Newspaper Page Text
Biintlinatli Banner & Ocrolice Bajjffef.
JESSE M. WOOD, I
Editor. J
H. C. HORMADT, Americus, Ga. x
L. T. DO YAK, Griffin. Ga. /
J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala. f Cor/-e»/»wd»nn Editor*.
D. P. EVERETT, Florida. )
JOS. N. BAKER, Fla. Traveling Correspondent.
Wm&BAPTIST.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
Weekly, (fifty Nos.,) per annum, invariably ■
m advance, s2.(j() i
All communications pertaining to the Paper i
and Office, should be directed to tlie “ Banner I
6 Baptist,” Atlanta, Georgia; al) private cor
respondcnce directed to JESSE M. WOOD. j
Those forwarding names of subscribers or re-1
mittances, should always write the name of Post
Office, County, and State, in full
Money due the Office, may be sent by mail at
our risk—al ways mail it in presence of a friend,
(other than the P. M.,) or procure a friend to
mail it for you—never register.
Contributors should write only on one side
of each leaf; and number the pages, 1,2, 3, Ac.
The Editor will be responsible only for his
own articles.
A I>\ ERTISLNQJSCH EDU I.E\ •
:1 Jfo. 2 3fo. 3 Jf«. i« Mb. 9 Ma. 12Jfo.
IhquarbJ 2 &U|ss 00,8 7 Obi* 800 Obi #l4 00
2 SQ’UH 500 750 10 00; 12 00, 18 00 22 00
3 sq’bs 700 10 00 12 001 10 00 24 00 30 00
4 sq’rs 900 12 00 15 00; 20 (X) 30 001 30 00
5 sq’rs 11 00 14 00 17 00- 24 00 34 00 42 00
ti sq’hs 12 50 10 00, 19 001 28 00 38 00 40 00
7 hq’rs 14 00 17 50' 21 001 32 00 42 00' 50 00
8 sq’rs I 15 00 19 00 22 00; 35 00 45 00 54 00
9 sq'rs 10 00 20 00 : 23 00: 38 00 48 00 57 00
10«j’rsJ_17 00 21 00' 24 00| 40 00| 50 00 00 00 .
A Square, is the space occupied by ten lines
of Minion type.
One Square, one insertion, $1.50; and SI.OO
for each subsequent insertion.
Professional and Business Cards, not ex- ;
ceeding five lines, $5 per annum; each addition- .
al line sl,
Special Notices, fifteen cents per line, for 1
the first insertion; ten cents per line for each <
subsequent insertion. (
School Advertisements.—Our charges for
School advertisements will be the same as for <
others, when not paid in advance. When paid
in advance we will deduct Twenty-five cents
im the Dollar from our regular charges. 1
Cash for Advertisements considered due, and
collectable, at one half the time contracted for
insertion. Yearly advertisements, due and pay- 1
able quarterly. i
JESSE M. WOOD, ;
JOHN If. RICE. 1
Proprietors. I ■
II I (
SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. t
And at that time shall Michael stand up, I
the great prince which stamleth for the 1
children of thy people : and there shall Im* t
a time of trouble, such as there never was (
since there was a nation even to that same
time : and at that tint:* thy people shall bo ’
delivered, every one that shall be found I
written in the lwa>k. And many of them (
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall .
awake, some to everlasting life, ami some
to shame and everlasting contempt. And *
they that be wise, shall shine as the bright- j *
ness of the firmament; and they that turn |
many to righteousness, as the shirs forever i f
and ever. But thou, <> Daniel, shut up the ! r
words, and seal ihr- b<>ok, even to flic time i .
of the end: mnitv shall run to and fro,and ' 1
knowledge shall Le increased. ■ '*
Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, there
stood other two, the one on this side of t
the bank of the river, and the other on that |
side* of the bank of the river. And one |
said to the man clothed iu linen, which was 11
upon the waters of the river, How long i (
shall it be to the end of those wonders !! „
And I heard the man clot hod in linen, which ' fl
was u|s>n the waters of the river, when he j
held up his right hand and his left hand tin- r
to heaven, and swam by him that liveth <
for ever, that it shall be tor ti time, times, i
ami a half; ami when ho shall haveaccom- ’
plislie.l to scatter the power of the holy
people, all those things shall he finished.— i *
And 1 heard, but I understood not: then f
said I, O my lord, what shall be the end of
these things? And ho said. Go thy way,' t
Daniel: for the words are dosed up and t
sealed till the time of the end. Many shall i
be purified, and made white, and tried ; but 1 1
the wicked shall do wickedly ; and none of |
the wicked shall understand; but the wise .'
shall understand. Ami from the limo that <
the daily sacrifice shall lie taken away, and
the abomination that inaketh desolate set
up, there shall be a thousand two hundred 1
and ninety days. Blessed is ho that wait- '
eth, uml coinnth to the thousand three t
hundred mid five and thirty days. But go ;
thou thy way till the eml be; for thou shall
rest, mid stand iu tin lot at the end of the
days. ’ DANIEL. '
«■ ■ !
