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THE PILGRIM’S BANNER.
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~~ SPECIAL NOTICE!
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Entered at the Post Office at V al
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VALDOSTA, GA., JULY 15, 1895.
EDITORIAL.
Brother L. B. Brown requests
me to give my views through the
Banner on Luke 11, 24, and its
connections, and which reads thus:
“When the unclean spirit is gone
out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest: and finding none,
he saith I will return unto my house
whence I came out,” etc.
The context shows that Jesus
had just cast out an unclean spir
it, that was dumb. And the people
greatly wondered; but some said
he casteth out devils through Beel
zebub the prince of devils; and
others tempting him, sought a
sign from heaven. But Jesus
knowing their thoughts, said to
them, a kingdom, or house divided
against itself, could not stand;
and that if Satan be divided against
himself, as to cast out an unclean
spirit—his own—how could his
■
kingdom stand? But said he“ If I,
by the finger of God cast out dev-
no doubt the kingdom of God
r ißcome upon you.” The very faet
I*o two noQlftft* had bf)Qn
cast Out, was proof th at it was by
an opposing aqd superior power;
for Satan would not so oppose him
self and divide his kingdom; hence
the kingdom, or power of God was
come upon them.
Then, to give a practical figure
of confirmation, he says/' When
a strong man armed keeps his pal
ace, his goods are in peace. But
when a stronger than he shal l come
upon him, and overcome him, tak
eth from him all his armour whete
in he trusted, and divideth his
spoils. He that is not with me,
is against me; and he that gather
eth not with me scattereth.”
As much as to say that the devil,
as the Strong Man, —stronger than
ths natural man—posessing
this man with the unclean spirit,
or any man, and armed with the
faculties of his mind and heart,
would have kept bis palac®, and
his goods in peace; nor cast out
this unclean spirit as dividing his
power; and that power; or until
a stronger came upon him, and
overcame, and thus by the power
of conquest take his armour; that
is, till Jesus, as the stronger than
he —and as an opposing power
comes upon him and overcomes
him, arid by force ariven or cat«t
him out, and claim the house or
heart, us his own. This is as a case
wherein is manifested the power
of God unto saltation. For never
would man be delivered from the
power of the stronger than man,
unless Jesus, the stronger than he,
delivered.
And thus was he manifested to
destroy the and him that
held the pcwer of death over his’
covenant-given children.
Then Jesus comes to the subject,
as to another phase of the practi
cal working of the devil, ‘"When
the unclean spirit is gone out of a
~ . T' 7 'i ' f ' ■ ■ ' ;■■ ts'
irtan, *he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest.”
1 Wje have just seen cases of the;
unclean spirit being cast out wheth
er byJesus or the devil; but here
is a cas(» where the unclean spirit
goes out of itself, and of its own
accord; no superior power has
overcome and cast it out ny force.
Evil spirits, are restless spirits,
ever looking out for their own
good, ever seeking whom they may
devour, ever apprehensive of their
own downfall. On one occasion
when Jesus appeared, they cried
out,“Hast thou come to torment us
before our time?” Another when
Jesus cast them from the Gadarene
they begged to be permitted to en
ter the swine. Thus ever fearful and
restless, they go to and fro on the
earth in all deceivableness, and
holding man as a willing captive,
and trusting to their natural in
clination of mind and head to
love, and do evil as his undefensa
ble armour, he fears nothing and
none but the Lord. And thus
living and reigning in the hand of
man, it becomes his house or pal
ace. And although having great
power and understanding,he has not
knowledge; and hence, his main
device is to deceive God and man.
For both the devil and man be
lieve in God and tremble as His
judgements comfront them. And
religion of seme kind is con
sidered a safe guard. Hence, wick
ed men, with unclean spirits, are
even thus fearful and restless;
not that they hate evil, but fear
punishment.
And have you not seen such at
some great revival, or other ex
citing scene, suddenly change and
become mighty good and religious,
and—as they say—join the church,
the surprise of t>ll? The unclean
spirit is gone out of him of its own
volition, yet for a purpose. My
opinion is, that he, knowing a false
system and principle of religion
was the most ensnaring and fatal,
went out to turn man securely,,, the
man into this line and belief. So
whqn he felt so good as bereft of
this evil influence, he verily be
lieved he had genuine religion; at
least, it was such as accorded with
his nature and lulled his fears for
the future.So he determined to live
it; and so he swept his palace,
or head as it were, of all incli
nations to live longer as a world
lian, and garnished it with the
resolution and determination to
proclaim all the outward forms
of religion. The unclean spirit,
seeing these facts established, and
restless to proceed with his work
returns to his house to find it era
ty, swept and # garnished; or pre
pared for the new line of work and
life.
