THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. FANNING AND W. LIPSCOMB, EDITORS
VOL. VI
NASHVILLE, FEBRUARY, 1860
NO. 2
FAITH
Have the men and women of this age Faith, is the solemn inquiry that claims our earnest attention? Is there strong, steadfast, abiding confidence in the hearts of those who claim to be sons and daughters of God the Father? These are questions we repeat, which deserve the earnest attention of all who would know well our religious position, and would examine with due care the foundation of our hope.
The sectarian world has been for ages filled with vainest and most unmeaning speculations about “faith alone,” and “faith and works.” With these idle vagaries invented and propagated by men who prefer their own silly conjectures to the simple word of faith, we have at present nothing to do.
We simply know that faith is the foundation of all obedience, all religious life, and all spiritual growth, strength and enjoyment. And the only question that concerns us at present, is to know whether there is in the hearts of the people of God strong and earnest faith.
The so-called liberal tendencies of the times is directly opposed to
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Every thing fixed and authoritative in religion. The influence of the popular and prevalent views is to blot out every landmark of the truth, destroy all respect for the mission and authority of Christ Jesus as a mediator between God and man, and to utterly wipe from the earth every vestige of the church as the ark of safety for the world.
Political-religious fanaticism, modern spiritualism, higher lawism and the multiplied infamies that disgrace our land have no use for a personal Savior, a fixed and binding faith, and an authoritative institution with laws, obligations and duties for every subject thereof. Any sort of vanity and silly bubble that promises present occupation for their idle hours, is eagerly adopted and preferred to the simple faith and facts of the gospel of Christ.
We simply notice these things as indications of the spirit that pervades the people. Wherever the subject of religion is mentioned, we find an almost utter destitution of a well-founded confidence in anything authoritative on the subject. The most striking characteristic of the several religious views, is a negation of all belief—an absolute destitution of all fixed faith, and a readiness to catch at any novelty that presents itself. Men are opposed to restraints, and most eagerly espouse and adopt that which grants the largest license to them.
While such is the state of things with men of the world, and such the spirit that pervades their notions, it should be well considered whether there is not in the church, among the people professing to be servants of God, something of the same spirit of uncertainty, unsteadiness and distrust.
The examples of faith presented to us in the word of God are such as leave us at no loss in determining what manifestations the servants of Christ must give in order to make good their claim to the possession of this most important element of Christian life. The faith manifested by him who is called “the Father of all them that believe” was that of perfect trust in the word of God. He stopped not; he hesitated not, though it called for the sacrifice of the dearest treasure of earth.
The example of every faithful servant of God down to the coming of Christ presents the same earnest simple trust and reliance upon the will of heaven. Whether it be Moses, or Joshua, or David, Samson, or Elijah, in the life of every one, most dearly exhibited the same spirit. God has spoken and we will hear and obey.
When we come to examine the lives of the Apostles and primitive Christians, we find that the same spirit of trust, the same confidence in the word of God everywhere presented. Faith in God and his promises…
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“I plead them to endure persecutions, afflictions, trials, and death itself—all without a single murmur or complaint.”
This simple trust enabled men without learning, without rank or fortune, to stand fearless in the presence of kings and speak boldly in the name of the despised Nazarene. It made them willing, cheerfully to sacrifice all things, homes, friends, and comfort, everything for the cause of Christ.
The only question with them was what has God commanded. Let us only know this, and we will cheerfully obey. This spirit of unwavering confidence in God was the great controlling influence of their lives.
“I live,” says the apostle Paul, “yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” — Galatians ii. 20.
Such is the strong and earnest expression of the living power of Christian faith given by the Apostle, and such was the power which it held over the hearts and lives of the early disciples of Christ.
Has the faith of the gospel such power today, my brethren and sisters? Have we this steadfast confidence in the Word of God? Have we such trust in Christ—the Son of God? I know that there is a disposition with many to confine all these living manifestations to the primitive age of the Christian religion; to regard them as rather extraordinary than natural exemplifications of the power of the truth in the hearts and lives of men.
But can we say, brethren and sisters, that God’s word is less effective today than when spoken in the early days? Do we believe there is in it less power to purify our hearts, to elevate us to the noblest rank of Christian heroism? Do we believe that God is less present in his appointments now than he was in the days of the Apostles?
And do we believe that he requires less devoted and earnest consecration of our powers to him than he required of those who then gave up all for his cause? Does he require of us less confidence, less faith, less simple, unfaltering trust than he did of the early Christians? We enjoy every advantage that they possessed.
We have a full record of all that they were taught, and let us be assured that God’s commands and requirements are as full of force and meaning with us as when first announced. Let us then not attempt to destroy their force by any such vain excuses.
Let us rather strive earnestly to realize their fullest meaning and influence, and examine carefully our conduct in reference to our confidence in God. Does it compare with that of the early Christians? Do we give such manifestations of living faith as they gave?
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The strong disposition of men’s hearts in the midst of prosperity is to forget the source of their blessings—to lose sight of the hand that bestows upon them favors, and claim for their own puny arm the power which is given from above. While we have trials and afflictions—”thorns in the flesh”—to teach us humility and our own weakness, we find it not difficult to cultivate a feeling of trust and reliance upon a stronger arm.
While we have little of which to boast in our own eyes, we are willing enough to let God have the honor, but when prosperous breezes of peace and promise are around us, we begin to claim for ourselves some great share of the glory. We forget the spirit of humble, confident trust that has brought us our present boasted prosperity, and soon begin to devise ways that will be more honoring to us, and give less praise to God.
Is this not the case with us, my brethren and sisters? Have we to-day that same feeling of reliance upon the word of Life that once, in the midst of trials, afflictions, and persecutions, possessed our hearts? Do we today speak the things that are written with that same whole-hearted confidence, in the power that we once did?
It seems to me that the popular art of to-day is the art of mincing and trimming. Men could once fearlessly preach Christ and him crucified as the hope of the world. They could once announce boldly, the plain conditions of pardon, and dared to tell the people that there was one way only revealed in the word of God. They could once rebuke error whenever it appeared, fearless of all reproach. They could once condemn sin and wickedness wherever presented.
How many can say with Paul, “We know no man after the flesh?” What blasting and destructive factions have we seen permitted to ripen and do their deadly work, unrebuked, merely on account of respect for some pitiable mortal. Should one dare to lift his voice against the infidelity that is insinuating itself among the people, there is almost an universal wail of lamentation and mourning that “the cause is ruined,” “the cause will be ruined.”
Timidity is our besetting sin, and this timidity is but the result of our want of confidence in the word of God. We look not at things by the light of the truth, but according to our own feeble reasonings and notions of expediency. That faith which waits not to see the end from the beginning, but boldly trusts all to Him whose word cannot fail, is the great desideratum of today.
We cannot believe that the word of God, faithfully spoken, has less power today than in the days of its greatest triumphs. We may
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Think that the world, corrupted and torn by partyism, is not ready to receive the pure teachings of the gospel, but we have yet to be convinced that there ever has been an age that was free from these influences. Humanity, with all its boast of progress and change, is the same humanity with which the Son of man had to deal, and to which his gospel is as fitly addressed to-day as ever it was. There never was a time when there was greater need for the plain teachings of the gospel, stripped of all speculation and humanism, and we believe there never has been a time when such teaching promised more glorious results. Many of the lifeless systems that have divided men and filled the world with wrangling and confusion, have become almost threadbare. Men of intelligence are tired of abstractions, speculations, and mysticism. The pure, living power of the simple gospel is the earnest demand of many who have long sought food in the barren wastes of sectarianism.
