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THE PILGRIM’S BANNER. PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. NB TBB UNITBB STATBS. CANADA AN MBXICO. Si a fie copy one year >LO°- Single copy six months 60 Single copy three months 25 Sample copies sent free on application SPECIAL NOTICE! In writing communications for the Pilgbim’s Bannbr, please observe the following rules: 1. Do not write on but one side of your paper. S. 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. WHAT IS ALMS? Very Dear Nephew. Your uncle Joel gets me to ask you to give the readers of the Bannbr the proper definition of the word “Alms.” Be desires particularly to know if helping our preacherafter the Bible rule may be properly termed Alms-giving, Please comply with thia request when convenient and oblige Your Loving Aunt M. C, MOORB. Okapilco Ga. REPLY In complying with the above request we hope to be guided alone by the teachings of the word of God, with an eye single to his glory and the good of his people. We fully appreciate the gravity and weight of the subject-bearing reading, we ihould alwaya bear in j mind the teaching of the script- r urea if wo arrive at a proper conception of gospel truth. Merely giving our “views” does not amount to anything un less those views are founded up on truth as taught in the Bible. Again. Even though we may have a perfect knowledge of the truth upon any stated question, we are still dependent upon the Lord f;r the gift of writing it or telling it so that it may be profitable to the Lord’s people. With these things, now bearing upon us, we under take to do the best we can upon the suject presented. First. What is the meaning—the primary use of the word “Alms? We can only arrive at the literal meaning of the Scriptures by what we know of the literal meaning of the english language. True it has been said that a knowledge of english literature does not aid us at all in the understanding of the Bible. But with this we cannot agree. We readily admit that all earth ly attainments does not enable us to understand the spiritual mean ing or interpretation of the script ures, for there are thousands of the wisest of the earth who has no more knowledge of the spirit ual meaning of the scriptures than a hog has of Sunday. We can understand how the Lord can and does teach his children that salvation is by grace, and many other profitable and comforting lessons independent of human help, but we can not understand fio'w any child of God can under stand, the literal meaning of the Bible without a knowledge of the language in which it was written. What then does the Word“ Alms” mean?, Our best authorities on the english lahguage tell that it means: ‘.‘Anything! giir«n'gf*’t tuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing, other wise called charity. (Webster) And to show that this is the sense in which the word is used in the Bible we call attention to Acts iii, 2. “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was car ried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.” In this case we see a man lame all his life who had to be “carried and laid at the gate, and inspira tion calls it alms for which he asked or begged. Therefore we conclude that to give alms is to minister or give to the helpless and destitute,without reward or the hope thereof. Those who gave alms to this poor lame man, did so without any hope whatever of receiving anything in return. But the question propounded 1 «y my aunt is, “Is helping our preach er after the Bible rule can be prop erly termed alms-giving.” We ask are our preachers beggars? Are they lame or afflicted and ob jects of pity, unable to provide for a support for themselves and families? If so, the word alms is the proper one to use in this connection, if not, it will not ap ply. Our preachers—those of them who have not worn out their lives by exposures and .hardships in the care of churches are, in the main, able to support themselves and families if their time and talent belonged to them. But by virtue of the impression and gift Gbd has bestowed upon them, he gives his time and talent to . the t 0 expect something in return from those for whom he labors. , The lame man at the gate of the temple had no claim upon any What was given to him he accept ed as a mercy, which was well un derstood by the donor, as well. We call attention to the fact that the word alms is nowhere used in all the Bible with reference to helping the ministry. If then the word cannot be made to apply in this case, it must be because the minister, in some way, pays for ali he gets. Paul must have had this idea of it when he said, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we should reap of your carnal things.?” How can we understand this language to mean anything else, only that by the sowing of spiritual things they