8 October 1896, Volume 16, Number 40.
JESUS MY HEALER.
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Jesus heals me, hallelujah!
And his praises I will tell,
For his goodness is surprising;
True, he has done all things well.
Hallelujah! Jesus heals me,
Now I feel his healing touch,
And I’ll tell it now and ever,
When the Lord requires as much.
Hallelujah! he has healed me,
And it is a perfect cure;
For his every promise tells me,
And I know his word is sure.
He’s a doctor who’ll not fail us,
If we stand upon his word.
Human aid may always fail us,
’Tis not so with our dear Lord.
Ah! his healing is so precious,
Come, my brother, test him too,
And you’ll find that in his virtue
Every sickness has to go.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Join with me in holy song;
For his praises we must echo,
Till we reach the heavenly throng.
We’ll behold their shining faces,
Praise the Lord, it won’t be long,
Till with them we’ll sing his praises
In an everlasting song.
Emil Kreutz.
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Justification.
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“LIFT up a standard for the people.” — Isa. 62:10. We feel there is great need of lifting up the Bible standard of justification. We have seen so many things passed off for justification that were so far below the standard that our soul is stirred to cry out against such. There has been such an earnest desire to prove the second work and the need of it that many have, with probably no such intention, taken part of the things that belong to justification and added them to sanctification, thus lowering the standard of justification and yet not raising the standard of sanctification any higher. We cannot make the second work greater by trying to add to it that which God requires for the first work. But it does make it much easier to fail in receiving either work and makes one more liable to get only an empty profession.
Of course, there are a great many points concerning justification that cannot be touched in this article, but we desire to speak of such as have been frequently misapplied. Many professors seem to think that God has two standards of Christian life, one for the justified, the other for the sanctified, and think if they do not make a profession of sanctification they need not walk as they would expect to if professing it; and if spoken to on the subject or admonished, try to excuse themselves by saying, “Well, I don’t profess to be sanctified.”
God has but one standard of outward life for his people, and we must obey the Word in all things to keep justified. There is no act we can do in a justified state which would be wrong for one who is sanctified. It is true that there are elements in a justified heart, as anger, selfishness, etc., that are not in those who are sanctified; yet we cannot give way and do the acts that these would lead to, any more when justified than when sanctified. To excuse ourselves in doing such things on the plea that we are not sanctified, is merely a dishonest excuse to quiet an accusing conscience.
In sectism, most any kind of a profession will pass as a basis from which to “go on to perfection, ” and just so sanctification is professed as a “second blessing,” all is well. Among those professing to be out on this straight way are some who seem to think that justification does not amount to much and that sanctification is really the all-important work.
But, dear ones, the standard must be lifted up to the Bible plane. Justification is a truly wonderful work, wrought in the heart by the blood of Jesus. Many people measure their experience by the seventh of Romans and are ready to cry out with Paul, “What I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that I do;” and, O wretched man that I am!” To such we would say, If you have a profession of salvation and feel as Paul here speaks of, you had better look around and see if you have not made a mistake and received something else instead of salvation. There is nothing wretched in salvation. True, the justified soul loathes and abhors the carnal mind, yet is kept in constant peace and fellowship with God and has no condemnation whatever. If we feel condemned by the Spirit of God, we are not in Christ (Rom. 8:1), therefore, not saved. But we should not mistake mere accusations of the devil for condemnation. When a soul has a Bible experience of justification and has the light on sanctification he will not need to be urged to go on to perfection, and will not hold back from it, as many do, but will have an intense hungering and thirsting in his soul to get the experience, and will seek earnestly to be rid of every element of carnality. When a soul goes on in a profession of justification for months, as some do and seem to manifest no desire for sanctification, there is a serious lack in that person’s experience of justification. If a soul is truly justified, he or she will not be content as long as there is an element within that hinders in any way a perfect walk with God, but will seek with all their heart whatever brings closer to him.
Dear reader, if you are professing to be justified and your soul is not thus hungering for the “fullness of God,” for Jesus’ sake begin to search and find out the cause. Something is lacking in your experience. Many looks upon justification as an “up-and-down” experience. This is not the case, however; a truly justified experience is always triumphant over sin and Satan. Of course, one is not established as in sanctification, but still is enabled to stand all trials that are permitted to come upon him, if he trusts in God. While in justification the tides of feeling rise and fall, yet there is always peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Justification places us far above the sinning and repenting life of many professors.
HOW TO GET IT.
To receive anything from God we must come to him in real earnest. We have seen people come to the altar, apparently but slightly concerned about their souls, and laborers would instruct them and they would go through a formal repentance and “claim it by faith,” when they had no grounds for faith. Repentance must be real and earnest to receive a genuine experience. O brethren, let us insist on GENUINE repentance, and not try to talk people through. Impress upon their minds the necessity of heart repentance. Intellectual repentance brings intellectual salvation, which is no salvation at all. Better a thousand times send souls away from the altar than to allow them to get only a formal profession. Some people are labored with along time to get them to “believe,” when if the time were spent in locating the cause of unbelief it would be far better. Souls who come to the altar and cry with all their hearts to God for mercy have not much trouble to believe, as they have a solid basis for their faith.
Genuine repentance brings genuine faith and genuine salvation. If souls would get a real clear experience in the beginning, there would not be so much floundering around. Brethren, the time has come when we must insist on everyone who comes to the altar either getting a real experience or going away without a profession. If you are not satisfied that they have received an experience, tell them so, and do not let them go, hoping they will be all right. More stress must be put on justification, and it must be taught with more clearness than it has been taught in many instances heretofore.
PUTTING ALL ON THE ALTAR.
We spoke of some things being added to sanctification that really belong to justification. One point we wish to notice, and that is what is usually termed “putting all on the altar.” When one comes to the altar for sanctification, he is usually instructed to lay his time, talents, property, reputation, worldly conformity, friends, relatives, tobacco, etc., on the altar — taught that this is part of a consecration for sanctification. Dear ones, this is no part of a consecration for sanctification. If we really did place these on the altar they would be sanctified; for the “altar sanctifies the gift:” and if we do place these on the altar, we are no nearer sanctified than before. The Word does not command us to consecrate these, but to FORSAKE them. God calls on the wicked not only to “forsake his way,” but says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple,” — Luke 14:33. In Matt. 19:29, Christ enumerates some of the things that must be forsaken — “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,” etc. These must be forsaken in order to become a disciple, and we become disciples at justification, so it belongs to the first work. Peter said, “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee” (Matt. 19:27), and no one was sanctified at that time; for “the Holy Ghost (the sanctifier, Rom. 15:16) was not yet given.” — Jno. 7:39.
To be justified we must utterly forsake all sin and worldliness, and forsake everything else in the sense of giving them completely over into God’s hands and obeying him in all things concerning them. We do not take anything away from sanctification by this, but simply raise the standard of justification where it should be. We know this differs radically from some past teaching, but God is giving light in many ways.
