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I ———" 1 11 __ The Pilgrim’s Banner. A.V.SIMMS, - - VALDOSTA, GA., LEE WANKS, - - BOSTON CA. EDITORS. Entered at the Post Office at Val dosta, second class mail matter PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. Subscriptoin Rates. —The subscrip tion price of the Pilgrim’s Banner is SI.OO per annum, in advance; 50 cts for six months. Sample copies sent free on application. Valdosta, Ga., April 1,1895. V-' /-Jy'W EDITORIALS. 7~i77h.ii.i1. " ■ Reply to Brother Varnes* Letter. We commend the spirit and tone of brother Varnes’ letter,and gladly give it space in the Banner. It breathes the .true language of Ca naan, and we join brother Varnes in his appeal to our brethren to avoid strife and division, and not to manufacture a phrase of their own, such as “Absolute Predestination” to express their faith or belief, and set up their own utterances for a standard by which the church should be governed. Brother Varnes seems to hope that the charge that was made in our editorial referred to, was like it was in Illinois—a long way off, and ask the question direct: “Do you know of such a case among you\” We are sorry to say that suchi cases do exist, or rather have existed right here in Georgia. Owe case is on record where a good/ brother offered a little ad mcZition to a brother who was upon ’ the offender pleaded the Predestination of all things” for justification. ■ Another case has just come to light where a learned and talented preacher said boldly and publicly while preaching that all Christians were in such condition that “they cannot do any better,” leaving the church to infer that if a ‘ brother become guilty of drunkdness or . adultery or any other sin he was compelled to do so under the force of circumstance's. The. church promptly called him to ac count for it, and in the trial of the case he again reaffirmed bis posi s- tion, whereupon the church with drew her fellowship from him on the charge of “Heresy—for per verting the word of God relative to the doctrine of predestination.’, Elder Sj. Hassell of Williamston, N. C. was present and .sat as Mod erator for the church on the dav of the trial, and sanctioned the course the church pursued. , ~,y Wefeel that it is but simple justice to add just here that we “ do not believe, that the two cases 7 mentioned abovte represent the greatbody of brethren; who say they belieye. in the doctrine \of - H i V “Absolute Predestination of all things.” These are-extreme cases,, and we suspectfroni brother Varnes letter that had he been : a -member of the church mentioned above, he w’ould have voted'With the church., No, dear brother we never “shoot at the shake of the bushes.” We would only be too glad to be able to say that no such heresies, existed here or elsewhere, and it • pains us to the vdry heart to be forced .to mention the cases above alluded to, and would not have .done so for any other reason that? that our orethren—the church of the Most High—the peace and prosperity of which is dearer to me than my own wretched life, shquld lift up their eyes and behold the dangers that await us, and that the church may be able with the di vine help and grace of God to for tify herself against every evil, in whatever guise it may Come. We have said repeatedly in these columns that we would not allow the phrases “Absolute” “Limited”or“Unlimited”when pre fixed to the doctrine oi predestina tion to disturb our fellowship with any brother; but wo would plead with brother Varnes to the dear children of God to use only such phrases as God has used to repre sent their faith and doctrine. We have believed fora long time that the seeming differences among our brethren on these things amounted only to a different manner of ex pressing them. No sound Baptist believes that God has left any- of His works to chance, or uncertainties. Neither do we believe that anyone with a proper regard for the sacredness and truthfulness of God’s Holy word believes that He is the author or approver of sin; but on the contrary the great body of Primitive Baptists believe that God hates, reproves, condemns and punishes sin in whatever form it may appear, whether in his chil dren or the unregenerate. > But if extreme cases should ap ; pear where one should represent , himself as the agent of Almighty ; doirig that which He has predesti nated while indulging in his un , godly lusts, we shall be found contending against such heresy i with such ability as the Lord may give- ' /•;/\ "" in one of the cages men tioned above one Or more should deffythp,ability of God’s chihlrem to do what GoThas Off, them to do —that they are required to do a thing and without the ability to perform it—that though they be guillty of the vilest sin—r “THEY CANNOT DO ANY BETTER,” and thereby impeach the justice of Godin punishing them for their sin, we should be found among that loyal body of Christians cry ing, with a feeble