The Pilgrim's banner. (Valdosta, Ga.) 1893-1918, June 15, 1895, Image 1

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Vrd O V QI, <&■ 3 Poetry. Almost the whole of my poor life, Is spent in sin and shame. I would do better, but alas, I am so halt and lame. W- My resolutions I do set, And set them o’re and o’re. But set them but to break again, And sin the more and more. What poor unstable ways I have, How thoughtless and howwrong. How desperate is m y course at best, How long, oh Lord, how long. r Oh that I did not go astray, ’ s In such forbidden ways. Would sing praiMS loud and long, The balance of my days. Morgan Brown Buller Ga. May’ 1895. \ “I could wish that myself were ac '' cursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” I; Bom. ix 3. Jesus as bora of a woman had all natural “like passions,” all cre ated weaknesses, necessities etc. aa other men. This we call the hu manity of Christ. That he hungred, thirsted, grew weary, slept, sorrow ed etc, and “was tempted in all points like as we are”, and finally died, is proof ot this humanity. He tacitly prncla imed this when, as tempted to make bread of stones to satisfy his hunger, he made himself in common with man and his obligations to the law of God, in answering—“ Man shall not live by bread alone” etc. The devil had I said “If thou be the Son of God, [ 'command these stones bread.” But Jesus did not answer “The son of God,” nor “the sod of man,” but | Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” Theye- humanity; even as very God; BI jossessed {the divinity. And as Jesus was a man in the , so are those born of God jin the flesh, sin only ac id. Jesus was ever without id Jesus has been touched with ag—a personal feeling of ur infirmities,and hence is our t Ensampler. And so long aa ire in accord with him, we not fear, but rather be encour- Now let us notice how often i manifested a human will— lie humanity—contrary to the ae will. How often, and how astly he wanted the people to we him and be saved, his word works at different times proved 0 was tempted to cast himself i from the pinacle of the tem that the people might believe m. See him weeping over, and bemoaning the sad fate of Jerusalem, and saying “How often would J have gathered thee as a hen her brood, and ye would not.” This was in the humanity—his human will. He was a Jew, and doubtless had that intense love for . them in common with that peo pie. And as his brethren, his kins i .> men according to the flesh he de sired their peace and salvation. S | But in all such, be must come J to that word of most mrm®ntns ling in connection —that word must all come to under circumstances—that “Never- KSS, NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE ink ; and declare to Jerusalem the Jews on a former occasion ame not to do mine own will, he will of him that sent me; this is his will, that of all he aivEN me I should lose noth but raise them up at the lay.” hether this will and gift of Father, including any part of aalem that Jesus wept over, or ’a kinsmen according to the , or the children and friends re so concerned tor to-day, we v not; nor is it right or esien- ®jc Bilarini’s* Panner. “THOU HAST GIVEN A BANNER TO THEM THAT FEAR THEE, THAT IT MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE OF THE TRUTH.”—Psalms 60: 4. tial that we should, but we do know that all—every one given in covenant to Jesus before the world was, will be saved. And since we also know that none but the Lord -can show a sinner he is lost, and make him willing in the day of his power to accept salvation by grace, and that where he begins a work he will as certainly complete it, we may safely address all sinners and tell them the lost, and whosoever will, may come. Indeed who that has tasted the joys of salvation, that the Lord is good, that does not will the sal vation of others?; especially of some loved one? ”1 well remem ber when I first rejoicad in hope, that my whole heart went out with the sentiment of this stanza —so much so that I sung it aloud: “Oh that the world would taste and see The riches of his grace. The arms ot love that compass me, Would sinnbbs all embrace.” I believe every one born of God feels more or less, this desire for the salvation of sinners; and es pecially, and stronger for some loved one, or mon?. How many fond parental hearts have willed the salvation of their children?