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2 There should be a
Egi care in seeking for scriptural tl
and much solemn sup- tl
\K cH tionß of the Lord for heavenly h
and much consulting of k
in the church who seem to p
\ aV e the giftof knewledge and wis- t ]
iitftßt Wore denouncing one as a £
When it is settled in our g)
minds (as a church, not as indi-
,f viduals,) that one is a heretic, our c
path of duty is made clear by the j
apostles. f
H I have seen a sentiment spoken c
sos M a “blasphemous heresy,” €
when the one who expressed that g
sentiment honestly believed it to .
be the true sentiment ol the Script-
and could see no scriptural
B reason given against it by the one
i so denouncing it. And I have I
I noticed that the one making that
serious charge still professed fel
lowship for the heretic. This
I shows a careloss or heedless man
ner of expression. With a Cath
olic Priest one only needs to speak
a sentiment contrary to the doc
trine recognized by the Pope to be
b a heretic. And so sometimes we
may be in danger of calling that
a heresy which merely differs from
our traditionary belief.
But I did not intend to tak«
this course when I began to write.
Yet it is of great importance to
consider the foundation and expe
rience of true fellowship. It is
my firm belief that the Spirit of
Christ will never direct one
to speak of the belief of a brother
in away of ridicule or
in a harsh and overbearing spirit,
but it will direct him to be plain
and faithful in expressing his un
derstanding of truth and in con
tending earnestly for the faith,
and is seeking the honor of God.
While at the same time he is kind
and tender and forbearing in heart
and manner toward brethren who
honestly entertain different views
from those he believes taught in
the Scriptures.
1 have never been among the
and
of your state. I have heard much
of brethren there, from Elder
Patterson, whom I baipo met.
twice, I think, and whose com
pany I enjoyed; from ’Elder Z. H.
Bennett with whom I have en
joyed many pleasant seasons in
Florida; from the late dearly be
loved Elder Respess, and others.
I hope sometime, possibly during
the latter part of the coming win
ter, if the will of the Lord be so,
to visit the brethren in that part.
It is often a perplexing question
for me, when I contemplete a
visit to places where I have never
been, whether I want to go mere
ly to gratify my desire to meet the
brethren, which is always pleasant,
or whether the spirit is moving
me to go for the glory of God. I
do not want to go any where, how
ever pleasant it would seem to be,
except as the Lord directs me in
his service. Ido not want to be
left to my own will and judgement,
for then I should go down to the
depths with Jonah, or fall among
theives on the road to Jericho. 1
think I know •omethmg of both
experiences.
There has always appearec
work enough for me, and more
than I could do, near at hand,
wherever my lot was cast; yet
have felt, even with such work
waiting around me, the irresistable
impulse to accept some urgent in
vitation, like that sent me by bro.
Respess in 1879, and have felt, as
I did then, during and after the
visit, precious evidences that the
Ixird sent me, and was with me in
my journey.
We often have some one or
more of our ministering brethren
from (he South with us at our
spring associations, and they are
very cordially welcomed, and with
perhaps three acceptions in thirty
years, their presence and preaching
has been acceptable to
. We might almost iiuaginSm add
ed charm in the preaching of the
gospel when we hear the same
glorious and comforting truth of
salvation by grace proclaimed byp
a stranger that we have heard by
those who are with us. with only
the manner of expression and il
lustration new. Os course we
know that the true beauty and
power of a gospel message is in
that it is a message from the dear
Lord to our own souls, by whom
soever he may sendjt.
This year we hadfljtiy four asso
ciations in the spring, one having
disbanded, and arranged to hold
two days meeting in stead, and the
other, the Delaware, having decid
ed to meet in October this year.
So we have had four in succession,
in this vicinity, in October. Eld.
