THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Editors: T. T. Fanning, D. Lipscomb
Vol. VIII
Nashville, Feb. 27, 1866
Number 9
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND WORLD-POWERS, NO. 5
Has the separation that was established and perpetuated by God through a period of four thousand years, between God’s institutions and subjects and the human institutions of earth and their subjects, been obscured in the dispensation for which all dispensations were given—the dispensation of the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ? It is a universally received belief, we believe, among the students of the Bible, that there is not a lesson taught in God’s dealings with his people under His fleshly dispensations, not a principle vindicated, that was not intended more for effect upon the perfect, spiritual kingdom of the fullness of the times than the immediate effect upon the temporal kingdoms to which they were given. The prime object of all those lessons of separation was to have their permanent effect upon the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ. Is God less jealous of the sanctity of his eternal kingdom, established and maintained through his only begotten Son, than he was for the mere preparatory ones established and ruled through his frail, weak, sinning human subjects? Our work, certainly is sufficient, after having shown this separation, unless authority can be produced for uniting that which God hath sundered.
But we again call attention to the positive teachings of the Holy Spirit directly upon the relationship they sustain toward each other. Jeremiah xxv. 31. “For the Lord hath a controversy with the nations; he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword,” in which the fact is presented of a controversy between God and the nations.
This controversy is undoubtedly with reference to the question, Who shall govern the world? Who shall rule man? God or the governments of the world? The result of this controversy is, “he will give the wicked,” those who maintain the government of the nations instead of the government of God, “to the sword.”
We next call attention to the teaching of the Holy Spirit through Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream or vision, the…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Extracted Text
wGrl::ingo;; or humnn go\'(rnment<:, t.lu’ir lllstrct.ol•\ by Go•l
~nd. rnvcalr•rl hy D:lnicl. Tn the \•lsuon of the image of’ the man, with n
gnldcn bencl, ~~chest oJ’ sil
\’Cr, holly 1411•1 tlll:.:h>~ of bms,;, lcg!l of’ il’nn l\nd
rcet of’ h·on nml ckly, is pi’Cllcll Led tho lhm· ldngtlom;~ of cnrth, lh:at Wt’rO
tu nttll.ln to unlvcrs/\l sw;ty, lln•lt•nlc tbe world. The bctl.d ol’~’lld typlllcs
the kln~(Jom ot’ B.thylon, of whloh Nchucb·ulnct:ltu: wu:s t.hc lllost powcr-
ual:m•llllu.~trious r•tlcr. ft. wiLh nll \L’! 11owcr, must be lll’:l !’t:mtl1 No oLit~t· llumlln government
C!ln ever
att:tiu t.o uui\·ers:tl domluioo. All tbc :,.’0\'(rnm.
cnts of earth, to.day, art:
but tbc brokP.o, discord:mt rrngmclnt.~ of this once tni~hty
empire. In
their Iron st•·cngth they Uugcr out a.lougthcned existence cveu when llis-
,;cvet•ctl, oncutilucs c.Jl.ltlhitl!1g :l migltty prowess lhat llcspctLk.s t.hum
true l.o t.l.wir origin, but hy cnnthuud conlllct-1 uml ever wor•·yiug $t.rirc,
Arc wcnrilll{ themselves nwn.y, w:tstln:.r their strength ami m:tlilng room
ti>r tbt! klung.lKm which the “Ood or l:lcavm1 set up tn tho da.vs ol’ Lhe~
klung;;.” ‘l’hch” missiou, J’J’out
I ,Ju~ JlTUJIIIIltlc histo•·y, WtlS l:o llllstrc)y one
llnother, and nUJler the rnlings of God’s pro.vichmce to give tl~ose wllo
apbcld them “to the sworu,” ‘l’hclr dcs~tny w·
as to be dcsLroye~l. ‘fl\e
Nlt.l ol’ the “·
is
ion w:>..c;, ‘• >\ st.)nc cut out or the monntalu wilbout 1\tl.nds.
