich.
Dear Saints: I feel led to write my testimony. I do praise God that he did call after me and I did yield and come to him. Praise God for this wonderful salvation! I am seventeen years old; am young but I pray God to keep me low down at the feet of Jesus at all times. Pray for me that I may be useful in the hands of the Lord. I had a sore throat a while ago and the Lord healed me. Praise the Lord for his keeping power! Your brother in Christ,
Merton A. Moore.
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East Liverpool, O.
Dear Brethren: I feel it to the glory of God for me to write my testimony to the TRUMPET for the benefit of those who may read it. When I was saved, not knowing the truth of God’s word, I joined the Free Methodists and thought I was all right, but I promised God to walk in all the light that his Word gave me. I heard of the saints and the Bethel and went to hear them preach. At first I did not like it, because they spoke about that sect to which I was joined. But I thought of what I had promised God. Then I asked him on my knees to show me his way and he did. Then I could not stay away; I went a time or two and told them I was no more a Free Methodist, but a free man in Christ Jesus. You cannot join God’s church; you have to be born into it. John 3:3-7. I praise the Lord for a full and free salvation in Jesus. Your brother in the church of God,
I. S. Bailey.
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Lynch, Neb.
Dear Trumpet Readers: I wish to once more send in my testimony on the Lord’s side. I am fully trusting him for all things. Praise his holy name! I have much to praise him for. Last fall I began to have nausea of the stomach. At first I did not think much about it but it grew worse and worse until I could not keep any food on my stomach. My weight was 167lbs. I failed rapidly and got so weak that I had to lie down and rest every little while. In a month I lost twenty-five pounds. I had been reading on divine healing a great deal. Husband wanted to get me some medicine. I told him that I did not know what would be good for me. At last I made up my mind that it I could have faith enough in Jesus, he would heal me. One Friday night I was very sick; I began to think that my time had come to depart this life; but I prayed to the Savior to help me and to give me the witness that I was healed. The next morning I received the witness, and such a shouting time as I had all by myself! I can’t tell just how I did feel, but you can imagine how you would feel if you had not eaten a good meal for nearly two months and then should get up feeling well and strong, and get your breakfast ready and eat a good hearty meal without it hurting you in the least Jesus is my physician, druggist and nurse, for I know that he will prescribe the right kind of medicine in the right time. And I know that he is more true and trusty than any earthly nurse. If Jesus can pardon our sins why can he not heal our sickness? Read Mark 2:9. My prayer is that many more will take Jesus as their physician. Pray for me that I may ever be working for my Master. Your sister in Christ,
Jeannettie Brunner.
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Caraghar, Ohio.
Dear Saints of God: Praise the Lord for salvation! I was born in East Prussia, Germany, and lived there until I was eleven years of age; then my parents came to America and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., where they are at present. My father was a very hard drinker and would fight and quarrel in his family. We always belonged to the Lutheran sect, in which I was educated in German. My father got to drinking harder when he came to this country, and the devil reigned and ruled in our house so much that he drove me out and away from home. Oh, God only knows the misery I was in, and my poor mother, how much she suffered for me on account, of the devil! I left home three times, always thinking that things would be better when I got back, but I always found it the same and worse. After I left the third time I shipped as deckhand on the steamer A. G. Lindzy of Dellray, and went on the Great Lakes, where the devil dragged, me down deep into sin, and kept me as one of his worst slaves for five years. But, praise the Lord, I am free now in Christ Jesus. His blood has made me free. Oh glory to God for salvation and for breaking all the bands of hell from me and setting me free for ever and ever! Oh I can praise God now for salvation and for taking me out of all sect confusion.
Dear saints, I feel that the Lord wants me to preach the pure Gospel, and I am trusting him to open the way and supply me in everything. I am trusting in God to lead my father from drink. I want all of God’s children to pray earnestly that God may deliver him. From your brother, saved and sanctified,
Otto A. Rose.
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23 West Goodale St., Columbus, O.
Dear Saints of God: I have never sent my testimony to the TRUMPET and I have felt for some time that I should do so. After a hard fight with pride, formality, and what my friends might say about me, I succeeded at last, by the grace of God, in getting my head disentangled from the yoke of sectism; for which I never can thank our Savior enough. It has been nearly four months since Jesus spoke peace to my soul and permitted me to hear the pure and unadulterated gospel preached in the little town of Chauncey, Ohio, by Bro. Masters. I have been living for God ever since and expect to live for him always. I shall never forget the miserable days and nights I spent while under conviction. The worst thing for me to give up was pride, but I got victory at last by the grace of God, and have kept it ever since. Praise his dear name! His grace is sufficient for every day and trial. I have no relatives who have accepted the truth, and for this cause I receive abundant persecutions. Some people said I was going to lose my mind. I told them I had lost my mind, and given myself to the Lord to be his now and forever, and moreover to be ruled by him.
