THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. PANNING,
Editor.
D. LIPSCOMB.
VOL. VIII
NASHVILLE, DECEMBER 25, 1866.
NUMBER 52.
THE CLOSING VOLUME.
The closing year brings with it the close of our volume. We began the year with misgivings—on one side of us was a strong sectional party, interpreting every act and every principle with sole reference to their bearings on the peculiar interest or prejudice of the section. We knew it would be almost a miracle should we, pursuing an entirely non-political and non-sectional course, escape censure. We have met with a full share of it from sectionalists and politicians North and South. The anomaly is presented of seeing brethren North and South, who a few short months gone were threatening for each other’s blood, now uniting in opposition to us, because we protested, “Ye are brethren, why wrong ye one another?” Why injure, why destroy one another?
Again, there were various organizations which had arisen in connection with the Church, all demanding support at our hands, or we must be ostracized. Practices and interests that individuals demanded should be favored because those interests were their individual interests. All these and other influences beset our pathway and rendered difficult our progress. But we devoutly thank our Father that he has enabled us to reach the close of the year with so few obstacles, and the evidence of good accomplished that presents itself all around us. We, at the close of the year’s labor, can say that, while we have doubtless erred in some things we have said and done—having raised in others to say and do what we ought to have said and done—we yet feel thankful that we are able to say that not a word have we written in malice toward any organization, individual, or section. We have withheld not a word from fear of the disapproval of any class of individual; we have honestly endeavored to
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Speak the truth, that seemed to us good for the well-being of the Church and the world—East and West, North and South—among human beings of white, black, red, and all intermediate hues. With this consciousness, we commit our labors, with all its imperfections and shortcomings, to the great Overruler of all things, with full assurance of His blessing upon it, and ask earnestly of Him for wisdom and strength to tread with humbleness and faithfulness the pathway of life still lying before us. Will our brethren and friends pray for us and labor with us, that we may do His will here below, and enjoy His favor in the world to come?
D.L.
BAPTISTS AND DISCIPLES
We note a greater disposition, on the part of our Baptist friends, to investigate, in a mild, conciliatory spirit, the points of difference between themselves and the Disciples of Christ, than we have at any time heretofore seen exhibited. As instances of this kind, we mention a series of articles on the subject of the “Union of Baptists and Disciples,” by Elder Jeter, of the Religious Herald; another on the “Anxious Seat,” by W.; and still another on the Relations of Baptism to Salvation, by Elder Poindexter, in the same publication. In the first and last of these articles, we see nothing specially to commend, save the disposition, calmly and dispassionately, to investigate and learn the truth with reference to these subjects. In the second one, we find much of pertinent truth, and principles laid down and vindicated, that, if strictly followed out, must make all those following them one people in Christ. But we will not particularize at this time. We wish simply to say, in behalf of our brethren, that the disposition to calmly investigate these questions of difference is fully appreciated and reciprocated.
The probabilities are, we are all better prepared, from the schooling of the last several years, to calmly reconsider our ground, and act more free from selfish and partisan feelings than heretofore. The hand of our Father has been laid heavily upon us; perhaps it was, to some extent, to punish us for having too much personal and partisan pride, and not enough of earnest faithful devotion to His truth and to the unity and harmony of His people. He has been humbling us that we might learn more dependence upon Him, and might be more willing to be guided by His counsels, and less disposed to follow our own wills.
Now, we will not attempt to conceal an ardent wish to unite, not only with Baptists, but with every true lover of the Lord Jesus in the world, provided that union can be effected on terms acceptable to the great Head of the Church—provided it could be effected without a compromise of the authority of the anointed King. We bear no feelings, prejudices, preconceptions, that can for a moment stand in the way of so desirable a consummation; yet we have no terms of union to pro-
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We propose to Baptists, but such as we would propose to Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, and even Mormons. Unite with us, or let us unite with you, in humble, faithful submission to the appointments of the Lord—not in following the devices or practicing the ordinances of man. We address ourselves more particularly to the Baptists, because we have more in common with them to form a starting-point.
We believe the Baptists have a more deep-seated appreciation of the great principles of individual responsibility to God, free from the intervention of human authority, than any of these bodies we have mentioned. Therefore, we address them because we have more hope for them, and because, too, our ancestors and theirs, through dark centuries of suffering and bloody persecution, stood shoulder to shoulder, and joined heart to heart, in sustaining, uncorrupted, the faith and practice of our holy religion. This latter thought has always made us feel near to our Baptist friends, and exceedingly loth to part company with them.