The simple question with us is, are we standing firm and unshaken in our confidence in the truth? Are we still determined to hold on to the position that has given us such strength and influence? Or shall we turn back, and prove traitors and deserters to the cause that has made us all that we are—that has made us strong in the service of our King, and which, if still faithfully adhered to, will cover us with everlasting renown? These are questions which deserve our earnest attention. We must either go on in usefulness and strength of confidence or we must turn back to the parched and barren wastes of humanisms. Earnest confidence in the truth, sincere trust in the promises of God, a hearty readiness to take God at his word and stop not to consider the consequences, is what is especially needful to Christian men and women.
Simple faith is what we all need. Coldness and indifference begin at times to creep over us. The prospect is cheerless. Wickedness, sin, and corruption appear to hold all their dominion. Profanity, debauchery, degradation, and infidel recklessness seem rather to be on the increase. Men and women appear almost to have forgotten the realities of a hereafter; have forgotten that there is a God above, in their mad rush after the vain baubles of wealth, fashion, ambition, and pleasure. Even men and women professing Godliness seem to have lost all regard for the obligations of the gospel, and have become prayerless, unthankful, careless, content to live in ignorance, and lost to every feeling of duty. In the midst of all that is discouraging, there is need for strong and earnest faith. There is need for that.
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Faith that can look beyond the discouragements of to-day, to more glorious realizations of the power of the truth. There is need of that faith which leads straight forward in the path of duty, though all desert us or turn against us. This is the faith that alone can bring us confident and safe over all obstacles, nerve our hearts to faithfulness amidst the sorest trials, and finally give us the victory over the last enemy, and crown us with honors unfading in heaven.
W. L.
THE TEMPERANCE LECTURER
We have often thought that brief notices of passing events judiciously selected, are well calculated to exert a good influence. To be sure, there is danger in referring to persons, or subjecting ourselves to the accusation of fault-finding. Still we should not shut our eyes to the frailties of human nature, if we would either expose error or defend truth. We have often feared that we really entertain prejudices unwarrantable and unpardonable against what are denominated “the moral associations of the age;” but in noticing from time to time their workings, and particularly the character of many of their lights and most popular abettors, we are ready to conclude that it is our duty to question even the propriety of their existence as reformatory institutions.
In witnessing, recently, the peculiar movements of a popular temperance lecturer, we could but ask ourselves the question, if this is an exponent of temperance, are we a friend or an enemy to it? Our conclusion was, that if the lecturer is an embodiment of the principles of temperance, we are wholly opposed to it. Let the Bible enjoin temperance in all things, and we shall love every form of it.
The reader will bear with us whilst we offer a brief eye sketch of our hero, and perhaps our reflections and conclusions may prove, if not profitable, at least harmless.
On reaching Chattanooga, Jan. 16th, 1860, we could but notice a frisky little man teaching to a group of rather first-looking youths at the Hotel, a ludicrous something about “rat pies” and other kindred matters which we could not well understand. All seemed to know him, and acknowledge him a champion in his calling. Consequently…
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We at once put our wits to work to ascertain if we could decipher the little gentleman’s profession from what we could see and hear. We calmly surveyed our hero from head to foot, and then looked up on the other side. We asked ourselves what is he? Is he an actor, ballad singer, dancing master, gambler, trader, drummer, or who is he? We gave free scope to our imaginations, intuition, and observation to discover something satisfactorily of the man before us.
Mr. H., as he afterwards gave his name, was about forty years old, some five feet ten inches in height, full chest and muscle, weighing some 160 lbs., and was altogether a very brisk man, in Yankee phrase, “smartish” man. In feature he was Græco-Jewish, but more Jew, except a good aquiline nose, than Greek. So much of an Israelite that we at one time well nigh concluded he was a Jewish peddler; and we are not sure still that he is not a son of Abraham and Sarah. His eyes were small and deep set, and though appearing sound, were closely ensconced behind a pair of gold spectacles. His brow indicated much activity of intellect, with but little thought from his upper story; but he exhibited, as phrenologists would say, large acquisitiveness, and hope, small veneration, with enormous dimensions in the cerebellum, vulgarly called “animal propensities.” His wide spread mouth, and engine-like vitality, indicated a high degree of oratorical power, or at least loquacity, (to imitation, not there being a most lecherous underlip which, however, served an admirable purpose in conducting from anotherwise rather neat person, streams and showers of tobacco juice.
In our anxious ignorance, we entered the car with Mr. H., for Georgia, and for a moment glanced at the partner of his joys; saw him give her a paper, containing, as we supposed, some notice of himself, but she read without emotion, looked about with indifference, and seemed to find sufficient amusement for a full hour, in inspecting passengers through her quizzing glass. But, reader, bear with us, while we present a single other phase of our hero.
Everybody had to get out of his way, to make room for the ladies, and when we reached the dinner and supper houses, the best places and the best bits of everything, of course, were for him and Mrs. H. No sooner was the hasty meal consumed, than leaped from his side pocket a huge Dutch pipe and pouch of tobacco, to stimulate him in the road back to the choice seat in the dining car.
But last, if not least of all, he manifested inexplicable nervousness, and the moment the alarm whistle sounded, he was ready to leap from the platform, as much as to say “I know something.”
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of the good things of this life, and I care not to abandon a certainty for an uncertainty.” Take him all in all, to our mind, he embodied every thing requisite to an animal man.
But, kind reader, can you tell us yet who he is? We were still ignorant, being resolved to make the effort to relieve ourself, finally asked, “what is your profession?” “I am a preacher,” said he, “and the Georgia State Lecturer on temperance;—have been at your city,” he added, “will lecture to-night and to-morrow, then continue to the gulf.” We must say that if we were not shocked at the announcement, we felt sick at heart from the thought that such men go forth into the world as the champions of temperance and religion, and are adored as legates of the skies, and ministers of righteousness, although they are but slaves to the flesh.
Our lecturer, by abusing whiskey, makes money to purchase tobacco, and no doubt other stimulants, and thus feasting himself on the fat of the land, he roams abroad in quest of his soul’s desire,—buckslish, buckshish, and buckshish surpassing Greek or Turk.
How unlike the behaviour of the Apostles of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,—their temperance and profession, and the genuine Christians of every age.
In conclusion, we ask our brethren on what ground can we fraternize with the members and defenders of these fleshy institutions? There is nothing of spiritual life in them,—the cause we plead anticipates all their friends claim, and while we are contributing our means to their support, are we not pampering the flesh, and doing worse than casting pearls before the swine? Let us plead for temperance upon the authority of Jesus Christ, and while we advocate it, in word, let us prove ourselves temperate in all things.
From present prospects, we should not be surprised to see an association formed to correct each vice, and encourage each virtue, but what is to become of the church of God?
