The Gospel Trumpet, July 25, 1901

21-29

The Gospel Trumpet

Volume 21, Issue 29, July 25, 1901

(Articles of interest only)

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For Us.

By Augusta Moore.

An April midnight, and the great moon rolled

Majestic through the heavens, and flooded all

Fair Palestine with her milk, mellow light.

Jerusalem was sleeping on her hills;

But from her gates a little company

Moved slowly forward, led by One whose voice

In tones where strangely mingled strength and grief,

With love ineffable, spake solemnly,

As if preparing friends for coming ill.

Deep were the shades in old Gethsemane,

Where fig and olive and pomegranate trees

Made pleasant darkness, fragrant and serene,

The filtered moonshine through the vines and leaves

With lights and shadows paved the dewy ground.

How still the night! Not even the foxes’ tread

Disturbs the silence of Gethsemane.

How still! What sound is that? The very air

Shudders and chills, vibrating to the woe

Of a lone sufferer, prostrate ‘neath the trees.

Behold the Master wrestling with his doom!

A horror of great darkness fills his soul;

He feels himself forsaken.  Only man

He felt himself to be in that dark hour,

Blameless and pure; but weak and filled with fear,

Longing for human sympathy, he came

To find his fellows sleeping. O Great Heart,

Nigh unto breaking, and for them, how hard

That they could not “one hour” keep watch with thee!

The only favor that from mortal man

The Savior of our race had ever asked,

He was denied, and in his deadly need.

And so he turned away, and fell again

In agony of prayer, suffering alone.

He whom the wind and seas obeyed, lay low,

The voice at whose command the devils fled,

That called the sheeted dead to live again,

Was broken now, with anguish infinite,

Great blood-red drops rolled from his aching brow,

And hallowed all thy soil, Gethsemane.

What caused that dreadful agony, O Lord?

Thy soul was calm and strong; thou didst not shrink

From kiss of Judas; from the sudden blow

Of the rude soldier, from the thorny crown;

The scourging and the torture unto death

Ah! Well we see that death could not dismay

Thy steadfast soul. What was it thou didst fear?

‘Made sin for us.” He bore our awful doom,

In sad Gethsemane he felt the weight

Of Adam’s sin, of David’s and of ours

For all abominable and abhorrent crimes,

For treachery, meanness, violence and hate,

Revenge, ingratitude and cruelty,

That, in the hearts made for the happy home

Of love and purity and every grace,

Have reigned, the curse, the vengeance fell on him.

Hated and killed for loving! … by his love!

What think ye, human hearts that love in vain,

Feared he the dying, when by vipers stung?

Love, wounded and rejected, bled and cried.

God’s love, despised, lay bleeding for our sake!

Are our souls worth the price? He knew. The Lord

Not without reason acts, and not in vain,

Not if a better way even power divine

Could have devised, had the First Born been slain.

O soul of man, in Christ’s great agony

Behold thy worth, and when the Son of God

Paid such a price for thee; esteem thyself

Too precious to be lost, and turn to him.

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Tell The Truth.

          The great need of this age is men who will tell the truth. Politicians, priest, Levites, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and hypocrites are often not anxious to have the truth told. The men who are in office dare not offend their constituents. The men who are seeking office can not afford to jeopardize their election. The men who edit newspapers fear to lose their subscribers. The men who wish to get into positions of emolument and trust do not like to make enemies. The men who are perfectly persuaded of their own present or prospective greatness, and are anxious to have other people find it out, will do nothing to bring reproach or cause a sneer; and hence they are not likely to tell the truth that is most needful to be told. The world pines for truth. The people are “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” The Scribes and Pharisees hold the keys of knowledge, and stand outside themselves, and hinder those who would enter.

          In the midst of all this one thing is needed ... truth! ... the flash of the two...edged sword that pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit: the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” who has no salary to lose, no luxuries to sacrifice, no reputation, no office, no worldly hopes, no ecclesiastical prospects to be deprived of: ... a man who dare call the most prominent hypocrites in the nation a race of snakes, and rebuke the crimes of a king on his throne, though he go to prison and lose his head at the request of an adulterous queen and her wanton daughter.

