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THE PILOTS BANNER. A. V. SIMMS, Valdosta, Ga., ) LEE HANKS, Boston Ga. | 11,(1,101 s * PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. FOR THE UNITED STATES. CANADA AN MEXICO. Single copy one year |I.OO. Single copy six months 50 Single copy three months 25 Sandple 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 our 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 on us and a special favor to the Printer. Entered at the Post Office at Val dosta, Ga.. as second class mail matte 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.