voice though it be, away with such blasphemy. We do not believe that our God is a “hard man, reaping where He has not sown, and gathering where He has not strewn,” Math. 25 and 24,—-that He has required obe dience of His children and has not given the. power to perform itj The Scriptures abound with testimony testifying to the ability of every Christian to live morally and sober ly. True that Paul often did wrong-r-did things that he “would not,” and yet he says “I keep un- 1 der my body, and bring it into Subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castway.” Ist Cor. 9 ahd 27. And not only does he recognize the ability of the Christian to do these things, but that he could, and did live morally even before he knew any thing of the mighty power and grace of God in his heart; and that the “Gentiles which huve not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law,” Rom. 11 and 14. But why multiply. Scrip tures to prove a doctrine so well established in the mind and heart of every child of God? Do w r e feel inclined to excuse ourselves when overtaken in sin on the plea that we could not do any better?—“that we were compelled to transgress by some unseen hand or .power? No, a thousand times no; but when we sin we feel that we have done it willfully, and our sense of truth and justice will not allow us to plead before God “I have done the best I can.” God deliver us from such blasphemy I pray.-—S. CAST DOWN. We thought to continue by giv ing our call to the ministry im. this issue of the Banner, if indeed it be a call to such a great work; but we have been so low spirited and have felt for the past month that our feeble life had been a dismal failure, until we have doubted whether the Lord has ever called us to this great vocation. We can see others eating, at the king’s table, but we lay.in lodebar/lame on broth feet, and cannot getrthere to eat the rich provissions of our blessed king. Oh! that we had our appointments called in, we do not think we would make any more. We have thought of going to our dear brethren and telling them that we shall act no longer in the capacity of a feeble minis ter, but only want aii humble home among them what few days We remain here. Just let us re main at their feet and be Rooked upon as the least; if one at’hll. Oh! that the Lord would be merciful nnto us, and enable us to feel his presence once more Oh! that we knew where we could find Him. . Would a child of God get so low? These have been our feel ings for quite awhile: me.” “God be merciful to fme a poor sinner.” “Lord if thoi hadst been with me I would nqt thus from my great trouble, j .We pint to talk to the humlwe chil dren of God, but feel toil sinful and conndt. All we can Jlo is: “Be still and know that I am God.” Pray for me.—H. Elder Purefoy will preach at Little Flock 2nd Saturday in April, and at Antioch on Sunday, and Sunday night in Boston.—-11. Do lour Duty. Brethren should not call a preach er to serve them,and thpn not go to hear him preach. Be careful to call a godly man, and one whom the Lord has blessed with a gift to speak comfortably unto Jerusalem, and alsc, he should be faithful to point out the sins of Israel, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Go to hear him preach and if you have no preacher, go and bold your meetings, and talk about the good ness of God, sing and pray. Many of our brethren are too careless about going to meeting. Brethren, do not let little frivol ous matters keep you awuy from i your meetings. The more you stay away the more careles you are. Brethren die. to their Chris tian comforts by neglecting their duty, If you love the Lord’s peo ple, you can go quite a distance to hear them preach and you can go through cold weather or rain There is a. sacrifice in true wor ship. Seek .first the kingdom of God and let all worldly matters be secondary. My brother and sister, let us all resolve from this on that we will not forsake the as sembling of ourselves- &>gether, but let us all go, not as smetutors but as humble You can make your meetings %eavtenly places if you will do yhur duty. How maiiy dear puefl are staying away, living after the flesh and dying to their sweet comforts as. Christians, ?muet '•'oci ■r • • ■’ ;i ’ ■■ ■■ v 5- - ■ ■ ° often, and meet early and sing praises to God and if anyone feels -impressed to .tell his feelings or speak in prayer, let him do so; but do uot go into un- til tire church puts you there. Many useful gifts are distroyed by putting too many out of their places. Many gobd orethern would speak in prayer or tell their feel ings, but are afraid thechurch would putthem in the pulpit when they uro not preachers. If the Lord,s people were as good to go to worshipped as they are tw. go to elections we would get along bet ter.