THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. Fanning and W. Lipscomb, Editors.
VOL.
Nashville, August, 1860.
NO. 8.
[We are not a little gratified at the frankness of our brother, J. K. Speer, touching the subjects he examines. All men who study the Bible see alike. – T. F.]
HUMAN ORGANIZATIONS AND THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
We have heard much in relation to Human Organizations and the course of the Advocate in regard to them. Some speak and write as though such institutions are essential to the growth and advancement of the church; others oppose the establishing of any such institutions, and think them to be subversive of the Scriptures. If I understand the Advocate, it teaches that all human institutions are worthless as connected with religion—that the church alone is the only divine institution on earth, and, therefore, the only institution into which men and women can be introduced, where they can give themselves and all they have to the advancement of Christ’s cause through his church.
In consequence of such a course, some of the brethren have spoken rather hastily and, perhaps, somewhat to the prejudice.
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of the Adv., from the fact that they were in some way connected with some of the institutions of the day. But we have found the Advocate, in every controversy, throwing itself behind the Bible, and have seen thrown from that stand-point, bomb-shells, cannon-balls and grape-shot into the midst of the opposing parties until some run, others stand still, while yet others would approach the breast work only to be pierced with the sword of the Spirit.
Human Organizations
The first we notice is the Bible Revision Association or Union. Now this is either Christian or sectarian. If Christian, then it must be based on the principle of Christian or church cooperation, that is, all Christians working together through the church the Lord has prospered them, for the purpose of translating the word of God, and doing other things to advance the Lord’s cause. If sectarian, then we shall find various elements at work and need not, indeed, cannot look for a translation of God’s word from the original into the pure English.
What are the facts in the case?
Why the Bible Revision Association is composed of, I believe, of some ten different elements—Baptists, Presbyterians, Christians, etc. Christ’s church has nothing but Christians in it. Any body having more than Christians in it, is not Christ’s church. The Bible Revision Association has more than Christians in it, therefore it is not the church of Christ, and if not his church, it is the wrong place for Christians to undertake to do the work of the Lord, for they having given themselves to the Lord, they, therefore, must work under the Lord and not under human institutions. They must put the Lord’s money into the Lord’s treasury, and not in a sectarian treasury as we do when we put into the Bible Association treasury. The Christians have given enough of the Lord’s money to sectarian institutions to almost pay for the revision of the Bible.
The Bible must be revised
and God’s people are the only people in the world that can give a correct version of the Scriptures, for they have no creed to look through at the Bible, no assumed name to retain as Dr. Conant has. Brethren, why this mixing with the world? Who ever heard of the Jews asking aid of the Gentiles to assist them in doing what God required at their own hands? Why this cooperating with enemies of the true Christianity to do the work that God requires us to do through his own church? If the Christians had thus went to work ten years ago we now would be in possession of a good version. But what is done? Why, if I am not blind in both eyes, the
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Brethren have paid a vast amount of money, and will in a short time get a version with John the Baptist immersing.
“Well,” says one, “you hush! you are no Greek scholar and you ought not to say anything.” This is the very reason I speak, for I want the English, not a little Greek-English, such as “John the Baptist immersing.”
Brethren, the work must be done and we must do it; then to your tents, O Israel! We have the men and God has blessed us with the means.
And do we not now see that we are to be swindled out of our money? This is what one human institution is doing for us.
Says one, “Are these the arguments of the Advocate?” These are mine; the Advocate is able to defend itself.
“Why say anything about the Advocate and human organizations, if these are not the arguments of the Advocate?” Just because I believe the Advocate is right in its opposition to the way in which the Revision movement was gotten up, not the work itself but the manner of doing the work, fearing that such a plan would have a tendency to sectionalize the word of God, some signs of which we see in Dr. Conant’s work on Matthew.
Enough on this at present.
Next in order is the “A. C. Missionary Society.” This, I believe, is classed among the worldly organizations of the day. In the Advocate of March, 1860, Bro. Fanning says, “Missionary Societies—upon the church alone rests the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the world.”
Then all societies, having for their object the conversion of the world, have undertaken to do, through their societies, what Christ designed should be done through his church, and if this is the design, why not let us all work together in and through the church for the accomplishment of the end in view?
If God has ordered that his Son is to be heard in all things, as he has, then we need not look for blessings in religion only as we hear and obey him; and since Christ has not ordered the establishing of any society (outside of his church) for the purpose of doing his will and work, we conclude that all institutions aiming to convert the world will fail to do so.
God is faithful to fulfill his promises, and if he has promised to bless the world through his Son and his kingdom, then he will bless the world that way, and not through human institutions.
If the brethren have the right to form one human institution, they have the right to form any number. They may have a Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Missionary Society and no one has the right to supplant the other.
There are also many branches of some remote and unknown grand Missionary…
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Society
Rich do the Methodists, Presbyterians, etc., claim to be branches of the church. But I deny the right to any Christian to form such societies and call upon those who thus work to show a command, permit an example for their course.
Cooperations formed upon a money basis claim our attention. Cooperative Societies thus formed and organized with their officers for the purpose of calling and sending out preachers, contracting with them to do a job of preaching for a specified amount, are as unscriptural and as sectarian as the Missionary society or the Methodist church. The Missionary and Cooperative societies are at the foundation of the pledging system, the hireling system, and every other unscriptural system for doing Christ’s work.
Some one asks, “Why oppose these institutions?” Because they are not the church, and the church is the only body on earth competent to do the work—in sending out the word, which is acceptable to God by the Lord Jesus Christ. In divine institutions a divine author is honored if any work is done; in human institutions a human author is honored if any work is done. Divine institutions are carried on by a divine plan; human institutions are carried on by a human plan. The divine plan is to put into the Lord’s treasury, as the Lord prospers his people weekly; the human plan is to pledge to pay a certain amount yearly. The divine plan keeps down strife and confusion, and God is honored; the human plan engenders strife and dishonors God.
I have seen confusion, and heard speeches and deep lamentations from the victims of the pledging system. One says he pays twenty dollars while another pays but five, and another not one cent. One says, “I give to the Review Association twenty dollars, to Missionary Society ten, to the Cooperation five.” Another thinks he ought to do that much, but excuses himself by saying that he is in debt. The rich brother pledges ten dollars and grumbles because he sees a poor brother’s name on the paper with one dollar pledged; says that a few of the brethren pay all the church debts; another takes the paper to the world to see what can be done there.
The churches get together with its pledges and one wants to hire Bro. A. because he can afford to preach for less than Bro. B.; another wants to hire Bro. C. because he is a graduate and can speak fluently. They compromise on Bro. B. because he speaks a little better than A., and will preach for one hundred dollars less than C. Then the question comes up as to where Bro. B. shall preach? This is soon settled by letting him know that…
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He must preach monthly to four churches; then the work is done for one year. Once a month the members of the four churches meet; they have nothing to do but to sleep, because they have hired a man to sing, read, pray, preach, and do everything else that is to be done at their meetings. Three Sundays they then have to go to hear the sects preach, in order to get the sects to come to their meeting once a month.
