THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. FANNING,
Editor.
J. D. LIPSCOMB.
VOL. VIII.
NASHVILLE, OCTOBER 9, 1866.
NUMBER 41.
REASONS FOR LEAVING THE DISCIPLES
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky., Sept. 8th, 1866.
Dear Brother Fanning:—Your kind note of the 4th inst. is at hand. Am I to understand by it that I am invited to make a statement of the reasons for my withdrawal from my former religious associates, for publication in your paper? If so, I thank you heartily for the offer, and will, as clearly and briefly as I can, proceed to do so.
Let me first state that I was brought up by unbleaching parents, and without sectarian bias. I had read the New Testament without note or comment, and without a human teacher. I heard H. T. Anderson was baptized and believed I had found a position upon which all the children of God could unite, and felt that while I believed I was saved, with a full, uneternal salvation—that I had “a title clear to mansions in the skies,” and I was at peace. But I was soon taught that I was saved only from my “old sins,” 2d Peter i: 9, and that my eternal safety or salvation depended upon my works, Col. ii: 12, and so from that time until some eighteen months since, I was seeking “a title clear”—had no settled peace, but transient intervals of enjoyment alternating with protracted seasons of doubt, darkness, and almost despair. I never doubted that Jesus Christ is the Son of God—the Savior of sinners, but I doubted whether I was a child of God—a saved person. Nor did I doubt all this time, nearly twenty-six years, that Mr. Campbell and his co-workers had restored a correct theory of Christianity. In the summer of 1866, I read…
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some tracts and works upon prophecy, and as my habit was, compared the views taught therein with the word of God. The new truth I received from these writings was that the world is not to be converted by the preaching of the Gospel, but that “you, at the first, did visit the Gentiles to take out a people for His name.” Acts xv: 14. The next was that the pope or papal power is not the last anti-Christ, but that he is anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son.” 1 John ii: 22. This the Pope has not done. I saw that this person would be destroyed “with the brightness of His (the Lord’s) coming.” 2 Thess. ii: 8. Hence His coming must precede what is called the Millennium. That this coming was “the one hope” set before the believer. 2 Thess. iii: 13 to 15. That His coming would be preceded by an awful state of things in the world and in the professing church. 2 Tim. iii: 1, 2 and 4th chapters.
That the believer is commanded to “take heed” to “the sure word of prophecy.” 2 Peter 1st, 19 but that 2 chapters, 2nd and 3rd verses. This I began to do, encouraged by the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” James 1: 5, and “The wise shall understand.” Dan. x: 10. As these truths, one by one, dawned upon my mind, the conviction was forced upon me that I had not restored the “one hope.” About this time I read in Lard’s quarterly an article upon the baptism of the Holy Ghost, in which it was intimated there was more taught in the New Testament, as to that baptism, than was held by “the disciples,” and the writer gave me an exhortation “to search the Scriptures.”
This began to run, and after some time I saw clearly that I, for one, was in profound ignorance as to the office and operations of the Holy Spirit. Even the fundamental truth, “Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God;” was a mystery to me. I did not discern the existence or the normality of the Holy Spirit; but I had no knowledge of His peculiar work in this dispensation. In time I saw that the Spirit was sent to “convince of sin,” John xvi: 8 – That He does this by the word, James 1: 18 – That the unhealed is counted “dead,” without life (spiritual life) till he is quickened by the Spirit of God, Eph. ii: 1 and 5 – After he is quickened, or has life, is a son, the Spirit is given him, “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts,” Gal. iv: 6 – That this Spirit is a present teacher, comforter, John xiv: 26 – Witness, John xv: 26 – Guide, John xvi: 13, in the hearts of believers – That His special office then is to glorify Christ – to show His glory to the believer or disciple, John xvi: 14 – That there was no church or body of Christ until He was sent. There were saved persons, but no church or body – That He baptized or formed the church “into one body,” 1 Cor. xii: 13, uniting the members to their Head and to one another, Eph. i: 22 – That by this Spirit the believer is anointed and sealed, 2 Cor. i: 21 – That He dwells in the believer, 1 Cor. iii: 17, and in the church, Eph. ii: 22 – That the 12th and 14th chapters of 1 Cor. establish His authority to
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the church now, as clearly as in the days of Paul, though many of His gifts have been withdrawn—That no one has a right to speak, teach, exhort, pray, sing, give thanks or read in the assembly of the saints except as he is “led” to do so by the Spirit—That His gifts were intended for the edification of the body, and that He is as certainly present where “two or three,” or two or three thousand “are gathered in the name of Christ,” to guide and direct those who look to Him, as my spirit is present in my body, guiding my pen at this instant. That to deny His presence, not to wait for Him to direct the members of the body what to say and do, is sin. And when I was “settled,” “established” in the truth, I was constrained to withdraw from “the disciples.”