Now, if, in the providence of our Father, the time has come when we can calmly reconsider our differences in the light of God’s truth, if perchance we may be willing to sacrifice all of our personal feelings for the good of His cause, we would be most happy to render all the aid in our power to bring about so desirable a consummation.
We make, then, the following proposition to the editors of the Herald. The points of difference, or some of the leading ones, shall be kindly discussed by some brother from each body, and that those articles shall be published simultaneously in the Herald and Advocate. Our object in this is, that we may all have our prejudices and pre-judgments broken down, and that we may all learn more fully the truth.
It is possible we have erred; we are fallible human beings, and liable to error. If we have erred, I feel that we now are in somewhat of the condition to see that error, if it is pointed out to us. If we have erred, we wish to learn the truth. If it is proper, if fidelity to our Master requires us to come one by one, confessing our errors, relating the labor and travail of our souls, and profess a confidence, that God, for Christ’s sake, has pardoned our sins, and then to receive baptism at the hands of no ordained Baptist minister, in order to put us into full and perfect covenant relationship with God and His people—we wish to come to you just in that style.
On the other hand, if you have inadvertently been betrayed into the forsaking of the ancient position of your Fathers, before God, I know that every true Baptist will wish to see Baptists return to the ancient faith and practice of their fathers, and stand erect in the earnest practice and advocacy of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as it is in Christ.
Will the Herald accede to the proposition, and furnish, either in the person of one of its editors, or some approved correspondent, a person to investigate, say, first, the relation of baptism to the pardon or forgiveness of sin; and afterwards other questions that may arise? And while we are anxious to see such an investigation take place…
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place, we have no wish ourselves to engage in it; but simply promise a worthy respondent shall be forthcoming. If the proposition is acceded to, we would tender the position of respondent, through our columns, to some of our Virginia brethren, if they will accept the position. Will Brothers Coleman, Goss, Hopson, or some of our Virginia brethren, respond themselves, or designate a respondent?
D. L.
For the Gospel Advocate
SKETCHES OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL
BY ELDER J. CREATH
PARYRA, Mo., July 3, 1866.
Brethren Fanning & Linscomb:
I have been absent from home nearly three months, preaching day and night, and have recently returned. I have just finished answering the large number of letters which come to hand in my absence. I have not yet had time to peruse the Advocate and other periodicals which came to hand while I was gone. I saw, in a number of the Advocate, that you were giving some sketches of our departed and beloved brother, A. Campbell. As I feel a deep interest in whatever concerns this extraordinary and wonderful man, I will proceed to state some facts and incidents, which I learned from him and his father, as I would do in a court of justice.
In the spring of 1828, I went from New Orleans, La., to Dettany, Va., purposely to see and converse with this distinguished man; and spent some six or seven weeks with him at his own house and in the neighborhood, preaching, writing, and reading with him and his brother Archibald. While there, a pamphlet was sent from Winchester, Ky., on the subject of infant baptism, written by a Mr. Steel, a Presbyterian clergyman, which Bro. Campbell gave to me, and requested me to answer it, while he was washing and shearing his sheep—which I did, under the title of A Plow at the Root of Presbyterianism; being an Answer to Mr. Steel, of Winchester, Ky. By Junius Manucius. And five hundred copies of which were printed and sent to Kentucky for gratuitous distribution, and which caused his removal from the place in December, 1829.
Bro. A. Campbell and myself travelled from Lexington, Ky., to Danville, and there held a meeting, and I impressed some nine or ten converts. From Danville, we proceeded, by way of Columbia, Adair county, Ky., to Elkton, where we met Bro. John Wilson, who seemed very eager for a fight; and accordingly, as soon as Bro. Campbell had concluded his sermon, Wilson pitched into him on the subject of the previous operations of the Holy Spirit before faith, in order to produce faith in the sinner’s heart—which is the backbone of sectarianism. But by the time Bro. C. had made a few pages at him, he was glad to quit even.