At the end of the year comes, the pledges are due; someone starts out to collect up the money; A. B. C. pays up, D. informs them that he has not been at meeting but three or four times in the year, and thinks that he ought not to pay his part. (I could give a case of the kind.) By the end of the year there cannot be found anyone who can sing without a preacher, and no one can pray or give thanks for the lost and win, and so they do not meet at all unless the preacher is there.
But it is argued that the object of the Missionary and Cooperative Societies is to send the gospel to the destitute, and that unless they get the pledges secured, the preacher ought not start out.
In human institutions this may do. But what are the facts? When evangelists or missionaries are sent out it takes two or three preachers to get the pledges paid up. The brethren are called stingy and hard-hearted because they do not do more, and so the work goes—begins with human wisdom and ends in human confusion and strife, and worse than all, shuts up every avenue of the heart as regards benevolence in the church—buries all the talent in the church, and does the house of worship three Sundays in the month, or all, if the preacher is not at hand.
I think it is generally known that I believe in pulling down before I try to build up. Let us throw out a few brief suggestions in regard to the Lord’s plan for taking care of his people. Understand that Christ is the foundation of the church—that there is no other foundation than Christ—that Christ is the head of the body—that he governs the church—God now speaks to us by his Son, and that the Son gave commandment to his apostles that they should preach and teach, and that on Pentecost Peter preached—the people were converted, and were then added to the church, and taught by the Apostles.
We learn that they continued in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, (contribution) and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. They continued in all or none throughout the days of the Apostles, because the items are joined together, and when one item is named, the others are…
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Understood.
“Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, then of course they drank the wine, made the contribution, prayed,” etc. Acts xx. 7.
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store,” etc. 1 Cor. xvi. 2.
Here the contribution is named, but no one says that the prayers and the breaking of the loaf were neglected on that day.
“First of all, supplications, prayers,” etc. 1 Tim. ii. 1. No one supposes that they simply prayed and left, and no one can tell what the order of the worship is unless he goes back to the first churches.
But, says one, this is for the poor saints alone. The church had been organized some eleven years before Agabus signified that there should be a dearth throughout all the world, and it is said that the first Christians continued in the contribution; and Paul says this, “Service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant (for the Lord’s purposes) also by many thanksgiving unto God.” 2 Cor. ix. 12.
Again he says the Corinthians had made a liberal distribution unto them, (the saints at Jerusalem) and unto all men (saints). But the evangelist must receive his report elsewhere—by pledging, says a good brother. This, I deny, for Paul informs us otherwise. Hear him:
“Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, (yes, in the beginning they did things as the Lord directed) when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” Phil. iv. 15. No Missionary or Cooperative society, but the one congregation, communicated with Paul. Again, “For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my necessity.”
That is the way they did—no pledge, no contract, no specified salary, yet the church sent to his necessity. Paul calls this the “fruit of the church.” This, he says, is “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.”
And Peter tells his brethren that they “are built of a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Who will say that the contribution is not a sacrifice? Well, Paul and Peter both affirmed.
But shall we follow Paul? “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” 1 Cor. xi. 12. And he tells the same people to do as the churches of Galatia, which was to lay by in store upon the first day of the week—all churches to do alike.
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If the churches will meet every first day and do their own singing, reading, exhorting, praying, giving thanks to God for the loaf, and then attend to the contribution as the Lord has prospered them, there will be no need of any society to send out the word of life, for the church itself will do all this—cooperating together as churches or congregations of the Lord, according to the Lord’s plan, that is, send out the preacher and then send him their ‘fruit’ as his ‘necessity’ may demand. This is acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
Brethren, we dishonor our Master whenever we try to do work for him beyond his kingdom. Peter says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Yes, let God be honored in all things through Jesus Christ, and unless we do all things in the church we do not honor God through his Son. If you dispense with the contribution, I can with the breaking of the loaf; if you dispense with the prayers, I can with each of the other items.
I then understand that each is to be attended to on each first day, and that the contribution is for all purposes of the Lord in advancing his kingdom. We are his people and must give him as his Father gives us prosperity. May the good Lord spare us to do his will on earth that he may be saved in heaven.
J. K. SPEER
“THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION OR LAYING ON OF HANDS.”
The above is the title of a tract of more than forty pages, on our table, by C. T. Quintard, of Nashville; and inasmuch as it has been distributed through our neighborhood, with the view of convincing our citizens that the Episcopal church is from Heaven and not Henry the Eighth, we regard it as our duty and privilege to briefly notice a few of the writer’s positions.
As our purpose is not system in our remarks, we will call attention to matters as they occur in the pamphlet.
- As a kind of preface, Mr. Quintard begins with an invocation to the “Holy Ghost.” Hear him: “Draw, Holy Ghost, thy sevenfold veil.”
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Where is the scriptural authority for praying to the spirit which was promised as a gift to those who call upon the Father? We pray to God through Christ, but never to God’s Spirit, no more than to the Virgin Mary.
21.
The writer says, “The Episcopal church holds confirmation to be one of the principles of Christ, and whenever a child is brought to her to be baptized, the minister is directed to say to those who bring it, ‘Ye are to take care that this child be brought to the bishop to be confirmed.'”
We gravely ask for divine authority to bring a child, either to be baptized or confirmed. One passage on the subject will answer. Mr. Q. quotes Bishop Otey on the subject, but Bishop Peter disagrees not, neither is he interrogated.
In proof that laying on of hands is one of the “principles of the doctrine of Christ,” Mr. Quintanl quotes Paul to the Hebrews. We had thought the Episcopalians consecrated their ministers, but this is strange pleading for a man that can read Greek. The passage literally translated, reads, “Laying the beginning (ARCHEE) of the teaching of Christ.” In connection with this fancy skit, Mr. Q. makes “laying on of hands a part of the foundation of the doctrine of Christ.” We must tell the writer that this is using words amiss. “Foundation of doctrine” is not a scriptural style. Christ is called “the Rock”—”the Foundation,” but the idea of any teaching constituting the foundation of anything, lacks “confirmation.”
22.
Mr. Quintanl quotes Acts viii. 17, and xix. 6, to prove that the Apostles laid their hands on the baptized. The passages read, “Then laid they their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied.”
It is most clear that this was a miraculous manifestation of the Spirit, but to make the recipients Christians, or at all better persons, had to confirm the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of sinners. They spake with tongues and prophesied. Do the confirmed do so?