W Lively, of Alabama, who was
with us a year ago last spring,
was with us again at three of those
lately held, and he has come very
sweetly in the hearts of the breth
ren among us. His pleaching haU
been with power, and his conver
sation savory and comforting. We
regard him as an able minister of
the New Testament; and we hope
to h ave visits from others of the
Lord’s servants in your part of
the country, whose hearts the
Lord may be pleased to incline
toward us. It seems that you are
more abundantly supplied than
we, with laborers, and there are
many more of you than of us.
But though we are comparative
ly few we enjoy the great blessing
of being at peace among ourselves.
> There is now and then, a local
disturbance but it has generally
of short duration: In all ot our
meetings from Maine to Virginia
the best of feeling is manifested
amon£ brethren and friends; and
for more than thirty years that I
have been attending there has
very seldom been a discordant
note in the preaching. I speak of
this as one of the best of blessings
and one that should keep us
thankful to the Lord, and humble
at his feet, and that should be
most jealously guarded. When
we consider our, vile infallible
Mature, and_ remember “how
kind-
fe —— ——___2.aHMKSg
let
not.
stir up the flesh and excite its evil I
propensities in our brethren or
ourselves, but to “speak the things
that make for peace, and things
whereby one may edify another.”
Not that we should hold back '
any point of truth which the Spir- .
it brings to our mind, nor that we P
should hesitate to deal faithfully 1
with each other in the matter of J
faults and errors, but that we h
should seek earnestly, to be led L
by the meek and lowly spirit of t
Jesus in our communications and t
dealings with each other. It is the fl
weakness of the flesh that would p
keep us silent about the faults of a ei
biot her for fear of exciting his
’ anger toward ourselves, when we
’ feel that it would be for his benefit
, to be made to see them in the lignt (
of truth; and it is a great sin for I
’ us to speak of them to another,
except as the Scriptures directs.
We ought to deal honestly as in
the sight of God, and not ask, in
regard to any duty, what effect
its performance will have upon
ourselves. If the Spirit of our dear
Saviordirecj us then we shall
be enabled to stir up the “pure
minds” of our brethren, instea d
f their carnal minds, and
thus we shall be fullfiling the apos- '
tie’s injunction to “keep the unity
of the Spirit in the bonds of!
)eace.”
Your brother in hope.
Silas H. Durand.
• Wetherington will
the Lord willing, fill the following
1 appointments; Bethlehem Berien
Co,(ra.,lhursday before the second I
Sunday in Deccember.
Concord « u Friday
Salem “ « gat, and Sun
Pleasant “ u Monday
Pleasant Grove “ Tuesday I
Newhope “ « Wednesday,
Empire « “ Thursday,
Union Loundes « Friday,
Naylor « “ Friday night,
He will need conveyaace from
place to place.
C. W. Sta’llings.
OCIILOCKONEE ASSOCI
ATION.
Another session ol the Ochlock- r
one© Association has ju<t closed 1
which will be a green spot in the
pa*es ot our memory for years to (
come, should the blessed Savior j
spare our unprofitable lives. 6
Many things made this Associa- ,
tion very interesting and soul- f
cheering to us. In the first place, I
have never seen more love and |
sweet fellowship abound. 1
The business was transacted j
without a “jar. Elder- R. H. (
Barwick was chosen to be our
Moderator and brother J. N. Gib- (
son, Clerk. These are precious ■
men of God and are worthy of the ,
esteem and confidence our breth
ren have for them. A wise choice
Three new chujlhos and Mt. Zion
.which mas ffropoed last year,
were received into our body, and
the Association opened corres
pondence with the ChMaw
hatcheeof Alabama, and the Up
per and Lower Canoochee Associa
tions of Georgia.
Elders 11. Temples preached
the introductory, much to the
comfort of all the saints; ho was
' in the spirit on the Lord’s day.
Elders L. H. Stucky of Alabama,
! andß. J. Groover of Fla., preached
able discourses in the afternoon.