IRK WE GRYTEFt I. t I
It was the one great object of our Savi- ■ 1
our, when <<n earth, “to do good to all.”— ,'
He came to minister to the needy, to re
lieve the oppresstsj, the care worts mid the
weary, “to sts>k ami to save that which was
lost.”
\ sad instance is given of our pnuieness j <
to ignore the source of our blessings, when* ;
Jesus was pissing through Samaria and ;
Galilee.
Ten lepers Stood star oii'mul tried ■ “Jv
sus. Master, have merct on us . .lesus
bade them—”'«*> show yourselves unto the i
priests.” And as they went they were
cleansed. Os them, all but one leturmsl
to glorify God. He prostrated himself at
Jesus' fi«ct to return thanks.
Jesus said: “Were there not ten clean
sed f but when* are the nine Now,
even day is bearing with it like record* of
<>ur ingratitmle. W e are all ill the daily
etiiovuient God's mercies ami blessings ;
vet. bow many of us. when we fully real-’
lie th ir value, return to glorify God ?
Ala«. too many of us are Numbered with
lhe ume! Wr are willing to U* cleansed,
Imt. unlike the Samaritan, we fiu-get to re
turn the iaee<l of |.rai-< to Him to whom it
is due. Let us cherish that heart-felt gra?
. .. X. W h -ii .' is OUTS to
render- A life of thaiiksgtviug Is Imt a
small return b>r G.A s unsjs ak ilde gift.
FDK THK RDYS.
Seven classes «•< company arv tu be
avoahsl. vis:
1. who rhikmle their jutrent* <w
d solx-v their owninauds.
*2 Thosj' who prt'UHe the ?'sb*'*th. or
setWT at religion.
S. Tit ww ho w*e pn ‘fam - nr filthy lan
guage
4 TV-<. who are untruthful.’ play tru
ant ami waste thesr time in idleness.
5. Those who are of a qtMrn*Uwnc tem
per, anJ are a|»t to gel into a difficulty with
others.
H. Th-'** who are »ldn*t«sl to h mg-
T. Th'"* who arc of a cruel Jispo®iCe»n,
au.i taka jdeas.ire in torturing or manning
animal*.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1860.
For the Banner & Baptist.
| THE REIGN OF CHRIST.
; An Essay written for a Ministers Meeting,
held at Hardis, Cobb Co., Ga.
i ’
I • BY 8. M. PVLES.
1
■ “Thou has put all things under his feet.”
M A’, e. ft.
This passage seems an address
to God, the eternal Father, and the inspires]
writer asserts most positively that Gm]
has put all things under the feet of some
one. By “his” we are to understand Christ.
Then the sense of the text is—That God
hath put al; limigs ; u Jcr Christ. I
It might be necessary before entering
upon the investigation of this subject, to
make a few remarks in relation to the ap
parent inferiority of Christ, to God the
Father. There are many passages which
favor this idea. For example—“ Thou hast
made him a little lower than the angel’s.”
2 Ps. “lie was made of a woman, made i
under the law.” “I came .to do the will of
him that sent me.” “I can do nothing of
myself. “My Father which sent me is
greater than all.” “No man know eth, save
the Father only, not even the Son.” All
these passages, and many more convey to
our minds the inferiority of Christ, the
the Son, to God the Father. Hence the
consistency of the expression in the text—
Thou (God) hath put all things under him
(under Christ.)
But it may he asked, How is this idea
of inferiority in the Son, to be reconciled
and made to harmonize with that other
idea of equality. For example—“l and my
Father are one.” “In the beginning was
the. word, and the word was with God, and
the word was (rod.” “There are three that
bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these
three are one.” “Unto ns a child is burn,
unto us a son is given, and the government
sliall be upon his shoulders, his name shall
lie called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty
God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of
peace.” Again, the Father addressed him
on this wise, “Thy throne, o God, is for
ever and ever.”
All these passages prove the Divinity of
t'hrist, and his equality with God, the
Everlasting Father. How then are we to
iiariiionize these "seeiuiiigty ' conflicting
idea* ? I auawer-*-
Ist. Those passages which present Christ
to our minds as inferior to God, the Fath
er, have reference to him as an officer, act
ing in th.* capacity of mediator, between
God and man. In his incarnation as con
nected with the work of redemption, and
as having assumed a human body, he is
regarded inferior to the Father, having con
descended to unite himself to frail human
ity.