Let us make a practical application of these principles and see if they are not true. First, reputation. What can we do to keep up our reputation with the world when justified that we could not do when sanctified? If anything, what is it? Reputation must be given up in justification. We can no more com-promise with the devil to keep a good reputation in justification than in sanctification. Can we withhold any property, time, talents, or anything else that God demands for his service, in a justified state, which must be given up when sanctified? By no means. If God demands a thing we must obey, whether justified or sanctified, or we become sinners.
Dear reader, have you forsaken all for Christ? If not, you lack that much of a Bible experience of justification. But, says one, if these things are forsaken in justification what must we do when
CONSECRATING FOR SANCTIFICATION?
The first condition is that we be freely justified; that we be walking in all the light we have and making progress in the Christian life. Some people after professing justification for quite a time realize a lack in their experience, and realize that they do not have as good an experience as they had at one time, and imagine it is the Spirit convicting them for sanctification, when in reality it is convicting them of their lack of obedience. We cannot come with a doubtful experience of justification and make a Bible consecration for sanctification, but must be clear in every respect. Being freely justified, there are two texts that include a perfect consecration; namely, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” — 2 Cor. 7:1. And, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” — Rom. 12:1. God wants nothing consecrated but what is to be sanctified; namely, ourselves — our entire being — soul, body, and spirit (1 Thess. 5:23). All else belongs to justification. Now let no one stumble over this statement and throw away your profession of sanctification if you have the experience, simply because you did not have the light on this point. If you were justified and consecrated yourself to God there is no reason why you should not be sanctified, even if you did consecrate some things that did not belong to a consecration, since these must of necessity be given up before sanctification.
The cry to-day is for advancement; on every hand we hear it. Amen! Our voice shall re-echo the glad refrain, Advance! Advance! But let us begin advancement at justification, the foundation of all higher attainments, and not try to advance over lacks in this important point. “Lift up a standard for the people.”
C. W. NAYLOR.
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Distinction Between Impulses and A Sanctified Judgment.
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FOURTH. That the Holy Spirit does sometimes act directly upon the sensibilities by exciting in them a purely impulsive feeling, we may probably admit. Undoubtedly there are some facts in the experience of pious men* which favor this view. But is it the object of the Holy Spirit, in originating impulsive impressions, to excite men to immediate action without any reflection, or to excite them to act rationally; that is to say, in connection with suitable inquiry and consideration? This is the important question; and the decision of it involves great practical results. It is certainly reasonable to suppose that it is not the object of the Holy Spirit, when he makes a direct impulsive impression on the human mind, to lead men to act without perception and reflection; but rather to stop them in their thoughtless and unreflecting career, and to awaken within them the slumbering powers of thought and inquiry. It is reasonable to suppose this, because, as a wise being, as a being acting in accordance with the laws of the human mind, as a being infinitely desirous of true holiness in men, we do not perceive how he can take any other course than this. The true tendency, therefore, of those im-pressions or impulses which come from the Spirit of God, is to awaken men to a sense of their thoughtlessness, and to quicken within them a state of humble and holy consideration. When such impressions and impulses are from the right source, we cannot doubt that the results will be of this character — that is to say, they will not of themselves lead men to direct action, but will lead them to that inquiry and reflection which are preparatory to action. But when impressions or impulses come from Satan, as they sometimes do, their tendency is to lead men to action at once, without such intermediate con-sideration.
FIFTH. Those impulses and impressions which are from the Spirit of God are of a peaceful and gentle character. They never agitate and disturb the mind, but, on the contrary, lay a wholesome restraint upon it, and hold it in a state of deep solemnity and of attentive stillness. This is the precise state of things which is needed as preparatory to the mind’s perceptive and reflective action. The first question of the soul, when it is thus arrested by the true impulses of the Holy Spirit, is “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” It pauses; it reflects; it inquires; it reads the Bible; it watches the providences of God; it prays; it asks for the assistance of the Holy Spirit upon its perceptions and reasonings; and it dares not take one step to the right hand or to the left until all its perceptive and reasoning powers have been exercised and, exercised too, under the sanctifying guidance of the Holy Spirit. So that, although we may admit that there are some sensitive impressions and impulses which are from the Holy Spirit, yet they are not of themselves, when they are really from that right and good source, guiding and controlling principles, but are merely preparatory to the action of such controlling principles, which are to be found in the intellective rather than the sensitive part. And such impressions are to be known by the decisive mark or characteristic which has now been given; viz, they are peaceable, holding the mind in a state of solemn and quiet attention.
Perhaps a simple illustration will make our meaning more readily understood. A person is at a particular time peculiarly impressed that it is his duty to visit another person and converse with him on the subject of religion. If this impression is of divine origin, it will not violently agitate him; it will not lead him to action, whether rationally or irrationally; it will not necessarily and absolutely compel him to visit the person at once, and without any intermediate exercise of the mind. It will lead him, in the first instance, to reflect, to consider the suggested or impressed duty in various points of view, to mark the openings of God’s providence, and to pray that, in his reflections and inquiries in respect to duty, he may be guided by the Holy Spirit. In a word, the impression which he has, prompts him, in the first instance, merely to make prayerful inquiry; but in his further action he puts himself under the direction of a sanctified judgment; or, if the expression be preferred, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost operating through the medium of a sanctified judgment. In accordance with these views, we find the following passage in the writings of Antonia Bourginon: “If the Holy Spirit inspires anything, he always gives time to consult upon it with God.”
SIXTH. Impressions and impulses, which are not from the Holy Spirit, but from some other source, such as a disordered imagination, the world, or the devil, are not of that peaceful
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THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 1896.
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LIST OF MONEY LETTERS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIPTED.
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L. Thomas, Mattie Covey.
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The Grand Junction, Mich. assembly meeting will begin Oct. 15. and last eight or ten days. Every lover of the truth is invited.
QUEER LETTERS AND ADDRESSES.
No doubt every publishing house has received a number of queer letters and addresses. We have been getting letters addressed in various ways, and many of them come having no address on the envelope except Grand Junction, Mich. We have before us quite a pile of such letters, ofttimes letters come in that way containing money orders for books, tracts, papers, etc. Such orders can be filled all right if the name and address of the sender is given in the letter enclosed, but we often get letters that are addressed properly on the outside, but on the inside is neither name nor address given.
Here is a sample including the whole letter:
DANVILLE, ILL., Sept. 19.
“DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I wish you to send me the TRUMPET of Aug. 20th and Sept. 1st, as I failed to get those.”
No name was signed to this letter, but it had a two-cent stamp enclosed. On the outside it was addressed only “Grand Junction, Mich.”
Not long ago we received a letter from someone, who said:
“Enclosed find $1.00 for the TRUMPET for James Willis’s father-in-law, I don’t remember his name.”
We did not know his name, but by making some inquiry found out and gave the proper credit.
We once received a letter from one of the western states as follows:
“Enclosed find $1.50. The $1.00 is for Bro. Brodican’s TRUMPET, and the 50 cts is for a sister who is a new subscriber. I have forgotten her name.”
