THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Editors: T. Fanning, D. Lipscomb
Vol. VIII.
Nashville, March 20, 1866.
Number 12.
SOCIAL PRAYER AND THE FRUITLESSNESS OF THE OLD CHRISTIANS
The third kind of prayer which I shall name is social prayer. Our Savior says: “Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. xviii: 19-20).
In Acts, 12th chapter, we have an account of the imprisonment of Peter by Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great. He was nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Immerser, and brother to Herodias, who was made king by Caligula, and was put in possession of all the territories formerly held by his uncle Philip, and Lysanias. To these, the Emperor Claudius afterward added Judea and Samaria, which were nearly all the dominions possessed by his grandfather, Herod the Great.
See Luke iii: 1. Matt. xi: 1. In this 12th chapter the mother church at Jerusalem is said to have made fervent, earnest, and persevering prayer for Peter’s deliverance. The prayer was answered, and he was delivered miraculously. It is said many were gathered together praying at the house of Mary in the night; (verse 12). These and other passages show that the ancient Christians associated together for prayer—that where persons intercede for others, there the belief has more or less prevailed, that a plurality of persons is more efficacious with God than simple unity. Every Christian congregation ought to meet for social worship, at least once a week, besides the Lord’s Day, to cultivate the Christian virtues, and to exercise the gifts of the members of the church. Every young man member ought to be encouraged and put to work, as long as he obeys the Gospel, and not get on by saying “Excuse me if you please.” These social prayer-meetings are intended to call forth the gifts of the members.
There should always be one specified…
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object for the prayer-meeting, such as Peter’s deliverance, the peace and happiness of the church, the recovery of some member from sickness, Peter’s prayer for the resurrection of Tabitha, Christ’s for Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter, and for nations. “Behold, he prays,” was characteristic of the Apostle Paul, and the same exclamation is the most comprehensive characteristic of the primitive Christians, and should be of the modern. The primitive Christians were preeminently men of prayer, and so should we be. They “prayed always with all prayer and supplication.” They prayed three times a day, at nine, at twelve, and at three o’clock in the afternoon, according to the Jewish custom. They especially began the day with prayer.
They religiously sought the blessing of God at their meals, and gave thanks at the close of them for blessings received. The refreshments provided for the soul must precede those of the body, “the Heavenly before the earthly,” says Tertullian. The old Christians were accustomed then to begin and end their customary occupations with silent or audible prayer. The various agricultural pursuits, sowing, reaping, harvesting, were begun and concluded with prayer; so laying the foundation of a house, or beginning to occupy it, or parting with a friend, as Paul knelt down on the seashore and prayed when parting from his brethren. (Acts 21).
They prayed for their persecuted brother Matthew, and their persecutors and enemies, and for their rulers. (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Though we ought to appoint special seasons of prayer, the advanced Christian, all his life long, strives by prayer to find himself closer to God. We should weary heaven with the importunity of our prayers, and reach the ear of God. When we travel we should never leave our room in the morning without prayer. “Prayer and Providence are no disadvantage in traveling,” says an old proverb. What is a more amiable and lovely sight than to set the whole family devoted to God, the husband and wife, and the children like olive plants around the table.
Some years ago when my children were small, I happened out on a preaching tour, and I stayed about twelve miles from home, and started early next morning to return home by breakfast. When I arrived in sight of my house, I saw no one stirring, and the thought struck me there were sick. I tied my horse and hastened to open the door, to see what was the matter. I found my wife and children on their knees praying. My children were then small; I was greatly relieved and delighted. God will turn every event to the advantage of anyone who delights in prayer, and works anything together for his good. There are conditions in prayer as in every living thing. The first condition is faith. Our Savior says, “Whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing we shall receive it, it shall be granted.” Again he says, “Do you believe I am able to do this? Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith is the first letter in the religious alphabet. Another condition of prayer is forgiveness of those who have injured us.