—have Wept over, and prayed for,and perhaps could have wished themselves accursed from Christ, perhaps for a time, for their salvation? How many have aphed because they found, nor could create a special prayer in faith for them? while preachers, I think, realize this feeling more deeply, or at least, more extensive ly, than others; and therefore the more delight t&proclaim the glad ture. But well may we try the spirit that posseses us, since Jesus in the humanity wept over Jesusalem Not that it is a sin but that we must after all, be submissive to the divine will of God and learn there to rest our cases and cares. It was in the spirit of this same humanity that Paul said “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Not eternally, but litterally, as for a time, knowing and realizing the power of salvation by grace; and by pant experience knowing the fatal policy of the Pharises in go ing about to establish their own law righteousness instead of by faith in Christ, and loving the Jews his own nation, and especially his kin dred with that tenacity and strength of affection peculiar to them and seeing they rejected Christ notwithstanding their God-given advantages, and as it were in de spair, like Jesus at Jerusalem, he could wish himself accursed for a time, that they might know him. This was in the same humanity in which Jesus bemoaned over Je rusalem, and Christians weep oyer their kindred to-day and will their salvation. Then it is no sin; for Jesus was without sin. Rather it is right, since it manifests the spirit of Jesus in our mortal bodies. Then let us all who feel this concern for others, follow its dictates, and sow in the morning, and withhold not in the evening, knowing not whether this, or that, or both, shall prosper. We know that only the deffinite number given to Jesus be fore world was will be saved; and yet ministers of the gospel are to preach to “every creature”, as they know not the elect, letting the gos pel as the power of God unto sal vation, find its own subjects. Do away with the humanity of Christ, and you do away .with a Savior for humanity, or-mankind. And‘-herein was he touched-with DEVOTEDTO THE CAUSE OF CHRI VALDOSTA, GA., JUNE 15, 1895. a feeling of all our infirmities, and was tempted in all points like as we are, even to will the salvation of his beloved national city, that he might succour and save us in like things. The Methodist have tried to es tablish their doctrine upon this saying of Jesus while he wept over Jerusalem, saying he would have saved them, if they would ; seem ing to forget, or to never have known, that he upset that idea at once and fully, when he said “but I came not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is his will that of all HE HAS GIVEN ME I Should lose nothing, but raise them up at the last day.” And this is synonimous with that “nevertheless” Jesus uttered in the agony of prayer in the garden—that “nevertheless that saved the world, that saved the church, and secured the grand accomplishment ot the Father’s wHI concerning those given to Je sus before time. And here must we all who feel this concern for the salvation of others, come and say the most sublime lesson ever taught on earth —“nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done,” rejoicing over the subjugation and swallow ing up of our human will, by the divine will of the Father, even as we should over that “nevertheless” of Jesus that submitted his human will to the divine, and gave us eter nal salvation and inheritance; and God, the all-wise, all-mighty and all-good, by, and to whom are all things his glory due, as all and all. Here, deaf brethren and sisters, concerned as I have been, may we "fesi our cases, even as Jesus did, and find- the peace that he gives to those who follow him—find peace in believing that our Lord does all things right and well, even es we, and every heart and tongue shall acknowledge in that coming day of greater revelation, when every knee shall bow and tongue shall confess to the glory of God. I have dwelt more on the human ity of Christ in order the more firmly establish the principle bear ing like fruit —permeating the body. I submit the above, written under very unfavorable circumstances to the brother soliciting my views, hoping to hear from him, if not in harmony. Very Unworthily, R. Anna. Phillips. Portal, Ga., March 12, 1895. Elder A. V. Simms. Dear Bro: As you requested me to write for the Banner, I will now proceed to do so. The subject to which I will refer your readers, they will find by reading 1 Cor. ix 14. “Even so hath the Lord Ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” That which the Lord hath or dained is that which he hath ap pointed. Paul refers the Corin thians to the old law, relative to the service of those men who serv- God in the temple, and waited at the alter, who were partakers with the alter. The law which required the service of those servants was given of God, therefore, the service rendered by them was ordained, or appointed by the Lord, and they were to .live upon the offerings of the people of God that were brought to be offered upon the al ter according to his law. God or dained that they should serve him in this capacity, and be partakers with the alter. All will doubtless accept this, then, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” God