We state that these marvelous communications of the Spirit, after the truth was confirmed, exceed all the pretensions of Romanists, Episcopalians, Mormons, and others, to “give the Holy Spirit by the imposition of hands” we consider extremely arrogant, if not blasphemous. Our hearts have often sickened at the mockery of these church officials laying their guilty hands upon the heads of their benighted…
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Followers, while uttering the words “Receive the Holy Ghost by the imposition of our hands.”
Hands were imposed in the primitive church by three classes of persons, but for different purposes.
- The inspired Apostles imposed hands, as we have seen, in order that the Holy Spirit might be communicated in confirmation of the truth of our holy religion. When the whole truth was confirmed, these miracles ceased. The spirit of adoption was not conferred miraculously, but was through “the hearing of faith,” and consequently it is worse than idle now to talk of conferring the spirit which every member of Christ’s body inherits, and receives, by all unauthorized ordinance called confirmation, or the laying on of hands.
- Evangelists laid hands on proved persons to consecrate them to the deaconship and oversight in the churches; such is still the general order.
- Seniors laid hands on preachers to ordain them to special missions, see Acts xiii.
But there is nothing like church confirmation by laying on of hands in any example in the New Testament. We say again to our Episcopal friends, that a single passage will satisfy us of our error. Where is it, oh you leaders of the people? Did you receive it from heaven or from Rome? Will Mr. Quinar tell us? Will no one say where he gets his authority?
The Apostles and early teachers of our holy religion continued the new converts by instructing and exhorting them. Luke says, “Judas and Silas exhorted the brethren with many words” at Antioch, “and confirmed them.” Hence he said that Paul and Barnabas came to Derbe, and when they had preached the gospel to that city and had taught many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith. So did these church apostles pass “through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Acts XV.
But Paul puts the whole matter beyond doubt. 1 Cor. i. 6-8, he says, “Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you unto the end.” This confirmation was by Christ, and was continued. It was not, therefore, by the inspiration of anyone’s hands, and best of all Peter says, “The God of all grace confirm and strengthen you.” Hence,
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We repeat the idea of a right of confirmation by laying on of hands is not in the scriptures. We look for no direct revelations of the spirit by the imposition of hands or otherwise, to confirm the weak and wavering in the truth; but all are confirmed by many exceedingly great and precious promises contained in the Divine Oracles. Away, then, with Roman, English, and Utah imposition of hands to confer the Holy Spirit. It is a machination of Satan to deceive the hearts of the simple.
T. F.
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
In retrospecting the religious movement of the nineteenth century, by B. W. Stone, Thos. and Alexander Campbell, and myriads more, we can but ask ourselves the question, how has it accomplished so much in the face of so many difficulties? Amongst the twelve Apostles, it is true, there was a Judas, but in the reformation we have had not only many Judases, but the sources of opposition have been legions.
In the first place, we began with subjects who could speak not a pure and spiritual language, but with desertion from Rome and the Protestant denominations, many of whom have not been relieved from the smoke of Babylon, and few of whom, indeed, can yet be induced to worship the Father in spirit and in truth for themselves. Many of our most popular speakers have speculated themselves into hopeless unbelief; many more have preached for the “loaves and fishes:” whilst few have given themselves to the ministry of the word.
Our destruction has been determined from the beginning, by all sorts of parties, and the cause has been pronounced as dying or dead, everywhere, and still it lives on and flourishes throughout the civilized world.
When we began to preach, it was a day’s travel, oft times, from one brother’s house to another, and as to churches of Jesus Christ, they were very few and far between. Quite a number, like the converts of our Methodist friends, had come to the conclusion to attempt “to flee the wrath to come,” but they went out from the parties, not knowing whither they went. They looked for a country, a better resting place than could be found on the shores of party, and trusted themselves to a guidebook everywhere opposed.
The successful preachers were…
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Generally “ignorant and unlearned men,” and the converts were usually not the mighty and nobles of the earth, yet they believed the truth. We have labored without any organization of churches or system, and there are individual churches organized by the authority of the spirit, and the members doubt not success. Even at this hour we find but few men amongst us exhibiting any very high degree of fascinating eloquence, and it is doubted whether the few attractive pastoral orators we have are dead weights to the cause we plead. Still, the church fears no opposition—meets every foe to the face, dreads nothing, and advances with giant strides. At least a million of the intelligent of this goodly land are at this moment either members of the church of Christ, or examining with deep interest the movements of the disciples of the Redeemer.
We ask again, what is the secret of success in the church?
Have our colleges and other valuable institutions of learning proved the grand agents of our success? By no means. So far as pure and spiritual piety is concerned, we doubt if schools have added much to the cause. But our influence over the parties of the age is surprising beyond measure. In spite of their hatred, they begin to talk like us, and they cannot help it. They occasionally speak eloquently of “the platform,” “the authority of the Bible,” “the unity of the church,” and “the evils of human fabrics.” As much that is in the Old Testament, and illuminated parts of the new economy, who knows but the prophets of Baal, who, in attempting to curse Israel, in spite of themselves, blessed, prefigured the denominational advocates of this age, who in contemplating with fear and trembling our movements, have against their will, caught some of the good spirit, or at least heard its winning voice.
But to the answer of the question. The cause is not ours. It is the Lord’s, and requires nothing more than sound heads and honest hearts in its advocation. It commends itself to every man’s conscience who will examine it. Had it been any but the spiritual temple, the gates of hell would long since have triumphed. We have great cause to take courage. It is the Lord’s doings, and marvelous in our eyes. Man may fail, but the church will continue. We may say “the Lord delayeth his coming,” but his cause will, like the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, roll on and increase till it becomes a great mountain and fills the whole earth. Should we, who profess to believe the Bible…
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ble, become weary, and fail to honor the Redeemer, he will take the kingdom from us, as from the sons of Abraham 1800 years ago, and raise up more worthy agents to advocate the truth. Great and small, must die and be blotted from memory, but the church of Christ will remain. It is the Lord’s temple, and should be considered as our highest honor to occupy even the humblest seat in it. How vain, then, to talk or think of the final triumph of human institutions?
T. F.
IMPORT ENQUIRIES
Bno. FANNING: Will you be so good as to answer the following questions?
- What does the Saviour mean when speaking of John the Baptist, Matt. xi. 12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force?”
See also Luke xvi. 16. - Is the term “Elders,” Acts xiv. 23, and xx. 17, 1 Tim. v. 17-19, and 1 Peter v. 1, an official term like that of Bishop, or does it apply to age alone?
- Is it in accordance with the New Testament usage to put into the “office of Bishop” a young, single man not more than twenty-five years old?
- What is the New Testament meaning of the term “Evangelist?”
- Did the evangelists of the New Testament possess “spiritual gifts?”
Now, Bro. Fanning, we hope that you may regard an answer to each one of them advisable. In all love and esteem, your brother in the hope of a better day.
JEREMIAH RANDOLPH
Jasper, Ala., July 23d, 1860.