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“When you stand praying, forgive and you shall be forgiven; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.” See the parable of the unforgiving servant. Matt. 18. Forgive us our sins or debts as we forgive our debtors. Repentance is another condition in prayer. God requires us to turn from all our sins and evil courses, and turn to Him with all our hearts before He will bless us. Humility is another condition. It was a maxim with our Savior that he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. “Before honor is humility,” says Solomon. Frequency, fervency, and earnestness are conditions of prayer. God grants the wicked their prayers, at once, to get clear of them; but being delighted with the prayers of His children, He withholds the blessing they pray for, that they may importune Him. See the parable of the unjust judge and the widow. Luke xviii: 1-8. Prayer must be accompanied with the confession of our sins. All the good men in the Bible, Patriarchs, Jews, and Christians, confessed their sins. Abraham, God’s friend, said he was but dust and ashes. Jacob said he was unworthy of the least of all God’s mercies. Job confessed his sins. David and many others said, “I have sinned and done foolishly.” Solomon confessed his sins. The prophets all confessed their sins. The Jews confessed their sins to John, the Immerser, before their baptism. The Prodigal said, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven.” If Christians confess their sins, God “is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, for the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, cleanses us from all sin.” There are objections made to prayer by infidels, but they are not worth attending to. The fourth kind of prayer is public prayer, which was made by Patriarchs, Jews, and Christians, and accompanied with fasting, in the case of David, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Hezekiah, Josiah, and many others. Our Savior, Moses, Elijah, and many others fasted and prayed. Jesus said demons were cast out by fasting and prayer.
J. C. Will Bro. J. C. tell us how and when God grants the wicked their prayers?
D. L.
HOW SHALL WE LIVE?
It is highly important that we take a bold and uncompromising stand against the evil practices of the world, and the worldly notions and practices of lukewarm members of the Church of Christ. The practical idea that some professors have is that they can come into the church without denying themselves of all ungodliness, worldly lust, etc. Truly, such sin simply makes a compromise with the things of the flesh, the world, and the devil. The question very naturally arises in our minds, what is the cause of this? There must be a reason why such a state of things exists in many congregations. Is it because the preachers are wanting in boldness? Are…
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they afraid of hurting the feelings of a member who has a worldly mind, but kind of good sort of a man, who goes to meeting every Lord’s day with his fashionable family, gives all that he can on him? We think we have observed a little of this kind of yielding to such. We must be very cautious to say nothing to hurt this brother’s or that sister’s feelings. Why? Because their sons and daughters are highly educated and accomplished, and are members of the church. They went to the hall on Christmas, and they play cards for amusement, and engage in all the amusements with their associates. It will not do to say anything about such practices just now, for we want their influence. We must drive them off; how much influence will such members have in making Christians? None at all. If any come in by their example they are simply of a sort. All rotten, unsound. Will a preacher who has imbibed the principles of the Master, yield to such? I hold the opinion that we have not preached to people, that in order to deny themselves, and take up the cross and follow Jesus, they must positively lay aside all that is worldly and unholy in it. Because “no man can serve two masters.”
We should not preach to obtain numbers, but pure men and women in the church of God. Yielding any practical principle will not do it. Nothing but hearing the Lord in his word, purging his church, will do this. We must meet the pernicious and diabolical practices, without the fear or the loss of popularity or anything else.
What influence has a member of the church over a man of the world who takes him by the arm when he comes into his store, or shop, or house, and says, “Come, my good fellow, let’s go around the corner and take a holt. Come and go with me to the hall-room, billiard-saloon, alley; if you don’t care about going to any of these places I have named, let us go to the restaurant, and take a bottle of beer. I want you to enjoy yourself while you are here with me.” Perhaps one of his brethren calls on him; he takes the same kind of a proposition. If he objects, his brother says, “Oh, there is no harm in this thing; I always feel like enjoying myself; and the elders of our church here are not disposed to say anything to me, for the heads of families here who are members of the church do not think there is any harm in such things.” I tell you if they were called to account, it would break up the church. For more are in favor of these practices than against them. It is hard to say much. Let us go. What if a preacher visits such a church? Would he be conducted with the great practical, living principles of our holy religion? He dwells upon the necessity of separating themselves from every fleshly practice, dishonorable dealings, covetousness, the uncleanliness of every grade, evil speaking, hatred, etc., which are dragging them down to darkness and despair.