T. F.
THE PASTOR’S LAMENT
“We hope our readers will not become offended at our caption, and if they will give us their attention, we will attempt to present at least a useful thought, in regard to the popular professions of our times. These are law, medicine and divinity. Our present purpose, however,
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will allow us to refer but to a single incident touching one of these honorable callings, viz: divinity, and to draw but one most obvious conclusion. It is known by many, that we have long doubted whether Jesus Christ or any of his authorized ministers ever counted in the slightest degree, the idea of making preaching a popular calling, a condition of rich earthly emoluments. Not but preachers and their families should live comfortably. He who administers spiritual food has a right to share liberally in the fleshly things of those who enjoy the benefits of his labors. But this view differs widely from the system which makes merchandise of the gospel.
We offer the following as a sad commentary on a false profession:
“While sitting recently in a crowded hall at a Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., observing the current of humanity as it passed, we were not a little interested in a profound, clerical conversation at our elbow. One of the subjects of our story was a venerable man of above sixty winters, but the other seemed not above forty five or fifty years old. The older brother thus gave his brief narrative, said he to his junior, ‘I have labored arduously for years in the far West in my pastoral office; my brethren became offended with me, and I am now on my way from the city of — in Texas, to Charleston, S. C., in answer no doubt to a providential call, to take charge of a church in that city.’ He added, substantially, that ‘when my flock forsook me, members of other denominations offered to support me for preaching and working on independent principles. Catholics and Protestants were kind to me, but as I said, Providence seemed to frown on me, and I am on my way back to the Atlantic States.’
He complained of his great sacrifices for his Baptist brethren and the cause. Said a man of hard character, with selfish ends in view, in Nashville, Tenn., was doing much harm among the Baptists in Texas by his writings, and he had determined to leave for the east. Thus stood up the good old man, Providentially sent to a Texas pastorate; now put out of his place, and was Providentially returning, poor and forsaken, in obedience to a belated providential call. Every word uttered evinced the deep bitterness of his cup, and yet all was Providential.
This old gentleman seemed to be a sincere man, but he is evidently the victim of a profession unsanctioned by Divine wisdom. The story of the junior martyr was brief. As he poured the tobacco fumes from a face that indicates everything selfish, fleshly and…
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committal, he said, “My course seems also to have been Providentially directed,” and after narrating several of his divine calls to pastorate, his relief from each, after great sacrifices, to give place to others more popular, he informed his more aged brother that he, too, would start in few hours, West, in quest of some flock that would furnish him a fleece appropriate to his wants. He, too, had suffered wrong innumerable, but such was his ill fate. He had been “Providentially” called to become pastor; was then Providentially kicked out of place, and was very devoutly looking for new quarters. We traveled with this “divine” several hundred miles and without intending any evil, we could but watch his “reverend” deportment, and would only conclude that he proved himself a slave to tobacco and a continual mwtly in scrambling for the first place at the dinner table, as we saw.
And this man was called “pastor,” “reverend,” “doctor,” and he gloried in having been a “pastor” over divers flocks, but salaries had been withdrawn, and he was inconsolable. We neglected to say that he was incog in reference to Graves, but whispered through his tobacco fumes that he had heard Dr. H. ki-ki-ki;;ed a whole family. This was a mean thrust—assassin in its intent.
Now, gentle reader, we have by no means exaggerated, and we wish you to decide as to this whole subject of Providential calls, Providential falls, and little wailings. Is this the order of the New Testament? Is this Christianity? Are these the ministers of Jesus Christ? They are no doubt popular clergymen. Our conclusion we freely offer. They are the victims of false teachings, unauthorized cults called orthodox churches, are unmanned by a false profession, and they possess not the spiritual power to recover themselves from the state of sectarian philosophizing. Paul, when laboring not as a person of a flock for so many times per sermon, but as a preacher of the gospel to the destitute, planting churches, and setting in order all that was wanting, to enable the members to admonish one another in love, and had exhausted his funds, betook himself cheerfully to tent-making to enable him to prosecute the labor to which he had been called.
But in all Christian history, there is no instance of a preacher having been elected to take charge of a church, and we can but conclude that the system is false and deceitful above measure, and that the Christian religion cannot prosper, unless under the influence of a class of men not recognized in the Bible.
Beloved brethren, let us look into this matter before we advance too far in the arena of Rowe.
T. F.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE — BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
The quotation from Bishop Morris, in our last article, shows plainly that it is supposed that no conversion can take place without the baptism of the Spirit; and that the Samaritans were not saved when they believed and were baptized. Their faith, we are informed, was only a historical faith, and therefore could not save them. A historical faith indeed! And who can conceive of any other kind of faith? What is history but a narration of facts and events? And is not the Bible on which our faith is founded, a history—a history of the sublime truths and facts in which we believe: of a God, of a Savior, of a heaven, of a hell, and of all that God has done for our salvation? All faith is necessarily historical, for it is impossible for us to believe without something presented to our minds to believe in.
By examining Eph. 4:5, and Rom. 10:17, we find there is but “one faith;” and that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Now this is the kind of faith the Samaritans had; it came by hearing the word of God preached by Philip; and if we are “justified by faith,” they were justified, for they had the only faith that can be had.
According to some of our modern teachers, Paul must have been sadly mistaken when he informed the Corinthians that “after in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1st Cor. 1:21). And again, when he told them that they were saved by the gospel which he had preached to them, if they had not believed in vain.
Now by examining Acts 18:8, we will find recorded in the most concise manner, the way in which the Corinthians were saved by the gospel preached to them by Paul. “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house: and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized.”
Let me ask, were these Corinthians saved? If the Samaritans were not saved when they heard the gospel, and believed and obeyed it, neither were the Corinthians; and modern orthodoxy informs us that they were not converted, but their faith was only a historical faith, but were only penitent sinners, taken into the church as “seekers of religion,” and yet Paul tells the Corinthians that they were saved by the gospel which he had preached to them, and which, we are informed, hearing, they believed, and were baptized.
What absurdity! What…
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Folly! to talk about such persons being unconverted, and taken into the church as penitent sinners. If such teaching be true, we should say, “Paul, you were mistaken when you said the Corinthians were saved; for their faith came by hearing you preach, and was therefore only a historical faith, and could not save them. If the Samaritans were unconverted, there was not a converted person in the apostolic age. Indeed, if modern self-styled orthodoxy be true, ancient Christianity was false; for it was then just simply hearing, believing, and being baptized. The modern appliances of mourner’s benches, etc., were not known.
But it is said that the Samaritans could not have been saved, for Simon also believed and was baptized, and Peter afterwards said to him, “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God: I perceive that thou art yet in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity.” Now had Peter said this, it would only have proved that he supposed, as Simon had taken the proper steps to show it, that his heart was right in the sight of God, and had only now discovered that he had acted the hypocrite, on his desiring to purchase the gift of God with money. But as the word “yet” is not in the passage, we object to being placed there, as is often done in quoting it.
Simon, we are informed, believed and was baptized, and no intimation is conveyed that his faith was not a proper faith in the Savior; and if Christ’s words are true, that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” then Simon was saved.
