The Gospel Trumpet, February 14, 1901

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The Gospel Trumpet

Volume 21- Issue 07 - February 14, 1901

(Articles of interest only)

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Listening to Jesus.

By C. Currie.

Sweetly fall upon my heart

Loving words from Jesus,

Sitting o’re the Book of life,

I hear the voice of Jesus;

Holy strains within me roll,

Flooding deep my inmost soul.

Precious words of love and life,

Glowing here forever,

Rise to cheer my yearning heart

Like a might river.

Oh! ‘tis rapturous bliss to know

Jesus walks with me below!

Swelling like a mighty stream

From a lofty mountain,

Come the messages divine,

Flowing from life’s fountain;

As I hear the precious strain,

I know that I am born again.

Shall I not the story tell,

That brings bliss forever!

Jesus doeth all things well,

What can from him sever?

Wheresoe’er my footsteps roam,

With Jesus that shall be my home.

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Christ the Center of Attraction.

By Daisy Kreutz.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Colossians 3:1, 2. “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattered abroad.”  Matthew 12:30. No doubt we all desire to be for Jesus and receive his blessings and favors. In order to be like him we must live a life similar to his, and not only be able to say, “Christ is all” but that he is in all to us. Most any one can say he is all, but it is more important for him to be in all we do; in every action, thought, and word, so that we would not be ashamed of our life if Jesus were actually visible before us. “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5. If he is the center of our attraction we will strive to follow in his steps, by studying his word, his character, his life; by prayer and faith in him he will reveal himself to us, so that we may be able to be like him and abide in him, and walk and talk in the spirit of Jesus. We can also live in the spirit and keep in the spirit and “do all to the glory of God.”

The third chapter of Colossians gives us some instructions how to live, how to be Christ-like, for our lives are to be “hid with Christ in God.” “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel [margin … complaint] against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”  Colossians 3:12, 13. “And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. . . And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”  Verses 17:25. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; . . . Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”  Colossians 4:2, 5, 6. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”  Colossians 2:6-10.

I am glad we have the privilege of being complete in Christ and being filled with all the fullness of God. If we would be like Christ, we must serve him in much love, and humility and lowliness of mind, in meekness, gentleness, and long-suffering toward others; not “counting our lives dear unto us,” but being like Christ, who “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:7, 8. This was the most shameful, ignominious death he could die … equal to hanging in our day. We must be willing not only to share the joys and pleasures with Christ, and receive of his blessings, and what we might call having things go our way, but we must also be willing to suffer with Christ, and be like him in this, knowing that our character (what God thinks of us or what we are) is all right regardless of our reputation (or what man should think of us). “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”  Philippians 1:29. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye are buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself [margin … committed his cause] to him that judgeth righteously.”  1st Peter 2:19-23. God is more capable of pleading our cases than we are, and he will do it if we are obedient and humble and long-suffering like Christ, and commit the keeping of our souls to him, instead of contending and striving to defend ourselves and to prove our innocence. “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”  1st Peter 4:19. “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”  Hebrews 3:14. We are commanded to “do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless [margin … sincere], the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”  Philippians 2:14, 15.

It is not only our privilege but our duty to live so near to God and so in touch with him that Christ will shine out of our lives and that our very presence will have an influence over others for good. Peter tells us to “rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the cause of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” So we find that when we suffer for Christ’s sake we please him, and if we love him we will obey him, and be patient in time of trials or persecutions. Not what Christ could be, but what he is to us in our hearts, measures what we are to him and for him. “Christ is all” and he will be “in all” if we let him, for we can have all the salvation we will live for. There are many words and actions that Christ is not in at all. But we are invited to come to him for help in our failings.

“For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15, 16. Oh, the beauties in Christ! As we meditate upon Jesus and apprehend his nature and disposition, how our hearts long to be more and more like him, by drawing nearer to him, that we may have a more holy walk with Christ; and have more real personal love for him, which would make us familiar with him; and have real boldness and liberty of speech, which serves to make our worship more true and sacred. People have known of Jesus Christ ever since the world began, and prophesied of his coming; and when he was born, he was the center of attraction, as many desired to see him. We learn of his ministry that he had great influence over the common people, and the Jews said, “If we let him alone, all men will believe on him.” He was noted for his patience, long-suffering, authority, and boldness; and to-day we have him for our example to follow. The Adventists say all the truth centers in the Sabbath, but the Bible teaches that it centers in Christ. The church has the promise that the Lord “will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.”  Zechariah 2:5.

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“Consider Your Ways.”

By R. Rothman. 

“Now therefore this saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”  Haggai 1:5. Our Father in this verse wants to cause us to stop and calmly consider our bearings. When one has an important piece of work to do he will save time and trouble in most cases if he will sit down and think over the work, look at if from all sides, and then lay such plans as will best result in the desired end. Likewise great benefits will result to us if we consider our ways from a Bible standpoint, which alone is the wise standpoint, and then lay our life plans in such a way as to result in the one true success in life … the salvation of our immortal souls.

In the first place, let us consider why we are living. Why has God created us? The Word answers: “I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”  Isaiah 43:7. This verse has special reference to a spiritual re-creation; but God originally created man for his glory, and it is his will that all men be saved and live to his honor here below and through the ceaseless ages of eternity. So, dear reader, if you are not saved in Christ you need to consider your ways and cry to God for help or your life work will be an awful failure and the end eternal banishment from God and wailing among the lost.

Next, we will consider time as compared with eternity and see whether our life plans have been laid in wisdom. The allotted years of man are given as three score and ten. An unending eternity consist of more centuries than there are grains of sand on the seashore, leaves on the trees, and stars in the heavens. How much time are you giving to the things of this short life, and how much to the things of eternity? Be wise, O man, and spend not the best years of your life on things which must soon perish, but lay up treasures in heaven. There are places in the river valleys where in summer time no water stands, but during the high-water seasons these are overflowed. What would we think if a man who would take all the earnings of a lifetime and with them erect a mansion in a river bed during the dry season, only to have it utterly ruined by the freshet? We would say he acted foolishly. Yet not more foolishly, O sinner, than thou that spendest thy life-time accumulating earthly store, from which thou wilt be separated by the cold, clammy hand of death. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corruptors: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”  Isaiah 1:2-4.

Man away from God will soon starve and die spiritually. In turning away from God sinners act with less understanding than the ox and ass. They act thus because that monster the devil and his innumerable helpers urge them to follow the road to destruction. The devil has lulled millions to sleep on the verge of hell. “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”  Ephesians 5:14.

There is an awful hell awaiting those who refuse God’s mercy. This is a truth the devil does not want us to consider, but it is true nevertheless. Consider thy ways, O wretched sinner, and turn to Christ while it is called to-day. God is blessing this world through Christ, having made him the Savior of men. This is the day of grace, yet in spite of this sin abounds on every hand. Now if sin can make a hell of so much of this earth under these favorable circumstances, what is the condition of the lost world, where the rays of the Sun of righteousness do not penetrate? O presumptuous man, forget not that the God whose word speaks worlds into existence has said that “the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”  Psalms 9:17. Jesus said, “If ye die in your sins, where I am ye can not come.”

And to the dear saved ones we say, Consider your ways. Set the right value on eternal things. Do not let opposition turn you from the way of life. “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:3. Be faithful to God to the end and he will give you a crown of life. “Consider the apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him.” Again we say, Consider thy ways, and be wise. Amen.

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SANCTIFICATION.

By J. W. Byers.

