THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
T. FANNING, Editor.
D. LIPSCOMB.
VOL. VIII.
NASHVILLE, SEPTEMBER 4, 1866.
NUMBER 6.
AN ESSAY ON THE RELATION SUSTAINED BY CHRISTIANS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENTS – NO. VI
BY IRA C. MITCHELL.
In thus feebly presenting a subject of vital importance to the cause of true religion, I most earnestly and affectionately appeal to my fellow-citizens in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, to give these views a careful, candid, impartial and prayerful consideration and examination in the light of God’s Holy Word. This blessed book, alone among the thousands of volumes that have been written, reveals to man the mysteries of his creation and the glorious destiny to which he may attain. It lifts the vail of darkness from our understanding, and permits us to behold the wisdom of God displayed in the grandeur of his eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. By this word we must consent to be guided in all things, if we want to be happy in this world or the world to come. The adorable King of kings is continually advancing his lines, and will soon proclaim the final victory. As the end approaches the children of disobedience must endure terrible afflictions. The punitive wrath of the Almighty will be poured out on them in constantly increasing measures.
No human government can enjoy any lengthened period of peace. The Lord will teach them that peace, union and happiness can only be enjoyed by complying with his terms—the comforts which men seek by their own wisdom can only be found in the way the Almighty has marked out. We may expect to see those who reject the authority and defy the Will of Jehovah, hurled in…
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Content:
…against each other, until they are destroyed from the earth. In the days before the Lord, the wickedness of mankind will be, in His mercy, to bring an end to all flesh. I do not pretend to understand the wonderful Apocalyptic of the beloved John, (Revelation) but it does predict the rise of the church and the world until the end of time. Commentators are generally agreed that the two beasts mentioned in the 13th chapter are symbolically representing the two great manifestations of the Almighty—ecclesiastical and civil power. That these powers, and those who serve them, in the various qualifications of church and state, constitute the “Great Mystery of Babylon,” on which the vials of Divine wrath are to be found, I think is beyond our most imaginative apprehensions. The church will be in the world from now until the end, as declared by John, and that should encourage us, for we are not partakers of her sins, that we receive not of her plagues.
The country in which our humanity dwells has been prepared for great political freedom and heavenly blessings, will, beyond doubt, be the scene of more appalling and more revolting convulsions than we have yet experienced. The faith and patience of the saints will be thoroughly and sorely tried. The chaff will be blown out from the wheat, and the people of God will have much to endure on account of the wickedness that is in the world. But after they have withstood all, and are still alive, they will not shrink from the peril for having passed through the fire.
It is believed the people of God, admonished by His warnings, are to be prepared for convulsions, strikes, resolutions, and persecutions, and we should endeavor to learn our duties, while the present subsidence of popular passion lasts, remembering that when the storm comes it will be too late to make provision for it. We should constantly keep in mind that although we are in the world we are not of the world—we are but strangers and pilgrims here.
Like the canonized saints of old, let us show plainly that we seek a country, and that we have no lot or part with the children of disobedience. Many undoubtedly will go out from us, but if they do, it will be because they are not of us. Surely this will be the severest test of our faith, to find out; like Paul, among little children, and many whom we have fondly trusted, turning against us. But we must bear it with patience, remembering that the “Great Reaper” is at work, in every harvest there is much more straw than grain to be burned up than wheat to be gathered into the garner. When earthly ties dissolve, and earthly friends fail, we should draw more closely to Christ.
He will never desert us. We must let all follow Him.
Come what may, Christianity proposes no compromise with the wicked…
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563
One explanation with the prince of the power of the air. She tol-
erates no compromising expedients, but lays the axe directly at the root of
the tree. Her work is not to reform, but to renew. All that is at enmity
with God must be extirpated. Secular and ecclesiastical power must
yield at the authority of Heaven; the Gospel introduces us to the
mighty reign of Jesus Christ, and to him every knee shall bow
and every tongue confess.
It certainly has been the end from the beginning, that the pro-
phetic word was enabled to foretell the only universal dynasties that
have continued dominion on the earth, with such definitions and
descriptions as his prophecies read like written history. The days
of other nations are just as surely circumscribed, and all the 7.
and 8. are weak. Ambitious truth can neither protract nor shorten them.