Since I withdrew, I have been taught to rejoice in the knowledge of my “election of God,” 1 Thes. 1: 4, for the Gospel has come to me not in “word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance,” 1 Thes. 1: 5, to wait for His Son from Heaven, who has delivered me from the wrath to come, 1 Thes. 1: 10. Yes, I have been taught by the Holy Ghost to rejoice in the fact that I was predestinated to the adoption of a child by Jesus Christ, chosen by Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blame before Him (God) in love, Eph. 1: 4-5, and the Spirit teaches me to pray, that being thus chosen, elected, predestinated, called, saved, redeemed, adopted, loved, I may be strengthened to walk worthy of my calling, and not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby I am sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 4: 30.
To enumerate all the truths I have learned since I have depended upon this Divine Teacher, would fill a volume. I will mention two others which have cleared perplexion and thrown a flood of light upon many things that used to be obscure and perplexing. The first is the difference between the Gospel committed to the twelve, and that committed to Paul, or the peculiar calling of the church, which he speaks of as a mystery “in other ages not made known unto the sons of men,” Eph. 3: 5, which even was unknown to the other apostles until he “went up by revelation and communicated unto them” “fourteen years after” his conversion. Gal. 2: 1 and 2. This was unknown even to Peter, though he was chosen to open the door of faith to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews, Acts 2 and 10 chapters, until Paul communicated it to him.
The other is, that the church is not the kingdom, though in the kingdom. Col. 1: 13. A time will come when He (Christ) will deliver up the kingdom to the Father—”when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power, for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor. 15: 24 and 25. But the church is never so spoken of. No. It is the bride of Christ and reigns with Him on the earth. Rev. 2: 26 and 27, 5: 10. Though it is always true that the bride, the church, is subject to her Lord. Eph. 5: 22. The church is a unit, Eph. 4: 4, though composed of many mem-
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bers, and these members are united to the head by a link no man, no power can break. Eph. v: 23, Rom. viii: 38 and 39. Her’s is a Heavenly calling. Heb. iii: 1. The Jews are God’s earthly people and are not cast out; but when the church, the body is completed, “There shall come out of Sion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob,” for they are beloved for the Father’s sake, for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Rom. xi: 26 to 29. Then will be “made Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isa. lx: 7. “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.” Isa. lx: 12. For He cometh to judge the earth, and when His judgments are in the earth (and not till then) the inhabitants of the earth will learn righteousness. Isa. xxvi: 9. Not once is it intimated that the world is to be converted by the preaching of the Gospel, but our Lord and all the inspired writers teach the world and the professing church will be as it was in the days of Lot, of Noah. “Scoffers” will say, “where is the promise of his coming?” and the evil is, that error introducing takes the form of truth. “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” “Certain men crept in (the church) unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation.” Hence the exhortation “to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.” Jude. This I have endeavored to do in these pages. Hoping you will give them to your readers, and that some of them may be stirred up to search the Scriptures to see if these things are so.
I remain your servant for Christ’s sake,
SUSAN D. SITES.
NOTICE OF SISTER SUSAN B. SITES’ NEW VIEWS.
MY DEAR SISTER: – Quite as much space as could be spared has been given to your exposition, and I believe nothing has been omitted that could be regarded as important in setting forth your views. You must be aware that I have considered you, for almost a quarter of a century, as a most earnest, and, indeed, intelligent Christian, but I regret to intimate that your communication has deeply impressed me with the idea that you have been mistaken as to the Scriptural accuracy of your religious belief, and that you still labor under a delusion that has followed you from your youth. Yet, I can feel no unkindness towards you, and for your sake and for the sake of relatives and friends, over whom you, doubtless exert what I consider deleterious influence, I will examine the main points of your recently adopted system, with all proper respect. You will, in the first place, permit me to give a little more of your history than you have seen proper to record. For many years, as you intimate, you were dissatisfied with the church of which you were a member.