Now that was all that was said about it. However, the name of the sender of the money was in the letter, and by writing a letter to the one who sent it we were enabled to find out, and gave the party the due credit.
We sometimes get an order for tracts or books something like this:
“Enclosed find money for which please send me some of those little red-backed books like you sent me last summer.”
Our little books and tracts have colored covers on and we have about forty kinds that are liable to have red covers on, so we are at a loss to know just what ones to send in such cases.
Some time ago someone wrote us saying: “Enclosed find $2.00. $1.00 for my subscription to the TRUMPET and $1.00 for the Open-Door Mission in Chicago.” No name was signed to the letter, and as it was from a place where we had no subscribers, we could not give credit, therefore, we sent $1.00 to the Open-Door Mission and booked the other $1.00 under subscription, awaiting an inquiry from the writer. A few weeks later we received another letter from the party, stating that they had sent us $1.00 for subscription and $1.00 for the Open-Door Mission, and had not received their paper yet nor heard from the money. No name was signed to the second letter. The writer, not being acquainted with us, came to the conclusion that we were trying to beat him out of his money, and his son called on us one day while he was here and made inquiry about his father’s subscription and told us about the letter. We told him that we remembered of getting such a letter and it was probably among our pile of queer letters and addresses, and in looking over the same we found his letter, and on learning the name we gave the proper credit on our books, and had his son take the letter to him; his son remarked, “Now father will be wonderfully surprised to see that he forgot to sign his name.”
Now, we make notice of these things to stir up the pure minds of those who send in money, to be careful to see that you give your name and address plainly. Many mistakes could probably be avoided. Should there be any mistakes concerning any orders or letters sent to us we desire everyone to be free to write us and we will make it right as far as possible.
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Requests for Prayer.
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Pray for the healing of Grant Cope who is suffering from bone cancer. Also, that he may be saved.
Pray that my brother may be healed and sanctified: also, that my father may be sanctified.
R. W. Wells.
Pray Oct. 18, that I may be saved from sin. Fred Holderman, Bremen, Ind.
Pray for my two sons, for the healing of lung trouble. We pray that God may send someone to our neighborhood to preach the true word of God. Your sister in Christ, Sarah A. McCain, Cane Hill. Mo.
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Calls for Meetings.
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Some of God’s ministers are wanted to hold meeting eight miles northwest of Guthrie, Okla. Address, R. W. Wells, Lima, Okla.
If one or more of God’s ministers with a tabernacle would come here, I believe good would result. We will find bed and board. We feel confident that God will give us a meeting house. Pray for us. Address, D. L. Walker, De Soto, Mo.
We need a brother or sister, or both to come here to preach the pure gospel to the people. Will some of God’s ministers take it to him in prayer, and if he sees fit to send you write me at Cloud, Mich. I will meet them at Sand Lake, Mich. I believe the Lord will see that they are cared for. Your brother in Christ, Geo. W. Tortellit.
The little church established at Topeka desires some true gospel worker to come in there to stay till spring, to help to open up the work in different parts of town, as there are open doors; and to help to provide for himself by the selling of bocks, as the saints are not so circumstanced as to be able to entirely provide for workers. The little towns around also need attention. Yours, Jennie C. Rutty, Meriden, Kan.
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Meetings.
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The church of the living God will hold an all-day meeting in Whitton Hall, East Hickory, Pa. commencing at 10 A. M. October 18, and an ordinance-meeting in the evening, Lord willing. Let the saints and truth-seekers come and have a glorious feast with the Lord. Chas. J. Stewart.
There will be an assembly meeting held at the saint’s chapel southwest of Tekonsha, commencing Thursday eve, Oct. 22, and last as long as the Lord wills. Tekonsha is on the Michigan Central, Air Line division. The invitation is to all. Your brother in Christ, C. H. Eldridge.
The general assembly and camp of the saints of God will be on the home and school ground, Clayton, Okla., Oct. 23 to Nov. 2. General invitation to all, far and near. We are looking for a glorious feast and the salvation of precious souls. The sick and afflicted are invited. Ministers — Bros. G. R. Achor, the writer, Wm. Smith, Murphy, Newkirk, McCully, Teter, Wilber. Those coming on railroad should come to Mulhall, Okla, on the A. T. S. F. R R. by the 22d. There will be terms going at that date. You should write to Bro. J. Williams, Marshall, Okla., then someone will meet you. For information concerning the meeting address Bro. Wm. Newgent, Clayton, Okla. M. A. Fly.
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
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EDITOR GOSPEL TRUMPET: Please answer through the TRUMPET the following questions:
If one feels called of God to the ministry not having been scripturally baptized, can he administer baptism?
The word of God teaches that a person is to repent and be baptized, and as baptism is a command it should not be deferred until a person is called into the ministerial work; neither should a person undertake to baptize anyone else until he himself has been baptized. The Word teaches that the husbandman who labors must first be partaker of the fruits, and where a command is given to all God’s people it is necessary for all to fulfill it as far as lieth in their power.
Can an unordained minister solemnize matrimony?
According to the laws of our country a person must be ordained in order to perform the marriage ceremony. In some states a notice of the ordination has to be recorded at the country seat.
Should Sunday-schools recognize the International Sunday-school Union lessons?
The International Sunday-school leaves, while they have many good things about them that are commend-able, yet they are gotten up in sectism. The questions are mostly good, but many times the answers have such a taint of sectism and erroneous doctrinal views that it is not expedient to use them.
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Sanctification.
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SANCTIFICATION is God’s divine favor and mercy to man in redeeming him from Adam’s transgression back into eternal inheritance with himself. It must be a real death of the old man of sin. There can be no restoration from his old sinful nature in any other way. Paul says (Rom. 6:6), “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” What is the meaning then of having our old man crucified with him? It is nothing more or less than a real dying ou.. to sin, and living a real life of Christ in our ..arts and souls. Paul tells us in reading further. “For he that is dead is freed from sin.” — 7th verse. Our Adamic nature is replaced by the divine nature of Christ. The image of God restored again, is restoration to a life of holiness and true righteousness. Christ is now our all in all.
When our natures are changed in this way, we are new creatures, living in a new world; for all the vices and all the worldly desires are exchanged for divine nature. Paul says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The perfect will of God is even our sanctification. Glory to God! In this new life of Christ, we know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor. For God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness. See 1 Thess. 4:4-7. It is a divine command from God for his children to be holy in this world. The command is, “Be ye holy for I am holy.” See Lev. 20:7, 8. also 11:44. What can be plainer than this? It does not mean to live a sinful life, of everything that is of our evil, sinful nature; but on the other hand, we have exchanged the sinful nature for the divine nature, and are living the life of Christ in our souls. We are transformed into the image of God, and are therefore vessels of honor and of glory. Glory to our God for this perfect state of holiness, that we must all attain unto in this life!
