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The Gospel Trumpet
Volume 21 - Issue 8 February 21, 1901
(Articles of interest only)
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Pray without Ceasing.
By Mrs. O. G. Burroughs.
Unanswered yet, the prayer your lips have pleaded
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail, is hope declining,
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father has not heard your prayer,
You shall have your desire, some time, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Tho’ when you first presented
This one petition at the Father’s throne,
It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,
So anxious was your heart to have it done:
If years have passed since then do not despair,
For God will answer you some time, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? But you are not unheeded;
The promises of God forever stand;
To him our days and years alike are equal.
“Have faith in God!” It is your Lord’s command.
Hold on to Jacob’s angel, and your prayer
Shall bring a blessing down some time, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say unanswered;
Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done.
The work began when first your prayer was uttered,
And God will finish what he has begun.
Keep incense burning at the shrine of prayer,
And glory shall descend, some time, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Faith can not be unanswered;
Her feet are firmly planted on the Rock.
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder-shock.
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,
And cries, “It shall be done, some time, somewhere.
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The New Testament Church.
By Alvin J. Ellison.
Article 1
The builder, Jesus declared, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Therefore any institution not built solely by Jesus Christ is not the New Testament church.
It still exists. For, saith he, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Therefore we here claim the right to search out this divine institution, built solely by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is evident, since the combined forces of Satan have not obliterated it, the same church is yet in existence to-day.
What constitutes the New Testament church. In the Ephesian letter we read of Christ, and of God, who “hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body.” Ephesians 1:21-23. Also in Colossians 1:24 we read: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.”
In the preceding verse the reader will notice that the terms church and body are synonymous. The first text declares the “church” to be the “body,” while the second declares the “body” to be the “church.” Therefore if we can now produce scriptures to show what constitutes the “body,” we will then have proved what constitutes the “church,” for the church and the body are one and the same thing. The inspired apostle in writing to a certain class of individuals said: “Now ye are the body of Christ [the church], and members in particular.” 1st Corinthians 12:27. Now, since the term body is synonymous with the term church, and since Paul addresses a certain class of people as being that body, or the church, it but remains for us to show by the word of God what manner of persons they were whom Paul addressed; and that will fully prove to us who it is that constitutes the New Testament church. From his first epistle we quote: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” 1st Corinthians 1:1, 2. By the foregoing address we learn that those who constitute the body of Christ, or the New Testament church, are those who by being washed from their sins by the blood of the Lamb, thus becoming saints, have Jesus Christ in reality as their present and personal Savior. Or, in short, the New Testament church is composed of all who are born of the Spirit. Therefore, when Jesus said, “I will build my church,” he meant he would build a spiritual institution comprising all who through faith in Jesus Christ have obtained spiritual life, and by the grace of Jehovah are living a sinless, Christ-like life.
Number of New Testament churches. From the present multiplicity of so-called churches we are forced to conclude that great darkness hath blinded the minds of the entire religious world, as to the number of New Testament churches. To definitely conclude upon the number it will only be necessary for us to obtain the number of bodies of which our Lord has been the institutor; for we have before proved the terms body and church to be synonymous. Therefore we again appeal to the blessed word of truth. “For as we have many members in one body [natural members in natural body], and all members have not the same office: so we, [children of God], being many, are one [spiritual] body in Christ.” Romans 12:4, 5. Again in the apostle’s letter to the Corinthians he said, “But now are there many members yet but one body [church].” 1st Corinthians 12:20. This definite argument of the inspired apostle gives us the liberty to here assert that there is but one New Testament church. For the apostle declares that as we have many members in our one natural body, so it is with the New Testament church, the spiritual body; it also has many members (children of God) “yet but one body.” How beautifully the apostle’s argument here agrees with the words of our Savior, in that he said, “I will build my church.” … not churches. You see Christ himself spoke of the church in the singular number only. We therefore conclude with Christ and his holy apostle that there is but one New Testament church.
The vine and the branches considered. We will here consider an objection that is offered by the sectarian element against the one church as set forth in the foregoing scripture, and throughout the entire New Testament. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:1, 4, 5. It hath been argued by those who are in error concerning this great subject, that the branches, in this scripture, represent the many religious sect organizations. But this is indeed a very gross error, and can only be looked upon as an exhibition of ignorance or spiritual blindness on the part of those who propagate such heretical ideas. These comforting words of our Savior could not have any reference whatever to the man-made religious creeds as they exist to-day. For at the time he was thus instructing there existed no human organized sect whatever under the head of Christianity, neither Protestant or Catholic. All historians agree that Catholicism arose in the third century, and the oldest Protestant creed is but a babe, not yet four hundred years of age. These words of our Savior, “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” were spoken in the year 33 A.D. This alone is sufficient proof that his language had no reference to any, or all human religious organizations. By a careful investigation it will be observed that this instruction was being delivered to the eleven faithful disciples. Therefore a branch is not a religious society, but a disciple, i.e. an individual who by spiritual birth hath been grafted into the “true vine,” Jesus Christ, and thus becomes a learner in the school of righteousness. The fact that each child of God is an entire branch in the vine, Jesus Christ, is clearly set forth in verse 6. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch.” Sectarian organizations are not branches of the New Testament church; they are not the church that Jesus built, neither are they any part of it. His church was completed in the year 33 A.D., and this was a long period before such religious confusion was in sight.
The seven churches of Asia. Another scripture which sectarians bring to bear against the New Testament church is that which speaks of the seven churches of Asia. Some would vainly try to make it appear that they were seven different human or sect organizations. But a close investigation proves them all to be of the one New Testament church; each one being located in a different city, no two in any one city. See Revelation chapters 1, 2, 3.
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A Few words of Exhortation.
By F. H. Hawk.
My soul is stirred to see the dear people so careless about their souls, just waiting as though expecting God to come to their terms, but this he never will do. He has set before you good and evil. “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” Dear unsaved souls, you are eternity-bound, either for heaven or hell. God is sparing you day by day, still waiting with love and long-suffering. Yet in the face of his word and many warnings, you will wait until it is forever too late. How much more could you expect him to do for you? “Yes, but,” says one, “he is a merciful God.” Surely he is, but he has given you your chance to make your home in heaven or in hell. He will come in his fury taking vengeance on the wicked, and will spare not.
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth.” Revelation 16:15. “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief.” Revelation 3:3. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” 2nd Peter 3:10. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape.” 1st Thessalonians 5:2, 3. “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your heart be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, so that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Never since the foundation of the world has there been a day like this. People are rocked to sleep in their cradles of carnal security, making their bellies their God, just as Jesus said whilst here on earth, eating and sleeping and reveling, yet carrying a profession which will surely damn their souls in the end.
May God stir up our souls more every day with a holy rebuke against the devil and all his works. My prayer daily is for God to lay his hand on this work and keep down every spirit that is not of God; for surely, dear ones, these are perilous times.
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God’s Final Reformation.
By R. Rothman.
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught: but if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” Acts 5:38-40.
Gamaliel, the wise Jew who uttered these words many hundred years ago, knew that God’s work would go on in spite of opposition; also that the work of false prophets would come to naught. Whether or not Christianity would succeed in its mission, depended, in his mind, on whether or not “it be of God.” And whether or not the present truth is to prove the great and final reformation, depends also on whether or not “it be of God.” If the Lord be for us none can prevail against us; but if he and his word be not on our side, then will our work come to naught. Scriptures bearing on the past, present, and future of the Christian era show that God is behind this work … is for us.
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3. (Read the chapter.)
This prophecy refers to the coming of Christ. He came to the world when the people were groping in the darkness of pagan superstition; when the most spiritual people, the Jews, were, as a whole, far from God. To Christ came earthly kings to do him honor, even when he was a humble babe; and many Gentiles were saved by the preaching of the gospel. The glorious light of the Sun of righteousness shone with great brilliancy during the days of Christ and his apostles and for several hundred years afterward; but then an apostasy arose and the superstition of Romanism intruded in the place of the pure gospel: and in this was fulfilled the following prophecy:
“And it shall come to pass, in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: and I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.” Amos 8:9, 10.
