THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
VOLUME IX
NUMBER 37
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, SEPTEMBER 12, 1867.
Church Officers and their Ordination
From the premises submitted in previous numbers, we deem it not premature to present such conclusions as we think are fully authorized in the scriptures of truth.
- God is the sole organizer of all bodies in the natural world; and in the establishment of His church He left nothing of an organic character unfinished.
As we have seen, He has set the members in the body, as it has pleased Him. (1 Cor. xii: 18). - Whenever men attempt to make pastors and bishops of youths, preachers or others, not of the class set forth, the divine authority is displaced.
They take the position of God, and show, like all denominations, that they are God. - Men of another class are set and ordained by the Spirit as ministers, serving in all the congregations.
Senior women are set in the body as the chosen teachers of the younger women. - The order of worship is also a divine arrangement.
The weekly meetings for breaking bread, the fellowship for the poor, and supplying the necessities of evangelists, and to sound out the word universally, are matters of spiritual authority, and in reference to which we are to entertain no opinions.
We are to believe what is written, and bow to the divine arrangement, or reject God as our teacher, and follow the devices of the wicked one.
These things were committed to Timothy, Titus, and other companions of the apostles, and they were to commit them in the forms of sound words, “To faithful men that they might teach others also.”
All were to know the Lord from the least to the greatest. In the body, the qualifications specified in heavenly wisdom, the overseers, and pastors of the churches, is God’s order, and all co-operate under the Heavenly appointment in carrying out the purposes of the church.
We have seen that the Holy Spirit has “made,” set, or ordained the seniors of the congregations, with the least to the greatest. In the body, the members were to sound out the truth and convert the world—”Turn men from…”
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Darkness to light, and from the power of God.
The divine arrangement was, which members gave evidence of capacity to Christ. In the Greek Testament it reads, “instruct the lost, like the unmuzzled ox that threshed the corn.” “They were to live of the gospel.” Hence, the rule submitted by Paul is that “Him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (Gal. vi: 6). Hence, we regard God’s plan as perfect. The system is complete, and they are false reporters of the Spirit.
There is no word in the original for office. The passage should be read, “If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work!” His true, if we mistake not, all the translations go to the words, “allotment of bishop,” but the second translation shows that it was a work desired, and not an office, in any sense.
If correct is the conclusion that the order and organization of the church are exclusively the work of God, we may be asked to reconcile this teaching with the practice of all the denominations, and of many professed disciples of Christ, in conferring offices on members in the church for spiritual work. The Spirit, we are quite sure that there is no passage favoring the darling dogma, in the New Testament.
We have given these passages as if any one should be asked to reconcile this teaching! We are setting forth the idea of what the world calls official authority in religion, and while we know that there was no such an idea in the mind of the Spirit, we frankly admit that our English scriptures authorize.
We are asked, “If we do not read the practice of making officers, but of ordinations in the scriptures, and if we say to our readers, that, with a fair understanding of the Greek Testament, there is not such an idea in it, as an office, which may be conferred by any ceremony?” Certainly, we find the word uniting, and were it not for its sectarian application, it might not be objectionable. But in the matter to be controverted, and to our belief maintained, or the supposed investiture of one with another; standing prejudices, we think we are prepared to remove every supposable difficulty.
On this point, for the present, we will notice but a few passages of scripture. The King’s translators made and say: “I am the Apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my OFFICE.” (Rom. xi: 13). The Greek says: “I honor my (diakonia) service.” There is no word for office.
Again, Paul is made to say, that all members of our natural body have not the same office, and so with the body of Christ.
All the members have not the same (priestly) office.
Let me ask if Paul does not say, “If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires good work!” It is the same report of the Spirit.
The passage should be read, “If any man desires (diakonia) service, he is commanded, first, to be of one mind; he desires a good work.” The passage, with that, secondly, all are to be subject one to another.
The work desired, and not an office, in any sense. If correct is the conclusion that the order and organization of the church are exclusively the work of God, we may be asked to reconcile this teaching with the practice of all the denominations, and of many professed disciples of Christ, in conferring offices on members in the church for spiritual work.
The Spirit, we are quite sure that there is no passage favoring the darling dogma, in the New Testament.
We have given these passages as if any one should be asked to reconcile this teaching! We are setting forth the idea of what the world calls official authority in religion, and while we know that there was no such an idea in the mind of the Spirit, we frankly admit that our English scriptures authorize.
