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tioflship to his people, the children given to him as the Great Head of the Church. Isa. viii. 18, Heb. ii. 13. The character of the Father seems to give rise to the question of Bro. Bridges, “Was there ever a Son and no Father lor a Father, and no child ?” While it is indisputable that the character spoken of is rightly named the Everlasting Father, yet the infer ence that his children had a manifest existence co-eval with him in eternity, is not sustained by the Scrip* tures. On the contrary He says by the inspired Psalmist, “My substance was not hid from thee when t was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my sub stance, yet being unperject; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Ps. cxxxix. 15,16. In the purpose or what we sometimes call the predestination of God the children’s manifes tation was settled eternally. And in pursuance of that predestination in the fullness of the times be fore appointed the children of God are individually manifested by natural generation, and then manifest ed as the children of God. Their creation and ex istence in Christ in eternity,“before the foundation of the world, (Eph. i. 4, and ii. 10,) must not be con founded with their individual manifestation in time as members of the family of Adam. The Redeemer is the Prince of Peace to his peo. pie in his manifestation as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. In our con dition as rebels and wicked sinners against God, there is no peace or comfort for us; but when Christ is manifest in his mediatorial character as the right eousness of his people it is plain that He is our Peace, haying put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.— Heb. ix. 26. When about to leave his disconsolate disciples in this enemies’ land without his personal -• presence, he comforted them with the soul cheering assurance. “ Peace Heave with you ; my peace I give unto you.” And the people to whom he is the Prince of Peace, is evidently the same character for whom he is exalted a Prince and Savior to give repentance un to Israel , and remission of sins. Remarks on Ist John v. 21. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” These are the closing words of the inspired Apos tle in his first epistle to his brethren, and they are certainly very expressive, and as applicable now to the poeple of God as they were eighceen centuries ago. The gospel dispensation continues, God’s pur pose to call sinners by his grace, and the work of grace in the hearts of those who believe, is the same, and the same human depravity dwells in the mortal bodies of the saints now as formerly. Notwithstand ing they have been called into an expeiimental un ion with heavenly things, and have passed from death unto life, and at times rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and speak forth his praises, yet they often be come carnally-minded, and manifest, or show forth the works of the flesh, and say and do that which is forbidden by the laws of Christ. John addresses them as little children. They were the children of God inasmuch as they were born of God, and were partakers of the Divine Nature, and were in real ity, so far as their spiritual existence is concerned, the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. As the descendants of Adam in their experience of revealed truth they had received the Spirit of adoption, for God had sent forth the Spirit of his Sen into their hearts crying Abba Father. When grace reigns in the hearts of God’s children they all feel little, no one SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER. wishes to excel his brother through pride and/ vain glory, but each feels to be the least, or less than the least in the kingdom of God. They are willing to be taught of the Lord, and will not arrogate to them selves any superiority over their brethren, but are humble, childlike, and love to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart. — In the Ist verse of the 2d chap., John calls them my little children, which, to our understanding, signifies that he, as an Apostle and Minister of Christ, had begotten them through the gospel, and was qualified to teach, instruct, and admonish them in the things of the kingdom of God, as it is well know'n to the saints, or should be, that the preaching of the gospel and ministry of the word, and gifts bestowed upon the church are for the perfecting of the saints, and for the edifying of the body of Christ, &c. Those whom God has made alive from the dead, or in other words, have been born of the Spirit, need milk, and proper nourishment to grow and thrive in the gospel church and kingdom. Much depends upon a sound active church and a faithful ministry relative to the growth, instruction, and proper nourishment admin istered to young believers and little lambs of the flock. These little children in our text, were in a teachable condition, and as such, were prepared to receive instruction from the inspired Apostle. And all that John knew, the Lord had taught him, and he was, therefore, prepared to teach and instruct them, and to the Lord belonged all the glory. Keep yourselves from idols. Amen. How impor tant is this declaration and command. And yet how much it is overlooked, and not heeded by many of the professed followers of Jesus. John said in another place “ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” yet it seems to be the only con sideration in the minds of many who profess better things. