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THE PILGRIM’S BANNER. ' k V. SIMMS, Valdoßra,Ga., ) LEE HANKS, Boston Ga. f PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. YORTKK UNITED STATES, CANADA AN MEXICO. Single copy one year SI.OO Single copy six months 50 single eopy three m0nth5......... 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 but 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- Val aosta, Ga.. as second qlass mail matter. EDITORIAL. “And why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke, vi. 46. (Continued). Perhaps the greatest evil a mong the Primitive Baptist of to-day, and the one from which a number of lesser evils have their origin, is worldly-mindedness, and a woeful lack of spiritual vitality. We sneak of this first because it is so far-reaching in its results, and so universal in its scope. Not uni versal in the sense that it applies to all, but in the sense there is not a locality—not a church, perhaps that is not effected by it more or less. No, not all thank God can be charged with this sin; for then would the salt have lost ita savour fruits are abounding to the glory of God—whose robes are spotless and in whose daily life, the pure life and countenance of Jesus shines forth as clearly as in any age of the world. Their meat and drink is to do the will of their Master. And but for the example and influence of these, we cannot tell where we might drift, nor what the conse quences would, be. That there is a vast amount of difference inithe yield of spiritual fruits among the Lord's people, is not a new feature, lately arisen, to d istinguish us of this age from the saints in past ages. It has perhaps always been so. But we cannot forbear asking the question, Why is it so? We know that the apostle recognized the fact that the children of God possess different gifts and talents, but why may not these, in their different vocations aud callings manifest with equal sincerity and greater unanimity the life of Jesus in the soul? God has not done more in an eternal sense for one of his children than He has for all; and why may not this blessed truth inspire all with equal zeal and fer vency in their different gifts and calling*? Why does one christain ' live more orderly than another? Is it because, as some overwise breth ren have intimated, the predestina tion of God has interfered? We think not. But we ask, Why? In the parable given by the Sa vior in Mathew xiii., we can under stand how the seed which fell on the stony ground did not bear fruit, because they had not much earth, and the sun when it was up scorch ed them and they withered away. Wo can see how it was that the Seed which fell among the thorns did not yeild fruit } because the thorns choked them, And the seed which fell by tji-e wayside was never hurried in<he earth at all, as we infer, and the fowls of; the air destroyed them, and of oourse they were not expected to. do anything. I seem to understand all this perfectly. Put why should those seed which fell on the good ground make such a .broad differ ence in the yeild? The ground was nil ‘‘good,” and if there was any difference in the quality of the seed our Lord did not say so, and we presume there was none. Then why should some bring forth thir tyfold, others Jsixtyfold and others an hundred? Whatever may be the correct answer to this question we d J know that the figure as given in the above parable is strikingly true when con trasted with the present condition of the church. In almost every church may be found Baptists rep resenting only about thirty cents in the dollar,some sixty, and some thank God, are worth one hun dred cents in the dollar. But again we ask Why is it so? And since my mind has taken this turn we will follow the parable further. It will be seen that in the parable the approximate yield of the fruit-bearing seed was only six tyrthree and one-third per. cent. One class had made a full crop; but the shortage with other two —the thirty and sixty fold characters, reduced the whole down to but little more than one half what it should have been. And since we now have it down upon a mathematical basis; and if I may be allowed to pursue the subject from this standpoint, it must appear clear enough for all to see that a lack of spiritual fruits in any brother or class of brethren jedncftjjhft of the spiritual fruit of his cr their church of which he, or they may be members. Therefore let that brother whose walk is ungodly, know that he not only proves him self unworthy a name among the Lord’s people, but he tarnishes the fair name of the church in proportion to the amount of wick edness he commits. And let him not overlook the fact that the faithful, dutiful Christian, bearing an hundred fold is suffering inno cently, and is competed to submit to this wrong and seeming inequal ity. Oh brother, child of God, can you as vou loiter around the bar room, regaling yourself with the enemies of Jesus, by cultivating the lower and debased passions and appetites of your corrupt nature, can you, though your concience be seared as with an hot iron can you persist in such a course, and at the same time think of the spotless ones in your own church whose fair name you bear, which has giv en you the respect and confidence of the world-can you think of all this,and still persist in your wicked course to your own destruction and the great injury of those dear ones with whom you are associated? Not only could bring forth an hundred fold, but in propor tion as you raise yourself from the evils and sins of which you are guiltly, the character of the church of which you are a member is raised and and repected and the name of Jesus honored. This may be too big a truth to be popular; but remember I told you in a former article that I was not seeking popularity any more. But to return. Those thirity* fold characters were aS much the’ children of God as those who bore I an hunderdfold. Although there I was a great shortage in their frims still the , fact remains—they wttfe good money