We are asked, “If we do not read the practice of making officers, but of ordinations in the scriptures, and if we say to our readers, that, with a fair understanding of the Greek Testament, there is not such an idea in it, as an office, which may be conferred by any ceremony?” Certainly, we find the word uniting, and were it not for its sectarian application, it might not be objectionable. But in the matter to be controverted, and to our belief maintained, or the supposed investiture of one with another; standing prejudices, we think we are prepared to remove every supposable difficulty.
The famous Doctor W. Newman, in his article on Bishops, in Rhetoric’s fancy of a day, developed in, though an Episcopalian, says: “A formal ceremony, it is generally believed, was employed in appointing elders, although it does not appear that, as yet, (in the apostolic age,) any fixed name was appropriated to the office.”
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The idea of ordination into office, we may be asked, how he accounts for its necessity. The passage, Acts i: 24, to which we refer, accounts for it in the same manner that the learned world accounts for all human inventions in religion. Sprinkling was substituted for immersion, and there is scarcely an ordinance, from the consecration of priests and bishops, that has not arisen from their ideas, or may follow the different traditions that exist.
The Office of Elders
The office, for which this edition is written, is one that has been very much misunderstood. There are certainly no formalities stated, yet we are assured by the scriptures that there is authority for the same.
We have seen the position of elders, and we have seen the office, and yet we find that there is no authority in the scripture, and the preacher’s labor. Hence, in Titus i: 5, we find ordination to express the nature, which our overseer has left in Crete, to ordain elders.
There are now many such steps taken by churches, by placing the members in working positions.
The Importance of Authority
The fact that creates the initiation into office, for which he admits there is no clear authority in the scripture, is still an important part of the modern sense.
But we cannot pursue the subject further at present. If there is no office, not that our scriptures, as given by our translators, were intended to set forth the idea in the clearest manner.
Fellowship
We have received from some unknown brother, in Scott County, Kentucky, $10 for the benefit of the needy.
We have received $10 from a brother calling, choosing and sending the twelve, that the Savior originated them, gave them directions, as to their labor, and told them to go forth, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Christian Duty, No. 16
My brethren, there was no ancient time in which rewards were offered, or punishments threatened, that if we did look back and imagine, that if we had been there, we would have gained and certainly the reward and escaped the punishment; but how hard for us to consent to gain eternal happiness as the reward of “liberality” at present.
If we had been at Jerusalem when the signs foretold by Christ were exhibited, when we were standing in the holy place, we might have been alarmed, when the city was encompassed with armies, and the devouring sword was over the doomed; when the fowls of the air were flapping helpless when signs and terrible apparitions were beneath the beating storm, and the beasts seen in the air and wonders in the earth of the plain were rising in terror and beneath; when the city was consumed with confusion to swift destruction; when the inhabitants of the earth awakened, and the eagle spread its wings like the curtain to an overwhelming sense of their guilt, when the flames were falling terror on their heads, and fire and the sword were to consume the mountains.
We think we would not have turned back to take anything out of our houses. But our conduct at present declares that we may have waited and joined the raging floods below; we think we would have ploughed our way in safety through the homeless deep to the new world.
But, my brethren, according to our zeal at present, we could not have entered the ark of safety unless Noah could have taken our possessions aboard to stay by the abominations of the Sodomites. We would have been driven from our goods, step by step, from hill to hill; and from city to city; until we were swept in the universal destruction. These destructions were but lure types of that destruction which shall come upon mankind if we are not prepared for the Lord’s coming; to-day nothing of the “eternal wrath” which shall be visited on the children of disobedience. “To-day is the day of salvation,” will you now accept?
We need not carry the eyes in sorrow on the destruction of our old prophets and saints, and spend our
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In imagining what we would have His servants or laboring in His vineyard accomplish in their places, for we, the least of us in the kingdom, are greater than the greatest of them; being kings, priests, and sons of God, before which the highest titles of honor on earth dwindle into utter insignificance. Neither need we envy the inspired companions of Christ; we have all they knew before us; they commenced the work blessed of Him. The prophets came before to prepare the way for the Lord of Glory, who in turn prepared the way for His Apostles. Those Apostles then prepared the way for us, and our successors teaching will be as our own.