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Content:
Although we frequently spoke together on the subject, I had thought your dissatisfaction was of a personal character, and not in reference to the teaching of the brethren. The first intimation from you that you preferred new religious views, was after you associated with the “Plymouth Brethren” in Canada, and feeling satisfied that their creed took possession of your heart before your full alienation from what I regard as the truth of God, I deem it requisite to give a few of the striking features of the system of your new associates. These extracts will be taken from documents in my possession furnished by you.
Article 1
Man is depraved, corrupt, dead—in his natural, carnal state, cannot love God, and is by his very essence, enmity against God.
Article 2
Christ, as the sinner’s substitute, has met all requirements of God—has paid down the redemption price—wrought out a righteousness for the sinner, and that it is over to him.
Article 3
They say that “Faith comes by hearing,” but with the following deceptive explanation, “the truth is placed before sinners; the preacher’s trust in the Holy Ghost to open the blind eyes, and unstops the deaf ears, and to incline their hearts to believe what is declared unto them, that they may hear, believe and become assured of salvation.” It is by this faith, “There is salvation.”
Article 4
“The Spirit of God baptizes Jews and Gentiles into one body.” (And it is by the Spirit’s baptism, we put on Christ.)
Article 5
The Spirit is still the teacher in the church. “He has never failed, during all the long years of ruin in which His gifts were well nigh smothered.”
Article 6
They hold that there is no kingdom of Christ on earth, but one will be set up at the opening of what they call the millennium.
Article 7
The work which saves the soul, is the atoning work of Christ, or that work, Christ said himself, “It is finished.” “It requires no work on our part.”
These seven short articles of faith will serve as tolerably plain landmarks to those who are able to recall. When Sister S. first submitted, she “received the Lord’s sacrament in full and determined submission.” This creed was radical. No mortal on earth ever did or can enjoy, on these shores, “full and eternal salvation.” Here we “receive the end of our faith—the salvation of the soul.” (1 Peter 1:9.) But with our brother Paul, “we keep under our bodies and bring them into subjection, lest that by any means, when we have preached to others, we ourselves should be cast away.” (1 Cor. ix: 27.) The idea of having “a perfect title to mansions in the skies,” while struggling with sin, no one can possess. It is not the inheritance of earth, but we are “to press toward the mark, seeking for glory, honor and immortality, that we may be made the partakers of eternal life,” and the promise is ours, if we hold out faithful till death.
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Any assurance professed stronger than the faith of the Gospel, is positive evidence of a want of confidence in the word of God.
But most of our Sister’s communication is occupied in showing her deliverance from doubt, and “almost despair.” We wonder that any one could have adopted such a fatal delusion as beset her at her first step in religion, without plunging into the deepest despair. Nearly twenty-six years was she in getting a “clear title.” She had first thought that A. Campbell “had restored a correct theory of Christianity.” He and his associates never attempted to make or restore a theory. His labor was to call back the world to what the Lord did and said. After she met with the Plymouth brethren, the first new truth she received was, that “The world was not to be converted by the preaching of the Gospel.” It was then certainly great folly in the Savior to send his servants “into all the world to preach the Gospel” if it was not God’s power to save all that have been or shall be saved. The next truth she protested to him is, “The Pope is not the last anti-Christ.” Whether he is the first or last opponent, he is boundless anti-Christ.
Accept this, Sister S., and say: she was encouraged by the promise, “If any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, (James i: 5,) and added, “I saw distinctly that I was in profound ignorance as to the offices and operations of the Holy Spirit,” “That the Spirit was sent to convince of sin.” Why did not our sister previously believe what was plainly written?
That the Spirit convinces by the word—”that the unbeliever is counted dead, and quickened by the Spirit?” Which does Sister S. believe, that the dead sinner is quickened by the word or the Spirit? The passage she quotes, Eph. ii: 1, to prove sinners are dead, and quickened by either word or Spirit, is a false translation. Neither the “dead in sin” nor “quickened” is in it. Paul felt, likely as he wrote, “And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” That since you become Christians, you are dead (to your former course of life). This was all that was intended.
