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X T n
* atodb
* Under quite a cloud and with
fear and much trembling. I bade
adieu to my precious little family
* on June 9th, to fill anointments in
the Upper and Lower Canoochee
Associations. I came to Savannah
accompanied by my precious Br?.
t M. J. Cowart (who was baptized
at Bethlehem June 9th,)* and Ips
precious companion with whom I
spent a pleasant night. Monday I
went to Stillmore where I was met
by my dear young brother Dr.
F. R. Brinson and Bro. Strange.
I spoke Tuesday at Oak Grove
to an attentive audience. Wednes
day I spoke at New Hope to a splen
did concourse of people, where I
had tne privilege of meeting Eld.
David Lamb whose head is white
with the frost of years and who has
a* standard bearer
• for many years in Israel. He i«
the moderator of the Upper Canoo
chee Association. I regretted to
learn that there were white people
so lawless a#to run illicit distil-
* cries in that section, thus tempting
the young to follow in their wick
ed ways. We should be law abi
ding citizei s. I spoke Thursday
at Mount Zion Ciiurch where I
. was again met by a number who
seemed anxious to hear of Jesus.
* Here I met Bro. Wiley a. Lamb
who is an interesting
young brother, but is sorely afflict
ed. Friday I spoke at Durdemjille
to quite a number of the precious
of the earth whose min&tfiro staid
on Jesus. Here I met Emits Dur
. den anU Temples. Saturday and
Sunday Elder Stubbs and I spoke
at Antioch where we met a goodly
number of brethren,
bleating lambs, all or wtfbm
seemed* to be greatly interested
about the truth. Elders Teiqples
Durden and Anderson were at this
meeting. A dear old sister was
baptized at this meeting who had
v been a MeUfcldrat for perhaps over
'—forty years. Many others’cught to
come, but unla|tef keeps them
frnty that fireet rest that re
child of
Ad to leave so
there reeling to be
I wanted to go back again. . Sun
day night Elder Temples and I
spoke a httle while at Mr. Albert
Dtirden’s. This dear old map has
had a hope tor many years and
has .deprived himself of much
enjoyment by living away from
home. Ido hope he will soon do
his duty. I was glad to
Christian daughter—Miss Fannie
whoShcase was pronounced incur
ablßßastwinter, restored to health
f by tab use of the Oxydonor yicto
rfjL--She is a precious jewel and
has surely workel
for her good. She is a great lov
er of truth and be weaned
from the world. May the Lord
** bring her home. Several others
of this excellent family are living
out of duty. I spoke at Long
creek Tuesday where I met Eld
ers Brown and Anderson. Tues
day night I spoke at the pleasant
1 home of Elder Anderson to a good
audience. Elder Anderson has a
pleasant home old Baptists,
and he is an able expounder of the
deep fundamental principles of
doctrine. On Wednesday I spoke
where I had the sweet
of seeing two little lambs
come home. Elders Anderson
and Brown were with me again.
I spoke at night at Bro. Lee Tur
j ner’s hospitable home to a lively
’V- little band of humble saints. Thurs
day I waaatCanoocheewherel had
' the privlege of meeting Elders Dur
den, Temnles, Anderson, Brown,
V. Riner, and Bro. Hill (licentiate)
'E Ider Riner is from the New U uion
Association. He and I spoke to
quite an attentive audience.
jr W lL' spent night at
E Elder R. W. Durden’s precious
ho|ne. He has a devoted family
f ami a number of children, suffer
. fi on the account ot their rebel
against impressions. I shall
this dear family in
Hkl rememberance. Friday
Riner was in the spirit on
ffflfcrd’a day and spoke, followed
to B precious band
offiUmbb- saints. It seemed that
the house was filled with th<
Holy Ghost. O how sad to leave
those dear ones. I love them deal
ly. I have never felt any mon
at home on my tour than with
those humble children of God. I
was greatly disappointed in not see
ing several heart-broken one*
come home at this meeting. I left
with a heavy heart feeling tnai
their sorrows are mine. May the
Lord help them to come. Satur
day and Sunday I spoke at Upper
Lott's Creek where I met my dear
brother Eld. J. L. Smith. Here 1
had the privilege of seeing five
humble ones take up the cross and
come home the glad ti
dings of salvation to their doot
burdened souls. I could say, “It
was enough” I was there paid foi
my trip and all the suffering I en
dured to reach them.