2nd. Those which convey the idea of
equality, have rcferetiei* to his divine na
ture in the almtract.
I cannot eoneeive of three in one, only as
the-relations these parties sustain
to man, and to each other, iu the work of
redemption.
God the Father is th.- offended—God the
Sou agrees to make reparation—God, the
Spirit, agre«‘s to apply the virtue of the
work of the Son to man, and thereby quali
fy him to come into the presence of his
God. Now whilst it is true that these
three are one in c*u*tn-e, yet they are three
in office.
God, the Father, sits enthroned as the
supreme Lawgiver. God, the Sou, is en
gaged in the work of mending a broken
law, and opening up away of access to the
offi*nd<sl Father, for thft vile transgressor.
To do this requires great ootidesi-ension.
Hence the inferiority. But then, the law
living magnifual. the breach mended, there
must Im» conformity iq»on the part of man I
to the w ill of G.sl; a oneness of feeling, ’
and sentiment. C*nisisjuently the Holy !
Spirit ccftnes down to earth to apply the :
merits of Christ; to sanctify the heart and
tHrttire, and bring about a reconciliation.— !
Tim* do we reisvneile these apparent dis
en-js-ncH-s. and proceed to remark the i
reign of Chriat is—l) Spiritual; 2) Per~ ■
tanal.
We notes’ first that the reign of Christ
is a spiritual reign.
As to the subjects «.f this reign, they j
must Ik* vsvnfiiriiieJ to the mind and will i
of the Kiug; or otherwise there would be i
a want of conformity—a want of acqities
eence on the part of the subjects, in what
the King eiyoinetl. To secure this state of
things, there must be a work perforated in
nMn —his vile and relielliotis nature must
be charisrcil and milaiued. This is the work
of the Holy Spirit. The sinner having been
renewed in heart and mind, and his spirit
conformed to ami enlish-d for t hrist, Ae
liresvmes a w illing subject of the reign of
Mesiah ’They must lw willing subh'ets, to
censure cheert'ul obedience, without which
there could be ho real happiness. This en
terprire was the sulqect of thought before
the world liegun. The parties ovmp-vsuig
the G’sl hcaii, covenanted t>vgrther, to re
deem a peofde, over whom and in whose
hearts Christ should reign. i»od. the Father
promisial the *yu that he should have the
heathen fi*r an inheritance, ami the utter
most parts of rhe earth for a possesaion;
2nd Ps. It i« said, in the same chapter, v.
S. that He throne is fi ire ver and ever. —
“Christ was set up from everlasting. Xo
“HIS BANNER OVER" US IS “LOVE"
time in the past, when he did not exist.
1 “He is King Eternal, invisible.”
“Thy throne, O God, is forever and evei
, die. But an objector may say that thi
only relates to the future; very good. Bu
; then, what of this passage ? Ps. 92, 2
i “Thy throne is established of old ; thou ar
■ from everlasting.” Here, “Thy throne i
: exbiljllsheir''— in the past —and then tha
there should be no misunderstanding, t.h<
Holy Spirit adds, “is established of old."—
And then in confirmation of this saim
idea, he goes farther—hear him. “Thou (thi
king) “art from, euerlastiug." As though
he had said, there has been no time in the
past, when ho did not exist, and when his
throne stood .firm as tjie eleriuil aiitLjomm
table God.
The close of the sentence show’s that this
language is used in reference to the spirit
ual reign of Christ for says the LLoly Spit
it, sth verse : “Thy testimonies are sure ;
Holiness bo.eometh thine house, (> Lord,
ti: rever.”
Thine house. The subjects of thy reign.—
Can there bo further proof needed? If so.
we give you another text. 7th verse of the
45th Psalm shows that the Lord Jesus
Christ is here spoken of: “Thou Invest
righteousness and hatest inequity, there
fore God, even thy God, hath annointed
thee above thy fellows.” Who, we ask, is
annointed above his fellows but Christ?
Hence we conclude that Christ is ordained
of God King. That He, God, hath given
him subjects; and further that these sub
jects must be willing subjects. “Thy people
shall be a willing people ir. the day of thy
power,” is the language of the holy writ.
Another argument in favor of this proposi
tion is that the Devil is reigning, as the
opposite influence over the sons and daugh
ters of Adam, and holding them in captiv
ity, and this reign of his is spiritual reign
ing, and universal in the hearts of all our
race, and must, and will thus reign and
hold in possession every’ son and daughter
of Adam’s race, until he, the I lev’ll, is de
throned, and another takes possession. As
the Devil is powerful, and can only he de
throned by’ one more powerful, and as he
hits attained to the highest point of power
and influence possible to be attained by
any in opposition to Christ, and as his
reign is supreme to omnipotence, must
interfere in order to disposess the strong,
that the s/rongrr may But A*- t<- .<
itself teaches the doctrine for which we con
tend, “Thou (God, the eternal Father) hast
put alt things under his (under Christ.)”
feet. What does this teach, but that the eter
nal God has given him dominion and glory,
and power, majesty and might.