What would such say? Ah, we do not want to hear such a man, he is…
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Old fogy. Rev. D., who preaches for us, says these things are simply matters of conscience, and we are delighted with him—he never crosses our path, and we are perfectly delighted with him.
Brethren, have you not seen and heard such things? How many will be actually converted, in mind, heart, and life to God, by such preaching? We are to prove to the world our love to God by keeping His commandments. This is the love of God, and by keeping them, our neighbor and all with whom we associate, see in us good works, and are thereby constrained to turn to the Lord. Shall we not turn our backs upon all their worldly, fleshly practices? Let us then arm ourselves for the conflict. It is upon us. Now is the time that the pure and holy religion should exhibit itself in our every act. When heaven-born truth authorizes the possession of our minds and heart, our eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, hands, feet, yea, then, the whole man beams forth in living light, the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Has his eyes look around and see an object of pity, his eyes hear the cry for mercy and help, his mouth speaks comfort and consolation, his feet carry him to the spot, and his hands open to supply his wants. The loaf of bread, the cup of water, the warm clothing, all flow from a heart overflowing with the love of Heaven. This is pure and undefiled religion before God. By being actively engaged in this way only, can we keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
Some professors, when they hear that there is a sister or brother that needs a helping hand, make some excuse to remain at home on Lord’s day. “I feel so ill I don’t think I can go to meeting today. Will you take the children and go?” “No, husband, if you are not able to go, I will stay at home with you.” Next day comes, the clouds are lowering, the lightning shoots in fiery glare toward the heavens, and the thunder peals shakes the earth to its center, all is unpropitious. Behold, how changed the man, an excuse is heard, but the order is given, “Wife, I will want an early breakfast. Hurry up, it is court day, and Mr. N. told me if I would meet him in town at 11 o’clock, he would pay me even.” “Why, husband, it is too unlikely. I would not go today.” “It will not hurt me. I feel well. I can wrap up and not get wet, it is only two miles.” We use greater energy to violate the things of this life than the life to come.
Perhaps the money on that day will never soothe or alleviate the sorrows, nor sow the seed of the kingdom, through his hands, for the benefit of one human being. Brother, are you guilty of the above-named acts? If you are, plead not to God for forgiveness until you repent and weep bitterly over your past conduct. God does not regard the prayer of the hypocrite. But he that does his will, God heareth or accepteth.
Let us not go to the house of God merely to hear a discourse, or break bread, but to see the children of God, and hear what we can do, or inquire for the health or peace of any brother or sister that is absent. Are any sick? Let us visit them. Do any need bread, or wool,
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ut clothing? Let us supply them. By doing the things commanded us, an abundant entrance shall be ministered to us into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— J. A. S.
The following was written by Brother F. M. C. (Crawford), who now rests from his labors, but who lived and spoke as few men of earth can or could speak, and although it was given to the public in 1657, we consider it a privilege to insert it in our paper for 1866:
JESUS WEPT!
How significant that short, sweet expression, “Jesus wept!” How expressive of that pure, disinterested sympathy which our Lord Jesus Christ ever felt for the woes of suffering humanity! He wept at the grave of Lazarus; wherefore did he weep? Was it the same anguish which makes the bitter tear of sorrow over the grave of our dead? Was it that Lazarus, as Martha supposed, was sleeping to wake no more till the Resurrection morn? Nay, he knew he had power to awaken him from his dreamless slumbers, for he came to “awaken him out of sleep.” Why, then, did he weep?
He wept on account of the woe which sin had entailed upon a fallen world. “Dying thou shalt die,” was the penalty connected with the first law given by God to man; and the transgression of that law planted death in human nature, and the seeds of suffering and death. Our Savior was brought in contact with the consequences of the curse upon humanity, from which he came to redeem it. Lazarus lay beneath the stone, cold and dead, and his affectionate sisters, with numerous friends, were sorrowing for his loss. These millions of poor mortality touched his benevolent heart, and “Jesus wept.”