The heart, when it is pure, has all evil thoughts taken out of it; it is filled full of God love, which thinketh no evil. See 1 Cor. 13:5. A pure heart filled with God love rejoiceth continually in the truth, the Lord Jesus. It is willing to bear all things. 1 Cor. 13:6, 7. Paul further portrays this glorious redemption work to us in the following truth of God: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” — 1 Cor. 15:49. Here again we see that the old man must be crucified, which is in short, a real dying out of the earthy, the old man of sin, and in putting on the heavenly, the new man, the Lord Jesus, a new creation. What a glorious, holy life this is in all godliness and honesty! Peter tells us that our inheritance is incorruptible, and undefiled, and fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Pet. 1:4.
Truly this is a glorious inheritance for every child of God to have in possession, and we can all have it now. We have the eyes of our understanding enlightened, and we know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Eph. 1:18. Glory to our God! Here we have another point brought to view; namely, the blessed hope. God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ have now made their glorious appearing and are living in our souls. We are redeemed from all iniquity and purified, made white in the blood of the Lamb. He has made us unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. This heavenly grace of God and his unspeakable gift of mercy is come from heaven to earth to all men, and we can have it without charge in our hearts. It redeems us, restores us back to the image of God, from all iniquity; and it teaches us how to walk straight and deny all ungodliness and worldly lasts. It gives us power to fully abstain from all sin. Now after we have come in possession of this heavenly grace of God, we are able to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. See Thus 2:11, 14. We are saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. Now after we are delivered out of the hand of all our enemies, then he grants unto us perfect victory to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. Luke 1:71-75. Christ is in us the hope of glory.
Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I five: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now li.. in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who lov.. me, and gave himself for me.” — Gal. … Thus every child of God when ..e receives this grace of divine mercy, is crucified with Christ, and is now dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, with fulness of joy in the Holy Ghost.
Dear reader, do you enjoy this divine heavenly blessing? Is your nature changed from carnality to the divine heavenly image of God? Are you transformed; your vile body fashioned like his glorious body? If you do not enjoy this heavenly in-heritance, do not stop until in possession of it. Get it at any price. There is just one way in which you can obtain it. Will you work for it? This incorruptible crown is worth laboring for, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” This is the only way to come in possession of his glorious inheritance from heaven. Glory to our God!
D. FIKE.
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A Word to the Sinner.
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“BEHOLD the Lord’s hand is not shortened that he cannot save, neither is his ear heavy that he cannot hear.” — Isa. 59:1. Dear ones, you who are on the down-ward road, the Lord can save you if you will let him. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” In the 2nd verse he tells us that it is your iniquities that have separated you from him. In the 55th chapter he sends cut the invitation to all, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. * * * and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul, delight itself in fatness.” “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Dear ones, you who are in the dark, if you want life, come to Christ, the great fountain head, and drink of the river of pleasure and be made free. The blood of Christ atones for you; there is something for the one who comes. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our Gad, for he will abundantly pardon. — Isa. 55:7.
Why should we forsake our way? Because he says in the 8th verse that your ways are not his ways. It was not to call the righteous, that Jesus came but sinners to repentance. Jesus came preaching repentance, and if we do not repent, we will be lost in eternal misery and woe. Again, “If the wicked restore the pledge, give again, that he hath robbed walk in the statues of life without committing iniquity: he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him.” Ezek. 33:15, 16. What a precious promise, that our sins will not be mentioned unto us. So, dear ones, come to Christ, let him wash you in his own precious blood which he shed on Calvary for you and me. Give yourselves wholly into his hands are take his precious word and do his commandments, and you will find peace and joy in your souls that the world knows nothing about. “The spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let him that heareth say, “Come.” And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Amen.
J. C. Harris.
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News from the Field.
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TEKONSHA, MICH.
DEAR SAINTS: May God richly bless you. We met with the saints in Fulton Saturday, Sept. 19, and held three meetings. Seven were baptized and more are to follow. Sunday evening eighteen partook of the ordinances of God’s house. Yours in the one body,
C. H. Elbridge AND Co.
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Rush. Run, O., Oct. 2.
Dear Beloved BRETHREN: We are happy to greet you once more, and inform you of the work of the Lord in these parts. We commenced meeting at Uniontown, W. Va., Sept. 18. Truly this meeting was a victory for the Lord. A goodly number were saved from their sins and several sanctified. Near the close of the meeting God did wonderfully stretch forth his hand to heal many, who were trusting in the Physician that was able to make them whole. We were glad to meet. Bro. Geo. Potts, who had for seven years been confined to his bed, but now is enjoying good health, and honoring God for the healing of his body. Brother and Sister Clayton, (our co-workers in the above meeting) returned to their home on the Floating Bethel. We have safely arrived at this place, and will commence a tabernacle meeting the 3rd, to continue as long as the Lord wills. Here we expect Bro. A J. Kilpatrick to join us. Then we expect to go to the Monterey assembly meeting, and elsewhere as the Lord leads. Pray for us and the future work of the Lord in these parts. We remain your sanctified brother,
A. J. ELLISON.
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MCLALLEN CORNERS, PA, Sept.30.
DEARLY BELOVED SAINTS: We can report victory in our souls over all. the powers of sin and Satan. Hallelujah! And the divine favor of our God is with us in sending forth the gospel of the Son of God with good results. Since the Emlenton C. M., we have labored with dear Bro. S. P. Strang. We held ever two Lord’s days at our home first, with good results and victory all through the
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meeting. We next opened the battle half a mile west of Venangoboro in a grove. But we were only permitted to hold one night, the weather being against us. We moved the meeting to Blystone, a distance of three miles, and held over two Lord’s days in the saints’ meeting-house. Much good done in the advancement of the body in love toward each other, and the sinking into the humility of Christ. Lord willing, will be with the little ones at Lincolnville Oct. 2, 3, and 4. From here Bro. Strang will return to his home in Michigan. We will next commence the work of the Lord Oct. 10, near Tionesta, then expect to reach Rimersburg by the latter part of the month. We expect to return into the Canada fields by the latter part of November or the first of December. Yours, all on the altar, separated for defense of the gospel,
J. A. and ALICE J. DILLON.
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MENTER, MINN., OCT. 1.