were under obligations to give him of their carnal things? And if there were any obligations involved, itcomd not be called alms, as we have al ready seen. The Savior charged his disci ples while on earth, to “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them: other-* wise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." Matt, vi, 1. He goes on to tell them of the vain-glorious spirit which characterized the Pharisees’ relig ion, and charged his disciples to be not like unto them. We ap preciate the fact that alms-giving i was a spiritual, self-sacrificing I work without a direct moral obli | gation. How could the Pharisees (expect the applause of men by do ing the things which they were morally bound to do? But they knew that lb do alms, or give to the‘poor was a good Work and hence a fo magnify them seWes to the world whilt they were doing for the poor This was Mie cause that actuated them in giving. They wanted to “be seen of men” Bat let Chris tians note well that scripture “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen’cf them.’ We understand from this that one may give aims in the presence of others, but if it is not done with a desire to be seen, he has not viola ted the spirit of the scriptures. 3ut Bowhere do we find anv script ural authority for helping our preachers in a secret way. Many good brethren have thought so, but itis entirely without scriptural warrant so far as we have been able to understand. No, our preachers are not beggars. They are God’s freemen; and as the preacher cannot get a long without the church, so the church cannot get along without the preacher. And churches should care far their preachers, not be cause they are poor and needy, but because it is an unalterable law that God has fixed, and by it we shall be condemned or acquit ed. We have thus briefly hinted at the subject—not having no time to read over and correct a single word or sentence — I submit it to my dear old uncle and aunt and all our readers, asking them to cover all our faults with the man tle of charity. May God help us all to know and do the truth —S. THEPULASKIABSOCIA- x TION The Pulaski Association conven ed, according to previous appoint ment, with the church at Ty-Td Worth County Ga, and wawfl sweet harmonious Moderator and Elder P. G. 5 aid was elected Clerk. The bus iness of the body was conducted in harmony and peace. The preaching was sweet and spirit ual. There were quite a number of visiting ministers i». attendance— more than could be preached dur ring the session. This was regret ed by all the Pulaski brethren, still it could not be helped. Eld. T. W. Stallings wars appointed to preach the Introductory sermon, and spake with much freedom and ability, from tlfe text: “All script ure is given by inspiration” &c, When he walkthrough we thought he had preached his text fully and nothing more could be said about it. But strange to say .other preachers used ths same text dur ing the meeting and their remarks were all fresh and sweet. The Pulaski Association has lately passed through sore trials — the body having divided on a point of order. But* since the storm has passed over and she has withdrawn from that refractory element, she is now enjoying a sweet peace and much love and life is manifested among them. She now enjoys the largest cor respondence of any other body of the kind in the state.. May the Lord continue to bless them. On our way to this meeting, we stopped over at Concord church, and have never enjoyed a meeting better. Four were received into fellowship and baptized the next day by their pastor, Elder C. W. Stallings. This church was con stituted one year ago last August with 20 members. She how num bers 40. Her members all seem to .be alive and active in duty. They are an easy people to preach 'to. Oh how chesting to a way wotn preacher to find such a lovely body of saints M 3. THE LOWER * BOCIATION. « The Liwer bandochee tion coiH’aned with Creek church on B 5 ridny a week and continued over ® It was one of the most * monious and lovely meeting® a ever been our pleasure to atten All ot the churches reported p eac *nd many of them quite a large r ' number of accessions by o Xp er n ence and bantism since the a c session. But what was m° st 1 freshing was to witness the return t of several churches that had no r been represented in the body c three or four years, on aoconu t of a disciplinary trouble >ri®i n ß t among them The trouble has been most hap s pily adjusted, and uow all is P eaco and love. Tho Lord grant it may r continue. Another most delig , ful and soul-cheering spectacle was . to witness the interest manifest# ( iin the services by the young P e ® t , pie. Many father’s and mother s < hearts were made glad as they saw 1 the tears of joy and hope trickling ( ’ down the sweet faces cf their d ar " i I ling boys and girls. Four