Peter, in exhorting him to repentance, does not tell him to repent of all the sins he had ever committed, and especially that of acting the hypocrite, in pretending to have faith, when he had not, which he should have done if Simon was not really converted. He tells him to “repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” It was this one thought of his heart, this one act of wickedness; that of desiring to purchase the gift of God with money, of which he was now guilty; and of which he was now to pray God’s forgiveness. Before the conception of this wicked thought he stood on a parity with the rest of the believing Samaritans, and was saved.
That the baptism of the Spirit was not given to the Samaritans to convert them, must be evident from the fact that it was conferred through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. If the baptism of the Spirit were necessary to effect conversion, and laying on of the Apostles’ hands necessary to confer it, there would be few saved now.
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Having shown that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was not given to effect conversion, we will now show the purposes for which it was given in some cases, but we will now review the whole ground, and show all the purposes which it served in the divine economy of Christianity.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is first spoken of by John the Baptist, Matt. iii. 11, and the first instance of its being given was in the case of the Apostles. Acts ii. In this case it was given to empower the Apostles to preach the gospel, etc. A commission had been given them to “go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This, it was evident, unlearned and ignorant men as the apostles were, could not do without supernatural power. To preach to all nations they must preach in all languages.
We are informed in Acts iv. 13, that Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant, and being mostly poor fishermen, the others, most of them, perhaps, were also. Christ, therefore, after giving them the commission, said to them, “Carry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke xxiv. 49. And again, Acts, i. 8, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses to me, in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” These passages show us that they were to be endued with power that they might become his witnesses.
And in Acts, ii. 1, we are informed that when the Holy Ghost came upon them, they “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Thus they were prepared to preach the gospel to every creature.
It was further necessary that an infallible gospel should be preached, which they being fallible men, could not do, without the inspiration of God’s Spirit. Being baptized in the Spirit, they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Had they attempted to preach without the baptism of the Spirit, their preaching would doubtless have resembled very much the preaching of our modern preachers, who claim to have the Spirit, and profess to be moved by the Spirit to preach.
F. M. STRATTON
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
ADDRESS TO YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our last article which will be found in the November number of the Gospel Advocate, we recommended to your consideration the Christian graces as found revealed in 2nd Peter, first chapter, where the Apostle commences with the new born babe in Christ, and goes on step by step, until the Christian character is complete.
“Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.”
“For,” says the Apostle, “if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
But what becomes of those who neglect to add to their faith those Christian graces? The Apostle says he is blind and cannot see afar off; and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. The Apostle therefore proceeds to urge upon them the necessity of their making their “calling and election sure,” which “calling and election” is made sure by striving to add to their faith the above named graces.
When these are all fully manifested you will have the positive assurance that you shall never fall, but will be enabled to say with Paul, “we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Mark the language of the apostle. He says, “we know.” Why is it that so many professors speak of their acceptance with God as a matter of doubt and uncertainty? This was not the way in which the apostles and sacred writers spoke of their acceptance with God. They spoke of their delivery from sin, their salvation, sanctification, and redemption—as things about which they had no doubt. Cannot we think in the same manner, in the same style that they did? I for one contend that we can.
We have the same word fully as they had, which is the word of the Lord, and whose word cannot fail. If we have this word imprinted in our minds we can know for ourselves that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved whether or not we have a building of God, a house not made with hands. We will know whether we have added all the Christian graces or not.
If we have, the language of inspiration is that an abundance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
But perhaps the reader would acknowledge that he has been too remiss.
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Miss in those graces; that he has strayed too far from God; that he has traveled the forbidden path. What then must I do to know that the Lord will pardon me, and accept me in the great day of Eternity? John will answer the question.
1st John 1:9: “If we (Christians) confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We might also call your attention to Peter’s advice to a man who had become a member of the body of Christ in Samaria. I refer to Simon, the Sorcerer. I know that it is thought by some that Simon never was pardoned or saved from his former sins, but to be brief on this point, I will say that we are bound to come to one of three conclusions: that the promise of the Lord failed, or that the historian who recorded the case told a falsehood, or that Simon was a saved man.
Can we believe the promise of the Lord failed? No! Did Luke bear false testimony in the case? No! Then Simon was saved. The Lord says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Luke says Simon believed also, that he believed just what the other Samaritans had believed, and when he was baptized he continued with Philip. So Simon was saved from his past sins, but he afterward entertained an evil thought.
When two of the Apostles had come to Samaria, and prayed, and laid their hands on these new converts and they received the Holy Spirit in a marvelous manner, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power,” etc. If you will notice the whole case you will find he was not charged with but one sin—one evil thought. And here the apostles direct him, “Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”
But it is time to close for the present.
Your brother in the Lord,
H. M. LOVELADY.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 25th, 1859.
Bro. FANNING:
Another year is nearly gone, and with it many of the good and useful, as well as the vile and vicious, have passed away to their account. New inducements are being presented for the industry and faithfulness of the disciples of our common Lord. Our prospects as a people, as we learn from every quarter, are of the most en…
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Encouraging Character
The labor of the past year, in the noble defense of the pure Word of God in opposition to the errors, and vain speculations of men, performed by yourself and others, must and will tell well upon the future success of the cause we plead. I am pleased to see a letter spirit pervading the brotherhood than heretofore, in many respects, although some factious have sprung amongst us. These, however, will pass away with their ill-designed works, and will but the better exhibit the pure metal.
Diligence with a united effort on the part of all those who sincerely seek the good of Zion will put to flight whole armies of alienated brethren. The truth of God is strong, effectual, and will prevail. The brethren heartily commend your fearless and uncompromising defense of the pure Gospel and its institutions; but yet this should not cause us to forget our obligations even to an erring brother; we should deal kindly, though firmly, possessing that charity that thinketh no evil, but rejoiceth in the truth.
It does seem to me that a few more well-directed efforts on the part of our brethren, done in the proper spirit, will certainly place our cause upon a basis not to be gainsaid or defeated. If all with one consent, would say aside with self and selfish interest, and labor fervently, unitedly, and humbly for the Lord, great and glorious would be the results; peace and good will among men would universally abound; joy and love would fill every heart. Then, indeed, would our Master see the travail of his soul and be glad; then would we see and hear of the victories of the Cross of Christ at home and abroad; then would error and sectarianism fall before the truth of God, like Dagon before the ark of the Lord. For such a result we humbly labor and pray.
Your brother in the bond of Christian love,
J. S. ROBERTSON.
P.S. – We had three additions since my last report, one at this place, one at Washington, and one in Columbia county.
J. S. R.
Superfluities
In a late number of the Gospel Advocate, I see an article headed “The Dress of Godly Women,” from a sister near where I was born. While reading it I felt a desire that she should “speak a little louder,” and if you will permit me, I will loudly sanction her suggestions. If there was no passage directly forbidding the wearing of “gold, pearls,
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and costly array,” it would still be the duty of all the godly men and women to be attired in modest apparel only, avoiding even a show of what is called dress. The influence of extravagance is “evil, and only evil, and that continually”—and all concerned. It makes no one hot; whilst it certainly makes many worse. Then the money, time, thought and labor it costs, might be used for great good. It is, therefore, a positive robbery of the cause of the Lord. Was the Saviour “without where to lay his head,” of necessity, or as an example? If there was pleasure in earthly things, why did not Solomon find it? Alas! for the “vanity,” and “vexation” of earth’s pleasures.