Philosophy, by entering the most tempestuous, but subjecting themselves to
the plumb-line, gain nothing. Let anyone tempted to engage in the
spirit of politics, carefully read a few of the familiar prophecies, to-
gether with the history of their fulfillment, and I greatly mistake
if he does not realize his own insignificance.
Such demonstrations of the awful wisdom and power of
the Almighty God are calculated to humble poor mortals in the dust,
and inspire them with deepest reverence, while they exclaim
“My strength is nothingness, oh God, where one like unto thee Lord
should be! Thou who aidest in the whirlwinds and speakest in the thunders
control all things at thy Will!” But blessed be his
name, while contemplation of his power fills us with amazement and
fear, he has filled the world with his love, and places us in continuous
security by his side, there to seek shelter from the storms
that threaten our destruction.
If the unwise rage by Christians for political newspapers
and other crass purposes—if the talent and energy devoted by the professed
servants of the King of Christ could be concentrated for the
propagation of the Gospel and the advancement of Zion, a period of triumph
and communion such as the Church has not enjoyed since the days of the apostles
would be inaugurated. Those who would thus use their money and time
would be laboring in a sphere where there is no danger of being disappointed
in their reward.
I do not mean to imagine that I have exhausted the arguments that may
be presented on this important subject; I am conscious of having
merely touched the consideration of the inspiring theme, but if this feeling
should be through me the instrumentality of leading one of my
brethren to the examination of this question, and of thus freeing one
previous soul from the bondage of this world, my reward will be ample.
May the day speedily come when all who love the Lord Jesus Christ,
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will be one, showing themselves to be “a peculiar people—a holy nation,” consecrating their all to the Lord, and guarding the church with jealous care from all defilement, that she may be “a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.” With our affections centered on our adopted country, we can sing with the spirit and with the understanding:
“I love thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of thine abode,
The church our Savior bought,
With his own precious blood.”
Ottumwa, Iowa.
PREACHERS AND PREACHING
In speaking of the great lack of earnest, laborious teachers in the church, we quite frequently hear it said, “If preachers were better supported and provided for, we should have them more plentiful.” We do not doubt this. If we could pay each one five thousand dollars a year, they would be as plentiful as lawyers and doctors. But what would be their effect upon the church? God has made self-denial a condition of membership in his Kingdom, that none but the truly earnest, who were willing to endure sacrifices for the sake of the Lord, might enter that church—this is the principal guard of its purity. The teacher, from his position, is able to exert a much greater influence than any other member of the church; if he is lacking in the depth of devotion and earnestness of faith, his influence in corrupting the church will be most fatal.
It is necessary to throw additional guards around this point of matter. Additional sacrifices and self-denials must be required at least as tests of deeper devotion and more solemn earnestness. The trials, temptations, and difficulties of life are but so many obstacles left along the Christian’s pathway to test his faith in God and his appreciation of the heavenly inheritance. He who waits to have these obstacles removed, or attempts to pass around and avoid them, will never come to the heavenly inheritance. God requires him to meet the difficulties, march boldly forward through the trials, courageously step over the obstacles, and learn the only way to heaven through self-denial.
The Christian preacher that wants to have an easy, smooth path in which to travel, that preaches only when surroundings are favorable, when he can preach without sacrifices and self-denial, but when poverty and want come, turns to other callings and ceases to preach, only exhibits his unfitness for the work, and as surely falls in his duty to God as does he who turns back from Christianity when sacrifices are required at his hands.
Then, brethren, we insist that no young man nor old man is fitted to stamp his spirit upon the Church of God as a teacher, who can be deterred from the work by prospects of worldly sacrifice. And no man who
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feels the obligation or desire to preach, that refrains from it for worldly considerations, is worthy of the Christian profession. A man who, in spirit, is urged to preach, will be willing to preach under just such circumstances as Providence throws around him. If it is in his power he will preach continually, publicly and privately, to the poor and the outcast—if it is necessary he will labor one day to enable him to preach the next—he will gladly do any kind of manual or mental labor as a means to enable him to preach the Gospel. He will not seek the rich or the fashionable or the learned, but he will seek out the poor; for the poor have the Gospel preached to them under the spiritual dispensation of Christ. Such true followers of the Savior will never talk of sums due them for past services—they realize that at best we are but unprofitable servants; we have not done our duty. They never accept monetary or other considerations for services rendered, but seek help to future labor in the vineyard. The present style of so many sermons is so much money, that no preaching unless we can get a certain money consideration for it, as a lawyer, is a degradation to Christianity, and will destroy the faith, devotion and spirituality of the best class of Christians in the world. To this course is to be charged the niggardliness of many Christians in contributing to sustain the Gospel. The preacher makes his preaching a matter of merchandise. When a man walks a trade with an intelligent understanding of his wares, it is considered legitimate to make the best trade he can.
