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The Pilgrim’s Banner. A. V. SIMMS, Valdosta, Ga., ( "Editors. LEE HANKS, Boston Ga. J IPUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. FOR THU UNITED STATUS. CANADA AND MEXICO. Single copy one year SLOO. Single copy six months Single copy three months • Sample copies sent free on application Special Notice. In writing communications for the Pilgrim’s Banner, please ob serve the following rules: Rule 1. Do not write on but ONE SIDE of your paper. Rule 2. Write PLAIN AND DISTINCT,, so that it can be easily read. Special Rule No. 3. Above all things,do not write with a LEAD PENCIL. Strictly adhere'to the above rules and you confer a great favor on us and a Special Favor to the Printer and Compositors. _ Entered at the Post Office at Val dosta, Ga.. as second class mail.matter. EDITORIALS. A-CHANGE. This is the last issue of the Ban ner in its present form. It will visit our readers about January Ist in pamphlet form, cons didat ed with Zion’s Landmark, a semi monthly magazine, published in Wilson N. C. The Landmark has been a favorite paper among the Primitive Baptists for nearly 30 years. Its faithful editor, Elder P. D. Gold,is well known through out the United States and needs no introduction from us. We have several reasons for making the change. First. Our people are poorly able to support so many papers, and the limited support given is discouraging. Times are verv hard and pressed with debt and cannot be expected to support all our papers as they should be. £nd. Our pastoral care of the four churches we have served for years prevents us from attending to office duties necessary for a paper of this kind. We have tried both and have neglected both. Church es need a pastor who can, not only visit and preach tor them at their stated times of worship, but the brethren and sisters want him, and they need him to visit their homes, Bing and pray with them and talk the things of Jesus in tbe family circle. The pastor who fails in this, fails in part of his duty as an under shepherd in the flock of God, This we have failed, in part to do. The duties of our office and the buisness cares of life has hindered us. We feel that we owe to our churches an apolo gy and we pray the Lord to forgive us. And since we have found that we nould not publish a paper and give it the needful attentiou with out neglecting the churches, we have inquired of the Lord in pray er in an humble way to decide for us what to do. Wo have been tempted to quit the service of churches and give the whole time to the publication of this paper, and try, with the Lord’s blessing, to make it profit able to our people. Several pre. cious brethren have advised this course. But notwithstanding it promises to be more renumera tive, still every time we have .thought of doing so, and when we have thought of leaving the many precious ones to whom we have paid monthly visits for so long a time, it has filled our poor heart with sadness, and something seems to forbid it. The more we have tried to forget the churches, the more we have thought of them, and the better we love them. These are some of the main lea eons we have for making the change. Under the new management we will still keep an office at Valdos ta where communications intend ed for publication and remittance may be sent us. We hope our dear brethren and sisters who have hitherto favored us with their precious articles for the Banner will continue to write of the things of Jesus as the Spirit may impress them. We especially re quest our ministering brethren to furnish us the good news from the churches in their different local ities, and thus to assist us in the publication of a paper that will be welcomed in every Baptist household, Those of our readers who may be taking the Landmark and who may have their subscriptions paid in advance the amounts will be added together and the dates run forward. Those in arears the amounts will be added together and charged to them. If in the tedious work of adjusting thoso accounts any mistakes should occur, we will gladly correct them when our attention is called to it; and we insist that as soon as the books have been revised, that each of our readers will look on the little slip on which their names appear and see if the proper cred its have been made, and if any mistakes should appear, we hope they will notify us. £, The Land mark and Banner” will contain much more reading matter than any paper of its kind in the Uni ted States, and no effort will be ;LlO pTrVIUuB V<*U©V Ox VIUVM w advocate. The price of the paper will be one dollar and fifty cents per an num—one dollar cheaper than the cost of, the two papers in the past. Remitter.ces and communications may be sent to A. V. Simms Val dosta Ga. or to P. D. Gold Wilson N. C. Elder Hanks will still re tain h's former position as cor responding editor. Parties who have their subscriptions paid in advance, will get the paper for one dollar, as before until the ex piration of the time paid for: all others will be charged the regular price, from January Ist. We hope our brethren and sis ters will aid us what they can in the circulation of the paper. A little effort pnt forth in the in terest of the paper will assist us a great deal, as many brethren and sisters and lovers of truth, would only be too glad to subscribe for it, if their attention was called to it. Thanking the dear saints for past favors, and hoping to be able to merit their confidences and support in the future, I am yours to serve. A. V. Simms. Portal Ga., Nov. 28, 1895. Dear brother Simms:—We hac a good