          Such a man, who had nothing under heaven that the world could take from him but his liberty and his life; whose raiment was camel’s hair; and whose meat was locusts and wild honey; whose home was in the desert, and who drank neither wine nor strong drink, but who was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb; who was willing to decrease that Christ might increase; who was content to be simply a voice crying in the wilderness, startling the people, and to die away at last into an echo, ... such a man God sent to arouse the slumbers of a nation, and to herald the coming of his own Son. He did his work, and his headless body lies buried in a forgotten grave. But he who spake as never man spake pronounced such an eulogium on this prophet of the desert as not other man ever received: “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”

          And has the spirit of the messenger of God departed? And is there no one left to take up such a work as this? Is not the spirit and power of Elijah as much needed to...day as then? Is it not time that men rise up who will tell the truth, and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, lest the Judge of all shall come and smite the earth with a curse?

... Selected.

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Two Extremes.

By D. O. Teasley.

Article 3.

JUSTIFICATION.

          JUSTIFICATION means, according to Webster, The act of justifying. To justify means to absolve from guilt. There is but one true source of justification, and that source is Jesus Christ. While we may obtain the justification of men, or may justify ourselves, there is nothing that will bring satisfaction to the soul except the justification which comes from God, through Jesus Christ our mediator.

          A young man once came to Jesus and asked him what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments and he should have life. “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” ... Luke 10:29. How very often men of to...day are like this young man, willing to justify themselves! There is no condition into which men can get that is more obnoxious to God and disgusting to his people than the state of self...justification. “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not turn from his wicked way, by promising him life.” ... Ezekiel 13:22. This text describes justification by men. The pulpits of our land are too often filled with just such characters ... who will, by fair speech, make men believe they are saved when they are living in sin, and for money and popularity will preach to please their congregation, and thus deceive the souls of men.

          “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” ... Romans 8:38. Oh, how blessed it is to be justified by the God of heaven so that no one can lay anything to our charge!

STATE OF JUSTIFICATION.

          “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ... Romans 5:1. “And whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” ... 1^st John 5:4. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” ... Galatians 5:22, 23. These texts clearly set forth the state of justification, and declare it to be a state of peace ... a state wherein we overcome the world and bear fruit for God. Then we have the promise that the Lord will purge (sanctify) us. John 15:2.

          Some one may have the idea that we can not bear the fruits mentioned in Galatians until we are sanctified, but this is a mistake which is doubtless founded upon the mistaken idea that we do not receive the Spirit of God in any sense in justification. While it is true that we do not receive the Spirit in justification to the extent that we do in sanctification, nor can we bear those fruits as perfectly without the fullness of grace: yet, in regeneration we receive the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, “Abba, Father.” ... Romans 8:15. We are owned and controlled by the Spirit of God; hence we bear the fruit of the Spirit by the supply of grace given until we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or perfecting grace, which is a separate and distinct work of divine favor. In this work of the Holy Spirit, which is subsequent to regeneration, our love is made perfect, our joy is made full, etc.

          The state of Justification, then, is not a state wherein we sin more or less every day, but a state wherein God gives us grace, despite the indwelling of the carnal nature, to reign over the world and all sin through Jesus Christ.

FANATICISM.

          A great many, who through a lack of consecration have failed to reach the experience of full salvation, have plunged into fanaticism and concluded that all we ever receive through the atonement is obtained in regeneration. It is my honest conviction that every one who has accepted the one...cleansing heresy has done so either through sympathy or a lack of experience, and doubtless it has more often been on account of the latter.

          A fanatic conception of justification will often get people into trouble in many ways. The devil will often get the idea into an individual’s head that in the state of justification there can be no uprisings of the carnal nature whatever. Then if he can get him to feel its presence in some way he has a chance to keep him continually repenting; and if he can succeed in getting him into the idea of repenting of every temptation which he brings, he has him on a sure road to discouragement. The only way out of this valley of despondency is to boldly dismiss the devil and take a stand on the Word of God.