When Romanism substituted the mourning of penance and the gloom of monkish cells for the glad songs of salvation; and when her most religious men clothed themselves in sackcloth, they fulfilled the foregoing prophecy; and when she kept the word of God from the people and they starved for the bread of life, the living word, this prophecy was fulfilled:
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine for bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11, 12.
When the reformers of the sixteenth century restored to the people the gospel light of justification by faith, they fulfilled this word: “But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night.” Zechariah 14:7. The dark night of Romanism was past, but only a part of the glorious gospel of Christ was restored, which made the gospel day neither day nor night, but a mixture of the two. In these days when full salvation from sin and healing of the body are lifted up as the Bible standard, the gospel light shines in its full glory: and now when all sect division is opposed and Christ exalted over all, this saying is brought to pass:
“It shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half to them toward the former sea, and half of the toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and name one.” Zechariah 14:7-9.
During these perilous times when iniquity abounds on every side the Lord is sending forth his ministers with power and authority to preach the everlasting gospel. As the word goes forth it stirs people to either come out fully for the Lord, or to drop their profession of Christianity. It has been the custom in late years to enroll on church registers the name of many people who do not even claim to have salvation; who sin each day and hour, as they themselves say; and whom the Word declares are of the devil. For “he that committeth sin is of the devil.” 1st John 3:8. These sinners professing to be Christians are as heathen in the sight of God; for “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” God’s truth is making war on these heathens, and they think the true children of God are an extreme people. But the Word of truth will convince the spiritually-minded that not man but God is sending forth his judgments. Read Joel 3.
“Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou has transgressed against the Lord thy God, and has scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord: for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:12-15.
The ministers in this reformation are not slack in showing up the devils of division; but I know of few who speak in sharper reproof than the written word. In most so-called Christian pulpit’s the preachers preach doctrines in flat contradiction to the New Testament, and it seems that the people desire it so. This kind of work is a horror in the sight of God Almighty; and his ministers, if filled with his Spirit, can but cry aloud and spare not.
“A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:30, 31.
This reformation of God makes his people all one by the power of Bible sanctification, which destroys the elements that make division. Read John 17. The devil is counterfeiting this with a “union” movement. He has caused the sects to come together and attempt to fulfill Christ’s words, to be “all one,” by making a conglomeration of creeds. They have attempted to heal sectism in this way; but God is against the movement.
“They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Harken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not harken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not harkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.” Jeremiah 6:14-19.
It would indeed be sad were there only a dark side to the work of the Lord in these days. But God is always working for the good of his people, and while he must and does use the chastening rod, he delights to do good. God will gather his scattered people and rejoice over them when they are safe in Zion. He says:
“Fear not; for I am with thee; I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name; for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:5-7.
In Isaiah 60 we have one of the most precious promises in the Bible. After foretelling the coming of Christ, a time of affliction (the apostasy) follows; but after this has past the light of the glorious gospel of Christ is to shine forth and no more go down. So we may look forward to a glorious “evening time.”
“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” Isaiah 60:18-21.
In verse 17 we read, “I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.” In this verse lies the secret of how God is to govern his church. Instead of the disciplines of men, God himself will rule his people. He rewards and punishes by giving and withholding his peace, and thus keeps his little ones in his divine order; and the joys of righteousness are so precious that they act as exactors and constrain God’s people to do their duty that they may enjoy the same. Truly God’s work is perfect in all respects. Time and space fail us to tell of all his marvelous works and goodness to his people, even to those whose hearts have been purified by the blood of Jesus. But let me assure you, dear reader, if you are not already convinced of it, that this work is “of God.” Amen.
“The man that knows his cause is just
Is armed with forces strong as steel;
No foe disturbs his perfect trust,
Nor cools the ardor of his zeal,
His faith is fixed in living laws
That move the centuries along,
And fix the triumph of a cause
Upon the right, and not the strong.”
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Be Established.
By T. E. Ellis.
“Now unto him that is able to stablish you according to my gospel.” Romans 16:25. To become established according to the gospel, one must consecrate as the Word teaches. The reason so many professors of religion are not established according to the gospel is because they follow the doctrines and commandments of men. Instead of making a full surrender and consecration, they go through a mere form taught by some creed. “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.” Hebrews 13:9. Many are confused, because there are so many different doctrines. Every creed contains some doctrine contrary to the word of God. We can be established in the doctrine. For the Word says: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17. To do his will means to repent and get right with God and continue to obey his word. If we are fully established, nothing can move us out of line with God. We shall be able to stand when afflictions come upon us. 1st Thessalonians 3:14. When persecutions may come upon us, if we are established, we will not compromise with sectism, or be influenced to partake of any worldliness, but will be able to do our duty under all circumstances.
God wants us to be so settled and established that the gates of hell can not prevail against us. See Matthew 16:18. Establishing grace may be preceded by suffering. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1st Peter 5:10. Some, when the suffering comes upon them, give way rather than become established.
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“He that boldly faces trouble
When it rises in his way
Strides ahead and bravely meets it,
Finds his path, when he defeats it,
Broad and smooth, the sages say.”
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Do You Truly Love the Lord?
By Viannah Crites.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: . . . He that loveth me not keepeth not my saying.” John 14:21-24. Dear reader, do you truly love the Lord? If so, you will prove it by keeping his commandments. How sad to see a soul professing to be a lover of the meek and lowly Lamb of God and yet knowingly disobeying his commands every day. We have heard such contending that we could not live without sin, thus trying to make God a liar; for when the angel announced to Mary that she should have a child, and that he was to be the Savior of the world, he told her she should call his name Jesus, for he should save his people from their sins … not in them. Then when Jesus came and began to teach the people the new and living way, he told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that we must be born again. Paul says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things [old sins] have passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6. How beautifully this harmonizes with 1st John 3, tells us that whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.
Do you believe God’s words? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be save; and he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, . . . And have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1st Corinthians 12:13. “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.” 1st Peter 2:21, 22. Again in Hebrews 4:15 we read that he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Then let no man deceive himself: “he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1st John 3:8.
Have you been baptized into the glorious body of Christ by the Holy Spirit? Here is the test whereby you may know: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; whosoever sinneth hat not seen him, neither known him.” We have abundance of scripture to prove that we can not sin and be children of God at the same time. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: . . . For sin shall not have dominion over you.” Romans 16:12-16.
Who in the face of all these New Testament scriptures will try to justify themselves in committing sin every day? The Lord tells us he will come quickly and his reward is with him to give every man according as his work has been, and what if he should come when some of these would-be sinning Christians were in the act of transgressing some of his laws? Do they hope to go unpunished? If so, they are deceiving themselves. “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy. . . Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God? . . For ye know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:27-31. Truly I should be afraid to fall into God’s hands if I were in the act of transgressing his laws. How often God’s people meet with those who are contending for their sins, and hear them perverting God’s word. They say, “He that says he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truth is not in him,” but they fail to give us a “Thus saith the Lord.” They have heard their sinning brothers and sisters use that phrase so much that they think it is scripture. Some of them fly to some Old Testament scripture for refuge, but let all such remember that the law could make nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did. Christ came to redeem us from all our sins and iniquities and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Praise the Lord for this new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us and in which he hath made us kings and priest unto himself, and given us the privilege of entering into the holiest place by the blood of Jesus.
And now, dear reader, you that have been born of God and been justified by faith and have peace with God, and thereby have access into this grace, or holiest place … sanctification … wherein you can stand amid trials and temptations, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, go forward and take possession of your inheritance. Why tarry and listen to the evil reports which the majority of people have to say against this land of Canaan, and die in the wilderness as the children of Israel did who listened to the evil report those ten spies brought back? What if some do tell you it is impossible to live without sin, that there is no such thing as a second work of grace, and raise many other false reports to keep you from entering in? The command is, Go forward, and if you truly love the Lord you will obey, and then the good things of the land are yours. You can eat to your satisfaction and grow fat, and flourish. That hungering and thirsting will be satisfied with the corn and wine, milk and honey. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Truly God’s word is food to the soul that has been washed, and purged from all uncleanness. Those who are clamoring for sin will not find much of a relish for God’s word; for a transgressor does not like to be brought face to face with the law, but shirks it as much as possible, unless the burden becomes too great to bear, which is sometimes the case, so that now and then one will acknowledge his guilt, and take the penalty of a broken law. But I am so glad that Christ loved us so much that he was willing to suffer and die for us, and is now waiting to hear all guilty souls acknowledge their sins and ask his forgiveness, and he is then ready to forgive, when they fully obey his word and watch and pray.