—H. FAITH. • “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen?' Heb. xi. 1. It appears to be the apostle’s object here to shew forth to the Hebrew brethern the degree and manner in which holy men of old wore exercised by faith, as a proof of f Howship, .that we who . are exercised similarly, may have strong.consolation;-and lay hold of.the promise set before us; and ' cry out as did Ruth of old, “En ’ treat me not to leave thee, or to • return from following after thee: i for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou longest, I will lodge; thy people shall be ray peo ple and thy God my God” etc. 5 , For the Spirit of .truth which ; the world knowefh not, neither . can receive, has edmb' for sake, and bus, faithful withers within, testified to none other ! things than, these’Which the pro i phets and Moses' did say should . come; as Jesus himself said. “And he sifaii testify of me/’ is, “that Christ should suffer, and that, he should be the first that should, rise 5 from the dead and should show > light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” ’ r ; The great problem with all saints, from Abel to. faithful Zaeharias, and eyen to the present * day is: “Am I a child of God? Have I passed, from death (what , Timothy.know) to .life?, Have I been born pf the Spirit of ,Qod? Can I claim oim bit of fellowship with those in wliom we. have the i utmost confidence as ‘men of God?’ Tbumstances -to them, and am I in VO IIWUI, (IUU CVIAX A All the way of the footsteps of the flock?” If so, how blessed is our , state indeed; if not, who knoweth the end thereof? Thus how all-important 1 it is so us, that our calling arid election be made sure; not to God, biit to ourselves,who have to live by hope, of the same,which is as an anchor to the soul both sure-and. steadfast and which cute re th into that with in the veil, which place is the des tined haven of rest, so long looked and hoped for by those who.have ho continuing city, here, but. seek one to come, and are as the fore runner. who bad no where ,to lay his head. So for this same grand purpose were the Scriptures written,'that we through patience and comfort of the same might have very substance upon which we live,,“ for we live by hope.” It may appear that I have rather i left the subject, but it was iny ob ject to, show the motive of Pau] in referring to so many of that “great cloud of witneeses,” as he after ward called them*; which reference was for the consideration of the brethren, that they might aside every weight,and Sin.:which doth so easily beset them, with patience the race set before' us, looking unto Jesus the aurthor and finsher of our sub ject under consideration,and tvjth out which, Paul says “it is imposi ble to please God.” ;f . ~, , The truth that is conflcrmd by the testimony of these witnesses, is.all important to anycehild of God, for it is to such the poweir of. Gtid and the wisdom of God; the identical. and only qualification that he needs,and must have to ever him:to present his body a living sacrifice and holy, acceptable unto God which is his ,ser r vice, and as a proof of tbeir-poses- f sing it Their words were invaribly pointed to, for instance; by it tiic elders obtained a good report,— ; which we know coULDNbT have been < by saying and doing not, or by < drawing near untp lhe Lord with their lips, their hear'U far from him. < J ' . 1 The elders doing thus did nbt giye them faith, dr make them heirsof Godr or .spiritual child but it did prove beyond edntfa diction that they had faith, and a living faith too, which is always, attended by “good works!” ; It proved,—however, that they had passed from death to life, and had been made partakers of the firs resurection and freed .from the terror of the second death; being riseii with Christ,they sought thoee things which are above which was an unmistakable dvidenpe of. the existence asd active'exerciso of a true and living faith, not as we exr ercise it, but as it exercises us. for it is God which worketh in,,.you both to will and to,do of his good pleasure,’’thus enabling as uiany.as are exercied thereby to work out taeir own sakvatipn, and that too, with fear and trimbling. This saL vation is not the eternal one.which was completed by Christ on Cal very when he himself said“it is finished,” but the salyaton here referred to is the perfect peace and joy unspeakallo an 4 full of glbr'y that is experienced by every child of God in obedience to God’s com mand ; for,in so doing they have a strong consalatioh, the evidence of their acceptance with dbd‘“i's brightened by their strict Ud< herence to all his laws and statutes, ; which is a s tire token of the >ac-, tive exerise of a live faith within and maiWfests itself by •• 1 bringing \ forth ; such fruit from its nossessdr as is spoken inJ.Galatiabs v. 22 and 23, such as lover joy, peace etc?; against •whichb there is; no law.,- ■ ’ )M ,.! . I had thougntwheml began,,, to refer to some of the, evidences that is.menti.oped ;in the.xi chapter of Qebi e.ws, as p.roo fs th at. th is great; cloud.of witnesses were possessed of, and, exercised