Elder P. G. McDonald and Elder
’ T W. Stallings preached ably at
• the hall at night to a large con
i course of people.
r Sunday, Elders J. J. Byrd, P. G.
r McDonald, J. C. Williams and
1 A. W. PatHrson preached with
I marked ability to the comfort of
1 the saints. Elder J. W. Parker
I and A. W. Patterson preached
s veiy ably at the Hall Sunday
t night. Their discourses were
if very impressive and we feel that
s good will result from the same,
s Monday in the fore-noon, Elder
j Stallings preached one of the
grandest sermons to me I ever
u heard. The power of God is cer
[e tainly manifested in this dear
w man of God who was educated in
j three eights to read the Bible. God
in their usual able manner of ex
pounding the Scriptures, cloiad by
the Moderator. All the preachers
had ability to speak and the Lord
blessed the hearers to hear. Their
hearts were all thrilled withecstat-i
lc joy and were loth to leave the
| place. The order was excellent
and the people well cared for, 11
I feel proud of our good people in I
Boston who so kindly cared for
our brethren and friends through
this meeting. I shall ever hold
them in greatful rememberance
for their hospitality shown our
people. It was one of the sweet
est privileges of our life to help i
entertain an old Baptist Associa
tion, and have so many precious
ones at our humble home. How
unworthy we telt for such a mer
cy and how sad ue new feel since
it has past.
We shall ever feel thankful to
I the good Lord for casting our lot
among such precious saints who
so kindly enabled us to entertain
our dear berethren, sisters and
friends by supplying us with pro- '
visions. May the Lord smile up- ’
on them in mercy and pour out
of his Spirit upon them, that they
may teel his presence Spiritually,
and temporally. We feel that
there is a good day for us in this
association. There were about
one hundred members added to
the churches within the last year.
We feel more than greatful to the
good people for responding to the
call in defraying the expenses of
; our ministers, and helping dear
. old brother Lane’s family. Oh!
may we be spared to see another
such a glorious meeting repeated at
our humble home.—H.
Jennings Fla Oct. 9 1895,
Elder A. V Simms Valdosta Ga. J
Dear Mr. Simms; (
As I feel like that I had rather s
talk with you than any man on l
earth, I will, try through my w s»k- t
ness and the numberless fears that I
has haunted me for along time,' a
to write to you, hoping that what
you may say will relieve me some
for it seems to me that I can
neither live nor die feeling just as
Ido now.
And when I have had the chance
to talk with you I would feel so
mean and unworthy and was so
sure that you would think that I
was only trying to deceive you
till I would just have to leave you.
About two years ago it seemed to
me that I realized clealy that every
thing I had ever done must have
been dictated by Satan himself
and I was sure that death was my
portion and that it would be an
eternal death with me and that if
I realy got justice I would die
then.
At this time 1 was in school at
boarding with my uncle
who was a Baptist,and who seemed
to enjoy talking with ma, but the
more he talked the worse I would
feel about myself. So I went on
in this way partaking of merri
ments to keep anybody from ever
thinking that I had ever recogniz
ed, or even thought of a devine Be
ing; -uatrL in July (94) when I
commenced to .teach a school at
West Lake in this County, and,
I felt as thoughlknew that I would
not live to teach it out (for I was
in the poorest health I have ever
been) dnd bn the 17th day of July
I was taken sick in school and
was carried home feeling just like
I was go mg there to die.
Sometime after I got home I
told Papa that I was going to
die and though he talked to me
the best ne could, his expression so
distinct, made me think that he
even do übted that I would die.
But although my weakness, and
feeling at the same time that if I
was spared it would be only
through the mercies and forbear
ence of Jesus, though I promised
the Lord as I hope that if I could
only recover I would .try to do bet
ter.
Up until this time when- .
1 would think of trying to join the
1 (which was only a
auu x
tease and rebuke me more than
I could bear.
But before I got up from this
sick bed I was made willing (hot
advised or invited) to sacrifice the
I pleasures of a thousand worlds
land the associates there and even
my own life (carnal) to be at
I peace with the Lord, and to enjoy
myself as some old Baptist did.