DEAR BRETHREN: We have just closed the tabernacle meetings this fall. Our last meeting was in Crookston, Minnesota. Some were saved, two were baptized last Sabbath. After which seven of God’s little ones observed the ordinances of feet-washing and the Lord’s supper, the Lord fulfilling his promise in Jno. 13:17. Some also were healed of their diseases. One little boy who had been much afflicted with sore eyes, for years, was instantly and perfectly healed by the Lord, when the conditions in Jas. 5:14, 15 were met. Praise the Lord! We began meeting in this place last night in a congregational meeting-house. Crops have failed in this locality to a great extent and consequently the people here are not able to pay the sect preachers, we are told, and so they have left this place. But the poor here are having the gospel preached to them, God is fulfilling his word to us that says, “There is no want to them that fear him.” Blessed be the name of the Lord! We have heard from some who think they are too poor to have meetings this fall and winter; but to all such we would say, Fear not, brethren, only believe and do the will of God, and if it is his will for you to have meetings at present he will open the way and “supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Phil. 4:19. At present Bro. W. J. Baldwin and I are together in the work. Those desiring meetings in North Dakota or in western Minnesota address us at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Brethren, pray for us. Your sanctified brother,
C. H. TUBBS.
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SHELBY, MICH., Sept. 28.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: To-day finds us saved arid enjoying the presence of the Lord. Since the St. Louis C. M., we visited the churches in Oceana Co. and the Lord has blessed our labors. At Pine Grove the church was much benefited, the Lord saving and sanctifying souls. And at Benona we held an eight-day meeting with seven consecrations. At Shelby, where they took a stand against the truth, they are now accepting the Word. Yesterday, the Lord’s day, we had services here at Shelby in the morning and baptismal services at Crystal Lake at twelve o’clock, and eight followed the Lord in baptism. Preaching again at three o’clock, and nine more at the altar. Praise God! Our meetings here so far have been seed sowing. We have had much opposition from sect preachers. But the clouds are breaking and we are praising God for victory. Truly Babylon is tumbling and the mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight; they have remained in their holds; they are crying, “Our city is taken at one end.” — Jer. 51:30, 31. Praise the Lord forever!
We will, Lord willing, begin meeting soon at Hart court-house, right in the midst of darkness and contusion, but are trusting the Lord for victory. We need more real consecrated workers. Truly the harvest is great and the laborers are few. Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send us laborers. Oh, dear ones, you who are not in the work and know your calling, how can you stay at home and see souls perish? Remember God will reward us according to our works. While we have light let us walk in the light. Glory to his name! Your brother, all on the altar for God,
GEO. FILHOUR AND FAMILY.
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Testimonies.
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WAYNESFIELD, OHIO.
DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST: During the camp meeting in June, I got to looking at others instead of looking to the Lord and lost the grace of God out of my soul, and began speaking evil of some of the brethren, for which I am very sorry, and trust they will all forgive me. But, thank God, I am saved to-day. I feel like warning others on this line. I desire the prayers of the children of God. Yours in Jesus,
J. W. MEYERS.
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TINNEY, OHIO.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: This morning I will write a few lines to the TRUMPET. Several weeks ago, I sent a dispatch to the Trumpet Office for the healing of my body. I got healed of neuralgia and am gaining otherwise, for which I do give God all the praise. I am saved this morning. Please pray that I may be sanctified. Pray for my companion also that he may get saved. From your sister,
EMMA D. BROWN.
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GEORGEVILLE, PA.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: I am praising God for the wonderful salvation of Jesus Christ. I am justified freely and sanctified wholly, to do the whole will of God. Truly it pays to die the real death to sin and self and all the works of the devil. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” — 2 Chron. 16:9. We know that God has a perfect people. The dear Lord is sinking the little church at this place down deeper and deeper in his will, and gathering some dear souls home to Zion, the church that Jesus built. Pray for us that we may all sink deeper in humility and be on the onward move for God. Yours, ail on the altar, preserved in Jesus Christ,
S. J. RUFFNER.
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LIMA, OKLAHOMA.
DEAR SAINTS AND TRUMPET READERS: I feel led to testify to the glory of God. He has saved, me from all sins and sanctified me wholly, and keeps me unspotted from sin and the world. Praise his holy name for the peace which passeth all understanding! I do prove his grace to be sufficient, and find him a present help in time of need. God is advancing my soul, and I mean to go on and explore the land of Canaan; for I find it better on before. Though Babylon rages, we’ll shout as her city doth burn. Glory to God for sending his true messengers to us with this everlasting truth; for I know to-day I have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, with songs and everlasting joy upon my head; and am determined by God’s grace to be true to him and follow him all the way. Your brother in Christ, kept by the power of God,
R. W. WELLS.
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NEOSHO FALLS, KAN.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I feel led of God to write my testimony again. It is nearly two years since I testified trough the TRUMPET. But I am so glad I can testify that the dear Lord gives me victory now, and that I have a present salvation. The LORD has taught me many precious lessens in the last two years. I have found the Lord to be a present help in every time of need. I am now endeavoring by the help of the Lord to teach his Word about eight miles from Neosho Falls, and desire all of God’s children to pray for me that God may use me in his own way, I can truly testify that I am all given up to God’s will and ready to go where he leads. I can also testify that the Lord can heal the chills; for he has healed me. Praise his holy name! I can recommend Jesus as a physician for soul and body. Your brother in Christ,
EMIL KREUTZ.
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DENVER, COL.
DEAR READERS OF THE TRUMPET: Praise the Lord for salvation that keeps us free and pure from all sin in this wicked world! How glorious it is to be on the highway of holiness! To go on to perfection, or be cleansed from all the works of Satan, is what he doesn’t like, and he will try to keep us from doing so, in many ways, if he can. But the soul that will be sanctified in spite of the hindrances the devil puts in the way will not be defeated. But it takes a real “go through” in your soul in these last days to be wholly the Lord’s. I found it took an unconditional surrender to God’s will, and losing sight of self to abide in him. Seeking sanctification and not putting forth enough effort is like trying to go out in the deep ocean with a lot of ropes under the water holding the boat to the shore, But turn on the light of God’s word and we can see to cut the lines and launch out into the great ocean of God’s love. Your brother made pure by the blood of Jesus,
A. F. ADAMS.
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ELYSIAN FIELDS, TEX.
DEAR SAINTS AND TRUMPET READERS: The dear Lord directs me to write my testimony, as I never have written it. I was converted when in my thirteenth year, and joined the Baptist sect. Eight years ago I heard a good old brother talk on a higher standard of salvation, which he called holiness and sanctification. I made a vow that I would hunt for that higher standard. Sometimes I would almost give it up, but, praise the dear Lord, two years ago he gave me what I had been praying for. I am happy and feel hallelujahs in my soul. I am saved and sanctified. Last June I wrote the dear saints to pray for my son to be healed of fistula. He has not had another spell. Praise the Lord! Please pray that he may be converted and sanctified, and then he will take Jesus for his healer. And pray for me that I may hold out for the Master, and pray that God will send us someone to preach the whole gospel in this part of Texas. I am afflicted with something like dropsy and heart trouble. Pray for me. Your sister under the blood,
M. L. Mitchell.
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DECATUR, MICH.
DEAR SAINTS, GREETING: HOW I do praise God for what I feel in my soul to-day. I cannot keep still, but feel as though I would like to have the world know it, and the work that has been done in my body. I was taken very sick, with a chill, chilled all night and was so sick all day the next day, sick mind and body, could not pray; but when I realized anything, I had such sweet peace in my soul and a submission to God’s will, whatever it might be. I knew others were praying for me. I got some better and went about my work on Saturday but was quite weak. But the great victory came on Sunday. The devil tried to make me stay at home from meeting and how bad I did feel, but kept resisting him, and so I went forth in the name of the Lord; every pain left and I was as well and strong as ever. Put in a hard day’s work for God, and oh what a glorious day in my soul! Oh, praise the dear Lord for what he does for his people! And I have what I prize more than all, a wonderful increase of faith. How can the saints of God be afraid to step out on God’s promises? Your sister, saved in Christ, saved, sanctified and kept,
MRS. JOHN HARRIS.