were ; . added to the church by experience during meeting. All were young perp e three of whom were young ladies • the oldest perhaps not twenty years ■ old. Brethren a better time is dawning upon us. It is here now. I_ As we sat gazing upon the up turned faces of perhaps not less 5 than 2000 persons yesterday (Sun- • day) and saw the tears flowing ) down so many youthful faces as 1 they listened so attentively to the 3 sweet, soul-stirring words of gos pel truth falling from the lips of ‘ Elder W. C. Cleveland as the prec- ious dew of heaven, we could but think of God’s promise to turn the hearts of the fathers to the chil dren, and the hearts of the chil dren to the fathers. The Lord be .torhi.s numberless mer- ooin ted to convene with Beards Creek church Tatnall County Ga. We regret the 1 )ss of our overcoat while at the meeting. It was old and well worn, it is true, but would have done good service for a poor preacher several more win ters. Brethren if an y ot V ou find it please send it to us by ex press and accept our thanks for your trouble. DUTY OF PREACHER TO CHURCH. Dear Brother Simms: —At the request of some of the readers of the Banner, and I trust too, from an impression from the Lord, I un dertake to write a few thoughts on the above subject, but will leave this imperfect scribble at your dis posal. I want to say in the outset that all who may read this may throw the mantle of charity over all my mistakes, and please remember I am a poor’cbbling sinner at best I also beg for an impartial hearing. Sometimes we can judge before the time, and when we do we guess at it, and miss it. I wish first to tell of some of the things I think some of our preachers are remiss in. While many of ths churches have able ministers, there are very few, “ fear who fill the place of a preach er in all things. Let me first state how it has been with me and possibly I will tell how it is with others. I have never wanted to be dependent up on the churches I served, I have earnestly desired to be blessed in the things of this life so that I could, while serving churches, bear my own expense while visit ing them and also to provide for my family without being burdensome to any. So being young in years, I set about it, trying by hard la bor and economy to supply al., my needs, being determined my near neighbors should never say I had gone off and Ifeft my family ih want. So with this determina tion, I would remain at home anti tfOt kaßlo D ga»l.o<’«W.i ort .* ) , w t 0 be able to tlie cliu s roh .W Caching hour./ A. « breaching «»« °» el 1 » oa d:ht “' ton back home to begin work again . early Monday morning, and work hard all the weekLo a. to be abb to lose Saturday again. Thu® 1 iave striven hard to provide for my family, and serve the breth ren at the same time. I know now that I have made poor suc cess in temporal things and fear it has been equally as poor in serving the brethren. Now I will state my feelings about it. If I ana called to serve churches, my time belongs to’ them. I have been trying to serve four churches for five years, and I feel now that I i should visit the brethren and sis ters at their’homes a great <eal more than I do. Ido not feel im pressed to travel and preach, but I think I should visit among my own churches and converse with them of the goodness and mercy of God, and also to visit those who have a hope and encourage them to duty. I feel like it would be right to visit all who attend our! meetings, who manifent a desire for us to visit them, by word and act. Preachers should not visit i one place too much and neglect others. Ifit is possible to do so, I he should visit every member of his church—both poor and rich. Go, whether it be a fine, well filled mansion or a little log cabin and I prove to all that you are willing to suffer, as well as rejoice with them. Don’t say the distance is I too great, or the road to bad, when I they travel it every meeting. Some times preachers visit one or two places because they are conven ient, and continue it until the church becomes jealous, and will say “He always goes there; he, don’t care anything for us.” How do you know what sorrow it car- j ties to th© heart of that good brother or sister when you decline to go with them, and say, “I cant . go; I am going to brothet A’s” and . maybe were there pply a Dear brother Simms, .the fore going is submitted to you in love, Your Little Brother Rufus’ H. Jennings. Dawson Ga. . .. Athens Ga., Sept 29,1895. Mrs. A. L. Turner:—Summit Ga., My dear Cousin. It is Sun day morning and everything is gpiiet and still thus making it very lonesome indeed. 