“Then goeth he and taketh to
him seven other spirits more
wicked than himself; and they en
ter in and dwell there. And the
last state of that man is worse
than the first.’’
Seven is the number indicating
perfection in all lines, or kind.
That he took seven other spirits
more wicked than himself, is
that he carries the perfection of all
evil principles and influences, in
that a false, or Phareseai» religion
is more wicked— more abominable
and God-dishonoring, than world
ly wickedness, that makes no pre
tention to sevre, nor mock God.
This unclean spirit had <Brelt
Jiere before in simple, and less,
offensive worldly wickedness;
these were the more wicked in that*
they were religious deceivers. Re
member Jesus condemned just
such —the selfrighteous Pharisees,
who was ever ready to say I am
more Holy than thou —as the most
abominable, and less likely to en-'i
ter the Kingdom of heaven, than
publicans and harlots. And when
he had said “the last state’of that i
man was worse than the first,” he
added “Even so shall it lie with
this wicked generation.” Mat 12;45
“And they enter in and dwell
there; and the last state of that
man, is worse than the first.” By
their fruits you shall know them.
Jesus himself placed those over
righteous Pharisees in this catego
ry;—those proud, haughty, boast
ful, self-sufficient Pharisees that
prayed in public places to be seen
and heard of men —that were so
ready as seen of men— to observe
all outward ceremonies and forms
etc, that claims to be so sanctified
and holy as to scorn to eat with a
sinner: and yet who condemned Je
sus in the name ot Moses who in
wardly were as raving Wolves. Look
around, and you may see such ev
ery where in Cities. And their
lost state is worse than their first,
in thst a man of the world making
no profession of pretentions to re
ligion., is not only more honoring
and acceptible to God, but as such,
stands a better chance to enter the
Kingdom of God, so to speak, than
this man is whose heart reigns the
the strong man” in the perfection
of his power, who with his fatal
self-sufficiency, wraps his selt or
law righteousness about him as his
trusted and impenetrable armour,
fatally securing him. Thus, I
hasfily given such views as I have.
—S.
Scrapßook.
I have just examined the‘ ‘Scrap
book,” prepared- by Elder J. G.
Webb of Bonham, Tex, Price 25cts.
I hope every lover of truttf will
1 get this little book which is
tions from different modern'mis
sion auffip they
are a newborn child and
and Fuller founded the Missionary
1 denomination Oct., 2nd, 1792 at
Kettering England. See a selec-
1 tion from this book from-' one of
! the ablest Missionaries: “Tenne
* see Baptist, Nashville, Tenn.,Sept.,
Bth,lß6o,“OurMissionary organism
orginated with our English breth-
' ren at the time of the revival of
1 Missionary zeal through the influ
■ ence of Carey, Marshman and Ful
! ler. Let it be born in mind then,
i that our Missionary organism is of
human origin, and of a very recent
date, entirely outside and indepen
dent of the churches, and not
known in the primitive ages of the
church.
1 J. R. Graves, Ed.”
Tennesee Baptist, March 26th,
1856.“ What then are my objections
to the system? I will state them
briefly without argument. First,
as I wrote before, it is unknown
to the gospel. The apostles and
first Christians were Missionaries
but they resorted to no system as
we have adopted. Indeed it is
not pretended by any that they
did. Secondly the system is un
necessary. The apostles and early
Christians,without it fully dis
charged their duty. Thirdly, the
system has been ineffectial. I think
that our great organization (S. B.
C.) is founded on a wrong princi
ple.
For these leasous smothers
drawn from evils inseparable from
large orginizations, I have been re
luctantly to the opinion that our
Southern Baptist Convention
should be dissolved. A. M Crof
ord.” '
, Many little children of God are
ensnared to-day in error ano. our
poor hearts bleed for them. They
have joined an institution of men
thinking it is the church of Christ ,
But poor one just think that 500
years ago there were only two Chris
tian denominations in the world
viz. Baptists and Catholics.
