THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. Fanning, Editor
J. Lipscomb
VOL. VIII
NASHVILLE, JULY 3, 1866
NUMBER 27
CHURCH OF CHRIST AND WORLD-POWERS, NO. II
To His Excellency the President of the Confederate States of America:
Whereas, A large number of the members of the Churches of Jesus Christ throughout this and the adjoining counties of the State of Tennessee, feel a deep sense of the responsibility they are under to recognize the Bible in its teachings, as the only infallible guide of their life, and the supreme authoritative rule of action, and as being of superior authority to and more binding upon the subjects of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, than the acts and regulations of any human government or power, they would respectfully represent:
- That they are fully satisfied that God, through the Scriptures of Sacred Truth, demands of His servants that they should submit quietly, heartily and cheerfully to the government under which they may live, in all cases, except when compliance with the civil law would involve a violation of the law of God. They are deeply impressed with the truth that when there is a conflict between the requirements of worldly government and the law of God, the duty of the Christian is, upon the peril of his well-being, to obey God, let the consequences be to him what they may.
- They are herein in the conviction of the truth, that no man, who regards the authority of God, the spirit and letter of the Sacred Scriptures in their proper division and application, the life and teachings of the Son of God, or his Holy Apostles, as given for the guidance of his followers, can in any manner engage in, aid, foment, or countenance the strifes, animosities and bloody conflicts in which civil governments are frequently engaged, and in which they often involve their subjects.
- Therefore, a limit of their duty to, and connection with, the government…
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Contents:
Excerpts from the Document:
1. Introduction
The government under which they live, as laid down in the Sacred Scriptures, is not an active participation in its affairs to destroy or uphold, but simply a quiet and cheerful submission to its enactments, in the payment of tribute and any demands on our property or time, bounded only by the strict and highest obligation to obey God.
2. Considerations on Duty to God
With these considerations of what our duty to God requires at our hands, the enforcement of the “Conscription Act” for the purpose of raising and maintaining an army, for the carrying on of this unhappy war, in which our country is involved, cannot fail to work indescribable distress to those members of our churches holding these convictions. Some of them will be driven destitute from their homes, for no political preferences, but because they cannot disobey the commandments of God. Others may be thrown into becoming opposition to your government, suffering imprisonment and such treatment as may be inflicted on them. Others still, by the pressure of circumstances, may be driven to a deeply sadder fate, the violation of all such conscientious convictions of their Master and Master, whom they have, under the most solemn vows, pledged themselves to serve.
3. Statement of Facts
In view of these things, we are induced to make a statement of those facts to you, with the hope that some relief may be afforded to those of our members thus distressed.
4. Encouragement from the Confederacy
We are thus encouraged, too, in this hope, from the fact that we perceive that the Confederacy of the Confederate States of America, with a commendable regard for the conscientious convictions of its subjects, made provision upon certain conditions, for the exemption of the members of certain denominations of professed Christians, from the performance of requirements repugnant to their religious faith. With the view, too, that this law might not act injuriously with reference to individuals or bodies of individuals, not specially named in said act, the power was vested in the honorable President, of making such further exemptions as, in his judgment, justice, equity or necessity might demand. We respectfully petition of you, that members of our churches, who are now, and have been striving to maintain a position of Christian separation from the world, its strifes and conflicts, may be relieved, on terms equitable and just, from requirements repugnant to their religious faith, and that they may be, at least, placed upon a footing similar to that in which denominations holding a like faith are placed.
5. Conclusion
Location: Bena: Grove, Williamson County, Texas, Nov. 13th, 1862.
This document was signed by the elders and evangelists of fifteen congregations, and was the result of saving all those members of the church who would take this position, not to serve above, but stand firmly to it, from service in the war through which we have passed. A petition of a similar nature, varied only to meet the changed demands, was presented to the federal authorities. We will publish this in our next week’s.
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We publish these as historic accounts of the position assumed by the Churches of Christ in Middle Tennessee in hours of tearful trial and trouble to Christians. We believe this position arose several from actual total ruin. Copies of these were filed with the then Governor, now President Johnson. Copies were also sent to the Review and Harbinger for publication, but neither of them published them.
D. J.
Johnston, Ga., June 15th, 1865.