          In this bewildered state of mind the devil will lead the unsuspecting soul down to the shores of the mystic sea of forgetfulness, where the weary wanderer will stroll in sorrow till he discovers a boat of discouragement, aboard of which he will go sailing out through the fog to see if he can not find something of the past which God holds against him. Finally, by the assistance of the devil, he succeeds in finding some old derelict which years ago God has forgiven; but the discouraged mourner, thinking he has found the cause of the trouble, comes dragging it to shore, where he invites his friends and brethren to come and lament with him.

          He will also try to induce the Lord to come and take notice of his deplorable condition; but as the Lord does not remember the past when forgiven he will not take notice of the old wreck, and the only way for the soul to attract the attention of the Lord is to resist the devil, draw nigh to God, and acknowledge his faithfulness to forgive and forget. Then he will come to the rescue, disperse all the gloom and give joy and peace.

COMPROMISE.

          The eyes of the majority of professors of Christianity to...day are so blinded by compromise that they have almost lost sight of the fact that God requires a pure heart and life. Men and women filled with pride and who follow the fashions of the world fill many of the pulpits of our land and constitute many of the choirs, all on account of a compromising spirit which makes men and women love the friendship of the world better than loyalty to God. Dearly beloved saints of God, let us steer clear of this awful influence of pride! Though we take the lowest seat and seem despised in the eyes of this world, God has pleasure in the lowly, and he will fill us with glory that will far outshine the glittering follies of earth. Praise his glorious name!

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Seeking Impressions.

          Jesus Christ is the commander and leader of his people. First, he leads by his Word. Whatever is plainly taught in the Word of God we need no special impression to obey; the true child of God does not ask nor wait for them. Thus saith the Lord, and that is enough. The Spirit of truth naturally guides us into all truth just as fast as the truth is apprehended. When plain duty is presented in the Word, it is always a false spirit that waits for an impression whether to walk in it or not, and such course opens the heart for the spirit of devils to come in and say it is non...essential. That is trying the Word by the spirits, instead of trying the spirits by the Word of God. The Word need not be tried; forever it is settled in heaven. The spirits need to be tried, because all spirits are not of God.

          Second, Jesus leads us by enlightened good sense and sanctified judgment. It is written, “The meek will he guide in judgment.” God has given us reason and judgment, and he does not set aside these divinely created powers in the ordinary leadings of his children. The whole plan of salvation is designed to restore to its normal condition, proper function and use every God...created power we possess, and thus honor the Creator. If the Spirit of God were to raise us up above our regular use of common sense and judgment, that were to set aside the workmanship of God and dishonor the Creator. Therefore, let all wholly sanctified and consecrated men and women go straight forward in the line of duty, and “do what your hands find to do,” and when you know work is needed, do not tease God for impressions whether or not to do the same. Such a course is superstitious and throws open a door for the devil to come in with his impressions. It is a principle in the government of God never to use the special when the ordinary means are sufficient. Therefore, when you know a thing is plainly commanded, or you know a service is needed or expected of you, let God lead you through your common sense, and do not seek an impression or sign, or in either case you bid for impressions from the other spirits. The cause is the Lord’s and not ours; therefore, when God is easy you need not be worrying; when he is willing to let your judgment take its course, you need not be seeking for impressions and revelations.

          Third, the Lord communicates his will to us when necessary by visions and revelations. This way of leading is special, and is only used when the ordinary means can not meet the demand. Let no one be overanxious for visions and revelations, lest the devil respond to your desire, as an angel of light, and give you visions that will mislead and deceive your soul. Keep your eye on the Lord, and rest assured that he knows when it is proper and necessary to give you these things.

          Fourth, God often helps us to arrive at a knowledge of his will by his providences. If our judgment should incline to direct us out of the best course, God often interposes by some providential interference until he can make us understand just what his will is; never fret, therefore, when your way seems closed.

