Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

ed, and charges God with sin, af ter proper labor, if he will not retract, then withdraw from him. All true Baptists believe that sinners are the subjects of salva. lion, and that sin is man's wilful act, ana that man is an accounta ble being.—ll. We have just read a paper pub lished by Elders J. V. & R. S. | Kiikland of Fulton, Ky. Called ‘‘The Apostolic Baptist.” Which we regard as a sound consistent Old Baptist paper.—H. Elder Pattefson is m our coun try preaching very ably to the comfort of God’s children, He will collect for the Banner. —HI Laston Ga., Oct 25th, 1895 Elder Lee Hauks. My dear broth er : I will try in a shrinking, fear ing, trembling way to write you the reason of my little hope. 11 have at times had some impres sions to do so, though I have never written a line for publication in I my life. * From my earliest recollection I H I have had serious thoughts of [J death and after death judgments My greatest early troubles on this | subject were an awful fear and ( dread of punishment. I hid not then so much wish heaven as to escape punishment.My truly faith ful and beloved parents were Primitive Baptists before I could remember. Th*y brought up their children in the fear and admoni tion of the Lord; and when any of us morally departed from it, it was contrary to their instruction When I was eight years of age I was stricken with rheumatism, I suppose, and my sufferings were very great, but I was unconscious of much of it. While conva .the first thing Wro get away from thepreKnce of Bay physician. WeU, I raprely im proved so much that I could walk over the house and yard, when OS<’ day (oh! how well I do re p member it) my nur&a (negroe §irl) through her carlessness caused me to fall and that fall will cans eme to be a cripple all my life. J never could walk an other step without my crutches. I could not run romp and play with children and for that reiUßwas kept very quiet. My mother while sewiuiL or at her daily work me read aloud to her out of the Tes tament and it made impressions upm my mind that I have never forgotten. When I would read to her where Jesus did so many mir acles, cure the sick, raise the dead the blind to sae, the lame to walk; I would exclaim, O mother, dont you wish he w r as here now, he could make me to walk,” She re maiked “My child he will never come to you'on this earth , but if you will be a good girl you may goTto him when you die.” Well I would try at times to be a good girl and thought then that I was, for I wanted to go to Jesus when I died. I did not want to go to torment where the wicked burn forever and ever, O my sou’i! I could net bear to think of it That was taught in my early child hood and I believed it then and I believe now, and if I am compell ed to go there I will go there beg ging the Lord for mercy. I would sometimes and very often grieveand shed tears because I was crippled and could not go with* my young associates and enjoy myself as they did, tfhd especially w hen my two sisters would leave me to go to all kinds of amusements. It seemed almost more than I could bear, but thanks to the good Lord I have long since become recon ciled, and now what 1 desire most is patience to bear all of my i troubles and afflictions that I may be able to say in truth “Not as I will, but thy will be done” g So from earliest recollection I wanted to be a Christian and I believed that some day I would have a bright eviedence that I was a Christian, I thought that , Jesus would appear in some mir- I ruculous form, or I would hear a voice or see a light, that would I cause me to know’, and should not doubt, and live a holy life. Thou the question would arise what will you do then? you cannot be I baptized like other people, ybu will have to go down into the wa- II ter with throe or four preachers. J or some unsightly wav and people will laugh you to scorn. We I will not join any chruch; I have I heard it said there is as good peo ple out of tlte church as in it, and I will live out side of the churc i and do my duty just the same. As time rapidly passed by! saw and felt I could do no good thing I was I a poor undone, helpless,lost sinner I justly condemned of a just an holy God. Many times I have tried to believe the doctrine o election and say “If I am to be saved I will be saved,” but I could not rest long here, it was like , saying to a doubting child ‘ You « shall have something good in the r far future.” The emergency of my h case grew strong, though when in company I to appear free < and unconcerned, while I inwardly experienced a peculiar feeling of I loneliness and desolation. I would sometimes go to picnics and par ’ ties with the young folks to try U eniov mysel f as they did. I could not dance but would sit around i Laugh and talk, play cards with ( these that did not dance, and at j times would assist inmaking mu sic for them to dance. This to me seemed wrong. I felt like I a committed as much or more sin in playing for them to dance than those that did dance. I would af terwards feel ashamed of it and > would say “If the Lord will forgive , me this once I will never do so » any more,” but I would do the l aamft thino