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About The Baptist reporter. (Guyton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1888)
CORRESPONDENCE. The Withered Hand. (By Rev. Lansing Burrows, D. I>.) In the early days of our Lord’s ministry, so the evangelist Mark tells us, he entered into one of the synagogues of the Jews, ••and there}was a man there that had a withered hand.” Does he not often come into the hallowed sanctuaries now and find the same affliction ? Perhaps it is not the withering blight of disease, but none the less does he tifid, the helpful energies of many a man destroyed by a worse disease than that of body. Personal and bodily af¬ fliction may take hold ofthe best of us, and if the malady allow, the best thing we can do is to come into the sanctuary with our trouble, as did this man of whom Mark speaks. But with the withered hand that is strong in labor and weak in Christian ef- ticiencv, mendo not so readilv come ing healing at the words ofthe great Pliysi- cian. The man in the synagogue,—did lie come only from an idle curiosity to hear what the miglitv teacher had to say; or from a mat¬ ter of habit, since it was the fashion to go to the svmigogue at stated times, or in the Imml ileindulgence of a hope that he he healed ofhis infirmitv? Possible the 2nd verse of the 3rd chapter might indicate the latter, for the .enemies of Christ were seek- ing to entrap him in violations of ceremo¬ nial law. How that may be we know not. Brother with a withered hand of Christian usefulness, how do you come into thesanct- nary? That is tlie question. The hand that never gives; the hand that never heljis; the hand that is always stretched out for, more blessings and that tightens its grip on blessings that have been rendered; the hand that is occupied in ministering and that never finds aught to render to another, - is not. that a withered hand? A man may live and have a wither ed hand, for lie may he all right otherwise, Hi- may be very comely and loveable with liis withered hand. Yea, a man may Ido of srrent usefulness and have a withered hand. But it is a sad deformity, neverthe- All the powers of mind and nil the e.vcellenciesof heart, may he there, hut that which attracts tlie gaze of the by¬ stander is the withered and useless hand. So there he many men who are able to ex¬ pound all doctrine and to argue with the contentious and self-sufficient., or who may I he charming in their relations with their fellow-men, who are useless so far as the evangelization of the world goes, and that which is earlier marked in their character is the withered hand. How does the hand become withered? some men are horn with a deformity, and the hand we speak of may lie powerless be¬ cause of the lack of the divine energy. It may spring from the want of converting j tower of the Spirit of God. There may never have been any life, only a mere simulation of life, a profession of faith without any possession of it. < )f course, an unconverted man does not enjoy giving; lie is easily persuaded to he an Anti-missiona¬ ry. The first swelling of a converted heart is the exercise of love, A man must he something like Christ if lie is to he one of his. and the easiest imitation of Christ is a loving, ministering life. I may not find it easy to he pure and holy; well, let me be loving and giving. Let me he like Christ in some way. Some people think they arc like Christ if they do one or t wo things as he did,—submitting to Baptism, for ill- stance, or endorsing what he said; hut a man must be something if lie is like him. Giving is hut the outward demonstration of an inward glowing. The withered hand in Christian living means a withered heart, one must have life Di him before he can love enough to sacrifice. Perhaps the withered hand lias come from the blight of prejudice. Some hands may lie withered and deformed because of acci¬ dent. The Christian hand may have life in il from the divine springs, hut some un¬ toward liap lias,spoiled its power and use¬ fulness. Some self-opinionated mind lias made an avguement to prove nothing so much as his own skill in argueineiit. Some greedy soul has made an ill-natured remark about the large quantities of means going out of the country. Some wit has raised a laugh at tlie expense of the missionary enterprise, like that of the story that a man gave a dollar to get a cent to the heathen. And the poison has been injected into the vi ’ins and there is a fever of doubt and un¬ certainty and tlie disease lodges in the hand and it hecoins withered. The anti- missionary who argues so cogently as to his doctrine does not pause to think that lie is ol'tener poisoning ingenuous spirits who would