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THE PILGRIM’S BANNER. A. V. SIMMS, Valdosta, Ga., ) „ LEE HANKS, Boston Ga. | Aitors. PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. FOB THE UNITED STATES. CANADA AN MEXICO. Single copy one year SI.OO Single copy six months M) 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 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 dosta, Ga.. as second class mail matter. EDITORIAL. “And why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke, vi. 46. Who among the Lord’s children have not been brought face to face with the truth of the above fearful words of our Lord? How often have we gone to Him in se cret prayer, with our poor hearts full of trouble, when to our great mortification and shame our sinj£ v have arisen as a mighty cloud be-'' fore us, and with their awful con demning power, seem to say to us “What right.have you to call on Him whose law you have trampled under your unhallowed feet? Why should jtani come to Him now in your distress, when only yesterday you refused to do His bidding. Now in your extremities you need Him—without His smile and gracious seal of pardon yon are miserable. Had you done as the Spirit bid you, you might, have come to His throne with joyous expectancy and hope. But now why call him Lord, Lord, and do not the things he says.” The writer recalls in his mem ory some terible struggles of mind and something similar to the above. And as these lines are pened, he remembers many, many times he has attempted to speak at a throne of mercy with the sad recollection of past offences, so weighty and burdensome almost sufficient to drive him away in despair and shame. He remembers how, in his youth, he would make solemn pledges to God that he would make confession of His name by offering himself to the church; then his own wicked, stubborn heart would rebel against the lead ings of the Spirit, refuse to obey, and realize again that forlorn and and forsaken feeling—easier im agined than described. Nor. did this struggle end when he at last, under the afflicting hand of God was completely subdued and made willing to obey Him. But a knowledge of his many broken vows in after days, and sins are of such magnitude and number as that they seem to forbid him seek ing the Lord in prayer. Oh what a state! How can I go to Him, and how can I lite without him? Take from thb child of God the privilege of goW tjJod ifii prayer and you rob him of a treas ure more precious than gold. But no power on earth can do this, save only, our own sins. King decree of death could not prevent the humble servant Dan iel from seeking his God in prayer as the Spirit impressed him. Nor can any earthly or external power come between God and his children and disturb that sweet comm un ion so often felt in the bosom of saints. But the greater the op position and persecution from without, the nearer we are drawn to our blessed Savior and the sweeter and richer His mercies appear. Have we been suffering unjust persecution from the world? Then let us “go and tell Jesus.” Does the brethren seem cold, and are they magnifying your a 1 e a>d saying hard and cruel things of you? Then Jesus knows it and if you are innocent you may fly to him for succour and support. He will vindicate his law and meet out justice and judgement where it belongs and ease your aching heart. But oh, if. we have sinned, if we do not the things which he says, how can we go to him in faith? With what degree of consistency can we call him “Our Lord,” and hope for his sweet mercy to revive our famishing spirits when we re member our disobedience to his word and spirit? 1 believe I am writing of things now, about which every child of God has some personal experience. Who among the Lord’s family has not felt the pangs of a guilty con science as they approached the Lord in prayer? But if, as we ap proach him in our. petitions we can feel in our poor hearts we have tried to Reverence, a-ipre- . iuub, keep his law it so sweet to call on him ip our distress! We feel that he knows all about it,and will heal our broken hearts. But if through disobedience or transgressions we may, as individ uals,involve ourselves in this dark ness and gloom, so that we cannot go to the Lord in prayer or enjoy his sweet and tender mercies, may not the same be true of churches as a whole? May not churches through rebellion forfeit the peace, joy and prosperity be longing to them, and become in volved in darkness and confusion? Did not Israel of old forsake tfie laws of her God and bring upon her famine, pestilence and sword? Surely then the church, of which the Jews were a type, may refuse the word of the Lord, reject his councils and bring upon herself the wrath of the Almighty. As the last sentence is penned the office boy brings in a letter re questing me to attend a church meeting where the whole church is involved in confusion, and much bitter feeling exists, for this reason I must now close this article. Later. The trouble was settled and peace restored. The Lord be praised for His mercies.