Whilst saying these things, I am reminded that my pathway would be far smoother, my conflicts less, if I would—if I dare be silent, or especially, if I could deal in jewelry, etc., as many preachers do. They find little in the church to reprove—nothing touching fine dross, except as they complain of a few of us for venturing to read to them the lessons of truth on this subject. I hear, and have always heard, occasionally, of remarks to this effect: “It is a pity Bro. K. will do so. He is certainly injuring his usefulness very much.” And accompanying these very pious regrets, there is generally something else. If one dares to contend, though modestly and religiously, for the perfections of Christianity, and against encumbering it with human societies, some of the preachers, especially, are upon him at once. Taking the Bible alone with them, does not require taking the church along.
Well, let them alone. They cannot touch my mansion, or lessen my treasure. Still I repeat their errors for their sake. Let me transcribe the testimony of David and Solomon.
- Proverbs vi. 17: “The Lord hates a proud look.”
- Psalms vii. 27: “Thou wilt bring down high looks.”
- Psalms ci. 5: “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look and proud heart will not I suffer.”
The Lord help us to be modest and humble, that we may look or appear so, without being hypocrites!
C. KENDRICK
Salado, Texas, Nov., 1859.
DISRESPECT OF THE LORD’S DAY
Bro. Fanning & Liptson:
I have just been reading the letter of sister A. in the December number of your valuable Advocate, on extravagance in dress, tobacco, etc. We see clearly from the quotations, and other scripture on the subject, that it is of the utmost importance.
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It is a necessity that persons professing Godliness should regulate their dress according to the scriptures. For we are plainly told that our adorning must not be that of plaiting the hair, wearing of gold, and putting on of costly apparel, as we are to repent and be baptized.
Then let us who have commenced the Christian warfare, be willing to lay aside every sin that besets us, and if it crosses our feelings in this age of vanity and pride, let us console ourselves with the reflection that if we are faithful the time is not far distant when we shall receive palms in our hands, crowns on our heads, and dwell in a golden paved city forever.
But our object was not to enlarge upon this subject; it is established by divine truth, and those who revere it will act accordingly. We wished to call the attention of the brethren and sisters to a practice that is truly mortifying to the humble worshiper; that of assembling on the Lord’s day with the Lord’s people, and talking more about the world than about heaven.
From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, and when we hear persons at such a time talking of the prices of the market, the gossip of the neighborhood, and the fashions of the day, we are compelled to suspect that those things most occupy their attention.
How often do we witness the Lord’s people, as we believe them to be, assembling ostensibly to worship God, but in reality, devoting more time to conversation on worldly affairs than is spent in His service.
Dear brethren and sisters, this ought not to be. When we reflect upon all that our heavenly Father has done for us in order to elevate us from our low estate, to make us kings and priests to Him, and heirs with our blessed Savior, we are all constrained to admit that the entire devotion to Him of one day in seven is but a small requirement, and but a reasonable service.
Nor is this all; we are commanded to pray everywhere and in everything, to give thanks, and it does seem that an individual accustomed to this would hail with joy the Lord’s day, that he might for a time, throw aside the groveling things of earth, and rise in contemplation to that blessed abode—that eternity of rest that remains for the poor, care-worn pilgrim of time.
Then let us strive to restrain our thoughts on the Lord’s day in a manner becoming to His saints, and as we approach His sanctuary, raise our grateful hearts in prayer and praise for the happy privilege of meeting with Him, and bearing some humble part in His service.
O, let not the discordant themes of business, fashion, and frivolity have a dwelling place within us. As we throw aside those carnal concerns, let us grasp more firmly the sword of the Spirit, and although…
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are called the weaker vessel yet armed with this faithful old Jerusalem blade, we are assured we can put a thousand to flight, and two ten thousand of the enemy.
Your sister in faith, hope and love,
M. W. AUSTIN.
Near Tyro, Miss.
RELIGION — PERSONAL
James tells us that “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world;” and notwithstanding the definition is plain, it seems almost impossible to bring ourselves to a full realization of the truth announced.
Most generally do not “seek” what they call “religion” with the view of becoming practically better, but with the hope of “escaping the wrath to come,” and to gain more admittance into a fancied heaven, little thinking that the lesson of Christians is to be enjoyed alone upon the condition of qualifications “worked out” in this life. Hence the destitution of religious feeling, and corresponding religious conduct in the masses of church members. This delinquency arises in part from false impressions made early in life, and more especially from false views in making a profession of the faith. The idea, in most minds is, that when persons “get religion,” or obey from the heart the gospel of our salvation, the whole work of grace is so nearly complete, that there is little else to do; when, in truth, our profession, whether intelligently or unintelligently made, is but a mere promise that we will endeavor to walk after the Saviour.
Wishing to deal plainly with ourselves, as well as our brethren, we would impress the heart of the reader with the reflection that when we confess the name of Jesus Christ, we pledge ourselves to fight under his banner, to “endure hardness as good soldiers,” and never to look back, or to either side till the battle is won.
To accomplish all that is designed by our Lord, from the moment we confess his name, we must hold ourselves in readiness to cheerfully perform whatever our hand may find to do. But nothing can be accomplished if our hearts are not in the work. Some one may ask, “If we feel not like service, how are we to acquire the proper frame of mind?” We answer that the Lord has ordained reading, or hearing…
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The word of truth, and correct thinking, the conditions of pious emotions, and a devoted life. Such as read or think not; and the unthoughtful feel not as the spirit directs, but merely as animal men.
Having counted the cost, and arrived at just conclusions touching our obligations to God, and cast aside pride of heart and all self-conceits, we are fully prepared, as the children of God, to lift our hearts and voices to heaven in solemn prayer, to sing of the love of the Savior to the best; to read publicly and privately the message of peace from our Father; to rejoice with the saints in keeping the ordinances of the Lord’s day, and in showing to all that our treasure is not on earth.
Such a state of mind is allied to no melancholic impulse, but is hale, sound, and invigorating. No one can fully realize the worth of a life devoted to God, who possesses not the humility requisite to enable him to give an example of religious earnestness in the family before the world, and more especially in the assemblies of the saints. If we walk in the light as he is the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.
FLATTERY
It is said that all persons are more or less influenced by flattery, and yet it never fails to prove injurious, both to the subject of it, and to the perpetrator of the need. The habit is a profession; it is corruption dealt out for reward, and he who employs it possesses a seared conscience, and is himself subject to its withering influence. Those who become victims necessarily live upon food which destroys correct taste and vitiates the soul.
But in making these suggestions, it is our purpose to advert to the practice of writers, of indulging in what they do not regard as flattery, but which may, nevertheless, have an effect, the very opposite of what is intended. Some of our correspondents, for instance, while they intend merely to encourage us in our humble efforts to do good, say things by no means calculated to benefit us, or advance the cause of God. In our January issue, by some inadvertence, a communication…
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tion or two found a place, containing personal remarks with reference to ourself, the publication of which is deeply mortifying to us; and we earnestly request our brothers and sisters to study moderation in what they say for the public. We promise to be a little more cautious ourself. Let us, clear brethren, endeavor to speak the truth in the love of it, and be satisfied therewith.
T. F.
REPORT FROM GEORGIA
Georgia, December 22, 1859.