over when insisted up- lifciout. ’ We'll them to believe that, for I had no cdnfidence in myself. It sbemed I would break every promise that I wanted to keep and after they were broken when I would go off to some secret place to try to ap pro) ch the Lord in prayer I would feel so foolish and sinful fill I would feel ashamed to raise my eyes to heaven, and all I could say was God be merciful to me a poor lost sinner; but I felt that God would never hear it and that it was usless for ma to try to pray, but I could not help trying; like the poor helpless leper “Lord thou canst, if though wilt.” I felt that earth held no joys for me. I really felt as one never remembered on earth but sadder still that God had forsaken me. This was an aw- 1 fjfi feeling, but these words would wear oft and I would become cheer ful, then I would think it was all < imagination and that I brought all this trouble on myself,but when ' they would return it was with < double force. Sometimes it seem- < ed my poor heart would break ] with sorrow, and that I could not ; endure life much longer and ; would do any thing for peace of g > mind once more. I would do every > thing I could to conceal my feel ing, for I was ashamed of it anc could not bear for any one in the world to know it. 1 would git in my room late at night and reac my Bible and sometimes steal a way duri ag the day to read it and when I would hear any of the family approaching would hide it away. One night I remember I was in this dark bitterness of soul, feeling worse if possible than I had ever felL I tried to read the B ible, but OTuld get no comfort from it, so I closed the book and retired, but could not sleep, for it seemed it was all I could do to breathe. I gat up in bed so? quite a while. At last giving up all hope, but with not a tear, for the fountain was sealed, Oh Lord can not do nothin gmore,do with me, whatever is pleasing in thy sight.* A few seconds elasped, then came a sweet, still, soothing Uoico me eay ‘ U4 ’ “Biased I are they that f for the ? ; hall bi comforted.” and that * that was weighting so heav ilv upon me rolled away and I f e lt so light and joyous. 1 cannot I Uihow. or what I felt; they h kQO w who have been just here, > without telhng- But I did not . think at the time 1 was changed, r-f it was a change) because it * had not come to me at all as I had expected. But the next morn l_ i n g I felt perfectly satisfied, and ’ every thing looked cheerful,- and aU the family were unusually L cheerful. As soon as my burden of sin left me, I felt impressed to | [ be baptized and desired baptism i more than anything in this world, but something seemed to say you i can’t be baptized, its alia fancy P 9 notion you’ve g°tto Q up any way, ' r You are deceived, and now want « d to deceive some one else, wait un- ' e til you have something to tell to ‘ >f the church”. Well, Really felt I U >e had nothing to teh those dear L d people, and if they did receive me ce it would be only for pity sake. I u would try to remove it far from ie my mind, but before I knew it, it iy I was right back again 0 to be n worthy to live with the children ee of°God, for I believe the Old Bap- L ly tist to be His people, and I love | of them better than any other peo dd in the world. And I wanted to ir- live with them, and a constant t J voice, within me, whispered If ye love me keep my command- , meats.” But Oh 1 thought 1, if I only knew I was not gladly would I feel 1 But alai, JW did not know, I had al« thought, I should know it I vW changed by grace. I would gc®l church, and the preacher woWU express my thoughts and feelhjl bo much, till I wanted to hide i| ai face to conceal my While I was in this, conditi®» you, brother Hanks, had an a|v pointment at Upper Lott-s Cree® the fourth Saturday and Sundayi Jin last June. I was looking! K&gtaßfd to the great interest. I could hardly wait. I was so anxious for the meeting to oome had not the least f or I had made up I | Kat I could not, the church. So wBMBWime came I was prepared to’go and you preached and it seei the preaching was to could hardly stay away when an op portunicy was given fur the re ception of members, and after the close you and brother Smith took me on such a surprise I wanted to get away to keep you from talk ing to me. I felt like I was ruin ed, every one knew I wanted to join the church, and surely you did not know how unworthy 1 felt, as you would not tell me it was my duty to join. I left the church with a heavy burden and wishing I had sayed at home. That night I could uot steep I was so distressed and disturbed. Sun day morning as I wandered about I felt just like I have felt in tak ing leave of loved faces and ob jects, But to keep up appear- anoes I went to the breakfast ta ble, but could not eat much. How alone, how desolate and destitute I felt as I entered my room and shut the- (joor! I took up the 1 Bible from the table and asked 1 the Lord to let me open to some- ( thing that would show or tell what 1 was the matter with me and Jere-I miah 13 chaper, 15, 16 and 17 was 1 the first I saw and that was 8 enough for me then, for I thought it suited me exactly. Aly sister came in the room looking very I sad, she was