And now, brethren, in this solemn hour, I would ask you to be mindful of the solemnity of the hour. Will you not be as good as to remember that you are the children of God, and that you are to be the instruments of riches, and the ways of God, to Him? When therefore the world should be in the utmost distress of need, you should remember that you are the children of God, and that you are to be the instruments of His grace.
The Lord, as a thief in the night, will come to take His own, and shun the way of those who heap up riches to themselves, and continue to their souls until they are delivered over to the enemy of souls, who claims them for the cause of the Lord. Even while their minds are early, and haunt their fevered dreams by night, with visions of hopes in the distance, and the day of gold, jewels, and palaces, and gardens linger with your whole estates. Until they say, “Soul, take thy ease; thou hast much goods laid up.”
The Lord, as a thief in the night, with miserable fools, the ungodly worm is at the burning of the world and melting of their hearts; guileful misery only is in the heavens. You may be bound to their ways, with thick forebodings of the future, and exhalation of spirit in the present. They have never tasted true happiness, not even a moment’s respite to their acting, void and heart-rending.
Receive the welcome of Jesus Christ. When angels of mercy plead with them to send salvation to the perishing, the devil quotes scripture for them: “He that provides not for his own is worse than an infidel,” the naked, hungry of the heathen. They scoff at God’s system and accuse the oppressed and hungry of your own.
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The Church of God and Kingdom of Heaven not Identical
We have received many communications to show that the church of Christ and the kingdom of heaven are not identical.
The Greek word Ekklesia occurs one hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament, and it is rendered in the plural thirty-four times. Hence we read of the churches of God, churches of Christ, churches of the Gentiles, churches of the saints, churches in Galatia, churches in Judea, and churches in Acts 9:31.
It is rendered three times as assembly.
If we are correct in the conclusion that the word, say twenty times in the Bible, denotes the entire family of God, we see no ground of controversy.
Let us notice some of these passages.
In the first occurrence in the New Testament, Matt. xvi: 18, when the Savior said: “Upon this rock I will build my church;” we have never been able to see anything less than the whole family of God, or kingdom under Christ, and in the next sentence, with direct reference to the church on that rock, the Lord said, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
In the second place, Paul says, God raised Christ from the dead and placed him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, and “gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph. i: 22).
In this passage, we can see no reference to a church at any particular place, but to the whole body of Christ; and it will be remembered that the Apostle says there is “one body,” and “but one body.”
In the third place, Paul says: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.”
J. B. EUBANKS
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Wisdom of God. Eph. iii: 10. And this church, in the 15th verse of the same chapter, he styles, “the whole family in heaven and in earth.”
In Eph. v: 23: “Christ is (called) the head of the church,” and in the 25th verse it is written: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it,” and in the 32nd verse we read of “Christ and the church.”
Christ is called “the head of the church,” Col. i: 18; and in Heb. xii: 22, it is said, “Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to the general assembly of the first born.”
Mount Zion
City of the Living God, Heavenly Jerusalem, general assembly of the first born, we regard as the entire body of the saints in heaven and on earth, and equivalent to the kingdom of Christ, called “The whole family in heaven and earth.” Eph. iii: 15.
With these scriptures before us, we do not see how it is possible to avoid the conclusion that the word church is often employed to denote the whole body of faith, known as the kingdom which the Savior is really to deliver.
Societies
Younger’s Settlement, Bastrop Co., Tex., April 24, 1867.
The Gospel Advocate: Dear Brethren, permit me, through your valuable paper, to state my position on the missionary question. I see it stated in the Texas Department of the Advocate, that I am acting as evangelist, under the direction of the “Texas Missionary Society.” I certainly did not so understand the matter. Some of the brethren, at Bastrop and Young’s Settlement, made contributions to me last winter, requesting me to preach the gospel during the year 1867. I told them I would preach if sustained; and it was agreed that I should solicit aid from other congregations. It is true I acted under the direction of said society, in 1862. But within the last year, I have investigated the subject, and must confess I have changed. The idea of the church is exhausted by just four classes of persons, viz.: Bishops, Deacons, Evangelists, and Brethren.
Still, we have known from childhood, that the word church is often used to designate the respective worshiping assemblies of the saints, located in different cities, and often in private houses. Several of our correspondents urge that if the word church is ever employed to denote the kingdom of heaven, it can be substituted for it. This conclusion leads to the apostle’s teaching, and to the doing unscriptural work. But if the church has the right to do all this, she may make a council.