He will fulfill his word and keep us from the very hour of temptation, which he said should come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the face of the earth. See Revelation 3:10. For we are kept by the power of God unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. But, dear reader, God has not promised to keep us unless we follow his instructions and shun the appearance of evil. “Keep thine heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27. Then those who wish to show their love by obeying God’s word and removing their feet from evil, will not find it any hard task to remove those rings from their fingers, or bracelets from their wrists, or pins and chains which are worn for ornament. The birds and flowers and feathers and profusion of ribbons and laces are very easily removed; the ruffles and laces will begin to come off the dresses; the quid and pipe will be removed from the mouth to stay; the bangs and curling-irons will be a thing of the past, and the time spent in curling the hair can now be spent in reading God’s word and in prayer. Why do harlots wear a profusion of bangs and frizzes? Is it not to make themselves appear more beautiful in order to attract the attention of the opposite sex? Then may the professed Christian ladies who consider themselves of a truly virtuous character abandon this habit of the lewd and vile and remember that every one that hath this hope (the hope of a Christian) in him purifieth himself even as he (Jesus) is pure. Our affections are purified from these vain desires. “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, . . . Or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, . . Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” 1st Peter 3:1-5. See also 1st Timothy 2:9, 10.
When we truly love the Lord we do not wish to spend our money for that which is not to the glory of God. The show, fair, theater, and other places simply for amusement have no attraction whatever for a true child of God. So far is the desire removed for these things that they do not want to be seen on the streets on high show day nor Fourth of July celebrations, when it can possibly be avoided, and so far is the desire removed for such things that they will not stand on their front doorsteps, as if with longing eyes; for the world would say! “They would like to go, if it were not against their religion.” Thank God for his saving, cleansing, renovating power, that saves and keeps to the uttermost.
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ALONE.
By Annie Shipley.
My heart goes out this morning to the dear children of God who are scattered in dark places and have no opportunity of meeting with the saints and singing the praises of God and seeing their faces beaming with God’s eternal glory and their hands lifted in the sanctuary and blessing the Lord. It is truly a blessed privilege to assemble together, but how nice it would be if all the saints on earth could meet in one large assembly together, how the songs would reecho and fill the air with heavenly music; yea, I believe that the very angels would join in the chorus. Praise God! Dear ones, if we are faithful just a little while here, we will get to be in just such a meeting. Let us read Revelation 7:9 and see who will be there. “After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb [Jesus], clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” All nations and tongues, and all dressed just alike, and all singing the same song. Listen; the 10th verse says, “And the multitude cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. . . And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulations, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” Do we have this suit on? If not, we can not come to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. All who are permitted to enter in must be dressed in linen clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8. Then be of good cheer. Be just as willing to remain in dark places if God puts you there and can get glory out of your life. You may be tempted and tried. Satan may whisper to you and tell you, you can not do anything alone.
It was when Moses was alone that the angel of God appeared to him in a burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and sent him to deliver his brethren who were in bondage in Egypt. Perhaps God has the same mission for you; he wants you to live and talk salvation to your neighbors who are in Egyptian bondage, bound by the archfiend of perdition … in sin without any one to help unless you can get them to realize that Jesus came to deliver … to set them free from the power of sin and Satan. You say, I can not talk well. Yes, that is what Moses said (See Exodus 4:10, 11), but such an excuse did him no good. In the 12th verse God positively said, “Go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” It was when Jacob was alone in a strange land, far from his own people, sleeping on the ground with a stone for a pillow, that God showed him a dream and through him blessed all families of the earth. “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.” Genesis 28:12-14.
It was when Elijah was alone, hid from his enemies, by the brook Cherith, there in that lonely place, that God sent the ravens to feed him; twice every day he sent him bread and fish, with water from the brook to drink. Think how lonely, and yet there was where God sent him and there he must stay till God said go. See 1st Kings 17:3-9. But by obeying God he was enabled to destroy idolatry out of the land. See 1st Kings 18.
Daniel was away from his own people in bondage to another people when he was cast into the lion’s den, but God put him there to redeem that people, and through him the King passed the decree that in every dominion of his kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
It was in a strange land among wicked people that the three Hebrew children were cast into the fiery furnace and were so miraculously delivered. See Daniel 3:24-26. It would take so long to enumerate them all; but we will go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus alone agonized for you and me; there the battle was fought; Jesus conquered and the angels came and ministered to him. See the apostles alone on the water, tossed with the waves, for the wind was contrary; “but straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid.” Matthew 14:24-27. Alone and yet not alone. So he says to you, “Be of good courage: it is I; be not afraid.” Take courage, God has something good for you if you are true. You may be tempted to think you are all alone, but if you are God’s dear child remember he is with you; he has promised never to leave you. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.” Psalms 91:4.
“When in affliction’s valley,
I’m treading the road of care.
My Savior helps me to carry
My burdens when heavy to bear;
I heard the voice of my Savior
Telling me still to press on;
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.”
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Christ’s Commission.
By J. B. Elsrode.
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." What a commission to mortal man! What a responsible position for men to occupy! No wonder the Savior after giving them the commission to preach the gospel said to them, "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49. Jesus did not tell them how long they should tarry but they were to tarry till they received the Holy Ghost. Jesus said, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place [all waiting for the descent of the Holy Ghost]. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven [not from men, but from heaven] as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." And they began to preach. What? Christ's name being the only name given under heaven whereby men could be saved. They held up a crucified but risen Savior to the world; not self but Christ. They preached with such power that three thousand were converted and added to the church in one day.
If it was necessary for the disciples to tarry until endued with power, how much more do we need to tarry in this age of the world when sin and false doctrine abound on every hand. Jesus said that certain signs should follow the preaching of the gospel. Where are the signs at the present day? We do not see enough of them. Oh, dear brothers and sisters, let us tarry first until we get the enduement of power. How often we see meetings held from ten to fifteen days and longer and no signs follow; no one saved or healed. Many times it is because we do not tarry until we are endued with power from on high. We have been to meetings where ministers preached two hours or more with no signs following. We try to do the work alone and leave Christ in the background; exalt self instead of exalting Christ. May the good Lord help us do more knee work, more crying to God to use us as he thinks best. Let God preach through us. Get out of self, get into Christ. Get more of the Spirit of the Master and not lord it over God's little ones. "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Hold up Christ before the world. Let us show to the world a Christ-like spirit, let us love each other. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples." Why? "Because ye have love one to another." "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another." God forbid that we should try to exalt ourselves in the sight of man, and try to lower our brother in the estimation of our fellow men. May the good Lord help us all to get down low at the feet of Jesus and learn of him who was meek and lowly in heart. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." We do not care what they profess; let us in the light of God's word examine ourselves and see if we have the Spirit of the Master. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." God help us that we may be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Let no one put a stumbling-block in his brother's way to cause him to stumble, fall, or become offended. Oh, may we get the mind of the Spirit of Christ that we may be the means in God's hands of winning precious souls to Christ, is the prayer of your brother in the gospel.
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Questions Answered.
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You people say that man can not receive members into the church, neither can he turn them out. You will therefore please explain 3rd John 10.
O.P.W.
The 9th and 10th verses of 3rd John speak of certain that were cast out of the church by Diotrephes, a wicked man who loved to have the pre-eminence among the members. The inquirer will please read the 10th verse again and use the word "congregation" instead of "church," then all will be plain. "Congregation" is just as correct a translation as "church." The latter word probably is more misleading to some who are accustomed to apply the word to the universal society and not to the local assembly. "Church" is applicable to both, and in this text refers to the local assembly; but "congregation" comes more within our present usage of terms and therefore enables one to more readily grasp the idea that Diotrephes was merely casting members out of the local congregation. His casting them out, however, did not sever them from the body of Christ, the church, for they were members still. Neither he nor any other man has power to receive members into or turn members out of the church of Christ for that prerogative is God's exclusively.