Bro. Fanning & Lipscomb:—After the lapse of several months, I again seat myself in order to give you a small item of news. Since my last communication to you I have had a serious attack of the bilious remittent fever, and at one time during my illness I thought my warfare was near the close, but through the kindness of an indulgent Creator, my life has been protracted, and I am yet in the land of the living, and still, by his grace, battling for the cause of our great Redeemer.
The success of my efforts, in company with other self-sacrificing men, has been as follows: Just as I recovered from a sick bed, and only able to lean on my old hickory staff, we had a visit from our highly esteemed Bro. D. M. Buck. We held a two days meeting with the Mt. Verd congregation, which embraced the first Lord’s day in August. The meeting closed with seven additions.
On Thursday thereafter, in company with my son (James), being unable to manage my horse, I started for old Smyrna, where I met with one highly esteemed brother, T. Witherspoon and A. P. Seitz, and in conjunction with them, held a meeting of four days, which closed with four additions.
From thence we went to Rocky Spring, Jackson county, Ala., where we commenced a meeting on Saturday before the third Lord’s day, and closed on Thursday following, with twenty-four additions, the congregation being greatly refreshed.
From thence, brethren Witherspoon, Seitz, and myself, crossed the Sand Mountain into Dade county, Geo., where we again, at Union church, commenced a meeting on Saturday before the fourth Lord’s day, which closed on the night of Thursday with thirty confessions. At this point we met with our venerable brother W. Bacon, who heartily assisted us in our labor of love. I was constrained to part with Bros. W. and S., whose engagements called them back to Tennessee. From Dade county in compa-
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ny with Bro. Dncon, we crossed the Lookout Mountain into Walker county, Ga., where, on Saturday before the 1st Lord’s day in September, we commenced a meeting at Cane Creek, and closed on Tuesday. The meeting closed with fourteen confessions, all of whom were buried with their Lord in Baptism. From thence, I returned to my home in McMinn, Tenn., and found my family seriously afflicted; and up to the present a portion of my family remains quite ill.
N. B. – I will say to you that I changed my residence. I am now living in Bledsoe county, Tenn. Pikeville is my address; I wish you to direct my paper to that point. I will try, as I have opportunity, to get up subscribers for your paper, for it meets our most sanguine expectations. I do so by beseeching the Lord to bless your labors in the great cause of truth. With sentiments of the highest esteem, I subscribe myself your brother in Christ,
M. LOVE.
REPORT FROM ARKANSAS
Bro. FAXON – Your kind note is before me. It awakens a heavenly emotion in my bosom to know that some of my old yoke-fellows yet survive, and that their affections know no abatement toward me.
Many of the Lord’s tried men have gone to the other side of Jordan, in the interval of our correspondence. But no one wrings my heart more than the demise of the beloved Clark, of Jackson, Miss. Sleep, thou sainted hero, till morn shall break! The elements here have turned painter, and Hogarth never made a more perfect finish. The snow has been six inches deep.
The good cause is onward here. We have harnessed some, and many fine spirits to the cattle, since we came to fertile Arkansas. On last Lord’s day evening, at 3 P. M., a gentleman came in pursuit of me to go to the home of Dr. Robertson, (son-in-law to the lamented Ex-Governor Brown,) with view of endorsing him and his amiable and accomplished consort. At 5 P. M. we convoked the family, white and black, on the bank of a little Jordan, which glimmered in “gentle measures,” just by their door. (And why not infer that God placed this beautiful stream here for more purposes than a sporting element for the feathered families and the finny tribes?) And after thanking God for the power and adaptation of the Gospel to man’s highest…
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wants, I accompanied these two veterans of the cross amid ice and snow, down into this palatial stream; and upon their confession of faith in Jesus, I immersed them into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that too for the remission of past sins. In the confession of my beloved sister R., I saw her exchange 30 articles of faith, complicated and elaborately hymen, for the one creed, the Bible, and the one article of faith, viz: “I believe with all my heart, that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God.” This act of obedience, upon the part of these two accomplished persons was without show or ostentation. May heaven shield them in their journey home.
On yesterday I closed out a discussion with Elder Musgrove, an old line Baptist. (Says he slew the beloved John M. Dames and others, in other ways. If he did, it was with the jaw-bone of an ass, and not with argument.) I had him chained down to a board of most intelligent moderators, viz: Messrs. Swizer, Rice and Poke. And when I raised the Baptist veil from his eyes, and showed him the beauties of the inner temple of the Lord, he was as blind as the old Bartimeus, when his daughter penned for him, “Paradise Regained.” Good will result from these discussions. Pass them around.
I have recently returned from a tour of two or five hundred miles, through Chico, Drew, &c., counties on the line of Louisiana. Several were added, one Methodist lady of high standing. Her aged father, who boasts his rebellion against the norm and his antilent, by affirming “that he never saw one immersed, nor never should, though he had lived a Christian for thirty-five years.” But the God-inspiring doctrine of the old Jerusalem code passed his daughter, and the efforts of this old infuriated Christian to the contrary notwithstanding, down into the water, and she came up out of the water and went on her way rejoicing.
The next, an announcement argument of this old cavalier, was a claw-hammer and a few tens! But the seekers handed us the key to a very fine building, to be used during our sojourn in that section. At De Annonds Mills, Drew county, where dwell our beloved Dr. Chambers and Young, we held a cooperation meeting, and had several accessions. Our building soon became too small, and the Missionary Baptists kindly loaned us a big and commodious building. What a fine world this is, if every body were clever. The harvest is ripe for the sickle everywhere.
In hope of eternal life,
JAS. A. BUTLER
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
MISSIONARY REPORT
CunrsTB.N M!SSl0!{1 C. N.: Dec. 21, 1859.
Bno. F .Al’fXING: Since I wrote you last, I have performed a hurried tour to Grand Prairie, C. N. I have some additional facts in reference to our school, the prospects of planting a new church, etc., which may be interesting to the readers of the Advocate.
BAPTISM IN GRAND PRAIRIE, C. N.
On the third Lord’s day in November I delivered a discourse on the condition, cause and items of the work’s mission of the apostles, and in the evening of that day, just as the sun descended into the twilight mist of the far West, another intelligent Cherokee lady confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and was buried with him in baptism for the remission of sins. This is the third descendant of the red man I have had the pleasure of baptizing in the pure and living waters of the Keosho or Grand River. I hope and pray they may be the first fruits of a bountiful harvest. Grand Prairie is a much greater desert than the one in which some say the French was sprinkled, and yet I know there is “much water” there, and that we “came to a certain water, and went down into the water,” not to sprinkle or pour, but to bury the obedient subject in the likeness of the Messiah’s descent into the state of the dead.
GRAND PRAIRIE INSTITUTE
Our school is already in operation in a preparatory session, and we hope to have our house completed next summer, and also to be otherwise prepared to commence the first regular boarding term. The valley of Neosho or Grand River in the Cherokee Nation, extends from latitude 37 to the Arkansas River; will average 110 by 40 miles, and is the best country I have seen west of the Mississippi River in the same latitude.