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world., the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passetli away, and the lust thereof; but he that deeth the will of God abideth forever.” Some have sold their profession of Christ’s name for a mess of pottage, or some worldly gain, like Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright, or like Demas of old as Paul said, “ For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world , and is departed unto Thessalonica.” 2 Tim. iv. 10. But the saints are commanded to keep themselves from idols. Well, what is an idol? We answer, it is an image, form, or representation ot something consecrated as an object of worship, or a person loved and honored to adoration, and also anything upon which we set our affections, aside from the Supreme Creator of all things, the God of heaven and earth. — Therefore to bow down, reverence, and adore any creature, or thing of human invention as an object of love and special regard is idolatry, and the Scrip tures teach that covetousness is idolatry. The seat of idolatry is in the heart or soul of man, and what ever is desired unlawfully, is a great sin before God. As we before stated sin dwells in the mortal bodies of the saints, and is opposed to the holy and heaven ly principle of eternal life which is implanted in them which believe. Paul said to his brethren “ Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies that ye should fulfil it in the lusts thereof. Or in other words “ Let not sin have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace.” God does not command his people to do what they are not able to perform, but gives them grace according to their day. Therefore for the saints to keep themselves flom idols, is tofol- r lo# Christ, and to do what he fias commanded, and not to have their'affections set npon any of the vani ties of this world, and to make them objects of special regard and esteem. This world with its thousands of allurements pleases the fancy and imagination, and is apt to draw one’s mind on to forbidden objects. When gospel ministers are faithful in their call ing and profession to do what the Great Head of the church has commanded, and when the disciples of JeSus are also faithful in their practical course in the statutes and commandments of Zion’s King, they keep themselves from idols. Nothing can harm them so long as they follow that which is good and well pleasing to God. Amen , or so let it be , is the conclud ing word and sentiment of the Apostle in this epistle, and should be romembered by all the saints. P. RECEIPTS, For Vol. 10, No. 9, from April 14, to May 10. GEORGIA.—S. Fuller, ,60 ;G. J. Hurst, 1; W. G. Baggett, 1 ; E. Martin, 1; J. Horsely, 1; D. R. Still, 1; L. Heath, 1; W. Killgore, 1,50; D Ford, 1; A. Lawrence, 1,50; A. Kelley, 3 ; Mary A.- Cobb, 1; J. Whittle, 1; Eld. N. 11. Bacon, 1,25, Eld. W. M. Cooper, 2; Mrs. M. D. Parker, 1; E. P. Newton,!; S. Smith, 1; R. Hammack, >3; S. N. Brown, i; T. Levingston, 1 ; $26,85 ALABAMA. —S. H. Wilson, 2; E. Medley, 1; W. H. Tyler, 1: B. E. Mullens, 1; S. B. Smith, 2,50; M. Armstrong, 1; Eld. M. W, Helms, 1; Eld. M. Cornelius, 1 ; C. D. Tid well, 1; E, G. Crawford, I; 12,50 MISSISSIPPI.—A. J. Stuart, 1; Eld. J. G. Crecelius, 4; Eld. S. Harris, 1; B. M. Beamon, ,30; 6,30 NORTH CAROLINA.—R. T. Eagle, 1; J. Horner 2; 3,00 MICHIGAN.—II. Wells, 1; 1,00 TENNESSEE.—EId. J. Hendrix, 1; Mrs. N. T. Baird, 1,50 ; 2,50 FLORIDA.—W. Lee, 24; 24,00 INDIANA.—S. Teal, ,50; J. Allen, 2; D. Stockton, 1; 3,50 Total $79,65 (Obituaries, I want you to publish the death of ABNER CORNE LIUS’, Jr. son of Abner Cornelius, Sr. He was 22 years old last December; he died on the sth of April, his disease was a cancer, he was diseased about 15 years; his suffering was very great for the last three or four years. The cancer eat out one side of his face and jaw-teeth, he was a sight to be seen, but he is done with the troubles of this world ; he is gone to the world of Spirits, and we believe that he is at rest; and our loss is his eternal gain. He would often tell mother never to grieve after him, and said that ho would meet her in a better world. He bore his afflic tions with fortitude, and said that he believed it was brought on him for the good of himself and brothers and sisters. He loved to hear singing and prayer, Ilive 30 miles from them, but went to see him as of ten as I could, and when I went he always wanted me to preach, as he was not able to go to meeting. Ho has left a kind and affectionate Father, mother, broth ers and sisters to mourn his loss, but I hope we will meet him where parting is no more. Me. CORNELIUS, 71