ANSWERS
- The Saviour evidently, in Matt. xi. 12, had reference to the deep anxiety with which believers pressed into the kingdom of God. No physical force was intimated, but the sincerely anxious renounced all for Christ. They pressed into the service—thousands gladly received.
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The word at a single hearing, and their ready obedience was said to be taking the kingdom by violence.
- The term Elder always has reference to age, and never implies office or officer. It may be applied to an officer, as the word lawyer is to a judge of the court, but every lawyer is not entitled to so honorable a designation. The bishops or overlookers of the churches were always elders, and not from the younger portions of the members. Hence the style, “Ordained Elders,” or senior members in the churches. Elder has reference to qualification alone, but the term bishop is applied on account of labor performed. When, indeed, we consider that all the terms in the New Testament called official, are used to express the labors of labor performed rather than authority as in Romish and Protestant theology, all difficulties vanish. Thus, John the Baptist denotes John the Baptizer; Simon Magus means Simon the man of magic; Phoebe the deaconess denotes the woman of that name who served the church at Cenchrea, and bishop denotes a practical overlook in a church. We must forget the idea of electing to office, or initiating into office, before we can read the Bible as we should.
- The idea of installing stripling into something called the office of the aged, is exceedingly unbecoming. There is suitable work for men twenty-five years of age, but they are not generally competent to tread the steps of the fathers and mothers in Israel, and the practice of putting them into something called, by the will of the world, the “office” has been the cause of incalculable mischief.
- The term Evangelist denotes one who preaches the gospel. There is no other idea in the world, but that of one performing a specific work.
- The first Evangelist possessed extraordinary gifts. They could preach only as they were directed by the spirit, but when the gospel of our salvation was fully revealed and written in a book, there was no occasion for special gifts. Hence miraculous performances now would make infidels of the world. No man who expects supernatural developments at this day, has any confidence in the religious developments made by Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Hence all modern spiritualists consider the Saviour of sinners very far inferior to the dreamers of this age. Judge Eumonds declared that the Bible would be forgotten so soon as his book should appear. The Bible is still read whilst the Judge, Dr. Hare, J. O. Smith, etc., are considered by all good men as “false apostles,” deceitful workers, and sons of Belial.
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were for the confirmation of new propositions; but we have no new terms of salvation, and therefore we need no miracles, and their existence would term the world skeptics.
T. H.
The following plain statement of the plan of Remission we copy from the British Millennial Harbinger. We are not so wise on this side of the water as to render such plain talk inappropriate. We often receive queries about these first lessons of the gospel, and this will answer many of them. We rejoice truly to know that our brethren in “Old England” are disposed to teach the truth so clearly.
W. L.
DIALOGUE BETWEEN A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST
Member: What do you think of the tract of the Rev. J. C. Ryle, “Plain Speaking, No. 14,” entitled “The Bible Way to Heaven?”
Disciple: The facts respecting Jesus are brought out, but he does not show the sinner the way of salvation. On receiving these facts, he does not tell him what he must do to be saved!
Member: Are you using proper language? Can man do anything?
Disciple: Peter, on the day of Pentecost, preached the Gospel, and his hearers exclaimed, “What must we do?” (Acts ii. 37.) Jesus appearing to Saul of Tarsus, when struck to the ground, exclaimed, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts ix. 6.) In these instances they were not reproved, but directions were given.
Member: What then, is the first thing to be done?
Disciple: Believe the Gospel.
Member: What is the Gospel?
Disciple: Paul says, “Brethren, I declare unto you the gospel I preached, by which also ye are saved. How that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Cor. xv. 1.) On the day of Pentecost Peter preached with great effect this gospel. Read Acts ii. 22-37, iii. 13-15, 26; also, Acts x. 34-43, to the end of the chapter. “The Gospel is the power of God, and unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
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Human beings are capable of employing but two kinds of power. For the sake of distinction we call these physical and moral; the former is adapted to matter, the latter to mind. They are quite distinct. You would not attempt to act on the will or affections of a human being as you would on a lathe or steam engine. You must bear this distinction in view, and advance a step further. What the Scriptures testify will appear as we proceed. God, who is omnipotent, operates on all things in harmony with their nature; He operates in material nature as well as upon the hearts and consciences of men. In creation, the Spirit of God put forth what I call, for want of a better term, physical power. In conversion he acts on the mind, the affections, by the truth.
M. I perceive the distinction. But can I believe the Gospel?
D. Yes; you hear me speak of an event I witnessed, and knowing me to be a truthful man, you believe what I say. Apply this to any well authenticated fact—to something said to have been done, and well-attested in the word of God. What should prevent you believing it? “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. x. 17.)
M. What is the scriptural definition of faith?
D. Faith is the confidence (substance is not a good rendering) of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.
M. Supposing I believe, what is the next step?
D. Peter says, “Repent, and be converted,” or turn to God (Acts ii. 38, iii. 19.)
M. How can I know when I repent?
D. Do you feel the weight of sin? Do you experience your own helplessness? Are you sorrowing on account of your alienation from God? Paul says, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance not to be repented of,” (2 Cor. vii. 10.)
M. Experiencing this, and having for some time past great anxiety on account of my unsaved state, what am I now to do?
D. “God is no respecter of persons”—”He wills all men to be saved”—”All that will come, may come”—”He waits to be gracious;” and Paul comforts us by saying, “That God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now, then, we (the Apostles) are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech by us, we pray in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God,” (2 Cor. v. 18.)
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to the end)—“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” (Rom. x. 10.)
M—What next?
D—You must be born, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” (John. i. 13.) Jesus to Nicodemus, “Unless ye are born of water and spirit, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” (John iii. 5.)
M—When was the kingdom opened?
D—On the day of Pentecost.
M—Is the kingdom and the church the same?
D—In entering one you enter the other, and become a member of “the one body,” of which Jesus is the head. Jesus says, “He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved,” (Mark xvi. 16); and Peter says, “Be baptized, every one of you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins,” (Acts ii. 38.) Paul says, “Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with a bath of water by the word” (Eph. v. 25-26.) Read also attentively Rom. vi. and Col. ii.
M—This is important. Is a person thus born of water and Spirit?
D—Thus are believers baptized into one body: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular,” (1 Cor. xii. 27.)
M—By this do you not make too much of baptism?
D—It is more than did Jews and his ambassadors, for you cannot find, from Acts to Revelation, a member who was not thus introduced. Baptized believers are called saints, and faithful in Christ (Col. i. 13—they have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son—their sins are blotted out (Acts iii. 19)—they have heard words by which they are saved (Acts xi. 14)—they are made free from sin (Rom. vi. 18)—they are the children of God—they are in Christ—they are Abraham’s seed, and heirs of the promise (Gal. iii. 26 and following verses)—they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (2 Pet. ii. 9.)