Beloved Brother Fanning — By the goodness of our Heavenly Father I arrived safe at home yesterday, finding my family in usual health. I was taken a little unwell before I got home, and am still unwell, though nothing serious I hope. I do rejoice and thank my blessed God that I have been permitted to attend, once in my life, such a meeting as we had and just closed at Murfreesboro. To me it was a feast to my soul to see and get acquainted with so many good brethren, but more especially to see the spirit of unity, love, and brotherly kindness manifested in a meeting where there was so much discussion on various topics that were there.
In my opinion, such tenderness can only exist among a people who have but little book, the Bible, notwithstanding the all it teaches. O may the Lord bless all his saints with spiritual understanding.
I had at home a letter from a good brother in Washington County, a section of country where we have a goodly number of brethren, and some of them wealthy, and from whom we have been cut off by the war up of the railroad. It is my purpose to visit them as soon as I can, that I may present to them, after preaching the Gospel first, the patronage of the Gospel Advocate.
I am the claim of a school, such as contemplated by our brethren, and also to get our brethren to attend the meeting in October next.
I never have been more stirred up to the importance of a faithful proclamation of the word. O may the Lord move the hearts of all brethren to do their whole duty on this subject, people and preachers.
I am, with all affection, your brother in the Lord,
Nathan W. Smith
Union Factory, Ga., June 15th, 1865.
Brethren Fanning & Lipscomb — The result of my labors during the war, in the vineyard of the Lord, has been, I may say, discouraging. I was deprived of a good deal of time for preaching. Since the war is over, I have been able to labor some.
To the Lord be all the glory,
Joseph Wheeler
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BAPTISTS AND SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE
The Louisville Western Recorder opposes an effort to unite the Baptists and Disciples of Christ in one Scriptural body, because the Disciples of Christ do not believe in direct spiritual influence, separate and apart from the word and appointments of God. In vindicating the Baptist position, one of the editors used the following expression: “Regeneration is, by the Holy Spirit, directly operating upon the sinner’s heart, independent from the word, or anything else.” A Baptist writer from Indiana takes the editors to account for their position, and meets them with the following Scriptures:
- “God begat us with the word of truth.”
- “Being born again, of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” (1 Peter 1:23)
- “I have begotten you through the Gospel.” (1 Cor. 4:15)
- “Of his own will begat he us, with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)
This writer then says, “These passages, to my mind, are decisive. If they do not teach that the word has something to do in the work of regeneration, it would be difficult, if we had the privilege to manufacture Scriptures that would teach it. But these passages you have not noticed in your articles; you have passed them by altogether. While expounding away the expression to the Corinthians, why did you neglect these?”
The testimony of orthodox divines is that these passages teach that the Gospel is the instrument in regeneration, such as Fuller, Leighton, Henry, Clarke, etc. So far as I have observed those opposing the doctrine that the word is instrumental in regeneration, have assumed principles and have reasoned and theorized upon them with very little reference to the Scriptures, and I think the theory in your articles is a mere deduction from human reasoning, unsupported by the word of God. It is, however, supported by assumption; will you please point out the Scriptures that teach that the word of God is not instrumental in regeneration?
This is the writing of a Baptist, remember, not a Disciple. The editor of the Recorder thinks those who hold such views have as much right to be called “Campbellites.”
Have you any curiosity to see what response this advancement will elicit? He says, “We will restate our position in a few words, and we think it will not differ materially from Bro. U., if we understand him. In the instantaneous conversion of a sinner, there are two distinct agents: the Holy Spirit and the word of God. These go together; each other, yet are not confounded. Whether the Holy Spirit regenerates, when the word is not found, we know nothing about; till we believe, but whether he does, we are not prepared to say.”
After all the arguments based upon the assumption that the word is the instrument of power, Matt. xiii.; Mark iv.; Luke viii.; and that the only…
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The means of enjoying the spirit is through humble, trustful submission to God’s appointments, the Baptists, as represented by the Recorder.