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Next Question.
Do you people that are represented by The Gospel Trumpet consider the doing of secular business (ordinary daily work) on Sunday to be a sin? If so, why?
O. B.
There is no law in the Bible forbidding secular business on Sunday, and of course, where there is no law there is no transgression. Sunday, the first day of the week, is for Christians, the example of giving it a special observance being set by the apostles. It is considered to be the same as "the Lord's day," mentioned by the Revelator, the day on which Christians are to assemble for worship. A man who is a Christian, therefore, will not disregard the special observance of Sunday as a day of worship. There is nothing against doing secular work that is necessary to be done; but, inasmuch as it is certainly respectful for the unsaved to pay regard to Sunday by a cessation of regular daily business, it would not be well for the Christian to set the example of carelessness by doing any more secular work than is necessary on that day.
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Next Question
Please explain Luke 18:19 "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."
J. W. H.
We would advise the inquirer to send for a copy of the tract "Must We Sin?" Price, two cents. It explains this and other points that are supposed to be against the doctrine of perfect holiness in this life.
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Next Question
Please explain the intermediate place. Is there such a place? What is the apocrypha? Is it an ancient history, or is it a part of the Bible?
P. M. H.
An article by Brother H. M. Riggle will appear in the Trumpet soon, explaining Hades, or the intermediate place.
The term "apocrypha" (meaning hidden) is a name most commonly applied to the un-canonical books that have been added to the Old Testament. They are valuable for their history, but are regarded as without divine authority or inspiration, so that they can not be used in support of any doctrine or practice. There are also New Testament apocryphal writings, consisting of the spurious gospels, histories, biographies, and epistles; but they are never printed in Bibles. About the time and since the time the New Testament books were written, there were fraudulent attempts made to write gospels, but by their nonsensical stories it may easily be seen that they are not genuine. And these, with all other such writings as are considered spurious, are called apocryphal writings. Some of them were intended to counterfeit the genuine gospels, but failing to properly represent the true gospel, they only confirm the same, just as counterfeit coins confirm the genuine.
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Next Question.
Would it be scriptural to ordain elders or deacons before they are sanctified?
A. B. P.
When we remember that the Holy Spirit is the organizer of God's church, appointing the members severally to their various callings; that he is the qualifier as well, fitting each one with the necessary gifts and qualifications; that the early disciples were to wait until they received the executive power of the Holy Spirit coming upon them before engaging in the work of the Lord; and that the reception of the Holy Spirit is sanctification … we conclude that it would not be scriptural to ordain elders or deacons before they are sanctified. See 1st Corinthians 12; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5, 8. It would not be scriptural ordination before the Holy Spirit had first done the appointing. It would be nothing but a meaningless, formal ceremony. Ordination is an outward recognition of the inward calling, while it partakes of the nature of an appointment.
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Next Question.
To whom did John address his second epistle?
J. B.
We believe it most probable that he addressed a certain distinguished lady in the church, and her children, just as his third epistle was addressed to the individual Gaius. A. L. B.
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The All-Sufficient Blood.
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:13, 14.
The gospel of full salvation from all sin, through the atonement of the Son of God is the central and prominent truth of the whole Word of God. Jesus Christ was the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." He was the promised Redeemer to Adam for the recovery of a ruined race. Genesis 3:15. Abel's "more excellent sacrifice" than Cain's offered by faith, was typical of the blood of Christ. So with all the blood offerings of the Mosaic worship; they pointed to a sacrificial atonement for sin. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11.
These sacrifices embodied the idea of present and complete deliverance, not only from committed sins, but from the nature of sin. David and Isaiah's cries for a clean heart were from divine conviction and from a scriptural understanding that holiness of heart then and there was their great need. David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalms 51. When the holiness of God was revealed to Isaiah he saw his own uncleanness and cried out, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips." "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." Isaiah 6:6, 7. The Holy Spirit wrought upon their hearts and convicted them of their sinful nature and pointed to the sacrificial offering in the promised Messiah, of whom Isaiah wrote that his name should be called "Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6.
The sacrificial offering of Christ would have been a failure if sin in the nature could not have been eradicated. God not only provided for the complete destruction of all sin in human hearts but has commanded it and promised it. Titus 2:11-14; 1st Thessalonians 5:22, 24. It is virtually an insult to Christ and to the throne of God to teach any other doctrine. To teach that we must necessarily retain the sinful nature through this life makes God of less power than Satan.
If the devil had power to cause man to instantly and completely lose his purity by consent of his will, can not the omnipotent God, through the blood of Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost, if man will meet the conditions, completely and instantly restore to perfect purity? "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
The ushering in of the Holy Ghost dispensation on the day of Pentecost was characterized by purifying each heart of the one hundred and twenty disciples who had been preparing their hearts for his coming. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8, 14; 2:1-4. They "were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Peter speaking to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost says, "And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts 15:8, 9. The blood cleansed from all sin; the Holy Ghost did the work and came in to abide an empower. Selected.
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News from the field.
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Marion Station, Mississippi
. The dear Lord is keeping me truly saved and teaching me precious lessons all the while. Bless his holy name! I am out and out for God. I have my little family very conveniently situated now, and will go wherever the Lord leads. The dear Lord keeps me and mine sweetly saved in the oneness of spirit.
N. Lovelady.
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126 19th St., Wheeling, West Virginia.
I am happy to greet you once more through The Gospel Trumpet and to report perfect victory in my soul and a real advance in spiritual life. The hand of the Lord has been truly manifest in his healing and saving power. We had a ten days' meeting in West Wheeling, where the Lord especially blessed the truth in sweeping away false doctrines and in restoring unison and harmony, also in opening two new places where meeting are held regularly. We are trusting the Lord to raise up some workers who can come and take up this work permanently. There is a mission room 28X40 and two dwelling rooms 14X16 feet. One can find plenty of work to occupy all the time. The Lord is truly working here in this city. Who will say, "Here am I, Lord; send me?"
G. T. Clayton.
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1533 South C. Street,
Tacoma, Washington, February 6.
I am praising God for real victory in my soul in Jesus' name. Although Satan has my body afflicted I have the victory, for the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. Halleluiah! I have been holding some meetings lately in the small towns near Seattle and Tacoma, and preaching on the streets in both these places. God has blessed the work and permitted me to see a few souls seek for mercy and pardon. This is a new field, the light not having been taught here very much. The people are mostly sitting in darkness, and love darkness rather than the glorious evening light of the gospel as it is now shining, saving us from all sin and division. If any of the saints having back numbers of the Trumpet will send me some of them, I believe I can use them to the glory of God in helping to circulate the truth. Any of the dear ones desiring meetings in this part of the state and wishing my help, I would be glad to correspond with them and be used of God to help if he wills. Pray that I may have more holy wisdom and be used more and more to the glory of him that sent me.
A. H. Hammond.
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604 Hobson Ave., Hot Springs, Arkansas.
I am praising the Lord for the eternal life which we have of the Father and the Son and the power of the resurrection life in Christ, who is able to keep his own free from committing sin every hour. I thank the dear Lord for his directions and care in a recent visit with the saints of Texas. I pray the good Lord to richly reward the dear ones for their liberality in supplying our needs for the journey. I want to ask the saints to join me in prayer that the Lord may in his own way supply the means to purchase a tabernacle to be used in gospel work where he leads. We have been holding this matter before the Lord for some time, feeling his approval in the matter, and recently he has directed me to write through the Trumpet regarding the same. Now we want the Lord to have his own way about supplying the means to get the tabernacle and the proper ones to labor with it. It might be used some time in the town of Hot Springs. A mission might be run here for much good, but we are waiting on the Lord to direct and open a place for the work. We are working with our hands at present for the needs of our family. The Lord grant a host of really consecrated workers to proclaim the truth of the gospel this year. Address us as above.
James M. Johnson.
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Heckton, Indiana, February, 11.