How touchingly sublime must have been the spectacle, when the Son of God—the heir, not only of the sceptre of Judea, but of the universe—wept at the sight of human woe! In this impressive scene we have an exemplification of our Savior’s two-fold nature—his divinity and his humanity—”God manifested in the flesh.” As man he wept. As man—”the man of sorrow”—subject to all the ills to which humanity is heir, he wept as he contemplated the sorrows and afflictions of earth; but as God he spoke, and by the word of his power the seal of death was broken, and Lazarus arose.
How worthy of our highest admiration is the character of the benefactor of sinners manifested in this one among many acts of benevolence! How well adapted to the great purpose of his mission in earth—human salvation or a lost world! In the scene we are contemplating he showed, first, that he possessed a heart overflowing with the purest, deepest benevolence, and, secondly, that he possessed power to put in execution the dictates of that benevolence. He is indeed a merciful High Priest, and can be “touched with a feeling of our infirmities.”
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that sinners could be brought to look at him in his true character—to realize that “He is the fairest among ten thousand and altogether lovely;” for thus, methinks, they would become ashamed of their infidelity, and constrained to ground their arms of their rebellion against the government of the personal reign. Why need any be lost? Why need any of our friends and fellow-citizens live out of Christ—out of “heavenly places”—the subjects of Satan’s empire and co-heirs with him of death and hell? And there not been ample provision made in the covenant of grace? Yes, enough! The plan of human redemption is complete, and thoroughly adequate to the accomplishment of His glorious mission, for infinite wisdom shaped the wondrous design, and almighty power executed it. Why then, O sinful man, art thou not saved? All heaven is interested in your salvation; and the very resources of heaven are at your command. “Look unto me,” saith He, “all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved.” Angels strike their golden harps and sing anthems of joy in the heavens, whenever a poor, wandering prodigal returns to his Father’s house; and the same Jesus who loved Martha, and Mary, and Lazarus, will love the race of man, and offer them life and salvation through the Gospel.
F. A. C.
OUR SAVIOR
The study of the New Testament cannot fail to have a good influence on the young. The object of this book is to give a history of Christ, and to instruct his followers. It teaches them how to become Christians, and how to live as such. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John relate one story. They all tell that the Savior came to earth, and devoted years to the relief of suffering humanity. They speak of him as going about doing good, healing the sick with affection and tenderness, and the blind being restored to their sight.
He spoke to the lame man, and he leaped at the heart, and the God who looked in pity on him. He touched the sightless eyes. “O, how glorious and beautiful,” burst from the lips of the child of the widow.
The Savior enters the chamber of death. Flowers are strewn over her body, sweet perfumes are breathing round, but she heeds them no more. The eye has lost its brightness, the voice has lost its music. There are hearts beating with anguish, but she keeps not. The Savior enters the chamber of…
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mourning. He stands in silent majesty, and with the compassion of a
God He says, “Maidens arise.” At His bidding the mourners from the slum-
ber that had bound her. Can we not imagine that scene, and be thankful
for the love that was touched by the sorrow of the broken-hearted?
The sole object of God upon earth was the soul of man. His own com-
fort He considered not, but thought only of blessing the needy sons and
daughters of earth. He spent nights in prayer to His Father, and is now
prayer allowed, and rendered more sacred duty to us, by His feeling of
the need of it. Can youth read a history so
disinterested?
Without being elevated and improved—without receiving impressions
that will tend to the formation of noble character? The heart must be
hard that is not touched by love like His, and cannot bow in
obedience to His commands. We have mentioned only a few instances of His
benevolence. John says, “that if all were written he supposed that the
world would not contain the books.”
When young persons acquire an earnest
love for reading the Scriptures, they become wiser, and better. In them they find the knowledge of sal-
vation by the remission of sin, and can attain to a blissful immortality by
conforming their lives to the precepts of the Savior. That they may
drink of the waters of life and live forever is the
prayer of
A SISTER.
PADUCAH, KY., Feb. 28, 1906.