he nobly generous if he would hut let them alone, than honoring God by shutting up the bowels of compassion against his fellow men. 1’erhaps the withered hand has become so l hrough neglect of use. There are strange tales that come to us from the Orient of men who, for religion’s sake, stretch forth their arms until by disuse they fade and shrivel and become immoveable, rt.is the persistent use that gives such power and symmetry to the arm ofthe artizan. The soul dries up in its carelessness. AY a ter to become steam must hejcontinually agitated by tlie application of heat, else, it must be- i-ome stagnant, impure, worthless, harm¬ ful. The great foe of all spiritual life is selfish indulgence. The hand that does not know how te give and help must lie con¬ tent to grow useless. Tlmt is the reason that there are so many withered hands in the sanctuary; they have not been taught to find their use in persistent helpfulness. Sometimes the hand becomes withered by neglect through the misconception of its THE HAPTIST REPORTER: AUG. 15. own power. Many arnaa is ignorant o his power, because nothing offers to draw it out. A man may say: What can I do? The only answer to that is, only a little. But he dees not want to do a little; he wants to do a great deal; and because he cannot do much, he is content to do noth- ing, and his hand withers. The drought is made for want of drops. Be responsible for vour drop, be faithful with it, and the drops will precipitate the showers. The need of missions to-day is not the want of great gifts, it is the want of little gifts; The wealthy are doing very well; the stag- nation is caused by the want of the million who can give hut little, who are doing nothing because they cannot do much. Their hands are withering. We look upon the common cent as too insignificant, and a man who gives a cent pickayunish. One cent a week from the Baptist membership of Georgia means $05,000 a year. Is that n °thing/ Brother, have you a withered hand ? a llal,(l that callnot ° Lve - a hand that k " ow " not how to help? Brother are you one of those who feels that no obligation lies up¬ on them to extend the glad tidings of the Gospel of the Christ who came to save men ? Brother, are you one of that large number who last year gave absolutely nothing to cause that lies so near the heart of your Redeemer? Look at your hand, has there been »><> for a year? Come into the sanctuary upon the Sabbath and look upon your Lord who gave himself for you. He may say to you, “Stand forth,” and when ho says that to you, do not understand it as a threat of judgement. lit; means to end heal. And there Is no healing apart from him. Only tlie Lord of the body can restore the withered hand. Do not be- moan your inefficiency; do not conclude that your case is helpless; do not quickly judge that »« responsibility hears upon you. Go toliiin with your withered hand. Many a man prays for the forgiveness of sins, and does not think to pray for increased power 01 useiulness. Many a man ilianks God for blessings, and never asks God to make ''ini a blessing to others. Many a man asks God to give him a clean heart, and never asks him lor a strong arm. Are you of these? Do you ask God to cleanse your heart and never ask him to heal your witli- ered hand? MISSIONS. By Rev. G. \V. Smith. Mill Ray. Ga. NO. o. The period over which I passed briefly in my last, article, might "ell he called " 11'“ Obscure Period,” because the information is generally scant. The churches, during this time were not situated to prepare and keep a record of their church work, and much of what they did in this way, was gathered by their enemies from time to time, and burned. But enough has been preserved to prove that the Churches of Christ in all ages, have been strong advo¬ cates of a preached Gospel to all the world. Before leaving this period, it would he well enough to cite the reader to some historical facts, which might throw some light on the subject. About the year 375,“Yalens, the Emperor, closed the Novations' churches and banished their minister.” “In the fourth century Latermil Councils’ canons were made to banish them as heretics.” These combined modes of oppression led the faithful to abandon the cities, and seek refuge in the country, which they did, particularly in the valleys of Piedmont. (Hayes' history Ba ]i. p. 207.) How precisely does these per¬ secutions answer the discription of those in the New Testament’s times. “At that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judea and Samaria. