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Vol. 2. A QUESTION. a sower went to sow, And as he sowed around; Some seeds fell by the highway side, And some on stony ground. Then came the fowls and ate them up Which by the way were sown, And forth they sprang bat with ered soon, Which fell upon the stone. Somes eeds there were which chanc ed to fall Among the thorns and tares; But being smothered by thorn they No perfect trait could bear. But others toll ou bettit ground, : And brought forth fruit tor store Some thirty—some a hundred fold, And others brought threescore. Let him that hath an ear to hear Say, “who is he that sows By the wayside on stouy ground, And where the thistle grows?” “Have they been quickened into life Who thus no fruit do bear; Or are they yet in bondage held, To Satan and dispair ? who is he that beareth fruit By thirty fold alone While others bear a larger share From like seed which is sown.? J. E. Blanton. Lee Fla. Oct. 9th 1895. ASSOCIATION AL ORGANIZ A- wsuy of our brethren whether there is divine authority for anoth ** ££Saqija|u_Qn th<u the church of God. It is right that we should be scriptural, holding fast to all things as they wore committed to the fathers by Christ and his apos ties. But if their has been any thing brought in since, it is an ad dition and without divine sanc tion. What is without divine sanction is a hurt instead of a blessing. The word of God is plain upon this subject, that he may run that readeth. ‘‘Teaching them to observe all things whatso ever I have commanded you,” ■aid the great Teacher in lirael. All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable ♦ ♦ that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works,” said the great apostle of the Gentiles. What there might be more than Jesus commanded the Scriptures do not furnish, but they furnish us with what he would have us teach and do, nothing more, nothingdess We shall do exceedingly well if we do all things he has command ed of us. Before we go further let me say, we are not going to oppose associa tions! meetings. We would rath er encourage than to say one word' to disencourage. These annual as emblages have been a source of great spiritual enjoyment to the Lord’s dear believing children. But we should see to it, that in conducting them we do not trans cend the bounds given us. As Baptists let us have, “Thus saith the Lord.” Then we feel safe and can go forward in confidence. Have we scriptural warrant for an or ganization other than the church sitting for the transaction of buis ness? We fail to find it in all the word of God. The church is spok en of, but another organization, not the church, doing business for, and in the name of the Loid is unknown in all God’s word* We, as a people, have ever op- ' fcosed Rightly too, the tffigcHptnial i prioticdß of AdoHN the WihrWa Banner, “THOU GIVEN A as the Sunday-School,the Epworth League, the Christian Society, the Young People’s As sociation. Our people have held there was no authority for such organizations in the church, or in any way connected with it* Neither is Their advocates do n<W , elaim it forwiem. In opposing these creatures of the Protestant churches ws have challenged them for their authori ty for them. They still fail to show us the least vestage of pre cept of example given by Christ or by inspired apostles .Therefore we reject them as being unscript- ural. But what answer shall give them when they turn and say, ‘•What scriptural warrant hive you for an organization called an association? Is it the church? What answer shall we give themf If we say the association is but the church met together, then why this separate organizations these extra nr separate articles c faith and rules of decorum? Some gay “The association is a creature of the church.” We think that is correct, as we find nothing sai about such a separate organization in the word of God. But whai right has the church of God to create? None whatever. Christ, her King and Lawgiver, never commissioned her to engage in B uch business. She can sit as an executive body and not a law making body. It is her duty, ir loyalty to the great King in Ziot his laws,* UQ t t 0 FA • i vtix; mrw&aieiniiy; call it an associational organiza tion or what you may, she can by the same right or power create a Sunday-school, or any auxiliary to the church she may see fit. •Then, must our associations go down? Must we be deprived of I the sweet privilege afforded us of meeting many of the Lord’s pre cious children in these solemn gatherings, where often hundreds I come up to worship the Lord c hosts? No my brethren. Le us not think that we may not con tinue those happy seasons of as sem bling together from the eas and west, north and south, to joir in devotion by word of mouth. The question we are wanting tc consider at present is, how may we conduct them scripturally. No Primitive Baptist wants to object to being scriptural in doctrine and practice, and strictly so. He want to keep in mind that the church is the only ecclesiasti cal body ever empowered byChrist the King and Lawgiver to admin ister the laws of his kingdom, he association appoints to meet with the church. But does it meet with that church as such? We think not. The church with which it should meet appoints messengers of her number to meet with the association. Then the association is no more in session with that church than with all the cb arches renresented by mes •engers composing her body. »»hy not meet with the church? There is scriptural authority for such a meeting—such an associa tion as this. We here cite you to Acts, xv, 1-4. p aul andh Barna . bas, and certain others of them were chosen to go up to Jerusalem And when they were come to Jerusalem, were rece j ve( i of the church, of the apostles and