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Vol. 2, POETRY As days go by 1 sit and meditate Upon my sorrowful and forlorn stat?, And wonder why the darkness so be clouds My life, and why Satanic mien en shrouds The joys that should make bright ny face. I meditate upon God’s wondrous grace, And think how matchless and how grand his love Must be, that He to earth from heaven above Should come and hold within his lie so sweet Poor trembling sinners fallen down complete In sin and deep disgrace and fearful woe! When wild storms rage and fierce winds strongly blow, And make poor trembling sinners al most fear To look unto their Saviour, who is so dear. Then God his wondrous arm of love reveals, And shows to them that all their wounds he heals, And bids them rise, and do his holy will. Now, when they fail and are rebellious still, His chastening hand he does not with hold; But through afflictions cares and doubu untold, He makes them wade. Then darkness sadly sits Upon their care-worn brow and bene fits Os joy and gospel sweets seem then to cease To flow from his abounding store; and peace, Sits far away beyond their present reach. This state seems mine. God’s precious' book doth teach That those who walk within the wil derness Shall find riorest into their souls Sad- Will follow them; and doubts will dim their way Until they both God’s will and law obey. This v reason I assign for my dark state, And yet like Paul my sins I loath and hate But what I would that Ido not; but fail Because within 1 myself I am too frail. . Pis by God’s power saints reach that land of rest Where they by Egypt’s kings are not oppressed. For in oui weakness God is strenth,and when We’re faint and sinking down in pain He then Will sooth the pain,and heal the wound and drive All sorrows from our brow; and when we strive With Satan and his evil will fight Our battles, he oup snield and armor bright. I like to think that when we’re sad and lone And poor in heart, we feel Christ did atone For all our sin; these are they for whom He interposed.his precious blood; in room Os them He died. The whole need not his aid, Fdr they then feel that all by them is paid. Hence happy is the man who feels .down-cast And deep in debt,and not a farthing hast With which to pay; for such Christ gave his life Let saints when in the wilderneass of strife \ And disobedience, take up their cross And follow Christ; they’ll suffer then no loss And darknes, too, will flee away; and doubt, Despondency, and gloom he’ll put lo rout. . I‘want io live obedient to God’s word. .O, keep me safe and meek. I pray the Lord. And not me only, dearest Lord but keep Thy children all as shepherds keep their sheep. W. W. Habben* Dear brother Simms, since the above was written I have taken up the cross, gone home to the church and found test and peace inexpressible. W. W. H; @!je Pilgrim's) fanner. “THOU HAST GIVEN A BANNER TO THEM THAT FEAR THEE, THAT IT MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE OF THE TRUTH.”—Psalms GO: 4. Butler, Ga., Aug. 28, 1835 Dear Brother Simms: —Brother W. S. Smith of Okapilco Ga., ami other brethren, requested me to give my viewp through the Banner on the qualifications of a pastor; and the relative duties of church and pastor. In the first place then, a pastor or Elder, must be called of God as was Aaron ; he must be “blame less,”or his general deportment without moral blemish, (Phil ii,14.) “vigilant,” or watchful, alive and active to the duties of his calling—“sober,” not only ss to liqour, but all things—not in toxicated with prejudice, anger, or some “hobby,” or to hilariousnees in vain jesting, or telling anecdotes, etc, but be moderate in all things —“of good behavior,” or sincere, courteous, honorable in all things with all men. (Titus ii, 7-8.) “gitf en to hospitilty,” or always ready to entertain and accomodate oth ers at his own house. Apt to teach,in proof of being cabed to preach; as to preacAi is to teajfc. 2 Tim. ii, 24. “Not given to wine” —nqt in the habit of drinking till wanting it. “No striker,” but settled and grounded, and contin uing in the faith and doctrine al ready learned and assured of as true —not turning aside to unlearn ed questions of Jaw, or other spec ulations that gender strife. ITim. iii 4. “Not greedy of filthy lucre,” as excessive cravings and strivings for money. 