Never shall I forget those sweet
days and the earnestness of that
concourse of people, consisting o1
about six hundred persons. It
was a heavenly place to me. Mon
day I spoke at Upper MilL£sreel<
and one joined.
Tuesday I spoke at Bethlehem
and one joined. This church
seems to be spiritually minded
and there is ago d day a head foi
them. Wednesday Elders P. G
McDonald I. P. Porter. J. L
Smith and I went to Lane’s when
we had a “feast of fat things” where
after preaching by Elders MeDon
lad1 ad and the writer, Elder Portei
gave an opportunity foi member*
and three precious ones were joy
fully received. Our hearts were filled
with gladness and I could exclaim
tihess the Lord, O my soul; all
that is within me, bless his holy
I felt that the Lord had
sent me a’nd had been so good t<
me on this tour. I wish I could
mention the names of all those
dear ones wboml met. They were so
kind to poor me.l had been so cast
down my feelings and to be sc
kindly treated by these dear peo
ple revivedmypodr drooping heart.
I was suprised to see so many make
such sacrifices to go to meeting
congregations were exceedingly
are all so spiritually minded. They
do not’ wait for the preacher to do
all.the talking, singing etc, but
they all seem to want to bear their
part. May the Lord bless that dear
people. They are having quite
an ingathering in their churches
and I feel that it will continue.
Elder McDonald informed nw that
he baptized too-in Savannah the
itth Supday, and they contemplate
constituting there in the near future
I reached home Thursday, accom
panied by Elder Ivey of Ala, and
my dear family well. Mv
good brethren and friends had not
let them stay a single night alone,
since I had been gone.
0 that I could praise the Lord
for his goodness and tender mercy
to me a poor sinner
I was at Little Flock Friday
Saturday and Bunday with Elders
E. D. Ivey, R. H. Barwick, A. P.
Tucker Aaron Parish andß.M.Gil
bert where we a “feast of fat
things. "Too precious ones comej
home telling of the dealings of
the Lord with them. There
seems to be quite a revival 111 our
in many portions of the
country. Many who are in baby
ion are coming away from their
ungodly practices, and ar‘e declar
ing in Zion the works of the Lord.
Jesus has been so merciful and good
to us poor finite creatures in call
ing us from the vain allurements
of this sinful world, and preparing
such a precious home for us
among the sanctified. “A day in
they courts is better than a thou
sand,” I would not give oue flays
sweet enjoyment In the fellowship
of the saints for a thousand days
with the world.
How much we deprive ourselves
of by living after the flesh, in not
visiting the saints. These rich
ate provided for the poor
heart-broken ones. Blessed Jesus!
Precious Friend I O keep meojindei
the hollow of thy hand and at the
foot of the cross —H.
Great is the Lord, and greatly t(
be praised in the city of our God
in the mountain of his holiness
Psalm xlviii. 1.
Thigpen, Ga, 28,1895.
Eld. A. V. Simms:—
Dear Brother:—l feel desirous
to write you of some of oui 1 joy's
and . sorrows at Union at our
March meeting. We had the
pleasure of meeting Eld. Wether
ington and brother Chitty. Our
poor hearts were made to swell
with joy and thanksgiving to the
Lord as they spoke of Jesus and
hjs love; and we were made to say
“Bless the Lord, oh my soul! and
ill that is within me bless His
holy name.” May God bless them
and their families. Their con
soling words have been ns bread
cast upon the waters; and as ap-
gold in pictures of silver.
We received two **members on
Saturday. The lovely meeting
closed on Sunday evening by sing
ing that sweet song of Zion:
“Blest be the dear uniting love,
That will not let us part;
Our bodies may far off remove,
But still we are joined in heart.”
While singing, all the dear breth
ren,, sisters and friends met and
shook hands with these dear
brethren—tlTese ministers of Jesus
—and*by word and t act, said, “re
member me in prayer.”
I will now pen down some of
our sorrows: The Lord has seen
fit to take from our midst, and
from a world of sorrow, our aged
brother Studstill, who has long
been set apart to the office of Dea
con, which office he well filled till
released by the angel of death.