eiders.” Notice, they were re eeived by the church, not by mes appointed by the dhtirch Here id the sdfxpUfal fuM evoted to the BANNER TO THEM THAT FEAR THEE, VALDOSTA, down for us to follow- It is a gafetule. Hear Pauls instruction: Whether one do inquire of Titus, Wis my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be required of, they are the xms- churches, and the glbry Wvfcrist;” H. Cor., viii, •23 *‘Yet I suppose it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor and fellow soldier, but your mes senger;” Phi!., ii,25. There is authority for messengers appoint- ed by sister churches to meet with tho ohutoh.Noiie. though,for meet ing with another body which is not ’.be church. When » sieter church calls for council to sit with her for the pur pose of ordaining a minister or » deacon, the Messengers sent sit in eouucil with the church. Why pot the messengers sent by the several churches sit with the church which has asked that the asssciat&n be held with her? We for such an organ ization as this. With it in session i we need no new code of laws, the entering into the of offi i cera by a body that is not the church and has no legal power to do any thing. If any thing is nesessary here is the churct that is impowered to act. Let her and the act j ust as 4 they would in the buisness meet ing of an ordination. It is by request that these thoughts are submitted for your prayerful couaidoration. should be unity. There may be when we -search and try our ways. “Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways and seek aid ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls;” Jer, vi, 16. There is nothing to lose in enjoyment, sweet com munion, and sacred devotion to God by keeping strictly in the way. No ; but there is much to gain that is of lasting good, increasing pur spiritual strength, elevating pur service to the divine approba tion of our Father in heaven, who is pleased to say of such consecra- I tion to his will, “And 10, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Elder R. W. Thompson in Primitive Monitor. Cox Ga., Oct. 31st, 1895 Elder A. V. Simms My Dear Brother I have just read in the Towaliga Messen ger, an appeal from the Editor, relative to the state of division’ now prevailing between the Towa liga association with its corespond ence and the Primitive Baptist of our state. If you exchange with that paper, you have doubt- less noticed the article refered to I would like to call attention to some features therein contained and also to hear an expression from you concerning it. There has been but two points of general dissatisfaction, with these church es for several years viz. receiving ■ members that had been excluded < from other churches, without due consideration, and for affiliating with secret “worldly institutions.” I will here state,however, that they did depart in a partial way many years ago,recognizing some official acts of Mission Baptist, f or which they afterwards confessed their error and published their dennnci- AtiOfi 6f such SOtfl; This was fintie CAUSE OF CHRIST MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE OF THE TRUTH.”— Psalms 60:4. EMBER 15. 1895 twenty years ago. The question Aren of the validty of bhptism per firmed by them while in this state <2 temporary disorder, has been a l*>wer against themi lam glad to Imow, however, that.the Baptist naveabnit settled thia question, aJ|d I trust our returning breth r|n will henceforthAiave no diffi culty at this point. Th® action of the Upper Canoochee Association at her last session, receiving the “Little Union” of churches which had been so long out of correspon- —receiving the validity of tbMf baptism, I think coinmend , able and manifests the settlement of this question, as does also the letter I received from Elder Has sell upon this subject, which you read when we were together return ing from the Lower Canoochee ksabciation. We see, by noticing the article referedtto in first part of this let ter,, that it is proposed to submit evely case of irregular reception by. these churches, for the united consideration of complaining or dissatisfied brethren. All breth ren* who have any affiliation with secret organizations are humbly and earnestly appealed to, and entreated to cease such affiliations. While our dissatisfied brethren are humbly asked to hear and con sider their appeal. Now should these brethren unite upon. the principles contained in this appeal, then I desire to ask in all candor, can our people refuse to recognize their return, receiving and Icvin£ each other. Ihisi id to me, a serious thought. It is iio frivolous thing to “call unclean, that which the Lord has cleansed.” We do well to heed the admonition : “Be ware of the leav «n of the Pharisees,’’lests we, like the brother of the prodigal, become wickedly contentious against our returning brethren. Brother minims I have penned these scat tering thoughts as they occur to the mind. I am, comparatively speaking, but a youth in the- ser vice of our Lord, and am quite li able to err. 1 trust you, as a < faithful servant, will look over my short commings and correct my imperfections. Would like to hear a word from you upon this subject. c lam well pleased with the Bai- „ Nia. c Affectionately, t T. E. Sikbs. F Had pot Eider §ikes specially requested our views of the ques tion set forth in his article, we should have published it without comment* for the reason that we are not fully -informed as to the details of the disorder existing in the Towaliga Association as many of our brethren are, and therefore not in a condition to nasi upon such an important question. The article in the last issue of tho Towaliga Messenger written by Elder W. T. Godard, and to which our attention is called by Elder Sikes, is written in a very humble, i forbearing spirit, and will doubt- ( less commend itself to many of our people. We shall have noth ing to say now about the terms of 1 peace offered by Elder Godard, p but will reproduce it in our next E issue with such thought* as th® b totd may gin tw.