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TITUSVILLE, PA.
DEAR SAINTS AND TRUMPET READERS: May the Lord abundantly bless you and keep you on the advance for God. Amen. We are still saved and trusting in Jesus each day for all things; for we know he doeth all things well. He is blessing us each day, for which we give him all praise and honor. I have just finished reading the TRUMPET. It is food for our hungry souls. We are deprived of going to meeting here, and how we do long to meet with the saints and have meeting! May the Lord send someone here, is our earnest prayer.
There is one thing I would like to mention, to the glory of God. When an evangelist goes to a place and holds meeting and there are a number saved, they ought not to leave them so long before they are baptized and are more fully established in the right way. Many falters and go back or join some sect. Oh if someone could come to this place! There are so many sects, and I believe God has some people in them. I do long for the time to come when God will raise up a church of his own in this wicked city. Pray for us and our children that they may be saved. Yours, saved and in the one body,
EDGAR AND MATTIE COVEY.
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BONFIELD, ILL.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I am still praising my loving Redeemer who has saved my soul and healed my body. I was hurt when only sixteen years of age, and was very poorly and delicate, suffering very much pain in my back, also sick headache, which made my life real poorly. After marriage I met with a misfortune which left female trouble that kept growing worse. Then I was paralyzed on my right side, so I could not hear a watch tick; my head was drawn on my left shoulder and I was not able to hold my head alone. For nine years 1 was a cripple. Three months I ate my meals on the rocking-chair. I got down sick for eight months; doctored all the time; got so I could get around a little, then got so bad that I had to stay in bed for four long years. I used all kinds of medicine I could hear of, besides had a good doctor who did all in his power to cure me, and I often sent for medicine for self-treatment; besides two doctors here with him, and several others consulted. All said the same as my one doctor. He said if I could get help of other doctors he would be as glad as I would. But I told him I would die in his hands. But, praise the good Lord, he did not want me to die in the doctor’s hands. I would try God and leave my medicine for a while, or burn it; then when the pain would come so very hard I would get more medicine. I did have great faith in God, but did not know him for a healer for my body. I knew he often answered my weak prayers; but I did not know how to pray the prayer of faith, as we were not taught it in the sects. While reading in the GOSPEL TRUMPET I read of a camp meeting to be in June at Grand Junction. I wished to go, but, dear ones, I was in bed; how could I go? Some of the dear saints said they would take me and it would not cost me a cent. That was three years ago last June, Praise God, there I was healed from all female trouble, headache, and all disease. The devil tried hard to get me to doubt my healing, but I still keep on in faith, for I have been up ever since, and I know to-day I am perfectly whole. Once since, I had the grippe, and colic; God healed me instantly. A few weeks ago, I had dysentery and was very bad; thought I had to die if God did not heal me. But after I was anointed and prayed for, I knew I was healed. I am still well, soul and body. My body is weak, but am healthier than I have been since married or since sixteen years old; am now fifty. Praise God! Have not used a drop of medicine for three years.
Have often felt sorry to think I grieved my dear Savior so much, and doubted him so many times. O dear ones, don’t do as I did; for it is a wonder that he did not cast me away for treating him so shamefully. He did so much for me, a big sinner; pardoned my load of sin, and then after my disobeying him, healed my body. Oh, I cannot praise him enough for his wonderful dealings! Praise God for all sickness and trials and pain; for that was the only way he could get me to obey his voice. I am now all the Lord’s, soul, body — all. Since I am given up to his will, five children and husband are saved. Praise the Lord! God only knows what I have suffered day and night. I write this only to the glory of God, that other dear ones may take Christ for their healer; as he is the one who can heal all sickness. Yours saved,
LYDIA KIRCHNER.
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Obituary
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PENDILL. — Died at her home near Tekonsha, Mich., Sister Almeda A. Pendill, Sept. 2, 1896; aged forty-five years, eight months, nine days. She leaves a mother, a husband, three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. We pray that her God may be their God. Text Rev. 22:3. Services by the writer, C. H. Eldridge.
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THE SHINING LIGHT.
An interesting paper for children. Illustrated. It should be in every family where there are children. 25 cts. a year. 10 or more copies to one address. 18 cts. a copy per year, or any part of a year at the same rates.
Address, THE SHINING LIGHT, Grand Junction, Mich.
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EVANGELIUMS POSAUNE.
A radical, anti-sectarian, German holiness journal, published semi-monthly at this office, where all business and subscription communications should be sent. Subscription $1.00 per annum. Free to the poor. All matter for publication or editorial support should be sent direct to the editor: FRED L. HAHN, 466, 16th St., Milwaukee, Wis.
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THE TIDINGS OF HEALING.
A twelve-page monthly paper devoted to the subject of divine healing, giving instructive articles and testimonies of those who have been healed. 50 cts. a year.
Address, J. W. BYERS. 721. 16th St., Oakland, Cal.
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Paper and Envelopes.
Envelopes with mottoes and verses of scripture neatly arranged. 30 cts. per hund.
Writing Paper in Tablets, containing one hundred sheets with various designs of scriptural headings. 30 cts.
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Mottoes.
Size11 x 14 inches. Scriptural mottoes and verses, printed on colored paper, in large type, can be read at a distance of fifty to one hundred feet. Suitable for posting in public places, offices, homes, etc. By mail 20 cts. per doz.
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BOOKS.
Holiness Bible Subjects.
By H. C. Wickersham. 400 pages. Cloth $1.00. A very valuable book with arrangement of Scriptures on one hundred subjects, also contains over 50 pages of concordance, tables. Bible helps, etc.
The Boy’s Companion.
By E. E. Byrum. Paper cover 15 cts. Cloth 25 cts.
This is a neat little volume with interesting chapters to boys, concerning the Secret Vice and other bad habits and their effects. Every Boy needs advice and too often parents fail to give the needed advice until too late.
Divine Healing of Soul and Body.
By E. E. Byrum. 248 pages. Cloth, 75 cts. Paper cover, 25 cents.
Part I teaches the way of salvation, and how to get saved. Part II gives Bible teaching on the healing of the body. Part III consists of testimonies from those who have been healed in these last days. In English and German.
Biblical Trace of the Church.
By W. G. Schell. Paper cover 35 cts. Cloth 75 cts.
Tracing the church in prophecy from her birth to the end of time. It shows that the prophets have foretold the greatest Trials and Triumphs of the Church in the whole Christian Era, and describes the age in which we now live.
The Secret of Salvation:
How to Get It and How to Keep It.
By E. E. Byrum. Over 400 pages — Illustrated — 109 chapters which will instruct a sinner how to get saved; the Christian to keep saved, and enjoy the blessings of God; the sick and afflicted how to get healed and enjoy health, and those who are bound or possessed of the devil to find deliverance. Paper cover 35 cts., Cloth 75 cts.
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BIBLICAL TRACE THE CHURCH.
