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THE PILOTS BANNER.
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EDITORIAL.
“Ye are fallen from grace.” Gal. v. 4.
Every religionist,- however false
and absurd, have their select texts
of scripture, which,to their under
standing at least, seems Io give
authority for their pet notions
and theories. All the professed
advocates ot the religion of Christ
rely upon the holy scriptures as
an infallible text book. Not the
whole Bible, however, is used by
any of the advocates of false relig
ion; but only those
which when disconnect 1 from its
subject, would seem to strengthen
their false notions, are needed.
The little text heading this
article is often_used by those who
~ Eelleve’Tn riie lacWof The
redeemed children of God. They
affirm that it teaches “falling from
grace” in an eternal sense—that
those who were once enlghtened
by the Holy Spirit and made alive
to God may, through transgres
sion or disobedience, fall short ot
their inheritance, and forfeit all
their interests in the blood of
Jesus. - The text, abstractly con
sidered, might seem -to indicate
this; but when the subject upon
which the Apostle is here treating
is brought to light, the illusion
vanishes away like the mists be
fore the rising un.
All religi* nisfs who believe in
the doctrine of apostacy, most gen
erally believe in justification by
works of the law. And this seems
consistent with the general idea of
falling from grace, for surely one
may L se, by evil works, whatever
he may gain by good works; and
it woul 1 appear reasonable that if
through works of our own we may
save ourselves, then by evil works
we may bring everlasting ruin.
The former i reposition being ad
mitted, the latter follows as indis
pensably true. We may lose what
■we find, lay down that which we
pick up and pull off that which we
put on. This is self-evident.
But the religion of Jesus is that
which enters the heart of its sub
jects, unsought and unwelcomed—
disrobeing it of 4 all selfrighteous
ness, convincing it of its wretched,
depraved state, and at last reveals
Christ to the sinner as “the end of
the law for righteousness to every
one that believes.” It reveals to
us a light by which we see all our
former righteousness as “filthy
rags.”
And to assure the. saints of their
sure and final entrance into ever
i
lasting glory, the Apostle says to
the church at Rome: “For if while
we were enemies, we were recon
ciled to bod by the death of Mis
son. much more now being recon
ciled, we shall be saved by His
life.” His argument is this: If
Christ could so love and atone for
the sins of those who w ere bis en
emies, will he not much more care
for and sustain those for whom he
suffered and died, and provide for
their final glorification.
But it will be seen that the
church at Galatia had departed
from the faith upon which they
had been originally established.
In his sense they had fallen from
grace. And while the Apostle re
bukes them sharply for their erro
neous ideas, he nowhere intimates
that they had dissolved their rela
tionship with God, but only to la
bor to reclaim them from their er
rors, and re-establish them upon
the precious principles of truth by
which they were saved. They
had been taught and so believed,
that they must be circumcised and
keep the law of Moses or they
could not be saved. Thus they
made their obedience to Moses’
law the one capital thing in their
salvation, and virtually set at
nought the efficacy of the blood of
Jesus. Notwithstanding Christ
had died lor them—delivered for
their offences and rose again for
justification—still they must keep
the law—they must do something
good or they could not be saved.
As we think of this error, we can
but think also, of the doctrine of
this religious(?) world of to-day.
How many millions of people are
jhvw & od belieying the_
same erroneous, God dishonoring
doctrine of salvation by works!
True thev have not renounced
Christ altogether, still their doc
trine is, that though Christ has
dieci, nothing will be accomplished
by his death unless we do some
thing; and thus the salvation of
sinners is made, not to depend on
the offering of Christ upon the
cross, but the obedience or works
of i’ e sinner.
It was in this sense that the
brethren of Galatia had fallen
from grace. They had once known
better, for they had been taught
by the spirit and were established
in the truth.
And to show how they had de
parted from the spirit’s teaching,
the Apostle calls attention to the
manner in which they at first re
ceived Christ. He reminds them
of their experience of grace, and
asked upon what principle they
received faith in Christ and deliv
erance from their sins. Says the
Apostle: “This only would I learn
of you: Received ye the Spirit by
the works of law, or by the hear
ing of faith?”