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” No Anti-mission spirit -in this. They obeyed the great commission of our Savior, amidst tlie rage of persecution, and they planted the Gospel Banner upon the soil of “Europe, particularly in Bohemia, Moravia, Switzerland and Germany.” (Hayes' his¬ tory Bap. p. 2(17.) Thus has it pleased the great Shepherd of the flock, to pass along from age to age, and from country to coun¬ try with his churches. X'ever for a moment has he allowed their principles to become extinct. Could this possibly he done in any other way than by Missionary effort ? This is certainly the spirit of Missions, which is the spirit of the word of God; when pre¬ vented from any cause in one place, go to another. When prevented in one place seek another. Does not this course of pro- ceedure require agreement? They were ev¬ idently of “one mind, of one accord,” and therefore organized in some way to carry on the Missionary work. About the year <153, during the reign of the Emperor Camstaus II, a young man named Constantine, resi- dent at Manna nails in Armenia, “was fur- uished a copy of the Gospel and the Epistles of Paul by a Deacon of the Christian Church. ‘ •This he read and obeyed.” (Ura’phis. Bap. p. 72-711.) “(shortly after lie removed to Cihassa, where he lived and labored for twenty-seven years. He became a diligent and successful preacher. Great numbers received the truth and were added to the churches. He died the death of a martyr.” About the year 810 Sergius, who became one ofthe most eminent of the joined the Paulicians. “He was influenced by a Paulician woman to examine the Scriptures for himself, which he did. “He read and thought and prayed and became a Christian indeed and in truth.” The gen¬ uineness of his conversion was exemplified by his eminently holy life and incessant zeal. He traveled over a large portion of Western Asia, preaching every where and calling on the people to abandon the follies of a corrupted Christianity, and worship God.” He spent thirty-four years in this way, and marvelous results accompanied his efforts.” (Cramp history Bap. p. lb.) “Multitudes were converted, no less than o»e hundred thousand Paulicians were put *° death from A. D. 8o<> to 83U. Sergius was one of the victims.” The Missionary spirit manifested by those brethren was evidently the cause. “During this obscure period in Europe, we cannot," says Dr. Cram]), “fully gather from the scattered historical writings, all the opinions supposed to he held by the re- formers. It is a curious fact that Italy was the fountain head of these heresies, power- lid and as cunning as the Popes were, they could not preserve their own territory from the spiritual infection. Now and then the hidden seed sprouted up and showed itself above the ground.” (Cramp’s history Bap. P. «•) This spiritual infection which invaded the territories ofthe Topes, was most assuredly the result of Missionary efforts. This spirit brought Christ to earth, and led all the Apostles to sacrifice their lives for the Cross. The persecutions endured hv all the churches of Christ during this entire period proves to a clear demonstration, that it was on account of the zeal manifested in the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Truth the Word of God. “Had we,” says I)r. Cramp, “the letters of Sergius, which Befrus Seoul us, says his followers valued highly, we would lie able to give full and accurate information concern¬ ing their work.” This, however, is certain, that a religious movement, springing from God’s word, and so fully maintained against all opposition, that two hundred years after its rise, one hundred thousand of its ad¬ herents were cut olf without destroying the body. They must have possessed a mighty influence.” (Cramp’s history Bap. p. 78.) “I agree,” says Dr. Cramp, “with Joseph Milner in this case. ■ We have One of those extraordinary effusions of the Divine Spirit, by which the knowledge of Christ and the practice of Godliness is kept alive in the world.’ Is not this the same divine spirit by which the knowledge of Christ is con¬ veyed to nil the heathen world, poured out through tin* Missionaries ofthe present age? i There is no other way known in the Divine ! "'owl, o'’ bas been revealed to Ills Church, j by which the world lias or may he diftused \ by the divine spirit, only through human in- [ slrumentality, and that Christ lias devised the means in his churches during the most obscure periods of the Christian dispensa, tion to carry out his purpose.” 