Two days before his departure, I
was burdened, troubled, opptest
and cast down. When I was
summoned to attend his burrial,
it reemed to give #ay, and I could
say, “Lord, not my will, but thine
be done.” May the dear good
Lord bless and comfort the bereaved
family, and fill the absence
loving husband, father and brother
6 with his peaceful presence; and
crown us with his loving kindness
and tender mercies. He was
blesse 1 to live to the ripe old age
of 73 years. All that knew him,
loved him. We feel that one of
m JUJ UM;
and he fell asleep in the full :
tryumphs of a living faith in
Christ Jesus.
Brother Simms, if I am called of
the Lord to preach his gospel, this
dear man of God, and brother T.W.
Stallings, and Ansel Parrish were
presented to me in a dream; all
three of them were seated on a
-
short bench near the bank of a
river in which I was fishing. The y
called me to them and told me
: chgy wanted to hear me preach,
[went to where they were and be-
telling them 1 could not
preach; and if I have ever been
blest to preach Christ, it was then.
This was among my first im
pressions to preach; and I felt as
tdid when I had to part
with brother Parrish at oar April
meeting.
We went with sorrowing hearts.
As I was unharnessing my horse,
a dear brother came to m?, and
after shaking hands; he told me
that Eld. Stallings was in the house.
At were made to forget the
troubles of the way; we were made
to realize that the Lord is a strong
hold in the day of trouble. How
good the Lord is to those that
trust in Him? The Lord did won
derfully bless the aged brother to.
t eed the of God, and declare
the doing of God among his peo
ple. One among the sweet things
of his visit was we had him at our
humble home. I diet not feel wor
thy for him to come beneath my
roet, though it was a blessed privi
lege.
Brother Simms, come to our next
! meeting: come to Naylor on Friday
evening, and sister Smith, or sis
ter Carter, will gladly bring you
. on Saturday morning in due time.
I This is the feeling, and desire of
: tae church. If you find it in your
3 mind and heart to come let me
hear from you when you can come.
J The visit will be at our expense.
I close, hoping to hear from you
soon. This leaves us all well ex
. cept colds, and with the hope it
will find you and yours well.
? r *. Yours truly,
i , W. H. Tomlinson. •
, -7 ~ * ■
OecilGa.
• .July Bth 1895
Eld. 8. Hassell. -
My beloved Brother Hassell :
Yours in Pilgrim’s Banner of
July Ist in answer tb mine relative
to the*, sin against the Holy Ghost,
has been read and searched and ie
searched; and in the end I was ful
ly shown, and do now freely
and gladly confess that you are
right, and I was wrong. And with
the most sincere thanks to you and
to God for your labor of love, I now
turn from the error of believing
a child of God can commit this un
: pardonable sin. Now especially
db I thank you for the tender
and Christ-Lke Spirit in which you
you saved me from so gross an er
ror. And esteeming you as one that
loves the cause, the truth and
church, of Christ, as so prominent
ly manifested by your life and
, walk, your longforbearing, long-suf
sering, your patience and labor of
love for Christ’s sake; I feel sure
the fruits of the same will amply
reward you. God grant that they
may. You are dearer to me for
this last truth’s sake.
But will you perffiit me to ask
you, if you meant in your argu
ment to convey the idea that all
blasphemy, was the one blasphe
my against the Holy Ghost? Iso
understood you. And if aright, let
me remind you that Jesus makes
a deffinite distinction, and assures
us there are more kinds,or manners
of blasphemy than this one in di
rect connection with the text we
1 had under consideration, when he
said “All manner of sin and blas
. pheiny shall be forgiven unto men
, but the blasnhemy against the
■ Holy Ghost.” Mat. 12, 37; also
see Mark 3. 28. Also Paul refer
, ing to his past persecutions of the
. saints said! 1 he “compelled them
i to blaspheme” Acts 26.11.
Then again, in refering .to Heb.
these ffere the
above confessed; and although
“the mostspiritural, the most intel- *
ligent, and the best informed serv- ’
ants ot God in all ages, who have
explained this passage, maintian
that the Apostles here spake, not
of the regenerated children of God,
but only of,His merely professing
people, who after professing to be- 1
lieve and trust in Christ, renounce 1
that protession, and go back to the ‘
law for justification ;”and tn at you ,
yourself argued to show these views
correct; I must huffltbly venture to n
assert that I differ with you, and
that I believe that it is the children
ot God to whom the Apostle speaks 1
and that they willfully sin after
receiving a knowledge of the truth.