Bro. Fanning & Linscomb
—Having seen a request for the report of
the laborers of Evangelists, (in a number of “THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE,”) I
conclude to propose a synopsis of my labor for the Master during 1903-
1906, confined mostly to Tennessee and West Kentucky.
In 1903 I traveled 3,000 miles, delivered 213 discourses, immersed 180
persons, organized two congregations, and to some extent, revived
congregations, and received $250.
In order to support
my family, I was compelled to teach for three and a half months, for
which I received $200.
In 1904, I traveled 2,160 miles, delivered 224
sermons, immersed 120 persons, organized two congregations, sat
in order six congregations that were in a ruined condition, almost dead,
brought on by the insatiating and blighting influence of politics. Be-
sides, I held public debates in Princeton, Ky., with a minister of the
A. E. Church. The subjects discussed involved the battle between
the “Decrees and the Discipline of the A. E. Church,” and the
Apostles’ doctrine of the Son of God, as we conceive. The discussion con-
tinued day and evening, the hours per day being 2 hours. My
compensation this year was “food and raiment,” amounting to $200.
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1865. This year my labor has been confined, for the most part, to the congregation at Paducah. I traveled 100 miles, delivered 93 discourses, and added to the church here and elsewhere, 24 persons, received by way of compensation a support worth $1,500. The character of my preaching in the main has been practical, endeavoring to teach, warn and exhort the brethren to moderation, compassion, and a true exhibition of the spirit of the adorable Redeemer, insisting upon the principle, the supremacy of the Word of God, and the paramount importance of obeying God rather than man, and the necessity of crushing the antagonisms that were rendered desperate, wild and ruinous by the deluding hand of sin.
These questions were kept before my own heart, whether the spirit of Christianity is a spirit of war or peace? Has a Christian license to do anything that will grieve the spirit of the religion of Jesus? I have felt, thus settled, that I taught. It has been said that a pebble dropped into one ocean will displace every particle of water in the divisions of the great reservoir of earth. Whether this holds true in dropping truth into the stormy and maddening sea of life, only God knows.
But I do know that Paul’s planting and Apollos’ watering is useless, till God gives the increase thereto. During the year 1865, my afflictions have been grievous. Very near the dark waters of death have I been, but the Lord, who is full of pity, has compassioned me and lifted me up. I grew sick on the 4th of July, 1865, and continued to lie in bed for three months, and up to this writing I am an invalid, a continued one I fear.
I have recorded my unshaken confidence in the word of the Living God, and derive much comfort from the instructions of James, an apostle of Jesus the Christ, the efficacy and power of which are to me very precious, “Is any one among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil, in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins they will be forgiven him.” Experience now constrains me to attribute my recovery to the compassion of a merciful God, the prayers of the people of my brother in the real, the unremitting care and attention of my brethren and sisters, the skill and unremitting attention of my physician, the devotion and solicitous nursing of an affectionate companion.
I still remember with these “lovers of good men” for the soul of humanity, and the extension of the influence of Christianity—holding as a permanent truth, the supremacy of the law of Christ, and the importance of doing the commandments, in order to a right to enter through the gate into the city of the Living God, and the place of enjoying the fruit of life eternal.
JO. T. BROWN
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
A DIFFICULTY
Franklin, Tenn., March 1st, 1866.
Bro. Lipscomb: The Bible class of our congregation, which meets every Tuesday evening for the purpose of investigation and learning our duty as Christians, have had under consideration the beautiful (but apparently difficult to be understood) “Epistle of Paul to the Romans.” The ninth chapter, being the last one under consideration, contains verse 3d, these words, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Which language implies that he could wish himself separated from Christ, or in other words, cast off both here and hereafter, for the sake of his brethren. By reference to the original, I find the Greek proposition “apo,” which in the above passage, is translated “from.” The same word, in other places, translates at, to, towards, and with. Now, should not that message read with, instead of from? So that it would then read, “I could wish myself accursed with Christ, for my brethren,” showing his love for them in that he could, or would be willing to suffer with Christ or like him, the accursed shame or death on the Cross, if by that means they could be saved. Not being familiar with the Greek language, I ask this question for the benefit of our class, and the information of the brethren generally, since no commentary I have read on this subject has given me any satisfaction.