          Fifth, and finally, we observe that God leads us by direct impressions. This is also a specialty, and not to be expected in every step of life’s duty. It is the perversion of this matter of impressions that has led us to write this item. God can and does give his children very clear impressions when he sees fit; but it is a puffed up spirit that is talking about receiving impressions, or at least it is a degree of delusion. We have known persons would pry into some one’s condition and ask others about them until they would get hold of some defect, either real or imaginary, and then come to the person on whom they have collected items, and say, “I have an impression,” or, “God shows me that you are thus and so;” “You have a free...love spirit,” or you have this or that, or you lack this or that. All such work is abominable hypocrisy. In most cases it springs from a vainly inflated heart, and is practiced to make an impression that the impression...hunter is more than ordinarily righteous and gifted. I once read a letter where a brother spoke of another claiming to have received and impression about matters and things when a great many miles distant. The writer remarked that he did not doubt the statement, because it only cost two cents for some one to send the person an impression by mail.

          We have met parties that talked about their impressions until it became disgusting to people of good sense. Whatever comes to pass, they had an impression that it would be. Whatever looks very probable, they have an impression that it will take place. Such are asking God for impressions for every transaction of life’s business. They want an impression from God which way to go, and which foot to put forward first when they start. This is a puffed...up mind, the person wishing to seem more wonderfully led of God than any one else. Just as sure as a person wants impressions for everything, the devil will furnish him with them. Such will be imagining lies and things of naught. May God deliver all such from their delusion and deception of the devil.

          We wish to show another erroneous looking for impressions. When any of God’s ministers have assumed the holding of any line of meetings which the Lord has led them to undertake, and after going part of the tour they stop and ask God for an impression whether or not they shall finish the tour, having received nothing to the contrary, we must, in the presence of God, declare the cause an erroneous one. It betrays the confidence which God’s children must repose in each other. God, not being pleased to have them ask any such thing, withholds the same, and they conclude to go no further, thus disappointing the people at the next places, laying the one who arranged the meetings and those who published them liable to censure and serious blame, and crippling the confidence of the people in that country. All this because God did not indulge them in an impression they had no business to seek for.

          Now, we say this: When a line of work is depending on you, which God has led you to undertake, never stop to ask for impressions: go right forward ... “what your hands find to do, do with your might.” Take it for granted that the line of work before you is the course of God’s will, and should God wish to turn you aside from that line of march, he can do so by vivid impressions, or other means as he sees fit, and he will do this without you seeking any impressions in the matter. A positive communication from God, forbidding you to go to a meeting where you were, is the only relief from duty. Simply absence of impressions to go does not clear your soul of the blood of souls and the cause of Christ at stake; for when you are expected to go, and have as good as agreed to do so, you have no more business to ask God for an impression of duty than a man has for asking God for an impression as to whether or not he shall pay a just debt. Let us do the work that God has set before us, and give no place to the devil to relieve us of the responsibility upon us. Amen.

Gospel Trumpet Reprint.

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REDEEMED.

By J. E. Forrest.

          To redeem is to buy back or lift the mortgage because of which something is under bondage ... to pay the price demanded in order that it may be restored to its pristine state. Man was first created pure and holy, without sin or pollution, even in the image of God was he made; but, by disobedience, he sold himself to Satan, and thus the whole human race came under bondage. A mortgage, as it were, is holding man, so that nothing is able to lift it. No one is able to pay a price sufficient to free man from this state of depravity. But Christ leaves heaven and undertakes the task.

          He descends to this sinful world amid discouragements and persecutions and lives a righteous life ... one without sin, holy and undefiled, separate (in his ways) from sinners ... thus accomplishing the task. He sets the example for man to live by and makes it possible for him to again be placed in the first state, holy and undefiled.

          Now, I should like to set forth a few verses of Holy Writ showing the extent of this redemption. First, our freedom. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” ... John 8:36. This freedom is freedom from sin ... both from actual transgressions and the sinful nature, which is termed the “old man,” “body of sin,” etc., and “which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” “In whom [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” ... Colossians 1:14. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” ... Romans 6:18. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” ... Chapter 6:1, 2.

          “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve [commit] sin.” ... Verse 6.