XV. - PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

In the conclusion of this series of articles I desire to add my humble testimony of a personal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification. At the age of seventeen years I was converted. All who were acquainted with me had no reason to doubt the genuine, inwrought grace of pardon and the new life which at once began to bring forth fruit unto God. But the one to whom this mighty change seemed the most marvelous was myself. My poor soul, which had been for several years held under the terrible bondage and darkness of sin, was now turned from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God, and there was no room either internally or externally to question that I had received forgiveness of sins. The glory and blessedness of that sacred hour and that hallowed spot “when love divine first found me” can never be erased from my memory. I will not say, as I have often heard others testify of their own, that my experience was more wonderful than that of any one else, but I do not see how it could have been any more wonderful to me than it was, and it is but useless to make an effort to tell it. All who have come into this precious life, and have the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, understand what it means to be justified by faith and have this sweet peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But this peace with God meant war with the enemy of my soul, and I soon learned that the battle was a serious one. The artful schemes of the enemy were deeply planned for my overthrow, and while attending school the spirit of the world succeeded in leading me into defeat, and I decided to yield myself again unto the world, and gave up the struggle against sin. But oh, what darkness! God only knows what horrors I suffered. I had been saved but a few months and had had the taste of true happiness which so spoiled me for the empty pleasures of sin that I was often so wretched and miserable that life was a burden. But thank God, this condition of life was only of about two months’ duration. Through the burning tears of my precious mother, which fairly bathed my face and neck one day as she suddenly came into my room and clasped her arms around me, I was enabled again to decide for God and heaven. This decision was so thoroughly burned in upon my soul by those scalding tears that, by the grace of God, I believe it will last from that day to my latest breath. The sweet joy and peace of heaven was restored and I believe I enjoyed salvation as much as any one could in my circumstances. I knew I was a child of God, but it was not long until I became fully conscious that there was a deeper work of grace needed within me. My parents both professed entire sanctification at the time of the conversion of their four oldest children, which included myself, but my life was much occupied in securing an education, and having but limited opportunities I was absorbed mostly with my studies, then afterward became engaged in educational work for a number of years. It needed no arguments to prove that my parents possessed a deeper spiritual life than I did, and although the doctrine of sanctification was not so clearly taught and understood then as now, yet I was fully aware that this was what I needed. Sometimes I thought I had obtained the experience, but soon it was proved by unmistakable evidence that I was not sanctified. I had not come to the point of a definite and absolute consecration, and really did not understand how to make this consecration. My great ambition in life was to make a mark in the world. This was so deeply implanted within me that I caused every energy to bend in that direction. I dearly loved God and fully realized my utter dependence upon him, but my love was not perfected. Then unfortunately I had a quick temper, which I found justification had not destroyed. It was materially repressed and generally held under control, but it was there and needed only the provocation to assert its presence; and sometimes, I am sorry to say, it brought me under condemnation and I had cause to repent and regain the sweet peace of God.

But the manner of my life I believe, as a whole, was such that none of my most intimate acquaintances had any reason to question the sincerity of my heart or my profession as a Christian. The one who was most dissatisfied with my inward condition was myself, and for more than eight years I knew that a deeper work must be wrought before I could be satisfied. Oh, how truly I could understand the prayer of David when he so longed for a clean heart; and had I been brought to the knowledge of the complete consecration, I might have been living in this blessed Canaan rest of soul soon after my conversion. But God was good and full of tender mercy. He carried me along and forgave my defeats and so lovingly bore with me, even though my heart was divided between him and some things of this world. I had forsaken all that I had to follow Jesus, but unconsciously these objects would come between Jesus, the objects of my love, and myself, and thus hinder the perfect communion of the Holy Spirit. About one year prior to my entering into this perfect rest, the doctrine of sanctification was quite thoroughly agitated. Some advocates of the Zinzendorf doctrine produced some strong efforts to overthrow the doctrine of the second work of grace. I had studied the Scriptures carefully and honestly and while I did not have the experience of the second grace myself, I was certain that the one-work teaching was not correct; for I knew I had received all that my heart could receive in the grace of pardon, and knew also that I soon found that I needed just exactly what the term sanctification implies, and what the dear ones who believed in and were advocating the second work of grace were testifying to by word and deed.

In the winter of 1883,4, while dear companion and myself were engaged with some sanctified ones in a protracted meeting, to rescue the perishing, we were brought as never before face to face with the stern necessity of more spiritual power and life. We were shown by the Holy Spirit that there is but one route to the promised land and that is by crossing the Jordan. Death was inevitable if we would come into this abundant life. We paused and reflected, looked backward and forward, but there was no alternative … death was our doom. One day while I was absent from home and dear companion was left alone, the Lord spoke to her so plainly that she had one cherished idol that must necessarily be sacrificed. It was a God-given blessing, but must be yielded freely to him. She obeyed and entered into the glory of sanctification. When I returned home I soon found that the work in her was done. Something marvelous had been accomplished. It was wonderful what a change. She told me of the death she had to pass through and I fully realized it. The divine glory which had come into her heart was unspeakable. She tried to show me how to die the same death, I was desirous to yield and cross over with her, but I found a resistance in my will which held me back. I came to my cherished treasures, some of which were God-given blessings, but unquestionably the Holy Spirit said they must be yielded up a burnt offering unto the Lord. My will must become swallowed up into the will of God completely, even to this death. I said, “Yes, Lord, I will;” but the yes found a hesitancy. It did not reach the depths of my heart. I kept saying it over and over … “Yes, Lord” … and tried to get it deeper every time I said it; but the Lord knew that it did not reach the inmost depths. That was a wonderful day to me, but it was not the day of my death, as it was of my companion. She told in meeting that evening what the Lord had wrought. I told what I was trying to say to the Lord … “Thy will be done.”

Time passed by and I still hesitated. I wanted the Lord’s perfect will, but also wanted just a little of my will. I wanted both, but the Lord showed me that I could have but one; and I plainly knew which one, if I was ever to obtain the grace of sanctification. The life of my companion was a daily testimony which only added to my trouble. I knew she had what she never had before. Her life before was all that I ever expected to find in a true, devoted, Christian woman, but now in some marvelous manner there was vastly more heaven in her life than before, and the marked absence of everything unlike heaven. I knew she was sanctified, and I knew I was not. She had just what I must have, and what my soul was longing for these years. Oh, why could I not just now say “Yes!” with my whole heart and die the death and gain the abundant life? Sometimes I was under such conviction that I felt miserable. I asked God to forgive me for not yielding up my whole heart as I knew he would have me do.

Weeks and months passed and my attention became absorbed in business and cares of life, but these months were more unsatisfactory than all my previous Christian life, and some of this time I certainly lived on a very low plane spiritually, and it is evident that I at last came to the point where my justification would have been forfeited had I not gone over and possessed the land. I struggled and suffered sometimes unutterable. After the struggle was over and I was sanctified I could look back and see where I had come up to a deep chasm so deep and dark that I could not see the bottom. It was too wide for me to step across. On the other side was everything my soul longed for. I could see the beautiful plane and way of sanctification. My loved ones were walking on it and rejoicing in its glory. Above the chasm there seemed suspended a rope securely fastened and strong enough to hold my weight, and it seemed that I could easily take hold of this rope and by a desperate effort swing myself across the chasm. I had taken hold of the rope and was for a long time hesitating about making the leap. The chasm was the depth I must drop into in order to reach sanctification, but it seemed awful … so deep and dark, and no assurance that I would ever see life again. The rope was my will. I had presumed to swing across without going into the death, but God knew that would not be his way, and there I stood, gazing with fear and trembling into the immensity of this dark chasm into which to leap meant certain death. Later I had taken hold of the rope and swung myself away from where I had been standing, with the hope of reaching the other side. I could not reach it and now was worse off than before, for I was now suspended above the chasm and could neither get back nor go forward. There I was hanging and swinging, holding on for life, and yet the Holy Spirit kept saying, “Let go.”

