Newspaper Page Text
162
given for jealousy to arise, because all prove theit
faith by their works, and the language of the Psalm
ist is applicable, “ Behold how good and how peas
ant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
And then no just occasion is given to the world to
speak reproachfully of us, or the'cause we have es
poused. But even our enemies would be put to si
lence when they beheld our chaste conversation
coupled with fear, while ministers, deacons, and all
other members in their places march onward ac
cording to the rule Jesus has given. They indeed
look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear
as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,
letting their light shine before men, and glorify
their Heavenly Father. But if the light that is in
them be darkness, how great is that darkness !
D,-a brethren, we close with an exhortation to love
and good works, praying that God may enable us
to use the good things of this world as not abusing
them, but making them subservient to the great
and important duties we owe to our God, and to
one another, praying without ceasing, and in every
thing giving thanks, walking truly as the children
of light and looking with anxiety for the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Savior|Jesus
Christ. Blessed are they that do his command
ments that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city,
(or church and the enjoyment of gospel privileges,)
for without are dogs and sorcerers, and vvhore-mon
gers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever
loveth and maketh a lie. Therefore, comfort one
anothet in speaking and obeying the truth. Little
children keep yourselves from idols. The grace
of God be with you all, Amen.
D. W. PATMAN, Moderator.
I. M. David, Clerk.
’ 7 —i > *
CORRESPONDING LETTER.
The Oconee Association in Session, 1860, to her
sister Associations with whom she corresponds
sends greeting.
Dear and Beloved Brethren —Through the
continued mercies of our God we have again enjoy
ed another pleasant meeting, during which the
brethren have been entirely united in the transac
tion of business. While the preaching of all the
brethren has been harmonious, testifying that sal
vation is of the Lord, and greatly to the edifica
tion and comfort of the children of God. Your let
ters, minutes and messengers have been heartily
received by us, while with them we have truly en
joyed Christian fellowship, aud that this desirable
coriespondencemay be continued, we have appoint
ed our beloved brethren, whose names you will find
in another place in our minutes to bear ihis letter
and a package of our minutes to your next meet
ing, whom we hope you will receive as heretofore.
May God in mercy keep you and us from every
false way, and guide us in the way of all truth,
that we may walk in lowliness of mind and broth
erly love, that our Christian correspondence may
continue to the glory of God and to the mutual
comfort of us all is our earnest desire for Christ’s
sake, Amen. Our next meeting, (if the Lord will,)
SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER.
will be with the church at Gravelly Creek, Jackson
county, Ga., three miles north of Hurricane Shoals,
on Saturday before the second Sunday in Oct.,
1861, where we hope again to enjoy the company
of your messengers, and your letters and minutes.
D. W. PATMAN, Moderator.
I. M. DAVID, Clerk.
(Ernumunications.
Jewett Centre, N. Y., Sept. 18, 1859.
Dearly Beloved Sister in the Lord— Your
last letter came to hand on the 3rd of Sept. I will
assure you it was joyfully received. I again felt re
freshed in spirit, my heart comforted in reading its
contents, I felt to thank God and take courage, be
lievins: that the Lord has a few chosen witnesses
yet on the face of the earth‘who are contending
for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
Dear sister, I do not know as I ever had such feel
ings towards any one as I have bad towards you
since reading yout letters. I have felt to say in
the language of Ruth, “Truly your God is my God.”