          Second, purity. Christ said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” ... 1^st Timothy 1:5. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” ... 2^nd Timothy 2:22. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” ... 1^st Peter 1:22.

          Third, separation and translation. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me; . . . I conferred not with flesh and blood.” ... Galatians 1:15, 16. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his Son.” ... Colossians 1:13. Christ said in his prayer to the Father: “I have given them [his disciples] thy Word; and the world [sinful men] hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” ... John 17:14. “My kingdom is not of this world,” saith he; therefore it is plain to be seen that we are separated and translated to another country (in the Spirit). “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners [to this country, or kingdom], but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household [or family] of God.” ... Ephesians 2:19. “That we might receive the adoption of sons, and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” ... Galatians 4:5, 6. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” ... 1^st John 3:2, 3. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” ... Chapter 4:17.

          Perhaps this may look too strong to some who are foreigners to this grace of God, but such is the Christian’s attainment through Christ’s blood. Oh, that man might see his redemption right and do the will of God as the Bible set it forth! Surely man will be punished for neglecting this great salvation. Reader, are you void of this sonship? Have you been restored to purity? Or are you still a sinful man? The Lord Jesus has paid for your right to freedom from all sin and purity from all defilements, and is waiting to separate you from them and translate you into the kingdom of God. Will you come and bow the knee before him? Will you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you to these planes of holiness? Christ is our example; we are not to take another, unless a true follower of him.

          You may say it is vain to try to do as Christ did, and call it an impossibility: but, beloved, let us look into the Word of God for truth. Christ says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” and not only this, but, “If a man love me, he will keep my Words.” ... John 14:15, 23. Again, we are told that “his commandments are not grievous.” ... 1^st John 5:3. If they were, would he have said “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy...laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”? ... Matthew 11:28...30.

          If you are tempted and tried, think it not strange; for your Lord was also tempted in like manner, “For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” ... Hebrews 4:15. Now, if our Savior was tempted in all points like as we are but received grace to overcome without sin, shall not we come boldly to such a throne of grace and accept his full redemption? The promise is to “whosoever will.” ... Revelation 22:17.

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The Constraining Love of Christ.

By R. Rothman.

          “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” ... 2^nd Corinthians 5:14, 15.

          The apostle Paul is one of the grandest characters in the New Testament. Truly the grace of God was magnified in his life. With an education and social position which would have entitled him to ease and honor among the Jews, he turned his back on the pleasures of this life and chose to be a humble, obedient servant of Jesus Christ, and with him to suffer. Nothing but the precious love of Christ could constrain Paul to endure what he did for his Master. He says, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” ... 2^nd Corinthians 11:24...28.

          Paul said the Lord had made an example of him for those to imitate who should come after. Since Paul could go through all these things with sweet peace and joy deep in his soul, we may assure our hearts that God’s grace is sufficient for what we may be called upon to endure for the sake of Jesus. Among the ministers and workers in this reformation there are many instances of noble self...sacrifice for the good of the cause and the salvation of souls. May the Lord help us to esteem them more highly for their work’s sake. But sometimes we see workers run well for a time and then, perhaps partly because the laity are not doing what they should to support them, they lay down their armor, and cease to be a power for God. This is sad to behold. In other cases, they lose their first love, no longer enjoy the sweet fellowship of God, and of course the ministry of the Word loses its attractiveness. Paul did not so run well for a while and then fall out of the ranks. He testified shortly before his life was taken by his enemies: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” ... 2^nd Timothy 4:6...8.

          The business of the world is based on the law of selfishness. Every man does the best he can for himself, and lets the weak fall. Of course there are some exceptions to this rule. If a man can get a larger salary in one place than in another, he moves to the more lucrative position. Sad to say, this rule holds good among some who profess to teach the gospel of the Man who had not whereon to lay his head. This principle of selfishness must be opposed by those who desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus ... for he is the embodiment of the opposite principle. Had Jesus Christ held to his rights, think ye that he would have left the throne of glory, where joy and honor attended him, to come to earth and suffer pain and sorrow, even the ignominious death of the cross? Had Jesus not become poor we could never become rich in the precious grace of God. There is power in a consecrated, devoted life. Sinners can detect a man that is true, and his life will often have more weight on him for good than many sermons. On the contrary, if we do not value the grace of God enough to be true to Christ, sinners will doubt the reality of salvation. A truly consecrated man can draw others after him.