But, says Paul, “We see not yet all thing
put under him,” Hcb. 2, 9. “But we see
Jesus who was made a little lower than
the angels, crowned with glory, and honor.”
We see not all things put under him. This
passage is explained by another, 1 Cor. 15,
22 —25; “For as in Adam all die, even so
shall all so- made alive iu Christ. But
even man in his own order; Christ the
first fruits; afterwards they that are
Christ’s at his coming. Thon cometh the
end, when ho shall have delivered up the
kingdom to God, even the Father: when
ho shall have put down all rule and au
thority, and power. For he (Christ) must
reign till he hath put all enemies under his
feet.” Here the Apostle tells us, that all
things are not yet put under him, and yet
he is reigning. This is still lietter explained
by Peter who tells us, -he (Christ) is ex
alted a prince and a Savior, to grant repent
ance to Israel, and remission of sins.” As
a prime and N-irfor. and as Lawgiver to
Zion, he sits enthroned to bestow gifts on
his people —to rule over them, and to
direct an<l guide them in their warfare, un
til the fullness of the time, when he shall
deliver up all into the hands of the Father.
’ Then it will be that the last enemy shall
I lie ilestroyisl. IPAea he shall hare put
: down all rule and authority; as much as to
i sav all rule ami authority w ill not l*c put
! down until the end comes. The “end" here
I is the close of the present economy or dis
' pensation. The reign of Christ is a spiritual
reign, his kingdom a spiritual kingdom un
! dor this reign of grace, or gospel economy;
land the work of the establishment of thi*
j spiritual reign is the work of the church.
; or people ofGml, aided by the Holy Spirit,
j Unto the church is committed a dispetMa
i tion of the truth, or gospel of Jesus Christ
i which gospel “is the power of <bxl ante
; salvation.” Ileixv the wistlom, the pro
priety of the commission, “Go, teach all
I nations“Go ye into all the world
preach the goopel to every creature,” Ac
•In confirmation of the above, “And this
’ gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in
’ all the world for a w itness unto all nations.
‘ and then shall the end come.” The end ol
■ what! The end of tin' reign of grace; eml
‘ of gospel opportunities ; the final consuma
tion of the gospel kingdom—the compleU
establishment of Christ’s authority. Vnti
' then Christiana are called upon to aid it
I the work of the extension of the reign o
t'hrist. Christ reigns as frinj. As sucl
he has subject*. These snbjeets are reeogn
uresl as workers together with him. Aik
■ thei are ex|ieet«'d to be possessed ot hi:
sprit. they must possess "his spirit
or they ore none <4* his.” Rom. 8. 9.
Then if not Christ’s, they are with anti
. Christ; and whilst there is any aa&Chris
iu the world, all things are not yet put uu
> i Jer him, and just so king as there is an;
anti-Christ, or want of conformity to Chris
there is work for the church to do. Ai
. r other thought, just here, it is this: “
j s pleased the Father ,to make perfect th
a t captain of our salvation through suffering.
__ “Christ endured the cross, despised th
rt shame, and is forever set down at the rigl;
is hand of God.” “If you suffer with him, yo
lt shall be glorified together.” What is th
le unmistakable inference ? Most assured!
_ that those who refuse to suffer and mak
10 sacrifices for the spread of the Gospel.-
ie The advancement of the Redeemer’s Kinp
h : dorn, and the extensHm of the reign o
e Christ, shall have no part in sharing th,
s , l?l <>r y accruing iriim the sufferings o
,-UMist. The •- eS my
j your neighbor as ybtirsei” To lay dowi
s riches and honors, and pleasures and witl
might and soul, money’ and talents to glv<
p : the message, of mercy, “The glad tiding:
. ! of good things” to the lost of our race.—
I The spirit of missions preponderated ii
His heart to the extent that He wore ou
His life in preaching tht Gospel, and mak
ing sacrifices, for us. brethren, have yot
’ this spirit? If so, ye ate Christs. If not
j Paul says, “Ye are none of His.” May
; God help us to investigate this matter.