The meeting at Cayuga, Ind. closed with real victory on the Lord's side. There were eight consecrations, some for pardon and some for sanctification, and three or four declared their freedom from Babylon. The last night of the meeting there were five hands up for prayers. The church in that part of the country was much encouraged. Brothers Davison and Steel were with us part of the time in that meeting. I expect, the Lord willing, to help in a meeting at Olive Bethel near Beaverdam, Ind., beginning Feb. 15. Please pray for me.
Samuel P. Strang.
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East Prairie, Missouri, February, 6.
We are all well and still saved. Our little boy two years old had chills, but the Lord healed him yesterday in answer to prayer and faith. Since we last wrote have been holding some meeting at this place, also in Scott county, near Morehouse. We went to the Baker school house January 18 and commenced meeting in Jesus' name. Satan began to try to hinder at once, first by closing the school house doors against us. But the Lord opened up the way by permitting the doors to be opened again. So we went on with the meeting. Satan found that would not work, so he tried something else, getting up a smallpox scare. But, praise God! in spite of all he could do the meeting went on with success. Real conviction settled down on the people. It is a new field, but many hands were raised for prayer during the meeting, and when we left some were weeping over their condition. Pray that God may use us to his own glory. We expect to travel this spring and summer, the Lord willing. We are ready to go anywhere the way opens and the Lord leads. We travel with wagon and team. Any one wanting meeting, write us at this place. We are stripped for the race … just anywhere with Jesus. May the Lord bless his dear saints everywhere. Pray much for us.
H. W. and Elizabeth White.
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Hammond, Louisiana, February, 7.
To-day I report victory over the enemy by the blood of Jesus. I have been out in the field but little. I was led here a few weeks ago and have been laboring together with Brothers F. M. Williamson and H. L. Robertson in erecting a tabernacle for the camp-meeting and for general assembly-meetings that will be held from time to time as the Lord directs. The Lord is blessing our labor and we expect to have it ready for the coming camp-meeting and also look for a glorious time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Now I would say to those who feel interested in the work here in the south and desire to assist the above-mentioned brethren, it will be greatly appreciated … either your prayers or your means, as the Lord shows you. If any wish to correspond with them address F. M. Williamson, Hammond, La. The burden is somewhat heavy to bear, as there are but few saints here who are consecrated thoroughly in the matter; therefore take it to the Lord, and perhaps he would have you help carry the burden. The building is very much needed here and there is a good opening for much good. Brother E. Voight is also opening up a farm in connection with the home, which I feel is in the order of the Lord. I expect to labor in the gospel as the Lord directs. Pray much for the work here in the South and that God use us to his glory. My permanent address now is Quadrate, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.
J. E. Forrest.
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Landstreet, Tennessee, February, 7.
Once more we feel God would have us pen a few lines to The Gospel Trumpet, as it has been some time since I have made any report from the field. But, dear ones, I have been busy all the time. I can not afford to be idle when there is so much to do. Calls come in from all around. I went from Huntsville, Alabama to Athens, Tennessee and went out into the country, and held about a week or ten day's meeting with the dear saints. God gave us a good meeting. From there I went to Sewee and had a few days' meeting. The dear saints were strengthened. That country was once alive for God, but crooked lives have hurt the cause at that place. Pray much for the work there. From there I went to St. Clair, Tennessee to the assembly-meeting, and found things very dark. But when God's word went to searching it found all the crooked places. God did honor his word. Several dear ones saw they had nothing but just an empty profession, and they got down to business as never before. Some were at the altar pleading for mercy, and some got deliverance. Much good was done. It was said to be the best meeting they had there for years. God did bless his precious word. Brothers W. A. Sutherland and Porter Long were ordained for the work of the ministry. At the close of the meeting we had a sweet ordinance-service.
From there we went to Morristown, Tenn. and held meeting a few days in a hall. From there we came to Greene county, where we are now. We begin meeting here to-morrow night, in a school house. This country seems to be ripe to harvest. Anybody wishing to write to me address me at Landstreet.
N. S. Duncan.
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Flat, Missouri, February, 4.
We are praising God for perfect salvation and victory all the time. The dear Lord is still blessing our labor, for which we give him all the glory and praise. After the camp-meeting at Vichy we held a grove-meeting near Brother Kennedy's (Wilson Mills); next a meeting at Bell Chapel (Norman), then held a ten days' meeting at this place.
Brother Neff and Sister Elta Wilson were with us at those meetings. We truly felt the presence of the Lord with us at all the meetings. In November we went to our home near Saint James, and spent a few days. Then to the assembly-meeting, where the dear Lord wonderfully manifested his power to us by several instances of healing, one case of cancer of the eye, and other cases. We held a few days' meeting five miles from where the assembly was held, after which we went to the Fore school house, south of Rolla, where we held a two weeks' meeting. The darkness prevailed on every hand, but by the unlimited love and mercy of God we soon found that the walls of prejudice were broken so that the pure light shone enough that the dear people began to read and search their Bibles. Next we held a meeting lasting seventeen days at Ozark school house, near Salem. Good interest was taken, some tracts and leaflets distributed, also song-books, etc., sold among the people. No souls were saved, but some requested prayer, and we are made to believe that seed has been sown at that place that can never be rooted up. When not in meeting we spent most of our time with the church at Flat. The Lord truly has a prosperous little church here the last year. About twenty are standing true and on the advance for God, amid persecutions, hatred, and scoffs from the world. The Lord is with them and makes all grace abound according to his word. Praises be to his holy name forever. We are spending all our time and giving all our talent to the service of the Lord. The Lord has raise up some precious workers at this place. Some are with us in the work, others elsewhere doing the will of our Master. We do not know where the Lord will direct us from here. We earnestly ask the prayers of the saints that we may be kept very humble, and following the leadings of God, and that we may be more profitable in God's service the present year than we have in the past year, that the fruits of our labors may be many precious souls turned from darkness to light.
Julia Myers and Co.
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Testimonies
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I want to add my testimony to the number of God’s witnesses who are testifying to what the dear Lord is doing for them. Praise his holy name! He has lately raised up my little son who was prostrated with fever. Though my husband is an unbeliever, yet God manifested his power and glory in answer to my prayer alone; for there is no one else around here in this blessed faith. Pray for the salvation of my poor husband. Pray the Lord to help me to take a firm stand for the whole truth as it is in Jesus.
Nettie Carrick.
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Camp, Arkansas.
I feel like praising the dear Lord through the Trumpet. I have been in this blessed way of full salvation for nineteen years and the way grows brighter all the time. Oh, we have so many lessons of faith to learn. Glory to God for such a great Teacher! It does me good to talk of salvation from all sin. Halleluiah! I am saved and sanctified. We love to read the Trumpet. It is so clean and pure. Praise the Lord for pure literature!
Annie L. Lynn.
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Holton, Kansas.
I am still trusting the Lord for my healer, as I have been for about five years. I came out in the faith in Oklahoma. I have been a member of the Methodist Church thirty years. The Lord has healed me several times through the prayer of the dear saints. Pray that I may keep the victory over the enemy of my soul. Any of the saints passing through this way will find a welcome at my house. We will be glad to see you.
Jerry Allen.
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South Haven, Michigan.
I can testify of the Lord’s goodness to me. I know he saves my soul and keeps me from all sin. I am so glad I was willing to accept him when he called after me. Praise his dear name! He gives me peace and glory every day and helps me to live with victory in my soul over the powers of the enemy. Pray, dear ones, that I may be kept continually doing my Master’s will. I am dead to this world and alive in Christ and always want to be found a humble child of God.
Mrs. Norton Bates.
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Decatur, Michigan.
Truly we are praising God for his mighty saving, keeping, and healing power. We find God a present help in every time of need. Our baby has been very sick several times this winter. The last was indigestion and a very sore mouth, and the Lord did wonderfully heal him. Praise his dear name! It has been eleven years last October since the Lord saved our souls. We have proved the Lord several times and always found him true to his word, where it says he will do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. Pray that our faith fail not and that we be true to God.
Mrs. Addie Simmons.
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Chandler, Oklahoma.
