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Baker's Mill, Fla., January 23rd, 1895. Elder. A. V. Simms, Dear Brother in Christ:—Aftei some solicitation to write for the Banner, I have decided to sub mit a few thoughts for the con sideration of yonr readers upon the subject of traveling ministers. I do not desire to be understood to offer a personal complaint in any way, nor to throw any obstacles in the way cf any of God’s ministers who may be sent of him. But there is a very embarassing difficulty confronting us which will surelx come before the churches for ad justment in some way. I want to say just here that I have turned my three score years, and I am in the same vicinity, or within fifty miles of where I was raised, and have been acquainted with the greater part of the churches within that territory, and know their history, and I must say that not untill a few years past did we have many traveling preachers to visit, u? but of late years we have had a great many to visit us. Indeed it has become so frequent that I have heard some complaint among the brethren. During the winter and early spring these visits are so frequent that many poor brethren find it quite bur densome to lay down their domes tic affairs and meet the traveling brother. The consequence is a —-boutene forth or at most about one half of the church turns out on such occasions, and the preach er is discouraged, and the breth ren and sisters present feel sad on his account. I know whereof I speak. Not a great while ago a very precious brother from a dis tance visited the church of my membership, and, Having learned that we had more than one hun dred membeis he very naturally, expected to meet a good coogerga lion, but say that, although good, and the ap £ pomtment Wil had L perhaps not more than 25 hearers wand some of (them wefe not mem- F bers.The preicher was deeply ih&r- L tified and m|ide some coniplaint t which others to feel sad. F Now, I cannot find it in my heart to censure the brethren who did not meet him, knowing as I do, the causes. They are generally poor and some are very destitute and their families depending upon tlieir daily labor for support. They are worthy faithful brethren and attend their conference meetings very promptly, but to them it ap pears burdensome to lose so much time to meet the traveling brother, though they love him and the doctrine he brings, all this the preacher himself no doubt often finds himself in straitened circumstances away from home. I will not question the motives of our bretheren who are always traveling from church to church. If the Lord by His spirit impress es them to go, I would say go. ‘ But have they not some room to doubt whether or notit is of the Lord, when they get to a church and find three four ths of the church absent?lt seems to me that preach ers should pay more attention to destitute places.C'lurches that have good pastors and regular preach ing cannot appreciate nor feel the preachers visit so great a bless ing as where preachers are scarce and have preaching so seldom Churches that are poor find often that it is as much as they can do to keep their own pastors from beg gary, and I fear that often, enough has not been done by the churches for the home preacher Now what is the remedy lor all these evils, if evils they are. It seems to me that when invite brethren to visit them they should prove that they desired him to come by meeting him ano care ing for him in a temporal way. It would he ve.iy wrong to invite a brother to visit us and then fail to meet him, or bear his expenses. But and have.tbeir own L perhaps not more than 25 h<bare?s~ wand some of (them wele not mem- preicher was deeply I tified and some coniplaint [ which caused others to feel sad. F Now, I cannot find it in my heart to censuye the brethren who did not meet him, knowing as I do, the causes. They are generally poor and some are very destitute and their families depending upon tlieir daily labor for support. They are worthy faithful brethren and attend their conference meetings very promptly, but to them it ap pears burdensome to lose so much time to meet the traveling brother, though they love him and the doctrine he brings. all thia the preacher himself no doubt often finds himself in straitened circumstances away from home. I will not question the motives of our bretheren who are always traveling from church to church. If the Lord by His spirit impress es them to go, I would say go. ‘ But have they not seme room to doubt whether or notit is of the Lord, when they get to a church and find three-fourths of the church absent?lt seems