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The morning we left Franklin, Simpson county, Ky., there arose a dark and angry cloud, fraught with thunder and lightning; and as we were in the woods of thick and heavy timber, our situation became perilous from the violent wind which accompanied the cloud and storm. He was in a buggy and I on horseback; and it was dangerous to proceed, dangerous to turn back, and it was dangerous to stand still, from the breaking and falling of heavy limbs from the trees. We consulted together, and concluded the best thing we could do, under the circumstances, was to pray. He gave out the lines:
- “How are thy servants bless’d, O Lord,
How sure is their defence;
Eternal wisdom is their guide,
Their help Omnipotence.”
After singing we prayed, and escaped unhurt.
In Columbia we were unknown to the people; and he spoke first, and they thought it was me; and they were very impatient for me to conclude that they might hear Campbell preach. Accordingly, when I arose, all attention—supposing that they were listening to Mr. Campbell. So much for names.
In Franklin, Simpson county, Ky., at night, up stairs in the hotel, after traveling all day, and after supper, we wrote the celebrated reply to Shirrcl D. Chambers, editor of the Georgetown Baptist Chronicle. I furnished the facts, and he passed them, in which piece we compared Chambers to Sam Patch jumping the falls of the Niagara to obtain notoriety. This piece can be found in the Harbinger of 1830. We also showed that he expected to become famous by slandering us, as Herod and Pilate became famous by having their names connected with our Saviour.
I was present at the time of Dr. Jennings’ attack upon Bro. Campbell, in Nashville, Tenn. Jennings was present the first time we spoke in Nashville, and we were in and about Nashville several weeks, and he delayed the attack until near the time we had appointed to depart—so as to compel us either to neglect the appointments we had sent ahead of us, or to have it said we had fled for fear of meeting the attack. We were detained in Nashville some thirty hours or more beyond that time we had appointed to leave, rather than have it said we had fled to escape his assault upon us.
A short account of this skirmish is published in the Harbinger of 1830. It turned principally upon Ephesians, 2nd chapter. The night the debate drew towards the conclusion, he became so ungentlemanly in his conduct towards Bro. Campbell, I ordered him to sit down, and not interrupt Mr. C., as he did not treat him in that way when he was speaking. We were standing in the pulpit together when he behaved so badly. It was during this time that…
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paternal accounts of his birth and age. One of his parents fixed the time of his birth a year earlier than the other; but which of them it was I do not now distinctly recollect; but I think it was his mother who made him a year older than his father. I distinctly remember that he was born in September, and that he was ten years older than myself, and from September to January over ten years older than myself. I shall be 68 years old next January; and if he had lived, he would have been 78 years old next September. This I remember as distinctly as that we went to Nashville; and have told many persons since that time, when asked how old he was, that he was ten years and three or four months older than myself—that is, according to the account which he thought the most reliable or probable of the two given by his father and mother, after the loss of the family record. Taking the other account, he would only have been 79 years old this coming September. This statement was most indelibly fixed upon my memory. I am confident of its truth.
RICHMOND, Tenn., Dec. 10, 1865.
Bros. FANNING & LIPSCOMB:—I have received a “Prospectus of the Gospel Advocate,” for the year 1867, and am much pleased to see that it is to be enlarged. I hope its subscription list will, at least, be correspondingly enlarged. I will make an effort to send you some names soon; but money is so scarce in this country that I know not what else can be done yet. There are many, even here in Middle Tennessee, who cannot procure the necessities of life, who have hitherto handled money in considerable sums, and even have good farms now. An old woman once said, “there is nothing sure but death and TAXES.” Although money has left the country, death and taxes are as sure as ever; and while the people are paying the farmer pretty liberally, I cannot see how the latter are to be paid with the present resources of the country. But I did not intend writing an article on “the hard times,” therefore enough of this.
When the paper is enlarged, as contemplated, can you not open a department for the presentation of the Gospel to sinners? This seems to me to be a subject of too much importance to be ignored by our papers. Although it may have been very thoroughly discussed in the Harbinger and Advocate years ago, your readers are made up, in the main, of the rising generation, and are not posted on these matters. And we wish to hand our papers to our neighbors, that they may be converted from sectarianism and the world to Christianity. Now, while I have been much interested with the teaching of the Advocate this year, I am not sure that if we were to give the entire volume to one of our neighbors who wished to know the way into “the kingdom of God,” that he could find the necessary instructions, though he were to carefully read it from preface to index.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
I am fully aware that, in your position, your opportunities for knowing the wants of the Church and the world are by far superior to mine; but, dear brethren, allow me to suggest that it is at least probable that we presume too much upon the intelligence of our hearers and readers. Things long understood by us seem so plain, that we conclude they see them as we do, when it is far, very far from being true. The great mass of the people know as little about the conditions of salvation today as they did thirty years ago. While some have learned the truth, quite a large number have learned error. A large portion of those who have learned the truth have passed away, and their places are being filled by our children and neighbor’s children, who have to learn the truth before they can know it. If our speakers and writers cease to speak and write about these sublime subjects, it will not be long before a generation will be here as ignorant of them as though they had not been previously taught at all.