There is no real church of God in this place, and I cannot get any good or comfort from those cold, formal sects, I have tried to reason with a great many, but they seem so blinded that they cannot see as we, do, especially on the line of holiness and divine healing. I was talking to a certain Baptist, and he said, “If a person cannot get cured by medicine, and has done all in his power, then, if he ask and believe, God will heal him; but we must do all in our power first, for faith without works is dead.” I then referred him to Jas. 5:14, 15, and he said medicine was not known so well in those days and the principle remedies in use to day were not discovered then. I told him that God says his word is forever settled in heaven and he is the same to-day as then. But it was no use to talk to him. I then related my own experience, as I do to you. I had an awful cold about four weeks ago, which at last settled into a very troublesome cough. I kept thinking it would get better presently, and I would not need to ask God cure it. But it kept getting worse until one night I lay awake until midnight, coughing so hard I could not sleep. So I just said it was not God’s will that I had to endure it any longer and if I would ask him he would remove it. I knelt down and prayed earnestly for some time. Then I knew that I had done what was required of me; so I claimed the promise and said to myself that I would not cough any more, for God had cured me. I lay down again and went to sleep and coughed no more that night. Both cold and cough left me and I did not take any medicine either. I can only give God the glory. Another time, a week or two ago, when I was cleaning house my left shoulder began to pain so I had to stop working. I thought it was rheumatism. It kept getting worse and at bed-time I could not raise my arm without severe pain. I prayed but it did not stop. This showed me that there was something wrong with my faith. I got up in the night and prayed, but all to no avail. I got up in the morning and prayed again and claimed the promise, and said the devil was trying to make me doubt. I resumed my work, walking out (as we often have to do) on faith, and the pain left my arm and has not been back since. Glory be to Jesus! I told several of my healing, and they acted as if they doubted it, but I don’t, and I shall always take God for my physician. Praise his dear name! I have consecrated my life, both soul and body, to do his will forever. I believe the Lord is leading me to preach the gospel. I am every day learning more and more of his blessed word. I expect to go to the Grand Junction C. M. and I believe with all my heart that the Lord will have a place prepared for me in his service. I have been praying earnestly ever since I received the gift of salvation for God to use me in his own way. Where he leads I will follow in all the paths of duty. Dear brothers and sisters, pray earnestly for me. Your sister, all on the altar,
Maggie Woody.
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OBITUARIES.
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WERNER. — Bro. Emil Werner, of Vernon Cal., died at 2 A. M. April 14, 1896, aged thirty-nine years. This brother was a great sufferer from a cancer. Almost a year before he died, he gave his heart to God and knew his power to save from sin. But through the cunningness of Satan he was persuaded to use morphine, promising relief, but instead it brought leanness to his soul. When the Lord showed him it was a sin to use it, he gave it up, asked God to forgive him, and cleanse it out of his system, which he did, giving him sweet peace to his soul and rest to his body. In the evening he said he would not live until morning. Said he know his soul was clear and he was ready to go. A few minutes before he died the brethren were singing. He also joined in with them, giving glory to God, then he fell asleep and passed away without one struggle, and we could realize the fulfillment of these words “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” — Rev. 14:13. He leaves a wife and six children, but they do not mourn as those who have no hope. Funeral preached by Sister Mary Cole. Subject, “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” — Zech. 3:2.
Emma O. Dansberger.
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ADAMS. — Wilbert Edward Adams, infant son of Chas. and Sister Adams of Breedsville, Mich., was born Jan. 18, 1896, and died May 8. Age, three months and nineteen days. The funeral was preached to quite a large congregation of very attentive listeners. May God bless the bereaved ones and fit them to meet their lovely child in heaven.
G. R. Achor.
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Shultz, Mich.
STANLEY. — Stephen Stanley was born in the state of Ohio, in the year 1818. departed this life May 10, 1896. Some time ago he accepted full salvation. Just before he departed he said he was ready to go and be with Jesus. Services by W. H. Merritt.
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DIVINE HEALING.
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Healed of Typhoid Fever and Other Ailments.
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Cameron, Kan.