I was converted in the Methodist Church and went from there to the Dunkards because I felt that they were nearer right on some points. I also preached for them one year, and the dear Lord let me see that they were not the real body of Christ, but a sect. My soul was crying out to God for wisdom, and God answered my prayer by sending Brother Isaac Howard, who preached to us the whole counsel of God, which I rejoiced to hear. This was two years ago. At that time I had been afflicted with kidney disease for three years, from which I suffered very much. I also was anointed according to James 5:14, and the Lord healed me; and has healed me and my family a number of times since. I can truly say he has become my salvation in every sense of the word. Praise his dear name!
J. A. Carter.
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Saint Paul, Kansas.
I am trying day by day to be more like my Savior who gave his life for me that I might be like him. I praise God to-day for the comfort I take in trusting him for all things. It has been many years since I entered upon this highway of holiness, nor have I ever grown weary in the service. Truly I can say that the longer I am in the way the better I like it. My faith grows brighter, my hopes stronger, and I am the more determined by his grace to persevere to the end. He says in his Word, “Ye are my witnesses.” It is the great desire of my heart always to be a living witness to the power of Jesus to save even to the uttermost every one that will come unto him. He is mighty to keep. Praise his name forever! Pray that I may stand firm and always be found at my post.
E. C. Smith.
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Ardoch, Ontario.
I do praise the Lord this morning for the blessed peace I feel in my soul. I thank the Lord for his saving and keeping power, and oh, how I do praise him; for he has healed me many times when I was sick. I can trust him for both soul and body. He has led me out of sect confusion into the glorious church of the living God, against which the gates of hell can not prevail. Praise God! Amen.
I have some persecutions to stand since I have been in the narrow way, but the Lord is a present help in every time of need. He saves me from all sin and gives me peace and joy in my soul each day, with victory over all the power of the enemy. He delivers me in time of temptation. He has freed me from the filthy tobacco habit. I used tobacco about forty years. I have not used it for over two years. Praise God! I read the precious Bible; I learn what the word of God is, and I love to trust him. I do praise God for victory in my soul to-day. He has opened my eyes and enabled me to walk in the light of his true holiness. I want you all to pray that I may be kept low at Jesus’ feet.
G. W. VanKoughnet.
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Salesville, Montana
I praise the dear Lord for what he has done for me. He has saved me from sin. I have also taken the Lord for my physician, and he has healed my body several times of diseases. I give him all the glory. Oh, if the people could only realize how good the Lord is, there would be more that would serve him. I am also saved from sectism. I believe we should all be of one mind and judgment and be guided altogether by the whole Scripture and nothing else. Some seem to thing that part of the Scripture is sufficient, but the Scripture says if we keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, we are guilty of all. Christ, when the tempter told him to turn the stones into bread, told him that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. So we live by keeping the whole law and by every word that procedeth out of the mouth of God, and not by part of it. I thank the Lord for the Trumpet, which I have been taking now for about seven months, and I hope it be a blessing to every one that reads it, as it has been to me. May the Lord be ever with you and guide you and bless you in all that you do, is my prayer for Jesus’ sake.
Robert Eggimann.
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Stittsville Michigan.
We are saved and kept free in Christ. I was afflicted in my back and when I gave up to serve the Lord he healed my back perfectly sound. Praise God forever for salvation that can be had without being bought. As we are the only two in this place that are standing free for Christ, pray for us that we may be found holding up the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ our Lord to the world, that they may see we have been regenerated, born anew in the family of God. Pray that God may give us the victory over the devil and the flesh.
W. A. Slocum and Wife.
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Johnson, Indian Territory.
The Lord in his goodness is keeping me through his mighty power. I have found him most precious in time of trouble. He heals all our disease and forgives all our sins. How I do praise his precious name for what he has done for me! He healed me of lung trouble, for which I give him all the glory. Praise God for this hope that I have in Jesus. He is a present help in time of trouble. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word! He cleanses me from all sins. I do praise God for the Trumpet to read. It fills my soul with glory and helps me to know more about God. We have been reading the paper for nearly three years. It will never grow old. Oh, praises be to our blessed Lord! He did so much for me … sanctified me and washed me in his own blood. Please pray that I may grow in the knowledge of our blessed Lord.
M. B. Snapp.
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Fernwood, Mississippi
I feel it a duty to write to the dear Gospel Trumpet and tell to the world how happy I am to-day, believing as I do that the Lord of glory has blessed me through the reading of the Trumpet to see the true light and turn away from the darkness in which I all my lifetime have been traveling. I am now in the strait and narrow way, which I can see leads me so differently from the way I have been led by those who doubtless think they are right. This causes me to mourn for those whom I once delighted to be with and believe as they do. As the servant of the Lord exclaimed concerning Israel, my prayer to God is that they might be saved; for I bear them witness that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Oh, how my heart yearns after those of my friends and loved ones whom I perceive to be out of the true church of God. Brethren, pray that I may be the humble instrument in the hand of God in manifesting the true light as I now see and through the power of the Holy Ghost persuade them to turn and live. The light I have lately found hath shown me that there are few wise virgins but many foolish ones, whose lamps I fear will refuse to give them light when most needed.
D.W. Forrest.
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Athens, Tennessee
I accepted the present truth about five years ago and came out of the Methodist sect. I quit my tobacco and other things which I saw the word of God condemned, and lived a justified life for a while. Then I got to using tobacco again and lost my experience. No one knows how much trouble I saw during the time I was a backslider but those who have had an experience of salvation and then lost it. But I thank the dear Lord for being merciful and sparing my life until I did repent of my sins and get saved again, which was over two years ago. Since that time I have presented my body a living sacrifice and the good Lord sanctified me. Praise his holy name! I am trusting the Lord for all things. He is our family physician. There is a little body of saints here. We are badly in need of preaching in these parts. There are many calls but no one to fill them. At Sewee, twelve miles from here, is another body of saints. They have a house for a preacher and his family to live in. Some Holy Ghost minister who wants to locate his family and have plenty of sin to fight will do well to come here. The people are generally poor but will divide their means very liberally with the ministers. Even the sinners who make no profession at all are good to help. Any one desiring to locate can write Brother Joseph Simpson, Sewee, Tennessee. Some one sent me some Gospel Trumpets the other day. I distributed them. A good many of them I gave to the students of the Grant Memorial University, most of them being young men studying for the ministry, as they call it. I hope some of them will get the light, as I believe some of them have salvation.
C. G. Guffey.
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Valley, Minnesota.
Dear reader, help me praise the Lord my Savior for all he has done for me. He has been my help and refuge from childhood, but I did not always live in a justified state, and I did not know that we could be cleansed from all sin and live a holy life. Still he never tired of me, praise his holy name forever! but led me on and at last let me hear the pure gospel, the whole truth, as it is in Christ Jesus. I then saw my life as God saw it and got godly sorrow for my sins, and by faith in the blood of Jesus they were all blotted out. Praise our God! The Lord let me see, in a wonderful way, that I ought to be baptized. This I had always had so much against, as I was sprinkled as a child in the Lutheran denomination, but the Lord had given me a new and willing heart; so I answered, “Yes, Lord, if it is your will, I will get baptized, although I may thereby bring the scorn of my dear children and friends upon me.” I was so glad and happy in my Savior. Praise his name! But the enemy of souls was not idle. He came against me with great temptations, and said that all was of no use … I was and ever would be a sinner. I fasted and prayed, but only became weaker in both soul and body, till it seemed I would fall beneath the burden; but blessed be the Lord for his faithfulness. His beloved servants, Brother and Sister C. H. Tubbs, helped me by the word of God and I won the victory over the devil and became more established on the rock Christ Jesus, and a short time after I followed the Lord in baptism with one of my sons and a sister. Oh, what a glorious day! I had laid myself and all on the altar of the Lord and he did wonderfully bless me, and in the afternoon he gave me a clear witness that he had sanctified me wholly through faith in the blood of Jesus; and the joy and peace I had in my soul I can not describe. I can never thank and praise him enough for his grace and wonderful love. His love filled my soul, so I could love my Savior and every person. Blessed be his name! This was about two years ago, and the Lord has been my physician and my all. I have had great temptations and battles, but have more than conquered through him who loves me. He gives me grace day by day to understand more of his will, for which I do praise him. Four of my dear children he has saved in the evening light. Pray that we may stand true until the end, and that the Lord may save my other five children and my husband. My youngest son and I are alone in this place; so we can not gather with God’s children.