hath established or set up the gospel kingdom that was typified by the Jewish Temple, and hath ordained and called his servants to serve him in this glori ous kingdom. The kingdom is the Lord’s, and the service to be ren dered ifi this kingdom is that which he haw ordained. The servants or ministers that serve him, are ordained to this work, and are re quired to serve him as ha teaches in the Scriptures, and by his spirit. They have no authority to add to, or ta£e from any thing that is taught in his Word; but they are required to give attention to read ing; studying to show themselves approved unto God, as workmen that needeth not to be ashamed -—to give themselves wholly to them. The priests that waited daily at the alter, and were partak ers with the alter, certainly repre sented the gospel ministers, who are required to give themselves wholly tp the work. And a departure from God’s law, whether by priests or people du r ing the law dispensation, brought down the;wrath and judgement of God upon. them. And so with the Church of God to-day. We hear of coldness and barrenness, and not only do we hear of it, but we realize it ourselves, personally, and in the churches. Is it not in con sequence of negligence, unfaithful ness etc? For one, I confess tfiat I believe that both the church and ministry are, alike in fault. We hear it said of brethren, sometimes that they are cold, and too world ly-minded, and in many instances it is painfully true. But is it not, true also, of the preacher in many instances?! For one, 1 confess if I am a serygnt at all in this capaci- ty, that uiuTmy- life has been one disobedience in- many respects. I have tried for twenty nine years to serve churches, in my weak manner, and to serve my family too, so that they would not be a burden to my brethren. Try ing as it were to keep up both rows. I have been, it looks to me like, almost a failure every way. I wonder if there is another such a pocr hobler among the old Bap tist as lam? I have never felt like that I was calculated to serve a church as a pastor: therefore, as many of the brethren know, I have tried to get them to leave me out when they make the call for a pas tor ; but they were not so minded; therefore as I hope that the Lord had given them the mind to call for my service, and had impressed my mind to do the best that I coul d for them, I would promise to serve in the best way I could; but I dont ■’feel that I had ever faithfully discharged the duty of a pastor to the churches, because I have not given myself wholly to the service of the churches that I have tried in my way, to serve. Someone, per haps, would ask now, “Well, if you were to give your whole time to the service of the churches, what would become of your family that ■ is depending on you for a support? Then I would answer this question with my subject. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. Notwithstanding my disobedience, when I • have the liberty of the spirit, I must say that the pastor, who would obey God, and trust him in his service to the church, will be blessed of him. I believe that the duty of the pastor of the church not only consists in that of preaching to them at their stated meeting times, but to visit the members and their families at their houses. The church loves to see their pastor come not only to the meeting house, but to their own houses. If the pastor would do his duty, the church would be encouraged to do her duty toward him; in other words he would receive their carnal things. The pastor or preacher that is serving ehurches has no time for drumming, mer chandising farming etc. I believe that when a church calls a pastor that they ought to ‘ require him to give himself wholy to these things, and then if he will not, they are not under obligation, according to the scripture to support him and his, that are not able to support themseves: But perhaps some one would ask “What ought his chil dren do who are able to support themselves? I would say let them support themselves, but it Would not be right for them to have to have to bear the burden of the church in that of supporting their father and weaker ones under his charge,who is faithfully preforming the work of a pastor. The church should carefully and faithfully investigate this matter and judge what, or what part is theirs in the matter. I dont think that the church should puff a pas tor or his family oy putting him in advance of themselves; but try to provide for their servant as for themselves as regards the comforts of this life. This is what I think would be living of the gos pel. If the pastor has property, that and the income, I think, properly belongs to his children, and should not be used or appropriated to the use of the church in that of reliev ing her from her duty to a faith ful pastor. I have been