All these denominations exists to
day have been founded within the
ast five hundred years except the
Primitive Baptists andCutholics,or
beast. Christ never gave his or
dinances to any church but the
Baptist church. The old Baptists
have stood the storm till the pres
ent, believing in the doctrine of
salvation alone by grace and good
works to follow regeneration.
Man has no right to found a
church upon his creed and call
it scriptural. The true Baptists
want no institution,secret or other
wise,thatChrist has not authorized
in his word.
The church of Christis the grand
est benevolent and Temperance so
ciety on earth. Poor harmless Chris
tian that is in the misty fogs of ba
byion with a burden upon’you, for
sake the world and come home.
There is only one church, one faith
one Lord, one baptism, one home
where the weary can find rest.
Come and welcome.—H.
The Lord willing, I will fill the
following appointments: At Salem
Berrien County. Monday, Augest
sth: Concord Tuesday, Bethlehem
Wednesday, China Grove Thursday
Pleasant Hill, (Houston County)
Saturday and Sunday—and the
following week as Elder McDonald
may arrange.—S.
There will be a meeting at He
bron on Tuesday after the fourth
Sunday in this month. May the
Lord be with us again, and may
He give strength to those doubtful,
fearful, trembling ones and enable
them to get home and find shelter,
is my prayer. It will seem a long
time ’till the meeting with me.
Wednesday, we will have a meet
ing at Bethel, as I cannot be with
them on the regular time—S.
Just as we go to press we learn
through brother Joel. W. Peters
that the dear Lord met again with
Salem church (Berrien County
Ga.) Four were baptized, and
the church was much revived, El
der C. W. Stallings is pastor. 5
Brethren let us hear from your
good meetings. It is so sweet to
know that the Lord’s mercies are
being poured out upon Zion. Send
us the good news and let us spread
it abroad—S.
The people of the Lord at He
bron church, Fla., had a most en
joyable meeting on the second
Sunday and Saturday, before. El
ders Jennings and Ivey were pres
ent with us and enjoyed good lib
erty in preaching. Four were ad
ded to the church by experience.
All the saints seemed refreshed.
For my own part I must say that
there was a peculiar, indescribable
sweetness connected with the ser
vices of each day. I did not want
the meeting to close; and even af
ter the meeting had adjourned and
we had all left the place, I felt as
if I was leaving something good
behind. I wanted to go back and
shed tears of joy—such tears as
would glorify the Lord for His
sweet mercies to His underserving
people. As these lines are written
my poor heart swells with thanks
giving and praises to the Most High,
as I remember those dear old breth
ren and sisters, with their sons and
daughters—some in the church
and some out—with their faces all
aglow with heavenly lustre. I have ■
rearly seen the impress of the
sweet face of Jesus plainer, than
was depicted on the countenances
of His dear people on this occa
sion. It made me believe I was a
Christian. I believe it now. Bless
the Lord.—S.
The controversy between Elders
Hassell and Stallings, as published
in this paper, has been conducted
in a truly humble and commend
able spirit. Whether our readers
are any nearer a solution of the
difficult point in question, we are
not prepared to say. But no know
that if our brethren could always
posses?, and manifest the spirit
that shines so beautifully in the
communications of these dear El
ders,toward those from whom they
differ, we would have less conten
tion and strife than exists at pres
ent in some localities.
But these communications have
elcited quite an interest with many
of our dear brethren from different
parts of the country. W e have re
ceived quite a number of letters
from brethren who have come, as
they no doubt feel, to the rescue
of the truths involved. Some de
fending Elder Hassell’s possition,
while others are fully in line with
Elder Stallings. But we feel that
it would not be profitable to the
children of God to publish all these
communications. Unless some im
portant truth has been overlooked
or set aside by the original con
testants, and attention is called to
it by some other brother, we think
it would be wise—the best for the
cause—to publish but little more
on the subject.
The only thing th it has given
me any uneasiness is, I have been
fearful some good brother would
say that the Lord’s people never
“sinned willfully.” I certainly
could not bear it were I bereft of
all my places of refuge. To say
that no Christian ever sinned will
fully would be as much as to say
I was,not a Christian; or at least,
this is the way I have felt about it.
~ the time it was wrong, is simnn?
| willfully, then I must plead guilty.
