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poetry. £ * ___ The Old School. I L. M. I | There is a school on earth began, t The teacher is the Holy One; He learns His pupils there to prove, The principles of perfect love. Come, there, ye saints, come learn with me How Christ has made His people frte; Christ Jesus is the Master’s name; His scholars ne’er shall be ashamed. His school-hoik is the Scripture true, His lessons are both old and new; His scholars are the holy seed, Which makes a indeed, My Master makes the blind to see, And says behold my school is free! I learn the lame how they shall walk, The dumb to sing and plainly talk. My Master make the deaf to hear; His bidding rod to love and fear; And here we learn to know His voice, Which makes the humble soul rejoice. Come, b»ethren,then, who are at school You know the Bible is our rule; In this you learn you must forsake All other schools for Jesus’ sake. Let others boast of their New Schools, And glory in the worldly rules; StilMn the Old Sciioo! let us be, . JAnd learn of Christ eterifhlly. All glory to the Master dear, Who taught my soul his holy fear; ' We with our Master soon shall reign, With all the ransomed blood-washed train. | There all tho saints, in rapture high, • Shall lay their pilgrim garments by; And ever, evermore remain 11 Without dear Master, Christ, anew. —Selected. “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath i not risen a greater than John the J Baptist: notwithstanding, be that is I least in the kingdom of heaven, is t greater than he.” Mat. xi. 11. f Tfi|s was not spoken of John as 4 a natural man; for Jesus, as born / of a woman, we know was greater than he. Nor as a spiritual man, or as born into the kingdom of God,forthen all are equal. But it was spoken of him as a repre sentation; and that as representing, not>a person, but a principle; and ;• that principle repentance. / There is a trinity of principles in salvation, and in every system connected therewith; even as I there are three that bear record in heaven, and three that bear wit £ ness in earth to the plan and J principles of salvation. This pro- position is abundantly proven by > all the Old Testament trains, Jypes | and shadows. Accordingly there are Moses, \ | John and Jesus, respectively, an , £ swering to condemnation, repen ts tance; and faith; with all those ■* fulfilled and satisfied, one enters i into the kingdom of heaven. h* Naturally all men are under the law—already condemned. But when, to whom are ordained to , eternal life the commandments (Moses) comes with spiritual power to revive sin till “exceeding F sinful,” then are they alive to the . gospel requiiements demanding repentance toward God, and faith I in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then it is that Moses as a school master, { leads on, and up to John. To i J such “the law and the prophets were until John.” Mat. xii. 13. 11 And then John “when he had pilijriiii’s pnnncr. ■ “THOU HAST GIVEN A BANNER TO THEM THAT FEAR THEE, THAT IT MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE OF THE TRUTH.”—Psalms 60: 4. preached before his (Jesus) com ing,” and “had fulfilled his course.” Acts 13: 24; or “after that John was put in prison, Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand.” Mark 1: 14, 15. John often testified that Jesus came af ter him. Thus, their special peisonal mis sion work was separate and dis tinct; —one began when the other ended. Yet, as John and Jesus were personally co-temporary, so there was a sense in which they worked together as fulfilling righteousness necessarily eijter venuig and connecting. For even the special mission work of John was a preparation for that of Jesus. Even as repentance is a preparation for faith; and to ears that can hear, repentance as clear ly heralds the coming of faith, as John did that of Jesus. Besides, thougheMoses advanced to John, he did not produce re pentance. The conception of John was not according to nature, but from above. And the salu tation of the mother of Jesus — Jesus not yet manifested, was that that caused the babe to leap— to quicken before actually mani fest. Thus repentance is a gospel grace and gift,—an essential pre- 'T- 1 coming of faith. The law came by