So when a preacher puts his preaching into the market as merchandise, it is legitimate for a community desiring his services, to get it on the best or cheapest terms possible, as he does other merchandise, provided they press him down to the lowest pittance, and then take advantage of all his misfortunes and blunders to still profit by the trade. They are not to blame. He has made merchandise of his preaching, and they apply the law of trade to the purchase and use of that preaching.
The youthful man who has a desire for the work of evangelizing, and whose brethren think him fit for the work, but who halts and refuses to engage in it, waiting for favorable surroundings and the means of being respectably supported, is just as surely failing in his duty to God, as the man who refuses to be a Christian for mercenary considerations. Deeply as we deplore the lack of laborers in the evangelical field, we yet believe it better to be without evangelists than to handle those who enter upon the work merely as professional operators, that will turn to some other calling as soon as it fails to make them a comfortable living. We believe a large popular, unencumbered, devoted, unpretending Church of God is as much a curse as any other in the world. The encouraging then of that class of mercenary, professional, official preachers, devoid of true, earnest devotion…
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Corruption of the Church
…corrupts the church and deprives the world of the power and holy influence of the religion of Jesus Christ.
We write thus of the preachers, because their influence is great in lifting the true spirit to the church. But we say to the churches and to individual Christians, when a preacher goes forth in the true spirit of his Master, to labor and toil for the salvation of the world, the Christian that withholds a cheerful and hearty support to him robs God, and is recreant to his duty. Every Christian is under just as much obligation to give, not merely as it is convenient, but to give until he feels it—until it is a sacrifice, as the preacher is to sacrifice in order to preach. Our giving merely that that is convenient, is a sheer burlesque on Christian self-conceit. We must reach down into our pockets until our purses, our business feels the sacrifice—we must convert our goods, until it strips us of all fashionable luxuries, and brings us to wear the modest apparel, with decency and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but with good works. Thus only can teachers be taught their duty and be approved and accepted sons and daughters of the Most High.
SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL
We give in this number of our paper a number of reports of obedience to the Gospel. In addition to those, we would state that brothers R. Jones and W. H. Goodloe held a meeting at Woundbury, in Cannon County, about the last of June, with about twenty-three confessions.
Brothers H. Davidson and Sidener held a meeting with the church at Dunlap, Hickman County, with between twenty-five and thirty.
Brothers Thompson and Davis held one recently with the brethren at Pinewood, Hickman County, with seven confessions.
We spent the week following the third Lord’s day in August, with the brethren at Rock Creek, Smith County. Brothers Trimble and Sidener were present a portion of the time. The brethren had a pleasant meeting, twenty-six had confessed their faith in the Savior when we left, Saturday morning. Brother Trimble was with us on Saturday night, and continued the meeting over Lord’s day.
We thought the prospect fair for an additional number of confessions.
We came to Franklin Saturday, with the view of holding a meeting with the brethren and sisters at that place, in their newly built house. To our joy and relief we found Bro. J. F. Brown, of Paducah, Ky., had unexpectedly happened upon the friends and associates of his childhood, and with characteristic zeal and devotion commenced preaching with them in behalf of the Master’s cause.