Heavenly Father is known by different names, no two of which can be substituted for each other, and yet God, Lord, New Testament. Then, if the same law applies…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Section 728
Discussion on the Role of Officers in the Church
The question of a given officer cannot be found in the apostolic teaching. How can we, as these subjects of Jesus, sustain him? (Rom. xvi: 1-4; 2 Timothy i: 16-18; Titus iii: 18).
The Necessity of Creating a Church Class
Sisters Phoebe and Mary, and brothers Onesiphorus and Gaius, are examples of private members, as Paul commended one preacher (Titus) to supply the wants of another preacher (Apollos).
The gospel was preached to every creature (Col. i: 23), without the need of executive boards, in about thirty years. Has the word of God become powerless, inconclusive? Did God make a law adapted only to that century? Nay, verily! It is a perfect law. That which is perfect answers to all time. We cannot add to it, nor take from it.
The Role of Contributions
Does it not look almost like adding to it, to create an officer to do the work required by it? It has been said that the weekly contributions and gifts of individual members must supply the sustaining of the ministry revealed in the New Testament.
It is essential that all the gifts should pass through the treasury of the congregation. A member may give the preacher a bushel of potatoes or a horse, etc. These cannot pass into the treasury.
The Teaching of the Apostles
The apostles taught both by precept and example. What they did, or permitted, was done as a matter of duty. Certainly, all those who need contributions are the poor saints.
I do not oppose cooperation. But what is cooperation? Can two churches cooperate with each other without meeting in convocation?
Example of Cooperation
Now when the disciples met together upon the first day of the week to break bread—on these two passages rests our concerning the breaking of the loaf.
We copy the example of the preachers at Troas. Did they not cooperate?
Conclusion
To constitute cooperation found in the New Covenant, it was not necessary for her armies to always be in conjunction with those of her allies. One or more congregations may sustain the ministry.
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“A preacher,” Go preach the gospel during 1867, we’ll sustain you.” He goes on, and is sustained. I ask if these congregations did not co-operate, though they may not have seen each other’s faces during the whole year? There is no record in the Word of God of a general convention of all the congregations of the Roman empire. The independency of the congregations is distinctly taught. Each congregation for itself agrees with an evangelist.
Let it be made a fact of membership in every congregation, that every year, we renew the support of some preacher, who will preach the gospel. If he will not submit to the test, he is either covetous or unconverted.
Now, I must say that I have to say that I have been thinking about the “Texas Mission Society” as much; but I must believe and teachings I have written in this article. Praying for the peace and unity of God’s children, I shall ever labor to elevate the standard of truth among the children of men.
W.M.J. JONES.
Stewardship – No. 1
Near INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 23, 1867.
Brother of this glorious recognition, I am still beginning to think now a poor correspondent is a poor solicitude—neither a hard worker nor a lazy one. Well, I shall not dispute the point; for I often feel that I was not worthy of the honor done me by so many of our publishing brethren.
If he will not submit to the test, he is either covetous or unconverted. You are but a tenant on God’s land.
Brethren, let us return to the apostolic ground. Let it be made a fact of stewardship in every congregation, that every congregation shall contribute all it is able (every year) to the support of some preacher, who will preach the gospel. If he will not submit to the test, he is either covetous or unconverted.
Now, I could give a page or more, but I have been wholly engrossed with other matters; it has not been either idleness or indifference that has caused my silence.
And now that I am set for the purpose of writing, what subject shall I take up, of the many important topics of discussion?
Brethren, let us return to the apostolic plan: we shall conquer the hosts of sin, or else try to mediate between them. Let us gird on the armor of God, you and Brother Mullen, and others, and go forth with “Pure Loyalty!”
The missionary question; but I assure you, it cuts like a two-edged sword.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
by all parties, should I attempt to speak in my own behalf, when the distress are really so well filled, I turn away and conclude to pen a few thoughts on the subject of
STEWARDSHIP
“Now it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor. iv: 2. Anderson’s Translation).
This remark of Paul is made in direct connection with the insinuation that he and his inspired collaborators were his “stewards of the mysteries of God.” Such it was incumbent upon them, faithfully to discharge the duties of that stewardship, even at the expense of escapes, bonds, imprisonment, and a cruel death at last. But the principal involved in our “text” is applicable to all stewards. Faithfulness is an indispensable qualification of a good steward in any branch of business whatever.