Your brother in the Lord,
J. L. P.
The difficulty proposed by our brother is one that frequently presents itself to the mind of the Bible student. The solution of it by a different translation of the particle “apo,” we think the lexicons and the context will amply justify. We have seen no translator that gave the different translation of this particle in the connection under consideration from that in the common version. The difficulty, we think, arises from making the Apostle say more than he really did. He has been arguing that the Gentiles were admitted into the Church of God on an equal footing with the Jew—he has been seemingly neglecting the Jew to preach to the Gentile. He felt that he was the apostle of the Gentiles. Under such circumstances, the strong feeling of Jewish exclusiveness was aroused against him. They were disposed to charge him with deserting the Jews and becoming their enemy. He here simply intends to express his ancient attachment to the people of God, the people of his kindred. With that deep and earnest intensity of feeling that always characterizes his style, he expresses his affection for them in strong language. Yet he does not wish himself accursed from Christ. But, “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” That is my love for them is so great, so intense, being actuated by it.
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SECTIONALISM
Can Christianity be sectional? Can it be partisan? Can it be national? Surely no one will contend for a moment that it can. It must be cosmopolitan, universal; it knows no sections, parties, or nationalities. Its true mission is to break down all principles, prejudices, and institutions that divide and separate men, that engender these invidious distinctions of race, section, or nation, but unites them in one brotherhood, known to be distinct from all these institutions, especially of a religious character, that engender variance, hate, and strife.
We have just as much sympathy for a religious sectionalism North as we have for one South. All these religious organizations in either section of the country, by whatever name known, that have been and are striving to engender and excite animosity and hatred, are guilty of treason against Christ, who prayed that his followers might be one as he and his Father are one.
The mission of the church then should be to unite all the South and all the North in one great brotherhood of love. The church should ever stand as the sanctuary of peace and rest to the frail denizens of earth, wearied with the perpetual strife and ever-varying, but never-ending, conflict of life.
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Whosoever throws the branches of discord into this sacred temple of God, destroys its character, its peace, its efficiency for good, and corrupts its temple and spirit, and renders it a curse rather than a blessing to humanity. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:17.
“THE UNION MOVEMENT IN VIRGINIA”
Henrico, Va., March 4th, 1866.
Dear Bro. Fanning:—The convention to consider the propriety and practicability of a union ecclesiastically between the Baptists and Disciples of Virginia will meet in this city on the 24th of April next. The movement contemplated is the result from which representatives are to be selected, Virginia alone, but Virginia as it was in the antebellum times to territorial extent. There will be sixteen delegates on a title. We will meet, I presume, with closer doors, and hold a friendly conference or talk, and not a discussion in its received sense. The men selected will command the confidence and esteem of their respective districts. They are men of talents and piety, and fully appreciate the serious, solemn, momentous business to be brought before them. They will thoughtfully, fraternally, and prayerfully consider, in all its bearing, the question of union, and will recommend it, if it can be accomplished upon a true scriptural basis. But, should they decide after a full interchange of thought, that it is best, at present, for each church to maintain its distinct organization, they will try and so conduct the conference that no increased alienation will grow out of it.
I am pleased to notice that you editors, considerately and wisely, in your allusions to the move, preserve a profound respect as to the terms.
Truly, your brother,
W. H. HOPSON.
It is our fervent prayer to God that the interview at Richmond may be instrumental in a union amongst all the true servants of Jesus Christ—of earth. How we should rejoice to attend a general meeting of God, laying the principles upon which all the disciples of Jesus Christ must secure or inter unite.
T. FANNING.
“If he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
“Let us not deceive ourselves with the idea that we love God when we fail to love our brethren. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” — John.