How can a mere nominal pro
fessor—natural man—discern or
receive a knowledge of the truth
by which he is sanctified and made
free in the liberty of the gospel?
1 Cor. 2: 14. And we snow a child
of God may live to that extent af
ter the flesh as to die. Rom 8; 13—
—that“there is a sin into death”l
John 5, 16.1 think one so hardened
willfully sin in so gross
a manner as to virtually count the
blood of Chftst an unholy thing,
and to do despite to the spirit of
grace, sins unlo death; that is,
death to all spritual peace, com
munion and fellowship with God
and His church; like those who
fell in the wilderness.
And since the Apostle, in con
nection, makes comparison with
these; and Paul to the Comnthi
ans says those were ensamples
to the intent we —children of God
of the gospel day —should not lust
after evil things,as they lusted and
fell, or died as above; and these
were the fathers, aud were all bap
tized in the cloud and in the sea;
and did all eat the same spiritual
meat, and drink the same spiritual
Rock that followed them, and that
Rock was Christ; proving that
these were the children of God.
(see 1 Cor. 10) I must conclude
that if they did so sin and fall,
that the Apostles was speaking to
the children of God in this place,
Audi although there was no
more sacrifice on the cross for.sin,
than such fell jnto the hands of the
living God, as judge of His people,
and are thus gently tought,. he be
conrn dead to all spiritual bless
ings and influences,is alive to a fear
ful looking for of judgement and
fiery indignation that shall finally
devour or destroy, not the person
the singular, but adversaries,in the
plural—and which,as answering
to his wicked works, shall be
burned, and he shall suffer loss
of all timely love, joy, and peace
in the Holy Ghost; yOt he himsell
shall be saved as to eternal salva
tion secured in Christ— yet, as by
fire. 1 Cot. 3.15. ’
While forall sins not unto death,
the children of God has “an advo
cate with the Father.”
So, my I eloved brother Hassell,
while still greatly thanking you
for showing me my error as above
1 give yon .another of love
to set me right in this, if I am
wrong. And lam as ready as be
fore to be convinced of my error.
Thankful to God for your pa
tience of hop? and labor of love for
the dear church of Christ’s sake I
am sincerely yours in the fellow
ship of the Gospel.
T. W. Stallings.
Fort Drum Fla. April 12,1895
Eld. A. V. Simms,
Valdosta Ga.
' Beloved in the Lord; —l now
s pen down a few items I want pub
( lished in the Banner. I ‘ have read
* Eld, C. W. Stallings article in the
“Banner” of April Ist; and must
say t-b him that I endorse his sen
timents and expresions, believing
them to be those of a Christian
and Elder in Israel. I think I can
witness with him in his great trials
and hardships. I have.been trying
to preach thirty years, and must
' say to you, my dear young broth
er that it is as great a
mystery to me now, as when I was
* young. I have often promised,
q whep I frauM
'dismal failures, to go Home and
never try again. But'(he blessed
Lord knows how to keep me abased,
and at the feet of my brethren.
A minister has to have the “check
rein on ,in order to keep him under
control, and in his proper place.
I always have had a desire to excel
my ministerial brethren, to the ed
ifying of the church.; yet, I get
unto Egyptian darkness. And
when I get unto Egypt among
the flesh-pots—all of Gods dear
children can tell it, and feel it too
I have thought this was the dark
ness that could be felt. I get also
in the valley «f Achor, and away
down in Lodebar, as crippled in
both feet; but I have a staff in
the name of Jesus, my Savior;
and a man never needs a staff un
til he is crippled.
My dear young Elder, go on in
your duty, and you will find soft
paths; and that when aside from
duty, you will find a land of
drought and darkness. When I
read down to where you stood by
the casket of our dear old father
in the ministry—Eld. Ansel Par
rish—and looked on his pale face
for the last time, and that it seem
ed sahard to give him up ; it made
me think o.f the old church at Pleas
ant, when I gave a reason of my
hope, and was received into fellow
ship, and next day was baptized
in the Withlacoochee river at
Futch’es ferry, by this same dear
old departed Elder; whom I claim
as my father in the Gospel. The
Church seems to be prosperous,
away here in South-east Florida.
