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THE PILGRIM’S BANNER. PUBLISHED •~~STiSCKI'PTTOK RATESIN AD- VANCE. FUR.TJOP UNITKD STATES. CANADA AN MEXICO. Single copy one year SI.OO Single copy six months 50 single copy three months 25 Sample copies sent free on application. ~~ SPECIAL NOTICE! In writing communications for the Pilgrim’s Banner, please observe the following rules: 1. Do not write on bqt one side of your paper. 2. Write plain and distinct, so that it can be easily read. 3. Above all things, do not write with a LEAD PENCIL. Strictly adhere to the above rules, and you will confer a great favor of us; and a special favor to the Printer. Entered at the Post Office at V al (tosta, Ga., as second class mail matter. 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