M—I am truly obliged for the pains you have taken. I shall ponder on the glad-tidings you have disclosed to me.
An exchange says, “If the Campbellites (Christians) get a man into their church, he is forever unfitted for any other.” This is a good indication. No honest man that understands and believes the Bible can possibly exchange the church of Christ for a party.
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LOVE
Although so much has been said and written about “Love,” the subject is not yet exhausted, nor can it ever be. There is no theme under heaven or among men, which can be said to be so grand and sublime in its nature as that of Love. None has as good right to a place in the hearts of mankind so well calculated to produce peace, union and happiness as love. It is the cement which binds men to one another and to Christ the Lord. This great and glorious subject had its origin in the Paradise of God. Here the Lord, surrounded as He was, by all His glory and the splendor of the celestial world, gave peace to the generous impulses of His kind, lovely, and by far the most merciful of all hearts.
Although men were divided into two classes—masters and slaves; and according as they belonged to the one or to the other, they ranked as demigods or as beasts. The former held possessions, had a family, a religion, a country and a name; the slaves were looked upon as things, not men, and were by the laws of the times declared not only vile but null. In domestic relations the same spirit prevailed. The father of the family alone possessed rights; wife and children held in a state of servile subordination little differing from bondage, their lives even being at the mercy of him, though husband and father, had not love enough to prompt him to perform the duties incumbent upon him.
Women, ignorant of their own dignity and their peculiar duties, and having no higher standard by which to form their opinion of themselves than that of the other sex, looked upon themselves as beings created for no noble purpose. By the laws of the state, they were treated as goods and chattels. Polygamy everywhere prevailed, either openly or in disguise. Prostitution was sanctioned by religion. There were no homes, no domestic affections, no family life; the state absorbed every feeling of these individuals, who were happy enough to count for something in its organization. Public life absorbed private life, and while the intellect had attained a degree of development never surpassed, the heart remained a desert waste in which no tender feelings could take root; no delicate sentiments germinated.
Though this was the state or condition of mankind, God loved His creatures, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John iii. 16. Yea, God loved us, though sinners vile and degraded. He in His unbounded love for man, “sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but
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that the world through him might be saved.” Love is the warmest feeling of the heart—’tis love that prompts men to all good deeds. Love binds the husband to the wife, draws the child near its parents and causes it to respect and obey them, promotes good will between all men, and sustains this good will so long as the fire of love is kept burning.
When we see a fellow creature running into error, love for holiness prompts us to reason with, and use all our influence in endeavoring to convert the sinner from the error of his way. Love never upbraids, but ever entreats. God, in his unequaled love, has given us life, intelligence, food, raiment, and to crown all, he has given up his Son in death—cruel death—to redeem us from destruction. Christians, do we with all our hearts return this love, and show that we love Christ by obedience to his word? Oh! let this question ever be before you. Do we love God our Creator, and our fellow creatures?
VIRGIL EUBANK
San Gabriel, Texas.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
The first duty of man is to love the Lord his God, with all his heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second is like unto it, viz: he should love his brother with a pure heart and fervently. John exhorted, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” Again, he says, “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” The same Apostle says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” We might enquire if the love of his brethren is mere fancy? a matter of impulse, or feeling? Is there an infallible criterion by which one may be certain we love the brethren? John so marks the road that he who will may see the truth.
He writes the first form of our love test thus: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” Thus it will be seen that by loving in deed and in truth, we shall assure our hearts before him. The second form of the test John writes thus, “By this we know…
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Love for God and His Commandments
That we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. Our general conclusion is that in keeping the commandments of our Heavenly Father, we have the highest evidence we love him, and as an important part of the service of God is manifested in loving and truthful deeds to the brethren, while we labor to promote their happiness we gather about us evidence indisputable that we have passed from death to life, and that we are, beyond all disputation, heirs of immortality.
One more thought, and we close. The love of the brethren is not spontaneous, the outgrowth of humanity, or an accidental feeling, but it is a matter of cultivation—education. We make no studied effort to love as brethren, we shall pass through the world destitute of that heavenly flame which lights up the pathway of the just, when earthly blessings fail, and when we most need help divine.
—T. F.
God’s Love to Man
Man, in his best estate, is now, and has always been a poor, frail, dependent, sinful, and dying creature. But he is instructed to look to Him who made all things as his kindest and greatest benefactor. God loves us much more dearly than it is possible for us to love one another. Neither are we, by any means, as anxious regarding our own happiness, as is our Father in heaven. “God is love,” said the beloved John, and, “in this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.” The blessed Saviour said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Hence, we very dearly see that love first moved the Father to give his Son, in order through his death, to make a way for our escape. In preaching to a sinful world, the love of the Father should constitute our sole theme. This is the power that moves the hardest heart, and turns the most incorrigible rebels to wisdom’s ways. This was the burden of all Apostolic preaching, and good men in every age of the church have relied exclusively upon preaching divine philanthropy.
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for the conversion of sinners. To be sure there are spasmodic conversions to a kind of wild-fire religion, by preaching old wives’ fables—death scenes of imaginary characters—but such are not conversions from sin to God, and hence, their frequent repetition. When, however, the love of God in the gift of his Son, and the extreme condescension of the Son lying aside his honors above, to come to earth and bleed and die for his enemies, are plainly set forth, hard must be the heart that fails to yield.
Christians, in their private meditations, in their conversations with the world, and in all their public exhibitions should dwell on the love that brought to earth a Saviour. With the inspired preachers it is said, “the end of their conversation was Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” If we, who profess faith in the name of a crucified Saviour, can bring ourselves fully under the influence of the Father’s care, our success will be great on the earth; but if we preach ourselves and the wisdom of this world, we shall reap all our reward on earth. Let us, brethren, know nothing save Christ and him crucified.
T. F.
OFFEND NOT.
With rude and uncultivated preachers, there seems to exist a studied ambition to insult. Some weeks since we met a very insolent Irish circuit rider, and on an introduction, the very coarse and offensive manner in which he growled out, “Sir! How are you?” could but crush every kind emotion from the heart. Oft, indeed, have we heard preachers whom we recommend as brethren, act so rudely and insultingly as to create prejudice in our mind against even the matter of their preaching.
But Christians, whether preachers or otherwise, are exhorted to be “courteous,” and Paul said, “Give none offense, neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, nor the church of God. Even as I please all, in all, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Our Lord, touching the same thing, said, “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
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With these scriptures before us, we should ponder well our steps before doing the least thing which might offend one who loves the Father; and while we seek the profit of those without as well as those within, we should be most cautious to say or do nothing calculated to give offense. To be sure, we are to reprove sin, but the time has come in which men addressed in a proper manner will hear. The Apostles were exhorted to “Be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, and so should we be.”