To a worldly nabob who entrusts his affairs to the management of a steward, much he must submit and endure in order to be faithful, as well as competent; and he only commits to him the management of his property, and he only satisfies him in his faithfulness or honesty.
Now, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” is a saying of Holy Writ which no one disputes. All, therefore, found in possession of any portion of the earth, or of its fullness, are stewards of the Lord—the rightful owners—stewards upon His property.
As such, we are stewards of the Lord—therefore, we should consider the questions of diplomacy or competition, as compared with this. Our Lord gave us here an example of faithfulness (as steward of His heavenly kingdom).
Such would have been—nay, such has been—the reasoning of many whom the world calls wise and great.
Now, “The actual is the Lord’s and the questions of diplomacy or competition are of little significance as compared with this.”
But our Lord gave us here an example of faithfulness (as steward of His heavenly kingdom).
He says, “Get thee behind me, Satan, for it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” (Verse 10).
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Here all attempts at reconciliation cease; the devil leaves him, and angels come and minister to Him. Henceforth the struggle is to be on the principle of uncompromising antagonism—Mercy and Truth, Righteousness and Peace, sustained and guided by Divine power and wisdom, on the one hand, contending for the re-possession of the earth and its fulness, against Satanic malignity, on the other. If it were simply a question of physical power, the contest would be a brief one; for who, or what, can resist the Omnipotent One, who created and upholdeth all things? But there is something more than the reconquest of a territory soiled and tarnished over by an usurper. Messiah’s conquests must be unto salvation, and not unto destruction, or failure; for the paramount object contemplated. Every act of restitution culminates in a revolted territory, being a destruction of so much of the nation’s wealth of the government.
A physical redemption, by encountering death in his own dark dominion, will seek to restore, with as little injury as possible, even to the revolted. The stewardship of this scheme was committed to the apostles by our Lord, when the duties of his mission called him to the other fields of service, viz.: First, to accomplish our redemption.
In order to give proper understanding of the situation and “redemption” as it relates to the plan by which the reconquest is to be effected, we see the plan by which the redemption is to be accomplished.
Though the inhabitants of the revolted territory are in open antagonism against God, their rightful sovereign, to still regard them as creatures, and in planning their redemption, He consults their best interests, rather than their destruction. He commissions His Son to redeem them from death, and ransom them from the power of the grave, even at the expense and humiliation of becoming one with them in everything except sin.
He also commands to Him a plan of reconciliation—in other words, of attunement—by which each individual of the race may be put in his or her own place, restored, or rescued from the guilt, power, and consequences of their own iniquities. This scheme comprises the “mysteries” of which Paul affirmed himself and fellow apostles were stewards. The stewardship of this scheme was committed to the apostles by our Lord, when the duties of his mission called him to the other fields of service.
Thus, our Lord was wisdom our life; then, as our High Priest, in the personal effects not the reconciliation of the revolted earth by sending His voice to complete the work of our formal restitution over it.
On the contrary, He counsels unto God. “A bruised reed he shall not break; and smoking flax shall he not extinguish.” These stewards are “bounden to them till he send forth his law.”
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. The reader will recognize this as Brother Anderson’s rendering of God by Himself; in vesting them with the quotation from Isaiah, given in the “redemption through his blood,” even the 12th chapter of Matthew.
The fullness of these stewards is attested by the forgiveness of sins: “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” See 2 Cor. v: 18-21; Eph. i: 2-7; John XX: 22. The fullness of these stewards is attested.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Christian Responsibility
We are informed, Luke xiv: 25, that if a man “hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also; he cannot be my disciple.” And, from Luke ix: 62, we learn that “No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Now, dear brethren, do we love God supremely, with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, or are not our affections, too, very prone to wander?
This has been instigated, in the very heart of the usurped dominion, a kingdom of fear. “Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other.” The springs up in toys, and other preposterous things, to the very injury, if not to the entire destruction of our growth in grace, and the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. Dear Brother Evangelist, what are you doing for your Master’s cause in this modernized humanity?
A great work is ours. Sectarian bigotry must be met and overcome by the skillful use of the “sword of the Spirit,” in order to which it is impossible that we should positively necessitate that we “study to show ourselves approved unto God,” which leads another prayer.
It is not to be ashamed, early approbates honored, would necessarily be rightly dividing the word of truth, that we may present the “form of words” to every other portion in the same sense, merely opposing kin:;dom, except the one with which all implications, and all who oppose the truth, living as much as in us live on peaceable terms with all men, not “rendering evil for evil,” but believing.