Sister S. will occasionally stumble across the truth in spite of the unyielding system with which she has been encumbered. She quotes, for instance, “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.” (Gal. iv: 6.) This is a clear rule. But our Sister says: “That this Spirit is a present teacher,” (John xiv: 26,) and guide in the hearts of believers—that his special office is to glorify Christ—to state his glory to the believer. (John xiv: 13.) This is the grand secret of all new discoveries. The Spirit that was sent is “to guide the apostles into all truth,” (John xvi: 13,) will not do so, as we have long believed, but is still a “present” “teacher” and “guide.” “That he, the Spirit, is certainly present to direct the members what to say and do;” she adds, “When I was settled in this truth, I was convinced to withdraw from the disciples.”
You are right, my Sister, although if you will satisfy us that you have discovered a single truth by the “present” teaching of the Spirit, or that…
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any human being since the day of John, has learned a single new truth by the Spirit or otherwise, or that there is any new truth to be brought to light in the imaginary kingdom yet to be set up I will not only renounce “the disciples,” but all Christian profession, and give a loose rein to my frail imagination. I will be candid. I regard this alternate superstition, against which I had to struggle in my childhood, and which I have met in almost every section of the country, as a dear and full renunciation of the church of God and of the authority of Christ. I wish not to use too severe terms, but the extravagance and presumption of your new profession seems to be without parallel. You say, for instance, “I have been taught by the Holy Spirit to rejoice in the fact that I was predestinated to the adoption of a child by Jesus Christ to himself before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blame before him in love” (Eph. i: 4-5). Listen to me and I will endeavor to show you your error and imminent danger. If the doctrine of special election, as you have set forth, is true, we are no more than so many blocks of wood. If called, we are entitled to no credit for it; and if uncalled, we are not to be blamed. We are certainly passive, and, therefore, not morally responsible. But you are asserting to yourself a power and a partiality to which you may not be entitled, and if not, you are deceived, and you may deceive others. You allege that before the creation of the universe God “chose, elected, predestinated, saved, redeemed, adopted and loved you,” but if you will study the passage you quote, Eph. i: 4-5, you will find the following to be true: That no one was ever elected or chosen before the foundation of this physical world or before he existed on the earth. That no one was ever elected, related to be a servant of God, before he obtained his service. That, in this passage, “the foundation of the world” under which some were chosen, was the Christian world, and before the foundation of this world, before God had in Zion the cornerstone, some of the Jews were chosen and predestinated to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will. These were made accepted in the “beloved” in Christ.
The Purpose of God
To those who were chosen before the foundation of the world, the apostles particularly, “he made known the mystery of his will.” But after the establishment of the kingdom, other parties were “delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.” The purpose of God was, “In the dispensation of the fullness of times to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which were in heaven and which were on earth, even in him.” The Jewish institution, here, was called heaven, and the outward world, earth. That the Jews who first trusted in Christ did so even before the forming of the kingdom, or the establishment of the world; but he adds, “In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, in whom also, after that, you believed you were
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“sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The Jews were first chosen; some of them at least, before the foundation of the age; but God intending to bring all His children into a single family, after the Gospel was preached, after the Spirit became the Advocate, the teacher through the apostles, the Gentiles also heard, believed, were elected, and saved from their past sins.
If our sister is depending upon an election before the foundation of the world, unless she has been more fortunate than any other Gentile, she is yet unconverted, unregenerated, without hope and without God in the world. We are as sure, as we are sure that the Bible is true, that her hopes, so far, are built upon mere assumptions. We will extend our examination a little further. She says, a volume would not be sufficient to record the truths learned since she “departed upon divine teaching”—the “present teaching of the Spirit.”
She gives two more discoveries. First, The Gospel to the twelve was not the same committed to Paul. She represents Paul as having a Gospel containing truths, which the other apostles did not, and quotes Eph. iii: 4, and Gal. ii: 1. In Eph. Paul says the mystery was “revealed to the apostles by the Spirit,” not to Paul alone; and that this mystery was, “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs,” and in Gal. ii: 1, there is not an allusion to this point. But this Plymouth discovery of two Gospels is a plain contradiction of what Peter said. He declared that, “God made choice that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe, that God made no difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts xv: 7-11. We are sorry, indeed, to witness such perversions of plain truth.
The last discovery by the Spirit is, “That the church is not the Kingdom,” and that the Kingdom has not yet come. Our reply will be brief: John said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt. iii: 2. Jesus said, “There be some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the Kingdom of God.” Luke ix: 27. “The Kingdom of God is amongst you.” Luke xvii: 21. Paul said the “Father hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.” Col. i: 13. But ultimately, Paul says, “Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God,” “the general assembly and church of the firstborn.” Heb. xii: 22-23.