1. Tim. vi. 9- 10. “Patient” in all things with al) men. especially in the afflictions and necessities awaiting a gospel minister. a -brawler, oi loudly quarelous and complaining, fault-finding, and strivings in con troversy ; instead be gentle, show ing all meekness. Titus iii. 2-3, ‘Not covetous,” or craving and aspiring, selfishly hoarding wealth, —“ruling well his own house, hav ing his children in subjection, else how shall he take care of the church? This means what it says. ‘Not a novice,” as doting about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh railings, evil-ser misings, perverse disputings, and oppositions of science falsly so called that gender pride and in subordination, but rather stand fast in one mind, striving for the me faith, 1 Tim. ii .20. “Os good ceport of them without,” —speech seasoned with grace, and a walk according to the above will estab- lish him in the confidence and re spect of all good men. And thus the pastor is made an 'xample to the church-member in word, conversation, faith, charity,* purity. 1, Tim. iv, 12. A pastor must give himself whol ly to his calling—“not neglect the gift,” that is in him for the church. He< must meditate —read, ind use every lawful means that his profiting may appear unto alb men. And withal, he must “take heed to himself and the doctrine hat himself and hearers both be saved from error and shame. 1 Tim iv. 14-16. For this calling makes him a soldier; and no man that wareth must entangle himself with the affairs of this life.ll Tim ii. 2-4. Accordingly a pastor, as thus giving himself wholly to the work of the ministry, will not only tru ly need, but is worthy of alt the Lord in his word requires for him of the church. The church is to hold such in reputation. (Phil, ii, 28.) is to “es teem them very highly in love for their Work’s sake,” 11. Thes. v. 13 and such as “rule well are to be counted worthy of double honor,” DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE.OF CHRIST VALDOSTA, GA.,SEPTEMBER 15, 1895. that is, not only love them, but also, as the double honor means— amply reward for the time and service spent for you; “for the Scripture smith Thou shalt rot muzz’e the ox that troadeth out the corn; and the laborer is wor thy of his reward.”l Tim. v, 17. Paul to the church at Corinth says, “This was written for our (of the gospel day) sakes, that he that ploweth should plow in hope, and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” Then continues “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things,live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the alter are partakers with the alter? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.” As much as to say By the righteous binding and holy obligations of the things under the law, is the gospel church bound that her Pastor live of the gospel. But it has often been said that thus to live was to partake of the spirit of the gospel he preached. Tiie apostle denies this in the next verse when he says : “But I have us3d none of these things.” He says iu the same letter to this church they were mutual partakers of the spirit. But to twice estab lish bis meaning he continues: “Neither have I written these things that it should bo so done to me.” We know that to live spiritually of the gospel, as unto him, is something the church could not do. It sebnis superfluous to < contend on thia poiiit. - ™ But since Paul is the pattern for those who contend against helping the preacher, let us notice him. particularly. I can say that ?he took what he calls ’‘wages” from all the churches save that at Corinth. And why not., from that one? Ho himself answers :“to fcut| oil occasion from them which de sired occcasion.” 11. Cor. xi. 11. The inference is too strong to’ doubt that some “false apostles” had visited, and partially corrupt ed this church in his absence: and* had said that Paul was no true apostle—that he walked after the flesh, and preached for gain. I'hat such was the case, see 11 Cor. x. 4-8. x iii. 3-4. iv.lß. And thus to gratify a personal zeal for Christ and his cause,, and to stultify a false accusation, he never afterwards took any of their “carnal things.” It would seem that this charge of laboring for gain, caused, him to exclaim—perhaps in holy in dignation or irony—“What, have we not power to eat and to drinx? —have we not power to forbear working” altogether with our own bauds—as we have done, and be come entirely chargeable to you? That he did not forbear, he says m another place, was not because he had not the power. Certainly he had this “power” or divine au thority to become altogether char gable to them. And in confirm ation he continues—“ Who goeth a warfare at his own charges? Who planteth a vmeyaxd and eat-’ eth not of the fruits? Who feed eth a Hock and eateth not ot the milk of the flock”? The negative answer was just as unreasonably absurd, as to demand the time and service of a pastor without re ward. But that he took “wages’’ and “hire” from other churches, hear him: “I was glad of the coming of and Fortunatus, for that which wag lacking on your part’ they have supplied.”' This t shows that, notwithstanding he . worked with his own hands tc i supply his need in part, he still > sufiyied lack from net taking I froip them. But he continues: i Have I committed an offence be . cause I preach to you the gospel of Godjfieely? I robbed other church i es taking wages of them to do you service.” Again, “That which was lacking to me the brethren from , Macedonia supplied.” Again, “I mysGi was not burdensome to you ; fojgive me this wrong. 