In certain sections of the South, evangelists must preach on their own account or there will be no preaching done. Our churches are poor, yet very poor, and every one is not to magnify.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dieth the reaction of community, if it only justifies us with ourselves, or with the world.
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For any dereliction of duty; hence, wherever the subject of contributions is spoken of, we almost always hear the language of the slothful, (1 Tim. v: 8): “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.” This is a specific against all the attacks of the voice of duty, and nothing is more so than the gospel of Jesus. Men are groping in the Egyptian darkness of superstitions ignorance, because the professed disciples of Christ are vainly endeavoring to “serve God and mammon.”
But, brethren, we have on our hands to the plow in the good work of the Lord, and shall we look back? No! but “having met let us be therewith content,” that we may not “make shipwreck, and show to the world that we are not.”
The people are anxious to hear, and shall we falter now? No! but “having met let us be therewith content,” that we may not “make shipwreck, and show to the world that we are not.”
The Scriptures
The scriptures do thoroughly instruct us in all good works, then we should be content to do God’s work in His own appointed ways, by His appointed means.
“nut if any provide not for his own, and I would say that God’s plan is not perfect, especially for those of his own house. And that His word does not thoroughly furnish us to all good works, then we than an infidel.”
This is a specific against all the attacks of the voice of duty, and nothing is given to aid in sounding out the gospel of Christ he is none of his. Jesus did the gospel of Jesus.
Men are groping in the Egyptian darkness of superstitions ignorance, because the professed disciples of Christ are vainly endeavoring to “serve God and mammon.”
He appealed to the word of God as being supreme authority, so did Paul.
Conclusion
Then, dear brethren, let us take God’s book alone for our rule and guide, for our faith and practice, for the best counsel we can have.
The number of proselytes made under the workings of any plan is not the standard of truth.
If it does, Mohammedanism or Mormonism is of God, and if this test be true, then nothing else is true.
Yes, if the nominal Catholicism or Methodism serves to bury the truth, it will not justify us.
The work must be done, and shall we do it, or leave it for others to hear?
The church of Christ, God’s book is a perfect rule. His people are thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and on the crown?
Oh brethren! Brethren, his promises we may depend, and though we may be poor and despised, he has ceased; let us strive and contend about promised he will not “leave us nor forsake us.”
Though sectarian prejudice and all the powers of the prince of darkness may rage, the “gates of hell shall not prevail.”
The scriptures were given by inspiration of God, that the man of God might be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works; and it is “deprived of the comforts of home.”
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
by our own parents, brothers and sisters after the flesh. But let us remember our Savior says: “There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come everlasting life.” Thou, dear fellow soldier of the cross of Christ, “let us not sleep as do others.” Arouse ye up in the might of your God-given manhood, gird on the whole armor of God, and do battle for the cause of the Prince of Peace, and though you fall, remember “if this earthly house of our tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” and that “when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is!” May God help us.
TIMOTHY.
The Dance
A writer in the New York Independent says:
“The New York chief of police has declared that three-fourths, at least, of the abandoned young women of the city were at first approached through the round-dances by the villains who effected their ruin. Have you ever reflected on the malicious facts this brings? The old men may be more devils than fingers in the grasp with which some whiskered scoundrel proffers a young girl to his bosom under the delusive reel of a waltz.”
In addition to the foregoing testimony, the body of Catholic clergy—priests, bishops and archbishops—in their assembly, in Baltimore, condemned the fashionable dance as immoral, and its tendency calculated to produce lewdness, adultery and infidelity in the marriage relation. The Catholic priests enjoy special advantages through the confessional of learning the effects of such practices on those engaged in them.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Spiritual Life
Bro. Lypscomb – I shall assume that spiritual life and practical Christianity mean the same thing. For when we are keeping the commandments of our Lord and Master, when we are walking in His statutes blameless, then it is that we are living the spiritual life; then it is as we are practical Christians; then it is that we are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But, alas! how few of the professed followers of Christ are so doing.
Questions to Consider
- Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
- And let me say, dear parents, if you think they should, think seriously of the responsibility of those who think that you are mindful of your children. Have you reflected that if you neglect to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, that their blood may be required at your hands if they are lost?
- Is it the will of our Father that we should put them under the government of those who have not the fear of God before their eyes?