As to the subject of the reign of Christ
j’ we shall say’ but little just here. They
ias before remarked, are spiritual, not
? that they are disembodied; but beinc
j in spirit, and in reality (by nature) thi
subjects of the devil, they must in spirit be
changed, or otherwise they would be want
| ing in conformity to His will. Ind though
' nominallv in the Kingdom of Cirist could
I t
I realize none of the spiritual ol
;I 1 °
■ his reign. And though such nay have ;i
place in the Church, yet they being desti
tute of His spirit, are none of His, and
consequently’ can have no part in the riches
and glories and felicities of Hi« reign
either in this dispensation, th.* latter dav
glory, or the infinite and unending joys
i that await the subjects of tiis spiritual
kingdom. Do you ask me waat of those
organizations receiving into tieir commu
nion those who profess Sot to be born of
the spirit of God? Who incorporate into
their fellowship, unconcipus babes, as well
| as many adults, as does'papal Rome, and
’ all protestant pedo organizations? As tc
j those who may Im* found in such organiza
! tions giving many evidences that they have
’ i lieen lioru <if the spirit qf God. the call tc
i them from the great heals ‘ cf0,..-. < i
t her my people,’ ‘be ye separate,’ to'uch not
, taste not, handle not.” What disposition
will be made of such as refuse to obey the
call, and persistently continue in this un
’ warantable abuse of Gospel privileges (rod
only knows, I don’t. As to such organiza
' tions, they are to he demolished, their lead
s ers, rulers, and judges are to be broken in
’’ pieces, and destroyed—none of them shall
stand in His presence. Christ reigns by
” His spirit. He has ascended upon high, is
’’ there enthroned for a time, during Hi'
r ‘ time. His spirit dwells with His people, in
' the midst of His spiritual Zion until tlu
e “ time of restitition of all thing,” then Hi
’* shall leave the Father’s Throne, and give
f> up the mediatorial office, <*ome again t<
p earth, and reign in the midst, of his people
1 for one thousand years. Rev. 20ch. 9thv
I- 4 .
t For t|e Banner «t Baptist.
” LIGHT IS DESIRED.
I Bro W ood :
f Truth is like the fabled pillars of Seth
1 which are said to have bid defiance to th<
deluge: they have stood forages, unmoved
• in the midst of the flood. Yes, my broth
■* or, there are themes on which the truth, i
told, is extremely unpleasant, especially t<
n all such as are indisposed to hear and ad
11 init it. Truth, howevtr, like gold, is val
!’ uable according to the degree of its purity
I Like gold, too, it is the most brillian
’• where the light is the most perfect. Ii
I loses nothing by free and open discussion
I Truth alone will stand the earthquake
shock of error; all else will tumble t<
1 ruins, and the sooner the lietter, eost wliu
e it may of sacrifice and toil.
'■ I Would we bless and be blesaed at i
d i time like the present —all that is associate,
'■ ' with usurpation in church or State—al
• that connives at conformity to what ii
iS i right or law has filled the old world witi
*• • blood and groans, must la* exposed and re
1- nouneed.
‘ It may la* asked: hi what d-s*s the dai
f - i ger consist ? What one thing can Im* sti
° U*d of sufficient magnitude to warran
“ i alarm !
U | In answer, let it Ik* understood that dai
I>' ger does not flow so much from any on
'• ‘ great thing as from a multitude of whal
| in the estimation of many, are d<*enied lit
° • tie things.
The bondage of Zion and of Europ
4 came not in one sudden and tremendou
d avalanche of innovation in church orpowe
*• in State, lliis Imndagp stole the mare
*' by little and little, all apparently non-et
>1 sential, and most surely innocent, an
n more than certainly expediently rolled i
4’ and rolled until, like the mingling <
h ten thousand streamlets, the alarm wa
n ’ sounded, but it was lost amid the deal
roar of the merciless current, until a
is was swept before it into the y awning gu
of religious and civil despotism.
Thi' man must indeed be a novice in e
:i- ch-siastieal history, who does not see tb
st stei»s of our conventions and boards in th
n same direction. As Ido not wish to tra’
ty el over the same ground of my belove
St, | brethren, Hornady and Clarke, but will !
n- call the attention of brethren to some cir
‘lt cuinstanees connected with the convention
he in Macon, which go very far to show an
assumption of power on the part of the
he Anfi-Landmark brethren to sustain their
ht point contrary to law and order, and is
3ii certainly one of the little things that will
he. lead on to despotism. I find my brother,
ly on examining the minutes of Georgia Bap
<e. tist Convention, from 1850 to 1859, the
Pedmont Association, has never been a
g- member of the convention. 1 would af
of fectionately ask—Did she appoint the
le brethren to represent her, or were they’ in
of structed to apply for membership at Ma
? If so, it escaped our notice. Breth
n ren, the representatives of the Pedinont,
:h we do earnestly desire light upon the sub
re ject. These signs betoken something, and
rs all who are interested should be prepared
—for what, to them, may seem distressing
in events. I, for one, shall never relinquish
it any of my landmark principles, or alter
<- my position taken in the Graves trial with
u the present lights before me.