Mrs. H. D. Hansen.
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Essex, Illinois.
I truly praise the dear Lord for salvation from sin. I realize we are living in perilous times. If the enemy can not get us into some deception, he will try to discourage us. But I praise God this morning that my face is Zionward, and my heart condemns me not. I have sweet peace with my God. I have confidence in God, in his Word, and in the prayers of his dear people. That is why I greet you through the Trumpet. I have been afflicted with a very bad cough ever since I was three years old (I was 35 years old last fall). I have doctored all my life, until the last few years. God has given me grace to trust him through my affliction. For some reason I have not been able to grasp perfect healing, although I have been anointed and claimed it several times. Yet I am not discouraged, for I know there is no respect of persons with God. All the promises in God’s word are for me. Praise his dear name! The Psalmist says, “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.” My cough is very bad now. I am weak, but able to be up most of the time. But I am not able to work much. I cough up so much corruption and suffer so much in my head and back. Some of my doctors said I had lingering consumption, others, bronchial affliction, and others stomach trouble; but I call it an imposition of the devil, and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Then why should I continue to suffer? I am exercising all the faith God gives me and doing all I know, to receive perfect healing, and I humbly appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to pray that God will destroy the works of the devil in my body, that his word and name be glorified. He truly shall have all the praise and glory. Four of my home doctors do not hesitate in saying that they just wonder that I live. God has done many wonderful things for me, which gives me confidence to ask for more. Praise his dear name! I humbly ask all who may read this request to pray earnestly for me.
Lydia E. Kriebel.
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Woodland Mills, Alabama.
In May, 1897, I became afflicted. Before that time, ever since I had been saved the Lord had been very good to me in healing all my afflictions. But this time I could not get the victory, or rather could not hold it. I became so discouraged that I looked at the trial more than at the goodness of God. I was twelve months not able to cook a meal of victuals by myself. I go some better so I could be up most of the time and help to do my work; but I never seemed to have the victory I had before I was afflicted. In January, 1899 I began to realize that I was not living as close to God as was my duty to do. I began to dig down and continued to work and pray until I felt that I had perfect victory over all the powers of the enemy. No sooner had I gotten the victory over everything else than my old affliction returned with double force. But I was prepared for the enemy this time; as I had given myself into the hand of God, to be anything he wanted me to be. So I was just as willing to be sick as to be well, if God willed it so. I was just as willing to suffer as to be easy. Before this I had always been overanxious to get well, but now I was willing to live or die; or if he could get any glory out of my life on a sick-bed the rest of my days, amen. After a few days’ test of my faith I began to get better. In a short time I was well and I have been well ever since. Bless the Lord for his goodness! My affliction was female trouble. My friends thought I would never be able to do my work any more. But by the goodness of God I am able to do all my work for a family of eight, washing and all; and I picked cotton all last fall. To God be all the praise.
Last fall our oldest boy, twelve years old, had a lump on his face just at the ear. It seemed hard like a gristle. It kept growing till it was as large as an egg. I kept talking to the Lord about it, but it got no better until that side of his face and eye became greatly swollen. I became alarmed and got in real earnest about the matter, but yet he got no better until I became perfectly resigned, so that I could say, “Lord, your will be done. If this is something that is going to take his life, amen. If it pleases you to take him from this sinful world in his childhood, you know best; your will be done.” When I got to this point the Lord took the lump away, and the swelling too. In less than a week there was no sign of it to be seen, nor has there been since. I just praise the Lord for the lessons he has taught me of humble submission to his will, and for a deeper decision in my soul to trust him than ever before.
Mary E. Eubanks.
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Obituary.
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Ceredo, West Virginia.
PLYMALE Brother Joseph Plymale was born August 28, 1848; died January 19, 1901. On January 13 he was taken sick with what was supposed to be typhoid fever. He honored God’s word by sending for some of the saints to pray for him, there being no elders near him. Yet the dear Lord saw fit to take him away. Brother Plymale was saved less than two years ago when the clear gospel was first preached here by Sister Birdie E. Fink. Since then he has lived an earnest, devoted Christian life, his great delight being to work for the Lord’s cause. He will be much missed by the church and people in general. He was a kind father and loving husband. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn their loss. Pray for his dear family, that they may all be saved and follow the example of Brother Plymale. He assured the writer but a few hours before he died that he was all right and had had such sweet rest all day. His last words were, “Praise the Lord!”
J. B. Fuller.
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Jennings, Oklahoma.
LEE Laura, daughter of Brother and Sister W. M. Lee, was born February 11, 1883; died January 15, 1901; age 17 years, 11 months, 4 days. Laura was born in Carroll County, Missouri, near Norborne. She came to Oklahoma with her parents in 1890. She was converted in 1897, while attending a camp-meeting held at Cleveland, Oklahoma. She afterward lost her experience while attending school, by the influence of unsaved companions. Her affliction was a lingering disease of consumption for about ten months. During this time she had serious reflections about her spiritual condition, and on January 7th she sent for Brother J. J. Redman and the writer to come and pray and anoint her with oil, which we did in the name of the Lord. She gave herself to God and manifested much joy in being his child again. From this time until her death she seemed to be fully resigned to God’s will, to live or die. She was conscious to the last and peacefully passed away. The funeral service were held at the home of her father. Text, Revelation 14:13 … “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.” She was highly esteemed by all who knew her. A large congregation was present. She leaves a father, mother, sister, and three brothers.
G. W. Carey
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Divine Healing
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The Lord Healeth Us.
“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Exodus 22:25. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8._______________________
He Hears and Answers Prayer.
The Lord has wonderfully healed my lungs and back. I can now talk, testify, and sing without shortness of breath, for which I give the Lord all the praise. I was very sick before I wrote to the saints to pray for me. I felt sure that if the Lord did not heal me I would never get well again, as I did not believe in medicines. I am so glad that the Lord hears and answers prayers. I can not thank the Lord enough for the blessings he has bestowed upon me. May the Lord ever keep me humble.
Mary Linberg.
Verona, Missouri, December 28.
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Healed of Various Afflictions.
The dear Lord has saved my soul and sanctified my nature. I want to tell to the glory of God how he has healed me. He healed me of a very bad cold on my lungs, and sore throat and very bad stomach trouble … I think it was catarrh of the stomach. The Lord also healed me of heart trouble and other diseases. To God be all the glory. Oh, how thankful I am that I ever found the only way. Pray that my faith fail not.
Anna Shepard.
Earlton, Kansas.
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A Wonderful Healing.
The dear Lord saved me five years ago and wonderfully healed me of the kidney disease that I had for three years. After that I went into public work and worked for about one year. Then by getting my mind off God and neglecting prayer I fell into a backslidden state. Then that dreadful disease came back on me in a worse state than before. My wife sent for a doctor and he came and gave me morphine to relieve me. Then I became a slave to it. I tried several times to quit it but I could not. So I went on in this dreadful condition about two years. I got in a condition that it was death if I quit it and death if I used it much longer. Then I went and attended Brother Kilpatrick’s meeting, and there I decided to quit the morphine and trust God to save and heal me. Praise the dear Lord! He saved and healed me. When I was healed my weight was about 95 pounds. That was about three months ago. To-day I weigh 139 pounds. Glory to God for his saving, sanctifying, and healing power. Pray for me.
Bane Hunnell.
Carthage, Missouri.
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Healed of Epileptic Fits.