thinking recently of what our dear Eld. ger just before his death: that he had given his life and property to the Baptists, and now my family is in need. Oh, brethren, take those words home to yourselves, weigh the matter scripturally. I would ask you ,do you think that Efd. Bespess was under obliga tions to sacrifice his childrens’ property in this way? No, no, but his love and zeal for the cause was such that he did it, and now I would say just here, that I be lieve that the Baptists are under sacred obligatious to give to his family and administer to their needs as though Eld. Bespess was living. Then let us all as pastors and churches try to be more faithful and obedient in the future than we have been in the past. Let us admonish each other to love and good works by kind words, good deeds, and thus prove to each other that we love God and one another. I would like to hear from some ot the readers of the Banner on this line, and if any of the dear ones think that this ar ticle, or any part of it is not accord ing to the Gospel, I would be glad for them to point it out in love, that I may be converted from my error. Bro Simms, I will say to you that if you think that this would not be profitable, throw it by, and throw the mantle of charity over my misunderstanding of the scriptures. Yours to serve in tribulations, H.. Temples. A. Tour. [Concluded.] Saturday and Sunday I was at Anderson’s church, and we had a joyful meeting, We had an ap pointment at a friend’s house on Saturday evening at 5 o’clock near the church and one precious sister Jones, the wife of deacon Wesley Jones, came forward and was gladly received and baptized the next day by the pastor, Eld, Basil Jones. Monday at Bay Branch we had a pleasant meeting. There ! met a livly band under the pastoral care of Eld. A. R. Strickland. There are many young members and many good singers in Israel. May the Lord bless them. Tuesday we had a pleasant meeting at Love’s Chapel, and Wednesday at Beards Creek Here, after preaching I opened the door of the church, or gave an invitation for members, as I did at all my appointments, and two young sisters came for ward,o ne sister Zellie Kicklighter and one sister America Stubbs, a niece of Eld. Stubbs, and were gladly received and I baptized them that evening. I felt joined to them in spirit before they came, altho I had never seen them before, and I was loath to leave them so soon, but may the Lord bless them is all I can say. Thursday I tried to preach at a school-house in a Missionary community and we bad a very good meeting. Some of our brethren were present and many others, some of whom seemed to en joy the meeting. Nott my work . was done, and after taking dinner with Bro. Rogers, who carried me to the R. R. I took the train for Savannah at 9 o’clock. I spent the night very pleasantly at Mr. Cowart’s again, and here I met a young man Cargill who lives in Say. but who was raised near Butler Ga. He heard that I was to be there and came to see me, for he loves Christians, and altho’ he has never united with the church,and altho’ he is surrounded with evil influences, yeti found’ in him a precious child of promise, "' < - being led by the hand, of God._ He h&a already .is gracious and if there was church privileges in Savannah he and two or three others that I heard of would join. There are already a few Baptists there who are very hungry, and > I hope that church priveleges may be given them very soon. Friday I came home, and at Valdosta Eld. Simms boarded the train to go to our ch urch, and when we got to Pidcock, Eld. Hanks met us and we all spent the night at my house, and out to meeting. I was away from home 26 days and tried to preach 26 times, wit nessed the reception of 16 into the church and had the pleasure of baptizing 12 of them. There were many things connected with my trip that has give me comfort and strength,and lam sure the Lord sent me, if indeed he ever sent me anywhere.- I remember with joy many precious ones who are walk ing with Jesus. But I remember many more who have a good hope in Jesus who long to live with the church. My heart goes out to you precious ones, and I would gladly help you in if I could, but you must walk. The brethren and sisters all along the route bestowed more kindness upon me than I deserve, and many timesl was made ashamed of myself at their many acts and manifesta tions of brotherly kindness. May the Lord bless them all, and espe- , cially those who love the Lord and who are out of the church in Emanuel County. I know your sad condition, your desires, and hopes and troubles, and may God give you no rest ’till you shall lay by the flesh and humbly, tremblingly bear the yoke of Jesus. Then you will find rest. May the Lord keep us all tenderly under the shadow of his wings, ’till our change shall come. R. H. Barwick Barwick, Ga. No. 12.