No man or woman on earth can find such testimony as this, in favor of a coming kingdom.
We have often been asked the question as to our judgment of Dr. John Thomas’ view of a coming kingdom; or B. W. Johnson’s view; or some other modern writers as we have examined, and our answer may be given to all. They, with our “Plymouth brethren,” deny and repudiate the doctrine of a present authoritative Church of Christ or Kingdom of Heaven, and renounce, in fact, the hope of the Gospel and…
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the Christian religion, and we can have no fellowship for them. Still these are matters that we may have to discuss. I am heartily sorry to know that our Sister, and some of her friends are bewildered by the policy of “present” revelations of the Spirit; that she, with thousands, has abandoned faith in the Gospel saying the lost, and is now laboring under the dreamy delusion that a new and better kingdom will arise on this earth to bless our poor race. Such views fail not to alienate from the Bible and the religion of Christ.
In conclusion, I state, in much kindness, that I never knew a person who imagined that he or she was under the influence of a “present” and direct teacher, whether in dreams, table raps, intuitional impulses, dictates of the conscience, feelings from within or from without, or in revelations of the Spirit of God, that did or could believe, or even respect the Bible the only guide in things spiritual, and that repudiated the ordinances of the New Testament and all that is sacred on earth. If our Sister, therefore, and friends in Kentucky, or elsewhere, who have assumed that there is spiritual light on earth, not through the Bible, are fixed and settled in their fanciful dreams, my solemn conviction is, that they have rejected, and do reject, the Holy Spirit as teacher and advocate, and for them there is no terrible promise. I could give the names of scores who stumbled at this point, that now haunt the streets as dead people, and for them, there is neither hope in this life nor the life to come.
T. F. PANNING.
For the Gospel Advocate.
WAR AND PEACE
BETHUNES PANNING & LUCAS — In our orbit of country the war on the subject of the missionary societies has nearly closed. I have been informed that they have gone by the board. Others have contested that they should be retained. The gospel of peace and war are diametrically opposite. We have the question of Christians going to war to fight, and we had better commence now. If I understand the Advocate, you oppose modern missionary societies as a substitute for the congregations of Jesus Christ—you oppose Christians murdering their fellowmen practically—you oppose sects or heresies among the people of God, and you oppose Christians and infidels intermingling, and you oppose each and everything which the New Testament opposes to letter and spirit. I hope all the brethren will preach, write and talk as much against Christians having anything to do with war in any shape or form, as with robbery, drunkenness or any other crime, and more, murder and lying—two main pillars of war, our Savior said were of the devil. John 8.
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more I read and reflect on the subject of war, the more firmly am I persuaded of these truths. I believe the more a Christian resembles Jesus Christ, the greater detestation he has of murder, whether retail or wholesale murder, for war is neither more nor less than wholesale butchery, a combination of all other crimes and miseries. War is an equal or suspension of the laws of God and man, of the Bible, of the constitutions of countries, of justice, of humanity, of morality, and of every virtue. Never was there a more opportune time to discuss the question of Christians being non-combatants than now, when the borders and alleys of war are fresh in the minds of the nations. Is it not a remarkable fact that among all the numerous sects of professing Christians, only two are practically pacifists, the Quakers and Mormons? All the rest are warriors or soldiers, theoretically.
Yet we read that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6, and God is the God of Peace, 1 Thess. 5:23. It is a command to all other men to do the same thing? It is needless to talk or cavil about it. The whole book from Matthew to Revelation, in letter and spirit, is a book of peace, and let him that says otherwise show the exception.
Let us not be true of all nations and religious sects, that he that takes the sword shall perish by it, as it is of individuals. Look at the ancient colossal golden, silver, and bronze despotisms of Egypt, Babylon, Syria, Macedon, Grecian, Roman, and many modern ones that they have been blown away as the chaff or the summer threshing floor.
The kingdom of justice, peace, and the Holy Spirit yet stands, and will stand forever, and will break in pieces all the kingdoms of war and warring sects. It will break in pieces and destroy the mother of churches and the school of heresies. War is a compound of Judaism, Paganism, Mohammedanism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The laws of God and man, of reason, justice, and morality are all silent in the midst of the devil’s armies. Let him that says that the letter and spirit of the new institution is binding on individuals, and not on nations, show that it is so. Let him that says that God has communicated the wicked rulers of earth to be the great butchers of mankind, prove it from the New Testament.