Moses, but truth and grace by Jesus Christ. Still,“there is a sense in which Moses too, with John, comes—as it were —in personal contact and communion with Jesus, as on the , Mount of Transfiguration for a lesson of benefit to his people in ■ experimental translation to the kingdom of heaven. So let us go up for a moment in the spirit of our own experience, and see if we can bear, or find witness. The one object in common with Moses, John and Jesus, in this mount of glory, seems to be the death of Jesus to be accomplished at Jerusa lem; this is the theme of converse. So when we had been condemned by Moses, and had passed on as it were, and been baptised by John, were now,, finally led up into this mount for deliverance; like the disciples of old, we were confused, perplexed, saw nothing clearly; and did not know John the Baptist away down, and out in the I wilderness, with food and raiment from the wilds of nature, to be this Elias in the mount of Glory; that is, we did not know the shame condition, and sorrow for sin that overwhelmed us—baptised us— away in the wilderness among the wild beasts of prey, and when everything without seemed only of the earth earthy, for a genuine godly sorrow, or gospel repentance from above. And in our confu sion and ignorance, scarcely know ing what we meant, we thought we ourselves must honor Moses and John, or keep the law and repent—and thus they were found with us on the mount—as neces- DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. VALDOSTA, GA,, APRIL, 15, 1895. sary conditions of salvation, that altogether looked away to the death of Jesus accomplished at Jerusalem fora completion. And thus would build a tabernacle, or honor, each. But when that cloud that pressed us to the ground as dead, was lifted, we saw Jesus only and then knew that salva tion entire was of him; and that hp, and not we had magnified and honored Moses, and satisfied John, and in that death accom plished at Jerusalem, and by which we were now dead to these, and alive to hear and obey Jesus only. Then, let me repeat, that Moses represented or answered to the law; John to repentance, and Jesus to faith; in the experimental light and line in which Jesus as serted the subject* The object and end of this experimental pro gress is eternal life, and entrance into the kingdom of God. And as John was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, so repentance is as the voice of the abundance of the heart,—that gives outward evidence of the condition of the hidden heart and conscience. And in the wilder ness, —isolated —stranger in a strange and fearful place of dark ness and perplexity; with ap parently no friend in heaven or wmiiii j’.UIA' AlinaSTry of Judea between Sinai and Jeru- ■ salem, with ups and downs of hope and despair. And when—as John was fed an^clothed from the same wilds—and repentance is not stimulated and strengthened by the wine of human benevolence, nor nourished and cherished by a levy on human act. But when, in making every crooked place straight and bringing every hill and mountain of sin down, one is over whelmed—submerged beneath the remissions ot sins and all as a necessary preceeding preparation for the iaith that as surely fol lows. Hence, and as regarding John as such, Jesus in the preceeding verses asked the multitude “What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” No, indeed, John re presented a principle of too much importance, and too immovably fixed and established in the econemy of grace to be moved or J even shaken .by any wind of doctrine. “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? They that wear soft raiment are in kings houses.” No; again; John does not answer to so advanced a principle. They that wear soft clothing, or by faith" are clothed upon, with the righteous ness of Jesus, are already entered into the kingdom of heaven. “But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written “Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee.” A prophet is one who foretells 7 future events. John is a prophet, and more, in that he not only fore tells, but personally goes in and prepares the way of the Lord,—he not only foretells the coming, but he personally leads up to, finds, points out, handles and declares