For the glory of God and for the benefit of those who are afflicted, we would like to testify to the healing of our little nephew Claudie Sanders. While quite small he was taken with epileptic fits and continued to have them for two years. His parents tried many doctors, and they seemed to do him no good. Some of them said he could never be cured. During this time we sent them some Trumpets and tracts on healing, hoping they would prove a benefit to both soul and body, which they did. In July, 1898 we received a letter from our brother telling us Claudie was having from one to thirty fits in one day (the most, the doctor said, he ever knew any one to have and live). It made us so burdened for the healing of his little body. We wrote to them and told them to pour out the medicine and trust in God. We believed his mother to be living to all the light she had. She did as requested and God honored our faith in him. Two weeks passed before he had another fit. Then he had three or four each one growing lighter. Since then, which was almost three years ago, he has never had another. He is as stout and hearty as any child. How we do praise God for his goodness to us! It pays to trust Jesus. The parents of the boy are at this time in Cameron, Missouri.
We have also witnessed the healing of our own children of the grip, croup, and other diseases; and have seen severe pain removed instantly by the power of God.
J. L. and Jennie B. Smith.
Sewal, Iowa, February 4.
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Healed of Heart and Stomach Trouble.
I feel led to write a testimony of my healing for The Gospel Trumpet, in order that it may encourage dear ones to take hold upon the promises of God, and also to give God the glory and honor which belongs to his dear name for his healing power. About two years ago I was taken sick with heart and stomach trouble. At this time I was an officer in the Volunteers of America, and had never heard of the Lord’s power to heal disease, nor of the one body of Christ. So of course I did the only thing I knew to do; I employed the most skillful physician I could get to do something for me. I found I got no relief in this way. So I went to the best hospital in New York city; was there five months, and was doctored by professors and the most learned physicians of the city, but kept getting worse all the time. I was removed from the hospital to my home, and our family doctor said I could not possibly live over a month or so. About this time some one of God’s true ministers came to me, and told me if I would put my case in the hands of the Lord and throw away my medicine, he would heal me. He also gave me the book “Divine Healing of Soul and Body” and tracts on healing and on the church. I greedily devoured everything I could get on healing, as I realized there was no other help for me. Shortly after this the Moundsville camp-meeting was announced, and after praying much over the matter I felt the dear Lord would have me come. I had no means at the time and was very sick, not able to sit up five minutes at a time; but I knew the Lord was able to supply and also to give me strength for the journey. So I started when the time came, with the dear sister who was caring for me, and I want to say that God supplied the means to come in a wonderful and unexpected way just the day before we were ready to start. I went to the cars in a closed carriage and was fixed up in the car with pillows, and the dear Lord brought me through safely and I was anointed at the camp-meeting and had prayer but did not receive my healing at once, as there was something in the way which had to be cleared up. But a short time after this when my soul was right with God, I received the perfect healing touch, praise God! And was made whole through the mighty healing power of our God. I know beyond a doubt I would be in my grave to-day, if the Lord had not enabled me to get light on his power to heal the body as well as the soul. To him I ascribe all the praise and glory. To-day I am well and able to do most all kinds of work. Praises be to his precious name! I also thank the dear ones of the Trumpet Family who so kindly cared for me during this time, and may the dear Lord abundantly reward them. Your sister, save, sanctified, and healed by the mighty power of our God.
Lizzie M. Bennett.
Moundsville, West Virginia, February 1.
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A Fiery Trial and Perfect Deliverance.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”
After months of perfect healing, until my youth was renewed like the eagle (Psalms 103:5), the trouble of an inactive liver came back. Not for a moment did I give up my healing, but held on to God for that perfect deliverance he had granted in mercy. Still it stayed, till one day the first week in January I was fasting and praying for deliverance, when the powers of disease seemed to be let loose on me. Two years ago I was taken very severely with pneumonia and the grip. I became very weak and thought the Lord was ready to take me home. It crippled my faith till I failed to get perfect victory … the first and only time I had failed to exercise proper faith for healing in ten years. I was doctored through the weakest part of my sickness, (not by any consent on my part), yet the thought has often come to me, What would I do, were I taken again with the same disease? I always said, Lord, I would trust you clear through. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our consolation aboundeth by Christ.” 2nd Corinthians 1:3-5.
For this cause do I write my testimony, that I may exalt the name of Jesus, and comfort those who are in any trouble. Though I was all alone, yet I was not alone; for Jesus and his words of comfort were with me. I was taken as before, the same lung being affected. I received healing, but took a severe backset by the wind coming up in the night and blowing upon me before I awoke. It threw me into chills and fever again, filling my lung very fast, and congesting the blood till I thought I would faint if it were not for the help of the Lord. Companion became alarmed, and said he should call the doctor; for he knew where it got me before. Thus God permitted me to drink the last drops of the cup of testing. I cried unto the Lord as Hezekiah of old did and received that sweet peace that sings, “What have I to fear? I am resting, sweetly resting, free from care.” By the time the doctor came and examined me he said, “Her lungs are all right,” much to the surprise of companion. He said I just had a bilious attack, and left some powders that he said would relieve me more quickly if I would take them. But, praise the Lord! I did not take one, and said the same God that cleared the lung would also cleanse the stomach, and the Lord did completely clean up my system. Oh, the blessings of divine healing, tongue can not express the depths of Father’s love and wisdom. It is the will of God to make us perfectly whole, and may the Lord help us never to be contented with anything short of it. My soul does magnify the name of the Lord. “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and fingers to fight. My goodness and my fortress, my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust.” Psalms 144:1, 2. My testimony is like that of many others who have been afflicted with the grip, I caught another cold some days later that brought a very severe cough, which gave me much trouble and made me unfit for work. I am glad to say the Lord is fast delivering me from that. Praise the Lord, who healeth all our diseases! He will not suffer the righteous to be removed.. Pray for us.
Mary Heldenbrand.
Juniata, Nebraska
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HONESTY.
By H. W. Hechler.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Romans 12:17. “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men.” 2nd Corinthians 8:21. “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without.” 1st Thessalonians 4:12.
Honesty is an action springing from the conscience, and in every sense of the word conscience is its teacher. Therefore conscience is a thing of education. This is fully demonstrated throughout the entire world, in the different forms of religion even; also in moral laws of different people. One man may do something under the highest motive of right and honest which another would rigidly condemn. But thanks be to God for a better law through our Lord Jesus Christ … a law that is perfect in every particular and under all circumstances. It is the law of Christ, which is the law of love, and upon this law hangs the (old) law and the prophets. And when this law is written in our hearts through the atoning blood of Christ we will be honest with God and his ever-abiding word, with ourselves, and with our brethren, and with the outside world. Or in other words, honest with everything and everybody. Out of Christ, the laws of nations and morality, including secret organizations, compel men in a measure to be honest, but in Christ there is an anxious willingness to live honest, which is a life-given attribute of Christ.
Oh, how often it is the fact that after some have been truly and soundly converted unto God and have presented their bodies a living sacrifice and given the real manifestations of a Christ-like life, they have allowed by neglect of duty the roots of bitterness, which are pride and dishonesty, to spring up in their hearts, whereby they have lost their first love … the real experience of salvation. In this condition they may appear to those that are without and to the brethren at times just as faithful, earnest, and zealous in the work as ever. But alas, they have simply fallen into a form and profession of religion. There is a willingness on their part to have their neighborhood evangelized, but when shown their true condition they neither receive entreaty nor admonition. The facts are these: The evangelist has been in that neighborhood and has done all in his power to present the whole truth of the gospel and to bring souls unto Christ, but failure marked every effort; because of the facts just stated.
We see reports almost monthly of meetings without any souls being saved, and no doubt the conditions just mentioned have been the prime cause. How sad it is when such things are facts and stand as great walls between the preacher and the people. Oh, how earnest, how careful, and zealous we should live before God and the people, that we may win them to Christ by ordering our actions and conversation aright, and waling soberly, righteously, and honestly before all men. One well-known evangelist once said, “Every Christian ought to be bankable.” If the common banks of our land can not trust one or can not recommend him as honest, how can he stand in approbation of God? This line of thought does not apply to great deeds of dishonesty or trickery, but to the sly, little, and underhanded penny’s worth of dishonesty and a watching to take an advantage of his neighbor. Such are an offense to the work of God and the salvation of immortal souls. No wonder the beloved Paul admonished all the different congregations in his time to live honestly, because it was as much needed then as now.
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“Take time to be holy;
Speak oft with the Lord.”
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