Let him that says that God has delegated his authority to a few wicked men to butcher the rest of the human race, prove it? He has said by Moses and his Son, “Thou shalt do no murder,” and has he given power to earthly butchers to make and suspend these laws at pleasure? Earthly rulers have no more right to order men to disobey God than have. The command to obey the powers that exist has its limits and conditions, or else it is unlimited and unconditional, and this would be virtually to transfer the supreme power from the hands of God to man, which it is blasphemous to suppose.
In August, 1863 or 4, I was in the State of Illinois, preaching the Gospel.
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Pel, and one Saturday evening I was sitting in the shade reading the Bible, near a railroad, and a man walking on the road turned in at the gate and came to me and addressed me: “What,” said he, “are you reading the good book?” “Yes,” said I, “it is a good book, provided people will obey it.”
He immediately introduced the subject of the war which was raging, and justified the war from God’s commanding Moses with the Commandments. Saul the Amalekites. I asked him if God had given a command to man, either the Gospel, to kill each other as did Moses and Saul to kill the Amalekites. I told him when you took a man’s life, you had killed him, whether privately or in war, and that I knew the distinction, when done, between homicide, manslaughter and murder in self-defense, and concluded by saying to him, “Now, sir, you are a stranger to me, and I to you. I never said you before, but I presume you are some sort of a religious, or sectarian, full of war up to your chin. I will state a few facts to you for your future reflection. One Savior whom you profess to follow, never killed a man while on earth—he never commanded a man to be killed—he never shed a drop of human blood, and any time when violence was used by one of his followers, he ordered him to put up his sword, and wrought a miracle to heal the wounded, and more than that, he was murdered outright and down right by God’s direct action. Now, sir, compare your pleading for wholesale murder with the Christ, or him whom you profess to follow, and I shall be entirely convinced of the folly of your position.” He was off quickly. I learned afterwards he was a Presbyterian priest.
Yours truly,
J. CREATH.
We give the foregoing from the pen of our Brother Creath. If he will note the foregoing numbers of the Advocate, he will find that we have, from the beginning, steadily maintained the position of Christians being peaceful people. In Tennessee we have, for five years during the war, maintained that Christians could not engage in war. On this subject our brethren are now, and have been, for several years, at home.
Yet we are anxious for a full investigation of the subject. We doubt somewhat, whether our brother will ever be able to establish the position that it is not in accordance with the will of God that the nations of earth shall engage in war, but the nations of the earth who refuse to obey God, will war and strive and destroy one another until man, tired of the turmoil and strife, will seek security, peace and rest, in the eternal Kingdom of God. So we understand the Scriptures, such the separation that Christians must maintain with reference to the governments of earth.
D. J.
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CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION
Brother D. Lurcombe—Dear Sir:
Knowing as I do that you believe a Christian must follow the Bible in all things, and that Christianity is not to be merely professed, but real and practical, I have taken the liberty to write a few words on Christian conversation. There are many things which a Christian must guard against. He must watch carefully lest he walks in forbidden paths. But there is nothing that needs watching at all times more than our conversation. Surely there is nothing that shows Christianity in its beauty, holiness, and utility more than a godly conversation; and on the other hand, what is more productive or more harmful than an ungodly conversation? The Apostle Paul did not neglect to speak to the churches to whom he wrote about their conversation, telling them what kind they were to obtain and what to encourage. Paul tells the Ephesians that they were dead in sin and walking with the children of disobedience; that with such they had their conversation. He also tells them to put off their former conversation. Peter tells us that we are to reflect from a vain conversation. Thus do we see that after a person has put on Christ, their conversation is to be changed.
What then is it to be changed to? Let the same apostles answer. In Philippians we are told to let our conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ. Paul tells Timothy to be an example of the believers, in word and in conversation. James says, “Who is a wise man among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works.” “As he that hath called you is holy,” says Peter, “so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” When we remember that Christ, who is to be our pattern in all things, has said that for every idle word we speak, we shall be required to give an account, how careful should we be that our conversation is always on something useful and instructing, and conducted in a sober and Godlike manner.