as far as they. wei|r. they wore Christians. So the IV are those to-day in the church, who, though they bear but little fruit, still the quality of that little is good as far as? it gees. ‘‘lie mad® a good beginning. He related a good experience when he joined the church,” is the way the broth) ren talk about him. He made a a good member a little while. He attended his conferences regular for sometime, and could be seen sheding tears under the sound of the gospel. | But little by little he begins to show signs of coldness. He begins to have-important business requir ing his attention on his conference, days. He is compelled to go to town this very day. He could not go yesterday of epurse. He goes; his business receives his attention. As he meets his brethren on his return home he greets them with a smile and is ready to talk about religion and seems more spiritual than usual. Butlo; he is drunk. His eyes looks as if they mteht be iu eclipse, Lis nose is a little colored, and- he endeavors to cpver his own shame by talking a|out Jesus. Here is your thirtyfold man. And if his case was tried under a rigid, scriptural examina tion. I am not quite sure he would not fall to a lesser denomi nation. “Everybody” was in town last Saturday and saw this fellow in this shameful fix, and knowing him to be a Primitive Baptist, are disposed to measure innocent, and orderly Christians by hist- un godly and shameful conduct. This is a hard and hurtful truth, but someone® ought it. ——* — But let us pass on ii we can find, or locate the sixtyfold man. He is one, it seems to me, whose moral character is irreproah- able. He is heartily ashamed of the conduct of his thirtyfold brother. He never visits bar-roonis except iu cases of uecessity,and even then he questions in his mind as he goes, whether Jhe necessity is a necessity. He is strictly honest; the mer chants are all anxious for his trade, l in a word, he is a noble citizeij ;and in addition to this he makes a “fair” -church member. He attends his conferences regular, and seems interested m the services. But unfortunately, he too, is a “business man.” Indeed he is so busy that he can not losd the time to visit a sick neighbor. He can sympathize with them very much for he has a good heart in him; and it ho just had the time to'-spare he could do them good. Altho’ he has plenty he has never been to see why other people should expect him to give to others what he has “worked for.” He is never ready to contribute to any church fund; and although the “church fund,” in many in stances only amounts to two or three dollars annually, for associa tional purposes, he is never ready for it, he expects to attend to it ‘sometime,” and that ’is the last of it. I have been disgusted at such brethren waiting for each other at such times, and hoping that others would raise that enor mous sum of two dollars, and his dime would not be needed. It is a shame. This sixtyfold brother firmly believes that his preacher’is God’s preacher and God may feed him.. Ho is confident tl»at God can, and does give the preacher all that he needs; and that if he wfere to con tribute anything it might give his preacher the “big-head,” and ruin htm. He is over careful to avoid every appearance of armianism. Such is the picture I have drawn of the sixty-fold man. We now oome to the hundredfold, character. We shall find him to be one whose moral character is 1 without a blemish. His neighbors are at peace with him, and he is regarded as a meek, humble Chris tian throughout, the length and breadth of his acquaintance. He is more interested in the health, peace and prosperity of the church than about his own temporal wel fare. His heart iS with the church and his meeting days, seem far be tween. He is never too busy to visit and minister io those who are in distress. He would divide his last loaf with his preacher and prove himself willing to suffer, with him. He never allows “lightning-rods,” “storm-pits,” “standing collars,” “neckties” and “hard hats” to interfere with his affections for his brethren. He is employed. He reads his Bible and has something good to tell you about it when you meet him. He is heaven’s treasure, the glory of the church, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Oh for more of them, but God be thanked for as many as we have. I desire to say before conclud ing this article, that in enumer ating the evils mentioned in the foregoing I have had no particular individuals in my mind, and noth ing personal is intended. But have tried to point out these things in love. Let each dear brother know that I do not mean YOU, un less YOU aro guilty. I grant to all the prjvetege of sitting in judg ment in their own cases But remem ber that “if your hearts condemn you, God is greater than your hearts and knoweth all things.”—S. A NEW DISCOVERY. Doubtless there are many dear children of God entangled in the “new discovery” of what is called soul-saving, who need instructing in the way of the Lord. While we reel it our duty to warn the church of her errors; but we should not fail to instruct the children of God wherever they be who oppose themselves. We should not make a hobby of fighting arminians and let Israel’s sins go uareproved. yet it is our indispensable duty• to point out errors to the Lord’s peo ple wherever they may be. World ly religion, heathenism and infideli ty are on the increase, and boast of their members and the great good they are accomplishing for the Lord. They exalt the -crea ture as the Savior, giving glory to men and their institutions, and ab use God as an insufficient being, who cannot save sinners and has done all he can do. This imagin ary god of modern religionists seem to be as powerless as the idols of heathenism. We clip the following extract from a secular paper, Ozark Star, published at Ozark Ala, for May Ist 1895 which is a report of a Sunday School convention at that place: “After song service Bro. Harley, pastor of the Missionary church at Ozark was invited to address the body upon timely topics. His