to me that preach ers should pay more attention to destitute places. Churches that have good pastors and regular preach ing cannot appreciate nor feel the preachers visit so great a bless ing as where preachers are scarce and have preaching so seldom Churches that are poor find often that it is as much as they can do to keep their own pastors from beg- arranged without any invitation from the church they should not complain very much I should think should the church fail in what he couceived to bo her duty to him Brother Simms I submit this let ter to yo i. If you think it will du no harm or hurt to any of tho pre cious gifts God has given his poo pie,you have my consent to publish t, otherwise consign it to the waste basket and all will bo well with mo. Yours Very Unworthily, J. D. Smith. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because [go unto my Father. John 14—12. Dear Brother Simms: —With hesitancy I thought to offer a few thoughts on the above text, in compliance with your earnest re quest, but not without fear that I should darken council by words without knowledge. I know well that without the blessed influence of the Holy Spirit in the heart, no one can write or speak to tho edification of the Lord’s peo ple and it seems to me the older I get the less confidence I have in myself to speak to the comfort of the dear people of God. Ist, “The works that i do,” Jesus said (John 10—25.) “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.” And when he raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, gave sight to the blind, and healed all manner of diseases, the work he done cer tainly gave witness that no man can do these things unless God be with him. They testified that he was God manifest in the flesh. 2nd, “Shall he do also.” That is hethat believeth on Jesus; and we read that the Apostles done the same work or mericles in the name of Jesus that-he himself done as raising the'ejead, and healing, dis eases. Thid was undoubtedly the greatest work the world ever saw. To think oft a poor, weak, finite man endue<|LAy|th such .power in ant* l name of him that in heaven hnd earth ; was tjie fact, that them ; ami infiflKkeny tho truth of miracles to-day. We might well pause and ask, what greater works could poor frail man be endued with power to do? Let us see. All the werks enumerated was a manifes tation of the power of God in giving, or restoring natural life, ailfe Dealing the diseases that flesh is heir to. But before I speak of the “greater works,” I wish to con sider the meaning of the last of the text “because I go unto my B’ather,” for embraced in that is the channel through which the power to do greater works must come. When Jesus spake those words he was yet here in the flesh. The spirituality of his kindom was not yet manifested, and to go to tho Father, was to go by the way of the cross. It was not possible for him to go to the Father without •drinking the cup of suffering that lay before him, and when on the cross "ho said “It is finished” the whole work of redemption was complete; all the work the Father gave him to do was done, and he had power to lay down his life, and power to take it again. This com mandment he received of the Father. Now the law was fufilled and satisfied; and notonly ful filled but magnified and honored and the holy and righteous life of the blessed man, Christ Jesus. And having done all that was ap pointed for him to do has gone to the Father, and is set down at the right hand of the majesty on high. And when he ascended on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men ; and these gifts are for the accomplishment, (in the name and powers of Jesus) of greater works than were done in restoring natural life, or healing natural dis eases. When Jesus by his almigh ty power quickens a dead sinner, it is not a restoring of a life that had been laid down and thus plac ing such back where they were before, but giving eternal life •-something they never had beftret and henos is as much greater works as spiritual life is greater than natural life. “And as hath life in Himself, flßjp so hath he given the Son to have life in himself, and as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickenth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. But the greater works do not ex tend the same length as the former, for the Apostles nor no man ever had power to give eternal life to any one, not even instruments; for Jesus only hath immortality dwelling in the light. His voice is the only voice that can raise the dead in trespass and sin. The question may be asked wherein con sists