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HELP ASKED WHERE NEEDED
Our very kind sister, Mrs. N. T., of Russellville, Ala., writes that the meeting house in that place was well-nigh destroyed during the war, and asks for help to repair it. We not only feel interest in the disciples in that vicinity, but we are disposed to urge such help as alone, to give others encouragement to aid in the good work. If there are not brethren to undertake the work, we would suggest the propriety of Sisters Anderson, Trouble, and others to form themselves into a working Christian committee to put the house in order. In executing this work well, they will likely make some valuable discoveries touching the proper organization of the “spiritual house” that shall occupy the wooden house.
—T. F.
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 29th, 1861.
Eld. Lascott— I promised you a contribution, and here it is; if the length, use only the cover. Ever since the first number of the Advocate came out, I have been trying to think of some way to furnish it with a hymn. You remember the little flag of gold? Well, I have concluded to lend it to the Lord, so I have today used it in purchasing materials to make a covering for our poor friend, “THE ADVOCATE.” I stated it by express, and hope you will receive it in time for next week’s number. I expect to derive more pleasure from seeing our paper with a neat cover on it than I ever did from looking at the gold. Perhaps by the time its spring material is exhausted, some old little bag of gold which lies about may be found to buy a summer dress. “We can prefer it so much nicer with a cover and then any bit of pride it will look better going among its friends.”
—A. Friend.
The Advocate feels truly grateful for this offering from the kind hand of “A Friend.” It finds that it would make a better appearance in a neat dress, such as has been sent it. In the beginning of our weekly visits, it felt rather ashamed of its naked appearance, but during that its mission was only one of love and good-will to them, it soon got its unseemly appearance in its capacity to benefit and save souls. In its visits, it found so many that welcomed it, and spared their pinch of necessity, for its visits did not only almost make it itself, but were now so sensitive to the chilling blasts of the winter breezes, and the gnawings of hunger, it had become almost reconciled to or more forgetful of its own nakedness.
The Advocate, too, is humble and understanding in its disposition. It does not desire to dress better than those with whom it associates, especially if its comely and warm dress on a cold, chilly day, should make the anxious mother whom it visits think of the unseemly contrast between warm and comely appearance and the patched and tattered garments and delivering lumps of leavened material.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Bright and sunny days of spring are coming to relieve the anxious hearts, and cheer the care-worn brows of so many mothers, weary with toil to clothe, through the long winter, their families of helpless children. So, too, the ADVOCATE, in true sympathy with them, may accept the gift, and appear in a more cheerful and comely dress. It does it the more readily and the more thankfully, because it knows well that the same hand that administers to its wants is never closed to the wants of its friends—our own. So soon then as the dress can be fitted and prepared, the ADVOCATE will don its dress, and try to prove its thankfulness and appreciation by striving to do more good and be more useful in the future.
GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Corinth, Miss., Feb. 20th, 1866.
Our zealous sister, D. M. Priest, writes:
Dear Brother Fanning:
After so long an interjection of correspondence, allow me to express my great satisfaction in the privilege of again addressing you.
I observed a notice in the “Christian Advocate” (Methodist) of the 19th of January, of the resumption of the publication of the “GOSPEL ADVOCATE” by yourself and Brother Lipscomb. I saw it only yesterday, and at my earliest opportunity I write for it. I found the absence of it one of the most annoying privations of the troublous times past, more especially as we have no preaching among the brotherhood at all, and have had none since the war began. It is mournful to think that not one sermon, setting forth Christianity as it is, has yet been preached in the vicinity of Corinth. I met lately with old Brother William Anderson, one of your old acquaintances, who told me he had been preaching twenty-five or thirty miles from home, but it is beyond my reach.
Mr. Neander, the most faithful of the historians of the early church, says during the first three centuries after the establishment of Christianity, “Those who attended the combats of gladiators and of wild beasts, according to the principle which the church established, were excommunicated. It was no uncommon mark by which a Christian was distinguished, that he wholly withdrew from the theatres.” Page 162.
“On the anniversaries of the Emperor’s accession, or on some rejoicing for a victory, when every place wore a festive appearance, the Christians withdrew back into their deep-seated sensibilities, which appeared to them, compared with his own hands of careless time and sensual enjoyment of the moment, a meaner burden of the world. They would take no part in wild and unreasonable pleasures.” Page 162.