Then if no Christian ever sinned
willfully, the great question that
i has engaged my most serious
5 thoughts for the past twenty years
( is settled, and settled wrong for
me, and my worst fears are true
and lam not a Christian. Breth
' ren please be careful. Save
me if the truth will allow you to
do so.—S.
Brackin, Ala., June 20 1895.
' Dear Brother Simms:—l have
just read the Banner for June the
1 15th, and heart was made to
overflow a with joy as I read the
■..ommunications of the dear peo
ple of God in the different locali
ties. It is indeed cheering to hear
of so many good meetings among
the dear people of God. But my
poor heart trembles within me as
I think how unworthy I am to
have a name among such blessed
people.
While reading the last Banner,
an earnet desire arose in my poo
heart to ask an interest in the
prayers of all the dear ones who
may read this. Dear Saints do
remember me at a throne of grace.
My life has been a hard and rug
ged one, my conflicts sore and
many and my temtalions strong
and hard to resist, and have no
comfort only as I get among the
people of God and from the Lord
and I feel so unworthy of that.
Louis. H. Stuckey.
Constitution of a Church,
There will be a three days meet
ing at Mountain Spring, too miles
east of Ochlocknee Station, eqm
mencing on Friday before 4th Sun
day in July, for the purpose of
constituting. a church, All are
cordially invited to attend, j Both
’trains will be met with conveyance
on Friday morning. Eld. A. V.
Simms will be with me if the Lord
wills.—H.
Banks Ala. April 7, 1895.
Eld Lee Hanks:— •'
Dear Brother. From some cause
I know not, I feet Impressed to
write you again. 1 am so very '
anxious to see you again. Within
the last two years my poor heart
has been made glad many times
by your visits. But now it has
been long since we had the pleas
ureof a visit from you. We feel sad
and lonely since you and family
have moved away.
My mind carries me back two
years to-day; and I remember tfio I
joy that thrilled my heart while
listening to you proclaim the gos
pel; yet how sad I felt when cousin
Lizzie and Billie Benton joined
the church; in that I wanted so
much to do so too, but for the
lack of courage could not. Then
how good of you to come to see
me soon after, and how encourag
ing your conversations was? But
for that, I suppose J would be
lingering without the fold to-day.
I hope the Lord had a purpose in I
sending you to preach for us at 1
Mt Zion; for the second time you
came I was willing to follow my
Lord, and you led me down into the
water and baptized me. I left a
burden beneath those waves which
has never found me since. How
fondly I cherish the memory of the
happy hours spent that day! Al
so the pleasant days of the next ]
week. I wonder if these are not
> the most pleaAt days of one’s
life? Behold how good and merci-
. lul the Lord has been to me in I
giving a little, but a sweet hope, I
all-sufficient in Jesus. How I |
i ought to serve my Lord I
i How much I appreciate the' I
[ “Banner;” I like it very much. I I
• have been requested to write for
it; but I have so far delayed under I
[ a sense of unworthiness and in- |
capacity .So far the ‘‘Banned” pres- I
. ents a neat appearance; and is I
r also free from controversy. I of- 1
f ten think of you and brother I
Simms, and the great„ I
hope the Lord will bless your la
bors, and the subscribers pay up
promptly. I have been trying to 1I
i get you some suls ribtrs, but have’ll
1 failed - '■
I hope I have not been prompt- 1
, ted by the flesh, to Write this, if I
so it will prove worthless,
my helps for good, must come 4,-8
, from the Lord. *tf
We were glad to get your cardj!
several months past. Write agn
Remember me in love to
dear family. May God’s riches»l
. blessings rest upon you.
I Your little Sister.
Brother W. A. Green of Josie
Ala., writes “I must tell you of our
last meeting. It was our common- j
ion time at Ramah. The whole S
place was covered with people.
Two was received in the fellowship I
of the church and baptized tv
brother Harden. He (Elder
den) is a precious brother with me
Elder Henderson was with us a few i
days ago, and seemed to begreafa jS|
ly delighted with brother fiardeis
son’s
minutes.
«
We are prepared to
tional Minutes neatly .nd
The Clerks of ,
will please forward man
and we will guarantee
Give us a trial. Address
.w* ■- SH
f > J
THE Pllfifilß’s BOE W I