Think it unreasonable that the spirit should act separate from the word. If it is “unreasonable,” it must be unscriptural, for nothing that is taught in the Scriptures can be considered unreasonable by the enlightened believer in God. Now we ask, does the Recorder ever refer to a disciple of Christ whom he appropriately calls “Campbellite,” take ground on this subject? If so, please tell us who, where and when! We affirm that God can act without the intervention or instrumentalities either in spirit or word, unless restricted by His own will. But does He do it? The only point we have to establish on this subject is that it is dangerous for man to neglect and forsake the spiritual appointments through the word for the enjoyment of spiritual blessings, and look for an influenced abstract, separate and distinct from the word and institutions of God. We would not even limit the exercise of its influence to the presence of the word, but would embrace in their proper place, all the appointments of God contained in His word.
There is much to tell concerning the lack of clear conceptions in reference to the agency of the spirit and the Word, and their relationship to each other.
Now the Savior said in the parable of the Sower, “The seed is the word of God.” (Luke viii: 11). If the Savior understood these matters then, the word of God must have the same relationship to Christian life and Christian enjoyment in the Kingdom of God, that the seed has to vegetable life and fruit in the natural kingdom. As it is impossible by the most careful culture of the best soil to produce wheat without the seed is first implanted, so according to the clear and unrepeatable teachings of the Savior and His holy apostles, it is impossible by the most careful culture of the human heart to produce spiritual life in the Kingdom of God, without the presence of the seed—the word of God. Well may the Recorder consider it unreasonable that the spirit should act without the word, after such clear revelations of the will of God on this subject.
While we would speak modestly and without the presumption of any speculation on the relationship of the Spirit and the Word, we must say that the idea that the spirit is sometimes present with or sometimes absent from the word, and that it requires some special act of God to energize the word by the presence of the spirit, is at variance with the teachings of Scripture and the analogies of nature. The mission and work of the spirit, as revealed in the Bible, in both the material and spiritual kingdoms, is to direct, guide, control and comfort. The work of the Father is to originate, provide, that of the Son to redeem, and of the Spirit to control, direct, guide and comfort. God, the Father, originated the idea of physical creation. Jesus Christ, the Son, was the active agent in performing that work. “All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that.”
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“was made.” John i.: 3. When the work of creation was completed, but all was chaos and confusion, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and under its directive, controlling and guiding character, order, law-working and preventive harmony sprang from chaos and confusion. The Spirit placed each particle of created matter in its proper position, gave the law that should control it in that position and through that law guides and directs every particle of matter forward to the accomplishment of its proper destiny.
In the spiritual world, God, the Father, originated the idea, and provided the means of a new, high, spiritual creation. Jesus Christ, the Son, was the active agent, by his mission, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension, in creating this new spiritual kingdom. He left this circumscribed matter for the new kingdom without clear, direct law, but told them to wait for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, that it would guide them.
“Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.” John xvi.: 13. The ultimate ends he had called out and created anew for the building of this temple of the living God, were after the work of creation left in a condition much similar to the old creation, till the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. They knew not how to take a single step until the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost with its directing power. It gave them laws by which they and the church, after them, were to be directed forward to the accomplishing of the glorious redemption of mankind from sin and death.
But in the old creation, the spirit took up its abode in the earth that it gave. Gen. i.: 2. “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,” and through its guidance the light was divided from the darkness, and the law controlling day and night gave the firmament of heaven its appointed boundaries.
Job xxxviii.: 13, says, “By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” Job xxiii.: 4, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” David says, Psalm civ.: 30, “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth.” Isaiah xl.: 6, “All flesh is grass, and all the goodness thereof is as the flower of the grass; the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it.”
Here the giving of the law to matter in the original work of creation, the organizing and directing of matter in accordance with these laws, are directly attributed to the Spirit. The law of the seasons was given by the Spirit, the results of that law are seen in the bursting forth of life and verdure at the approach of the genial spring time, and the fading and falling of the flower with the decay of vegetable life, at the approach of the chilling blasts of autumn are attributed, by the inspired writers, to the Spirit. We then learn that the Spirit was God’s agency in giving law to the physical universe, and that
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that Spirit took up its abode in the laws which it gave, and through these laws the Spirit is ever present, directing and guiding every particle of matter forward to the accomplishment of its final destiny. But in the physical world all the results of the Spirit are accomplished through and in accordance with the law. The Spirit is not sometimes absent and sometimes present with the laws of the physical universe, but it is ever present in its active power, and every being that comes into harmony with the laws enjoys exactly the blessings of the Spirit, and all who fail to come into harmony with the law or the Spirit in the physical universe must suffer the penalties, pains, and want of the Spirit. So it is, too, in the spiritual world. The Spirit gave the laws and institutions of grace, and there took up its abode in those laws and institutions, in which alone it can be surely found to guide, comfort, and strengthen.