          During the civil war those men who would rise among the people and say “Follow me,” could find plenty of men to enlist; but the men who stayed at home and advised others to go to the front had scant success.

          The Lord will take care of the results of our work; for our “labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Seemingly our work may accomplish little, but no true labor done in the name of Christ and with his Spirit can be fruitless of good. Paul knew the secret of running the race with patience to the end. He learned to “live in the Spirit,” thereby enjoying more real pleasure than the flesh could afford. What can be more precious than to walk in love as Christ walked, living a pure, holy life, where our path is lighted with the glory of God? There is such a thing as forgetting the joys of the Lord. If we do not advance in the grace of God, we may forget that we were ever purged from our old sins. At such times we may begin to reason that we are attaining to better judgment, and that it is not wisdom to be quite so zealous. The next step is to settle down and live for this world. God forbid that his little ones be thus deceived!

          The world is much given to system. Everything must be done in a business...like manner to meet the approval of the wise men of this world. But God does not always work in this way. God works in a deep, mysterious way. The Almighty uses a thousand silent, powerful forces to accomplish his designs; man uses the tools of his hands, and with them often makes a deal of noise. The works of man disappear in a few hundred years; “what the Lord doeth is forever.” In this last great reformation God sometimes works in a way that would almost discourage those who are not living very close to him. We wish to see hasty results; God works deliberately. We see sectarians having so...called revivals, at which they report great numbers “joined the church.” The faithful preaching of a true minister of God sometimes results in but the salvation of a single individual in a neighborhood. But one person soundly converted is more honor to the cause of Christ than thousands taking on a profession without getting the experience. In the one case it is like planting the germ of a tree in the ground, which springs up and multiplies and in time develops into a forest. In the other, it is like building a house of corruptible material which no sooner is erected than it begins to decay, and sooner or later must return to dust. May the Lord help us build for eternity.

          Sometimes it seems that our labor is in vain; but not so. When Jesus was crucified on Calvary, to the world that seemed the end of the work of the Master; but in reality it was the crowning point of glorious victory. God’s truth must and will prevail. His Word will not return void. Blessed be his name!

          If we become a little worldly the enemy will try to make us dissatisfied with the ways of God; he will suggest that it would be more business...like to have a “king” over us ... one who would run things after the fashion of the “nations round about.” It certainly would be more satisfactory to the flesh to hire a preacher and pay him a salary to do our duty for us, and we devote the rest of our time to the vain pursuits of this world. But in so doing we would not have the approval of Him with whom we must deal. If ever a people would be justified in such a course, that people were the ancient Jews. Read 1^st Samuel 8. The 6^th and 7^th verses read thus: “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Harken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them.”

          One of the brethren that has gone out from among us thought it advisable to get into league with certain “holiness associations,” to “flow together” with them. These holiness associations are combining to make a sort of federation; in other words, to “make a king” like the nations round about. But God’s dear children will continue to follow the Lord alone, and be constrained by his love to do their whole duty, knowing that of a truth their “labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Amen.

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A Gospel for Poor People.

          The gospel by Mark is the briefest of the gospels. It is less than two...thirds as long as the other gospels, and contains some 673 verses. It is stated in early writings that it was written by Mark, who was the companion of Peter, and who gathered up the words and incidents which Peter preached and taught. We see tokens of Peter’s hand in the brisk, hurried, impetuous style in which it is written. The word “straightway” runs through the whole book. It was written for the Romans, and spends no time in genealogies, or matters which might be specially interesting to the Jews. It is more cosmopolitan in its character, and did not concern itself with matters of mere local interest.