then, the greater work of him that believeth on me. In this: it is greater to proclaim a work finished and complete, than to work in prospect. Greater is the anti-type than the type, greater is the substance than the shadow. Jesus said unto Saul “But rise dnd stand upon thy feet; for I have ap peared unto thee for this purptoe, to make thee a minister and a wit ness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the peo ple and from the Gentiles whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power ot Satan unto God ; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Then, to open their blind eyes that they may behold the beauties of nature, is a great work, but to open the eyes of the understanding, being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance a mong the saints,and what is the ex ceeding gr. atness of his power to us who believe according to the working of his mighty power,which he wrought in Christ when lie rais ed him from the dead, liridrJhmk nt his own righthand in tfl Anly places. Then all suchfl thine; greater than Th'fe- Jf for.Jy-Qlfiy of redemption revealed in the plan of salvation, and the ears that war Jta topted by preju dice ami former imagination are unstoped bjflhe ministry of God’s which is the greater, natural sound, or to hear the song of redeeming love? Let those who have hoard both,answer. And which is greater to have the crippled feet made whole as the man at the gate, %*&utiful, or to have the feet turned away from the' paths of sin and error, to walk in paths of righteousness? And while the first would enable one to better enjoy the things of this life, the greater blessing would be the heavenly blessings so often given minis try of God’s servant# in preach ing the word. “Our feet shall stand within thy gatesOJerusalem.'’ These gifts in Jerusalem, or the church, is for the work of the min istry, for the perfecting of the saints; for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all comeiixthe unity of the faith and of the know ledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. “And these signs shall fol low them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deathly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall jay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Mark 16—-17, 19. Now no one will claim that we have these signs following in a natrual or vis able way to the natural eye, but that they follow them that believe, in an invisible or spiritual sense/ I think they are a distinguishing mark of the true church. When Paul shook a from his hand and felt no harm it was a great miracle and the native people wertr astonished, but how much greater the work when he wrestled against spiritual wickedness in high places and fought with beasts of Ephesus? The first required but little effort, the last required the all-supporting | 4 grace of God. The subject might be pursued farther but I will desist, hoping you will cast it aside unless you see something in it that in your jugement would serve the cause of truth. John Downey. Wenona, 111., Feb., 4th. 1895. My D<&r Brother,-[if you will al low me to so address you.] I am not al together of your faith and or der, yet I know it is easier to see the imperfections of others than it is to see our own. There are a few things taught by people call ing themselves Primitive Baptist that I cant quite understand. But I will not now attempt to dis cuss those points with you. Ido not know whether lam willing to concede to you the honor of being the Primitive Church or not. But there is one thing for which I give your people great credit, namely : you have stood more of the tem pestious howls of other (so called) churches than all ether people com bined , yet you stand firm, holding forth the same doctrine that was taught when I was a little boy, for ty years ago on tho banks of the Satiiia River at Oid Bethel Church in Ware County Ga, by old fathers in Isreal, Crawford,, Dryden, Patterson Hutto and oth- 1 ers. Those faithful men have earn estly contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, and well handed down the same faith and doctrine to the present time, while there has been many wolves to a rise in your flock (or Christ’s flock) unaware, and haved caused a great deal of trouble to the chil dren of God.l am glad to know there still remains some who have al ways waved the banner of King Emanuel, and remained true to the doctrine of Christ. I am also glad to know that there is, at lea=it, one bright intelligent paper in Old Georgia that teaches thatGod-honoringfioctrine of salva tipn by grace, without condition, are