Giving a history of the Church from its foundation to the end of time, by the prophesies of the Bible.
It shows that the Christian era is divided into four periods of time and that we are now in the last period and near the second coming of Christ. Many interesting prophesies explained.
Cloth, 75 cts.Paper, 35 cts.
SPECIAL TERMS TO AGENTS.
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GOSPEL TRUMPET PUB. CO.
Grand Junction, Mich.
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Page 4
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DIVINE HEALING.
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Healed of fever
MARIASVILLE, PA.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I feel that it would be to the glory of God for me to tell to the world how the Lord in two instances has wonderfully healed my body.
Last fall I had the privilege of living where I could associate with true children of God. I was not saved at the time, and their daily life of earnest devotion to God carried conviction to my heart. But I was not willing to be saved, and fought off conviction, until God sent a judgment upon me, or permitted the devil to afflict me. I was taken with fever; I allowed it to run ten days, then sent for the doctor, one of the very best in the locality. The doctor told fee I would have to have a run of typhoid fever. I told him I could never stand a run of fever. I knew that positively, for my body was in a very weak physical condition. I had not had good health for some two years previous to this sickness. The doctor told me, I should keep up courage, but gave me no encouragement that I might recover.
I kept on growing worse, and by the next evening my temperature was up to 104 Fahrenheit. Now was a time when if ever mortal being was in agony, I was. So hopelessly sick in body, and no hope for my soul, but hell staring me in the face. I could not utter a word of prayer; my soul was so bound down by Satan. Ah, I thought if I just had a few minutes to prepare to meet my God. But all the opportunities I had had offered me heretofore I had treated with lightness. I was in this terrible agony until about 9:30 o’clock P. M., when my brother and wife came home from a series of meetings. Unknown to me they prayed for me, and after the elapse of thirty or forty minutes my fever began to abate. I began to feel more comfortable, then my brother began to talk to me about salvation. And I can truly say I was willing to concede to the will of God on any terms. He asked me if I would be willing to get saved if God would raise me up from this sickness. To this I readily consented, and he prayed God to deal with me to his own glory.
My husband was also not saved but, seeing my hopeless condition, promised God that he would get saved if God would let me get well, not knowing of the promise I had made. So, God had that much glory already. I commenced to amend from the very hour that prayer was offered for me. It was only a few weeks until I was up and around. My husband and I were saved shortly after, and God has established an immovable kingdom within my soul, whereby I am “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” About six weeks ago I was again taken with a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels. There was no elder near us, that we might follow the command of Jas. 5:14 So my husband sent a telegram to Grand Junction for those at the Trumpet Office to pray for my healing. I was very sick and those that were caring for me say they thought I could live but a short time. But God says, “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” — Mal. 4:2. Praise the Lord! I began to get better in a few hours after the message was sent. And by afternoon was able to go down stairs. The Prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up.” Bless the Lord for all his goodness to us! I am now well and strong. To God be all the glory. Yours in Christ,
ALICE R. STEADMAN.
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“WHAT doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
DISTINCTION BETWEEN IMPULSES AND A SANCTIFIED JUDGMENT.
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and quiet character which has been mentioned, but are hasty and violent. In violation of the great Scriptural maxim, “HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE, ” the person who is under this pernicious influence thinks he cannot be too quick. He makes but little account of obstacles; he cannot take time for interior examination; he has no open eye to God’s cut ward providences; he is too impetuous, too much possessed by himself of Satanic influence, to engage in calm and humble prayer for guidance; in a word, he rushes blindly onward just as his great adversary, who is especially interested in his movements, would have him.
The great plea of these persons is, that the time is now; that what is to be done is to be done now; that the present moment is the true moment of action. This is essentially true; but there is a valuable remark of Fenelon, which places the doctrine of present or immediate action in its correct position. It is, that THE PRESENT MOMENT HAS A MORAL EXTENSION. In other words, we are undoubtedly bound to fulfil the duty of the present moment; but it is the present moment, not in a state of barren insulation, but considered in all its relations to God, man, and the universe. — But it is perfectly, obvious, that the duties of the present moment cannot be fulfilled in their moral extension without calling in the aid of a calmly reflective and sanctified judgment.
SEVENTH. When an action is performed, to which we are prompted by a gracious and not a mere natural or Satanic impulse, but which action is not attended with all those good results which we expected and hoped, we are entirely acquiescent. — We receive the result without trouble of mind. — For instance, we are led, in the providence of God and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to converse with a person on the subject of religion; and, contrary to our hope and expectation, he coolly and superciliously rejects our message. The result, though painful, does not disquiet us. We leave it calmly in the hands of God. Whereas, a person who performs an action from an impulse which is not from the Spirit of God, and who finds the result different from what he expected, will be likely to experience a degree of submissive dissatisfaction, and to show signs of fretfulness, And I think it a matter of common observation, that Christians who are governed in a considerable degree by natural or any other impulses not divine, mistaking them for a truly spiritual guidance, are, to use the com-mon expression in the case, “always in trouble;” sometimes with the church; sometimes with their minister; sometimes with one thing, and sometimes with another; and alas! not unfrequently, although they seem to be wholly unaware of it, with the wisely- ordered providences of God himself. They are not childlike, and meek and lowly in heart, as those always are who are truly guided by the Holy Spirit. They are not like the Savior, who, when he was oppressed and afflicted, opened not his mouth, but was led as a lamb to the slaughter.
EIGHTH. We are continually taught by good men in the Bible, that we ought to be like our heavenly Father, to be holy as he is holy to be perfect as he is perfect. And I suppose it is the general design and aim of Christians, who are striving after high attainments in holiness, to bear this blessed image. But probably we do not any of us conceive of God as acting impulsively and without reflection: as regulating his conduct by the stupid instinct of impressions, without the clear light of perceptive rationality. We should be deeply afflicted and affrighted in being obliged to ascribe to our heavenly Father such a character as this. Similar views will apply to the Savior. He himself says, John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing. As I hear, I judge; [that is to say, the communications of the Holy Spirit call my judgment into exercise] and my judgment is just, because [implying in the remark that he was uninfluenced by any suggestions and impressions from self] I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” Are we not safe, then, if God desires and requires us to be like himself, and to be like Him also, whom, in the likeness of man, he has set before us as our example, in saying that a judgment enlightened by the Holy Spirit is the true guide of our actions, rather than blind impulses and impressions?
It will be recollected that we do not absolutely deny the occasional existence of impulses and impressions resulting from the operations of the Spirit of God. But we cannot well avoid the conclusion, that they are entitled to no influence, and are not designed to have any, except in connection with the subsequent action of an awakened, and sanctified judgment. And it is this view only which can rescue them from the imputation of blindness and irrationality, even when they come from a good and right source. When, therefore, we speak of them as blind and irrational, we wish to be understood as speaking of them as they are in themselves, and without being enlightened by the subsequent action of the sanctified intellect. — The subsequent action of the mind, which may always be expected to follow when they come from the Holy Spirit, cannot fail to impart to them a new and interesting character.