My sufferings increased until I began to feel that death would be a relief. At that time God sent a brother to us who preached a sermon from the text, 1st peter 4:1, 2, with emphasis upon the clause “For he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” The Holy Spirit applied this to me and revealed to my soul the utter necessity of death to gain sanctification. The end came, I let go my death grip of the rope and said as I never said before, “Yes, Lord, thy will be done!” I knew that it reached the uttermost depth of my soul. God knew it, and I am certain that Satan knew it. At the close of that meeting I said, “I am now offered up.” There was no conscious change only I knew my will was yielded, and I am certain that not an atom of earth existed between God and me. We went home late in the evening, and as I was retiring I knelt once more before God and simply told him that now after these months of struggle it was all ended and I was so thankful to him that I could say so sweetly, “Thy will be done.” My hold on the rope had become so weary. How sweet and blessed now to rest so securely in that infinite will. The great chasm was deep and dark, but I was so glad that I had let go and dropped into it; for I was so conscious now that even in the darkness and depths I was in his will. As I dropped, loving arms of Jesus had caught me and I was glad to be in death with him. I felt within me that something wonderful was about to take place. I arose from my knees and scarcely had time to lie down when truly I experienced a taste of death. Wholly unconscious of my earthly surroundings, but knowing I was in the presence of Jesus, I believe a death was wrought within me, after which the baptism of Pentecostal fire and the Holy Ghost came upon me. The refining fire went through my very body and the effect seemed terrible. The sublime consciousness of the presence of heaven and the majesty of God was such as mortal tongue can never describe. Then following the distinct baptism of fire the floodgates of heaven’s glory were opened upon me, and, oh, the heavenly deluge that followed can only be realized by those who have experienced the same.

More than sixteen years have passed since this wonderful event, and while the emotions of feeling have been varied through the labors and toils of a busy life (both in business life, and twelve years in the gospel ministry) I can testify to the glory of God that the power and victory in this blessed second grace has been all-sufficient. The word of God, now I found, was full of sanctification, and my new experience spoiled me for any arguments against the doctrine as a second work of grace, and in due time I could plainly see that according to the word of God and the plan of redemption it must be an experience subsequent to justification. The conscious presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the knowledge of a pure heart in this precious grace is what we need continually in this battle against the powers of the enemy.

Brother and sister, have you had your Pentecost? If not, tarry at Jerusalem.  “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”  1st Thessalonians 5:23, 24.

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Beware of Mormons.

Duty to the uninformed compels us to warn all against the invasion and proselyte of Mormons. Especially would we warn the women of our land against coming under Mormon influence. With a zeal and persistency exceeded by none in this land, they are proselyte in all directions. They are not found laboring in the slums to rescue the hopeless from the destroyer; they are not trying to lead any class of sinners to forsake their sins and find pardon through the atonement made by Jesus our Savior, nor to lead the saved to seek holiness, through the destruction of the carnal nature, the cutting loose from worldly ties, and the cleansing by his precious blood. Would that they had the experience which would enable them thus to do. Their sole aim and purpose is to proselyte to Mormonism.

Jesus said to the deceivers of his day: “Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”  Matthew 23:15. The Mormons are not the only ones engaged in the abominable business, but are possibly the most dangerous.

These people have a very little truth, and their great knowledge of the Bible and “cunningly devised fables,” united with their plausible arguments, do the rest. They do not usually call themselves Mormons, but missionaries of “The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints.” Having adopted the gospel mode of going about in twos, without visible means of support, they get their living from the people they are deluding. They strongly insist on church order and authority. To be saved one must be baptized into their church by a man properly authorized, and the Holy Ghost is to be received by the laying on of their hands.

They believe in the plurality of gods and the plurality of wives, and are still practicing the latter in defiance of the laws of Congress, and declare that “the Mormon Church is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.” “It speaks with divine authority, and all nations, without exception, are required to obey. He that receives the message and endures to the end will be saved; he that rejects it will be damned.”

There are many hundreds of men tramping this country, making converts and shipping all they can to Utah or other regions in the mountains where their church holds political sway. Their special work seems to be to get the confidence of widows and single women. Recently in one small city in Illinois they secured eight girls. How clearly they come under 2nd Timothy 3:5, 6  “Having a form of godliness, but denying the [saving] power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women.” Women of America, avoid Mormonism! Do not accept their literature, nor enter into any discussion with them, for unless you really have the Holy Spirit, they will confound you.

 From Vanguard.

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The People of God.

By Lorenzo Cook.

It is plainly taught in Holy Writ that there is a certain class of people whom God is pleased to accept and call his people, and it is verily true that all are not the people of God; but they are a people who love and obey the word of God. In order to become one of the people of God in this gospel dispensation it is needful for a sinner to repent of his sins and receive the grace of salvation from God through Jesus Christ. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying [forsaking] ungodliness and worldly lust we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem [save] us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  Titus 2:11-14. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  1st Peter 2:9, 10. “And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21.

It is shown in the foregoing texts that a person becomes one of the people of God by forsaking all ungodliness and worldly lust and receiving mercy and grace from God, by which he is enabled to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Though formerly in darkness, participating in ungodliness and worldly lust, committing sin, and not one of God’s people, yet now he has obtained mercy; is in the marvelous light of God; is redeemed from all iniquity; is saved from his sins by the Lord Jesus Christ, which purifies his heart, and life: and thus he is one of the peculiar people of God, zealous of good works and showing forth the praises of God, by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. It would be well for us to remember that God’s people are called out of darkness (sin), or saved from sin.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD DO NOT COMMIT SIN.

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”  1st John 5:18. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him; and he can not sin, because he is born of God.”  1st John 3:9. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”  Verse 8. “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.”  Verse 10. The way John distinguished the people of God, was that they did not sin. If he knew a person was committing sin, he was sure that such a one was not one of God’s people. For he says: “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not.” and “He that committeth sin is of the devil;” also, “In this the children of God are manifested, and the children of the devil.” Therefore children of God are manifest by not sinning, and children of the devil are manifest by sinning. It is as true now as it was in the time in which John lived, that God’s people do live without sinning. However, a person may be ignorant of some things being wrong and forbidden in the gospel and may be omitting to do some things that are commanded in the gospel to be observed; but as he is not willingly disobeying or is not knowingly refusing to do any duty but is walking in all the light he has received; therefore God does not impute it as sin unto him, even if there are some things he has not obeyed hitherto, because he did not know it was his duty to obey those certain things. But when he is enlightened concerning them and has received knowledge of his duty upon those things thus far un-obeyed, he can not now with a knowledge of his duty to obey, retain God’s grace if he should show unwillingness to do what he knows is his duty to do. Sin is a willful disobedience of God’s word, as found in the gospel, and to knowingly do something that we know is wrong, or to refuse to do something that we know is our duty to do; such is sin. Therefore we can not do things that we know God forbids us to do, and leave undone things which we know we should do, and be a child of God. In order to retain God’s grace, and continue to be one of God’s people, it is necessary for us to walk in all the light we have received, and when we receive more light just walk in it; and so continue to obey God to all the knowledge we receive; and by so doing, “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  1st John1:17.

O beloved, let us sincerely consider what it means to be the people of God, and if you are not living without committing sin, may you obtain grace from God that will enable you to fill the description of a child of God. It is for you. God will save and keep you from all sin if you will trust in him.

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God Onward Moves.

By I. H. Moyer.

As I have read and reread the last number of The Gospel Trumpet for the year 1900, my heart was made to rejoice in a free and full salvation, at the unity which exists among God’s little ones, the great amount of free literature sent out to almost all part of the world, also that over twenty-six thousand new subscribers were received in a few weeks’ time. I thought surely God is working in mysterious ways in sending forth the Bible truth in this last reformation. Zechariah 14:7. “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”  Ezekiel 34:12. Bringing them back to the unity of the Spirit. See Ephesians 4:13. “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:6. Isaiah says, “In that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doing among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.” Dear saints, let us earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints, as Jude admonished the beloved ones in his epistle.

Love is the band of Christians true. 

“By this shall all men know that you

Are my disciples,” Jesus said;

Love forms the church with Christ the head.

Christ is the church and he is one,

And all divisions doth he shun:

Divided, Christ can never be.

The church of Christ is Christ, you see.

Is Christ divided thus at all?

Are we of Cephas, Silus, Paul?

Are not such carnal, every one,

Who build what Christ hath ne’er begun?

Christ’s prayer in the 17th chapter of John was to his Father to glorify him, to preserve his apostles in unity and truth, to glorify them, and all other believers with him. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name.”  John 17:11, 12. Isaiah says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-places.”  Isaiah 28:16, 17.