We resumed with him on Sunday morning. Two had confessed the Savior. We were happy in making…
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The acquaintance of Bro. Brown. We had heard of him often as a true friend of his Master, and one who plead that undivided loyalty was due the crowned King of Heaven and earth. It is a source of true joy to the Christian to witness and hear of the submission of sinners to the authority of Prince Messiah. It is an additional source of joy to us to feel assured that the churches through Middle Tennessee were probably never in a condition so favorable for receiving large accessions and moulding their spirits according to the true Christian principle as at present. If they will only avoid all entangling alliances with worldly government and strive to consecrate whatever of time, talent, means and devotion they may possess to the service of Him whose Kingdom is not of this world, Heaven’s blessings must surely rest upon them. We rejoice, too, at the true self-sacrificing spirit manifested by our preachers. Every man of them, so far as we hear, is at work. Money or no money, they are striving to do their duty. We know the brethren and sisters seeing this spirit of self-sacrificing devotion, will joy to be a part of their labors, freely dividing their substance with their families. Brethren, every man and woman, preacher and those who preach not, heartily do their whole duty, and the result will be most surely certain in our increase of spiritual life and joy to the Christian, and in the ingathering of many souls into the ark of God.
D. L.
THE MODERN BAPTISTS AGAINST THE BIBLE AS THEIR CONFESSION OF FAITH
Brethren: As our opponents are reviving the discarded, worn-out and threadbare arguments in favor of human opinions, inferences, declarations and traditions of men to govern the Church of God, we shall have to meet them and defend the Bible, or they will imagine that their logic is unanswerable. For the information of your readers I will state: In Missouri the Baptists have recently started a paper called the Missouri Baptist Journal, and in the issue of March 19th, 1866, there is a piece headed “Critics,” in which the writer uses the following language: “Now our opponents have ridiculed creeds, confessions of faith and declarations of faith, but not one legitimate logical argument has ever been produced against the practice. They have not even proved the actual illogic, to say nothing of the impropriety of such a course. Before we can abandon the practical practice handed down to us by the good and faithful of all ages, we demand some good and sufficient reason for the change. The idea of making the Bible one’s creed is absurd. The Bible is that upon which the creed is founded, and hence cannot be the creed itself. When men say they believe the Bible, what do they mean? That they believe the Bible? Yes, and so do the universalists tell us they…
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Page 568
Believe the Bible; so the spiritualists; so the defenders of infant baptism and sprinkling; and so does bloody Rome; and yet have all these the same Christian faith? By no means. There is no uniformity of sentiment among them. He states that Jews, Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and the Baptists have their confessions of faith, their abstract of principles, twenty in number, published every week in the Journal. These are all important to the student of primitive Christianity.
He says the proof of such summaries does not devolve upon those who oppose them, who propose an alteration, on the ground that since the change is not a good one in itself; those who demand a change should show cause for it. “No one is called on to defend an existing practice, till some argument is advanced against it.” I have been thus copious in the extract, that I might not misrepresent the writer, and that your readers might see the Herculean task that lies on them of proving a negative and positive both, and that you may gird on your armor and come to the conflict.
From these extracts you will see that the old war between the Bible and creeds has commenced in good earnest—a war between human and divine authority. While you, Messrs. Editors, are marshaling your hosts for the battle, I will ask a few simple questions and offer a few thoughts. If all these parties have creeds and the Bible, what is the difference between the Jews, the Catholics, and the sects? What is the difference between a Jew, a Catholic, and a Baptist, and a Baptist and any other sectarian? The Jews had the Old Testament and traditions, and have not Catholics and the Baptists done the same with the New Testament? The Baptists do not trust themselves with the Bible alone, any more than the Catholics.
It will certainly ruin them, as it would the “mother church” or any of her daughters. What has become of the parroting of Chillingworth, “The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants.” It is not the antiquity, the universality, the propriety, the convenience or the inconvenience, nor the good or evil of creeds that is the point in controversy between us and the Journal, but the Scriptural authority for them. As you have an assortment of twenty articles, and have openly advocated creeds, we call upon you for the proof of them. If the Journal, or any of its aids, will produce one Scriptural reason for its twenty abstractions, we pledge ourselves to offer Scriptural argument against it. We cannot offer arguments against nothing.
Suppose we adopt the Journal’s mode of reasoning on another subject, and say Jews, Catholics, and all sects have two or more wives; therefore, the idea of having only one wife is absurd—it devolves upon those “who demand a change, to show cause for the change.” How would the Journal meet the argument? Universalists and Spiritualists are made by capitulating and abstracting the Scriptures, just as Baptists. Creeds have not kept Universalists out of the sects, nor destroyed sects either. All errors are in some branch of the church, even spiritualists.