meeting at Lott’s Creek last Saturday and Sunday. El ders Spivey and Hanks was with Ud. Three sisters were added to the church, making nine in al since the Association. Lott’s Creek has had a cold wintry sea son, but spring time has come at last. In hope. D. N. Nxchols. Christmas Greeting. mwr tl ’'’.r yousChri ‘ t,MB r rii >« » rhim ' 3 e Os sweetset melody • L>ko frightened birds at fall snow _ Hush their threnody. When toil and fret and tire of mind Give place, dear friends, to things more kind. 10 pilgrim’s on Life’s road When low ambitions, reaching higher, To deeds of Christmas love aspire, • And drop care’s heavy load. For as a little child, new born, Love comes to each on Christmas morn, And makes memory! Who, fiom her precious hoarded store, Blings back our childhood joys once more To feast with reverie. And He, who came this day, to save His wayward children from the grave Os human selfishness, Sends forth his angels, shod with peace, I hat every good thing may increase toward heavenly happiness. A TOUR. My wife, little Ruth and I, left home 2nd Sunday in Nov. and went to Savannah where we were met by brethren Cargill, Harvey and sifter Durden, and spent the night at sister Durden’s pleasant home. Monday morning we went to Belknap where we tried to speak to a little audience, after which we were conveyed to the home of Elder Jasper Wiliums by himself and two daughters. Here we met Elder A. R. Strick land and other good brethren. We spoke at Daisy that night to an attentive audience and feel that God has children there, We spent, the nigh\ \\ i1- i liams. -My wmßffid I shall hold this precious family in greatful remembrance for their kindnsssi to us. Tuesday we went to Beth-’| el accompanied by Elder Strick land and Bro. Dyers, where we again spoke to a lovely little band of saints. We spent the night with Elder Strickland where we spake to a dear little band. After which dear brother Strick land gave an opportunity for members, and a dear little sister, fourteen years old, was joyfully received amid many tears. We are glad that the door of the church is never closed day or night against the poor afflicted child of God. Wednesday, bro. Strickland conveyed us to Beard’s Creek where we met, and spoke to a lovely band of brethren and sisters. Thursday we spoke at Loves Chapel, here we- were separ ated from our esteemed father in Israel, Elder Strickland. He feels very dear indeed to me. Oh, that I was such a meek humble follower of Christ, as he. We spent the night with that dear man of God brother Daniels, and spoke Friday at Bay Branch where-we had the pleasure of witnessing the recep . tion of dear young sister Williams into the church. We spake i u Belleville at night, and spent the n’ght with Bro. (Dr.) L. M. Nich ols, who is young in the cause, but a bright light in the Zi On n f Q od We would like to have sp ace> to speak of all the dear people with whom we met and staid, and treat ed us so kindly. We visted An derson’s, where we met ' Jones and Wilkinson and broth Chas. Mikel, licentiate; here We had an interesting meeting, feel that there is a good day f or them. Elder Wilkinson kind! conveyed us to his home, where we spent the night, and thence to Deloache’s where we again met a lovely band of saints, and met Eiders Mattox rind Jasper Williams. Dear brother Denmark conveyed us to his precious home, where we spent the night, and thence to Upper Lott’s Creek, where we had an interesting little meeting, and we were comforted by meeting two precious christains who came to us in tears and asked us to pray for them. My poor heart was touched with love and sympathy for them, and my Drayer is that they may be given strength to come home. Brother Proctor us to his home where we papent night veuy pleasently. prayer to God for his dear daugh ter who is out iu the streets and jthe city, crying: “0 that ''me and live with the We have just re from her, tell ing of the bitter anguish of soul which she is passing. She is in-babyion, teeiing homeless. May the Lord help her to come. We next went to fellowship, Lanes, Bethlehem and Upper Lott’s Creek we had the pleasure • of meeting Elder Stubbs at Beth lehem. Elder J. L. Smith con veyed us from Lane’s to Upper Lott’s Creek. He is a good faith ful minister, and a good travel ing companion. My wife and I shall ever feel greatful to him for his kindness to us. At Upper Lotts Creek, we had the sweet privilege of hearing Elder Spivey preach, two wonderful sermons. He is a precious gift to the Bap tists. While he was preach ing, I said iu my poor heart: “Thank God for such a preacher.” At this precious meeting, three sisters gladdened tne hearts of the saints, by telling of the dealings of the Lord with them. This is a precious church. My poor heart was filled with praise to God to see so many young Bap tists at this church who seemed to be cut loose from the world, and now the image of J eBU9 * s their countenances. Before reached this church, we were s feeble and full of unbelief, unti we concluded that oui P o)1 profitable life was about ended, and we prayed to die, feeling that it would be a blessing to humble children to get each a c og out of the wheels of Zion. e felt that our life was a blank but| at Lott’s Creek we could than< i , good Lord that he will not leave p himself without a witness. May God bless those dear young people r and we would be glad to hear from them all. L After leaving our last appoint ment a dear heart broken one a-1 mong the Missionaries, told me that she was homeless and that no one would ever know the great troubb and- the bitter anguish of soul through