After Our Savior had appointed the seventy and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come, they returned again with joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name,” but he told them not to rejoice in that, “but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” So we can also rejoice, if we have entered in by the door into the sheepfold, and know that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. But let us keep humble and lowly at the feet of Jesus. “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for it seemed good in thy sight.”  Luke 10:21. The poet says:

He hath revealed it unto “babes;”

Not to the wise, or great, or strong,

But to the trusting little ones,

The hidden depths of God belong.

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The Promise of the Father.

Text, Luke 24:29.

BIBLE READING BY C. H. HALE.

1. Its fulfillment. Acts 2:1-18.

2. What it is. (1) It is the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:32, 33. (2) It was a baptism for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Acts 10:44, 45; Acts 11:15, 16. For the Samaritans. Acts 8:14, 17. It is a baptism for all whom God calls. Acts 2:37-39.

3. To whom given, or time of receiving. (1) What the twelve apostles were before they received the promise of the Father. Matthew 10:7, 8. (2) What the seventy were before receiving the promise of the Father. Luke 10:17-20. (3) What Cornelius was before receiving the promise of the Father. Acts 10:1-6. He was not an Old Testament saint. Verses 34-38. (4) What the Samaritans were before receiving the promise of the Father. Acts 8:5-17. (5) The world can not receive the promise of the Father. John 14:26 and verses 15-17. (6) Paul believed it to be a second work of grace. Acts 19:1-7.

4. What he does for those who receive him. (1) He purifies the heart. Acts 15:8, 9. (2) He sanctifies. Romans 15:15, 16; 1st Thessalonians 5:23. (3) He comforts. John 14:16. (4) He gives power. Acts 1:6-8. (5) He guides or teaches. John 16:13. (6) He makes one. John 17:17-23.

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The Sin of Sins.

It causes the child to cry and aged to fret.
It mars the face of beauty more than can a hot iron.
It seals the door of service to the able.
It chokes and blights the tender plant of friendship.
It is the poison in the cup of love.
It manacles the hand that would minister.
It throws the pall of a blacker night over the beauties of earth. It bears the seal of society’s approval.
It robs the poor man of his crust.
It is at home in the family, at the place of business, in the resort of pleasure.
It creates the hypocrite.
It puts the thorn in the wreath of success.
It erected the cross on Calvary, and nailed the Lord thereon.
It closed the gates of Eden, and opened the gates of hell.
It is none the less damnable because respectable, and no less dreadful because familiar.
Its incarnation is called Satan.
It is finally, plain, commonplace, unvarnished, every-day selfishness.  Selected.

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From A Kentucky Prison.

The following letter from one of the officials of the prison at Frankfort, Ky. Only expressed the need of the prisons all over the land to-day.

Yours received to-day. In reply will say that on behalf of the prisoners of this institution we will thank you very much for any literature you can send us. We are much in need of good reading matter. If you and your friends can send us some good books such as will be good for the men, we will be very grateful to you indeed. We have here 1,400 men and but few books for them. The Lord has been gracious in the saving of souls. Many have been brought to know him. Very truly,  

Lew G. Wallace, Chaplain.”

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FROM THE ISLES OF THE SEA.

We have just received a letter containing an order for a library, No. 1, for the Oahu Prison, Honolulu. This prison is over two thousand miles out in the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco. A brother there writes: “I am in Christian mission here working among sailors and soldiers, passing through here on the way to Manila. Glorious work,” etc.

Since we commenced making efforts a few month ago in behalf of unfortunate prisoners of our land we find the work is not in vain, but many hearts have been made to rejoice to know that some one cares for them, although the greater part of the prisoners are still neglected. We quite frequently receive letters from prisoners stating that they have no reading matter whatever, others occasionally have some novels or trashy literature. Now and then a jail or prison is visited by some one who kindly remembers them with a few words of encouragement and something good to read. Can you not all make a greater effort to remember them by way of sending them a paper regularly, or placing a library in the prison for their benefit?

A little over a year ago we placed several thousand volumes of religious books in the West Virginia State Prison, and since that time many prisoners have been led to Christ, and have expressed their gratitude for the privilege of reading such literature and for the benefits received. Some time ago while visiting the prison two young men were there who were sentenced to be executed. They had both been reading their Bibles and some of the books included in our jail libraries. At our first visit one of them was not yet converted. Through reading he was enable to see his condition more clearly and how to get to the Lord and was soon sweetly saved. When the death sentence was read to him it id not cause a feeling of sorrow, as he was ready to go, and passed away to be with the Lord.

We can not be too urgent in our appeals to help those poor unfortunate people with our prayers, with our means, and in any way to get the truth of God’s word to them.

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Questions Answered.

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1. Is healing, like sin, in the atonement? Is it God’s will for all his children to be healed?

2. Is indwelling (inbred) sin in the flesh of a wholly sanctified person? If not, how is it they get diseases in the body? Is inbred sin ever located in our body?

3. Did Jesus Christ have a body just like ours?

4. Is it possible to lose the experience of entire sanctification and yet retain justification?

Answer to No. 1. It was for sin only that an atonement could be made. The word “atone” means to expiate, to make satisfaction for; as for a crime. Diseases can not be atoned for. The atonement was to expiate for what man had done or brought upon the whole human family, which of course was sin. Romans 5:12. Disease (dying, or a process of death) is a result of sin, or, we might better say, a result of the fall of man. As Christ came to purchase back (redeem) what was lost in Adam, he had to make satisfaction for the cause, which was sin. Romans 8:3; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12, etc. In making atonement for sin, the cause of disease and death, he thereby procured healing and an incorruptible condition of body for us. The latter we do not receive the benefit of until the resurrection, when the power of death shall be destroyed. 1st Corinthians 15:21-23, 26. Healing and immortality are among the benefits brought about by the atonement, and in this sense are they “in the atonement.”

In Matthew 8:16, 17 we have it clearly taught that our sicknesses and infirmities were all borne by Christ, and that the blessings of health may be enjoyed in this life. God’s will was represented in Christ, who healed all who came to him in faith, so that we conclude that it is God’s will for all his children to have faith and be healed.

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Answer to No. 2. No. We get diseases in our bodies because we have not yet passed from under the dominion of Satan so far as disease and death are concerned. 1st Corinthians 15:25, 26. Satan still has power to afflict our bodies, but that the sin of the world has been canceled is the very reason we can be healed and defeat Satan in his attacks upon us. See Luke 13:16.

But inbred sin and disease do not necessarily go together, for the reason that the one is an affliction of the soul and the other an affliction of the body. The question, “Is inbred sin ever located in our body?” is inconsistent, from the fact that inbred sin is not material like the body, neither is it a condition of the body, but of the soul. The body is not responsible for sin, and sin does not dwell in the body only as it is a condition of the soul.

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Answer to No. 3. Certainly. He was born of woman, and was human like we are. See John 1:14; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:14, 16, 17; 4:15.

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Answer to No. 4. Sanctification requires a surrender and giving up of our self-nature, and a perfect conformity of our own heart and will to all the will of God. If, after doing this, we willfully retract, we become self-condemned and therefore lose our justification. But without any such retraction, it is possible to lose the victory of sanctification by a lack of faith or a lack of resistance against the enemy. The two conditions necessary for sanctification are consecration and faith. It is possible to lose the faith that sustains us in the victory of sanctification and yet hold fast our faith for justification; but we can not and dare not take back any point of our consecration and remain justified. Struggles with the enemy along this line are often on account of accusations, and the individual thinks he has become unconsecrated when the fact is, he has not, and all that is necessary is a firm resistance of the devil and an unwavering stand on the promises of God. 

A. L. B.

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IT IS NOT TRUE.