1 have only referred to a few instancesdu- \ ring Ill is da rk period of the church, to prove that God’s plan for carrying on 11 is work could not lie frustrated, even during these most perilous times. Many others could he mentioned, hut if they will not believe God's word, “They would not believe one though he were to rise from the dead." The true Church of Christ, has respected the laws of his kingdom ill every age of the Christian dispensation. He has founded his church on a sure foundation, and he so securely guards it, that all tlie powers of darkness combined, “.Shall not prevail against it." The means for its support are also securely set forth, and provided, and will he in all time to come, in despite of all the anti-mission spirits in tlie land. Glory to liis name for such bountiful pro¬ visions! What I have said must suffice for the obscure period. In my next article I will begin with .Mis¬ sions in modern times. This perhaps, would have been quite sufficient, with the Bible in hand, to have satisfied all unbiased minds on the subject. But some of our anti-mis¬ sion brethren claim priority denomination¬ ally, upon tlie ground that the modern mis¬ sionary effort was unknown to primitive churches, and their successors. I have thought it would lie in place to call their at¬ tention to gome of the historical facts rela¬ tive to the churches in carrying out the spirit of the great commission, in tlie most obscure periods. I wish to remind them sit the same time, that their position lias no rep¬ resentation beyond the year 1827, about which time they departed from primitive principles, on the subject of missions, and thereby stand as secessionists to first princi¬ ples on this subject. The Master has com¬ manded ids followers to "preach the Gospel to every ereatuoe," hence it is a question of loyalty. ZEKE JOHNSON S LETTER. Looking Back—thoughts on Death- Old Songs—Going to Work. Where is cousin Jonh? He must he pull¬ ing fodder. Come, Jonh, sharpen your goose-quill and pitch in. The editor says he will have plenty of room. I love to read the letters in the Reporter. I got to studying the other day about lots of things; about what I know and what 1 don’t know, and 1 think I don’t know more than 1 know. Sally says that’s the way of it, and what she don’t know would make some big hooks. I have had a sorter sneak¬ ing idea all along, that Sally was smarter than me, and I think she has the same idea too. But the wisdom of the Johnson family never does much harm. When I try to look hack at my life it makes me feel had. I can see so many failures; so many years gone never to return, so many opportunities to learn, to do good, to grow in grace and use¬ fulness, to do kind acts when I neglected them, to make hearts glad by a little deed of love. O how I wish that I could recall some oflife’sopportunities. I’d try to lie a better man, a better husband, a better father, a better neighbor, a better citizen, a better Christian, (if 1 may claim Hie name). Young men, I tell you lost opportunities never comeback. Many of your had habits will hang to you to the grave. Death is a sad thought. I was thinking about it yesterday. Some day, 1 know not when, old Zeke will die, maybe suddenly, maybe after long and painful sickness, maybe conscious, maybe unconscious, I cannot tell. But sometime ere long 1 must meet the dread messenger. The physician's help, the tearful prayer will he vain. The light will fade from these old eyes, the hand that writes these lines will he still, the old heart that throbs with the emotions of a secret prayer for sustenance in that hour, will cease to move, and I shall ex- pjore that.country where spirits go. I sup- pose they will burv me, the worms will feed on on poor old body, and in a few days the tears will all he dry and that will be the pist at 1 mt 1 so far as the world is concerned, what the reward in that other world will he 1 cannot tell, hut l believe in Jesus Christ iU1( ] “1 - have a sweet hope that in heaven above The Savior is waiting for me; That ransomed and saved by his mere;) Mv tvi ”' I i < ( | He’ll he.” But l tell you, dear reader, if it was not foi- tlie hope that I have in Jesus 1 would be a very miserable man. Sometimes I have anticipations of heaven; I seem to have a kind of fore-taste of the joys in store for the p,, jtliful, and this poor old stammering tongue tries to sing: “On Jordan’s stormy hanks 1 stand. And east a wishful eye; To Canaan’s fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie.” O, how good these old songs are! 11 ' 1 could sing like some people, I’d weary Sally terribly. Seems to me that the old songs are the best or the sweetest. 