troubled in the same way but I did’nt know it then. I gave her the book and told her to read that which I had found 1 and left the room. I walked out ’ on the front porch regardless of my flooding tears then came the same soothing voice within me again distinctly saying, “Marvel | not that I said unto thee, y e milßt ’ be born again.” - How light, how If five, how glad and joyous 1 felt! how dear and precious was the very name, Christ Jesus'. I left the house to be alone for I could not conceal my feelings, and was still trying to guard my secret. I turned into the room to get ready for an early start to church tor there were two, a precious young brother and sister to be baptized that morning, liy sister came in took me on surprise by saying, I ‘‘Maggie if I were you, and want ed to join the church I would join. II will get jour clothes ready. r told her “no I will wait.” Yes I wait and examine myselt closer, I r I ere I made the attempt. But told Ig] herfofall to get ready, and go on w I would stay at home. But she h I insisted on me to go and I went. When the door of the church was b . opened the first thing 1 knew I « , was giving you, my dear bi other, . , my hand. Then came two more p I for reception'also. But in a mo- o ment I felt and feared I was just r el where 1 had no right to be. lhe I church had looked so pure surely , d I was nor fit to sit there among it them. The thought was too much ■ ie* for me, and I was almost dumb, n I don’t know what I told, but I p- knew it was not much of any n thing, and I continued to feel this °- unworthiness and helplessness un to tit after baptism,which took place nt at four o’clock in the afternoon, If by brother J. L. Smith. There I left a burden that has not found t me since, and I truly felt to re- f b £eive the answer of a good con- 1 toward God, believing I and followed Christ. What aWte. eireEt and j° y 1 foUn^! ~ 19te>nish the weary and twotdd of God who wandenngchML eso , ate are homely Ihorne and stare joulllvJ sorrows of low ►lwith us. Sonaeume? ddown; my soul is 30 <iin darkness that I. think with me and I hswi 1 Reived the et]| bnfrmy Heavenly hattier undeceive me.’’ I certainly have fellowship for the poet who wrote: P oln t I Jong to know, * T. r. ll causes anxious thought Do I Jove the Lord, or no? Am I his, or am I not? s Let melove thee more and more If I love at aIJ, I pray- If I have not loved before Help me to begin to day’ I have been greatly afraid I was ‘ deceived. But can say I have , looked abroad and seen and felt -old things fiaye passed away and I all things have become new, seen in a new light, and I love the brethren. Like the blind man, I , can only say, “whereas I was blind, I now see.” He did not < know it was Jesus who opened his eyes. Then our hearts must be— < we are not deceived; for if other than God had changed our hearts, it would never be to see his praise and glory swallowed up of all things, it would never be to bring our hearts in harmony to love and to adore him in all his works; for this is God’s will that all his works should praise him, and not an- other’s. O Lord, teach our poor I hearts gratitude, and make us to remember thy loving kindness. It has been only four months since I joined the church, but it has been the four happiest months i of my life, and I feel, if the dear ' people of God can bear with my imperfections, I want to spend my I remaining days with them. I can see a joy among the Lord’s people that I can’t see elsewhere. Now brother Hanks if you don’t think this worthy of publication, Please past it aside. Fkindly ask i bou to do so. Pray for me dear brother, fur I am vile and sinful a nd noea the prayers of all God’s children, Tours in hope. Maggie Green. Remarks.—We had the privilege of seeing this good sister unite with the church and baptized which made our poor heart leap , for joy to see that angelic coun-|i tonanee which she exhibited as she came out of the water. While she is afflicted, the Lord has made I I her strong in faith. In the sweet realms of endless day she will be wall. Bear your afflictions, wit fortitude, awhile longer my dear sister, and it will all be over, and I Jesus will call you up. IL up< Obituary. L B< MARY M. SELLERS. tle Wife of D. W Sellers, ah ] her life. She was sorely from young woman-hood, » f b r ora Lr sufferings wi hout £ murmer. It was my prm ege to 1 know her prior to her jdu r incr which time I was the lamuy physician, and I never saw any- » one bear their sufferings wiw more fortitude,even in the i ’ ev * r ® B g ' asonv of pain. She would often | ! reioice that she was counted ’ :Sy to suffer for Chnst’ sake, f , strength, g her flith G ° d d g J®’ ! >• tW'did not‘“ear God for < I naught. She had been confined < ■- to her room for several week-, , 9 previous to her death, lot was * thought to be improving, and the . v night before her death she resteu e better than she had for 1 g n time, and about day-hght she t .11 r’ asleep in Jesus, without a struggle I ThXrld had lost its eharm to ,d her, and she longed to be ireed e- from her sufferings, that she ,n- might rest with Jesus,where no pam t is ever felt or known, bister 1 Sellers leaves a devoted ho 9band ’ st - five loving children, and an aged ndl mother, with many other rela nd Svesand friends to mourn her 1 loss We would say to the griei 10 stricken family, that , wh J® ?! a Lo e rd th< fro d m d henceforth that they ■klbM left us an example worth Itemmitotion, and her works wj Il live iff th£ memory ot yjg J lowers of the meek* Lamb of God. Our light afflic tions which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceed ing and eternal weight of glory.” All these trials takes our minds from things below, and fixes them on things above, and thus brings us nearer and nearer to Christ, and He is thereby glorified. 