t, Yours, truly,
y - JAMES PERRYMAN.
t For the Banner & Baptist.
f \ “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE
>t FALL.”
rr Dear Brethren :
|(? It is painful to hear of divisions in our
e beloved Zion. Already division and schism
t have confounded-the religious world. Shall
h we divide and full, or remain united and
j stand ? Let every one consider before he
makes the awful leap. Let every lover of
a Jesus rise up in the spirit and majesty of
j the gospel and protest against division. It '
m sad to see the Christian world divided in- 1
s to so many religious communities, but to
n see Baptists sundered into factions is griev
.. ous, indeed. A house divided against itself
s must full. :
j Our distracted eonditie,.-! is a source of
p great sorrow to ourselves, and of solid joy
to our enemies. Baptists divided ! Mis
sionary Baptists broken into factions! !
o The only true gospel church biting and de
ll vouriug each other !! 1 Tell it not in Gath.
( | Let it not be heard in the camps of the
n enemy. Baptists severed ! What a shame!
t _ Those who h:iv*? waded through floods and
e flames; those whc.se blood has flowed in
o every valley, and whose bones have bleach
j ed upon every plain; who have been driven
( into dens and caves of the earth ; who have
n been afflicted, and have wandered in sheep
e skins and goat skins; of whom the world
t was not worthy—divided ! Oh, what mad
ness ! In the prayer of Jesus for his dis
t ciples, he prays that they all may be one,
I that the world may believe. All the strife
n and hard say ings among us are contrary to
II the spirit of our blessed Savior. He prays
y that they may not only bo one, but perfect
s in one. This comprehends all. Perfect in
one —i-ompbte union. “One, even as we
|( are one," is the language of him who spake
(i as never man spake. But we now hear of
p division from the puny lips of fallen man.
Has it come to this—that the Bible has
e
('eased to be a sufficient guide and proper
p rule of action for Baptists ? Shall we de
clare to the world that God’s word is so
mysterious in its teachings that His people
cannot so agree, as to live together in peace
and harmony ? Then we must acknowl
edge that our Savior offered a vain and
(, senseless petition ; that our Pedo-buptist
ie are right when they say that men cannot
[ s<e alike ; and that divisions among christ
fp ians are necessary, and not only necessary,
If but that they were intended. This is in
,, evitable, whenever we concede that the
j. Bible is not a plain and sufficient guide in
|. all matters of religion. But, brethren, I
~ will never concede this.
it Our Savior and the Apostles have given
It us lietter church polity and corrective dis-,
n. cipline than all the ingenuity of man can
;e invent. Lay aside personalities, ambition,
to and all dcsin* for a vain-glorious popularity:
at let brotherly love prevail, and a holy zeal
for the promotion of Ghrist’s kingdom pre
a donuiiati-, and no eftuse of disunion will
»d remain.
ill On what sliall we "divide ? Shall we
in make the issue l»etween Dr. Howell and
th EM. Graves ? How can we ? Each church
e- is locid and independent. We cannot com
pel any one to fellowship Dr. H. or Elder
n- G.: nor would we if we could. Suppose
a- both the majority and minority of the
nt Nashville church arc wrong, shall that pro
duce division ? If one la* right and the
n : other wrong, shall that minder the churches?
ne ; 11 they cannot settle their own difficulties,
it, is it our business to interfere ? If Baptist
it-; churches are independent, certainly each
I one is competent to settle its own diffleul
pe ties. Rut if we on* a great ecclesiastical
us I body, then we may call “a general assem
er j bly” and determine who is right and who
eh i is wrong.
:s- Shall we divide on the “Board question?” ’
id Can we not with the Board, or I
in independent of it, as we choose? Do we, :
of as churches of Christ, owe any allegiance -
as I to Boards, Aswjciations and Conventions ?
th Yet if a number of churches see proper to ;
ill ; unite, in order to carry out any object en
ds! joined by their Master, have they not a
i right to do so ?
sc- i If we do not liave Conventions and
he L Boards, we must have Associations and
he committees—small C*Miveutions and little
iv- i Boards. Pethaps these would be better
ed than a great point of But
f TERMS $2.
I ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.
I be our Associations or Conventions what
they* may, they must only be creatures ot
the churches, subject to the churches, de
pendent on the churches for their existence,
using no power over the churches. Nor
must representation in them be upon a mo
ney basis. Upon the money basis, o’ne so
humble, as myself could not have a seat in
a Convention. Surely we cannot-divide on
this question.