Dear Saints: On the 22d of last November I was taken very low with typhoid fever and was unconscious most of the time for four weeks. Almost every one that saw me thought I was going to die. At one time my tongue was so paralized that I could not talk, only make a kind of muttering noise, and once I sank away so they thought I was gone. During this time I thought that I went to the doctor and that he examined me, stating that it would be a struggle between life and death with me. So I began to talk to the Lord about my case and he said he would be merciful to me. It just seemed that I was talking face to face with God. When I became conscious, I told the saints that were present what the Lord had showed me, though it just seemed to me that I could not exercise faith to be healed. Still my case was in the hands of God. Yet the devil tempted me some to want a doctor because I could not have faith, it seemed, to be healed. But by the help of God and the earnest prayers of his faithful children I was enabled to trust the Lord through it all; and on the night of Dec. 18, 1896, the dear Lord did, in answer to the prayer of faith, instantly heal me of all fever and pain. I can truthfully say that from that very moment I never suffered any from typhoid fever, although I was very weak, but was gaining strength fast and had a real good appetite and could sit up in a chair for an hour at a time.
But other afflictions came on me. Suffice it to say that for about two weeks it was a real battle with the devil; for as soon as he was routed in one form he would come in another. So at last we just decided that the whole thing was of the devil and rebuked him in the name of Jesus that he should not return again and the Lord did answer our prayers. To him be all the glory. We bad also sent a telegram to the Trumpet Office to Bro. Byrum, to which we received answer that they were wonderfully blessed in prayer and hoped to hear good news.
I am now strong so that I can do any kind of hard work in the house and out, and truly I do praise God for his goodness to me. I am trusting in God and can say that I am saved and sanctified by two works of grace. Your sister in Jesus,
N. M. Sorrels.
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Testimony of Healing.
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Spokane, Wash.
Dearly Beloved in the Lord: I want to testify to the glory of God for his goodness to me: I have been quite feeble; am sixty-seven years of age; but since I have learned to trust the Lord he has done wonderful things for me. Last July I heard the pure gospel in the evening light and, as well as I could understand it, I took Jesus for my all in all. When I heard the gospel on divine healing I saw it was my privilege to enjoy that precious blessing of divine grace. I consecrated my all to God and applied for the healing of my afflictions which preyed on my entire system, caused largely by erysipelas going through the blood, afflicting my stomach and heart, also have been afflicted with a sore on my ankle joint. The Lord has healed me of all my afflictions and the sore is going away all the time. To God be all the glory. It is my desire to live true to God the rest of my days, whether few or many. I feel I am ready for the place that he has prepared for me; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, I hope to appear with him in glory. Your brother in the one body,
G. G. Thompson.
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Healed of Catarrh.
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Winslow, Ind.
Dear Children of God: I will here testify to the glory of God. About one year ago the Lord wonderfully healed me of catarrh of the head, that had troubled me nearly all my life. I had taken it when I was but three years old; and was healed at thirty-three. Praise the dear Lord forever! Thirty years had I suffered with it; was almost deaf at times. It would take much space to tell how I have suffered with my head, not knowing all that time that God would heal any one, as the devil would always say that the day of miracles was past and God would not do anything for us but forgive our sins. But, praise the Lord, I have found a Savior who healed me sound and well; and I do hope this will be a help to some that are in need of faith. I give God all the glory; and I feel it my duty to tell the people how merciful the Lord is. Oh, praise God! Pray that I may keep where he can use me to his glory. Your brother,
Ira Russ.
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Healed of Weak Eyes and Heart Trouble.
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Oakville, North Dakota.
Dear Saints of God: I feel led to write my testimony for the first time. I am saved and sanctified and kept by the power of God. O praise the Lord for healing power! Ever since I was a child I have been troubled with weak eyes; and could not study when at school; and for some time I could not read by lamp-light without having a pain in my head. I also had heart trouble. But, praise the name of Jesus, when I was saved the Lord instantly healed me. I have not worn glasses or taken a drop of medicine since, for which I give God everlasting praise. Your saved sister,
Nellie Haverland.
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Tobacco a Poison.
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A chapter from the forthcoming book on “Tobacco.”
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FIRST of all it should be under-stood that tobacco in all its forms is an actual and virulent poison. Nicotine, next to prussic acid, is the most deadly of all poisons. Von Enlenberg, in his analysis of tobacco, states that every one hundred pounds of dry leaf yields from two to seven pounds of nicotine. Three drops of this oil of tobacco upon the tongue of a full sized cat usually causes death in from three to ten minutes.
Even when used as a medicine it is so incongenial to the system and of so baneful a tendency that physicians now seldom administer it. In many instances where it has been applied internally or even externally, it has caused death in a very short period. A tobacco poultice applied to the pit of the stomach causes terrible vomiting. Its application to the head produces similar effects.
Dr. Beach tells of a girl about seven years of age in good health, who was seized with incessant vomiting by merely having an ointment of butter and snuff applied to her head which was affected with scabies.