I am informed by letter through the mail, from a reliable source, that one or more of the anti-cleansing advocates are circulating promiscuously, to their advantage, that I have accepted the anti-cleansing doctrine. Now for the good of precious souls I will say, I never have accepted the anti-cleansing theory, and furthermore, never felt in the least inclined to it, and never will, and furthermore, I do not accept those men or women who hold and teach it, as being saved, and therefore have no fellowship with them, and have always considered it, and do till this day, one of the pitfalls of the devil which have a tendency to lead men and women from the real aim and object of the mission of Christ to this world. My experience is definite in both justification and sanctification. In justification I was cleansed from all sins (actual transgressions)  Revelation 1:5.  and in sanctification my heart was purified from all inbred depravity.  1st John 3:1-3. The doctrine that sanctification is a second work of grace but not a second cleansing is established on a base deception of the devil and not upon the word of truth. Read Acts 15:8, 9; Hebrews 2:11; 13:12; 1st John 3:1-3. I am your brother in Christ.   

S. L. Speck.

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OUR DUTY IN THIS SERVICE.

I feel the dear Lord would have me stir up your pure minds concerning your duty in this great work. Truly the fields are ripe to harvest and the laborers are few. One reason the laborers are so few is because so many of the dear ministers are having to stop preaching and labor with their hands for their support and car-fare. I think the Lord will have me talk plainly on this subject. There are plenty of calls for meetings all over the country, but the ministers and gospel workers can not reach these places unless we do our part. So many are ready to say: “Let them trust the Lord for money. If the Lord wants them here, he is able to supply their needs if he has to supply through sinners.” The Lord may supply that way, but are you doing your duty? If anything is said about means to help spread the pure gospel, some are ready to say, “I can not give anything.”

But I notice that if any of that class see where they can make a good trade, if they have not the money in their pocket they will soon get it if they have to borrow it.

May God help us to see that his word both in the Old Testament and the New teaches us to give. God loves a cheerful giver. 2nd Corinthians 9:7. He also says the laborer is worthy of his reward. Read also Galatians 6:6; 1st Corinthians 9:9-14; Exodus 25:1, 2. Jesus Christ himself said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35. Solomon said he that giveth to the poor shall not lack. This is a part of the gospel, and woe unto the ministers if they leave any part of it off. In a great many places the people are praying for the Lord to send them a minister to preach the pure gospel, when they have his ticket … the money to buy it … in their pocket or in the bank. “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  1st Timothy 6:9, 10. Let us not live in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.   

George M. Byrd.

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The Sin of Covetousness.

By Emil Kreutz.

To be covetous is to be excessively eager to obtain and possess, especially money or goods. There is a God-given faculty in man’s nature to desire goods and possessions; and if controlled and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, it can be used to the glory of God. But Jesus warns his people to beware of covetousness which is idolatry. And the Lord by the apostle Paul commands us to mortify the members of the flesh, which are covetousness, etc. See Colossians 3:5. He also says it is idolatry. A covetous man hath no inheritance in the kingdom of God. See Ephesians 5:5. Oh! The multitude of people that will be kept out of heaven because of this sin.

One special characteristic of the people in the “last days” was to be covetousness. See 2nd Timothy 3:2. They would heap riches together for the last day by fraud. James 5:3-6. In Ezekiel 33:30-33 we have a time prophesied when people would show much love with their mouth, but their hearts would go after their covetousness. We surely see it fulfilled even at the present time. Peter tells us about false teachers who would make merchandise of God’s people because of covetousness. How guilty the hireling ministry of sectism is of this God only knows, but sometimes I fear it will creep in even among the ministry in this reformation. This no doubt was one of the sins of Judas Iscariot … the beginning of the falling away from God. I pray that God will enable all his ministers to do even as recorded in Nehemiah 5, that all might be able to say with Paul, “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.”  Acts 20:33. Samuel said likewise. See 1st Samuel 12:3.

In Isaiah 57:17 we have a prophecy of the body of Christ, which shows why God became angry and chastised the church, or the body of Christ, viz., “for the iniquity of his covetousness.” But we have the promise that the Lord will heal him, and lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.  Verse 18. Blessed be his name! “They that will be rich fall into temptations and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in perdition.” “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  1st Timothy 6:6. Paul learned to be content with such things as he had. Philippians 4:11. We are all commanded to be content with such things as we have and to let our conversation be without covetousness. And well may we, for he hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5, 6.

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A Call to Repentance.

By Alva A. Berry.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”  Isaiah 55:1. This scripture was spoken by the prophet Isaiah many hundred years ago and is very appropriate for the present time, and the meaning of it is: “Come to Christ.” Some people may ask, How do you know that is the right interpretation? Because the word of God “rightly divided” says so. Here is the proof: In Jeremiah 2:13, speaking of sectarianism, the Lord says, “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Here is stronger proof: “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.”  Jeremiah 17:13. This scripture scarcely needs comment, and proves that Christ is “the fountain of living waters.” Hence the prophet says, “Come ye to the waters,” or, Come to Christ.

In Matthew 11:28 Christ says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In this precious truth the Lord means those who are laboring for Satan. So Jesus invites you, who are unsaved, to comply with the conditions of his precious word and have that burden of sin removed and your sins blotted out. Paul says in Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”  John 7:37. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”  Revelation 22:17.

Dear reader, if you are unsaved, will you take heed to the voice of Jesus calling you to repent and partake of this living water and his divine nature? “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” Here “Spirit” means the Holy Ghost, which convicts men of their sins. Read Genesis 6:3 and also John 16:7-11. Those who have real light on the church can see that the “bride” is the church of God, who are workers for God in the salvation of souls.

SOME PROMISES TO THOSE WHO COME.

“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine off-spring.”  Isaiah 44:3. Reader, you have probably heard or read of a desert where there is no water, and no life whatever seems to exist there. All sinners are in a similar condition, spiritually speaking; there is no water (God’s word does not abide in them) and they are also destitute of spiritual or eternal life (Read John 3:5); hence they are spiritually dead. 1st Timothy 5:6. But the Lord says in Isaiah 35:1  “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” “Desert” in this scripture is not literal, but a desert of unsaved people’s hearts. The Savior promises to quicken, or give eternal life to those who repent and obey him. Read Ephesians 2:1; John 11:25; and John 10:28. “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”  Revelation 21:6. “He that believeth on me, . . . Out of his belly [life] shall flow rivers of living water.”  John 7:38. Those who have the Holy Ghost for their teacher can see that it is impossible to fathom the depths of these precious promises in one article, but by complying with God’s word all the fruits of the Spirit of Christ will be manifest in our lives. Read Galatians 5:22. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” Another grand promise is in John 6:37  “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” The Lord also promises to remove our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:18. Read Matthew 12:31.

SOME CONDITIONS TO BE MET.

Repentance. “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”  Mark 1:15. Some people will say, “I can not believe the gospel which teaches divine healing, sanctification, etc.” Well, dear unsaved people, God calls you to repent first, and then you will be in a better condition to believe. “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  Acts 2:38. Here we see that people can receive the Holy Ghost after conversion, but not at the same time. Some will say when told that they are sinners, “There are many people in this world who murder, steal, rob, etc., and I never committed these crimes; therefore I can not be much of a sinner.” Listen and hear what Christ says about your case: “I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3. “Perish” in this scripture teaches us that every one who fails to obey God will be banished from the presence of God forever. See 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-9. Read Galatians 3:22. In Romans 3:23 Jesus says again: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”  Acts 3:19.

FORSAKING SIN.

“Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”  Isaiah 55:7.

CONFESSING SIN.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1st John 1:9. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”  Proverbs 28:13. People who think they can commit sins, secret or otherwise, and at the same time profess to be Christians, will find that unless they repent and forsake sin they will be exposed sooner or later and be eternally lost also. “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”  Matthew 10:26. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:11, 12. But there is a deep peace and joy for every one who has complied with the conditions of God’s eternal truth. See John 14:27. The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:34; “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more,” and he promised to give perfect peace to those who serve him, but says there is no peace to the wicked. Read Isaiah 57:21 and John 14:27. So you may see the difference. May God in his mercy send such a mighty conviction to the hearts of sinners that they will humble themselves before him, and receive the blessing of salvation.

OTHER CONDITIONS.