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After all the creed making, in the meantime I put the following questions to the Journal and all other advocates of creeds:
- Is there any authority among men in matters of faith?
- Wherein does that authority consist, and whence is it derived?
- Who are the men that have authority to make creeds, and particularly who are the men that have that authority in China, Turkey, France, England, and the United States?
- Have men in one country a right to make a creed which shall be binding on others in another country? And who are those men?
- Are there any members of the Romish Hierarchy who have a right to make a creed which shall be binding on other members of that sect? And who are they?
- Are there any members of the Baptist or any other sect who have authority to extract, abstentions, or to make a creed, which shall be binding on either members of those sects? Who are those men?
- Is there any member in the Romish Hierarchy authority to make a creed which shall be binding on the members of the Baptist or any other sect? Who is he?
- If some persons in the Baptist sect have a right to make abstract principles of a creed, which shall bind the consciences of other members of that sect, why has not the Romish sect authority to make a creed for the Baptist sect and all other sects?
- What reason can be assigned for giving such authority to some persons in the Baptist sect over other members of that sect that will not equally hold for giving such authority to some person of the Romish sect to make a creed for the Baptists?
- Have private persons in the Baptist sect a right to oppose those persons in the Baptist sect who have authority to make a creed for that sect?
- Are not private people obliged to submit to such a creed, as the persons in authority may impose upon them?
- Recognizing that the Baptist and Romish sects both have the Bible and a creed, what is the difference between the two sects? And what is the difference between the Romish sect and all other sects?
A. D.
For the Gospel Advocate
Putnam County, Tenn., Aug. 7th, 1866
Beloved Brethren: – With a heart overflowing with deep sadness I record the death of my brother, G. A. Knykembuhl, who died July 23rd, 1866. He died unexpectedly to most of his friends, which impresses us strongly with the uncertainty of life. Brother Garland was born in Putnam County, Sept. 10th, 1833. Early in life he embraced the Christian religion and began to prepare himself for doing good. He passed through the course and graduated in Burritt College, under the presidency of Elder W. D. Carnes, whom he ever remembered and loved as a father. The last ten or twelve years of his life were spent in school-teaching—instilling the hearts as well as the minds of the rising generation for future usefulness. In his master’s eyes, I hope the numbers of young men and women all over the country, who have been his students, will remember…
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him as their devoted teacher, but most especially do I desire that they remember his earnest prayers for them and his admonitions to them to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things should be added to them.
Although he frequently spoke to the churches, and was always diligent in teaching the truth, he was not set apart especially for that business until the spring of 1865. After that he was constant and earnest to the work. His whole life was a life of labor.
There is no doubt that his unceasing devotion to labor for the good of others, and his deep interest in their welfare, will be blessed in the world to come.
He who spoke and worked so earnestly for “spiritual life” has gone to enjoy it more perfectly in a better world. One more, though, has been taken from among us while the harvest is still ripe. Who will fill his place?
I appeal to the young brethren, especially those whom he has trained, who among you will rise up and take his place as a minister of the Gospel? Let a few more drop from among us, and what sort of country will be left without a watchman to cry in behalf of the earth? Young brethren, get in earnest, get to the work, let your voice be heard, and then you, like our dear brother, when you have finished your work, may receive the reward of your labor.
May the Lord bless you and grant you present and eternal salvation, through Christ our Redeemer.
W. Y. KUKENDALL
For the Gospel Advocate
HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas, Aug. 14th, 1886.
Dear Brethren:
The object of this is to inform the brethren through the Advocate that death has called from the family of our Heavenly Father. Our beloved brother, Robert Hawke, was called from this life on the 14th of January, 1886, aged 76 years, 11 months and 1 day. Over fifty years of this time (according to his own statement) he has been laboring faithfully in the Lord’s vineyard.
He continued to the last in his work with patience and zeal, and was blessed with a good degree of health until the last few hours. He died in the State of Texas, though, when he lived in the state of Missouri, he was a member of the church at that place.
He died in the hope of a glorious resurrection, and we trust that he has gone to join the saints in light.
J. R. HOOTEN
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571
For the Gospel Advocate.
Hickory Flat, Miss., Aug. 17th, 1866.
Brothers F. S.