*-Si Ga. Oct 21,1895. Dear Brother Simms: — We had such a sweet meeting at Antioch Saturday. Three of those dear young people which * brother Hanks baptized came ’ to live with us there, Oh I how , glad it makes my poor heart to ( See the young people coming to ( the church of Christ and how thankful I feel to my blessed Redeemer for such blessings. And there are others around here who I believe want to come, and, if I could, how gladly I would help them to remove the burden, but I do feel so unworthy even t o say a word to them about duty. But my prayers are, that Jesus who is able to help them, will show them the way and enable them to take up the cross and fol low him and find rest to their souls. This evening as I was driving home I was made to rejoice to think what a dear Redeemer we have —one who is able to do all things well, and how I wanted to praise Him for his goodness and mercy towards me a poor sinner, and I believe that I did praise Him in silent prayer, and my thoughts was carried to you so for cibly, is why I am trying to write . to you to night. My memory has gone back to the night when you gave me so much comfort in Atlan ta. thoughts to me for lesu9I esu9 was ere . to come here so far to bury me . beneath the waves of a liquid grave, when I felt, and still teei to be so unworthy, and looked upon you as being so pure in the sight of God. At Lott’s Creek I looked at you while you was pro claiming the precious truths of Jesus, and I almost envied the image of Jesus which I saw in your countenance. I feel that if I could come as near bearing the image of Him as you do, my doubts and fears would’ not be so great. And I look upon all God’s « children a» being far better- than myself. • I feel that God is blessing his people here, and Oh I if they will only do their duty, he will contin ue to do so. Fathers and mothers are made to rejoice to see their children come home confessing their sins. If not deceived in my poor heart, I want to walk nearer and nearer to Jesus, and how particular we should be to follow in his footsteps and receive the bles sings which he has promised us. He will not tail in giving, if we will only do what he has command ed us to do. But I miss it so far until I need not wonder at my dark seasons. 1 ’ Brother Simms I had better close. 1 May God bless you and yours, and i enable you to declare His whole council, from the pulpit, and through the Banner. It was filled with good news for me this wees. May He bless his people every where, and especially the little ones on the outside of the church. Pray for me that 1 may ever ne found in the path of duty and up and doing what he has command ed me, and never murmer at my lot though it be dark. If this is tedious please pardon me. I feel now that I can go to sleep and dream of the beautiful home beyond. My mind is easy now. Your little unworthy bfothM. ' ftka ft. Wade Ga., Oct., 28th 1895. Elder Lee Hanks. Boston Ga. Dear Brother in Christl will trv to write you a short sketch of my past life. I went to the church Oct. Ist 1895. Oh! what a cross it was to me. I stayed away six years after I was impress ed to go, but had no encourage ment, which kept me away. Had it not been for you, I might have been away yet. I felt so unworthy,! didn’t feel like I had a friend in the world. Every body had forsaken me, even the family at home. Night after night I would steal away from home, and fall upon my knees, trying to beg for mer cy, but could say nothing but “Lord have mercy on my poor lost soul.” I would return to the house and retire, but could not sleep, for the tears in my eyes. The last thought would pass through my mind was this: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. I would rise again in the morn ing with my eyes full of tears. I have heard a great many say they have their doubts about which is the true church of God. My doubt was whether I was fit to live with as lovely looking people as Prim itive Baptist were. Some do not±Uisve in asking any one to com V »be church, but I do, Io are imprests I hope W like I did, and rebel against their impressions. Ido have a tender feeling for those poor heart-broken ones, who are staying away on ac count of unworthiness, for I have fel t so much relieved since I obey ed God. lam yet a sinner, but I am glad to say, I have been kill to the love of sin. Your little unworthy brother. Cicero Durden. Remember the Chinese Proverb: ‘Talk about your own faults while you are awake, and the faults of others when you are asleep.” . * The tongue is an unruly mem _ ber and should be guarded cau— s tiously. A word spoken cannot r be recalled, then watch the tongue. ? Do not talk about your pastor. If his services are not appreciated r and a change would be beneficial l to you, why then you should take . the matter to the Lord and pray . him to direct you aright, and call ’ one whom you love and are willing to hold up his hands in support him temporally and defending his character.—H. i ( We are at a loss to know why some people complain so bitterly against the doctrine of election so plainly taugfet in the Bible, It condemns no one, but embraces all the saved. Certainly those who are elected or chosen in Christ to salvation cannot object to it. It must then come from the other side. A candidate for office will almost invariably find fault of the election when he is defeated, and will cry “Unjust, Unjust.” But the successful candidate rarely ever complains. This may be the cause of all objections »—S, ftab&ribe for Tag No. 21.