T. L. F.
THE PERSONAL INDWELLING OF THE “HOLY SPIRIT”
Bro. Fanning & Lipscomb
Is it a Scriptural term, warranted by the living oracles? For one, I know of no place in the Old or New Covenant, where the “Holy Spirit,” through prophet or legislator, has so declared. Suppose then, as Bro. Fanning very modestly instructs us, we confine our phraseology to the plain teachings of the “Spirit.” I have no disposition to controvert this question, but will, for the benefit of all your readers, quote a few passages of Scripture, upon which I always rely as proof of the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
- “What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (spirit) which is in you, which you have of God?”
1 Cor. vi. 19. - “Know you not that ye are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you?”
1 Cor. iii. 16. - “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them.”
2 Cor. vi. 16. - “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Eph. ii. 22. - “But ye are not in the flesh (law) but in the spirit, (gospel) if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his; and if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, (i.e. it is ‘because the body of sin is dead,’ – this transposition is better than our ambiguous ‘James,’) but if the Spirit of him that raised up Christ from the dead dwell in you,”
Rom. viii. 9-11.
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Now in all these passages the word personal does not occur. Suppose, then, I should use the word personal in connection with the indwelling of God or of Christ, would I not be as scripturally correct as I would to use the word in connection with the Holy Spirit?
I understand the great controversy in this matter to be founded upon “an idea,” and not upon “the fact.” One says it is the personal indwelling, and another the influence indwelling. ‘Tis true both terms are alike unscriptural, yet no one of our wiser philosophers has ever made use of the term “personal indwelling of God,” “personal indwelling of Christ.” Can you tell me why? Do we not have the word dwell standing in the same relation to God and Christ as we do to the Holy Spirit?
Then why are the words “personal,” when applied to the Holy Spirit, and leave it out when connected with God and Christ? Cannot the terms indwelling of God, of Christ, of the Spirit of God, and of the Spirit of Christ be used interchangeably? If so, then as God, the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of Christ dwell in you, so Christ dwells in you, and as Christ dwells in you, so dwells in you the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God. These are logical conclusions.
How does Christ dwell in you? See Eph. iii. 17: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” This is my conclusion, and it is both to me, Bro. Fanning, like it was Scriptural. Is there not an overweening desire upon the part of some of our teachers to cater to the vitilated appetites of sectaries about them? For one, I hold in supreme contempt the overweening desires, and contemptible complacency of all such “so-called philosophers.” They are like Pollock’s
Handers who tried
To mount to place, and power of worldly sort,
To ope the gaudy pomp and pillage
Of earthly state– and sold
The sacred truths to him who most would give
Of titles, benefits, honors, names.
These things ought not so to be.
Yours fraternally,
Chicago, July 25th, 1860.
M.
The Disciples of Christ in Great Britain are much devoted to the cause of the Master. The teachers seem to be humble and faithful men; while the churches give evidence of deep interest in the cause.
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TO THE SISTERS
(Will not our sisters hearken to the following advice? T. F.)
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and all things therein. After that he created man, and last of all he created woman. My sisters, let us ask ourselves the question, for what was woman created? We turn to Genesis ii. 18, and find an answer to this query: ‘And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.’ We turn to Eph. vi. and hear Paul saying, ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.’
My sisters, if woman was created a help, fit, or suitable for man, let us help him bring our children up in the correction and instruction of the Lord; yes, help train them for the sake. Where are our children, who are members of the congregation, on the first day of the week? Many of them are off at some sectarian meeting, where the word of the Lord is handled deceitfully if handled at all. O, woman, help to expound to them the ways of the Lord more perfectly! Teach them that the disciples, anciently, did meet on ‘the first day of the week to break bread.’ Acts xx. 1. Teach them not to forsake the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is; but meet on the Lord’s day with his people—it is home to sing his praise, to join with his saints in prayer and thanksgiving. Teach them not to sit while praying, but to kneel in imitation of Jesus. Luke xxii. 41. If Jesus, the Savior of sinners, could kneel and pray to his Father, how vain it is for poor mortals to keep their seats while praying.
My sisters, although woman is last of the creation, there is something for her to do. Priscilla could help Aquila expound to Apollos the way of the Lord more perfectly. Acts xviii. 26. Paul, in writing to the church at Rome says, ‘I commend unto you Phebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you, for she has been a succorer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus.’ Rom. xvi.
Paul acknowledges these holy women as being his helpers in Christ—the very thing for which they were created.
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He could also “entreat his true yoke-fellow to help those women which labored with him in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other of his fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.” – Phil. iv. 3.
Mary could say to the servants, on a certain occasion, “whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” Can we not do likewise? Can we not say to our children and servants, whatsoever the Lord commands you, do it.
Sisters, let us help all we can for the conversion of the world, and not leave it all for the preachers to do: believing that every member of the body has something to do. That we may all be faithful in the discharge of every duty, is my prayer.
N. J. H.
Maury county, Tenn. July 19th, 1860
REPORT FROM MISSISSIPPI
Bro. AKERS’, Miss., Aug. 5th, 1860.
Bros. FANNING & LIPSCOMB: – Bro. L. D. Randolph and I commenced a little meeting four miles below Columbus, on the fifth Lord’s day in the month, which continued until last Friday. We had no meeting-house, but brother Acker very kindly put up for our use, a very neat little Pine-bush arbor, which answered a valuable purpose.
We preached day and night, unless interrupted by rain, not ourselves nor our pecuniary interests, but Christ and him crucified. And it proved the power of God, and the wisdom of God to the ingathering of fourteen noble souls. All by confession and baptism. Two from the Methodist.
We stripped ourselves of ourselves, and let God’s ever blessed word, with all its native and sanctifying powers, act upon the minds and consciences of our hearers, and its effects very much resembled its charms seen on the day of Pentecost.
If we could only get our consent to return to the simplicity of former days, who knows how glorious would be the results? Never did I see the difference between those cold and frigid sermons, and truth in its unadorned simplicity more strikingly drawn than on the present occasion. If we all would teach what we profess to believe, and no more, I see nothing to hinder a return to the gospel, almost universal. Why will we not be consistent? I leave you to answer.
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But, sirs, high stations and a corrupt priesthood have been the light and the misery of every dispensation of the world. How would it do for us to borrow the Methodist discipline after months that we might the better arrange our preachers and their preaching? One thing to my mind is very evident! and something ought to be done, for wherever I go the cry is, “can you not send someone to preach for us?”
Now if the Bible be true, one of two things must be true of the following: Either everybody is bound to see to it, that this matter of preaching is alike to both saint and sinner, or else the saints alone must bring it about. But we all know that God never did, in any age of the world’s history, apply to the world, as such, to carry out his plans; therefore, it falls upon his saints to do the work, and they had better get at it in some way, lest he punish them for their indolence. How is this most of all important work to be done? This is the most absorbing question.