not gospel subjects that sprinkling nor of Ksm ; I sin- cerlyfc'ppeyUrvajuble papffßMP do much good, in your State, where the doctrine of Bodily Holiness is taught so freely and where so many other false doc- Xriries are being proclaimed from the pulpit. Being myself raised in Georgia, in the lap of Methodism, and taught by good honest parents that it was right to live in the Methodist church, I did so for 14 years, but the more I learned of the Bible, the more satisfied I became that they were not the church of God, and so became entirely sep arated from them. Well perhaps when I tell you J am a Missionary Baptist, yoa will say I had as well be a Methodist; hut there are a few points that I would like to discuss in brotherly love, but nay letter is too long. I have read nearly 1 every copy of your paper, and think it good. Go on sounding the trum pet until called to go home. D.A. Thompson. Josh, Ga., December 11th 1894. Eld A. V. Simms, Dear Sir; By your request I write you a short sketch of my life; though I feel too unworthy to write to any of the dear saints of God. My mother is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Papa never united with any church, but he was a strong believer in the doc trine of Primitive Baptists. He died on the 13th of May 1887. I feel that the Lord has been good to us since his death. I often bad serious thoughts a bout my condition when 1 was quite young. I was about fourteen years old when I first began to read the bible for relief; but I could not understand it. It was a sealed book to me. lat length began to despair of ever finding any relief for my burdened soul. I would try. to pray but could not. 1 thought there might be a chance for othey, but none for me. About this time I had a drcam that I have never forgotten. I dreamed I wont to hoar a beptist preach, and as I went iniq the house the minis ter asked the deacoc if I was a member of the church; he told him I was not. He said,“We ought to talk to her.” He looked at me a moment and turned away without saying a word. I thought he knew that I would not do. I awoke with my <trouble greater than it had ever been before. I knelt down and tried to pray,but could say but very little. My trouble was so great I wrote to Elder Lee Hanks asking him to pray for me* The day I wont to hear you preach at Rose Mary I thought Icould/never live to hear another sermon. I thought I was going to die, and that, too, without any hope. Oh 1 what a gloomy time to me. But be fore you was done preaching my trouble had mysteriously left me and all was peace within. There for the first time in my life I could see the church in her glorified beau ty. I found I was loving the dear saints as I never had before. My desire was to hear you preach a gain, and so I went quite a distance to meet you again at Deloache’s. When the meeting was over, though you was an entire stranger tome, I could not help going to you and tell you something of my case. But I was sorry enough I had x done so before I reached home that evening. I feared I was deceived, and had deceived you. Oh 1 what would I have given if I had never mentioned it to you. I sometimes feel yet that I am almost without any hope; and then again a new light springs up before me, and I praise the Holy name of God. If I am a Christian. 1 surely must be tho least of all. /Remember me in your prayers. Mty Ibe permitted to hear you Pleach again sometime. I enclose one dollar for the Banner Your Unworthy Friend Sarah Cartie wX, Ga, Feb., 4th, 1895. Elder A* w. Simms, j My Dear Brother feel to njgfit just HikeJL we nave here quring the past week. Brother Hanks has b&en here with us for several days and we have had a feast of fat things. I believe God sent him here. He baptized four dear sisters into the fellowship of Antioch church a few days ago. It was a meeting that will long be remembered by those who were present. Oh, it was good to be there and witness their coming and hear them tell what the dear Lord had done for them. It is so refreshing to see such. It tells us that Jesus is there also. How love ly is the sight’ofobedience to God 1 He always blesses His children when they a£e dutifuljand obedient. I feel that'this is true of me, un worthy as lam , sometimes I almost give up in despair. I feel so unworthy of the fellowship of God’s dear people. But I know I found rest in going there, and I can sav with a whole heart that where they live, I want to live and where thev die I want to die. Their are more of the little ones bleating around the fold here, and I sincerely hope they will soon take up their cross and follow Jesus, and