11 Cor xii.tL Mind you, this was the . church at Corinth, and that he bad ijefused to take from; and now afterwards he confesses it was wrong’ and asked forgivne-s for it. That he took wages from other churches-—in writing to the Phil lipianj he refers to some as “sup plying your lack of service to me.” Again; I rejoice greatly that now at last your care for me hath flourished again. Know also that ip the beginning of the gos pel nachurch communicated unto me cjficerning giving and receiv ing bR ye only; even.in Thessilo nica-ys«ent once and' again to my necessities.” Phil. iv. 10-15. That all did not in the begiia ing of-.he gospel” simply his needs, in, or before the end ing, thily did. And whether from his refusal to accept, or their neg- remisness in giving, he sayjht was not he had “not the power,” or gospel authority to de maidit. 1 Thess. iii 9. 'ft qqe wanting the simple truji, i<># truth's sake, and clear of Imggdice, or preconceived is the truth that G|d makes it the duty of churchM to amply reward their without comment from me. I Hownuch must a church give her pastor?l answer that since this , rewardhas been made with “Fages” and “hire,” I con clude that, that amount that would be termed most liberal -wages for your pastor’s most capable service in any other line of business, would be his duo from the church es. Suppose a Pastor has four shurchcs ; this gives each church one fourth the amount to pay, and one week of service—little enough in which to preach the word, visit the sick, feed the hun gry, clothe the naked, and minis ter to those in prison, spiritually. Suppose one church is strong and rich, another is weak and poor? Then regulate the pay so as to bring equality. Suppose—as I have heard—the Pastor has a house full of Children—three or four grown up and become expen sive as to dress education? It is not the duty of the church to as sume this burden. If the Pastor had never been called to preach, ,and worked at home, he could support this family by his person al, or without the help of those' able to work. That a Pastor’s family calls for more or less to sunport them, is not the question with the church, but that she re ward him for his personal time and service, that sum equivalent,, to a liberal hire. Hence if the Pastor has no child —not even a wife, and rich, it does not at all lessen the amount to be given him by the church . And to do this is not alms giving, but paying a debt—a debt made sacred in obligation be cause it is a gospel deot. I know some will scan at this; but remem ber I do not mean a debt as known or collected in civil law, but a debt of dutytoGcd and to the 1 e gospel. And when it is paid—as o it should be more punctual if pos -1 sible than others—a church should ? love him well enough to give him ’ and family whatever is still needed. And each member should bear f his part according to what he has. I have noticed that a few mem -1 bers have always to bear all the ’ expense of the church ; and these 1 who give nothing are generally the ones to find fault with their 1 Pastor. The member worth one hundred dollars is just as much ', bound to give a dollar as the ole worth a thousand, ten dollars; and when be has done it, he has, in God’s account, done as much as this last. It is the duty of the Deacon to . see that each member bears his part, according to his means. Cov etousness is the charge against any member who will not do his part. Visit your Pastor and per haps you will find you can help in something to eat, or other ne cessaries besides money. And all the members shquld at tend their church meetings. A rich brother says he loses too much to attend on Saturday; but the poor brother loses in .propor tion. Business of whatever kind, is no excuse. It is due your Pas tor to attend, and help him with your presence there, and your prayers at all times. Would like to hear from brother Smith and others. R. Anna Phillips, Remarks. The subject upon Which sister I Phillips treats in the foregoing let ter is one upon which the minds of our people are mu r ch exercised. For many years this subject has received but little attention, and