It has not been many days since I saw a publication representing us as “denying every vital doctrine of Christianity.” And then the author entered into particulars, and one of his specifications was the following: “They deny the necessity and the reality of the atonement of Christ.” Is it too much to say he was ignorant of our teaching? And yet he presumed to write and publish an article claiming to set forth what we affirm and what we deny! Had our brethren been in possession of a standard paper clearly giving our teaching, would it not have been useful in correcting such misrepresentation? If a scribe be thus ignorant, what must the masses be?
If, then, you agree with me that the great doctrinal differences between Christianity and sectarianism, with regard to the salvation of mortals, should have a place in the Advocate, will you not give your readers, during the year, such a series of articles as will clearly indicate the way into the “kingdom of God?” Suppose you should chance to write an argument or set forth a thought that someone had written before—what matters it? Those for whose benefit you write are not, as suggested before, familiar with everything that has gone before; and if they were, they would not be injured by reading a good thing twice, especially when clothed in the drapery furnished it by different writers.
But you may say, “Why do you not write about such subjects yourself? We have several times solicited you to write for the Advocate, and you have not done so.” My reason is, that my observation has been, that contributors have ruined more papers than they have benefited. I remember more than one instance where valuable papers were rendered comparatively worthless by being hurt by the productions of men who seemed to write for the purpose of seeing their names in print. Readers generally prefer that editors should do most of the writing for their papers, especially on matters of controversy.
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But if you have not time to write the articles referred to, and desire that I should do so, I will write and furnish you for the Advocate one or two articles per month, until we shall have presented the gospel as the power of God unto salvation.
Respectfully,
T. W. Brents.
We have felt sensibly the need of presenting more upon this subject than has been done, through the pages of the Advocate. Yet I think it is not altogether so wanting in this department as our brother suggests. My mind now recurs to two forcible and clear statements of the way into the kingdom—one by Bro. Habite, of Miss.; the other by Bro. Thomas Shaw, of Lynchburg, Tenn. We gladly accept the proposition of Bro. Brents to furnish a series of articles on the subject mentioned. We know of no man more competent for the work. We may promise our readers, then, a thorough investigation of the plan of salvation, through the pages of the Advocate, and a more constant and earnest appeal to sinners to submit to the plan of redemption presented in the Bible. A department of this character will be adopted in the next volume of the Advocate; also one of religious correspondence and general religious news and intelligence.
D. L.
For the Gospel Advocate.
Nov. 23, 1866.
Dear Brentsen:—We hail with high pulsations of delight, the regular appearance of the Gospel Advocate, in its neat and beautiful costume, embracing a rich fund of truth worthy of all commendation. May the Lord abundantly bless your efforts to disseminate correct religious principles in the midst of iniquity, error, and hate, which are leaving in their wake moral desolation and death. The great truths you advocate upon the subject of peace and goodwill to men, are calculated to enlighten the mind, improve the heart, and conduce to the eternal interest of all who will receive and reduce them to practice. Your paper will be a rich and refreshing treat to those who prefer purity of sentiment to the sickly sentimentality of the literary trash of the age; and it will constitute a strong auxiliary to those who are engaged in the benign effort to give the original gospel to the people, and to restore the ancient order of things in the Church of God. Originating in the benevolence of God, announced by angels, and exhibited by the teaching, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; proved by arguments which defied honest skepticism; sanctioned by motives high as heaven, and prohibitions deep as hell; impartial in aspect, and mild and pacific in character; permitting a participation in all the innocent joys of this world, and guaranteeing all the felicities of the next—Christianity, in the beginning, soon proved, to friend and foe, that opposition was useless, and that her final triumph was certain. The motto inscribed upon her banner, and under which a…
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Universal conquest was to be gained, was, “Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth, and good will among men.” With this motto commenced the conquest of the world. When Jesus was seized and put to death, he gave it to his apostles. Being fully persuaded that the cause of their Master must triumph, they went forward in discharge of their duty, regardless of consequences. They remembered the promise of God.