It will do us but little, if any good, to talk or write longer about “church orders,” “church organization,” and the like. Our ears have listened to sounds so long without enabling our eyes to see any signs, or sights, that our souls have sickened at it. Tell us, and tell us now, how to do the work? While we are “vitalizing,” “the world’s men are perishing for the bread of life.”
You all contend that the Bible is a plain book. Now tell us exactly what it teaches on this subject, or forever hereafter hold your peace as to anything else that I may recommend. If a Methodist preacher can get along very well upon three or four hundred dollars per year, how is it that it takes three or four thousand dollars to clothe and feed a competent pastor now? But I must close.
As ever,
MATT. HACKWORTH.
Bro. Hackworth’s question is easily answered. The disciples of Christ must be “able to admonish one another,” and “everywhere preach the word” (Acts viii). In the confidence that the Lord will feed and clothe them as long as their services may prove useful to the race.
T. F.
A Baptist paper says, “The Baptist churches in Canada West, generally attend to the Lord’s supper on every first day of the week.” What does this mean? We would be glad to see some of the Canada West Baptist teachers traveling through “The States.”
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REPORT FROM MISSOURI
Bros. Fanning:
Our annual meeting, which has now been established about twenty-two years, and for a long time was conducted by Elder Joel L. Hadueo, has just been closed, having resulted in sixty-seven additions to the army of the King. Bro. Robt. Graham was with us, and preached the Word with his usual ability, by which means the church was built up and sinners converted. This was the first meeting Bro. Graham has held since he resigned his position in Kentucky University that he might give himself wholly to the work of preaching Christ and him crucified; and such being the first fruits, what a glorious harvest will be gathered in by his labors! Let the churches of Christ in Arkansas and Louisiana but faithfully hold up his hands in his work of faith and labor of love, and truth will prevail, and God and Christ will be glorified. Brethren and sisters, in the name of our blessed Redeemer, come nobly and courageously up to this great work.
Your brother in Christ,
CHAS. CARLTON.
Springfield, Mo., Aug. 10, 1860.
REPORT FROM ARKANSAS
Lewisville, Ark., July 17, 1860.
Bros. Fanning & Lifescum:
I spent most of the last month in the county of Sevier—this is an important field. I preached at Brownstown, Millwood, Richmond, Paradise, and also Center Point. At all these places we had good audiences and good attention—thirteen accessions in all was obtained at the different places in the county. The people are generally intelligent, kind, and generous, and will receive the truth.
Sclarianism is enraged, which is always the case where the truth is likely to succeed, and indeed there is no better proof of the gospel being well received among the people than to hear of opposition from the sects. There is a united effort being made by them to hinder our labor, but the truth is mighty and will prevail. Their craft is in danger, and they must make an effort to save it from ruin. But all that is wanting to secure a complete triumph of the truth of God, is a bold and uncompromising presentation of the word of truth addressed to the hearts of the people with the…
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Addition of holy living on the part of the brethren, their success will be the result.
We also held a protracted meeting at Antioch, Pike county, embracing the first Lord’s day in this month, at which, seven noble-minded young persons became obedient to the faith. This was indeed a meeting. Much prejudice was removed at all the places at which we labored during our trip, and a permanent basis laid for future good. The second Lord’s day in this month, twenty miles south of this place, we held a meeting which resulted in eight accessions—all young persons. Nearly all these places at which we labored for the last month are new fields of much promise.
May the Lord still spare your life, to defend the truth in its purity and simplicity.
Your brother in Christ,
J. S. ROBERTSON
SIMPLE NEGLECT
Most of the calamities of life are caused by simple neglect. By neglect of education, children grow up in ignorance; by neglect, a farm grows up to weeds and briars; by neglect, a house goes to decay; by neglect of sowing, a man will have no harvest; by neglect of reaping, the harvest would rot in the fields.
No worldly interest can prosper where there is neglect, and why may it not be so in religion? There is nothing in earthly affairs that is valuable that will not be ruined if it is not attended—and why may it not be so with the concerns of the soul?
Let no one infer, therefore, that because he is not a drunkard, or an adulterer, or a murderer, that therefore he will be saved. Such an inference would be as irrational as it would be for a man to infer that because he is not a murderer his farm will produce a harvest, or that because he is not an adulterer therefore his merchandise will take care of itself.
Salvation would be worth nothing if it cost no effort, and there will be no salvation where no effort is put forth. — BARNES
Modern denominational religion possesses but slight resemblance to the simple worship of the New Testament.
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SMALL ITEMS
Bro. Thomas M. Allen, of Missouri, labored several weeks, in the early part of the summer, in Rutherford county, Tenn., with good success. He has long been earnestly engaged in pleading the cause of the Master, and is one of our most respected evangelists.
Bro. R. Franklin paid a visit to Clarksville, Tenn., and some points in Southern Kentucky in June, and made a favorable impression on the brethren and the world. Bro. F. is a sensible and earnest man, and is without deviation to the authority of the word. The finest success attends him wherever he goes.
Bro. George W. Elley, of Kentucky, has been laboring with good effect for several weeks, in Sumner county. He is quite an efficient minister of the word. He has considered us, for some time, a little behind the age in some of our teachings, but he hears with us, and it is confidently believed that when we come to understand each other, we shall see eye to eye and speak the same thing.
Bro. M. N. Lord, of Chicago, Ill., states in a letter, written July 25, that “church matters are doing well” in that city. On the Lord’s day previous, they had one addition, and two the Lord’s day before. We want to see Bro. Lord at home and the brethren of that region. We hope the time is not far distant when we can work much more devotedly for our Master.
Bro. Dr. J. Barnes reports that the disciples meet in Sparta, Tenn., to keep the commandments. This will encourage others. There are several quite intelligent brethren in Sparta, any one of whom might conduct the worship with dignity and profit.
Harvard Graduating Class for 1860
| Condition | Number |
|---|---|
| Do not smoke | 60 |
| Smoke | 46 |
| Do not drink | 78 |
| Drink | 28 |
| Drink and do not smoke | 26 |
| Drink and smoke | 58 |
| Neither drink nor smoke | 66 |
Christ’s Instructions
Christ’s instructions are very simple and direct. They are never encumbered with metaphysical difficulties. When an anxious sinner came to him, he gave him something to do—something which he could do. He never taught the doctrine that men could change their own hearts, or save themselves; but he taught them what they must do to be saved. He set forth the conditions of a salvation wholly of God, and wholly of grace.
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BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT
The late eminent Judge, Sir Allen Parker, once said at a public meeting in London:
“We live in the midst of blessings till we are utterly insensible of their greatness, and of the source from whence they flow. We speak of our civilization, our arts, our freedom, our laws, and forget how large a share is due to Christianity. Blot Christianity out of the pages of man’s history, and what would remain—what is civilization? Christianity is mixed up with our very being and our daily life; there is not a single familiar object around us which does not wear a different aspect, because the light of Christian love is in it—not a custom which cannot be traced in all its holy, healthful ports to the gospel.”