I think I have had many infalliable proofs and tes
timonies that you are led by the same spirit, always
trusting in the mighty God of Jacob from whence
cometh all our help. I find that you are like my
self a changeable creature, but trusting in an un
changeable God, whose mercy and goodness is
ever abounding to sinners. 0, my sister, I love that
doctrine which exalts the mighty God of Jacob, and
humbles poor, sinful worms of the dust as I am in
ashes. O, my sister, I feel poor and needy of my
self, I often feel to cry out,? Ah, my leanness, ray
leanness, surely there is no good thing dwelleth
in my flesh. I have thought of late, the more
grace we have give* us, the more knowledge we
have of a glorious and exalted Redeemer, the
worse we look to ourselves, for we find nothing in
wretched self but sin and pollution ; sin defiled with
in and without. O, it causes the poor soul to cry
out in the bitterness of his soul, 0 Lord, be merci
ful to me a sinner, save Lord or I perish ! O ves,
they feel that their own strength is perfect weak
ness, their wisdom, folly, their own righteousness
as filthy rags. After reading your last letter I
thought of a good many things. You spoke of your
feeling so low down at times, you thought it was
for the best that you should be humbled that faith
might triumph, I thought of this Scripture, For
whatsoever is horn of God overcometh the world,
and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
■ 7
even our fail h.O,dearsister,l have thought sometimes
I could look away by an eye of faith to that holy
city New Jerusalem, it seemed as if I was really
dwelling with ihat heavenly host of just men made
perfect, that innumerable company of angels sing
ing, Halleluiah, salvation, and glory, and honor,
and power unto the Lord our God ; for true and
righteous are his judgments. When I have such
heaven'y views 1 forget the things that are behind,
can look forward toward the the mark of the
praizeof our high calling which is in Christ Jesus.
It t is thea I can rejoice in Christ Jesus and put no
confidence in the flesh. Sometimes I feel to adopt
the language of the apostle. I am crucified wiih
1 Christ, nevertheless I live, yet but Christ
liveth in me> and the life which I now live in the
flesh, I live by ibe faith of the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me. O, clear sitter,
let us rejoice in the Lord and shout praises unto
the most high God, for he has triumphed glorious
ly, he has gotten us the Victory through the blood
of the Lamb. He trod the wine press alone, Hia
own arm brought salvation. There has many
things run through my mind since reading your
last, I think 1 have had strong evidence that the
great Deliverer dwells in Zion. I firmly believe that
he will deliver the righteous out of all their troubles
and make a way for their escape. There is a plen
ty of testimony witnessing that all things work
gether for good to them that love God, to them
that are the called according to his own purpose
and grace. Dear sister, lam one of the sort that
often get in Doubting Castle and fear that I am
not one of the Lord’s chosen ones, for I am so un
like the blessed Jesus. Sometimes I think I don’t
bear any fruit of the Spiiit. It often appears to
me that I can see the image of Christ in others,
but not in myself. The good Shepherd tells us that
it is not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, that shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven, but him that
doeth his will. When my mind gets dark and
gloomy, shut up, the Lord will appear after awhile
by applying some precious promise to my mind
which I can feed upon. The Lord is good, a strong
hold in the day of tiouble ; a present help in time
of need. O, dear sister, one year ago iny mind
got very dark, I felt as if I was hedged in on every
side, I felt to weep and mourn, as you expressed I
well knew that the Spirit was absent with me, I
could not find conjfort me ; after awhile
these words came with great force to my mine!,
“ Weep not 1 for behold the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open
the book and to loose the seals thereof.” O, such
heavenly views as I had at that time I cannot de
scribe ; if ever I had a view of heaven it was at that
time. I thought I could behold the Lamb of God
which taketh away the sin of the world. I thought
I could understand the Scripture in truth. O, I
thought truly he was a friend to publicans and
sinners ! O, yes, he came to seek and to save that
which was lost. He came not to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance. The whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick. It seemed as if
I could see him interceding for his people. With
him there is forgiveness of sins. O, yes ! it is all
in and through him : we have redemption through
bis blood and the forgiveness of sins. Much more
then now justified by his blood we shall be
saved by his life. O, yes ! he brought immortality
to light through the gospel; it is in his light that
we can see light. The light shineth in darkness,
the darkness oomprehendeth it not. O, I have
thought most surely The Lord dwells in thick
daikness. Ibe Lord is every where a present God.
True, his ways are unsearchable and past finding
out. Dear sister, there are many things I should