—S. Five joined by letter and five by experience and baptism at Mt. Pisga, near Ochlocknee, 4th Sat urday and Sunday. Many have a hope in that section who ought not to stay in the wilderness and perish for food and raiment when there is plenty in store in Zion for them. The Spirit and bride say,. Come. Come and welcome, may;! the Lord give you strength- tq| come—-IL "T 1 . * •. . * Conflicts in the CHAPTER V.l As I stated, I thduglwWter nrv long spell of in 1894, I should always feel ’tappy and would not get so lowwhny more. But alas! I was sad®Lnistaken. I was really my convalescence, for time to come when I could HHbf the won derful display of power in raising me almostthe dead and revealing beau ties to my poor djpk soul, and raising me upon Pwah’s heights so I could have i/jyiew of the celestial city, lu minuted by the sunshine of His glomous counten ance. On the tldkd Sunday in November 1894, I went to Bethle hem (my home chwch) near Nor cross, Ga., and triep to preach for the first time sincamy illness. I was shrouded in darkness, and my tongue clave to the roof of my mouth. I j?at down feeling confirmed that I was no preacher, and-doubted my' acceptance in the Beloved. I thought my afflictions were to prove tSjh that I was no preacher and g Christian. That night I went Gower’s in Norcross, and talked and cried till about mid-night. I went to tHe bottom of the mountains, in the very belly of hell till about Christmas. -Elder Jackson and I went to Mil ton county, and every time till Sunday. A good sister walked the floor saying that she v,as was the rea- son J O 1 could not only a trouble to others. that I could fall asleep in Jesus and get rid of my triple 01'1 d. - Sunday morning I Went to the woods in deep anguish of soul and prayed to die. A brother Hembree came after me and said, “brother Hanks, there is quite a concourse of people at the house waiting for you to come and preach for them.” I replied, “brother Hembree, I am convinced that I am no preacher, and I will not deceive the Lord’s people any longer. I have decided to go to the Indian Territory, and live among the Indians the remainder of my days, for I am unfit to live among the Lord’s people, and I will there get rid of trying to preach.” He said, “I am sorry for you.” I reluctantly went to the house, feeling that my life was at stake, and I would try once more and die. I tried to pray and when I arose the congregation were in tears, and I read this text: “My beloved spake and said unto me, rise uj; my love my fair one and come I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day| My whole being was filled ecstatic joy, and my poor soulc was -watted away on eagle’s wipgs and I could soar over all my troubles and feel that all was well. Bless the Lord for his mercies. I had sweet liberty < till the next summer, I went in the spring to south Ala., where I < was greatly blessed with liberty < ifi speaking, and' made arrange- < ments tokove to Ozark, Ala. On | ! my returl to Norcross, I was mar- j ried to ss l. L. Edwards at her < home nejr Upionville, Ga., June $ 28th, 1815. Here I will say that '< Lordfcave me a precious de- 1 voted cApamon who has been ;a. s Ltpjneet in all my iron- c bles and has always been ready to encourage me on my way. Iler been great, as J* have and spent much of my time away from her trying to preach. But she has been given fortitude to patiently fill the place of a preacher’s wife. None know the trials of a poor preacher’s family, but those who have experienced it. Brethren should care for those gifts and tlirir families, and prove that they love them by administering to their necessities. In August af ter I was married, I was again overwhelmed in darkness add the Bible was sealed so I could not preach or read with any comfort. I was taken sick at a District Meeting, and a dear sister invited me to go to her house and preach. I broke down in tears wondering why this good sister would invite poor me to go to her house and preach when I was so weak and feared that I Was no preacher. I went to a brother’s house, and was so feeble and felt like I should soon bid adieu to earth with its vanities. I wanted some of the preachers to come and pray for me but I was so sinful I did not think they would grant my request. Sunday, late in the afternoon, the thought occurred to me, what can I say if I should live to preach again? I was carried away in the Spirit, though suffering in tensely, and a still small voice,” seemed to say, “ask for light on what you will and it will be given.” The scriptures began to open to my feeble understanding, and deep mysteries were made plain from Genesis to Revelations. This wonderful display of his mercy continued through the night. I Wa.rt’SM to know if I was a chrts- J tian? and I saw a name written in ’ the sky with the blood of Christ r in another laguage; and I prayed ) for the name to be translated into 1 my language and when translated 5 it was ray name. The voice said 1 unto me, “write what has been revealed to you in a book.” I - asked, “How large’ will the book - be? lie answered, “A volume r of six hundred pages. The voice * said, “you have found the pearl of ! great price.” The portions of ‘ Scriptures that opened to me, was ! the history of Joseph and his brethren, Mosqp, Gideon and his ' army, Sampson, the Temple. Reve ‘ lations, etc. I was tilled with love ! and praise to God and the voice said, “This is enough for you to preach from as long as you live? I had my wife to awake Elder Jackson about 4. a. m. and I thought I could preach to him. I told him it was the happiest night I had-ever experienced, but I was so full I could not talk for the love and light of God that thrilled my poor soul. Elder Jack§on thought I was going to die. I -was very low for sometime. In October J went to Ozark, Alabama to make it my future home, having been deeply impressed to go. I was soon called to about four churches and Eider Head came on a visit to my church and he and Elder Parker ordained me. They asked me if I were willing to be ordained, and I told them I was not, for I did not, for I did not feel that I possessed the qualifications of a preacher. I soon learned that Elder Head or- . I dination was illegal, and I told the brethren I would not administer another ordinance under that or- ’ difiation. Some of the brethren I said, just be quiet it might be all right. I told them that I did not feel that! should live long, and what work I did I wanted it to be legal. I was ordained again by Elders J. W. Parker, John Pur vis and Wm. Galloway. The first week after I was ordained I bap tized seventeen. My feeble labors were greatly blessed among the churches; yet I made many mis takes. I wanted to be called a sound Baptist, and would fight ar minians