          In these days of printing, it is found convenient in heathen lands to put the gospel of Mark, as the briefest gospel, into the hands of new converts, and this was especially the case in the days the gospels were written. If the early gospels were written upon the skins of parchment, it is estimated that Mark would cover some sixteen skins, and that its letters, numbering some forty thousand, would occupy a man perhaps six weeks in writing them; so that a copy of Mark, produced by hand, under these conditions, would be worth from twenty to thirty dollars, according to the rate of wages then paid. Such a price would put the book beyond the reach of many of the poor. And how much more would this be the case if the book had been as large as many of the other gospels!

          Hence it is quite probable that Mark may have had in view the writing of a little book for the benefit of poor people. Learned men are inclined to write large books. They have so much to say, and it requires so much time and so many words in which to say it, that the book grows, and grows, until few besides the author have time to read it. This is especially true of works on Christian evidences. The field is so wide that persons who think to “do justice to the subject,” launch out into interminable discussions, and disquisitions, and lose themselves in the labyrinths of their learning.

          The books which were written by prophets and apostles and men moved by the Holy Ghost were usually very brief. Had they been as wordy as some who claim to be their imitators, surely the world would hardly have contained the books which they would have written. They uttered prophecies; they saw visions; as it is written, “Your young men shall see visions.” But all was contained in a few pages. We have known of one person who professed to have divine illumination, and who had many followers, whose visions filled several volumes, and who apparently saw more visions than all the prophets and apostles put together.

          Paul was a great tract writer; Peter wrote tracts; James, John, and Jude, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and all the prophets, wrote not a Bible to be sent out as one large volume, but simply, brief, pointed, stirring, occasional tracts; and unless we are wiser than they were, we may profit by their example.

          Big books are for the few, little books are for the many. A book which can be read through in half an hour, or an hour, is likely to be read through; a book which requires days or weeks to peruse it, is likely to remain unread by the multitude. Men read half an hour, lay down the book, intending to finish it by and by, and never pick it up again.

          Brevity is especially important in dealing with questions of unbelief and infidelity. Men are unwilling to spend their time to wade through long treatises and abstruse arguments; they must have something short, sharp, and decisive. They will read a paragraph, a page, or a pamphlet; they will not read a long essay, or a heavy, stupid book. We can not afford to give such books away by thousands, and if we could do it, it would be unwise, as they would be of little use to the majority of people, for they would never read them. If a cup will only hold a pint of water, what is the use of trying to make it hold a barrel full? It only runs over the sides.

          If you read a tract through yourself you know just what it contains, can keep it in your mind, purchase others like it, and scatter them widely at slight expense. In the case of a large book, before you reach the end you have forgotten what is in the beginning, and hardly know whether it is worth your while to circulate it or not. Books have their place and their value, for students and thoughtful readers, but a large proportion of the common people, and the busy people must be reached by something brief, terse, and interesting. Let us see to it that we work wisely, for our time is short.

...Selected.

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The Love of Money.

By Eva M. Wray.

          After Naaman had been so wonderfully healed of that dread disease, leprosy, it was but natural that he should be so grateful and overjoyed that he should desire to amply pay for the same in this world’s goods, not understanding that the gifts of God are “without money and without price.”

          “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servants two mules’ burden of earth? For thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord.” ... 2^nd Kings 5:15...17. “And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way. But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephriaim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.” ... Verses 19...27.

          Elisha knew God, from whence came all his help; therefore he refused the wealth of the rich Syrian, that he might bring no reproach upon God’s cause by receiving recompense for the power of God wrought through him, showing that it could not be bought with a price. But let us beware of the wicked desire that possessed Gehazi. He was not jealous for the cause of his God, but was after the carnal reward. This brought God’s curse upon him and his posterity. May God help us to look alone to him for our help, and work alone for his glory; and be not as wicked Gehazi; I. E., just running after the reward. “For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for naught.” ... Isaiah 52:3. “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priest thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us.” ... Micah 3:11. Let us be able to say with Peter: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” ... Acts 8:20. We who have sought the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these (temporal) things shall be added to us. See Luke 12:31.

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Destruction of Babylon.