Those who come to Christ for salvation must be willing to forgive any one and every one who has mistreated them in any way. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.”  Matthew 6:14, 15. If you have robbed, cheated, or in any way dealt dishonestly with any one, you must be willing to make complete restitution as far as you are able; and if you discover that any person holds any grievance against you, you must be willing to ask forgiveness. Matthew 5:23, 24. “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:11. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”  1st Peter 5:6.

There are people who believe they are all right because they lead a moral life; they think they will get to heaven if they keep the ten commandments as near as they can. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”  Acts 17:30. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”  John 10:1. God uses his ministry to make the way so plain that the “the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”  Isaiah 35:8. So this class of people will find that, like all sinners, they can not enter into heaven except they repent, and obey the gospel of Christ. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gait, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matthew 7:13, 14. All our “righteousness are as filthy rags.”  Isaiah 64:6. The apostle speaks of a class of people who, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, . . . Have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3. Yet some of these very people who say they are all right acknowledge they hated this and that person for some reason or other. God says plainly, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a [spiritual] murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”  1st John 3:15. And again: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”  1st John 4:20.

The man spoken of in Matthew 22:11, 12 evidently thought that because he was arrayed in a robe of  “filthy rags,” or empty profession, he did not need the wedding garment, and the reader can see by reading the scriptures referred to that he was in an awful condition, and it would have been much better to have obeyed the gospel while on earth, and put on the robe of righteousness spoken of in Revelation 19:8, which is the “wedding garment.” It is your grand privilege, reader, to obey God and be clothed with this glorious robe of righteousness. You had better take heed to the voice of Christ, and not be expecting a so-called Millennial reign, as it is nothing more than a cunningly devised doctrine of devils, which encourages men to presume on God’s mercy. It is very evident that Christ will not give any one a chance to repent after death or at his second coming, but you “shall be punished with everlasting destruction [banishment] from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.”

God will not force any one to serve him, but allows all to make the choice of their own free will. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live: that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him, for he is thy life.”  Deuteronomy 30:19, 20. “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”  1st Kings 13:21. “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”  Hebrews 3:15. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”  Revelation 22:17. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30. “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”  Psalms 34:8.

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News from the Field.

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Holmes, North Dakota, January, 29.

The assembly-meeting at Grand Forks was a time long to be remembered because of the gracious presence of the Lord. He was there to convict of sin, to save, to sanctify, and to heal; and the children of God were fed and strengthened by the word of God. It was a time of much joy and humbling down before God. I never heard more wonderful testimonies than some that were given in the Spirit at this meeting. Never in any meeting were we more conscious that God was leading. Praise his name! The cause of Christ is advancing in this country. We are sure that our beloved brethren in the ministry who have been called to other fields of labor are still helping us by their prayers in the Holy Ghost, and this assurance gives us much courage to “press the battle to the gates” in this country. A sister by the name of Hyett, who has labored for a number of years in rescue work and prison work, was present and helped in the meeting. We begin meeting here to-morrow, to close next Sunday with an ordinance-meeting. Then my family will return to Grand Forks for the winter and I expect to go to Carrington and St. John to hold meetings. These are both new places. The laborers are few here now, but a number believe God has called them to preach the Word and are willing to go where he sends. All who are burdened for the work of God in this country may be agreed with us in the Holy Ghost for all his will. Please continue to pray.  

C. H. and Mary Tubbs.

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Dixie, Oklahoma, January, 24.

We are praising the Lord for victory in our souls over the flesh, the world, and the devil. The Lord has been very kind in his dealings with us and has led us gently by his hand. The Psalmist has truly said, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Our meeting at Bedford continued for about two weeks; during which time three souls were converted. This doctrine had never been preached in that place before. The people were quite attentive to the preaching of the Word, and we trust that seed is sown which will result in the saving of others in the near future.

From here we went to Dixie and began the battle against sin and Satan. Here we found a few dear souls standing for the faith once delivered unto the saints. They are being severely persecuted because they would not mingle with or take part in Baal worship. The “fire” holiness element had gotten in here and done disastrous work in devouring and scattering some of God’s people. The Lord has permitted us in the past few months to visit several places where this fire element has worked and in every instance we have found it to be detrimental to the cause of our blessed Master. It is nothing but devil power and work to deceive and drown souls in perdition.

We began our meeting in the name of Jesus, and as the word of the Lord went forth the Spirit of God seemed poured out upon the people, and souls came to the altar seeking salvation … from little children to aged, hardened sinners. The meeting lasted five weeks and during that time there were about thirty conversions and backsliders reclaimed. About ten were sanctified, and twenty were healed of various kinds of diseases. Three of these were pronounced by the doctors to be hopeless cases and were given up by them to die, but the Lord’s healing power proved equal to the emergency. Praise his name forever! We give God all the glory. Brother J. J. Redman of Mound Valley, Kansas was with us a few days. The Lord wonderfully used him in sending forth his word on divine healing. The saints at Dixie need a pastor to lead and instruct them. Who will say, “Lord, here am I; send me,” and take the oversight of the flock to keep the wolves from scattering them? We go from here to Shafter to hold up the blood-stained banner of our Savior. We desire the prayers of God’s people.

G. W. Carey and Co.

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305 Kimboro Street, Springfield, Missouri.

It has been some time since I wrote to the Trumpet, but I believe it would be pleasing to God for me to send in a little report to-day. I would say first that God has been very near and precious to my soul since I left the Trumpet Office. He has been encouraging, blessing, and leading all the way. When I reached my home (the home I had so longed for, as my fellow laborers at the Office know so well), I found myself a stranger in a strange land. It seemed to me from the first that God wanted me to go to work. I felt that he was not pleased with me being quiet. He brought to my mind very forcibly the lesson on the neglected talent. But I felt so strange, I did not know where to go. Yet when I went earnestly to God he made the way very plain. I went to a mission, and told them who I was and that I wanted to do some work for the Lord as the way opened and as he led. Well, I found plenty of work to do; for the harvest was ripe and the laborers were very few. Many times it was discouraging and I felt indeed that I was treading in a “solitary way,” but, praise God! He did not forsake me. He gave me much blessed assurance that he was leading and gave me grace to follow. I pressed on without compromise, so far as he gave me grace and understanding, with the Spirit of the Master. At last, praise God! The victory was won and the opposing elements of the mission gave up the battle and the way began to look bright. Just about this time Brother W. J. Henry returned to Springfield, from some meetings he had been holding. He took the matter earnestly to God and finally decided that God wanted him in this work. How our hearts did rejoice when we heard this. He bought out all the furnishings, and is now in charge, with one of the former workers as assistant, Brother I. Porter, a brother who is gladly receiving the light as fast as God lets it shine on his way.

We see a great work before us. We do need the prayers and co-operation of God’s people everywhere. We hold meeting every night in the mission and have cottage prayer-meetings, several every week. Many souls are being saved. But amidst it all I hear the saddest wail. Poor girls who have been leading lives of sin have come to me with words similar to the words which I will quote below and which were the very words from one dear, blighted life. “Yes, I want to get saved, but there is no hope for me. I can not live where I am and live right and no one will take me in because they will not trust me.” I doubted this at first, but as I went from one influential woman to another and then to others in the city, I found that her words were true. No one was willing to try the poor penitents for the first time. How my heart was burdened for them. How earnestly I cried to God for these poor souls, and how unworthy I felt for all his goodness to me.

Then we found so many poor, destitute people with no way to provide for themselves and no city or county ordinance or law that would make provision for them … men whose minds were almost overpowered by the awful sight of their little hungry children and not even wood enough to keep them warm. These same little children are growing up in ignorance and depravity, not having sufficient clothing for schools or the “fine churches.” The president of a ladies’ club here in Springfield recently came to our assistance in behalf of the young girls and offered a furnished kitchen and teachers where these girls could be taken two afternoons out of every week from their homes of vice and degradation and be taught neatness order, simple cooking, etc., and I think this will be a great benefit and we certainly appreciate it. But still the question confronts us: What shall we do with the poor starving families, and especially the fallen girls who are longing to rise into purity? There is not an open door, that I can hear of, in all Springfield for a homeless woman to enter. A policeman told me that he could not even take them to the calaboose unless they were taken for crime. So if a woman, through some misfortune, is thrown out of a home in this place, her only resource is to stand in the street or sell her virtue to sustain her life. Oh, dear friends and saints of God, will you share our burden?

