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The Pilgrim’s BanW.
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EDITORIALS. “
—ol
# JSLI>EK JBAHTLEY’S ARTICLE
<■
relieving that every paper dr
voted to tjie oXqbel»|«hMil4
take a decided, unmistakeable, un
compromising position on all the
principles involved, and knowing
that without an animadversion an
editor is supposed to endorse every
article published in the same,
therefore believing that Elder
Bartley is in error in one position
taken in his otherwise excellent
article, I fool constrained to refer
to it, and show mine opinion, or
wherein we differ,
I fully agree with him as to
eternal life and salvation —that it
is by grace through faith, not of
works but it is the gift of God,
and hence unconditional. Also
that all acceptable obedience and
good works springs out of faith —
that without faith it is impossible
to please God, or to work out our
timely salvation.etc. But when he
quotes “For by grace are ye saved,
through faith, and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God’'
md applies it to our timely, in
stead of our eternal salvation, and
adds that our present (or timely)
salvation is of graev—of faith that,
it migli’t be by grace,” and “this
being truo, our salvation now, or
in period of time, is not condition
al, and does not depend upon our
eelves,” I cannot agree. Nor with
the conclusion drawn from this
premise, as that “when we are thus
saved from seli-will and disobedi
ence and its bitter consequences,
and wal,k in good work,” that we
are blessed, but not “for doing so,
which it would be if our present
salvation were conditional, or de
pended upon ourselves.” And
therefore, he says, the praise is all
to grace. But did not Paul praise
the brethren who had done well,
or observed the ordinances as he
had delivered them unto them?
and did he not censure and con
demn some who had done wrong
or disobeyed? See 1 Cor. 11: and
many other such instances of
praise to those who do right, and
censure to those who do wrong.
Still, I know as there sea sense
in which “all things pre of God,”'
so are all things of grace. And
I believe that grace not only pr
yl<les this syptdm of timely salva
tion, but also works m us to will
and to do,or prompts to obedience.
Ano right here the mam divergence
or difference between Eld. B. and
myself arises, in that while he
contends that the gospel works pro
curing our timely salvation is un
omditinnal or the sure gift and
work of God, I believe and contend
that it is conditional, and we as
the living responsible children of
God, may, or may not resist the
spirit prompting to obedience; and
that we often resist this spiritual
influence by a stronger fleshly or
natural influence, anfl thus over
come the spiritual and do the
things we would not, even as Paul
did (see Rom. 7) and all the Aposr
ties and disciples did, and we all
often do today; and have to suffer
the penalty, that otherwise might
have been avoided.
Any law having penalties and
rewards attached, is conditional,
and subject to violation. While
laws are unconditional, and of
God, and hence sure of inviolate
fulfillment. Hence our timety
salvation ns found by some, and
lost by others, is conditional.
Else, or .if unconditional, as
Elder B. says, it would make
works of obe ’fence just as much
and wholly the works or gift of
God, in our timely, as in our etern
al salvatioh; and hence just as
sure to all the peed. In which
case the gospel admonitions to
obedience, and w&rnings against
disobedience, are meaningless and
useless. but a child of Gol
has the spirit, so none othpf can
resist it. Also in which case, I
Wonder how did Peter —for in
stance-=-dpny the Did the
unconditional grace fa|l? Qf did
it cause him to sin? Is not one
or both of these oh&rgable to un
conditional grace?
Eternal life cannot fail; is sure
to all the seed, because the uncoc
ditionai work is of If g°spel
obedience that makes sure ouy
salvation is
likewise God’s unconditional work,
hoty ay
OA
God baa come short, more or less,
of attaining to it?
‘lf ye live after the flesh, ye
shall die; but if ye through the
spirit do mortify the deeds of the
body, ye shall live,” says Paul to
God’s children; and we know
there are many such admonitions
and warnings, and why, if. our
timely salvation is unconditional?
But I have ►aid enough on this
point to show my position, and
that I believe the provisional or
conditional system of works given
to Israel of old, is fulfilled in the
gospel church today.
And then I have referred not
oniv to an error, as I believe, but
as one that should be promptly
met and condemned as having a
practical tendency to take all mor
al and legal responsibility away
from God’s children,and leave them
as sb eks or stones that can only
act as acted upon ; or that leaves
them as passive as when in the re
ception of eternal life that raised
them from the dead. And thus
creates too many willing, passive
drones, so to speak, jp the church.
Also this renders an excuse to the
slothful and disobedient to claim
his wrong actions are by coersion,
and that his inactively must await
it; a most reprehensible tendency
that has already gained two much
ground in the church S.
HEALTH REGAINED.