find a home, for such ‘have no home while living with the world. May God bless you,’ dear brother, and enable you to preach the un searchable riches of His grace for many years to come. Your little, and unworthy brother, Fair. R. Brinson, Oksitxxa-ry- Nashville, Berrien. Co., Ga„ January 28th, 1895. "(fl At the home Newbern, Rebecca >of her bob ywjawH.D. O’Quinn, in Berrien Cofimty, Ga., about 7 minutes after 2 o’clock .a m., on the 10 inst, Mrs. Rebecca Newbern aged 70 years, 5 months, and 27 days was called away fiom earth’s troubles • “To that land above, Where all »s Iovjl” She was a daughter of Absalem Thomas, was born iu Ware Coun ty, Georgia July 13th 1824, joined tliH Priinative Baptist Church in her 23rd year of age, Married Rev. _ G. W. Newbern in her 23rd yqar. Being connected with the family and well acquainted with .mother Newborn for near 30 yeeirs, the writer can say that she lived;* a most pious God-like Christian ls% never uttering a word of any kind unbecoming a Christian. O, may all her loved ones ever imitate her examples . here below. And in eternity bere-united-with her “Ih that house not made with hands eternally.” * *•* ■ • H. D. O’Quinn. APPOINTMENTS. Elder J. J. Byrd, of Ozark, Alla., will preach ( D. V- ) iu the bounds of Lower Cahoohee Association as fel lows : * Belleville, Ga., Tuesday night Little Flock, Wedesday “ 13 Sun Light. Thursday “ 14 Cedar Greek, Friday “. 15 Anderson’s Sat. and Sun., “16,17 New DeLoaoUe’s Monday “ 18 ** Bellknap, Tuesday “ • >l9 Beard’s Creek, Wednesday “ 20 Love’s Chapel, Thursday ' “ 21 At School h.o,use near brother Rogers’ FrL, “ ; 22 Bay Branch,ibat. and Sun., “ 28,25 Brother Byrd will need conveyance L. M. Nichols, ElderS. Hassell, of Willfamston, N, C., will preach, the Lord with Elder M. F. Stubbs, as follows: Naylor, Ga., Tuesday night, Feb., 19 Union, Wednesday *“ 20 Salem, Thursday , •“ 21 Concord, Friday “ 22 Pleasant, Saturday “ •28 Cat Creek, Sunday “ 24 Rist, Monday “25 U nity, Tuesday, j “ 26 Wayfair, Wednesday “ 27 Hebron, Friday “ 28 Bethel, Saturday and Sunday; Leba- non, Brooks county, uesday; Bethany, Wednesday: Harmony, Thursday; Bethel, Friday, From thence Elder Barwick will arrange for him on into L the bounds of the Primitive Pulaski J. Association, and from thence Elder McDonald will arrange for him on- W ward into the Upatoie. Elder Hassell | is an able, worthy brother and we hopp he may have good attention and, good congregations. Elder Stubb« ( will part with him at Union church.—S. ' Boated, Ga., will preach (D. V.) in the bounds of the 4 Mt. Enon and Indian River Apsocia? J tions as follows at night. Ji Ocala, Florida., Thursday r>,uth, , Antioch, Uth a MtJEnon, 23th and 26th, Peace Creek, 28th, ■, Corinth, March 2nd and 3rd, Mt. Carmel, sth, Elim, 7th, ... W Mt. Olive, Bth, | Hebron, 9xh and 10th, t . I Salem, lltb, J ’ ; Kissimme, 12th, Orange, 13th, ■ Mt. Olive, 15th, r fl Mt,Zion, 16th>and 17tb, > X ■ Etodiah, 18th, 1 Union Grove,l9th, r Piigrim’s Rest, 21&t, Mt. Carmel, 23rd and 24tb. ■ i ■ M.L.Gilbksx? A DR. HERCULES SANCHE/ / —Discover ©f the Laws of— Physiological Combuition., b*- Upon Which Organic Health and Vigor . Depend, and Inventor of A OXYDONOR AND ANIM ATGR, Simple, Safe and Successful Instru ments, Which Bring {These Laws into active play upon the iiv-%£' ing organism for the Spon - •• taneous Prevention and . ' Cure of Disease. ■ This new Science, ‘‘DIaDUCTIO*N,” , Alone deals directly with the Principle of Life; alone holds out infallibly in practice by affording mastery of disease. This Diaductiva Method,; curing by JA. increase of VITAL FORCE, it is the only remedy. When mode A adequate, it moves any function, throws off any disease, and it causes. the physiological process of Life to fl prevail and to replace the Chemical fl process of Death. Its protection is indispensable to every one’s well-be-' ing. For Vital facts send stamp. Ad- x. dress Dr. H. SANCHE, 261 Ffth Avenue New York, or DR. D. BARTLEY, General Dealer, Drawer J., Crawfordsville, Ind.. Competent dealers solicited. . A'*- Lee Hanks, Boston Ga., is dealer in Southeast Alabama, and will ders promptly or give any tion wanted. 'l''; * GOBLES HYMN Booifl We will receive orders for Gtnm’s i Hymn Books, and furnish them W our brethren at publisher’s prices. The book contains a choice selection of did •** hymns in 'common use among tile Baptists of the South with some new % J Ones added. ’ Terms: 25 cents for a single copy 1 or $2.50 per dozen. Leather bound .40 jL * cents, pargopy or $8.75 per dpzen. Send orderffljo A. V. Simms, Valdosta. Ga., or Lee\Hanks» Soften, ©•4/-X isl