the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Just so, repentances not only heralds —foretells, but also prepares the wav for faith. “Verily I say unto you” con tinues Jesus, “Among them born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” “Born of women” im plies or signifies work born of HUMAN effort, or aside from faith. And of all the work done by man, whether prophet, priest or king, none were greater than that ac complished by John as occupying that entermodiate position be tween the law and the gospel, by which not only she law and the prophets ended, but also in which he accomplished that necessary preceeding preparation for the actual coming of the Lord, and the immediate establishment of the gospel kingfio'm in militant organization; and thus, not only preparing a people for the Lord, but also, by the baptism and his disciples him Jl'Mi n ‘lLL. aUth^ r — and%uild the gospel temple. Even so repentance as occupying that intermediate, posi tion between law and gospel—con demnation and faith; and as not only presupposing and foretelling, but also as preparing the way— making straight paths, for im mediate faith, as nothing else could do, and without which faith would never be attainable. What work could be greater in the wilderness? A godly sorrow’ for sin—a contrite broken heart, bap tized unto repentance, is more acceptable to God than all who burnt offerings—than all sacrifices on the legal alter—than all good deeds of law. And since this re pentance alone leads to faith in Jesus Christ, there could be no greater born of man, or outside of faith. “Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he,” that is, he in the kingdom of heaven as represent ing, or answering to the least im portant principles therein is greater tian John as answering to one without; or tho least thing done in the Spiritual kingdom of God as done in faith, and in the name and authority of Jesus Christ, is greater than repentance as done without; notwithstanding repentance is greater than other w r ork without. Deeds done in the wilderness or nature, over done in the name, or by the authority of the Spirit of life rul ing; which was natural; while those done in the kingdom of God were done in faith that has power to prevail with God, and in the name, and by the authority of Jesus Christ, who has all power and authority in heaven and earth. Hence, the least deed done in the kingdom is greater than the greatest done without; because not of faith and in Jesus name. This is written by the special request of a dear brother in Ala bama. To other brethren there and elsewhere who have solicited my views on certain subjects I will say I have not forgotten and the Lord willing will comply in time. Hoping this may do no harm, if not good, I am Unworthily, R. Anna. Phillips. CHURCH CONSTITUTED. Minton, Worth County Ga., ? Feb. L3rd 1895. $ We, the arm extended from Live Oak church to Buckhead school house, met according to previous appointment for the purpose of being constituted into a church having, called for the following Elders: I. P. Porter A. P. Tucker R. H. Barwick and W. W. Wil liams of our body. All being present except Elder Barwick, proceeded as prayer by A. P. Tucker and preaching by Elder I. P.Poter, after which Elder A. P. Tucker was chosen moderator and Elder W. W. Williams, clerk. Called ■ ' presented : orderly Elder Tucker proceeded to give |he charge, prayer by Elder Porter. After extending the right hand of fellowship by the presby tery and visting brethern they were pronounced a church in order by the name of Magnolia. The church went into conference and elected Elder W. W. Williams Pastor and A. J. Massey, clerk. ( W. W. Williams, Presbytery < A. P. Tucker, ? I. P. Porter, Barwick, Ga., April 2,1895. Dear Brother Hanks: Ry the solicitations of some brethren and friends I have agreed to be at Canoochee church, Eman uel county, Ga., on Friday, Satur day and Sunday t/ie 3rd, 4th and sth in May. At Antioch Thursday and at Rosemary, Saturday and Sunday, the 11th and 12th. From there I want to go to An derson’s church on Saturday and Sunday, the 18th and 19th. Be tween the 2nd and 3rd Sundays, I can fill appointments in the Lower Canoochee Association, if the brethren so deWe w and will