•rnoti: Lhc lm:1ge opou tho feet, that were of iroo ant! clay, :uul h1″okc
It to plc~:i.” “Tbeo mt~
the iron, the clay, the bra.’!~, tlu: silver, ll:ld
\1&6 goltl broJkcn to pir.cus to~cthct, IIUll became lik.C Ll.lc clm!l” or tbe
IIUIDIJic·
r•s tbrcsltiug floors; ;Joel the wlud e!lrrl.
cd them n.w:~y. that uo plnco
was fmnd for them, ;m;l tile stono tl1t1t lltnotl;l tbe irn:.tge. became :.1 grcal
motlntulu, nntlllllecl the whole cart11.” Dnnicl ii. 3l. 5. TJ1e lntm:prcta.-
tlon ol’ thli Wtls, t!l:tt “Jo the ll:\YS ot’ t.hc~ kings (the lt(llUilll) t>hnll the
God ol’ lfl.ltlYcll seL 11p rt K.iugdom, whil\h sbnll uc,,er be dc>:~troyetl, aud
Ute klng<lout shall not he lelt lo ot.hul’ [)cnplc, bn tit
shall ht·cak In pieces
t.n•l consume all these l;:ing•loms, :\ltd IL sht’ll stnod l’ote\··er.” Dan. 11. ·H.
II
ere ng:\ln the missi•ltl ()f tltesc Mtious Is \llstinctly set for~b nn.l their
;·onncction with the Church of Ch.rll!t well dclloed. They were to bo
“`
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
131
destroyed by the working of this kingdom, which the God of Heaven should set up, and the broken fragments as the chaff of the summer’s threshing floor to be blown away, so that no place for them should be found. In contrast with the lesson that has been taught with reference to the destruction of the earthly kingdoms, the Kingdom of Heaven, “shall never be destroyed.” “The kingdom shall not be left to other people.”
Another point of contrast. It has been taught that these earthly kingdoms, with all their riches and powers, should become the prey of their despoilers. Not a kingdom or government of earthly mould but in its overthrow or conquest, has been, with all its powers, possessions, regarded and appropriated as the prey of the despoilers. But not so with the God-ordained kingdom. It was not to be left as a prey to other people, but with all its riches, honors, and precious treasures, it is to be the perpetual heritage of its own meek and lowly children.
So despoiler’s hand can wrest them their rightful heritage in this kingdom. For God, its founder, is the guardian and protector of all its possessions. But the true mission of the kingdom of God, with reference to the earthly kingdoms, is expressed in the next clause. “But it shall break in pieces and consume all these.”
His mission then, as distinctly set forth in this prophecy, is to break in pieces, consume and destroy all the kingdoms of men. A spirit of perpetual antagonism is here developed, between God’s Kingdom and every form of human government. “God has no treaty with the nations.” An irrepressible conflict rages between the Government of God and all the human institutions of earth, which can only cease by the complete triumph of the one and the utter annihilation of the other. God will and can accept no doubtful loyalty—no divided allegiance. He reserves to Himself the right to govern men. “That every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess.”
The object of God then in establishing His Church or Government was to destroy all the governments and institutions of man, and through His Church, and only through it, rule and control the world. The church’s relationship to the world-powers and institutions of man must be in harmony with this—its chief mission. It cannot be one of alliance with any support to any of these institutions. It cannot, at one and the same time, both uphold and destroy an institution. Its first mission is to destroy all authority and power, and rule and bring the world in subjection to its great King.
It is only to be remembered in this contest that the “weapons of its warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strongholds.” The little stone cut out of the mountain without hands was to fill the whole earth, so that no place could be found for the image or any part of it. The Kingdom of Heaven will destroy all these earthly kingdoms and so engross the feelings, affections, time and labors of the denizens of earth, that no more or place will be found for the service of the earthly kingdoms. They are
132
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
perishing. “It shall stand forever.” The obligations and duties of the members of the Church of Christ, can in no manner conflict with this prime work and mission of the Church itself. They cannot uphold what it must destroy. In doing this they war against the church, for it is through its members that the church accomplishes her work. If we thwart the workings of God’s church, we fight against God himself. But says one, “This antagonism was predicated only with reference to the kingdoms then in existence, not with reference to those which should afterwards arise.” The four kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision are the only human kingdoms that have ever attained to universal sway. They are placed in contrast with the fifth universal kingdom—the Church of Christ.
Evidently these kingdoms of earthly origin are made to illustrate the workings of the institutions of human society in their principles, workings and destiny. We doubt whether there has been through time a single form or principle of government that did not find its first development and application in one of these four universal kingdoms. Indeed all the governments of earth are but the remnants and shadows of this great empire. What was true of the nature and destiny of this empire, is equally true of each of its different discovered parts. It is noteworthy that no two of these universal empires could exist simultaneously in their fully developed power. As the one absorbed the other, they gradually disappeared and made room for its successor. Since the establishment of the Church of Christ, no human institution has ever made even a respectable effort to attain to universality.