“A medical gentleman in New Hampshire a few years ago was consulted by the mother of a girl four years old who was afflicted with a severe eruption or humor on the face. The mother was anxious, from having heard stories of its efficacy in other cases, to make an application of tobacco. The physician, however, advised to the contrary, and left her, to visit her sick neighbor. While prescribing for the latter, he was called back in haste to the child, whom he found senseless and motionless on the floor. The mother informed him that being still persuaded that tobacco would be beneficial, she had, after he retired, taken some from the bowl of a pipe and rubbed it over the child’s face; that the child set out to walk across the room immediately after the application, but had not proceeded half-way before it fell in the condition in which he found it. The physician remained an hour and a half, resorting to various means of resuscitating the child. The pulse occasionally reviving and then dying away again, until finally animation was restored; though for years afterward the child was subject to alarming nervous symptoms, and is even now puny and feeble. The constitution of the child previous to the experiment was good; but the shock upon the nervous system was so severe that it never wholly recovered, and probably never will.”
Dr. Murray relates the history of three children who were seized with vomiting, vertigo, and profuse perspiration, and died in twenty-four hours with tremors and convulsions, after having the head rubbed with a liniment made from tobacco, in hope of freeing them from scurf.”
“The tea of twenty or thirty grains of tobacco,” says Dr. Mussey, “introduced into the human body for the purpose of relieving spasms, has been known repeatedly to destroy life.”
“The french poet Santa Santeuil was poisoned by a thoughtless person emptying the contents of a snuff-box into his wine. As soon as he had swallowed the draught; he was attacked with excessive pains, violent vomitings and faintings, of which he died in fourteen hours.”
“A youth of fourteen, after smoking for toothache,” says Dr. Drahen, “fell down suddenly and died the same day.”
Dr. M. Lauden of France says, “It is the appalling testimony of a college of physicians, that twenty thousands persons in our land die annually from tobacco poison.”
A member of one of the largest tobacco firms in St. Louis said recently that tobacco kills more men than alcohol. When manufacturers themselves say this, is it not time for Christian men to sound the alarm? Agriculturists say that it soon poisons the soil on which it grows, or that it impoverishes the soil more than any other plant in the vegetable kingdom.
Fontana ranks tobacco with the vegetable poisons. He gives us the following account of his experiments:
“I made” says he, “a small incision in a pigeon’s leg, and applied to it the oil of tobacco. In two minutes it lost the use of its foot. I repeated this experiment on another pigeon and the result was exactly the same. I made a small wound in the pectoral muscle of a pigeon and applied the oil to it. In three minutes it could no longer support itself on its feet. This experiment repeated on another pigeon ended the same way I introduced into the pectoral muscles of a pigeon a small bit of wood covered with this oil. The pigeon in a few seconds fell insensible. Two other pigeons to whose muscles I applied this oil vomited several times all that they had eaten. Two others with empty stomachs treated as above made all possible effort to vomit. Vomiting was the most constant effect of this oil.”
Kempfer says, “A thread dipped in the oil and drawn through a wound made by a needle in an animal has killed it in seven minutes. “The Indians of our country,” says the JOURNAL OF HEALTH, “are well aware of its poisonous effects, and were accustomed to dipping the heads of their arrows in an oil obtained from the leaves of tobacco, which being inserted into the flesh occasioned sickness and faintings, and even convulsions and death.”
Mr. Barrow, the African traveller, assures us that the Hottentots use this plane for destroying snakes. “A Hottentot,” says he, “applied some of it from the short end of his wooden pipe to the mouth of a snake while darting out its tongue. The effect was as instantaneous as that of an electric shock. With a momentary convulsive motion, the snake half untwisted itself and never stirred more. Its muscles were so contracted that the whole animal felt as hard and as rigid as if dried in the sun.”
Any tobacco user doubting this remarkable testimony will be convinced of its authenticity by capturing a live snake, placing a foot upon its neck to prevent its biting, prying open its mouth and spitting, tobacco juice into it. You will find it will go into terrible convulsions, and die ten times quicker than by cutting off its head. Take the oil from the bowl of an old pipe and place it upon a cat’s tongue, and it will die in a very few minutes.
A pound of tobacco contains an average of three hundred and twenty grains of nicotine, and it is said that one grain will kill a dog in three minutes. It was related of some soldiers in Canada, that when under hard service they contrived to unfit themselves for duty by placing a moistened leaf of tobacco in the armpit. It caused sickness at the stomach and general prostration. The poison of tobacco, set free by the process of either chewing, smoking, or snuffing, when for the first time it is swept through the system by the blood, powerfully affects the body. Nausea follows, and the stomach seeks to throw off the offensive substance. The brain is inflamed and headache follows. The motory nerves become irritated, giddiness ensues.