The way is now opening for us to open a home for the poor, a helping-hand home, where they will be given a chance to prove their sincerity and worthiness, where love will try to reclaim them. The various denominations seem to have their hands full of other work. No matter what it is … enough is to say that their ears are deaf to these cries, and the only encouragement I got when I applied to a couple of ministers of these denominations in behalf of a poor, unfortunate, homeless woman, was, “We will help you if you will get her out of town as soon as you can.” God help us all. It is true we are all poor people, but God has certainly placed the burden upon us, and we ask you to beseech him either to remove it or make his will very plain, so we will not be mistaken, also pray for him to provide the means to carry on this work. The work seems so great and burden so heavy that we need your help. Not only for Springfield, but God only knows how the whole world is familiar with these scenes, and although we have never found a place more in need of help than this place is, yet let us all be up and doing. Let us seek for these poor souls, wretched and despised, in the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. Sometimes when I think of the home for me over there I wonder if I will be able to enjoy it if I have neglected to lend a helping hand to the poor, homeless, sorrowing creatures in this land. Do not fail to remember me when talking to the Master.

Mabel Cox.

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Testimonies

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Center Cambridge, New York.

I rejoice with the peace that flows day by day in my soul. It was four years ago that Christ brought me out in the light of holiness. Praise his name! It has been nearly two years since my husband and I came out of sectism. We long to hear the word of God in all its purity. We have been readers of The Gospel Trumpet some time and have received mush light through it. If any brother or sister filled with the Holy Ghost and love of God comes this way, do not pass us by. I want all the dear saints to pray that we may do God’s whole will, also that we may have more faith and live for God at all times.

Mrs. Herbert Dodds.

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Holton, Kansas.

I am praising the dear Lord for salvation that keeps me saved and sanctified day by day. I was converted in 1859 and lived up to all the light I had. I was a member of the so-called Methodist Church twenty-five years and was always taught that there was no such thing as living without sin. So I lived sinning and repenting, until about seven years ago. My husband took a claim in Oklahoma, near Manchester, and there I met with the dear saints of God. They invited my husband and me to attend their meeting, which we did afterwards. I soon began to see that there was something more for me. I asked the saints to pray for me, and I consecrated my life and all I had to the dear Lord. It was but a short time until the Lord showed me my lack of faith. I then asked the dear saints to pray for the Lord to increase my faith. The Lord did wonderfully increase my faith so I could take hold of his promises for healing. I had almost lost the use of my right hand, but the Lord wonderfully healed it in answer to prayer. I have not taken any medicine since 1894. I have been healed several time since of different diseases. The Lord has been my healer for almost seven years. I find the dear Lord a present help in every time of need. Praise his name forever! Pray that I may ever keep humble and true to him who doeth all things well.

Jane Allen.

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North Baltimore, Ohio.

Some years ago I was awakened to the knowledge of being out of Christ and without the hope of heaven. I was brought to a knowledge that made me most miserable. If I had been sentenced to prison for life or to be hung on the gallows, I could not have felt worse, but that would have been sweet if it would have ended the matter; but no, that was not what God wanted. He showed me my lost condition and where I was going to. Oh, the awful feeling that I had; I can not describe it. How I did repent of my sins! And told God that if he would forgive me of my many sins I would be willing to do anything; yes I would be willing to be burned at the stake. When I told him that I would be willing to be burned at the stake for his sake, that weight that was on my heart was removed then and there. I do praise God for his chastisement, and that he showed me my condition. To-night I am living to all the light I have on his holy word. I want all God’s people who read this to pray that I may ever be kept humble and always doing God’s holy will. I do thank God for The Gospel Trumpet; for it has brought me out of sectism and shown me the true church in Christ. I do praise God’s holy name for what he has done for me and what he is doing for me. I want all my life and strength and talents to be used for God and his cause. Pray that I may be sanctified and walk as he would have me walk and be ever ready to do his will.

Mrs. Hattie Rhoads.

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“In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear; and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.”

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Obituary.

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Allegan, Michigan.

SCHOOLCRAFT.  Harriet L. Webster was born in the state of Ohio, September 28, 1832; was married to James H. Schoolcraft in July, 1853. She departed this life January 10, 1901, aged 68 years, 3 months, 13 days. She leaves a husband and four children to mourn their loss, and while six children have gone on before. She leaves a great number of friends. She was an example in every way in her life for those to imitate that are left behind. 

J. L. Pike.

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Dayton, Ohio.

YOUNG  Sister Viola Young was born March 22, 1876; died January 31, 1901. She was married August 1, 1897, to Lawson Young. She leaves a husband, mother, and brothers and sisters. She saw, believed, and received the true gospel light of this last reformation in the summer of 1900. She was faithful to the truth, was much benefited in answer to prayers, but God saw fit to take her to himself. She realized she was going, and was at the last willing to go. Death had no sting to her. May God bless the relatives left. Her hope of spending eternity with her Savior was bright and clear.  

J. D. Hatch.

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Divine Healing

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Healed of Erysipelas.

The Lord saves, sanctifies, and keeps me all his own. He also heals me. He has just healed me of a very bad spell of erysipelas. I sent a telegram to the Trumpet Office for prayer and was anointed according to James 5:14, 15 and the Lord healed me, for which I give him all the praise. I promised the Lord if he healed me I would testify through the Trumpet.

Etta Eden.

Iuka, Kansas.

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Healed of the Grip and Asthma.

I praise the Lord for the many blessings that we are receiving from our Lord and Savior. He has promised to be with us and help us in every time of need, and I praise him that we can realize his promises are true if we only trust him and live for him alone. I was very sick early in the winter with a bad attack of the grip, but I gave my case into his hands, and he healed me. My case was lingering, as my will was not fully given up to his. My home is in Kansas. I was ready to go to my heavenly home, but I did not want to die here; but when I gave up all and was willing to die here, the Lord healed me. I am seventy-seven years of age and trust the Lord for all things, and shall do so the remainder of my life by the grace of God.

Mrs. B. A. Williams.

Toledo, Ohio, January, 22.

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Healed and Tested.

God saves and sanctifies me now; he has healed me also of rheumatism, and delivered me from the use of tobacco and strong drink. He healed me of sick-headache of about fifteen years’ standing. One day as I was alone in the house I was moved to ask God to remove the cause of the sick-headache if he wanted me to work for him and tell the people of his ability and willingness to heal. The witness came that the work was done and the headache soon went away. But in a few days came the testing time. The headache came back and stayed about a day and a half longer than it ever stayed at one time, but I would not give up my healing, for I knew the work was done. I resisted the devil and kept on praying, and it left me to rejoice with victory over all the power of the enemy. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” For by faith we stand. Pray for me.

P. F. Ropp.

Los Angeles, California.

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His Healing Power Felt.

Last September I was taken very sick, and as we believe in divine healing we prayed and I was healed instantly, but then I got worse and another trouble set in and we were very much afraid and sent for a physician, but he did me no good. Then we sent to the Trumpet Office for prayer, and on Tuesday at twelve o’clock we all agreed in prayer that I should be healed, and, praise God! I began to amend from that very hour. I also had a bad case of big neck; I could not turn my head in bed without raising up, but it is almost gone, for which I give God all the glory. After I was healed I also had very sore feet; they pained me so at times that I would have to cry. I could not rest at night and could scarcely bear the weight of the covers on them. I promised the Lord if he would heal them I would write my testimony; and so he healed them. Oh, I do praise the dear Lord for his goodness to me, also that he did not want me to go to earthly physicians for my help. I mean by the help of God to trust him at all times and for all things.

Belle Isaac.

Canby, Michigan, January, 16.

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Healed of Dyspepsia.