The great traveling route from Missouri and Kansas to Texas passes through the midst of it, and the railroad from St. Louis to San Francisco will enter it at the Northeast, and pass out at the Southwest corner. The amount of travel on the road is already very great. In the fall season will average, I suppose, 20 or 30 wagons per day. From 15 to 100 thousand sheep have passed on to Texas this year. Vast herds of cattle pass from Texas to Missouri.
This valley is being settled by many of the more intelligent, wealthy, and enterprising families of the Cherokees. I name these facts in…
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Justification of our humble efforts to establish a church and a high school in the midst of this most promising part of the Nation, and to induce the churches to send us a fellow-laborer in the gospel. If we had an efficient preacher, sustained by the churches, to cooperate with us in preaching the gospel, my humble judgment is that we could do much good.
I have been, and still am under the necessity of devoting a portion of my time at home to provide for a large family by the labor of my own hands, and consequently cannot do the amount of good which might otherwise be done. We need a preacher unencumbered to labor all the time. The churches can furnish that preacher. Will they do it? We hope they may. The day is not far distant, when this Indian Territory will be one of the great States of the Union. Thousands of Cherokees, Choctaws, and others are already prepared to be intelligent and worthy citizens.
Now while others are doing much, should not our churches do something to make these thousands loyal subjects of the Kingdom? What say you? Shall we struggle on, single and alone, or shall we have some help?
We think of visiting some of the churches in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, to represent the claims of the Indian Territory, and to solicit from the friends of the cause some aid in furnishing our school. What think you of it?
Your brother in Christ,
J. J. TROT.
REPORT FROM TEXAS
Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 20, 1859.
Dear Bro. Litscomb:—I write you again according to promise to inform you of the success of the cause of our Master. We concluded our meeting in Denton county on the 22nd inst., with four immersions, one from the Baptist and one by letter.
We are concluding a meeting at this place which will close tonight. We have already thirteen additions to the church at this place, viz: six immersions, two from the Baptist, three reclaimed, and two by letter. To the Lord be all the praise.
I must say that I was assisted by Bro. Joel M. Wood from Missouri, who is a faithful minister of the Word. I will write you again soon.
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I have six subscribers (new) for the Advocate, and will send them as soon as I receive a prospectus. I will try and get more subscribers for the Advocate, as four congregations have given assurance that they will sustain me for 1860. Go on, fellow laborers, in the good work and may the Lord prosper you. I will give items of news from time to time. Much interest is manifested at this time. Pray for me.
Yours as ever,
A. M. DEAN.
Nov. 30.—One more immersion this morning, a very intelligent lady. Bless the Lord.
A. M. D.
A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE READERS OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
CHRISTMAS MISSION, C. N., Dec. 24th, 1859.
BRO. FANNING:—The following Christmas gift was this day presented to my neighborhood, and if you think it would be acceptable to the readers of the Advocate, you can present it.
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD HONOR CHRIST
- We should honor Christ for what he is. We delight to honor the great men of this world on account of their intellectual, moral, and official worth. But Christ, as “the Son of man,” is greater than all the renowned ones of Earth. “The man Christ Jesus” is the greatest manifestation of all human nature. All the physical, intellectual, and moral excellence of man unite in him. But he is more than the Son of man. He is “the only begotten Son of God.” If we rejoice to honor the great sons of men, how much more the greater Son of God? Christ is still more. He is “the Messiah.” Prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil perfumed with grateful odors for four thousand years, but they were only types of him who was consecrated Messiah by a divine unction from heaven. His official dignity is more extensive than the (crown), and higher than the (throne).
Now if the great officials of earth should be honored, why not the greater of all the universe?
- We should honor Christ for what he has done for us. He lived for us, died for us, and lives again for us. He lived for us as the great Teacher and Example. He died for us as “the Lamb of God,” that…
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“taketh away the sin of the world.” And he lives again for us as the first fruits from the dead, and as the great High Priest and Lord Minister of the human race. Many great and good men have lived and died for the good of others, and we honor them for their benevolence. But no one ever did, nor ever can live and die for us in the high sense in which Christ lived and died. But who ever lived again to bless the world with immortality? This is the peculiar glory of Christ. Hence he has done more than all others have done or can do for them.
Let him be honored therefore more than all.
We should honor him for what he has promised to all for us. He has promised the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Then let us honor Christ, not only on Christmas, but all the days of our pilgrimage on earth, and he will save us from all evil and enrich us with all good.
J. J. TROT
PUTTING ON CHRIST
“Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.”
Gal. iii. 26, 27.
This is the language of the Apostle Paul, who acted under immediate inspiration, and knew the truth. We are here taught what it takes to constitute a Christian: first, faith in Christ; next, obedience to his commandments; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, and this substance we believe to be the gospel implanted in the heart. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. “My words are spirit; they are life,” says the Saviour of sinners. The word quickens the mind, prepares it for the reception of all truth. The heart believeth unto righteousness, and by the lips, confession is made unto salvation; our hearts being purified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are prepared to confess Him, and put him on, and as it is impossible to be a disciple until we join the school, so it is impossible to be a Christian until we put on Christ. As the body is dead without the spirit, so faith without works is dead also.
No man is a Christian that does not keep the commandments of Christ, and has he not said “if you love me, keep…
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“my commandments?” It will be said, “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
May the spirit of unerring truth guide us all aright through life, through the valley and shadows of death, and through the gates to the mansions of eternal rest. May this be our happy lot, and all honor and glory be to God and the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.
E. W. H.
Paris, Lamar county, Texas, Dec. 1859.
MALVERN, COLUMBIA, ARK., Nov. 17th, 1859.
Bros. Fanning & Lemmons: With pleasure I embrace the present opportunity of addressing you as an item of news concerning the progress of the religion of Christ in this secluded portion of our happy country.
One month ago we conducted a meeting, thirty miles west of here, assisted by Bro. Alison, of Huntsville. The meeting was appointed by request of Bros. Jones, Ridgeway, and others, for the purpose of “setting in order” things wanting among a small band of disciples who professed themselves willing to live as the oracles of God direct. The organization took place on Saturday evening, twelve names being enrolled. On Sunday we received marked attention from a respectable audience, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather.
On Monday we received six additions, four of them by confession and immersion. On Tuesday morning at 8 o’clock, we addressed a respectable audience at the water-side, upon the design of “Christian baptism.” These things are the more encouraging when we remember that it was near this place our Bro. Polly met with such unchristian and unrelenting opposition a few years ago.
We also, while at this point, met some of the brethren, good and true, from Carrollton, the county seat of Carroll county. There has been a church there some time. Bro. Robinson was formerly their Evangelist. But at present they have no preaching and meet only occasionally to attend to the ordinances of their God.
Our congregation in Flippin’s Darrens, in this county, is in peace and harmony. The congregation at Jennings Creek is in a prosperous condition. We have lately immersed eight persons at this point.
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Go on, dear brethren, and the Lord be with you. Contend for the truth as it is written, and I pray God that your influence in an ever widening circle may honor the position you occupy—leading men to the obedience of faith in the gospel. But my sheet is full.
Your brother in Christ,
W. B. F. TREAT.
CROSSVILLE BLUFF, TENN., Nov. 14th, 1859.