After nearly five w&eks, suffer
ing with Bilious fever, lam now
on my feet, honing soon to be well
again. While I was, a part of the
time, very sick, both in body and
mind and felt sorely the hand of
the Lord was against me, J feel
now, taking all things into consid
eration, that it was a blessing. I
was humbled and brought near
the Lord-near enough to tell him
of my sorrows and beg for strength
to endure all things He should al
low to come upon me. As I grow
older, and as I hope, maturing as
the oof jj fully ripe, I find myself
changing in msuy f; expects.
Oue change I will here merdi/W:
When younger than I ftm 11 ° w ’
and when trials and affliot»°° 8
would assail me, my prayers were
for the trials to end and troubles
cease. It is not quite that way
now, fjr I find myself begging f Ol
the grace of endurance. “Oh
give me grace and strength to en
dure my hard lot with meek» ess
and patiencebecause I have
learned that out of my e° rest
trials have dome great and in oßtl '
ratable belssi'ngs.
During my recent afflictions 1
would find myself asking the fl' 108 "
tion “has my time come?” Js niv
wopk endefl? Anfl what if it is?
These thoughts presented them
selves often, but gave me but little
troqblq.
Looking back upon the past and
forecasting for the future I saw the
emptiness and vanity of this hu
man life. Three things however,
floqnd me to this earth: The care
and anxiety toy my fajpfly»
spiritual welfare of my churches
and the success of the Bankbb*
These things troubled me- I
would ask the Lord in a feeble
way to show me what was before
qje, but could get no message from
Him. All wagi dark before P|e.
But one day, while suffering with
a scorching fever, a letter was
flanded me from Elder W. C.
Cleveland, of Culloden, Qa., stat
ing he had learned of my afflic
tions, but that the Lord had given
him fftlth to believe I would be
raised —that I woqld not die this
time. As I read it I could not re
frain from tears. I believe the
Lord then and there gave mo the
same faith, sos? thpp apd alj through
the remainder of my sickness I be
lieved —I knew I would get well.
I must here tender thanks for
the many a p4 ex '
pressions of sympathy from both
br»vhfep and sisters, far and near.
The dear Lord bless them. —S.
A Tour.
appointments in
Lpwer and Upper Canoochee Asao
ciMicAa-
Thp fear trembling w 4 B 80
great that I begged the members
of my churches to pray for me
while I was gone. I felt so de
pendent, bgt the Lord was so good
’ to me ail the way. I filled ap
pointments at the phprohes as
( wag published and felt the sweet
presence of Jesps in trying to
, speak to the dear saints. X was
kindly received by them all and
had many reasons to feel that my
tour was of the Lord. I had the
pleasure of meeting Elder J- L
‘ Smith who was with me several
days. He is a dear brother and a
t good pastor and is much appreci
ated by his brethren. I also met
r Elders Stubbs, Wilkinson, D. N.
Williams, on my way to the Upper
Canoochee Association. The Bap
tists should feel proud of such
( faithful gifts as Elders Stubbs
r and Wilkinson who obey the in-
B j unction of ppf Lord to Isaiah :
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift Bp thy
j voice like a trumpet, and phow my
* people their transgression, aud the
? house of Jacob their sins.” IBa
-53:1. No man could have fought
’ drunkenness < and immorality as
$ Elder .Stiibbs'has done unless God
had have supported hjfp. Jt is by
’no means popular and H nct
f congenial with cur flesh to preach
such, but the love ot Christ and
his cause has caused him to count
not his own life dear unto him
self, but brethren jt fa f°F our
good as the church of Christ that
. God has given us such faith ful
v gifts.
1 Hold up the hands of such faith
e ful men by praying for the® ttnd
d caring for them temporally- The
f preacher that tells you of y our
il faults is your best frienddh® 1 d 0
- not go behjpd back and seek to
I betrav as Judas did the ior foF
r he could kiss Jesus to his fa oo aud
n drew a plan to betray Hi® wlth
h His enemies. Do not talk » bout
I- your preachers for that i« < ron *’
w When I am traveling I levs bretb '
■s ren who defend and care f° r their
lf‘ home preachers for if they d ° not
they will sooner or late* 1 ] iad
? the pleasure of meeting ® lderd
Durden, W. W. Riner, 8. M. An
derson, Wm. Brown, J ; Smith, M.
Steptoe, H, Tompies, W. A. Lamb
and M. Hill (licentiate) all of
whom are ‘.precious brethren and
are faithful men of God. I also
met licentiate E. M. UtcEleven of
the Lower Canoochee and Elder
A. J. Harrison ot South Carolina,
at the Upper Canoochee Associ
ation. Elder 8, M, Anderson was
its faithful Moderator, and Elder*
W. A. Lam 1 1, clerk. These are
good officers. I was glad to see the
faithfulness nj this Association in
ruling out the church troubles
from their body. The church is
the h-ghest tribunal and the only
body authorised io settle church
troubles. I do not endorse the
Associations as advisory counsels
for churches. It ig strange that
people will reverence what men
have made more than the church
instituted by Christ. I love to as
sociate with my brethren, but we
should meet In an Association to
worship God and receive and ap
point correspondence and let all
troubles bo adjusted by
the churches. It is wholesale
murder to drop whole Associations
for the act of one brother or
church without labor. I love my
brethren too good to want to see
such lines drawn. Always labor
with the Qhgrch thas holds the
disorder. The spirit ot Qhri®t is
the spirit of love and forbearance.