0! that we could be more reconciled to the dealings of Providence with us. “Yet nature may have leavo to sspaak, And plead before her God, Lest the q’er burdened heart should break Beneath thine heavy rod. These mournful groans and flowing tears. Give.my poor spirit ease; While every groan my Father hears, And every tear he see.s” “Is not some smiling hour at hand, 1 With peace upon its wings? . Give it, O God, thy swift command, With,'all the joy it brings.” The above appropriate lines were selected by bro. Sellers as being expressive of his feelings. Yes nature must speak and in an out-burst of tears, the over bur dened heart finds a relief that cannot otherwise afforded. While we mourn the loss of so good-and noble a woman, as sis- ter bellers was, we should not mourn as those without hope. For at most, the smiling hour is not far distant, where we hope to (join her, with all the redeemed of the Lord, where sad partings will be no more. May God comfort the bereaved family,and give them grace to bear their afflictions, is our prayer for Christs’ sake. W. C. Hanson. i BUTLER CHURCH. J « The trouble between Butler church, of Taylor County Ga., and I the Middletown and Wallkill and Warwick churches of New York, growing out of an objectionable sentence in an editorial published in the Signs Os The Times in 1887, by Elder B. L. Beebe, the Pas tor of these churches and their subsequent action in sustaining him, by non-fellowship resolutions I against Elder John Rowe, then a member of Butler church who was the subject of attact in said editorial, has been amicably, and satisfactorially adjusted, and feL. fully restored between them. H. Bussey, Pastor Butler church. I The above bit of news will be received with joy to ouc people throughout the whole country. A little imprudence oh the part of one brother may, as in their case, bring trouble and dissention upon the entire Baptist family. ‘"Behold how great a matter a lit tle fire kindleth.” * May the dear saints everywhere. learn to exercise prudence and forbearance with each other, and work for the things which make for peace.—-S. J ' Barwick Ga Oct. Dear Brother Simms :—I wish to say to the readers of the Banner, - am an agent for Durand / and Lester’s Hymn and Tune Books, and have them on hand. Can furnish them at 85 cents sin gle copy, or SI.OO sent by mail. I keep P them tor the benefit of our neople without any profit to me, Sept the knowledge that I have been a help to have better singing in our churches. The advantage S these books is, that the music is written with the words and we can learn to sing all parts correctl- ly bneof the churches of my charge has bought 1 1-2 doz hvmn booKS for the congregption and they are well pleased with them. They contain aimostaH of our old tunes, with a great many new ones, and the ®® n . ’ ments of the words is trictly m I harmony with our doctrine, it is a book that I feel willing to com mead to our churehes, singing schools and homes. Yours to serve. R. H. Barwick. APPOINTMENTS, v Statesboro Ga., Dec. 18, [1895. Elder A. V. Simms. Bear Brother Yours x>f the 9th to hand and I have arranged F °’Tues U after 4 * n 7<pper Lolt’s vi eTTUOR<ay Thursday Bethlehem, Statesboro at night Lanes Friday, * Fellowship, Monday Upper Black Creek 1 uesday DeLoaches, Wednesday Belknap, Thursday Daisy. Friday Bethel, Sat.and Ist Sun. Beard’s Creek, Monday Love’s Chapel, Tuesday Bay Branch, Bellville at night. Yours in love. M. F. Stubbs. ALSO ELD. J. S. DAMERSON. Belknap 3rd Sat. & Sun. in Jan. Monday DeLoaches, Tues rest, at night Statesboro. Wednesday Bethlehem, Thursday Upper Black Creek, hriday Lanes, Sat and 4th Suu Fellowship, Mon rest, at night in Savannah. ALSO eld. J. A. BURCH. Thursday after 4th Sun in Dec. Lake M-H. Fri. Sat & sch Sun general meet ing at Ceder Creek, Monday Sunlight, Tuesday Reedy Creek, Wednesday Little Flock Thursday Anderson’s, Friday Bay Branch, Saturday Loves Chanel, Beards Creek Ist Sunday in Jan. 96 Monday Bethel, Tuesday Corinth, Wednesday Belknap, Thursday DeLoaches, Friday Emmaus Saturday Ephesus 2nd Suu Lower Lott’s Creek, Monday Upper Lott’s Creek, luesday Upper Mill Creek, Wednesday Bethlehem, At night Statesboro, Thursday Upper Black Friday Fellowship Saturday Lanes Savannah 3rd Sunday, • Yours in love. M. F. Stubbs. Dr. D. Bartly Dear Brother My rheumatism is rone my stomach is all right; my kid ne vs are a great deal better. I have nS fh« e n a H° Se of T medci »e since I got the Oxydonor It has done me good than all the medcine I ever took I tave had thos. ailioentß tor S j wjkl Yours, Mrs. S allije FkxmajC