- Or others who, though they may be pious and devoted, are yet laboring in the mists of Babylon?
Responsibilities of Parents
- There remains nothing more for us to do, further than to observe carefully the regulations imposed upon us by the code of morality.
- Or is it His will that we should feed them just as regularly on spiritual food as we do on temporal?
- For it is He that says, our Savior, “Is it the will of our Father that His children should so earnestly contend for the faith?”
Conclusion
- It is our duty to give our daily example in the reading of God’s holy word, and in humbling prayer and thanksgiving to Him for His mercies and blessings, and in how we should apply the principles of the positive commands of our Lord and Master.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Teaching and Responsibility
Than teaching them that God is the author of our being, and justly claims a humble submission of our whole souls, bodies, minds, and strength. That we, with all we have, should glorify him in our bodies, by keeping his commandments. This, from the reading of his holy word, seems to say so, and his word shall not pass away.
As I saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die? When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
We are asleep, and are swiftly passing down the stage of life, without ever thinking soberly and righteously of that lawful responsibility resting on us as wicked Christian parents, or even as Christian men and women. We do not reflect that the true spiritual life is felt and enjoyed only when we are in the discharge of our whole duty.
We seem to forget that we cannot serve God and mammon. That we cannot serve God on the first day of the week, and the devil the rest of the time; that we must deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. These are some of the things which interfere with the enjoyment of the spiritual life. We do not enjoy it, because we do not possess it.
We do not possess it, because we have not done, and are not doing, what God has commanded us in order that we may possess it.
Something New Under the Sun
On last Sabbath the church at Louisville, Miss., of which I am the pastor, was all, except two members, poisoned by the wine used on the occasion. Pastor and people, all prostrated for a time, but, thank God, all recovered, so far as I know. The wine, I learn, was purchased by Deacon Moore, from a house in town, on Saturday, but what is the character of the poison, or how it came to be in the wine, I know not.
I learned that it had been sent off to be analyzed, and hope the brethren will give the matter a thorough investigation. Let the churches be warned how and where they obtain wine for sacramental occasions.
Please publish this and oblige your brother,
T. H. ALTON
Brooksville, Miss.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
At his Old Trade
The following, from Elder J. H. Graves, shows that the war made no improvement in their morals. The sad, severe experience of the war improved some men in their morals—those we presume to say had a stern backbone of integrity. Others were made worse—those in whom that skeleton of justice, that sense of right was weak. Mr. Graves has evidently not improved. We hope almost against hope he has not grown worse—it may be that he speaks from internal evidence—an inner consciousness—when he maintains the total inherent depravity of the human heart. If so, he can do no worse than remain in that state. He knows as well as he knows his name, that no man, woman, or child, whom he opprobriously compliments, ever believed that baptism cleansed the heart of any human being or regenerated them in the sense in which he uses the term. Yet he puts such language into the mouth of an inquirer, and publishes it to the world as the faith of the followers of Christ.
Wine in the Lord’s Supper
We have often been impressed with a desire of Christians to provide themselves with pure wine for the Lord’s Supper. The appointment was to use the juice of the grape as the emblem of the shed blood of the Savior. We believe nothing else will be taken as a substitute. The procuring of the pure juice of the grape is easy to any part of the known world who will make the effort. The grape grows in every portion of the habitable globe.
There can be no excuse for Christians using the vile decoctions now sold as wine and used for the Lord’s Supper.
A CLOSE QUESTION
“Do you really believe,” said a Baptist to a Campbellite, “that the act of baptism changed your heart—regenerated you, and that you went down into the water unregenerated, and came up regenerated?”
“Yes, sir, I believe it,” was the answer. “The Scriptures everywhere teach it, and no smaller is therefore justified in praying before he is baptized. Baptism is for the remission of sins.”
Any one with the least skill can manufacture the wine much cheaper than the counterfeits of it can be bought. Any variety of the grape will make wine.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
There are plans for making wine without the sugar—but the following is as simple and easy we recommend:
GRAPE WINE
Press the juice from the grape, and to every gallon add two lbs. of sugar. Put into a cask or jug, cover the mouth with a piece of muslin to keep out the insects. Let it stand a week and then draw off into bottles, cork well, and keep in a cellar, or cool place.
Church News
McMINNVILLE, TENN., Aug. 31, 1867.