Afterwards at times it seemed
d to me that if I only could join
se the church that I would be the
ir happiest person in the world, but
t- knowing I was so young and feel
e ing so unworthy and fearing that
- I would be deceiving the people
s which! adored far above all others 1
it You know whats done,and instead 1
-of being better satisfied I was kill- £
j ed, bad matters wer« worse, things
1 1 once did not notice were now
»I dangerous, Ou Saturday after, t
; I went to Antioch, and Mr, Charlie I
Stallings told those folks lust
what I had done, just how I did
jit and just how I felt about it,
looking me right in the eyes all
the t line? *
After leaving the church
F solemnly wished to God I ha<
r > never been borned; but on Suu
f day I went back and heard h'm
3 *
and as I do hope gave me some
light cn the same thing he ruin
ed me on Saturday.
Sometimes during the week
► when lam by myself, pondering
over my condition, studying the
. doubts and fears that seem almost
as facts to me, I feel like I can
realize a little hope, suspended
as it were by a hair; bdt when
Igo to meeting my hope seems
to banish and I feel so mean and
untruthful, for I have promised,
as I hope, and ask. the Lord only
to spear me till one more oppor
tunity ; but then I would feel so
sad that I would be deceiving the
best people in the world, and
that perhaps I was mistaken, till
I would feel unfit to ba with
such folks, much less to of-
fer to become connected with
them
Mr Simms about a month
ago I had the best dream lever
lad and I had rather tell it
than anything I eier knew.
After the dream I waked up,
and studied over it along time,
thinking I had rather tell it
than anything, bat the next
morning, fur me think of it, so I
could tell jit, was impossible; and
never before did I enjoy any
thing as I did this dream, and for
me to forget it troubled me, for
I feared I had been only de
ceiving myself allJjie time.
Now I feel like this letter may
all be foolishness to youMr Simms,
but Ido hope that I have come
as near as possible writing my
feelings. Yours truly,
James Powell.
We are glad to state that on
last Sunday it was our delightful
privilege to baptize this dear
young brother, together with six
other trembling ones. We hone
he will pardon us for giving his
letter away td fc others. It is very
comforting.—S.
Savannah Ga., Nov. 6th 95.
Dear Brother Simms: —If you
will allow me a small space in the
dear Banner, I would like to tell
the dear saints abroad, of the pro
gress, and how our little church
and its efforts has been blessed
since its constitution.
On last Sunday, the first in Nov.
after an able sermon by our much
loved pastor, to a small congrega
tion, three came to the church,ask
ing for a home with us, after relat
ting experiences of grace as we be
lieve, they were gladly received as
one with us. Two of these came
from other denominations. One
said he had grown tired of his re
ligious connections, three years
ago,but there was no band here,
that he might join himself to,
that believed as he did. Therefore
he was alone he had
his the 5 nA
The three were baptized in the
river canal the same Sabbath.
There are seven that have been
baptized since our first effort here
in getting the pilgrims ot this city
together. Does this not look, as |
if the Lord was in the matter? I
And is He not blessing us? The
Lord be praised for His goodness
and mercy.
After another instructive dis
course by our pastor, another
came on confession of faith. So
you see dear brethren and sisters
our little band is gaining strength. |
We now number thirteen. All
lovers of truth pray for us, that we
may let our lights shine in this
wicked city, that we may save
some from the error of their way.
May the good Lord put it in the
hearts of some to help us build a I
temnle in His great name, in this
place. i
Your poor and humble sister, i
Emma Cowart.
Forest, Texas. Nov., 7 1895.
j Elder A. V. Simms. Dear
* brother:—l want to tell you and
the readers of the Banner, of the j
L late session of our (the Primitive
} Baptist) association which con
vened on Saturday before the
fourth Sunday in October last. All
the churches, six in number, were
represented, and two newly con-
stituted churches were received,
making eight in all. Received
correspondence from four sister
associations, namely The Union, I
Little Flock, Big Creek, and Little I
Hope. The business of the asso
ciation was transacted in perfect
peace and harmony. Not a dis-
senting vote was cast on any ques-1
tion that came before the body.