Without sword or spear, His laws will be rendered victorious, and were fearless of the issue. Eleven unlettered and obscure persons constituted the whole army which was destined to conquer the world. Armed with immortal truth, fired with the love of God, and animated with a noble and commendable zeal for the conversion and salvation of their fellow-men, they went forth conquering and to conquer.
“Onward they move, disease and death retire, and murmuring demons hate them and admire.”
Yet, they never courted the sages and the learned by an ostentatious parade of learning; the orator, by a burst of eloquence; or the curious and inquisitive, by the aid of novelty. They tried no experiments, made no digressions. Feeling the certainty of Christianity’s triumph in their own souls; enamored with the thousand charms with which they saw it attended; emboldened by the victories which followed its career; and acting in obedience to that authority which regulated all their conduct, they kindled into raptures amidst the scorn and rage of an ungodly world, and in the fervor of their zeal, threw on an impassioned sentiment, which has been returned in distant echo from every Christian land, and been adopted as the watchword of every Christian—God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brethren, we have this banner and this motto; let us never ground arms until the battle is fought and the victory won.
Yours in Christ,
W. C. KIRKPATRICK.
For the Gospel Advocate.
DANVILLE, Morgan County, Ala., Dec. 3d, 1866.
Dear Bro. Linscomb:—Please publish in the Advocate, that the churches of Morgan, Lawrence, and Franklin counties, in North Alabama, met in co-operation at Moulton, as a preliminary step towards securing a good evangelist for these counties, and appointed Saturday, before the first Lord’s day, in March next, to meet again, after having appointed a committee of three to correspond with our preaching brethren—consisting of Judge James McDonald, of Moulton; Joseph Swizler, same place; and Dr. Lewis Chisholm, of Tuscumbia—to whom we refer such as wish to travel and preach the coming year.
The cause is onward here. Good impressions are always made when the word is preached. I will do the best I can for the Advocate; but we are short of everything here that we need.
Yours in the common hope,
J. T. WOOD.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE SCHOOL FUND
It is impossible for the undersigned to see the subscribers to the School Association. Bro. Fanning, as agent for receiving new subscribers, will take with him the accounts of the old subscriptions and present them for payment. Brethren, friends, these subscriptions must be collected. We hope you will promptly respond, and let us close the old business preparatory to starting anew without embarrassment.
DAVID LIFSCOMB, Treasurer.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11, 1866.
EDITORS OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE:
I desire to give away five thousand dollars’ worth of good juvenile books, in order to promote the interests of Sunday-schools; and knowing that you will favor any good object, I beg to submit to your readers my plan.
- Any Sunday-school wanting a one hundred and fifty dollar library can head a subscription list with my name for fifty dollars, provided the Church members or Sunday-school will raise and remit me one hundred dollars. I will send one hundred and fifty dollars’ worth of any books they want.
- If a hundred dollar library, I will subscribe twenty-five dollars; if they will remit me seventy-five dollars, I will send a hundred dollars’ worth of any books desired. There is not a Sunday-school superintendent or librarian who cannot have a subscription paper filled up readily for one or the other library; and if they will send me a list of books, I will be careful not to duplicate any books they have. A smaller library will receive my subscription in proportion.
Respectfully, HOWARD CHALMERS
ANTOINE, Pike County, Ark.
Sept. 24, 1866.
Bros. Fanning & Lipscomb: I attended a meeting of the Disciples at Okalouna, Clark County, Arkansas, wherein Bro. A. L. Boyer is Elder and teacher, in company with Bros. William and Wesley Kelley. Worship commenced Friday night before the second Lord’s day in this month, and closed Tuesday night following. We had a respectable and intelligent congregation. The result was five additions by confession and immersion, making the congregation number 27. Brother Boyer meets there generally every Lord’s day.
From Okalouna we went to Porhtith, Pike County, where we commenced meeting on Saturday before the third Lord’s day in this month, and closed Monday night. The result was eight additions by confession and immersion. The meeting was well attended, and the prospects are encouraging. The congregation at this place numbers one hundred and three. To God be all the praise. Hoping that He may bless the administration of His Word in all parts of His moral vineyard, I remain in hope of eternal life.
ELIJAH KELLEY.