They had learned experimental
ly, as Christians must learn in ev
ery age of the world that faith—
the gift and fruit of the spirit,
came to them—not by works of
righteousness which they had
done, but by the mercy and
grace of God.. But the Apos
tle continues: “Are ye so foolish,
having begun in the spirit, are ye
now made perfect by the flesh?
Have ye suffered so many things
in vain?” (Gal. iii 3-4.) r lhey
had begun in the spirit. The
teaching of the Holy Spirit had at
one time convinced and settled
them in the truth tnat their salva- .
tion depended not pi their
works, but upon the atonement of
Christ. “Have ye suffered so i
many things in vain.” Christian,
if you can remember how you 1
*
suffered while under conviction
for sin, how at last learned
that you were saved by grace, you
will then understand Apostle’s
question. Have you J forgotten
how'you suffered? And do you
not remember that yqu gave up
the idea of works foil salvation,
and could only plead for mercy?
Have you forgotten it? ? And this
is the suffering to above.
Was that suffering in We
would understand frejn this that
their suffering prior® the time
they received ;faith, oyhe gift of
the spirit was sufficjenWb convince
them for all time tdjbome, that
their hope of deliveraifte alone de
pended upon the deaffi'of Christ.
And as God so laugiitiliese breth
ren. so, in all ages Hite aches the
same doctrine, and ITat, too, by
suffering.
As Naaman, the leper, went to
the king, the legal authority, and
not to the prophet fdr a cure for
his dreadful malady, io every con
victed sinner who applies to the
law for salvation muit learn tnat
nothing—Moses’ law-nor no other
law based upon works can cleanse
him from their sifl^-—none but
Jesus.
E ut how many saints have
fallen in line with religious work
mongers and are enslaved in Bab
ylon, shut out from the light of the
spirit, and are deprived of the fel
lowship of the Lord’s people? Oh!
Christian, go back to the morning
of your experience_Jnd remember
your suffering. BjAe you forgot
■W!T 1 T JO •”*y <jtf
that you lost a|i confidence in
your own and received
faith at last as a sweet mercy from
God? Then why should you for
get what God, by his spirit, has
taught you and be led astray
through the cunning craftiness of
men ? —S.
THE SUWANNEE ASSOCIA
TION.
The Suwannee Association con
vened with Pleasant Grove
church, Baker county Fla., on the
21st, and was a sweet harmonious
meeting. All.the churches except
one were represented, and six asso
ciations were in correspondence.
Not a jar nor discord, either in the
business of the body, or the preach
ing at the stand. All the church
es reported peace and seme of them
showed quite an increase in mem
bership since their last session.
The brethren and friends around
the church entertained and cared 1
fpr their visitors well. The old
officers—Elder R. J. Groover, and
brother L W Rivers were reelect
ed Moderator and Clerk of the
body. They have worn the har
ness so Jong and have filled their
different positions so well, tell all
the brethren would fell lost with
out them.
The next session of the Associa
tion will convene with Long Pond
church Levy county Fla.—the ex
treme southern boundary. —S.
GOBLE'S HTMN BOOKS.
We do not keep these books
on hand for sale. Parties desiring
them can order them direct and
save us trouble and expense,, and
get them much sooner. They are
good books—and supplies a long
felt want in our churches, and we
hope our churches may all use
them. The leather bound books
are the best—S.
r ,
A TOUR. i
We left home September Bth 1
and visited our home churches in
Alabama as follows: We arrived
at the home of our esteemed broth
er and faithful fellow-laborer,
Elder J. J. Byrd, on Sept. 9th.
We soon left for Beulah church
and spent the night with brother
Curtis Byrd jr. where we endeav
ored to speak to an attentive au
dience. Tuesday we spoke at
Berlah church to a precious little
band of saints, who seemed to ap
preciate our feeble efforts very
much. After we concluded Eld.
Byrd, their faithful pastor, gave
an opportunity for members and
bro. Henry Sellers and wife,
Brethren Cui tie and William
Byid, came forward and were joy
fully received. The last two are
brothers in the flesh and staid
awry for a number of years; but
0 how they regret it now; they
can see what they have missed.
We love those precious ones at
Beulah. On the Sunday following
Bro. Curtis Byrd’s wife and Bro.