1 remember hear¬ ing my old mother sing, U How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,” many a time, and when 1 hear that blessed old song, it moves this old heart and wets these old eyes with tears. Thank God for that song, and for putting it into Kirkliam’s heart. There are songs for every trial and station in life. I was at a Methodist meeting once and the preacher got happy, reckon, and broke out. “Dear brother, ain’t you lmppy, And don’t you want, to go, To leave this world of trials And troubles here below? Lord 1 want more religion To help me on to Thee.” Vm , ( . (X ,. S pe01 , Ie wuilt nmre , ,, ml „ e ed more. Some unknown poet contemplating death, says, “<) for the death of those, That slumber in the Lord! (), he like theirs’ my last repose, Like their’s my hist reward!” But jierliaps tlie tenderest. and most con¬ soling song for us in the contemplation of our departure from earth, is tlie sweet, sad lines by .Mrs. Macay, “Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep, From which none ever wakes to weep— A calm and undisturbed repose, Unbroken by the last of foes. Asleep May in Jesus! O, for me such a blissful refuge he: Securely shall my ashes lie, And wait the summons from on high. Brethren, (sisters too, especially) I think if we would all sing more we would get along better. When Sally sings we always have a happy day. If all tlie Sallies and Zekes would sing more and grunt and grow! less this would he a much better world. “Singon Ye ransomed your heavenly sinners' way, Sing rejoicing sing; In Christ on tlie Eternal every King.” day, The devil can’t stand a singing church or Christian. They never have any singing where lie stays, it is all crying, and sighing and wailing. O, the terrors of a place where songs are never heard! God save us from such a world as that! 1 hope our prospects are better at Cypress Creek Church; we are going to work pretty soon. We have lead no conference since my last. Zeke Johnson. MLSSIOXAKY TOUR. Dear Importer :—Having met Bro. Gelg- cv at Springfield, and enjoyed several of liis excellent sermons, with which the church was highly pleased and by which they feel greatly henefitted, I started on my,line of appointments. As Guyton was nearly on my route, I decided to go and see Bro. T.AY. Lanier, hoping to learn that his health is improving, I also hoped to gain more know¬ ledge from Bro. Scnrboro of tlie work before me, ami thereby catch more zeal in the cause of Jesus for this part ofhis vineyard, i could not have gone to a better mail than Bro. Scarboro. His heart grew warm, and Ills’eyes were filled with the emotions of his soul as he talked of these neglected spots; fields ripe unto harvest without a reaper to cast in his sickle for tile Lord’s garner. N’or was he less ardent when lie reasoned on the subject of temperance. Few, indeed, were the afternoons of my life that were spent more pleasantly or profitably. After prayer meeting l spent the night with Bro. T. AY. Lanier. If a man’s infiu- ence is to be measured by his efforts to ac¬ complish something in life, and he of ad¬ vantage to the community and age in which he lives,Bro. Lanier’s influence is not weak. On the fourth of July, I crossed the Ogee- chee and met a small congregation at Union Fond. Tins church is so small that it can scarcely he seen with the natural eye. If some preacher, living sufficiently near, or serving a church In reach, would constantly visit and pray with the non-professors living within a radius of four or five miles of this place, such labors would soon pro .luce a magnifying glass through which could be seen a large, well proportioned a ml prosper¬ ous church. 'The attendance at Cleveland was large and interest good. There will, ere long, doubtless he a church at this place. 5 At Excelsior, this energetic, devoted and noble brotherhood treated me as they are in the habit of treating Baptist preachers, by appreciating me and my services, caused me to appreciate them while I was present, and on my.leaving gave me a purse to keep the witch’s old sadde from wearing my clothes thread-bare on my journey. At Salem the congregation was small: but for once, perhaps, the old maxim, “the fewer, the better share,” was verified, as those present enjoyed the services. At Evergreen, having held four services with these brethren, we said “good bye,” to meet more new faces at Mt. Zion. To men¬ tion the names of the many excellent breth¬ ren we met, would he too tedious, and to mention some, would he only to omit scores; the most worthy one of whom none could de¬ cide. At Mt. Jazer, the church and people en¬ joyed the meetings, llro. Floyd Williams, a member of this church and ofthe Executive Committee, asked me if I could serve the ('11 ion Association as missionary; I was then hardly prepared to answer. But since, 1 have decided if the Union and Mt. Vernon Associations will together employ me, as¬ signing my territory in the southern and western portions of the Union and in the southern and eastern portions