The tendency has been to weaken the bonds that humanity holds together, to disintegrate and separate. The attrition and friction of perpetual conflict and war will continue to weaken them. Well may their strength and vigor, so that as the Church of Christ advances, they will diminish away, and when it shall have accomplished its perfect work and attained to its full proportions, they will have completely destroyed. So that man will glance only to God’s government, will render no divided service. His Kingdom will fill the whole earth. God will rule in all, and thus be all and in all.
But the prophecies of Daniel are even more replete with instruction upon these subjects. The dealings of these empires with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and their deliverance from the furnace, the trials of Daniel, and the closing of the lion’s mouth, the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar from the throne, his seven years of beastly life, and the final complete destruction at once of his kingdom and life all were intended to teach one clear, specific truth, that all these human kingdoms were in their very nature opposed to the rule and dominion of God, but that their highest exaltation wrought their deepest humiliation, with all their might they must come to naught. The very visions that were to take place in this mighty iron empire—the last and strongest of earth, under
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
133
The types of the heads and horns are pointed out, their nature and work designated and the destruction of each one plainly foretold. The disposition of these was to “speak great words against the Most High; to wear out the saints of the Most High; to think to change times and laws;” but the end, notwithstanding, for a time this power was to be granted to them, was to be “the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end” or to a complete destruction. “And the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
—D. L.
THE NEW HYMN BOOK
We gave in our first number a notice of the new hymn book published under the auspices of the Missionary Society at Cincinnati, Ohio. We then stated some objections to the book. We said at the time just as little as truth and care could permit us to say. We now wish to inquire for a few moments, whether it should be adopted by the churches of Jesus Christ throughout the country.
We failed to refer to the most serious objections in its mechanical setting up. In addition to its size and bad binding, it is on paper so thin that the print shows through the paper, and thus obscures the print on the opposite side. Every one must be aware of the absolute necessity of having a hymn book in print, clearly legible and distinct, that the old and weak may be enabled to read readily by candle, and even by a dimmer light than the candle of old, in the impoverished condition of our country.
Another serious objection arises from the use of inferior paper. It gives difficulty in turning the leaves; it gives a great deal of trouble in separating the leaves. In a word, a hymn book gotten up with such materials is not fit to be used in an ordinary, transient pamphlet, and reflects greatly on the discredit of the Christian integrity of those who would impose such a cheat upon a community and brotherhood. Were there no other reasons for a refusal to introduce it into use, this should be sufficient. A lesson that loudens the purse should be administered to those whose morality and integrity would permit such an imposition upon the Church or Christ. We know not who are the responsible parties in this publication, but whosoever they be, the morality of the shabby manufacturer is apparent in the work, and there are other and more serious and permanent reasons that present themselves to our mind. The sentiments in many of the hymns are of more than doubtful character and tendency.
Again, the proceeds of the sale of the Hymn Book go as a permanent fund to the support of the Missionary Society, “So-called,” under whose auspices it was published.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The book is published. Every man who purchases or causes to be purchased one of these books contributes to the support of this society; not only contributes to its support, but contributes to give it a permanent fund that will render it independent of the control of even the “Society” brotherhood. We have not seen a single supporter of these institutions defend them against the charge of a tendency to consolidation, usurpation, and corruption, upon any other ground than that they were voluntary associations, that were completely at the mercy of the brotherhood. If they do not keep within their proper limits, say their supporters, withhold your contributions and they immediately cease to exist. But every one who purchases a hymn book gives it a permanent fund, and takes it from under the control of the mass of Christians who now support it. If there is danger now of consolidation, usurpation, and corruption, what must be the result when this check is withdrawn? It gives at once to it freedom from restraint, a permanence, and a monetary endowment, that its most ancient admirers cannot fail to regard as dangerous to its purity.
Is it right to place this temptation to corruption in the hands of these associations? Is it right to force those brethren and sisters who conscientiously regard these societies as unchristian, subversive of true Christian purity, to support them? Or is it the intention of the Society, by this act, to drive the brethren who oppose these societies from their association and fellowship? Sorrowfully and sadly we are daily more and more driven to such a conclusion. But even admitting that such societies may be conducted without detriment to the spiritual interests of the Church of Jesus Christ; has this one to which so important a trust is committed, so conducted its affairs, in times past, as to inspire a hearty confidence for the future? It is formed professedly for spreading the gentle, peaceable, and holy religion of our meek and lowly Savior. For four years past, in our sufferings, trials, in our efforts to keep ourselves and our brethren aloof from the strifes and bloody conflicts of the world, with an overwhelming public sentiment to withstand, when we looked as we did in the beginning, to see this society of Christians, set an example of keeping its hands pure from the blood of all men; and in its action to find strength and encouragement for ourselves and our brethren that needed help, we found only the malignant spirit ruling its councils, and encouraging the Christian work of Christians south robbing and slaughtering Christians.