R. D. Byrd were baptized with the
four received on Tuesday. Suter
Curtis Byrd had been a Methodist
for quite a while; but she never
felt like she belonged to a church
before. There is a bright day for
Beulah. When Elder Byrd began
preaching there, they only had
one member; but the good Lord
has blessed them, and now they
have some strong stakes. We can
never tell how much we love those
dear people, and how much we
appreciate the kind words spoken
by so many of them. May God
bless them. Wednesday night
Elder Byrd, brother A. W. Hanks
and I went to the sweet home of
our sainted sister Brooks near
Dillards Station.
Sister Brook’s two daughters
bad been captivated and taken
off into baby lon just two weeks
previous; but when we began to
ask them for their exnerience, they
were soon in tears, and said they
had been greatly dissatisfied for
She nast -
ing away. There is no home for
the poor Faint like the church of
Christ. These two girls use to
be my students and feel like my
own children. I was filled with
praise to God when they told me
they would join the next day. So
the next morning we went to the
pool near Pilgrim’s Rest, and we
gave an admonition to Christians
to come home, and when we had
given an opportunity, these two
precious girls came forward, ac
companied by sister Hood, breth
ren Smith and Blackman and these
five mere precious ones were joy
fully received. Our whole being
was filled with praise to God to
see these precious ones forsaking
all to follow their blessed Master
whom they so much love. We
were loth to leave these dear peo-
pie, where we served as humble
pastor so long.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
we were at Brundidge and had a
real pleasant meeting. These
people feel very precious to me
and the prospects are bright for
a revival there. The children of
God there are becoming disgusted
with the pulpit clowns of baby
ion, and are hungering and thirst
ing for truth, many cf whom, we
think will soon come home.
Monday we tried to preach at
Ramah where we had such a feast
for two years before we left Ala.
We were glad to have the sweet
privilege of meeting our esteemed
brother Elder C. W. Harden who
is pastor of this church, and the
many lovely ones who feel so en
deared to us. We spoke at Pisgah
(Louisville) Tuesday, and one
precious young sister united with
us whom we agreed to go back and
baptize, at her request, the Ist
Sunday in November. We served
this church as pastor from the
time of its constitution till last
fall. They feel very dear to us and
they seem to appreciate our feeble
labors. They have the faithful
services of our esteemed brother
Elder J. W. Parker. Wednesday
we went to the Choctawhatchee
nssociatidn which convened in
Ozark (our former home) where
we had the sweet privilege of meet
ing so many of our dear and pre
cious biethren and friends. Those
•psen.t were Elders C. W. Harden
R. Jenkins, P. G. McDonald,
f. H. Cook, Joel Helms, J, W,
Parker, P. L. Thomas, J. J Byrd,
E. S. Ward, W. W. Pugh. Z. T.
Marsh, L. H. Stuckey and J. W.
Williams.
There was much interest man
ifested at this meeting. Many
little children of God are being
brought to know and love the truth
in that country. We found out
precious ones whose minds are
staid onJesus in that vicinity which
caused our old friends to feel dear
er to us than ever before. We re
gretted to leave these precious ones
so soon. How many of them
come to us begging us to pray for
them. May God bless them and
cause them to surmount their
trails by the way, and look up
higher to their King and Head who
is full of grace and truth and will
soon say to them: “Come in thou
blessed of the Lord, inherit the
kingdom prepared for thee from
the foundation of the world.” We
feel that the Lord’s people is on
the verge of a wonderful revival
in Ala. We heard of many coming
home and being added to the
church. Many young people are
taking great interest in the Lord’s
people.
We returned home last Friday
at 4a. m. and found our little
family well, for which we were
made to thank God and take cour
age. f'nday at 12 P. M. sister
Hall and my wife accompanied
us to our church near Oclocknee,
where we were again greatly blessed
with the presence of the Lord. Six
precious ones were baptized Sun
day morning, and one
joined on confession of faith
This dear little band was consti
tuted in July with fourteen mem
bers and it now numbers thirty
three. Thank the Lord lor con
straining these dear ones by grace
Colome airdr-fitrd- regHn-tho-tomplo
of God. Our poor sinful heart
has been filled with praise to God
for his manifold mercies to us.
Dear saints pray for us that wo
may ever be found at the feet ot
Jesus, for we are indeed poor and
needy. We once thought that the
clouds would be dispelled, after
awhile, and we could always speak
comforting to Jerusalem, but we
are as poor and helpless as ever.