I have just returned from holding a meeting at Macedonia, in Pontotoc County, and I take up my pen to inform you of the condition of the churches within the bounds of my labors. The church at Macedonia was in a languishing condition. The brethren, many of them sick, and the remainder engrossed by the cares of life, and from some person to “stir them up,” they had fallen into the snare of many of their neighbors. But I rejoice and thank the Lord that at the close of our meeting the church seemed awakened from the lethargy which had been their destruction. Two were “put on Christ” as in the days of Paul, Gal. iii: 27, and a spirit of reformation (which is always the fruit of pardon) did seem to prevail.
I was with Bro. N. E. Gibbons while writing, and we often referred to the church in its present condition.
On the fourth Lord’s day in July I preached to a very respectable congregation at “Sardis,” and laid hands on Bro. T. A. Wade. At this point the members are all willing to “let their light shine” out to the world, and there is a white harvest ready for the reapers there.
There will be a congregation of the churches of Tippah and Pontotoc counties, held at this place, commencing on Friday before the fourth Lord’s day in September; and all brethren within reach are invited to attend and assist.
There are three other churches in Tippah county, to-wit:
- Flatlands, three miles southeast of Ripley. I regret to say, is in a deplorable condition, “biting and devouring one another.” That church is paralyzing the efforts of the entire body in the cause of truth. My heart aches to see it. Lord help us.
- Philadelphia, seven miles northwest of Ripley, is in a healthy condition, but unfortunately suffers much in the low water, having had their homes burned and their hearts wrung with bitter anguish.
- Henderson, fourteen miles southwest of Ripley, is in a healthy and growing condition—four accessions last month. Upon the whole, I can truly see the people beginning to look with distrust upon the signs of the day, and are beginning to demand, “thus saith the Lord” for sectarian practices.
The Gospel Advocate is still being published, and many of the brethren are desirous to become subscribers, and I am frequently asked if it is as good as it used to be. I want only to say I learn Brother Sullivan is still at the helm.
Dear Brother, please send me a specimen copy, that I may in my evangelizing tour I may induce our friends and brethren.
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to subscribe. Our postal arrangements are so deficient that we are greatly embarrassed to obtain any mail matter. I have not seen a single Christian paper or pamphlet since the spring of ’66. I would gladly a mail myself of the pleasure of reading your work, but I am not able. I am poor, expected to live and die poor. Slaughtered, persecuted, and endured for and for- sacked by the orthodox, but I have much hope of that rest that remaineth.
I am affectionately your brother in the one hope,
W. A. CRUM.
For the Gospel Advocate.
T. & J. L.
Tennessee, Aug. 15th, 1866.
Dear Brother L. — I should have answered before this, but I have been very sick, and am now hardly able to write by the table to write this letter. The offering of the brethren of the box and cask of bacon came safe to hand, and I have distributed it according to directions. It was truly a timely succor for our great distress. May the blessing of our Heavenly Father rest upon you and all concerned in so benevolent a work. At my last appointment at Union, in this county, there were two noble souls bowed in obedience to King Emanuel.
Yours in the Gospel bonds,
W. WASHINGTON DACON.
For the Gospel Advocate.
Owen’s Station, Tenn., Aug. 27th, 1866.
Dear Brethren F. & L. — I hereby give you a brief report of my labors for a few weeks past. We held a meeting of six days with the congregation at New Lebanon, Maury county, Tennessee, embracing the fourth Lord’s day in July, which resulted in seven baptized, one restored, and the brethren and sisters much encouraged; and a general interest manifested on the part of the community.
Embracing the fifth Lord’s day in July, we held a meeting of three days with the brethren at Hagg’s Creek, Wilson county, Tennessee, where two were baptized, and we are satisfied a good impression was made upon the community, and we hope the day is not far distant when a large harvest may be reported in that neighborhood.
We next held a meeting of four days at Rock Spring, Rutherford county. The immediate result was that five confessed the Savior and were baptized, while we remained and two by brother Fanning after we left. Large audiences all the time, and good attention given. We were sorry that we could not remain longer at this point.
We went next to Philadelphia meeting house, on Hickory Creek, Warren county, Tennessee, near where Brother J. J. Sewell lives. This meeting continued nine days, embracing the second and third Lord’s days of August.