So far as we have been able to learn, this has been its chief solicitude for four years past, and to this solicitude it has conformed its action. We doubt not it has been a valuable auxiliary to the political organizations of earth in inducing the followers of the prince of peace to become men of war and blood. Is this Society with such a record, with this example of a willingness to corrupt and destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, and wickedly pervert its ruling spirit in order to maintain a political earthly institution, the anti-deposit…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
135
tory or such powers and such a trust? We confess, brethren, we prejudged the book, and it may be the blood and moral stain, that to our mind is accepted in passing through the blood-besmeared Christian Ministry Society, help to dim its pages to our eyes. Those who connect with the spirit of the society may, and perhaps should, sustain, aid, and circulate the book, but while in its present condition, the followers of the Savior, who try to possess his spirit, can walk in his footsteps, never, never can.
We look at this society and its action solely from a Christian stand point. Its visibility and profession fortifies its ideology against them. Our own position forbids our looking at it in any other light than the Christian; for any other purpose than to see its bearing upon the spiritual well-being of the church and the world. We neither desire nor care for the civil circumstances that may be held relative to our standing towards civil government.
D. L.
WIDENING OF THE BREACH
Notice has been taken in these pages of the “Advocate,” of the bold stand taken by Dr. X. L. H., of the Presbyterian Church, against immersion as a baptism, thereby coming out fully and thoroughly against the only proper performance of the rite.
We have also noticed a disposition with some to regret this great avowal of the true position. I must confess that I am surprised that any mind of the truth should have any misgiving or feeling of sorrow that men who want to honor God’s appointments should make clear elucidation of their position. For one, I heartily rejoice that the position is so boldly taken, and would still more dearly rejoice if it were made to include or affirm, in the land, the understanding to follow the footsteps of this thought of theology.
What will be the result? Will the result be disastrous to the cause of truth? Is there truly an advocate of the authority of God’s word and institutions that creates the issue? We hope for the honor of Christian manhood, one.
Let us remember that the truths and principles have but little to do with the attacks of open and avowed opponents. It is the pretended friendship of the insidious, hypocritical that makes the most dangerous and deadly wounds. The fact is well known that the whole panorama of the Baptist world has been in heart opposed to immersion. It has been occasionally practiced by those, but only to satisfy the scruples of such persons as could not be persuaded to reconcile their human counterfeit of the Divine ordinance.
Whenever the bold stand assumed by Dr. Rice comes to be fairly defined and proved as it can be, and as it should be, the effect must be to drive away from their ranks such as will not yield the point that anointing, in any form, is valid baptism. The truth has nothing
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
To lose when it comes to the open, fair issue—affusion or immersion, and we most earnestly hope to hear no more of any advocate of affusion admitting the validity of immersion. Let it be one or the other, and it done. Let the water be to the limit, if it must be, but by all means let it be upon a clearly avowed and unequivocal question. And if the cause of harmony is accomplished in the correct, be it so. Every manly lover of the truth is willing to abide the issue. We want no more mingling or conscientious men and women into any certain establishment under the pretense that it admits immersion as one of the modes of Baptism. God in no age or dispensation has appointed two ways of performing the same act of obedience to his law, and it is nothing short of human trickery and deception in any people to profess to hold such a position.
I rejoice that there is a prospect of a more honorable and manly course. However blinded in error the opponents of the truth may be. Probably the most salutary effect of this open announcement, however, will be upon the Baptist. They may now see clearly that the parties with whom they have been much disposed to fraternize and associate themselves, as constituting the true orthodoxy of the age, openly set at naught and reject one of God’s plainest and most positive ordinances. What kind of brotherly feeling is it possible for any intelligent and God-fearing Baptist to have toward people who can thus trample under foot God’s institution? Though there may be Baptists who, in malice and scrupulous opposition to what they call Campbellism, are reluctant to unite with any popular sect, Pro-Daptist or otherwise, yet we cannot but believe and confidently hope that with all the more godly and intelligent who bear that name, the day of murmur and abuse is gone—forever gone, and that the time is near at hand when there will be a union of all who love God’s truth and respect his ordinances as he has given them, upon his word as the rule for the guide and government of his people.