Such behavior and circumspection God’s law regarded of Christianity where it was first given. We know of no change since its requirements!
D. L.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
191
ERRATA
In the 11th number there are several very ugly blunders. Mr. Creath’s name is spelled so that he could never recognize it. In the body of his article on prayer, in speaking of the fidelity of Christian women in the early days of the church, he is made to say the heathen exclaim, “What views these Christians have!” It should have said, “What views have these Christians!” Several of the proper names in his article are so mutilated and changed they could not be recognized. In our article on “Church of Christ and World-Powers,” errors equally as uncomely were more frequently played by the types. Regarded, is put for disregarded, prestige for heritage. Several words left out change the meaning of the sentences or leave them without meaning. The punctuation marks are scattered promiscuously through the article without regard to sense or count. In other articles there are typographical errors. These things mostly occur because we know they do our contributors and readers.
Our apology for it is that the undersigned was sick and unable to read the proof. It is almost impossible to get a person that is not in the habit of attending to these things constantly, to give it the attention needed to correct such errors. We hope to be able to avoid them for the future.
D. J.
HARTSVILLE, March 3d, 1881.
BROTHER FARMING & LINGCOMB
Your request to explain our report of congregational action in reference to its organization, I feel free to respond to. The expression, “as now told elder and deacons,” used in my letter in No. 7 of Gospel Advocate, is unfortunate, and has carried to your mind an impression not intended. Perhaps a simple statement of facts and our customs will explain best what I mean. The church at this place was planted long ago, and all its members have, in good degree, been laboring to the best of their ability. Many good brethren have visited our vineyard, and failed not to recommend to the laborers such exercises and training as have developed their powers and talents; hence our success, influence, and the efficiency of the congregation.
We seek to do nothing without scriptural authority. We believe the term elder to be the comparative of the word old, and implicates qualification, and that only. Bishops and overseers are, or should be, men of age, trial, wisdom, goodness—brought up and fostered by the mutual instruction of the congregation. Thus growing in grace and knowledge, they become material and proper workmanship for the service of the church.
Those brethren thus fitted and prepared for the Master’s work, are elected or selected by the church, placed before the evangelist, the evangelist prays, lays hands on them, and thus are set apart or consecrated to the work. The election by the church, the fasting, the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The laying on of hands, are proper and right, yet it is the qualification alone that gives the competency to fill the station or do the work of Bishop or Elder. Brethren who give evidence of the proper and required qualifications are the persons the Holy Spirit sanctified to be set or appointed to the work.
Bro. Stalling, this, I trust, will be satisfactory. There is nothing more involved in the discussion objected to, than the above; if the views are correct, all is well; if not, I desire to be set right. I have no “loose” in which “principals” are meant, the terms “Bishop,” “Elder,” and “Deacon,” are not proper, and convey an idea foreign to that intended in the Scriptures.
Am I now understood? Hoping you every blessing, remain, yours fraternally,
THOMAS STALLING.
PROSPECTUS OF VOLUME VII. OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
The undersigned propose resuming the publication of “The Gospel Advocate,” as a weekly journal, January 1st, 1866.
Our purpose is to maintain the rights of Jesus Christ to rule the world, the supremacy of the Sacred Scriptures in all matters, spiritual, and to contribute an investigation of every subject connected with the Church or Christianity, which we may consider of practical interest. The Kingdom of God is a real, permanent institution, “The pillar and support of the Truth,” of which a proper appreciation is essential to the welfare of the world and the happiness of man; its origin, organization, history, labor and mission; its relation to worldly powers, civil, military and religious, and its final triumph, will occupy much of our attention. The education 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
- $2.00 for Single Subscribers.
- $1.50 for Five Subscribers.
- $1.00 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 sums of $10 and under, in registered letters by mail at our risk, but all sums over $10, by express, or in checks or post office drafts.
Direct all communications for the Advocate to
T. FANNING, D. LIPSCOMB, Editors & Publishers, Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tenn.