by «a fait|i that is, peculiar to God’s chosen which is thb gift of God through: the Spirit- , There is a;i idea that whatever they may door not do, causes God to do or' not do what they m their judgment may’think! was proper, eitfior as punisbineht : for disobedience, Of'as fbn ’ obedience, and a&a coiisequencb! their heart is as full of inconsola-i tion and-' impatience 'as it oah pos sibly hold,! Suppose.!. I» will .close byi'us-fng the. wordfl of: Peter: “And beside th is, giving all diligence, , and. to your faith virture, add to virtue knowlege, ; and to knowledge temperance; qpd to, temperance, patience ? and to patieuce, godliness; and to godli ness, brotherly, kindness; • and, to brotherly kindness, charity;, sot .it fhogu,. things bq ip .you. and. abound, they male you that yO , shall neither bo barren not un fruitful in the knowledge bj bur Lord Jesus Christ.” i, 5 and ■ 8). Would he so glad to' receive a letter from anyone who may read this, for lam so Oafn’af that’ I am' often thinking, if 1 am wliat I thus. Sb dear reader'• in ay the dear Lord inclinG?. your lieaH' tjm law of*' liberty;'" thqti. ypuMipright walk and convered-! turn may ;Show .'forth the praise ! tMhA glory of 'God’s grace.: in: .v • • ( cDeju?. Breth ; S immfr: an 41 . Jiaaks, I siibmif the foregoihg tQ: ypur better,;'judgment do jwi-Ui, ; it ; r , asrjseemeth right to-you,. ainUGbd be glorified. ‘ ' 1 / . Renaem bqr you rs in Jippe, .n. -W Ga^Mar^XdflA', ; ;j ! j. 'r ; ’ ; ’ The’®ftects'of''Freb , clHii^ c ’ i 1 lie i-m Janice |? ; \“But we pjeacb Christ crucified; ' unto the Jews a stumbljßg , block: i ap'd uhid the <urfp<jks (o6hsh'fie I ss, but'unto them that are eallbd botln { Jews and f;Greeksg-.-.B Christ' < the/ J '- ’ $9.4 tb© w isdpqi 3 o f. i * '//■* -■ I “I[ J (5 Pear Edit ch’s, qf, IbellAXNhß: ,desirc so wjJtct.fl, f<.iy line&. pn ; ; tlfo fiwegoingm.suhjecti/'Wliat* a.AaSt J amount of preacliiitg; and sifdfi 5 i small affibunt (comparatively speaking:) on the/ Apostolic or | djer. Hbfwthe ’ bmiiicnt pbytid !V MidtVkffpWe'tefifectsbf 1 or what efiect it has on all classes, A ... ... i and as it was in that day. so it r will be throughout all ages of the world; its influence will never fail t while there is day aud night. We ’ understand the Gospel to W the ’ Hbwr- of God - untn salvation-, to “ the believer, and to preach Christ 1 crucifidd is' preaching the Gospel. J Therefore onto the Jews it was a stumbling-block, and,it is , f .to day, j and unto the Greeks it was foolish ness, so it is to dav. I understand 3 from the term “Jews, and Greeks,” ? that it was to the unbeliever that ’ the Apostle had reference to.. The 5 preaching of the Gbspel, in this 5 day, as'.it was in, the. Apos t tolic day; it is a stumbling block r add foolishneS unto them. -’Why? p Because the carnal mind is en-' i mity against God; it is n,ot .subject I unto bis laws,, neither indeed can 5 be; but unto the believer it is the - t power of God and the sy^.o m oi , God. The Gospel, preached is - comforting* to them that have 1 hearing ears and 5 tifiddi’standing 1 hearts." “ ' " , " ' 3 ; ; Comfortye, comfort;ye my. peo- ’ pie, (those - who arb saved) saieth your God, spefik ye comfortably to ' Jerusalem,and cry unto her,that her warefare'is that her iniquitiy' is pardoned;’for she hath f received of the LorSM harid ’ double g for.all her sins,”,,/, t . ? , ; Such preaching is comforting indeed to the shm'e 'bhbs, tlie apos- _ lie had reference to it is not stumb j ling-blocjc nor foolishness unto ri him but it is the power ' m God. r But to the contrary it is fooljsli . ness, and has been s anfl ever will 3 be, .until t|me slfalf be np more. .) . The jeieemed of.the Lord’s, war fpje their are )> remembered against them no more : foreyer;,. they , are. not redeemed f wj tli ;Silyqr por geld; but,' .by , tbe t blood.of, Christ,... Their warefare is 1 oyer,and ; pertaining to 3 i their eternal salvation', is hxed »j pealed. Whbso . great a j God as pur .God-. ; How: thankful the recleeraed, pf , dhe Lord, should •hath, bestowed.. upon us. We as ,iw;.P e 9Pi® ®J TOr. honor and adore idjs ( ; ,great (Kung of ;kings, and Lor|l.of Iprds) in, jiving upright, apiyonesf ( a.np( our and in obedience so the . la ws aud ordmances of .map; Whii e here, in time, worh’ out our own salvation .jyitii4ear apd. fey.!Jiving ’/in '?.be.djqnce.th/.our hatb re ,quire T d obedience, of all Ills. chil- • : ; G f od’ s pepp|q ? that ) Xpiqy. jiye that us t.o. qeyer upon, the , paiisepfchyist/,//.’ ‘ ’>. ir<X o; ¥ s f'Urnql : Ji lo , . Feb;,/7th, 1895. Joo Oil: HKLP. Times ■ ar!e, Fhard and > n ;we are greatly in 1 -need of y money to, defray' the %f the Banker' .W e ; hope tlie. friends : of tbe Banker Will 4Md-US’by re pewing and sending. .us.heW, cash mahy ybu can aerid!' by :gre^9eqd n .„. ’'-Many 1 tlidhl&! the' brethren I nocjTj; ® ki f d -ne.v troubles areFah ■ ®'«ssra*«2 n ; Valdosta. Ga Dealers lor Southeast Ala, *