leave the matter with Eld. Stubbs to arrange if thought profitable. From Andersons I can fill appoint ments until Thursday ending up near some railroad leading to Savannah, as I must be back home by the 4th Sunday. I have tried to ponder this trip well before •consenting to go, but fear even now that the Lord is not in it. However I cannot dismiss it from my mind, and will only do the best I can. If Eld. Stubbs makes any arrangements he will please notify me of them. May the Lord gently lead us all till we all shall end our pilgrims journey and may it be ended with great ioy. R, H. Barv».jk. The salt that healed the barren waters ot Jericho can give such savor to a fool that wisdom would I deign to dwell with him. “Be not wise in thine own eyes.” The wise man’s eyes are in his head, (Jesus) who is c J yes to the blind, ears to the dead,understand ing to the simple, feet to the lame, salvation to the lost, righteouness to the sinner, life to the dead. To be wise in ones owm natural eyies is to trust in self and follow it and not to know the Lord at all. It is the fool glorying in his folly. “My son, despise not the chasten ing'of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction.” To despise the Lord would be to charge God with folly and injus tice and to’assume your own right eousness. To say that you are too righteous to be chastised is Be the fool saith. For there is none that doeth good. A fool will rave when rebuked, but the wise will seek to correct his folly and amend his life A scorner will be offended when corrected, but the prudent man will turn the other cheek and acknowledge the righ teousness of the Lord. The wonder with a thoughtful man is that the Lord is so merciful in his clasten ing, and so slow to anger. Elder J. H. Piirefoy’* appointmants for April 1895. New Hope, Fla., Tuesday the 2nd Little Springs, “ Wednesday 3rd Mt. Zion, Thursday, 4th San Pedro Associotion fromtne sth to the 12tb, as Elder J. E. Blanton will arrange. i « Sittle Flock, Fla., Sat.and Sun. 13 &14 Antioch, Ga., Monday . 15 Boston, “ Tues, and Wed. 16* 17 Cairo, “ Thursday night, 14 Poplar Springs, Friday, 19 Tired Creek, “ Sat. and Sun. 20 *2l Brundrige, Ala, Tuesday 23 Ramah, “ Wednesday 24 Mt. Zion, “ Thursday 25 ParaiL “ Friday 26 sgSßSS®**oy, “ Sat. and S»p. 27 *2& A Josie Ala.,, March 14,' 1895. ' Elder Simms, Dear Brother: I inclose you the appointments for Elder Z. T. Marsh, of Dale county. He will preach in the bounds of the Con nechuch Assocition as follows: Baptist Rest, Pike Co., Ala.. April 25 i Mt. Zion, “ “ “ ' “ 26 Ramah, * “ “ “ “ 27 *2B Canaan, “ “ “ “ 29 Pleasant Hill, “ “ ,30 Troy, “ “ “ May 1 Hopewell, “ “ “ “ 2 Antioch, Coffee “ “ “ 3 P. S.—Elder Marsh will be depen dant for conveyance. He is a good, humble brother and is worthy of the care of his brethren. I hope the brethren will meet him and care for him, which is nothing but a high privilege God has given us to richly enjoy. Your Unworthy Brother, W. A Gbebn. Elder D. & Sheffield will preach in the bounds of the Flint River Asssociation (D. V.) as follows: Mispah Church, April 6, and 7 Hopewell “ “ 8 Providence “ “ 9 New Hope “ “ 10 Popular Springs “ “ 11 Rest “ “ 12 Tired Creek “ “ 13 and 14 Piedmont “ “ 15 Fainsville “ “ 16 Pisgah “ “ 17 Prosperity “ 18 Union “ “ 19 Trinity “ “ 20 and 21 Travel “ “ 22 Pilgrim’s Rest “ “ 23 Olive Grove “ “ 24 Bethel “ “ 25 Union Church, Miller Co. “ 27 and 28 He will need conveyance, William Hollingsworth. If the Lord wills, I have agreed to fill the following appointments, ar ranged by the brethren at Butler: Butler, Ga., Wednesday, April 17, Bethel, Thursday, “ 18, Shiloh, Friday, “ 19, Butler, Sat. and Sun. “ 20and 21, Bethehem, Monday, “ 22, Mt. Zion, Tuesday, “ 23, Andersonville, Wed. “ 24, Antioch (Louvale) Satur- day ana Sunday, “ 27 and 28, Lenox, Ga., April 6th, 1895. Elder A. V. Simms: Please publish the following ap pointments for Elder L. Stucky: Bethelehem Tuesday, April 23 Concord, Wednesday, “ 24 Salem, Thursday, “ 25 Pleasant, Friday, “ 26 Pleasant Grove, Sat.&Sun.“ 27 and 28 Mt. Paren, Monday, “ 29 Elder P. G. McDonald will arrange appointments for him in the Pulaska 1 Association, commencing at Valley Grove the nearest church to Mt. Vernon. Yours, C. W. Stalusgs. No. 8