Then is the true, practical believer in spiritual influence, who directs the child of mortality, famishing for the waters of spiritual life, to the fountain where those waters abide. In other words, to the laws and institutions given by that Spirit. Not is the Spirit sometimes present with and sometimes absent from these instrumentalities. We learn not only that the word of God is the seed of the Kingdom, and without it there can be no spiritual life, but also that it is an incorruptible seed, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.
Now all seeds of earthly character are corruptible. The seed of wheat or other grain may retain its material form and structure, yet have its vitalizing power destroyed. It is corruptible, but the seed of the Kingdom is incorruptible. Its vitalizing power can never be separated from it. Let that word into the heart, and as sure as God is true, its vitalizing power, ever present, will spring forth into active, self-sacrificing life.
You ask, how the Spirit unites in the law? Just as the blood uniting principle does in the physical life. The blood is the life, says the scripture; not that the particles of the blood constitute the material principle of life, but they are the constant abiding place of the life, and are inseparably connected with the life, that when you take away the blood you take away the life. For all practical purposes then, the blood may be regarded as the life. So we understand the expression, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” John vi: 63.
The Spirit is so inseparably connected with the word, it abides so perpetually in the word, that, like the blood and the life, where no word is, no spiritual influence has ever been found. When the word is taken from the heart, the Spirit no longer dwells there. It is just as sensible and scriptural then to talk of plants without seed and animal life without blood, as to talk of spiritual influence and spiritual fruits without the seed of the Kingdom—the word of God that liveth and abideth forever. But if Baptists cannot tolerate disciples of Christ for believing…
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that there is an infallible guidance into the enjoyment of spiritual life, but the directions and laws given by that Spirit in the word of God, our friend, the Recorder, should be careful, lest he forfeit their fellowship, by saying that it is unreasonable to him that the Spirit should operate when the word is not found. We would caution him especially not to forfeit this fellowship while he is still in a position he could not gain the fellowship of Christians. For we insist no man is prepared for true, perfect membership and unity in the body of Christ who is willing to make any theory concerning the manner of spiritual influence a test of membership in that body.
D. L.
OUR TEACHING—OUR GOSPEL
Our beloved brother, J. O., has some excellent thoughts in the issue of June 12th, upon the use of the words “views” and “mode.” He repudicates them justly, and prefers the terms at the head of these lines. But, it may be asked, what better authority have we for “our conclusions” or “our gospel?” He intended, very properly, to turn attention from views of Scripture to the Scripture itself, and will undoubtedly accept the amendment which proposes to substitute “apostolic teaching and scriptural subject” for his own words. It is our business to ascertain what the apostles taught. We have nothing to teach. The parties around us use the terms our gospel, our doctrine and our church—all except the chief daughter of the “mother of harlots”—the Episcopal Church; and she has the audacity to cut the lists against her mother, and to claim for herself, exclusively, the title the Church, while, with laughable superciliousness, she speaks of her neighbors simply as religious societies. Rome and London must settle the question of supremacy before we join either, and we think we should prefer the mother to the daughter. Possibly the mother has, thus far, escaped an establishment.
WARREN COUNTY, Tenn., May 30th, 1866.
BROTHER LACOMBE: I have concluded, at this late date, to write a short account of my labors for the last four years. At the commencement of the war I determined that I would not participate in it, and solemnly vowed that I would not change my regular course of preaching the Gospel, unless compelled by power that I could not control. I was not prevented from traveling and preaching any of the time, and through the mercy of the Lord I was very fortunate, indeed. I was never arrested, insulted nor robbed of anything during the war, and from the depth of my heart I still thank the Lord for my preservation. During the last years of war I succeeded, through the blessings of the Lord, in adding about two hundred and eighty persons to the congregations in Warren, Cannon, Wilson, Franklin, Bedford and Williamson counties.