The effect of every effort to overthrow the truth must be to bring together in a solid and invincible phalanx all who hold it dearer than life, and the more determined the opposition, the stronger must be the union of those who are determined to sacrifice everything in its holy cause. We say that let the preach be widened, let the enemies of God’s ways be clearly known, and those who delight to hear his word and do his bidding without all ding to or taking from, be rallied for the honor of his name and the spread of his cause in the earth. What Christian heart is not elated with the hope of such a consummation? Not with vain pride at increasing the strength of a party, but with godly rejoicing at the prospect of the spread of truth and righteousness in the earth. Oh let this be the glad exultation of our hearts, that God’s name will be honored and the Kingdom of the Redeemer made to triumph over the hearts of the people, by the union of his followers on the glorious platform of His truth.
W. L.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
137
AT HOME, near Richmond, Tenn., Feb. 1st, 1866.
BROS. FANNING & LAYCOCK—I am doubly aware that Fayetteville has long been regarded as rather a “hard place,” with some one or two brethren, and two or three sisters, and no house of worship in the place. Last October I was favored with the use of the Methodist meeting-house, and preached there several days. It was a dismal evening, and on Wednesday night I had to be called to go to other engagements, when we received a written request signed by some thirty or forty members, and made their request known to many others. The brethren wanted a comfortable home for a good meeting. I had a good audience and encouraging congregational singing.
I organized a congregation of thirty members, who agreed to meet and regularly worship our Heavenly Father. Among those present were two hundred preachers of good repute, which we feel sure will do good in more perfectly tending the work of the Lord; at least, one of them expressed himself as willing to do so. His acknowledgment will, however, restrict his labor to the church in Fayetteville. The brethren know of some twenty others who will cast in their lot with them at Fayetteville as soon as the weather is favorable for them to come to town. This will make a congregation of twenty to start with, and if one or two protracted meetings can be held there this year, competent men, it is confidently believed that the number may be increased to more than one hundred.
The harvest truly is ripe. I do appreciate the object of this article, if it be to encourage the brethren there, good and faithful, who pray you come to their assistance.
What say you, Brethren, Bro. Jesse Powell, Bro. C. L. Powell? If you will do there much good may be done. I pray you go. There are impressions here that should not be lost.
Make your arrangements to hold one meeting in July or August, another in September or October at least.
The brethren there are greatly in need. I fear my labor for the Lord is done. May God order things otherwise. His will, however, is mine. May He prosper you in your efforts to do good.
Yours in the Lord,
T. W. DRENTS.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
THE A. C. M. SOCIETY
Institutes Fanning & Lincoln — The American Christian Missionary Society has for its object the dissemination of the Gospel of Christ in this and in other lands. I presume to say that every disciple of Christ will acknowledge this to be a holy and Christian-like object. One worthy of our exalted profession, and calling for our united and continued efforts.
This Society proposes to give the Gospel in all its beauty and purity to the poor and needy. Thousands are this moment sitting in darkness, without light, without hope in the world. Shall they continue in this fearfully miserable condition? Shall they remain in ignorance of the place of salvation—the way that leads to God? Shall they be permitted to go down to the gates of death thus benighted? Shall they perish forever? Surely not while it is in our power to present to them the living word of the Living God.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” has never been revoked. It comes to us in this day in all its original strength, breadth and force. It is at this time binding on all Christians, and will be through all coming time. It is the duty of Christians—it ought ever to be esteemed a great privilege to preach the Gospel to all mankind.
The sects at this time all around us are divided—there yet lingering, notwithstanding there are talking or union. But they have no platform on which they may unite. They are wholly at sea without chart or compass or beacon-light. They are beating in the air. We are the only people who stand on the one foundation—bear the name—and contend for the one faith; and are, therefore, the only people who occupy the apostolic ground of unity and communion.
We, therefore, are called upon to preach the Gospel—the Gospel of Christ—nothing less, nothing more; and to present whether in our power, so to lay the foundation on which the good of the whole earth may stand together, assured that this is Bible ground—this is safe ground.
Brethren, will you aid us in our good work? Will you choose us to send the Gospel through the length and breadth of our land, that thousands may rejoice in the forgiveness of their sins, and in the hope of everlasting life?