which she was pass ing, and said that she was going .1 • I if the Lords will to Antioch in Eumanuel Co at their next meeting and solicited me vary strongly to be piesent and said she . wan ted me to baptize her. I had just been feeling like I should never leave home again, but that poor heart broken Christian requesting me to come I was made willing to go. It is the chief joy of my life to have the sweet assurance that I 1 have comforted some poor Christian. We spent two day? and three nights visiting these precious Christians in Eumanual County. When J visit those precious homes I feel that I. am not worthy of the k indness I receive from them and I feel like it is too much for such a poor sinner as I. I want to return my heart felt thanks to all the good brethren, sisters and friends who so kindly conveyed us and caused us to share of their hospital ity. Our prayers are in your behalf and I desire you to remember us at a throne of grace. We reached home nov. 28th and found our children well and that our good brethren and sisters had kindly cared for them and looked after our home during our absence. A number of the good sisters had met at our homble., home,>andj TPreJror^^Wncedinner for us, a nor were there ready to greet us with a hearty welcome. Bless the Lord for his guardian care. —H A dear sister was baytized at Mt. Pisgah last Sunday and many more are expected to join soon. We hope to have a good attend ance there at sth Sunday meeting —H. Church Treasurers. < A dear brother asked me recent ly to give my views on a church ( treasurer and who he should be etc. , lam of the opinion that the | deacon of the church should be g her treasurer. The deacons were j ( appointed or chosen in the days a of the apostles, to look after the L financial interests of the church, a and’ it seems very probable that b they were the treasurers. 81 I have known of churches to choose the clerk for a treasurer, or some other member, and in many churches there is nothing said about it. I love the Primitive Baptist, and I want their fellowship too badly to leave them on such a frivolous excuse as that. If the I brethren wants any other member as treasurer, or have none at all, I shall not quit them; but ask for an humble home among them. Brethren should not make moun tains out of mole-hills. We are controlled by bad spirit when we are continually finding fault, with our brethren and hunting for trouble. There is much said about ruLs of decorum,but we should take the Bible as our rule. I would sug gest that if the brethren wants church treasurerers they should ' ordain deacons, who - are com- 1 elent to fill such a position. If there is nothing said in Vo 11 ules ot decorum about (he trea ■ rer, if you have a deacon uW hould be your treasurer. I w nß uggesttnis as my opinion h ! id vise the good brethren to be -9 with the infirmities of the weak! am truly sorry to hear of confu-B ;ion over such trifling matter I I'he evil one is the author of all® •onfusion. Love hides a multi® tude of sins. May those dearß brethren in Florida, strive f or | the things that make rr peace.—H. 1 7 ■ PREDESTINATION I Is it right for the Primitive Bap-B lists to make ‘‘Predestination’’ aH test of fellowship? This question® is exciting some good brethren,! and some would divide on this® point; but we shall oppose thefl division. We have traveled over a great® many states, and met many good® brethren who are on both sides 9 and they do not believe that God 9 coerces the wicked acts of men® or makes the wicked do wickedly.® but that man, in sining, carries® : out the desires of his heart and® | it (the sin) is man’s own act However, we will say that weß have had a few and I am glad they® were very few—say if they were ■ to steal, commit murder,live a dis-fl obedient life that they could not fl help it, and they had it to do; fl thus charging their wickedness to® the Lord. We have po patience I with such stuff as that, or that® sin was created and put in Adam, fl All ture Baptists believe thatß God is a Sovereign over all, works ■ after the counsel of expressions they mean i know of Elders who claim to UwEi lieve in unlimited predestination that preach practical godliness, g and urge upon all Christians to obedience, as strongly as those I who believe in limited predesti- I nation. Whenever you hear one charging the Lord with his wick- | edness, he is a very wicked man or very ignorant ofithe doctrine. We should labor to harmonize the Lord's people, and if we wijl | use scriptural expressions, it will be much better, and it will not * alienate us. There may be divis- 3 ions, when it is simply a war i 3 about words. A precious Elder J q m the east, wrote me sometime > ago, saying, that he could not look back over a day of his life, and say he did the best he could. This . i Elder is a strong advocate for ' ■ practical godliness. lam so short sighted that I would much rather * prefer Bible terms on those con- •>* troverted points. I do not like J Eternal, Actual, Vital Union; but if the brethren means that Christ is our life, and our life ever exist ed in him, why I believe that and I like that better, and it is ea sier for the Christian to compre hend. It seems that such unscript- r ural expressions, would imply that there is nothing done for the sinner. T <1 If the sinner of Adam’s fallen race is not the subject of salva- - tion I have no hope. Ido not want a doctrine that j charges God with our sins, or I leaves tbe sinner without hope. 1 We should exercise all the for- It bearance that we can, but when ever one denies the salvation of I the sinner, or that he is resurrect-