J. L. SEWELL.
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AN EXPLANATION
We have failed to notice quite a number of the publications of our brethren, several of which have kindly given notice of the Gospel Advocate. This failure has not been an oversight or mere negligence, nor has it been from a disposition to ignore them from a selfish, unsocial, unkind feeling, but because we have been at a loss to give notices that would be acceptable to those publications. We have never yet learned to give merely unmeaning or flabby compliments. We never expect to comment on a paper or institution publicly, and then privately oppose the same. We have never learned to do those things. When we were quite young, some friend, wishing, no doubt, to make a polished, courteous, finished man of us, placed Lord Chesterfield’s works in our hands to be studied. Unfortunately for our prospects, all a finished man of that kind, honest father saw us with it, and our opportunity to being “all things to all men,” after the worldly sort, vanished forever. Since that time we have been constant to study control and frankness, to learn from Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul, instead of Cambridge and Edinburgh.
From these instructions we have never learned to compliment and build up institutions of publication which we believe to be harmful and untruthful in their tendency and character. And so all of these publications, in our judgment, are of this character. Scarcely any of them but commingle politics with religion, from our standpoint. And we think the true one, no matter how true the theory of Christianity is in other departments, and how much or ability may be brought to bear in its advocacy, the mingling of the two, or the encouraging of brethren to become politicians, to take upon themselves the cares and responsibilities, and to become partisans to the strifes, unmoored and bloody conflicts of the kingdoms of this world, more than counterbalances all the good brought about by the earnest and advocacy of truth in other departments.
So that we cannot conscientiously commend the claims of those publications which encourage brethren thus to act. We mention among these the Christian Standard, published at Cleveland, Ohio, by a company of brethren, with a nice preliminary capital to aid it. It is edited by Elder Isaac Errett, a man whose reputation for ability and pulpit as a writer and speaker, certainly second to that of many among our brethren. This Standard, in its relation and execution, bears all the marks of both pecuniary and intellectual ability, skillfully managed.
We feel, too, under obligations to the Standard. It published our prospectus, without even asking, and gave a candid notice of the paper. We knew, occupying the different standpoints that we do, that it could not approve all the positions that were assumed by the Advocate. All that we could have desired was a candid, discriminating notice. Such we received. We should have published the prospectus of the Advocate in return, and given a like candid notice of the paper, but our paper…
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vented the one, and as we could not do this, we have let the difficulty of writing just such a notice as we appeared, cause us to prefer the other. The Standard is published weekly in large quarto form, gives quite a large proportion of its columns to secular and political news, and freely expresses its feelings on the political questions of the day.
We certainly think that if it is legitimate for Christians to be politicians, it is the duty of Christian teachers, both through the press and the pulpit to teach true politics. The Scriptures thoroughly furnish the man of God unto every good work. If upholding and directing the affairs of the governments of this world is a good Christian work, the Scriptures of Sacred Truth give full instruction as to how this work should be performed, and it is the duty of the Christian teacher to instruct Christians how they should perform these, as other duties. And he who fails to teach them, is guilty of a failure to declare the whole counsel of God. A man that finds a Scriptural direction and guidance for his own actions in these matters, ought to find the same for every other Christian man, and he is in duty bound to furnish it. If it is a Christian duty or privilege to participate in these affairs, Christians should every one act practically alike in them. Then we frankly accept the Standard and other papers of this character, consistency in discussing political affairs. But a consistency in what we believe to be a wrong, the wrong, too, that will weaken and destroy the Church of God, as well as cool the ardor, dampen the energies and vitiate the moral and religious character and influence of every man that engages in the affairs of State.
We believe no degree of moderation or type of political principles will affect this influence. We think, too, to state our conviction, not only that the church is injured by the affiliation, but that the State also suffers by such participation in its affairs. The worst, most tyrannical, humbling rulers the world ever saw, were those who engaged in the affairs of State under the sanctity of religion. The most cruel military chieftains that ever desolated a country and impoverished and tortured a fallen and helpless foe, are those who did so on the plea of the Prince of Peace. The most unrelenting and relentless murderers are those whose cry for blood is masked to sanctity, “Vengeance is mine.”