Our little church at Fort Drum,
called “St Martha’s Church,” had
a pleasant meeting on the first Sun
day and Saturday before of this*
year; two were received by experi
ence; which makes eleven bap-,
tised The prospect is
good for more. The nearest church
of our faith and order, is fifty
mjles. lam Pastor of a church
on Indian River, fifty miles away.
Also I serve the church here at
Fort Drum. We would be glad to
see any of our brethren disposed
tovisit us.
the hope that it wjl be of some in
trust to the brethrep here, and afar.
May God in His mercies bless the
and its editors, .is my
prayer.
Joel W. Swam.
Bloys, Ga., July 4th, 1895.
Dear Brother Hanks;—When
you flunk for a moment how
many eyes shall look upon this
article you will not wonder that I
am greatly embarrassed in trying
to write my chnstiah experience.
Like many others who have ex
perienced a change in heart, I
find it extremely difficult to tell
when and how that change came
about. But this should not be
surprising; for it is written: “The
wind bloweth where it listeth,
and thou hearest the sound there
of, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth; so
is every one that is borned of the
“Spirit.”
Far back in my child-hood, I
used to wonder what would become
of me when this dreary life was end
ed. I sometimes thought that
life would end with death, and at
other times fancied that there was
a glorious home in the limitless be
yond in which our souls would
dwell. I knew nothing about the
plan of salvation and what was re
quired of me in order that I
might enter into that peaceful rest,
but thought that somehow or other,
I should come safely out of the
trials and tribulations of this life
and anchor at last in that harbor
where storms never come.
When 1 had grown older, I was
taught that only the souls of the
good would be admitted into this
hallowed place, and tnat the souls
of the wicked would be sent to a
place whrein burned a quenchless
fire. This troubled me a great deal,
for I knew that I was entitled to
no plate in the former, and wa’s
therefore doomed to be consumed
by devouring flames of the latter.
Like all young people of a proud
and aspiring nature, I did all in
my power to banish this thought
from my mind. I attended all the
•dances and picnics that I could,
sought the card-table and even
had recourse to the bottle. For a
time it seemed that I had accom
-1 pUshed my object; biit soon, with
, more force and Vigor than before 1
oir .i ItegrlitiWiniitonffl
again. This time I was at my witsj.
end; I had tried every thing im
aginable, and all in vain# In my
dreams I could see myself as 1 was
carried away by the“roaring lion.”
Aly soul was greatly distressed,
but I was not willing to give up
the hollow pleasures ot this world.
I clung to them, knowing they were
wrong, yet hoping they would de
liver me from the thought that
gave me so much anxiety. Alas for
me? I sought relief where norem
edy could be found.
Finally, I was made to look in
to my heart and see how sinful it
was. Then 1 realized more fully
that I was lost beyond all redemp
tion, save the righteousness of Je
susChrist;then I could say with the
poor publican.of old, “Lord have
mercy on me a sinner.” Then my
burden rolled away and light shin
ed in upon my soul. From that
time I have had a hope in Christ,
though it is often very faint.
For more than a year after I had
received a hope, I remained out of
the chruch; principally, because I
felt unworthy, but partly because
I wished my hope to be stronger.
JSoon I found that I was suffering •
because of my disobedience, and
I resolved that at the next oppor
tunity I would unite with the
church, which resolve, by] the
grace of God, I was able to carry
out a short time ago. Since then
I have realized more . fully that
God is good, and not for Vander
built’s millions would I be back
in that doubting, trembling state.
Such is my experience, pot as I
feel it, but as I am able to tell it.
Asking a place in your prayers,
I am y.our young brother,
J. W. Hendricks.
Valdosta Marble 'Ms.
Manufacturers and Dealers in
Monuments,
Tomb Stones,
• Iron Fencing And
Cemetery Goods.
Come.to ?ee us, we de fine work, and
guarantee Satisfaction. Shops located
in bavamlah Avenue in front of 8. F.
& W.R.R. Depot.
j