Bro. FANNING & LUCAS:
Through the medium of your most excellent Gospel Advocate, I wish to speak of an evil that exists in the Christian family in West Tennessee, greatly to the damage of the cause of our Blessed Redeemer. I am aware that it is a very nice point, and it is a very painful thing to me thus to speak. But it has become necessary for some person to do so, and I reckon I had as well suffer the consequences, if evil will arise on account of this public rebuke, as any other person. It is the conviction of some of the best and most thorough going brethren in West Tennessee that something should be said to remedy the evil.
I allude to the spirit of jealousy, bickering, backbiting, and a want of a proper degree of Christian love and sympathy among the preaching brethren. Many of our most prominent brethren and sisters have become sick and almost disgusted to death at hearing one preacher making slight remarks about others. It sounds badly when coming from men of ordinary minds, but it is absolutely wicked in preachers who ought to be examples to the brethren of extraordinary minds. And it does seem to me that if I had sense enough to preach the gospel of Peace to a lost and ruined world, I would have more discretion.
Who ever pursued the course of an evil speaker that did not sow the seeds of discord? I do not mean to say that they attack the faith, or charge each other with heresy, but it is a general fault-finding. Brethren, this thing ought not so to be. The laws of heaven’s King absolutely forbid it.
“Peace on earth, and good-will among men,” was the angelic echo that sounded through the hill country of Judea and caught the attention of the wise men of Israel, when the Prince of Peace was born. These brethren should not become offended at me because I tell them the truth boldly to their faces. The brethren of West Tennessee are determined to frown it down. No brother will become offended at this article unless it touches him in a…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
quick place. If one brother thinks he knows more and can preach better than others, he should bear with the weak, and admonish them to study the will of the Lord. These are not only my sentiments, but they are the sentiments of wiser heads than mine. This is a plain document I know, but it was written upon mature reflections on the subject.
JNO. L. MOSS.
P. S. – Our brethren once were noted to the world for the great love wherewith they loved each other. Then we should take the injunction of the Apostle, by striving together for the unity of the faith in the bond of peace. O, that we may all be more kindly and affectionate, one toward another, is my prayer through the name of Christ.
J. H. M.
LUMAR LAVACA, TEXAS, Dec. 4th, 1859.
BRO. FANNING & LIPSCOMB: I commenced on the 25th ult., a three days meeting at Oppolow Springs Ferry county, a place where I had never been before. This is one of the strongholds of Methodism and Presbyterianism. The opposition was such as to remind forcibly of the exclamation of the Thessalonians: “Those that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also.” I took four confessions, and it made three persuasions before I left, with the assurance of obtaining several more on my return. Much good could be done in this country if we had laborers.
Truly your brother in hope of life,
P. M. STRATTON.
OBITUARIES
Elder John Gilmer, late of Columbia, Miss., is no more. Seldom, if ever, has it fallen on our lot to record the death of a brother whose loss has been so deeply regretted by his acquaintances, as that of Elder John Gilmer. He was born in Georgia, May 25th, 1791, and died Jan. 12th, 1860, and consequently lacked but a few months of being sixty-eight years old.
Bro. Gilmer was a man of untiring energy, and hence was successful in business. He left his family a large estate, and was most anxious to do good with his means while he lived. Perhaps no man in Mississippi was so desirous to contribute of his abundance in promo-
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Ling the cause of Christ. In 1842, he heard the writer preach in Columbus, and from his first hearing, maintained that the disciples advocate the truth of the gospel, but was not obedient to the faith till he learned Bro. R. B. Lawson, in October, 1854. From the day he took the yoke of the Messiah, he was not ashamed to bear his cross. The very first evening after his submission he began to read the word to his family, and call upon the Father for His mercies. This course he continued to the close of his career. Two or three years since, with the view of becoming more useful, he removed to Columbus, and was in the strict sense of the word, a bishop over the flock a few weeks before his demise. He possessed the rare power of introducing the Christian religion into every circle without disgusting even the lightest minds. He was in earnest, and his associates felt in their hearts that he looked for a better country.
Bro. Gilmer was seriously afflicted for months, but on hearing, a few weeks before his demise, of the death of his brother, Ex-Governor Gilmer, of Ga., he seemed not anxious to live longer. As a Christian, Bro. Gilmer was devoted, as a husband, father, and master, he had perhaps no superior, and all who knew him, respected him as a high-toned gentleman. He has left a most devoted sister, widow, and quite a large congregation to mourn his loss. His brethren of the church are deeply grieved at his loss.
We feel, on our part, sincere satisfaction in the privilege of condoling our sorrow with our much loved sister Gilmer, the heart-stricken members of the family, and the dear brethren who feel so keenly the loss of one so faithful as was our gifted and excellent brother.
“He rests from his labors, and his works will follow him.”
FRANK CHURCH, BEDFORD CO., TEXAS, Dec. 2, 1859.
Bro. D. LIPSCOMB:—I drop you a few lines to inform you of our misfortunes. Frances and Mary are both dead. They died of typhoid fever, in Sevier county, Ark., on the Saline Fork of Little River. Mary died at six o’clock on Lord’s day evening, and Frances on Monday evening following, at twenty minutes past two o’clock.
My dear brother, this is the hardest trial of my life, but God, in His goodness, has seen fit to remove from earth two of its brightest jewels. I know that our loss is their gain. They cannot return to us, but we can go to them, and by the help of God, I am resolved to go, and I shall make my best energies to rear my duty to my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Will you pray God to help us?
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Little did I think of addressing you from this place when last I saw you, but since our loss we thought it best to come back, so we are all here, except the dead and Bro. Wiley. I know that my companion is at rest; I know that she was a true wife, a kind mother, and devoted Christian, and I know her kind influence will be missed in the family circle. May God, in his goodness, enable us to hold out faithful to the end, we ask, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Your brother,
JOHN S. MEDIARIS.
Such are the sad tidings our brother gives us of a company—happy hearted and hopeful—that a few weeks past we saw leave the homes and friends of their childhood for a home in Texas. And thus have passed from earth our two sisters—the wives of our brothers Jno. T. and W. W. Mediaris, and daughters of our Bro. Henry Duall, and Jno. O. Lipscomb. They were beloved by all who knew them. They both had “remembered their Creator in the days of their youth” while their hearts were pure and their hands were clean from the contaminations of a corrupt and sinful world. They had given “their bodies as living sacrifices to do His will, and their lives were filled with Christ in God, and kept pure and holy meet for the second coming of the Son of God.”
We have seldom seen persons with more promise of life, health and hope for this world than were our sisters on the departure for their anticipated homes but a few weeks past. Yet ere they reached their destination, the messenger death summoned them home. We truly sympathize with the afflicted husbands, children, parents, brethren and sisters of the deceased. But as our brother justly says of his lost companion, “I know that she was a true wife, a kind mother, and devoted Christian.” So we may add of the others whom we had known intimately, and loved well from an orphaned childhood, that she had fulfilled all the duties arising in the varied relationships of life with an earnest, true, faithful and affectionate heart—had been a devoted Christian from a tender age.
Notwithstanding our sisters were called from the earth in a place, and under circumstances in which it was almost impossible to perform for them the ordinary rites of decent burial, yet we have strong and abundant assurance that the blessings and precious promises of our holy religion are theirs. May its consolations be enjoyed by the afflicted friends on earth.
DAVID LIPSCOMB.