References and illustrations of these things are so continually presented to our minds in the sanguinary spirit of the missionary organizations that are continually holding their assemblies and synods, and as exhibited by the religious portion of our political rulers and legislators, that special reference is unnecessary. From our standpoint and to our minds, these apparent calamities are susceptible of easy explanation. Suffice it to say, they spring from an improper direction of religious fervor. We think the Standard, with all of its ability and facilities for good, growing out of its pecuniary resources, is yet ex-
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setting a most deleterious influence upon both the church and the world, by encouraging Christians to that association with the world-government which we believe constitutes an adulterous alliance. We think, then, that even as a political subject, its spirit is tinged with that unholy temper, which the combination of religion and politics always produces, and which results in an inability to see things otherwise than from one-sided political and sectional stand-point. And in dealing with these questions produces bitterness, wrath, and strife, rather than peace, joy, and unity in the Kingdom of God. Yet, we attribute nothing of personal blame to the Southern or the editor, other than the occupying of a false position. Nor do we complain of the type of politics advocated by the Southern.
We have never doubted but that had Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln been conversed in their respective surroundings throughout life, their counsel and thinking would almost certainly have been exchanged. So whether their surroundings have ever helped or hindered, their sentiments must have been a powerful influence in keeping alive the spirit of rebellion in the South, and the possibility of a civil war in the North.
In this matter, it is difficult for those of one section to realize the tendencies, the lives and surroundings that compel the other section to action. Hence, forbearance in these divisions and sentiments should be exercised. The question that we would make with those of the North and the South, the East and West, why maintain the kinship of viewing things from a political stand-point, is, have Christians the right to become the partisans of any human government? If so, confusion, division, strife, and bloodshed, between followers of the same Prince of Peace, must ensue.
On this subject, we think there are three distinct positions occupied. First, it is the duty and privilege of Christians to actively participate in the governments of this world, in direct and uncontroversial ways. In doing this they may not, however, take the sword and smite their fellow man, nor even bluster Christian. And this being the privilege and duty of Christians, it becomes, of necessity, the privilege and duty of Christian leaders to instruct and teach them publicly and privately, from the pulpit and the press, as to the proper method of doing this. This position, though we believe wrong, is consistent with itself throughout. And is the one openly and candidly occupied by the “Southern.”
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A second position is, that it is legitimate for Christians to vote and hold civil offices in the governments of the world, but it is not legitimate for Christian teachers to instruct them how to vote, or how to conduct the duties to which they are called. This, to our mind, involves the inconsistency of saying it is the duty of Christians to perform work which the Scriptures do not direct them how to perform, or that the Scriptures give instruction for our labor which it is not legitimate for the Christian teacher to provide. Usually associated with this position, is the other one, equally inconsistent, that Christians may vote, even vote for the strongest measures, and yet themselves engage in war. If we mistake not, the Review, so energetically and successfully conducted by Bro. Franklin, occupies these positions. The third proposition entertained by the Gospel Advocate is, that the limit and boundary of connection between the members of the Church of Christ and the world-governments under which they live, is simply one of quiet, cheerful submission to the government of authority exercising power over them in all things that do not contravene the letter and spirit of the Christian religion as revealed in the Bible, and that when requirements at variance with the letter or spirit of the Christian religion are made of them, a passive, but resolute resistance should be made to such requirements. Of course, if Christians cannot engage in politics or war, Christian teachers may not teach anything of politics or war, except to “Touch not, taste not, handle not,” which are for the destruction of those who use them.
Col. A. A. Anderson’s translation. This position is consistent, and this position will preserve the unity, peace and harmony of the body of Christ, perfect and complete, without division and strife; this position will concentrate the talents, the means, the energies, the affections of the children of the church from the world-power, and will consecrate them all, soul, mind, and body, to the service of God and the upholding, purification and exaltation of the churches. These are questions of vital importance to the church and world. Shall we ignore them? Shall we shrink from a fearless and full investigation of the truth upon these subjects, because, forsooth, some of the conclusions to which we might be driven would not be very popular, and would call upon us to hear somewhat of reproach?
Before the true, well-being of the church and the world may be established in this truth, we have been habituated to consider.
D.L.
Thom Factory, Ga., May 30th, 1866.
Brethren Fanning & Lipscomb—preached here three times; there is a factory, (my post office)—result, two made the good confession and were baptized. To God be all the praise.
God of Babylon bless here.
Your brother in the one hope,
JOSEPH WHEELER.