I feel that God would be glorified in my writing my testimony to-day and telling of his wonderful goodness to me in the saving and keeping of my soul and the healing of my body. God has truly done a work in my heart. He found me in the pride and vanity of the world, with a profession but not the real possession, and broke the bands of sectism power, setting me free from every idol which had separated me from my God. Truly he is to be praised above all else. He is the same God to me to-day as when he first saved me. He is wonderfully helping me to stand in each battle for him with a stronger desire to go through with Jesus all the way. There are no battles too hard for him, if we but trust him. 

For a long time I suffered with dyspepsia, so that I could scarcely keep anything on my stomach with ease, but I wish to glorify God by telling you he healed me of this terrible disease. I can eat nearly everything now with a relish, and he who is worthy shall be praised for the same. Truly our God is kind, and let us aid one another by our prayers, in keeping at Jesus’ feet with our will ever submitted to his in all things.

Grace E. Kriebel.

South Haven, Michigan, January, 6.

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Victory Over the Enemy.

May the peace of God rest upon his chosen people, is my prayer. Amen. I wish to testify to the healing of my thigh. The devil had been laying light afflictions upon me for some time, but I would always take them to Jesus and would get relief. Praise his holy name! One day last fall I went over to one of the neighbors and as I started to get up out of the chair I found I could hardly stand for such a pain in my thigh. I walked around the room a while then started home, but I had to limp all the way. After I got home it seemed worse. It went around my thigh just below my body, then started toward the knee. When I would take a step it seemed as if the whole limb was too short. I was suffering much pain with it, when the dear Lord showed me it was a trick of the devil. Glory be to Jesus! I then rebuked it in the name of Jesus, and started to walk as if I were not over sixteen though I am fifty-six. The devil had to flee and Jesus got the victory. Praise his name! I have not used medicine in any form for the last five years. I am saved through the precious blood of Jesus, sanctified, with an amen to the whole will of God. Pray that I may keep humble before God. 

Mrs. Kate Sisk.

Smithville, Maryland.

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Healed of Chicken-pox.

In June, 1898 the Lord saw fit to save my unworthy soul. I was then one of the proudest girls in the country, but, praise God! Salvation leaves no room for pride. How much happier I am now in serving God! About a week ago I was taken very sick, and last Sunday morning broke out with chicken-pox. It was very bad and we did not know what it was at first, but I felt sure the Lord would heal me in his own time. Sunday night I was still getting worse, the sores were breaking out in my mouth and throat and were all over my body, arms, and face. That night I could not sleep; so next morning I began to think it was time the Lord was doing something for me, and I sent to a brother and sister for an anointed handkerchief and also to another brother for prayer.

That night I felt confident they would get my letters, and that I would be healed, and glory to Jesus! He withholds no good thing from them that walk uprightly. Praise his name! I am healed. I did not have to take medicine or any simple remedy; all I had to do was simply to trust and obey. Pray that the Lord may mold a vessel out of me according to his own liking.

Alice Hoover.

Independence, Oregon, January, 18.

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Jesus Is Our Physician.

I do praise God that I have found him a present help in every time of need. It pays to trust him through all circumstances. It matters not how dangerously ill we are if we only have our trust in God; he will bring us through more than conquerors. I do praise the dear Lord for so wonderfully delivering me in sickness and being such a present help in time of need. I have trusted him all the way. Have not taken or use medicine in any way, and I can say the Lord has done for me abundantly more than I could ask or think. I took down sick with a spell of hemorrhage about six weeks before baby was born. A dear sister came and stayed with me a few days and we earnestly held my case up to the Lord and he healed me, insomuch that I was able to do the most of my housework in a few days. About four weeks after I took down with another spell more serious than the first. Husband sent for the physician; he came and fixed some medicine for me to take to stop the hemorrhage, and wanted me to take some powders to stop the neuralgic pains, as I was suffering intensely, but I told him my trust was in God and that I believed he would heal me. He told husband if I would not take the medicine he would not be responsible if I died. He said a little exertion was liable to make me worse and I might die in a few minutes. Husband told him we did not expect him to be responsible, but would leave that with the Lord, knowing he does all things well. Oh, how the devil did try to get me to take the medicine, but it seemed like the Lord kept saying to me if I took it I would not have faith to trust him through. He brought this precious promise to my mind, that he would not suffer me to be tempted above that I was able to bear, but with every temptation he would make a way of escape. And many other precious promises. Oh, how they did cheer me! I do praise God that I never took the medicine; for if I had, I would be under condemnation.

Perhaps some one will say when reading this testimony: “That is nothing; she would have got along all right any way.” But if such persons could have been with me during previous attacks and seen the medicine I took and the intense suffering I passed through at the time and for several weeks afterwards, as one disease after another made its appearance, and the condition my body was left in on account of taking the drugs, they would change their minds and say I had much to praise the Lord for. I would say to all the dear ones who seem to be weak in faith, Never give up when the testing-time comes; for it will come. Let us all prove true to God and he will prove true to us. Pray that I may always prove faithful.

Annie B. O’Brien.

Weston, Oregon, January, 10.

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A Few Words to Mothers.

By Mattie Harvey.

Dear mothers, my heart is burdened for our young girls. When I look out in the world and see so many snares and pitfalls along the pathway of life for our dear girls to pass over, my heart goes up to God in earnest prayer: What can I do, what must I do to save my little girls? The answer comes back: Bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

But the enemy of souls has so many temptations, so many agents to lure and lead them astray. We have only one sure way of safety, and that is a closeness to God. We have to watch and pray and instruct them daily from God’s Word … hold up a true and pure life in Jesus.

God has given me three dear little girls to bring up for him. My daily prayer is that the dear Lord may give me wisdom to raise them up to honor and glorify God, and to be able to work for Jesus. What is more to be admired than a sweet, pure, modest girl filled with the love of God, striving to save her loved associates? Solomon said; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6. Now, mothers, how are we going to train our girls in the way they should go? First, we should trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge the Lord, and he will direct our paths. See Proverbs 3:5, 6. We are too weak in judgment to risk trusting to our own understanding. We have to seek help from God. The Lord hath said, If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. See James 1:5. Most of us lack wisdom in training our children. Let us come boldly to a throne of grace, where we can find grace to help in every time of need. See Hebrews 4:16. I know this is the only way of safety. Just keep low down at the feet of Jesus, learn of him, and teach our little girls the way of life and salvation. Take them often to the Lord in prayer. Talk to them of the many evils of the world. Show them the cunning devices of the devil to deceive them and lead them astray.

And while we are careful of our girls, we must not forget our boys … to instruct them in the straight and narrow way. My greatest desire of life is to live to raise my children for the Lord. I am dead to this world. There is nothing for me but Jesus. I do want to live and work for Jesus and do all I can to save precious souls. I know I can not do much, but, praise God! I can do a little. I can, God helping me, raise my children for the Lord. Then perhaps it may please him to use some of them as instruments in his hands to do good in his vineyard. We can also send out a few tracts and Trumpets, which may be the means of saving some one whom God can use in doing much good. Since last June I have sent over two hundred Gospel Trumpets to different jails and prisons. I sent one pound of tracts to one State prison and a copy of “The Secret of Salvation.” To another I sent a copy of “The Great Physician, and His Power to Heal” and a half pound of tracts, and to another a half pound of tracts. I pray God they may lead some one in the way of life and salvation.

Dear mothers, let us not be discouraged because we can not get out in the work like many of our dear brothers and sisters. Let us not sit down and say there is nothing we can do. Let us be satisfied with the crumbs that fall from our Master’s table and use the talent the good Lord has given us so we can give an account of our stewardship when we are called before the great Judge of the quick and dead. In our homes and all around us there is plenty we may do. Let us say deep down in our hearts, “Dear Jesus, we will gather all we can for you.” We see so many dear souls perishing all around us; how can we keep saved and find nothing to do for Jesus? Let us pray God to send more true laborers out in the harvest-fields. The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Oh, why should we be idle, while there is so much to do? May the rich blessing of God rest and abide on The Gospel Trumpet and all its readers.