In conclusion, we would remark, that the doctrine off present sanctification has much to fear from not accurately distinguishing natural and Satanic impulses from the true movings of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. Many who ran well for a time, but who afterwards yielded themselves to impulsive influences which were not from the Spirit of God, have wandered into perplexed and divergent paths, to the injury of the cause of holiness and of their own souls. And we would just remark here, that the most interesting and satisfactory illustrations of holy living which have come under our notice are the cases of persons who endeavor constantly to put themselves under the direction of a sanctified intellect; who are willing to do anything and everything for the glory of God; but who feel that they need and must have wisdom. These persons caw testify that they are guided by the Holy Spirit; but they can testify, also, that the Holy Spirit does not require them to do anything which an enlighted and sanctified intellect does not appreciate and approve. And hence their course is marked by consistency and sound discretion. They are not different men at different times, on whom no dependence can be placed. They are always at their post; supporters of the ministry; pillars in the church; patient under opposition and rebuke; faithful in warning sinners; counselors in times of difficulty; mighty in the Scriptures; burning and shining lights in the world. It is such persons that truly sustain and. honor the blessed doctrine of holiness; presenting before the world the mighty argument of consistent holy living, which unbelievers cannot confute, and which the wicked and the envious are unable to gainsay.
From “Inward Divine Guidance, ” by Thomas C. Upham.
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Testimonies.
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DUSHVILLE, MICH.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I can truly praise God for full and free salvation. I have many reasons to praise God. When I was at the Gratiot camp-meeting I felt led to have hands laid on for my hearing and speech and I can say that the mighty healing power touched my body there and then, and I was made to shout praise unto our God. And I can say to-day that I can talk and hear better than I ever could before, and do thank the Lord for it. I want all the dear children of God to pray for me, and that God may do a complete work. I was saved at the Gratiot camp meeting, and I am sanctified, ready to do my Master’s will at all times. Pray for me. Your sister in Christ,
SADIE SMITH.
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DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I am praising God for salvation that keeps me free from all sin. I praise him for his wonderful healing power. He has healed me several times, and I am determined by the grace of God to give my time and talent to his service. I gave myself to the Lord and he saved me from fey sins, and afterwards he sanctified me by a second work of grace. Your brother in Christ,
J. H. MILLER.
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BONFIELD, ILL.
DEAR SAINTS OF GOD: I feel led of God to send in my first testimony. I used to be a member of the Lutheran sect. My parents sent me to school and I was confirmed as a Lutheran, when sixteen years old. But I was never satisfied; I went away from the Lutherans, and joined another sect, where I remained seventeen years. But there was something that I wanted, but did not know what it was. Well, one day a sect preacher came to our place and had dinner with us, and I told him that I was looking for something, and told him there was a vacancy in my heart. But he told me that I was all right; I had to feel that way. Dear reader, I was in that condition until last May; the good Lord sent one of his little ones to our neighborhood to preach the truth, and I saw that it was the truth, and was sweetly saved. Praise God! I can truly say that I never felt so free as I feel now. About one week ago I was sanctified by a second work of grace. I am so thankful to God that he was so merciful with me and had so much patience with me; and I am so glad that the dear Lord did not cut me off while I was in sectism. And I am determined to go through, let come what will. I also praise God for his healing power. My little girl Maudie, five years old was healed of fever. She was getting worse right along. She was so bad that we did not know what to do. I asked her if she wanted to take some medicine; I thought if she wanted some medicine, I would give her some, but she did not want any. I asked her whether she wanted the doctor and she said, “No, mamma; tell Jesus that Maudie is sick, and he will make me well.” I asked her, “Can you believe that Jesus can make you well right now?” And she said, “Yes, just as soon as you tell him, he will hear and can make me well.” Dear ones, I can tell you that my heart broke. We went off to pray. When we got to the place where we wanted to ask the Lord, she got down on her little knees and folded her little hands, and looked towards heaven, the tears rolling down over her burning cheeks, wanting me to ask the Lord to make her well. I then prayed to the Lord to make her well. As soon as she heard me ask Jesus to make her well, she looked up with joy and said, “Mamma, Jesus makes me well; now let us go home and tell papa and sister and brother, grandpa, and grandma.” Dear ones, we had a glorious time; we all cried for joy, and gave God all the glory. The Lord made a complete work. She is well now. Oh! it is so sweet to trust in Jesus, and leave everything in his hands! If we had such faith as a little child it would be well. My faith was tested. I saw that my faith was not so great as I thought it was, but I can tell you, dear readers, my faith is increasing. The Lord is my doctor at any time. I praise his name for his saving and healing power. If you come to him in a simple way, he will hear you. Well, I give God all the glory for what he has done for us. Your saved and sanctified sister,
Lucy RICKEY.
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Advancement.
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Let Your Light Shine.
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Our light should shine in our home circle as well as abroad. We should make our pure love and our holy life felt by father, mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, and children; as well as by our neighbor, friend, and enemy. Many make great professions abroad, and pursue a life at home so inconsistent with their profession, that the members of their own family are caused to look upon them as hypocrites. O beloved! if we cannot convince our loved ones at home that we are transformed by divine grace, it is useless to attempt to let our light so shine before our neighbors and enemies that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
We can live down the rankest prejudices, and the basest skepticisms in our homes by the sweetness and purity of our lives, and thereby compel them to admit that God is in us of a truth. True, Jesus taught that we would receive opposition and persecution from “they of our own house;” but let us be sure that what we are receiving is for Christ’s sake, and not a buffeting for our faults. I am perfectly willing to suffer for Christ, but desire to live by the grace of God where I may ever know that I am receiving no buffetings for faults. I want to live so pure in heaven’s sight, that God himself may live in me a life well pleasing in his sight.
Let us examine some of the instructions given in the Word concerning our lite at home. “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” 1 Pet. 3:1, 2.
The sisters who have unsaved husbands, find a precious promise here. The husband may without the word be won by the conversation of the wife. If your husband becomes angry when you endeavor to read the Word unto him, don’t try to win him in that way. It is but casting pearls before swine. Show your Savior in your sweet and graceful life before him, and you may win him to Christ in this way, when he beholds your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” — 1 Pet. 3:7.
Let the brethren who have unsaved wives, carefully observe this important commandment. If you are praying for the salvation of your wife, be sure that there are no little outcroppings in your life to disgust your wife at religion and the Bible, and thus you hinder the Lord from answering your prayers. This is what Peter meant when he commanded above, “Dwell with your wife according to knowledge; * * * that your prayers be not hindered.”
If a fault will hinder our prayers for the unsaved, a life made sweet and sublime by the graces of heaven, will help the Lord to answer our prayers for the salvation of our friends.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother: * * * And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. * * * And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” — Eph. 6:1-9.
Let us carefully compare our home life with the above instructions, and wherein we see room for advancement, let us improve our home life, until we can pray, when pleading with God to save our relatives, like the good King Hezekiah, “Lord thou knowest how I have walked before thee with a perfect heart.”