As the Lord has prospered you, give as the Lord has blessed you. Give that you may bless others. Thus will you lead to the Lord—thus will you take stock in the Bank of Heaven—thus will you be prepared in preparing others for the joys and healthfulness of the world to come.
When you read these lines, send your contribution.
Remit to me at Cincinnati, Ohio, Box 956.
W. C. ROGERS,
Cor. Sec. A. C. M. Society.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Salado, Bell County, Texas, Jan. 11th, 1866
Bro. Fanning:
Your very welcome letter came a few days since, and I write, at present, only to answer it; yet I may say, I appreciate your spirit and purpose, your plans and your labors. We can do but little, but will endeavor to aid you some. Your paper will do much good. We, too, are about starting “The Christian Philanthropist” again—monthly, for the present to be printed in Haslrop, Texas.
Our missionary work is not doing so well since the close of the war. Previously we kept in the field, more or less, from twelve to eighteen evangelists, but I think I wrote you of this. My meetings last summer and fall were all good, and successful, but it was harder to get the people to consider and act, all seem intent on providing for the present poor life. Some of us have retained one-sixth of the value of our original property—some a little more—we have, indeed, more of the property than of the value, but we have reason to be thankful it is no worse with us. It matters very little with me what estimate the world puts on my station, I did what I thought was right, and have retained a good conscience, and feel a respect which I could not have had otherwise. I am sorry I can do so little for the world, but I am glad I can do a little. I would be glad to learn about J. H. Ferguson, A. G. Urquhart, John S. Haldy, Bro. Wharton, &c. but I presume I will soon learn from your paper. Please let me know if you please, and I will write some for it, if I do not send you money, and will send you mine soon.
My son, Albert Allen, was recently in Leavenworth City, Kansas. I look for him home soon.
We are toiling on in the old way. Please remember me to such as feel an interest in my poor labors.
Affectionately,
C. Kendricks
“A NEW ELDER AND DEACONSHIP”
In the letter of Bro. T. Stalker, in the sixth number, he says: “A new elder and deacon should be selected or ordained.” May we ask what does Brother Stalker mean by this? Does he intend to say that elders and deacons are made by selection and ordination? If we mistake not, there is more involved in this matter than we might at first view suspect. We hope our brother will not conclude that we desire to involve him in our investigations. He speaks just in the style of most writers upon the subject of deacons and elders, but, as we suppose, there are radical errors in society, on this and kindred matters, and as we desire to investigate, particularly, the method in which things are made according to the scriptures, we have asked the above questions and request Brother Stalker to give us answers.
T. P.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
MURFREESBORO, Feb., 1866.
DEAR BRETHREN:
I hail with lively and peculiar pleasure the proposition to unite the Baptists and Disciples. Why should they not? Do they not profess to take the same Divinely inspired guide? Are they not aiming to get to the same Heaven? Shall the fervent prayer of the Lord and Messiah ever be disregarded? Shall all who feel the worth of perishing souls remove the stumbling-block of divisions out of the way! The Savior in his intercessory prayer (John xvii.) suspends the conversion of the unbelieving world upon the union of all believers in his Divinity.
Dr. Armitage, Dr. Plummer, Wycoff, Duckhce, Holman, and many others of the Baptists believe this. All of the Disciples believe and have been longing and pleading for it for forty years. Let us unite in one consolidated union—disunion is strength—disunion, weakness—let the church under the crimsoned banner of the Cross be victors. The brethren are contemplating a general consultation meeting in May, I learn. How would it suit to invite an Baptist, and all lovers of the Bible only, to meet, say at Nashville, and have a grand union and constitution convention? Will the Editors of the ADVOCATE issue a roll? The brethren will all second it.
In brotherly love for all in Christ,
J. R. FRAME
A GENERAL CONSULTATION MEETING SUGGESTED
The religion of Jesus Christ is not sectional, but the members of the Church of God, in spite of their most manly efforts, have been sectionalized for a few years past, by influences over which they have had little control. For five years, the disciples of Christ, in what are known as the Southern States, have enjoyed imperfect communion together. We have had no paper to circulate amongst us, and most of the preachers have been prohibited from traveling from their homes. Several able and experienced brethren have very respectfully suggested the propriety and necessity of calling a meeting of messengers from the churches south, somewhere in middle Tennessee, say at Nashville, should it be agreeable to the brethren of that congregation, as early as May or June next. The purpose of the meeting should not be to enact laws for the regulation of Christians, for all these were enacted in the General Assembly. If honest and true to our profession, we could have no political labor to perform, for the Christians have to do with worldly governments is to submit to them, and leave their regulation and modification to the rulers of this world.