How little do professed Christians have the mean traits of their conversation on religion. Often do we see professors of Christianity standing at the corners of the streets with an idle, laughing crowd, or sitting in a bar-room mingling with whisky-drinking, tobacco-using persons, who never use the name of Christ, except in blasphemy, and this not only when business calls them there, but merely to amuse themselves. In this showing ourselves to be the peculiar people which we are told that Christ died to redeem. Should we not remember that we are not to “be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds,” that we may show what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?
How can we know the perfect will of God by mingling with alien persons? We are told that the filthy conversation of the Sodomites vexed the soul of righteous Lot. So the useless, filthy, profane conversation of the present day will vex the soul of every Christian. Evil communications will
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Corrupt the good manners of a Christian as quick now as in the days of Paul. Not only is God robbed during the week of the conversation he requires, but even on Lord’s day. There are but few that confine their conversation to religious things. Go where you will, and you will find leading members in the churches talking on war, politics, or their financial affairs, until the meeting begins, and immediately resume the same when it is over.
“What are their thoughts during meeting? Is this showing a Godly conversation?” We are told that they that feared the Lord spake oft to one another, and a book of remembrance was written in Heaven. Let us then remember that our conversation is recorded in Heaven.
Then let Jesus, his love and sufferings for us, our duty to him, his church and our fellowmen, be the subject of our conversation. On whatever our heart is fixed, our conversation will also rest, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If all the members of the church showed, by a Godly walk and holy conversation, the power and beauty of the religion of Christ, there would need but little preaching to convert the world and keep the church pure.
Should we not meet together oft, and converse on the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and Christ?
Your brother in Christ,
GEO. K. FLOWER.
There is, truly, nothing more needed than the guarding of one’s lips, that they speak no evil, and the bridling of the tongue which is an unruly member. Yet we apprehend that the term conversation, as used in the common version of the New Testament, embraces much more than the mere verbal intercourse and expressions of individuals. The term deportment or behavior embracing conversation, manners, habits, would never represent the meaning of the original in current English.
For the Gospel Advocate.
Eucentham, Giles County, Tenn., Oct. 27th, 1866.
Brothers Lincoln & Fanning:
Commenced a meeting at Wilson’s Hall, Saturday evening before the second Lord’s day in August; continued till next Friday. Immersed thirteen and received two from the Baptists.
Commenced at Loughburg, Marshall county, Friday night before the third Lord’s day in August; continued till next Thursday night. Immersed nine and received three from the Baptists.
On Saturday coming before the fourth Lord’s day, I went to Nashville, in Davidson county, where Brother Lee had an appointment. Continued till next Friday. We immersed twenty-four.
I commenced a meeting at Robertson’s Fork, Giles county, where I was raised, and although we have been interrupted by rain, our conversation…
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gregations have been good. Immersed five and one yet to immerse—making in all additions, besides those who were reclaimed. For the information of my friends in Texas, I wish to say through the Advocate, that I shall return to my home in Texas as soon as the cholera subsides on the river. Till then I shall spend all my time in preaching.
In hope of eternal life,
THOS. BARRETT.
REPORT OF MEETINGS
Bro. Samuel Eberle, of Millville, Texas, writes: “Within the last three weeks I have immersed sixteen persons, upon confession of faith in Christ.”
Bro. W. A. Cram, of Hickory Flat, Miss., says, “I have just closed a meeting at Bethel, the result of which was the addition of seven noble souls, by the good confession and obedience. Much good was accomplished at the meeting. The people are searching the Scriptures daily. The cause of God is onward.”
Bro. G. T. Craig gives the result of a meeting held by Bro. J. F. Brown with the church at Owen’s Station. Thirteen were added by confession and baptism. A general interest in the community was aroused. He says, “Rev. Brown is a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In behalf of our Tennessee brethren, we truly thank Kentucky and Texas for the loan of Bros. Brown and Barrett. Our brethren are trying to prove their appreciation of them, by working them daily.
Bro. D. J. McLain, of Carroll county, Miss., Supt. 2nd, writes, “Since I last wrote you, I have baptized thirty-four persons in this county, twenty-six whites and eight blacks. The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few.”
Bro. H. N. Trimble reports a meeting held by Bros. Lee, J. F. Brown, and himself with the congregation at Deech Grove, Maury county, Tenn., with eleven confessions and burials. The meeting was decidedly setting apart bishops and deacons.