Brother David Lipscomb: Our sails are hoisted, and oh! how pleasantly we are gliding on waters that are less troubled than I ever remember to have seen them in this part of the Lord’s vineyard. The mouths of the lions have been stopped—they evidently exhibit signs of having been wonderfully stunned.
Our beloved and able brother, E. G. Sewell, commenced a meeting in this place on Saturday night before the third Lord’s day in this month, continuing six days, which resulted in adding sixty to the number of disciples at this place. Much seed fell into good ground, that will, ere long, spring up, and bring forth much to the honor and glory of our Savior.
The cause of primitive Christianity was never so prosperous in our country as now. And why not? The disciples are living nearer to God than they ever were before in this country, according to my observation.
JOSEPH WHEELER
JOHNSONVILLE, Aug. 29, 1867.
Brothers Fanning and Lipscomb: I write to report my labors in the Lord’s vineyard. We have immersed eighteen, and reclaimed three during the last month, received one from the Methodist, and realized more than the last.
A good impression is generally made, and we hope the day is not distant when we will have the aid of the Church to put on the whole armor of God.
Yours,
JAS. H. MULLINIGHS.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
739
Good News from the Evangelists.
Brother J. D. Dycks, of Circle, Texas, writes under date of July 23, 1867, that he had just returned home after a month’s labor, in which twenty-one had been added, ten at Rocky Church, in Madison County, and eleven at Rocky Church, in Lluacn. He also reports two hundred additions during the year. We hope brother D. will continue his reports.
Brother Joseph Ash, of Oshtuma, Canada, writes that the brethren’s annual meeting in his county was attended with excellent results. Brethren James Kilgore, of Toronto, James Jilgom, of Eramosa, C. J. Lester, of Owen, and W. Patterson, of Oshtuma, were there to assist in the meeting. We greatly desire to see the saints in Canada, and in England, but cannot yet see the way open.
Brothers R. Aden, of Paris, Tennessee, writes that brother James Holmes went to Rody’s creek and McLemoreville, spent three weeks, had thirty actions at the two points. At Mason’s grove he cooperated with brother Darnall, of Lewisburg, and had four additions—two from the Baptist. Why will not brethren Holmes and Cook, of West Tennessee, cooperate with us? Brethren, we trust you will attend our consultation meeting in Nashville, October 5th.
Let us highly appreciate this inestimable means as a gift of rare excellence from the “Father of lights,” and, in order that it may, if possible, appropriate the spiritual let us use it as nourishing it, communicating through it “the fruit of the Spirit,” which “is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” etc. (Gal. 5:22-23).
Brother John H. Dunn writes that he had just returned from a meeting at Retniion, Little Stone County, Arkansas, during the progress of which some serious differences had been settled between the brethren, and six additions were made to the family of the Lord.
Correspondence
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, ARKANSAS, July, just past:
Most heartily I greet you in the Lord as co-laborers with us, and those who are striving together with the genuine from the world; Glazie Creek, some from the world, four from the world, the from…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Tennessee Consultation Meeting for 1867
By invitation of the Church of Christ in Nashville, the brethren and the friends are cordially invited to meet in consultation on Tuesday, October 8th, 1861, at 10 o’clock A.M. Arrangements will be made for entertaining all who may be present, and it is hoped that all will feel free to propose such practical subjects as they may consider of each community.
S. P. FALC,
DAVID LINSCOM,
FANNING.
Obituary
Died, on the 21st of July last, Rev. R. W. Talley, in the forty-first year of his age, at his home, near Petersburg, Lincoln County, Tennessee. He left an affectionate and elevated wife and four children (sons) to mourn his loss. Though we sorrow not, even as others, who have no hope.
He was a kind, good, and an affectionate husband and father, and above all, a good Christian.
An Important New Book
R. W. CARROLL & CO.,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
I WILL publish this as a work of intense interest to every Christian.
Title: “The Christian Church,” a series of truth in all sections of the country, with eloquent discourses, doctrinal and practical.
The brethren are cordially invited to meet in consultation and practical discussion on Tuesday, October 8th, 1861, at 10 o’clock A.M.
Making an elegant octavo volume of 600 pages, with the best selections.
Wanted
By a young man (a Virginian) of experience in teaching, a situation either as a private tutor or to teach in a public school.
Qualifications: Latin, Greek, Mathematics, and English.
Address: Summit Point, Jefferson County, W. Va.