We, indeed, think it is a favorable time to convince the world that we are not of it. The purpose should be to renew old acquaintances and form new ones, and ascertain as far as possible, our ability for Christian cooperation. We should be rejoiced to hear from the brethren in the Gulf States, in Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee. Shall such a meeting be called? Does not our peculiar condition suggest its importance?
T. FANNING
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
141
To:0:1><-But:o, Ga., Feb. 23, 1866
Brethren, Fanning & Linton:
I promised you to say something of Brother A. C. Hordern, formerly of Calhoun County, Ala., now of Carroll County, Ga. In July, 1865, I first met him in Cedar Town, Georgia. I was brought there from Alabama, and after hearing the preaching, I was very much impressed with his manner.
He was a man of great zeal, and had, at least, one week’s schooling, so that he could read and write after a fashion. After he joined the church, he read the Scriptures so much by the light at night that he liked to have put out both of his eyes. In fact, he did not stop reading entirely.
He then came to my house, and I went with him to Atlanta, to a celebrated surgeon, who put him under a course of treatment that saved him from being entirely blind. The doctor stopped his reading, and he has little reading since. This was in the early part of the year 1865. But he did not stop preaching, as you will see by what he says in a letter to me, written in October last.
He said: “Bro. Smith, in the last year I have preached seven hundred and fifty sermons, and often traveled and continued from four to six weeks at a time, and have this year had one hundred and twenty-six additions to the church.” Brother B. is a wonderful man, with an extraordinary mind and memory. He can read over a hundred hymns without a book, and often repeats whole chapters of the Scriptures, and so great is his knowledge of the Word of the Lord, and his zeal in the cause together with his sincere piety, that he is almost universally beloved.
He has the good will and love of his laborers, and proceeds with success.
Yours affectionately,
NATHAN W. SMITH.
The poor often feel backward in the church, because in the corruptions that wealth has brought into the church, it has been so changed that they cannot conform to its customs and they do not feel at home there. This is the wrong feeling. The church is the essential legacy of God to the poor of this world. The proud should not shun the humble, and the humble should not feel backward in the church.
They should feel at home there. All others. It is the rich that are out of their element in Christ’s Church. They should lead the backward, not the poor.
D. L.
“The poor ye have with you always;” there is no reason to give them any other place than in the church. The Christian must cultivate a disposition to give, and that he realizes that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Only then has he brought himself to the true Christian spirit.
D. L.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
INCIDENT
We have always encouraged others to report their labors for publication, yet seldom have referred to our own performances. There is at least one reporter, to take down for publication, each discourse of Henry Ward Beecher, and yet, we cannot suppose that if all the valuable teaching of his entire life were pressed into a single page, it would be worth the expense of publication.
Due to our subject, we have regular meetings at least three times per week in our little congregation at Franklin College, and very often we have additions to the flock. From the beginning of our session, Oct. 2d, 1865, to the present day, Feb. 1st, 1866, we have immersed some twenty-five or thirty of our pupils, and some of our neighbors. Within the past week, there have been added to the Lord. We have just returned from witnessing a young lady who has been attending our little talks to the youth of our church, when we told her that religion is not something after which people should seek by prayer or otherwise, that it is always seeking after rebels, against the Government of God, and signifies a rebinding with the Heavenly Father. We also taught that one could come to the Father by simply believing, with all the heart, on the Savior, renouncing all wickedness, confessing with the mouth the authority of the Lord, and being immersed into Him in order to get a good conscience. Our sister, Rosa G. believed, yielded herself to Heaven, and now rejoices. Thank the Lord for the Gospel salvation.
Preachers of the Gospel
Preachers of the Gospel should not only preach to the poor in public, but in private also. Should visit them at their houses, learn to appreciate their trials and difficulties, and should school themselves to a full sympathy with their condition. Don’t be afraid of being troublesome to the poor. No class of persons will be more benefited by your conversation and association, or will more cheerfully be comforted with your presence. When a preacher goes to a community and associates only with the rich, the poor conclude that he has no sympathy with them—that he came not to preach to them, but to the rich. They see he has not the spirit of Christ. He associated with and made himself one of the poor. His servants should act as he did.