address was delivered in his usual lucid, terse style, enlarging prin-< the duty of Christians to teach. In order to fulfill our duty toward the command in Math, $8; 19, 20, all must be tafiglii! If we cannot go ourselves, we must some oAe. We .must ask God to encourage ui in she woik which is the duty of the whole church, as we 11 as each individual’ member. We must bring every body to Christ and let them learn ‘ through us that He came to save all mankind, not a favored few. J “The Sunday School is one of the auxiliaries of the church, which is to prepare the mind, lead to, soul-‘culture and soul-sav-’ ing.” It is supprising that peo ple who claim to be inlightened, will thus pervert the word of the Lo. Notice in Mathew 28; 19:20. He says, all “must be taught; if we cannot go ourselves, we must com- ■ mission some one.” God has not authorized any man or combination of men to “-commission a min to preach his Gospel. Balak com missioned Balaam to curse Israel and the Pharisees held a conven tion and commissioned their soldiers (preachers)to tell that tlje disciples stole Christ out of the grave while they slept. What a lie! But they did not care; they were well paid for telling it. See Matt. 28; 14- 19. Saul was commissioned by the Pharisees to go to Damascus and bring the disciples to Jerusa lem to be punished. When men commission a man to teach or preacn, they will teach or preach the power that sends him,as you see in the foregoing. Christ said that all power in Heaven and earth belonged to him, therefore he commanded his apostles to “go and teach all nations,” but did not tell his disciples to send or commission men to go. God com manded Jonah to “go to Ninevah and preach the preaching that- I bid thee? r forth men to preach, but that au thority was never delegated to the Lord’s people to send men to preach the gospel. God sends his preachers when and where He pleases. The foregoing extract says, “It is the duty of the church to commission men to teach.” Christ has not so taught us. God gives them pastors and teach ers who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding. The extract says, we must bring everybody to Christ and let them learn through us that He came to save all mankind, and not .a favored few.” He says that “we must bring everybody to Christ.” Is not this heathenism to claim that we are in God’s stead to bring sinners to Christ? This bringing sinners to Christis God’s act and not ours. The Lord was not near so liberal as our friends offers to be, for He says, “Fear not, for I am with the; I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north give up and to the south, keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth: even every one that is called by my name: I have created him for my glory. I hfl-ve formed him: yea, I have made him.” Isa. 43: 5, 6. The Lord does not bring everybody, but brings his seed, sons and daugh ters whom he created for his glo ry, and are called by his name. Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God.” 1 Pet,3;lß. Christ suffered for sinss to bring us to God, and he accomplished the work he came to do; for be de- clared in his prayer: “I have fin ished the work thou gavest me to do” “No man cin come to rhe, ex cept my Father which sent me draw him.” John 6: 44. Th* gentleman says, “we must bring to Christ,” but Jesus says they can not come that way—they must be drawn to him. lam the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometb unto the Father, but by me. “Jno, 14; 6. They all come by what Christ has done and not by bringing them. “Let them learn through us that Christ died for everybody, and not a favored few” I am glad he said, Let them learn (this false doctrine) through us, for I assure him, they will not learn such from the word of God. The apostles, prophets and Jesus have taught the “favor ?d few*’ doo trine, and hence we are not asham- - ed at this late date of this pre cious truth and we shall not try to better it. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; the good shep herd giveth his life for the sheep.” Jno. 10: 11. He did not give His life for the goats, but just rep resented the sheep who are the (‘favored few.” “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” Jno. 6; 38,39. Those who were given to Christ, were the “favored few” that the Father sent him to save. He did not pray for the world, but for those “favored few.” See Jno. 17;l-5. Jesus said, “Fear "pot little flock, for it is your Father good pleasure to give you (the fa ’ voted few” the kingdom.” Christ for it, ilie not come to save all mankind. See Eph. 5 chap, also 1 chap 5, verses. It is the chosen in Christ that have redemption through bis blood, and not al! mankind. If Christ came to save all mankind as our friend suggests, universal ism is true; for he finished the work he came to do. Solomon says, what God does shall stand forever. Christ made no failure, but if seems that our friend would pre sume that lie came to save all mankind but failed unless we bring them to Christ. If we bring them to Christ they are saved, and it we fail, they are lost. m If this be thrue, salvation would depend upon our bringing them to Christ and not upon Christ’s work at all. Christ has come to save them, but he is a failure, now we must bring them to him, for he is weak and needs help if our friends position be true. Jesus said, “All that th© Father hath given me shall come to me.” If “all mankind comes,per haps our friends will have to bring them, for Jesus hath only promised to bring the “favored few” that were given him: He says they shall come to him. God only has one way of saving sinners, and we would like to know who brought Abel to the Lord, so he could learn that Christ died for “all mankind?” Jesus says ev ery man that hath heard, and learned of the Father, cometh un to me.” Hence you see that those that come to Jesus, learn of the Father, and not of man. They learn that Christ saved the favored few. The extract says. The Sunday School is one of the auxiliaries