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… and was one of the most interesting meetings we ever had the pleasure of attending. Here we had the pleasure of meeting several of the preaching brethren, by some of whom we were much assisted during the meeting, especially by Bro. Jesse Newell, who rounded out the close of the meeting. We met Bro. W. D. Caves at this place, who preached a very interesting discourse for us at the first of the meeting. We met, also, Bro. Heces Jones here, who is still working away in the Lord’s vineyard. We had large and attentive audiences all the time, and I more general interest I think I never saw manifested anywhere. There were forty-seven baptized, as the immediate result, and the brethren and sisters were much rejoiced and encouraged; indeed, I think they had reason to thank God, and take courage at the success of the truth. From this point we went to Bean’s Creek, Coffee county, where we remained four days, assisted part of the time by Bro. J. L. Sewell, who remained to continue the meeting after we left. There were six additions up to the time we left, and the people still seemed anxious to hear. We need many more faithful men to proclaim the Gospel. To the Lord be all the praise for what has been done.
E. G. BIBWELL
P. S. – My address is Franklin, Tenn.
B. G. S.
CHRISTIAN
Sister Margaret Speer, widow of our lamented brother, J. K. Speer, Sr., has had the misfortune to have her house, with almost her entire possessions, destroyed by fire a few weeks since. Bro. Speer spent his life through a number of years, until his death, in preaching the Gospel throughout Tennessee. He spent a considerable living and died, leaving his wife and children provided for. By earnest industry and economy, and some help from her brethren, she has lived, not very comfortably, but free from actual want, until this sad mishap. Her family consists of herself and three daughters. Now she and they are in actual want. We make this announcement because we believe there are many who were the glad recipients of Bro. Speer’s ministrations during life, that would now esteem it a precious privilege to be permitted to aid his widow in her misfortune and distress. It is a question from which no Christian can turn with indifference. Any means sent to Elder W. T. Lee, David Sowell, or Asa Hamlin, Columbia, Tenn., handed to Elder R. B. Trimble, or sent to the Gospel Advocate for her relief, will be gladly sent to her.
D. L.
We have received from J. Perry Elliott, of Indianapolis, a fine photograph of Alexander Campbell. It was taken about one year before his death. It is a well executed picture, and I admit that, a fine likeness of the great and good man. The picture sent us is on a card 6 by 8 inches. Such will be furnished to those wishing them, at $1.00 each, smaller ones, suitable for albums, at 25 cents. The artist is anxious to secure agents to sell these pictures. Address J. Perry Elliott, Indianapolis, Indiana.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
For the Gospel Advocate
PERRY COUNTY, MO., Aug. 17th, 1866.
Dear Brother Lipscomb:
I drop you a few lines in haste. We reached home safely on the 25th of July, and was exceedingly glad to learn that Bro. Robinson and Bro. were to commence a protracted meeting on the 28th of the same month at the neighborhood meeting-house. My heart was filled with joy and gladness at the thought of meeting the brethren, sisters, and friends under such circumstances; and like Paul, when he was met by the brethren at the three taverns, I “thanked God and took courage.” The meeting was one of considerable interest, and lasted till the 10th day of August, resulting in eleven additions to the army of the faithful.
On yesterday there came a young man to Brother Harrison’s (at whose house I am now staying) to talk with the good old brother upon the subject of becoming a Christian. As a matter of course, my sympathies were aroused in behalf of the young man who had rode miles to receive instruction on so important a subject. I sat down with him, with the New Testament in our hands, and examined thoroughly and satisfactorily the manner in which men and women became Christians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, through the apostles. The young man seemed to be rejoiced, and determined to walk in the way of the Lord.
After family worship yesterday evening, I took the confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and also the confession of a young married lady, and this morning early, with a few changes in spirit, we repaired to the neighboring stream, where they were “buried with their Lord by baptism.” To God be all the praise.
Yours in hope of a better life,
JOE B. WRIGHT.
For the Gospel Advocate
PARIS, TENN., Aug. 21st, 1866.