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SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn., June 12th, 1866.
BROS. FANNING & LIPSCOMB
Your prospectus and paper came duly to my address, (Carter’s Station) and was gladly and gratefully received. My dear brethren, permit me to tell you, after careful examination of the “ADVOCATE,” that I am pleased, exactly pleased with it, especially because it is not partisan, either in politics or religion, but independently and entirely devoted to the spread of the Christian religion and the conversion of the world.
Success to you, brethren, I promise to you a hearty support, as weak and feeble as it may be. I will soon send you a club of ten or twenty. May the Lord crown your efforts with great success.
I have been trying to preach the truth for more than two years. Since last September I have been laboring monthly for the Turkey Town Church, near Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee, with much success. Last fall we had two protracted meetings at this point with glorious results, aided by Elder T. J. Wright, part of the time, and Brother J. H. Scott, who sings and exhorts sweetly. We enlisted thirty-seven soldiers for the army of King Jesus, the major part of whom were among the most prominent citizens of that community.
The brethren are now building a fine brick church house, which we hope will be ready for worship in a short time. This church has a membership of about one hundred and fifty, and prospects flattering. May the Lord help them to season and purify society. For the same length of time specified, we have been serving the church at Hamblin, Carter County, near Johnson’s Depot, Washington County, Tennessee. At our meeting here last fall, we received thirteen additions by confession and baptism, some of whom were the most talented and respectable young men of the country. This is quite a prominent place. The membership of the church is about two hundred and thirty. The brethren here are now raising their large church house, which is about sixty by forty feet. It will be complete in a few days. May the Lord help them abundantly and make them rich in good works.
We have also been laboring regularly for the church at Union, near Johnson’s Depot, Washington County, Tennessee, for three months, with prospects of doing well. The brethren here have a comfortable house. This is a faithful band, numbering about eighty. These three congregations are in a very flourishing condition. I have never witnessed a more loving Christian spirit than they always exhibit. I have never met a congregation with a more cheerful countenance. The brethren are friendly and attend to their meetings regularly, although our numbers are frequently small.
At these points we have had a good deal of public interest. The Christian heart is bound to swell with joy at each of our meetings.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Monthly meetings, in consequence of a crowded house and attentive hearers receiving the good seed. I have never seen the public mind so susceptible to the truth. Men of sense and piety are becoming tired of political and speculative religion, and are panting for pure and unadulterated religion, a religion directed to the inventions of men. May the time come when Christians will be united.
Our fourth monthly appointment is at Poplar Ridge, Sullivan County, at which place I have been laboring also regularly the present year. This church has a pretty large membership, but they have fallen, to some extent, into a “lukewarm state,” caused, perhaps, from an unwarranted anxiety for the things of this world. It is evident that they are becoming stronger. May the Lord help them to place their afflictions upon things eternal, and not upon things of the earth.
To conclude, briefly, my report or letter, I have recently closed a school at Dumbo, of the months’ session.
Brethren, I maintain that now is an important crisis; therefore, let all the servants of Christ work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh in which no man can work.
Fraternally,
W. G. BARKER
P.S. – Can’t you attend our cooperative meeting, called Eastern Tennessee and Virginia Cooperation, which will continue the second Lord’s day in December next, ten miles north of Bristol? We expect some of our Eastern Virginia brethren out at the meeting. Isn’t some of our Middle Tennessee brethren there too?
Yours truly,
W. G. B.
One of the editors of the Advocate will try, the Lord willing, to be with the brethren at their meeting above mentioned.
In considering the above report, we take this occasion to ask the brethren who report their labors, if they consider it an extraordinary triumph for the Gospel, a greater honor to the Christian religion for a talented or wealthy man to hear or obey the Gospel, than for a humble, unlettered, poor man? Is the habit of exhibiting special joy over the conversion of these respected and honored by the world, rather than the poor, characteristic of the spirit?
It is almost a universal practice with our writers to make special mention of the rich and honorable, and to seem to esteem lightly, in comparison, the conversion of the poor. Is this according to the example of the Savior?