D. L.
EXCHANGES
In our notice of exchanges, we failed to call attention to the “Little Sower,” published by W. W. Dowling, at Indianapolis, Indiana. It professes to be devoted to the interest and religious instruction of children. It is the only paper known to us published by one professing to be Christian, devoted exclusively to the interests of the children. We regret that we cannot commend it to our readers. But its publishers and contributors…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
tors seem to be of that class who never see but one commitment in the demagogue, and that is one which no man with a well balanced heart and an honest heart has been able ever to find. Its spirit is more political than religious, seems more anxious to indite into the infantile mind the headlong spirit of hate and bloodshed, than the spirit of love and peace. We speak thus frankly and candidly, because we intend to act honestly. We are anxious to see the asperities and festering animosities engendered by the late bloody conflict, unhealed and forgotten, especially by professed Christians among whom they should never have arisen.
We know that the circulation of such papers, indulging continually in these rancorous and distorted statements, and misrepresentations of a fallen and corrupted section, can only engender and perpetuate animosity and strife. We would then advise our readers to avoid all familiarity with them, as only calculated to work mischief, especially above every other consideration you would respect. The sowing of these bitter sectional prejudices, North or South, in the minds of the children, our religion is like a religion of hatred and strife, not even one of patriotism, but one of love to “peace on earth, good will to man.” The true Christian never forgets this spirit.
D. L.
A DILEMMA
Baptists and Pado-Baptists both contend that baptism admits the subject into the Kingdom of Christ. They likewise maintain that an adult person must be born of God before he is baptized.
A person born of God, or born to God, is alive to God; but in what kingdom does he live before he is baptized?
Not in the Kingdom of Satan, for he that is born of God is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness!
Nor in the Kingdom of God, for they all maintain, as above stated, that he who is not baptized, though born of God, is not in this kingdom.
In what kingdom then, no matter whose authority, is one who, although born of God, has not been baptized?
Will some Baptist or some Pado-Baptist please say?
HERALD OF THE TRUTH AND LADIES’ HOME MAGAZINE
We have received the January number of this periodical. With this number it enters upon its birth volume. It is a neatly gotten up pamphlet of forty-eight large double-column pages, printed on good, white paper, with legible type. It makes a handsome appearance, and is filled with matter calculated to interest and instruct.
We welcome it to our exchange list, and if the number before us be a fair sample of its temper and character, we commend it heartily to our readers. It is edited and published by W. T. Horner, Auburn, N. Y., at $2 per single copy, club of 18, $15. Preachers and teachers at club rates.
D. J.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
A NEW AND CHEAP PAPER FOR THE LADIES
“The Young Lady’s Friend,” Edited by W. T. Homer, will be issued about the middle of March, 1857, and will contain matter selected from The Ladies’ Home Magazine. It will appear in royal quarto form, of four columns to the page. Those wishing the first number of the volume must send in their names immediately.
Terms:
- Single Copy, per annum: 75 cents
- Clubs of 10: 50 cents each
- Clubs of 20: 40 cents each
- Single Subscriber for six months: $1
Address:
W. T. HOMER, Buffalo, N. Y.
PROSPECTUS OF VOLUME VIII. OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The undersigned propose resuming the publication of The Gospel Advocate, as a Weekly Journal, January 1st, 1857.
The purpose is to maintain the right of Jesus Christ to rule the world, the supremacy of the Sacred Scriptures in all matters spiritual, and to encourage an investigation of every subject connected with the Church of God, which may be considered of practical interest. The Kingdom of God is a real, permanent institution. The pillar and support of the Truth, upon a proper appreciation of which, the welfare of the world and the happiness of mankind depend; her origin, organization, history, labor and mission; her relation to worldly powers, civil, military and religious, and her final triumph, will occupy much of our attention. The estimation of the World for Christianity, and the training of Christians for immortality, will constitute an important part of our labor.
The work will be published at Nashville, Tennessee, in Weekly Numbers of sixteen pages, the size of the former Gospel Advocate, neatly folded and stitched, at:
- $1.50 for single subscribers.
- $1.00 for five subscribers.
- $0.80 for ten subscribers, invariably in advance.
We would be pleased to have the cooperation of the brethren generally, and the preachers of the Word especially, in circulating the paper. In making remittances, send all sums of $10 and under, in registered letters, by mail at our risk, and all sums over $10, by express or in checks or Post Office draft.
Direct all communications for the ADVOCATE to:
T. FANNING,
J. LINCOLN,
Editors & Publishers, Gospel Advocate,
Nashville, Tenn.