Bro. Fanning & Lipscomb:
I have just returned from a tour of several weeks preaching. The cause appears to be onward. The meetings included the following: At Blooming Grove, embracing the Lord’s days in July, resulting in nine confessions; at Dresden, the first Lord’s day instant, three confessions, one by commendation; at Mount Rose second Lord’s day instant, ten confessions, four by commendation. Had the assistance of brother Osborn, of Union City. It was here I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance—consider him an invaluable brother.
You would be pleased to know that the sects seem much stirred up throughout the country where I have traveled. One thing I noticed wherever we held the meeting with any success, they are sure to make a tremendous effort to save their sinking cause. Heard of some extraordinary occurrences among them, especially of one lady upon whose mind the spirit operated so powerfully as to
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
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I pray the Lord to deliver me from such religion. The religion of the mute does not drive people out of their senses, but it drives them in their senses. It is not designed to distract the mind, but to calm and quiet it. The Lord is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. When will the minds of the chambered people be disabused upon the subject of Christianity?
View religion as a practical thing, not as an electrical shock, causing spasmodic ebullitions of feeling, and cease to seek for religion as something to be felt for in the air and dragged down by main strength, but seek the Lord in His appointments—look to the word of God as the evidence of religion, and not to the churches or to anything within the churches.
What is the church to the heart? saith the Lord.
Your brother,
JOHN NASH
For the Gospel Advocate.
CAYVILLE, Haywood County, Tenn., Aug. 14th, 1866.
D. Lipscomb and T. P. Fanning—Dear Brethren: The West Tennessee Conference is to meet at Lagrange on Friday before the third Lord’s day in September, 1866. The brethren are requested to be prompt in attending.
There was a protracted meeting commenced at Cayville on Friday night before the first Lord’s day in this month, and closed the following Lord’s day, resulting in twenty-four noble souls being added to the faithful. To God be all the glory.
W. W. NANCE
CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPIST
We have just received the third number of the above named paper, published by Bro. Kendrick, at Bastrop, Texas. We have not had time to examine its contents, but the name of Bro. H. as editor, gives assurance of its soundness in the faith and its sterling worth as a defender of the truths of the Bible. It is published monthly at $1.00 in specie, or its equivalent in currency, for the balance of this year. Address G. Kendrick, Bastrop, Texas.
For the Gospel Advocate.
COLUMBIA, Tenn., Aug. 15th, 1866.
HARRISBURG FANNING & LIPSCOMB: We have had a refreshing season at Cathey Creek meeting-house. We began the 4th and closed the 13th inst. The result was ninety-three immersed, one from the Methodists, one from the Baptists, and thirty-eight restored. Brethren Trimble, Lee and White were with us nearly the time.
Yours fraternally,
JOHN A. SIDENOR
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
ITEM
The second number of an article, “The Issue,” from Huntsville, Texas, has come to hand, but number one has never reached the office. Will Brother S. try to furnish number one again? We failed to notice that we had received from a sister at Tallulah, La., five dollars; also one from a brother at Tait’s Station, three dollars for furnishing needy brethren South with the paper. We are now furnishing over one hundred with it. As others would desire to furnish, we are receiving no compensation for our labor; we think the brethren ought to divide these burdens with us. We received $3.00 from a sister at Trenton for Bro. Neely.
B. I.
PROSPECTUS OF VOLUME VIII. 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 right of Jesus Christ to rule the world, the supremacy of the Sacred Scriptures in all matters spiritual, and to encourage the investigation of every subject connected with the Church of Christ, which we may consider of practical interest. The Kingdom of God is a real, permanent institution; the plan and support of the “truth,” upon a proper appreciation of which, the welfare of the world and the happiness of man depend; its origin, organization, history, labor and mission; its relation toward civil, military and religious powers, and its final triumph, will occupy much of our attention. The cultivation of the world for Christianity, and the training of Christians for humanity, 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 present Gospel Advocate, neatly folded and stitched, at:
- $2.30 for Single Subscribers.
- $1.25 for Five Subscribers.
- $0.50 for Ten Subscribers, invariably in advance.
We would be pleased to have the cooperation of the brethren generally, and the preachers of the same especially, in circulating the paper. In making remittances, send all sums of $10, and under, registered letters by mail at our risk, and all sums over $10, by express, or in check or Post Office draft.
Direct all communications for the Advocate to:
T. FANNING, D. LIPSCOMB, Editors & Publishers, Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tenn.