and tell them I did not want their money and the Baptists would all sanction such stuff. I taught school and had to go al most night -and day, and expose myself, to make a living. I would leave my poor little family at home and go on the train to teach, and many nights the train would not get in ’till midnight and after, and'l laying by the railroad, with no house to stay in, waiting for the train, and the weather cold and rainy, a great portion of the time. My health was very poor all the time. I would build a fire to make a light to chop mj r wood of nights to do through the day. I have served four churches which cost me about one hundred dollars each, and they all did not give me ten dollars, and yet they would tell me that they loved me. I do» not blame them. I was to blame for not preachiii g to them their duty. They had deacons, but the deacons thought they were or dained to pass around the bread and wine at communion. No preacher can be popular with a covetous Christian if he preaches what Paul preached in Ist Cor. 9th chapter, and many other places. If a man loves his wife and children he will care for them. If a preacher loves a church he will make a sacrifice for them, and if a church loves a preacher and his > family they will care for him. It is the duty of deacons to ascertain the necessities of their pastor and make the same known to his re spective churches and they should respond to the same. The preacher and his family should be economi cal and not burden a church. It is as much heresy to deny minis terial support as it is Salvation by grace; for both are plainly taught in the Bible and should be preach ed. Many children of God have told me the reason they went to Babylon were because of the cruel manner in which our preachers have been treated. I am glad that our people are awaking to their duty in this respect. I once thought it arminianism to help a preacher, but now I see it is Bible truth. I don’t mean to help every one among4is that bears the name. The old Baptists are the best peo ple in the world md they just need to be instructed in this re spect to their duty and they will do it. They make greater sacri fices than any people on earth for the doctrine and for one another. When I was married I was in debt, caused by my afflictions and the way seemed very gloomy be fore me. But blessings have come 1 to me in an unseen way. I re- ■ member once when I was out of * everything but a little flour and * was sick and did not know where I could get money to buy some meat, j 3 cdfoee ete. , Twas low spirited and i I was almost fearfdl I shpuld come i to want, being so feeble. D went { to the Post Office and a letter was. e I sent me With five dollars which , caused me toshM tearsand thank i God for his mercies. Many times > when 1 was at my wit’s end and ' did not know where the next would come from I have received a t letter from some unknown friend - enclosing, perhaps, the amount I ? needed. I would like to be inde- * pendent if I could. My nature is $ - so proud, but my afflictions have I i brought me down. Tfie harder I x - strive to lay up in store something L for my family the greater my s afflictions, and that voice whisper- I ingin my soul, “No man that war- - reth entangleth himself with the J affairs of this life; that he may I please him who hath chosen him to ' be a soldier.” Sore afflictions, heart , disease etc, drove me to lay down I everything about Iwo years ago to , serve the Lord, and I find more i peace, better health in his service r than in rebellion against him. The I good brethren and friends have J been good to me and have cared r for my family through my sore J trials. David said, “I have not 1 seen the righteous forsaken, nor . his seed begging bread.” i The Lord has been good to me s and my family; yet I often get so ? gloomy and despondent, so full of I unbelief until I am afraid to trust > him. lam afraid my family will * come to want if I do not stay with r them more, but sometimes the ex ? pression: Jehovah Jirah “the Lord - will provide,” comes to still tho I troubled billows that are about to overwhelm my poor benighted soul. J Many times I have left my i children sick and I would go with 7 a broken heart to fill appoint ments and would return 'Snd find 1 all well and the Lord had fme with liberty. Many 1 have gone being burdened down so t that I could not enjoy preaching, 5 meeting the saints, reading the [ Bible, and my heart filled with ( foolish thoughts and indifference, j I use to think I would get to the place that it would be easy to I preach and I would not dread it. t omy soul 1 I have grown less in the ministry if indeed I be in it at all. The dread seems greater if possible. The true servant of God has the sorest trials of any oil _ earth. If the brethren just knew what trials the Lord’s servants endure they would not meet and talk politics and about theft worldly matters, but they would meet early, sing praises to God and engage in praying to him for his mercies, and bless both speaker I and hearers. Pray for me dear saints. A poor sinner saved by *’ grace if saved at all.—H. Our little tour in the boun'ds of the Pulaski, Eecheconeo and Union associations was a very pleasant one —- to us. The dear brethren and sis* ters and many out-side friends re- % ceived us with every courtesy that could have been expected or hoped for. We would be glad to mention many dear ones with whom we met . for the first time ra life, but we only have space to speak of the trip ’ in a general way. We first stoped with three of the I churches of the Union association, f under the pastoral care of Eldet. I C. W. Stallings, namely, Salem, I Concord and Bethlehem. These three churches are in a healthy prosperous They all seem to be in the full en*? joy men t of their Christian privile* i ges. Their conversation, is heavenly | and spiritual. We were made’to 1 shed tears of joy as we.sat around