I cant find language to express my
appreciation tor the many q.cts of
kindness, words of encouragement
aad earnest solicitations to visit
these dear brethren again. You
feel near to me, dear saint®, and it
was with a saddened heart fl bafle
you adieu. I pray that God may
abundantly bless you all. With
a sad heart Elder flnfl J
left those dear Christians and
came Sunday night to the sweet
home of that presioqs father ip
Israel, Elder R. W. Durden, where
we spent the night. This is one
of the most precious families I
eye# A—
, Monday, Eide; Harris® and <
to Gm bo.W.dK qf Lower
Canoochee Association* tyhere we
filled appointments, accompanied
by Elder Bentley, from Wednes
day until the Association conven?
ed on Friday. I have never trav
eled with, two brethren that got
deeper into my poor heart than
these two brethren, Opr stay to
gether was so pleasant and telling
of their conflicts endeared them to
me. Oh that I ooulfl bear the im
age of Christ and be so humble as
they. At the Lower Canoochee
Association we had the pleasure of
meeting that faithful man of God,
Eld. W, C. Cleveland who is a dear
father in Israel to me. Hove him
for his faithfuln ft W In the vine
yard of the Lord. 1 also met
Elder Stubbs who presided ably as
Moderator. Elders Wilkinson,
Thomas, Jones, Strickland, Hand,
Parrish, Pitman, Taylor, W. W.
Riner, L. River, R. W. Durden,
Cribbs, Williams and Brethren
Mikell, E. M. McElveen, D. R.
and M. p. Jones,licenti
ates.
The preaching was able and
simple all in harmony. Love
glowed in the hearts of the dear
people of God all through the
meeting. Elders Cleveland and
Bentley preached two able ser
mons on Sunday. I sat there and
thanked the Lord for such prec
ious gifts. I could not refrain
from tears to have to be separated
from these precious ones. It was
go gad. I can never forget them.
I returned home Sunday night
at 1 A. M. and found my dear fam
ily well. I feel like praising God
for his goodness to me on this.tour
as well as all through my lite. I am
glad I went. I shall never forget
your many kind acts and I feel
humbled in spirit and so unwor
thy of your sweet loye and Chris
tian fellowship- Pray for me dear
Christians that J piay be humble
and resigned to the will of God.
Hoping to bear from any poor
little one who may feel so impress,
ed to write I remain your poor lit
tle brother in hope.—H.
Elder Simms has entirely recov
ered from his late illness, and has
gone to preaching as usual.
Tjic AwwxMlittoil
convened with Ama church, Coffee
County Ga., on Oct. 17, IS and 19,
and in some respects was among
the most pleasant meetings it has
ever been my privilege to enjoy.
The business of the body was con
ducted hi love and harmony as be
cometh saints—“no jar or discord.
The preaching was sweet and re
freshing. I had just gotten up
from my recent illness and was
quite hungry for the truth as it is
in Jesus,and how I rejoiced in spir
it whileour ministers were telling
“the old old story of Jesus and his
love/’ One sad incident oecured on
Monday, the last day of the meeting
While Elder Barwick was pieach
ing so sweetly about the trials and
storms incident to the pilgrim
journey a her in was their hidden
sorrows that is revealed only as
they appear, and of how God in
his infinite mercy and goodness
sustained and preserved his people
at such Limes,a telegram was hand
ed him while in the middle of his
discourse, summonsing him home
to tbs bedside of his dying child.
After reading the sad news he
Calmly remarked to his congrega
tion that his time for a storm had
arrived, but expressed himself as
being in complete submission to
God’s will, whethe? hfls child lived
or diefl, and preached at some
length with an overflowing heart
of gratitude to God for his great
meycy. When his discourse was
ended he bade adieu to his hear
ers and hastened away to catch
the train, leaving bis entire audi
ence, apparently, in tear? Qf sym
pathy. The application of his
text was so forceful and so timely
that it made him believe bis child
woqld flie, and at the same time
afforded him strength to bear up
unde) this great trial. He told
some flefoye he reached home that
he felt sure bis child would die,
and was surprised at his complete
reconciliation to God’s will. The
ph
ip njir ■
Mr®, As?ha Phillip*
My dear and esteemed
My first thought in writing your
name is to wish you grace, mercy
and peace; that trinity ot blessings
so often grouped together in'God’s
word.