Shall “landmarkism” divide us. Would
any pious, intelligent brother make an issue
on this question cause for division ? . Sure
ly an anti-landmarker could not; because
he would then say to the world in thunder
tones that he felt more sympathy for the
Pedo-baptist world than for his own breth
ren.
Dear brethren, let us be of one mind ;
speak the same thing.
“AMICUS.”
For the Banner & Baptist.
THE PRESENT STATE OF RELIGION.
While travelling through the varied
scenes of life, our thoughts seem naturally
to dwell upon the future destiny of man.—
In the contemplation of this idea there is
another thought so intimately connected,
and having so much weight, that it is forced
upon us. What is the present state of re
ligion ? In the first place, we will consid
er the situation of religious affairs at a
more early period, and then compare it to
the present manifestations. Let us go back
three years and remember how God poured
out. His spirit upon us, and not only upon
us did He show His mighty power, but
also to the poor heathens of Africa. The
papers were weekly bringing-h»- j-y C-i
dings from the poor Missionary of the
Cross. From every point in our country
came forth voices declaring that the good
Lord was working for them. Daily were
crowds seen placing their business aside,
and pursuing their way pleasantly to a
prayer meeting, and when night spreads
her sable mantle around, instead of the
busy noise of a thronged city, were heard
sweet notes of praise all around, mellowed
by the distance.
But permit us to consider the religion
of the present day. Where are its powers
now seen working ? The papers are now
mingling their once-loved tones in harsh
contention, and the words of Douglas and
Stephens exert a far more extensive sway
than those of Jesus. ’Tis true, there are
churches reared around us, their domes
towering to the sky. Money flows from
the right hand and from the left, to deck,
in costly array, the sacred desk of God.
The works of art contrive means of
breathing forth words of praise in song.—
But, alas ! why is there so much coldness,
contention and bitter feeling among the
different denominations ? We can answer
by saying that it is simply’ because prayer
is neglected—that weapon which controls
the universe has been laid aside and per
mitted to corrode from the influence of this
world. Oh, brethren! brethren! look at
our present state! Why do we permit
our Christian feelings to be so long in leth
argy ? Oh, let us wake up—rush to ac
tion, and to our duty. We too often per
mit our minds to be wafted amid the rush
ing waves of sin and frivolity. We per
mit our thoughts to run too much after the
vanities of this sinful world. Oh, breth
ren ! let your weapon be earnest prayer,
instead of words of contention. And oh!
may we see words of peace, love and fel
lowship shine upon every page of our
Christian papers, instead of expressions of
hard feelings about church government.
J. M. LEWIS.
—■ ♦ •
For the Banner & Baptist.
THE SUICIDE’S CONVERSION AND
DEATH.
More than twenty years ago, a young
man of steady and industrious habits, re
siding in one of the interior towns of Geor
gia, rode into the country to attend church
on the Sabbath day. He was an only son,
and had recently lost his father, his moth
er having died while he was yet a child.—
He had become imbued with infidel senti
ments,. and having been surety for his fa
ther to a large amount, had rendered him
bankrupt. He was melancholy and re
served. It was in this state of mind, on
the Sabbath alluded to, he heard a dis
course in which doctrines, bordering on fa
tality, were proclaimed. That night he
was noticed by his grandmother and step
mother, the only inmates of the house lie
side himself, to lie engaged in some way
until a late hour. It was ascertained after
wards he was making preparation for self
destruction.
Next morning he rose early and took
his breakGst before sunrise, walked direct
to his father’s grave, upon uhich he* stood
and sh< >t himself in the left breast, the ball
missing the heart at which it was aimed,
and, perforating the left luug, lodged against
’ the shoulder-blade. He fell, and was for
I a time unconscious, but soon recovered his
senses sufficiently to recollect that some
one might be accused of having murdered
him. With much difficulty he arose,
walked to the nearest house, and crying to
the first person he «aw, “I did it,” fellagain
mis in the agonies of death. For days and
weeks his life, was despaired of. The wri
ter visited him frequently, and, as soon as
he could bear conversation, introduced the
subject of religion. At first he manifested
the utmost aversion to conversing on the
subject, and would almost sneer at the bare
( VOL. 1.
i I VUI
I t iw. Ju.
t mention of the name of Jesus. (The wound
>f tenr inated in consumption, under which he
:- lingered about six months.) The writer
*, felt it his duty, however, to use every
r means in his power to save the soul even
j- of a suicide. And so he persevered. His
o skepticism finally began to yield to the
u power of Divine Truth, sent home to his
n heart by the Spirit of all grace. As the
light broke in upon the darkness of his be-
J nighted soul, the conflict was terrible.—
e His greatest difficulty seemed to be to em
>. brace the doctrine of Sovereign Grace.—
e Jesus, however, triumphed at last, and his
r pious friends were constrained to believe
e that even a suicide may bo. saved. The
l evidences of his conversion were clear and
satisfactory. This event occurred about
; two months before his death.