of Mt. Ver¬ non. If these two associations will co-op- erate with the State Board, and make a three years’ contract with me at a salary sufficient to support my family, a wife and two children, I will move to that territory and labor in that capacity. Bro. Patil lo is laboring faithfully and ac¬ ceptably for the Mt. Vernon Association, hut the field is entirely too large for him. The Methodists and Advents are stepping lively; hut the Baptist vineyard is almost without laborers, because “no man has hired” them. The month 1 have just spent, unltiml, in this part- of the vineyard, is In far the most profitable month of my life. It is sad that we, the holders up of God’s eternal truth have failed to he vigilant over this part of our charge, and the wicked one, seeing our carelessness, has sent there a re¬ ligion, so called, alas! a diabolical dogma, rather, that just suits the sinner’s heart. hut deludes his mind, and instead of saving condemns his immortal soul. I formed my conclusion after conversation with several of ( avgyle's followers, whom 1 met in Emanuel and counties. But to return to the details of my tour, At Reidsville, had a pleasant and respect¬ ful audience, to whom I delivered* a inedio- cral sermon; and, after dining with Bro. McGee, started for Union Hill, where I met a congregation full of that gist and vim of¬ ten characteristic of young churches. That night 1 went near Providence to Mr. James Usher’s formerly a resident of this (Screven) county. The next morning I went with him to his fish trap in the Altanmha, and I saw liim and his son Eli, take a fish that weighed twenty-eight pounds. We then hung up a watermelon that pulled down fifty-six pounds. About two hours after the next meal, l told Air. Usher that my. wife’s fami¬ ly suffered from hereditary indigestion, and that 1 was then fully realizing that 1 was a member of that family. The four services held with this church were highly enjoyed. It was here I met Bro. James Evans and his son Benjamin, from Screven, who, after treating me most kindly at their homes ae- eompanied me to Alilligan's Creek, where we were met by a small hand of first-rate and high-toned citizens. That night I met Bro. Patillo at Long Pond. The next day we dined at Dr. Aloblev’s. The doctor is of a reticent and inohtrusive nature,hut a man of fine sense and very generous. The kind- ness we received from himself and family. can hardly die while memory lives. Thence we went to hold two meetings, one at Union Hill and one at Alilligan’s Creek. These meetings were good. The only regret was that we were compelled on account of other engagements, to close them too soon. There were two accessions at Union Hill, and Bro. Mann’s son and two daughters joined at Alilligan’s Creek. Thence to Mt. Vernon. Thence to the gen- e ral meeting at Pendleton’s Springs. The (!row d was small on Friday, but much larger on Saturday. After the sermon it was moved that we discuss the question: “Is feet washing an ordinance or an example? if either, why not observe it?” After a con- tinned and warm debate, it was resolved that we adopt the old decision of forty years ago: “As regards the washing of the saints’ feet, let every one enjoy liis own opinion, and observe this example whenever he and one or more ofhis brethren desire, provided they do not consider it a church ordinance, as there is no Scripture to warrant such a con¬ clusion.” Here I left Bro. Patillo, and after a very hard drive Sunday morning reached Poplar Spring at the conclusion of the services, to announce to the brethren from the various churches that l would not pass back through Emanuel and Bulloch as I had said in the tion Reporter, of August hut would spend the better por¬ in Montgomery county. It would have afforded me great pleasure to visit tlie many friends and brethren whose had acquaintance I formed last year In Emanuel, not a better knowledge of the destitution directed me differently. There is a call from tlie Enal,Bulloch neighborhood of Air. Win. Michael’s near some Baptist preacher county, which it is to he hoped I must will soon answer. and 1 must now stop lease for the sake of brevity, as home lor my second trip. Vivian, g <>• J. Thompson. a. So Nice. Several hundred of our subscribers are in arrears. It would he so nice if all would re¬ new. We kiiuH this is a time when mono it?) is^soaree, (did you suppose wc didn’tknow and that is the reason it would he so uiee to get a few dollars. Cottou is opening and we are looking for all our friends to new as soon as they We re¬ urged by a host of brethren can. have been Reporter weekly; to make tlie a we have done it, now what may we expect of you, brethren? v .tr. * — *~-..