D. L.
We have received from brethren of Clarksville, Tenn., one hundred and fifty-two dollars for suffering Christians abroad. Each fellowship for the suffering children of our Father will be remembered on the last day.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
431
FELLOWSHIP
We have received from the congregation at Franklin, Tennessee, $20. We spent the first Lord’s day in June with the brethren of the Second Church in Louisville, Ky. We were delighted with the model Sunday School of children, conducted by Bro. Miller. Where Christians gain influence over the children, such as is there exhibited by these brethren and sisters, the result must be good and lasting. We spoke in the morning to the brethren on the subject of “the Fellowship,” and pointed to them an opening for the exercise of it. The response was most hearty, about one hundred dollars in money provisions and clothing material were contributed and have gone to relieve the pinching hunger and clothing needs of the suffering little ones of the South. Could brethren see the grateful tears spring to the eyes of numerous parents as the writer of this has seen when delivering their gifts of fellowship, they would never give stingily of their substance to relieve the wants of their distressed brethren. The brethren from Todd county, Ky., are sending in freely of their provisions; we will report further when they complete their work. These instances show plainly the willingness of the brethren to aid in liberally when the matter is brought before them and a way opened for bestowing their bounties. Will not our evangelists in the southern section of the country bring these matters before the congregations? They may send direct to brothers Hiram Travis and W. S. Pears, Griffin, Ga., or to McKendree Bros. & Co., Nashville, Tenn., and the gifts will be promptly distributed.
D. L.
P. S. – We should have noticed that Bro. T. P. Halley ministers to the 2d Congregation in Louisville, and the evidence of the good work he is doing is abundant. We intended to have met with the first congregation in the evening, but learned that they had no meeting on that evening.
D. L.
HUNTSVILLE, June 1st, 1866.
Bros. Fanning & Latham: – I received a package of Gospel Advocates some weeks since, and take this method of thanking you for them. I am glad to know that you have survived the convulsions of Caesar’s government, and still able to aid in directing the “old ship.” She needs a skillful pilot. However, upon reflection, I believe that what is necessary is to “stay in the ship,” and observe our orders, and the Great Pilot will lead us through the storm to a safe harbor.
The main thing I set down to say is a word of encouragement to you in reference to your position on missionary matters. I am confident you are right. In vain do we make rules, that resolutions, to twist money out of worldly-minded people. But wherever the cause is enthroned in the affections of the people, they go to work and bring the contributions.
432
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Directly to bear, without giving one half to grease the wheels of some ponderous machinery, to apply the other half. I think I can see an evident change for the better, both in the tone of our papers and in the public feeling. Less sectarianism, more disposition to bear and forbear.
I see your paper does not speak of our religious neighbors, or different names, as enemies of God, but rather seems to say to them, “You are engaged in good work, but you are working under difficult circumstances; you have zeal, but not according to the true measure of knowledge.”
Give me your hand, I will lift you up a step higher, whence you can have a better view. This is right.
Love! love!! love!!! The most powerful principle in the universe. Let it be prominent in our words, private and public, in our looks, in our writing, everywhere, at all times, and the results will be glorious.
Heaven bless you and make you a blessing.
Your Brother
Springfield, Mo., June 16th, 1866.
Brothers Fanning & Lipscomb
It may be interesting to many to know that the church here has revived from the state of death into which it was thrown by the war. I reorganized the church, with sixty members, in December last, and commenced meeting on the 15th ult., which culminated on the 25th, with one hundred additions to the congregation; they by confession and baptism. Many more are expected to become Christians.
F. M. STILTON.
“On Saturday and Lord’s day last, the editor held a meeting at Pope’s Retreat, which resulted in three valuable additions to the cause of God.”
—Herald of Truth.
Will the Herald please inform us what constitutes a valuable addition to the cause of God, and which are valueless? Do the brethren mean the rich, the learned, the fashionable, the respectable, the esteemed, or the opposite, the poor, the unlearned, the humble, the sinning outcast are not valuable? If not, which are the valuable ones, and what the rule for determining, at the time of their conversion, whether or not, they are valuable? Light, brethren, light, is wanted!
D. L.
SPECIAL NOTICE
All communications and remittances of names and money intended for the Gospel Advocate, or for David Lipscomb, should be directed to Nashville, Tenn. All letters and communications for T. Fanning personally, will be directed to him at Franklin College. The sending of this notice to correspondents will be considered as a special week. Will correspondents please note this?
D. L.