churches and preachers have trud ged along in the even tenor of their way with but little allusion to it. either from the pulpit or press. Ii: order to show our opposition and- contempt for the unscriptual and . God-dishonoring method of em-' ploying men to preach and pay ing a stipulated salary, we have perhaps neglected to teach what the scriptures says on the subject. Our preachers in the past have gone in their respective fields of labor without hope of any ma terial help from their churches in ' bearing their burdens hardly know-, ing which lay heaviest on their hearts, the burden and care of the,, churches, or a support for their wives and children. They have seldom refered to it in preaching or private conversation. There are some exceptions of course, but| this has been the rule. As a na- 1 tural result our people have given the subject but little thought. JuAiy of them have fallen into the idea that God, in some unseen way. would supply the temporal needs of His servants. But fo<- the past lew years the 4, subject has been more freely dis cussed, and in the discussion of it a variety of opinions are enter tained, and many good brethren are divided. Sister Phillip’s ar ticle will no doubt meet the appro bation of many, while some per-* haps will disagree with her. In this, as upon all other questions that may arise among we should not allow 1 Anything else save, j the scrintures themselves to aid in •in forming our conclusions. We have accepted and published to 1 the world the “Old ahd new 'Bpsta ments are the Word of God and the ONLY RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE.” and how shall we condemn the unscriptural pradbice of ethers, if we are not controlled in our relig ious views by the Scriptures our selves? But now that this subjec,t of tak ing care of the preacher has. been revived, is there not some danger that we may carry it too far, and that too to the exclusion of other things equally important? Noth ing should become a hobby in the house of God, but all things taught in the Bible should receive our prayerful attention. We have opened our columns to a free en terchange of thought on this sub ject, and for some time it has been the burden of many letters receiv ed for publication, and we feel glad to know that this portion of the word of God is receiving more at tention than formerly. We hope our readers have been benefitted by this discussion, but we now desire to call attention to the fact that—as we are all imperfect- ~ we may go too far on any one line, and leave other things, equally im pqrtant untouched. For this rea son we feel inclined to ask oar cor respondents t© the brethren M e .. - tO .L h | We hope none of our pr%qtnjf£ L will so far forget themselves and the teaching of God’s word as to demand pay for services rendered. But they should faithfully preach what the Scriptures teach on the subject, and leave the result with the Lord. But let them be careful by what spirit they are governed. Everything done in a fleshly, striv ing spirit cannot receive th e Lord s approval. Let us all know and do the truth. Pierson la. Aug 30 1895 Cider A. V. Simms, Beloved Bro ther. I write you «, few lines this morning and ask you to phase send my Banner to Osmond Fla. instead of Pierson, as that will be my stopping place heareafte©. I have to serve sixi churches as pastor this year. And it keeps me traveling nearly all the time. I ’have but very little help. Elderß. Moody is old and feeble, and can 'travel around but little. Brother J. J Harvey is a promising young gift but he has moved off and left us. Ido want help. I have nev er felt qualified to fill the office of 'paster, and now I am old and geting very feeble. I pray God to send spme cf his called and qualified servants to this couhtry as I am almost alone in this re spect. Is there not some preacher some where that aau be spared I and that feels impressed to come God grant to remember the desti tute cnildren of this country. If there is a brother minister any where that wants room,let me say here is room, and would be glad to have them to correspond with me Our little churches axe all in perfect peace w ith some additions I baptized two at our last, meeting ,at Pilgrims Rest one at Union Grova last meeting and Elder B« Moody baptized two a% the same church at their July meeting. Also one at Etoniah cbnrch last Sunday. Our meetings generally have been good. I hope to meet you again at the Suwannee Association and hear hear you preach once more. Many of the brethren are hoping you will attend our Association this year. „ May God be with you ttnd blet's you in your labor of lote. Your brother irt bonds. Z. H. Bennett. No I©