He seemed to ripen rapidly for Heaven..
Oh,what a change ! Christians wereamazed,
and could hardly believe that God had
done that for which they had so fervently
• prayed. Irifidels were confounded.
1 A few weeks passed away, and the end
of the poor suicide was at hand. Almost
- daily the writer was beside the couch of
5 suffering and pain, reading the Bible, and
> singing and praying with him, wlm now
1 found Jesus so infinitely precious. On re-
■ turning home, after a few days’ absence, a
pious lady met me in the street, who said:
1 “Poor 11. is dying, and is exceedingly anx
-1 ious to see you!” A bright autumnal sun
was just setting as I entered his room.—
The hand of death was upon him, but the
1 light of God’s countenance was reflected
from his dying face. Joyfully raising his
emaciated hands, he said : “ Sovereign Grace
difiS. at last? The blood of Jesus
' Christ cleansetli . jj- -a.
quested me to sing “Jesus, thou art uie
l sinner’s friend.” Then bidding all fare
' well, he straightened himself in his bed,
, crossed his hands oh his bosom, and, in a
few moments, breathed his last. 1 could
1 but believe that “Sovereign Grace hail tri
' umphed,” and that the soul of the poor su-
I icide was at rest with God.
I HARRISON.
For the Banner & Baptist.
1 WILL THE PUNISHMENT OF THE
’ WICKED BE ETERNAL?
’ Brother Wood:
1 By your permission, 1 will offer a few
1 suggestions iu answer to this question.—
' Were our churches clear of all members,
e deacons and ministers who take the nega
s tive of the question, I would, perhaps, hold
i my peace for the present ; but as they
, are not, I think a few thoughts will not be
amiss.
f 1 only propose noticing one argument
- now. That may be stated thus • Sin will
, continue to increase (ill pardoned. Sin grows
» upon us, when allowed to take its own
• course, as a loathsome disease. I take it
■ for granted that all believe that repentance
> and faith are pre-requisites to salvation.—
We have not the slightest intimation that
i the gospel will be offered to any one w/ter
he departs this life, but much to the con
trary. We know that thousands upon
thousands die here without repentance, faith
or regeneration. Where are they ? Are
they not still living ? Surely they are.
But are they holy or sinful ? “As the tree
falls, so will it lie.” If they died sinful,
‘ they are sinful still; they are now without
any possible means of grace. But it as
, much their duty now to receive Christ as it
! was when they lived here. Every moment
adds to their sin. They still reject Christ,
and if the gospel could now be preached to
them, it is not certain they would receive
• it. But they are continually sinning in
hell; they commit sin upon sin. Even if
men were punished an hour or a day, for
an hour or a day’s sin, still they would al
ways be behind a life-time or more. For
I their sins would accumulate in hell as fast
as upon earth. To illustrate : 1 suppose
r A lives in sin fifty years. According to
. the supposition he has to Im* punished fifty
years for it. But I contend thut while he
is suffering his fifty years, it is just as much
1 his duty to receive Christ and his gospel as
, it is ever was, therefore his sin increases
- every moment; so when he has rendered
satisfaction for the fifty years, behold, there
are fifty more against him. He owes as
much then as when he commenced, and it
‘ will continue so during eternity ; he will
i always lie behind ; he can never pay it up.
. So I conclude the doctrine of the restora
-1 tionists is not true.
If G<xl punishes sin at all, he punishes
it eternally. If he does not punish sin,
■ why does he say he will ? Yea, why does he
i* say that certain persons are now suffering
the vengeance of eternal fire ? One thing
should be remembered, that this is not Bap
tist d<K-trine, though a few who are mem-
’ tiers with us believe it. Why it is that
' Universalists want to live in Baptist church
’ es, Ido not know. Baptists do not believe
that. Christ even made atonement for every
man, but for his elect, Let Baptists be
1 Baptists, and Universalists lie Universalists.
1 Baptists have enough Arminianism among
1 them now, without their members preach
1 ing universal salvation.
ADELPHOS.
t P* S. I contend that one sin is enough
r to punish an immortal soul eternally, and
that men’s sins will accumulate as fast in
' hell as upon earth, therefore the punish
i* ment of the wicked will not only be eter-
1 nal, but it will increase through eternity !
Adblphos.
> The above was written by bro. R. P.
i Evatt, and was found among his papers
1 since his death. He had been a regular
- contributor to the Banner, and now being
s dead he yet speaketh. Reader, if any of
e your family or neighbors are not Christians,
d request them to read the article written by
e one who has gone to his reward above.
« E».