Bro. Hordeen, of Carrollton, Ga., reports another month’s labor—meeting in Coweta county on Lord’s day in August, with eight additions, one addition in Talladega county, Ala., at Huntsville, Randolph county, Ala., three additions; seventeen additions at his home in Carroll.
NOTICE
A meeting of the Stockholders of the Educational Association is called to meet in the town of Franklin, Tenn., at 10 o’clock, October 11th, 1866.
By order of the Executive Committee.
DAVID LINSCOBD, Sec’y
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PROGRESS TOWARD UNION
The representatives at Richmond could not agree to terms of union with the Disciples of Christ. But it will be noted that the common people have taken the matter in hand, and a union much more perfect and scriptural than any denominational union is quietly but surely going on between the Disciples and Baptists. Barely a meeting is reported that does not indicate that a number of Baptists unite with the Disciples. Many of those doing so are never reported. We rejoice in the belief that as the prejudices wear down, all who practice believers’ baptism as necessary to acceptable discipleship of the Lord, will speedily become one people in Christ.
D. L.
For the Gospel Advocate
Macon, Ill., Sept. 10-11, 1866.
Bro. Lipscomb— I called at Springfield, Ill., and preached for Brother Wilkes, who has accomplished much good in that place by unhinging the discordant element and settling the bad feeling that existed in that church, and by the additions which he has made to the congregation. He is beloved highly by the brethren there, and they will, no doubt, try to retain him another year, as it is likely that no other man would suit them so well as he does. The church in this place is without a preacher, and they have just built a good house of worship, and are in a prosperous condition.
Yours truly, JACOB CREATH.
For the Gospel Advocate
Peters (Crocker), Mo., Sept. 29th, 1866.
Bro. Lipscomb—Since my last report I have attended two meetings; one at Dresden and the other at Farmer City, in this county. At the former there were six additions by confession and baptism; at the latter there were four. The brethren at both places seemed greatly encouraged, and I am disposed to discharge their Christian duties faithfully. May the good Lord protect his people from the evil that is in the world.
Your brother in Christ, JOE H. WRIGHT.
The Lord’s Day in September, at the regular meeting of the Disciples at Franklin College, eight individuals confessed the Lord, and in the evening were buried with Him in baptism.
D. L.
The Cholera is still abating in Nashville, as well as the country towns in Tennessee which it has visited.
D. L.
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Near LAMARSHAM, Sept. 25th, 1866.
Bros. FANSING & LIPSCOMB: Our Co-operation Meeting has just closed, with some additions and one restored. Bros. Holmes, Cook, and Osborn did some of the best preaching I ever heard, and I am of the opinion seeds were sown that will produce a fine harvest in the future. There were four young brethren set apart for the work of the ministry, all promising young men. Bro. Holmes is going to labor for us next year as a general evangelist. Bro. Cook will preach for our church probably, if his health will admit. He is one of the mildest and most pointed reasoners that I ever heard, but his health is very feeble. It was Bro. Osborn’s first visit to this place, and all were perfectly delighted with him; even our most strenuously sectarian friends were constrained to admit that they found no fault in him.
I remain yours, &c.,
H. R. A. McCOOKLE.
OBITUARY
September 25th, 1866.
Beloved Brethren: The death angel has again passed by and snatched from our embrace another dear one. Sister Mary D. Ruykendall died September 22nd, 1866. She was a much loved sister, and from an early period in life had been a child of God. She bore her sufferings patiently, spoke cheerfully of the Christian’s consolation, exhorted the servants of the Lord to be faithful, and warned her young friends to secure for themselves a hope that might comfort them when dying. One by one, that affectionate band, who used to gather around the sacred family altar, is dropping into the grave. Their sweet voices are missed in the music here, but they sing a sweeter song in Heaven. The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed is the name of the Lord. O may we learn, when earthly ties are broken, to cling closer to the bosom of our Savior; to let our affections enter with our friends in Heaven.
“There we shall, in sweet chorus join,
And saints and angels all combine
To sing of his redeeming love,
When rolling years shall cease to move,
And this shall be our theme above,
In endless day.”
W. Y. RUYKENDALL.
TO CORRESPONDENTS
In writing for the Advocate, correspondents will please write on one side of the paper only. Write as distinctly as possible, and without flourishes. Proper names should be written very plain.