BAD BOOKS
Bad books are to be shunned even more carefully than bad company. You may pass an hour with a bad man without receiving injury, but you cannot spend an hour in reading a bad book without injury. The celebrated John Ryland said, “It is perilous to read any ill book; you will never get it out of your faculties till you are dead. My imagination was tainted young, and I shall never get of the taint till I get to heaven.”
BRO. FANSINGO
I am requested to inform you of the death of Eld. John Petty, who died at his residence in Cannon County on the 10th of November last, aged 65. Bro. Petty had been a member of the Church of Christ about 20 years, and had just enjoyed a pleasant hour’s service in organizing a congregation near his late residence; returned home in common health; was taken with a palpitation, and passed away in five minutes without uttering a word. Thus our long tried friend passed away, leaving 5 children to mourn their loss. But our loss is his gain, for we believe that he was one of the number specified in Matt. v. 9, “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
Your brother in the hope of that rest which remains for the people of God.
HUGH CRAFT
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
WASHINGTON CITY, July 27th, 1860
Bro. Fanning:
We have just closed another meeting of some ten days at Mooresville, Ala. Notwithstanding some hindrances seeming to be in the way at the opening of the meeting, we had one of much rejoicing and success. Ten additions were joined to the good cause, and among them some of the most influential in the community. The meetings were well attended day and night. I have made the acquaintance of no community where the people are more truly to hear the truth, or where the church is more hospitable and kind than in Mooresville.
I have just concluded a tour through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, during which, we had a number of very interesting and successful meetings—some sixty in all were added to the church, and at all points a happy revival of interest among the brethren. We had the pleasure of meeting, and briefly cooperating with brethren Wallach, Goodloe, Lawson, Caskey and others, all of whom are doing good service for our common cause. The South is a promising field of labor, but the laborers are indeed few. The Lord of the harvest send them faithful laborers. I expect to spend a few days in this city.
O. P. MILLER.
HARDEMAN COUNTY, TENN.
Bro. Lipscomb:
Our cause is progressing slowly, yet firm and onward amidst much opposition in this county. I am the only public pleader for primitive Christianity in this county, with the exception of Bro. H. L. Rose, who resides on the State line. We obtain a good hearing, and cannot supply the demand for preaching. The harvest, indeed, is great, but the laborers are few. O that some would hear Macedonia’s cry and come over and help us! Though alone, and poor and feeble, we will trust in heaven’s King and the power of His truth, and battle on.
In faith, hope, and love,
W. L. TOMSON.
WASHINGTON, ARK., July 14th, 1860.
Bro. Fanning & Lipscomb:
Will you please say in the Advocate, that the semi-annual meeting of the Christian Cooperation for the Sixth Judicial District, will be held in Lewisville, commencing on Friday before the second Lord’s day in Nov. next.
S. H. HARVEY,
Cor. Sec’y.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Correspondence
Bro. Fanning
Please say that the Arkansas Spring Creek Cooperation meeting will commence on Friday before the third Lord’s day in September. Brethren, come to our aid, and especially those who minister in word and doctrine. Let me kindly say, that if any preacher has the one-eyed distemper, don’t come. If you are not satisfied with the old Jerusalem code, don’t come, for the brethren have resolved to fence all wild dreamers out of the pastures of God’s preparing. Of course, we shall hope that none will offer themselves who are dizzy in the brain of new revelations. But our hearts are open to the pure in heart. Will Bros. Franklin and Chaterton copy, and oblige us?
In hope,
J. A. Butler
July 17th, 1860.
Bee County, Texas, May 28th, 1860
Bros. Fanning & Lipscomb – We have had great cause to rejoice. Bros. Jordan and Stewart called at my house week-before-last, and commenced a meeting which lasted some five days, and resulted in the organization of a church of eleven disciples, 2 from the Baptist, 3 by confession and baptism, making in all sixteen members. Bros. J. and S. are our Evangelists for Western Texas. We have agreed to meet weekly. I presume it was the first time any of our brethren ever preached in this country. I am well pleased with the Gospel Advocate, and do hope you may be spared many years to do good.
Your brother in the Lord,
W. B. Burditt.
Obituaries
Died, on the 15th of April, sister Emmeline Huston, daughter of W. B. and S. B. Lawrence, of Alexandria. She was born August 28th, 1835, was married June 5th, 1851. She has passed away in the bloom of youth, and left many to mourn. She has left her husband to feel how lone, how desolate it is without her sweet presence to cheer and console—to weep that her two babes are motherless. We can well speak of her, as she was a beloved pupil, and as blameless as a school-girl, as she has since been in all the other relations of life. We cannot but weep when one so worthy of the tenderest affection is laid in the grave—is separated from all that makes earth precious.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
We bless our Father, she was ready when the summons came. She had early trusted her Redeemer, and when he called, she walked calmly and solemnly through the dark rivers of death. She put her hand in his, and went without fear. Blessed Saviour, we thank thee that thou hast given such privileges to the frail sufferers of earth. They may lean upon thee in life, and in death trust to thy love and mercy.
C. F.
On the 18th of July, another sister set out on her journey to the spirit world. Sister Elizabeth Ralston, sister to Sister Huston. Her husband and three children survive her. She was also a pupil in our school; was much endeared to us by her winning manners and lovely character. We have received no particulars of her death, but are pleased to say that for years she has been a disciple of the Saviour and walked humbly before him.
Sweet sister, we mourn thee, but not without hope. Thy Redeemer has cast a light over the tomb—has gilded the dark valley, and though our hearts yearn with tenderness and pity over thine early grave, we yield thee to him, and bow weepingly at his feet. Thou hast gone from sorrow and suffering—from the evil to come. God gave—he has taken; blessed be his name. Most deeply do we sympathize with the afflicted—with weeping parents.
C. F.
Dear Bros. Framing & Lipscomb:
This leaves me in sadness. My little son, He laud Davis, departed this life, July 11th, 1860, after a short attack of fever. We mourn, but not without hope.
J. H. MULLIKINS.
Kenyon, Ark.
Linxow, Archibald—was born in Essex county, Va., in 1780, became a member of the church of Christ, in Nashville, in 1851, and departed this life in Fortenville, Tenn., June 27th, 1859. He was an excellent husband, one of the kindest of fathers, and a devoted servant of God. He has left quite a number of most devoted relations and friends to mourn his loss.
Why should we weep? We cannot bring the deceased back, but we too must soon cross the dark river.
T. F.
Mrs. Margaret Murphy—We have just learned that our esteemed sister Murphy departed this life in Hartford county, Tenn., Nov. 25th, 1859, in the 78th year of her age. We long knew her well—she had the honor of planting the first church in her section of country, and can confidently say she was a good woman. She now rests from her labors, and her works will follow her.
T. F.