I have been trying to find bp
explanation of the following out
of God’s mercy and compassion
ana can get no further thaji the
stubborn truth, that the Lord will
have mercy on whom he will have
mercy, and he wflf have compas
sion on whom he will have com
passion. Neither men nor angels
can search out the reason for the
display of hi® grace, I have been
thinking of two things respecting
those who receive the unspeakable
favors of God's gra»,e, mercy and
peace; that is their low estate in
nature, and their amazing riches
in the Lord. When men become
consistent disciples ot Jesus, and
express a firm belief in the doc
trine of grace as presented in the
they attribute all
soveignty and power to the Lord,
and all helpless ness and sin
to man, they at once lose the fa
vor of the world and become ob
jects ot pity to the popular church
es of the day. This is their pov
erty, perhaps, it is their safety.
The blessed Jesus made himself of
no reputation, took on the form
of a servant; and so condescended
to men of low Estate. He prom
ised his people nothing better than
this in the present life. And the
same mind whieh wag in Christ
Jesus should also be found in his
disciples. When Moses exchang
ed Egyptian splendors to identify
himself with the Lord’s slaves,
and when Paul left the Jewish re
ligion to become a disciple of the
poor Nazarene, each of them ipter
ed upon a life of reproach and
scorn- The hearts Os men ;n na?
ture have not changed toward ur.»
popular truths. The religion of
Jesus is no more in agreement
with the pride of man now than
"when he represented it himself in
person; and as it was' in the
worlds earliest ages he that was
born After the flesh persecuted him
that was born of the spirit;
even so it is now—even so it will
be. The untaught heart can nei
ther receive, or know, the things
of the spirit. And to every soul
that has tasted that love which is
more precious than rubies, its love
of the world has been sore wound
ed. If this is true, let there
deemed of the Lord say so. Let
it be the happiness of saints to
live unmoved by the powers of an
adulterous world. The Lord help
his children to so live with gar
ments unspoted by the world. The
end draws nigh when the son will
be of age to enter upon his reserv
ed, imperishable estate. The
world has nothing to give in ex
change for our eternal interest in
heaven, nor can all the powers of
evil disinherit one single soul
whom Christ has cleansed
none shall ever be able to pluck
one out of the Father’s haiida.
Blessed truth to stay us through
all the time and trials of this
world.
With sympathy and prayers for
you yourself and fellow-laborers I
remain your brother, I hope.
8. B. Luckett.
Crawfordsville, Ind t
No Cbaritj
Though I have the gift of proph
ecy, and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge, and though 1*
have aIG faith so that I cculd re
move mountains, and have not
charity, I am nothing.
That is, if I could foretell al!
future events, and preach the gos
pel with all eloquence, and under
stand all the mysteries ot Godli
ness, and of iniquity—of the trin
ity—of the convenant— of election
and predestination, and all other
mysteries, and did not leva the
people of God, I would be nothing
of benefit spiritually. That is, I 1
would be more happy with’ iovu '
for
Lx? ma #
Hie people pf God with a pure
heart fervently, anu be ignorant
of all these mysteries, than to
know them, and not have this
love..
Charity, or the love of God,
glowing in my soul which makes
me love his people and my ene
mies,. is of infimtly more value to
me, than a knowledge and under
standing of all mysteries from the
least to the greatest. I would be
happier with a heart full of love
to God’s poet little anes, than I
would be if I had faith sufficient
to stop the sunshine and shut
heaven, without this love.
Love is the greatest and most
powerful incentive to move earth
and heaven —so to speak—it is the
sweetest, most desirable, grandest
and most glorious of all blessidgs.
Oh may pure love abide with us
while we live, cheer us last on
earth, and move us first in heaven 1
Without this love I am nothing te
God’s children. If 1 never felt
this love, I am no child of Cjod—•
lam not born again— -I am nut
called to preach—l am not fit to.
be baptised, commune or wash
feet, nor obey any spiritual com
mand ; hence nothing. With it,
though I have but little else of
the spirit, I am, and can do no
ir.g without it. I am n Jthing;
and do nothing. With it I can
do all things through Christ,
which stiengthenth me with it.
W. S. Broom,
Taylorville, Texas.
IMPORTANT notice
Many of our subscribers are badly
in errears with their subscriptions—
some one and others two years and
more. These amounts are small In
themselves but when put together, if
paid, would enable us to pay off a debt
which gives us mnch concern and un
rest. If these just accounts remain
unpaid it will cripple the Bannbr per
haps serioqsly. R fakes mqqey fa
publish a pajpier, and if we fail In ooh
lecting for our labor and expense we
cannot run. Will those who owe us,
kindly think of us in our needs, and
remit as soon as possible, and thus
enable us to meet our obligations for
money; or if you cant pay, will you
kindly drop us a card and let us hear
from you? S.