1 took my Bi ble to read just now and I had scarcely opened it when I thought of the promise I made you. So I have put it aside for the time- be ing to write you a few rambling thoughts. My health is exceedingly fine, and has been since I reached here. I feel good this morning’in every sense of the word, I can hardly describe my feelings; but if I c«uld, I am sure you could wit ness with me. lam all alone in my room as my room-mate has gone to Sun day School. My mind is perfectly at ease and I feel, as I know you have often felt, “that my Redeemer liveth.” You know we all have doubts and fears, and we are often troubled because of sin, but it is not so with me this morning. I feel that all these things have been removed far from me, and my mind is in sweet communion with the blessed Son of God. Though bound down by sore trials and afflictions, we can often exclaim with the patient Job, ‘ I know that my Redeemer liveth.” I sometimes wish that I could feel that way all the time, but then I guess I would become exalted, as it is necessary for us to be afflicted and heavy-laden on account of sin in order to make us meek and hum ble in the sight of Almighty God. He, above all, knows how to keep his children humble, and how to make them see that he worketh all things for good to them that love and fear him.” You do not know how lone- EGhie I Bometiffl'es get, as I nevet see one of the Old Baptist up here." So far ns I know, I am the only boy in school that is eyen inclined that way. All the others that be long to any church, ar® members of the other denominations. They do not seem to enjoy talking about J esus and the great things he hag done for their souls, bat rather they seem to delight in talking about what great things they and their churches have done for Je sus. I can not enjoy such conver sations, as I have never done any- . thing at all for Jesus. He nas done it all for me, or at least I feel like he has, and bo I try t j praise Him and not my own works! wish that I could be to some of the good old Baptist churches to-day and hear the blessed truth as it is in Jesus. To eave my life, I can’t enjoy the preaching here. There is no food in it for me. I go to their churches hungry for that Spiritual food which we all need, in order to grow m grace, but I come away as hungry afl before. But there is one consolation in all this, I have the Bible the blessed word of God which he has told us is the sword of the Spirit. There I can find that I so much desire. There I can find fellowship with the saints of long ago. I delight I to read the letters of Paul and Pe ter where they gave instruction and admonition to the churches in their care I delight to read the Psalms of David where he gav© continual praise to God and sang lof his loving kindness. Just this morning I read in the xxii Psalms and 10th verse, something that made my heart rejoice. VV e know I how strong is a father’s and moth er’s love, but we are told in this I verse that when father and moth- I er ha ve forsaken us the Lord will take us up. O what a blessed hope 0 what a glorious privilege! to know’ that though every earthly tie be broken and all but have forsaken us yet the God ot hosts will care for us and protect us while we sojourn here in this sin-cursed world below. said: “I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his see? begging breadßut it is* so; he 4/^f protects the objects of Anthem ist last dom there to dwefl fortver him and to sing praise unto WJ Holy JName. it is that we will fling that new song and give praise unto the everlasting God. Then we'can realize what we some* times feel here on earth. Then our joy will be complete and no sorrow shall come near us. Just one week from to-day and you will be at your association en joying yourself, with the dear lit* tie ones of God. How I wish I could be there, but I can’t think of coming. You must listen at that good paeaching for both of us and write me all about it. My heart will be there and my prayers will be for the success of the meeting. You must be sure to at* tend our association at Lots Creek and go to home without fail. * hope the Lord will bless those meetings to the good of every one that shall attend them, ahd revise every drooping heart. Remember me to all the dear saints of God and to every one else that may inquire after me. . Hoping that God will blew you all I am your little cousin, J. W Hendricka. TyTy Ga., Oct 9,1895. Dear brother in the Lord, I. a® glad to say th at I am now up«<w Q and feel as well as I ever did in my life. If convenient would be glad if y oS would insert a note of the i n the next issue of the Bannbi sot the benefit of the brethren, and friends who seemed to be in* terested in my case when he® | Yours in a precious hope Morgan Brown. | APPOINTMENTS Elder Parker of Ala. and M terson of Ga., will preach a^ft ’ f Creek church on Tuesday Oct S Harmony “ 24 From thence the Ochlockonee Association ,3 Boston. Poplar Springs Oct, 29 ; Tired Creek “ a 30 Piedmont “ 31 I Pisgah Nov, L TW® to the Flint River Associate®* They will need c'onve'yance - "®*