0 Lord help me. «—H.
ASSOCIATIONAL
The Primitive Pulaski Associa
tion will be held with the church
six miles south of Ty-Ty, B. &.W.
R. R. commenceing on Friday
before the first Sunday in October.
The Alapaha Association will
will be held with the church one
mile from Waycross Ga., commenc
ing on Friday before the first
Sunday in November.
The Union Asscciation will
convene with Olive Leaf church,
five miles south of Dupont Ga.,
S. F. &W. R. R., commencing
on Saturday before the third Sun
day in October.
The Ochlockonee Association
will be held at Boston S. F. & W.
R. R., commencing on Saturday
before the fourth Sunday in Octo
ber.—B.
We are pleased to note the in
terest many good brethren are
now taking in the circulation of
the Banner. Brother L. M. Nichols
(
of Belleville Ga., writes: “Since ,
reading your appeal. “Will you
help us;”. I thought I would try and ;
and see w r hat I could do. I here
with send you the names of eight 1
new subscribers, and hope to be J
able to send more next week.”
Others are helping what they can. (
We appreciate such help, and re- j
turn unfeigned thanks for the
same. We would be glad to have
otners assists us what they could.
A great many lovers of truth
would be glad to take it if they
were only asked to do so, who have
never seen a copy. We will gladly
furnish copies on application. Dear
brother or sister, if you feel inclin
ed to aid us in this way, write us
lor samples and we will gladly
furnish them and aid you all we
can. Remember we give one
copy of “Everlasting Task for
Arminians”to all new subscribers.
~S.
Gogginsville, Ga. Sept 21-95.
Dear Brother Simms:—As I
wish to be prompt in paying for
the Pilgrim’s Banner, I herewith
i
enclose one dollar for another
year. I can truly say, dear bro
ther that I am well pleased with
the Banner, and feel that I have
been greatly enlightened and in
’ structed while reading its pages.
Your brother in hope
Moses Dumas.
i .
, Spinks Miss. Sept. 15. 1895. _
Elder A. V. Simms:— Dear
, Brother in Christ. The Banner
[ for the first inst, for some reason
I has not arrived. Please send tae
r another, I would not be without it
> for ten times its weight in gold.
> I would request you, if it is not
i asking too much, to please give
your views on Math xii, 31. Some
■ use this Scripture to prove, or at
least try to prove, that one who
> has been born ot God’s Spirit can
. fall away and be forever lost. But
■ I know that notone ransomed soul
will ever be lost, for that would
; tarnish the fair name of Christ,
and his suffering and death would
: then have
is born
°t G®shail never' pjkisb, but
hamany
olht-r such passages si -
j
at all) iuPWars. and A;
need all get. .
Long live tKeTBANNER, And may
it. ever redound to the glory of >l|
God. t
of eter-
W. R. Darden.
Th- . ■puire reiered to, dear ■
discussed
by and Stallings,
copies of which we send you. Hope
you will get all the information
wanted from them—S.
Statenville, Ga., Sept. 28,1895.
Dear Brother Simms:—l trust
you will excuse me for being so
remiss ip writing you, J have
been a great deal of time recently,
unable to write. I am feeling
some better now ; but dont think
my condition is any better. I gen
erally feel some better in good
weather, but worse during cloudy,
damp weather. I have hoped
that I would be able to attend
Yearly Meeting at Hebron, but
have no hopes now of being able.
I feel to be very weak and des
pondent, both physically and spir
itually, feel so unworthy, and
doubts and fears appear like moun
tains before me. If lam a child
of God, lam now in a very low, I
dark and dreary valley. I wish I
could bemore reconciled to my con
dition and enjoy such comforting
visions and thoughts as does .sister
Fannie Shuman,but lam too un
worthy, and forgetful of him, upon
whom my dependence must rest.
Future prospects for me seems to J
be so gloomy and contrary to wish
es of human nature, but at the
same time 1 know that mercy has
been, and is yet, being spared me,
yes to even be allowed to live, is ?
mercy. I have never merited
anything, seemingly to me, but
punishment.
lam so feeble I will close.
Hope you had a good time at the
Suwannee Association. Please
remember and pray for me. ■
Yours very unworthily
G. D. Register.