Thirteen ordained preachers were
present. While some strong terms ,
were used by some of them on the <
doctrine of predestination, it did ]
not cause any hurt or disturbance
among them who arendt so strong ’ *
in the doctrine. Every thing else
was harmonious, and the Lord be
praised for it. There seems to be
a spirit of reconciliation manifest
ing itself among the different fac
tions of Old Baptists in Texas,
which I hope will finally result in
the union of all of God’s dear peo
ple, and that there will be no more
lines drawn between them. We
are all a unit on the doctrine of
election and salvation by grace;
then why should brethren fall out
and declare non-iellowship for
each other because they cannot all
see these deep doctrinal points
alike? Oh that those who are
strong would learn to bear the in
firmaties of the weak, and let not
the weak dispise those that are
strong, and may the God of heav
en bless all of his dear children
with a spirit ot love and forbear
ance I trust, is the prayer of the
unworthy writer.
Dear brother Simms I have
just read the account of your good
meetings attended by yourself and
Elders Bennett and Patterson.
Oh, dear brother, how it made
my poor heart heave with emotion
as I read of the ingatherings at
those dear old churches, around
the fold of every one of which, if
not deceived, I have been
a bleating lamb myself. It was in
the vicinity of old Mount Horeb
church that I first saw the light
of this world, and if I am not mis
taken in the whole matter, it was
in the viemty of Hebron church
that I first saw myself a lost and
ruined sinner, justly condemned
‘ before a just and holy God. And
* although this was in the year of
’ 1859, I wandered about in the
’ wilderness 20 years when I lope
’ I was enabled by divine grace to
' take up my cross and follow my
* Master into the liquid grave. Yea
dear brethren of Hebron and Beth -
1 el churches, my dear sainted fath
er ha.d a name among you when 1
’ was but a child, a lad in my teens
j a young.jngn, and after I had a
does my poor heart
pou/and may these
sweet mercies be con
| tinned to you is the fevent prayer
of one who loves the people and
kingdom of our Lord. Brother
Simms I do so much wish you had
given the names of those you
baptized at the meetings you men
tion, for it is very probable that
some of them were the friends
of my early youth or kindred in
the flesh.
Your brother in hope.
A. M. Starling.
We made a very pleasant visil
to Union church last Saturday and
Sunday. Elder I. A. Wethering
ton was also present and preached
each day. Two humble young
brethren were added to the church
by experience and baptism. The
church has a large membership
I and is enjoying a sweet season of
peace and prosperity under the
faithful pastoral service of Elder
W. H. Tomlinson. We spent one
night at this dear brother’s home
and mingled our tears together as
we talked of our trials and hopes.
I OXYDONOR.
DEALERS WANTED.
NOW IS YOUR TIME.
I n want good active dealers in every
County and City in South Georgia
AUbama and Florida to handle the
Oxydonor. Victory which cures with
out medicine or doctors. It is a bless
ing in any fainily.lt does not raise the
dead or keep people from dying when
I the time comes for them to fall asleep
in death, but it posseses wonderful
healing virtues and one instrument
will last a family a lifetime. Persons
using it should follow instructions
closely. If you are afflicted from acute
or chronic diseases, or wish to become
a dealer, write us at once and enclose
a stamp to Lee Hanks Boston Ga., or
A. V. Simms. Valdosta Ga., General
Dealers.
It gives me pleasure to add my
tile merits of the OX
YDONOR. I was relieved of sciatic
rheumatism .in the worst form in two
days time and made able to go about my
work,with every symptom of the dread
ful malady conqured.
Truly it is.a little-“ Victor” and a
great wonder.
Mrs. M.'E. Epkabd