Thus we see that nature earnestly protests against the formation of this habit. But after repeated trials, the system adjusts itself to the new conditions. The tolerance of the poison is finally established, until the former symptoms are no longer noticeable. But such powerful substances cannot be constantly inhaled without producing marked changes. The three great eliminating organs, the lungs, the skin, and the kidneys, throw off a great part of the product, but much remains in the system. When the presence of poison is constant, especially when the habit is indulged in excessively, these organs become overtaxed and the disturbance which at first is merely functional must necessarily, in many cases at least lead to chronic derangement. Sometimes the strong and healthy will seem to escape without any visible effect. While the weak and those subject to disease will be infused in direct proportion to the extent of the indulgence.
However it is an established fact that all who persist in continuing the indulgence of this self-destroying habit must sooner or later, in one way or another be afflicted by its poisonous influence. Beyond the shadow of a doubt tobacco is a poison. — Deadly in large doses; pernicious and harmful in small doses. It deteriorates and contaminates every organ and tissue with which it comes in contact in the body. Its influence is to lessen vitality, to benumb the sensibilities, to shorten the life, to kill.
W. J. Henry.
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TESTIMONY.
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Little Osage, Mo.
Dear Saints: I feel it my duty as well as a privilege to testify in the TRUMPET for the glory of God. I can say that the dear Lord has healed me in such a way that I cannot doubt his healing power. He only knows what I have suffered. Last Sunday morning I was not able to get out of bed without a great deal of pain and misery. As I live thirteen miles from the church and have an unbelieving companion it was impossible for me to send for the elders or be anointed. So I just trusted my case in the dear Lord’s hands and had faith for the healing power. I am praising God this morning for his mercies to me. I can say to the glory of God that my faith is much strengthened. I ask the dear saints everywhere to pray for me that I may be made still more strong and bold in Christ Jesus. Pray that I may be used of the dear Lord in bringing souls to him. Yours in the one body,
Hannah Romine.
ADVANCEMENT.
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True Advancement.
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True advancement is acceleration; that is, constantly increasing velocity of forward movement. Many think themselves upon the advance for God as long as they but realize that they are doing something to help the cause along, be it ever so little. But, beloved, I do not so understand advancement. If I am not doing more for the Lord this year than I did for him last year. I have not been making any advancement. And if I am doing less this year, than I did last year, I am retrograding. So true advancement is not so to speak a tread-mill service.
Paul was not satisfied to have the Thessalonians continue the same, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” 1 Thess. 4:1. This text sets forth the true principles of advancement. We are to abound more and more in the grace of God, and launch out farther and farther into all the elements of holiness, faith, meekness, humility, sobriety, gentleness, brotherly-kindness, etc. If we have had faith enough to fight great battles last year, we must have faith enough to conquer greater foes this year, and still greater faith next year, etc.
Again, true advancement is in the heart, and not in the head. We may make great strides in the acquisition of head knowledge, and grasp in our heads the theory of advancement, but except the very word of God on all points of advanced light is actually being planted deep in our hearts, we are making no real advancement, for we will soon forget the theory, and will never acquire the practice of it.
Oh what serious blunders we have made in the past on this line. How often we have heard blazing sermons, that shed charming light upon our path, and rejoiced in it. without bringing it into actual practice, simply because it did not reach our hearts. When the word of God is planted in our heart, it becomes a part of our experience, and will be brought into actual practice. By this we can discern when we are actually advancing. Again true advancement is an individual advancement. We may be associated with others who are moving forward very rapidly in spiritual advancement, without making any progress ourselves, except we actually take part in the advancement, and pray our own case through.
Again, a true advancement is one in which the ministry takes the lead. The flocks as a general thing do not move very far in advance of the shepherds. Therefore the burden of advancement lies chiefly upon the ministers. God wants us as ministers to seek by much prayer and fasting, vast depths of the grace of God as yet unattained, and then when we preach advancement, our preaching will be accompanied by the power of God that will move the church universally.
But we cannot make true spiritual advancement, except by constant and energetic reaching out alter God. We must ever be of the spirit David was of: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, tor the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me. — Psa. 42:1-4.
Oh beloved brethren! let us give our time unto prayer with faith, with diligence, and with importunity; and would it not be a great means of spiritual advancement, to take up family worship three tunes a day. “Evening, and morning, and noon will I pray and cry aloud.” Psa. 55:17. Daniel also had his worship three times a day. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before God, as he did aforetime.” Dan. 6:10. Such is the true Bible standard of family worship.