By Della Cartee.

          “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; . . . And the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee. . . For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” ... Revelation 18:21...23.

          Babylon is in a sad condition. Let all the saints rejoice. Verse 20. God’s people that are not free from her are commanded to come out of her, that they be not partakers of her sins, and that they receive not of her plagues. Verse 4. I praise God for the blessed privilege of keeping free from Babylon. Some time ago, during one of the protracted meetings of sectism, I was staying so close to where the meeting was held that I could hear a great deal of what was said. One night as I listened to the instructions (as they call it) I felt like crying unto God in behalf of the deceived souls. Some few went to the altar to be prayed for, and one seemed anxious to get saved, but there was no one there to teach him the ways of salvation (for the saints had obeyed the Word and come out). As I listened to his sad cries I was greatly troubled for him. While I was studying on the condition that he was in, this scripture came into my mind: “The light of a candle [saint] shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the Bridegroom [Christ] and the voice of the bride [church] shall be heard no more at all in thee.” How true are these words! All God’s redeemed know that wherever this glorious evening light is preached the saved people come home to Zion. Therefore there is not a candle to shine in that part of Babylon, and the voices of the bridegroom and bride cease to be heard. Babylon is left desolate, “and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” ... Revelation 18:2.

          Now, dear ones, as we realize the awful destruction of Babylon, let us consider for a moment the darkness that poor people are in who are not saved and do not belong to Babylon. We all know that Satan works in many ways to deceive people. And after the saved people have all come out of Babylon, the people that stay in there will try to have great times, and will shout and have a great “form of godliness,” and will try to get some to make a profession when they are only deceived. So, you see, they have what they call a big time. As the out...side world has not the Spirit of God they can not tell but what they are in earnest. So some of them will think they must be all right, or else they could not have such good meetings, become so happy, and get people converted. As long as Babylon goes through with such forms, souls will deceive and be deceived. We know according to God’s Word that there is no salvation in Babylon. We are to “cry aloud and spare not.” “Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her.” ... Revelation 18:6...11.

          Many people are weeping because of the fall of Babylon, and the deader she becomes the more weeping there will be. “And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city?” Indeed, they say she is great; they boast of the number of members that they have and call attention to her elegant mansions and how fine her people dress.

          Is it possible that such a great and rich city can be overthrown? But listen ... “Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to naught.” Look at the members of the different denominations and behold their fine dresses, their gold and silver and precious stones. Therefore, hear the voice from heaven: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” ... Revelation 18:4.

          Dear ones, let us that are free rejoice in our freedom and never return unto Babylon. Those who are not free, I admonish you in the name of Jesus to leave the ruins of Babylon and come home to Zion, where all is joy and praise. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” ... 2^nd Corinthians 6:17. “Let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.” ... Jeremiah 15:19. Praise the Lord for a pure home, Zion, the church. Amen.

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An Entreaty.

By G. Q. Coplin.

          “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” ... Ezekiel 33:11.

          It is not strange that man in his weakness and fallibility may at times be called upon to plead his own case and to clear himself in the eyes of his fellow creatures: but in the preceding text the Creator humbly condescends to justify himself in the sight of man. At first it hardly seems that such could be expected or necessary on the part of God; but he foresaw how exceedingly wicked and vile men’s hearts would become, and that some would even presume to enter judgment with him.

          Even at this present day we frequently meet men with hearts so depraved and minds so biased that they ridicule the idea of God inflicting punishment upon the wicked for their ungodliness, believing that man is excusable because he has a natural tendency to evil and is incorporated in such human weakness and frailty, accounting that such proceedings on the part of God would be extremely unjust. However, from the beginning the sentence has been passed that, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Neither has man been ignorant of the same; but, to the contrary, God has often, through his prophets and messengers, endeavored to persuade man to abandon wickedness, holding before him the irrevocable sentence of death except he turn from his way.

          In this text God enjoins this message upon every watchman: “Say unto them as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Throughout the whole world God has purposed that this truth be proclaimed, and though we read that he is a God of vengeance, it is not carnal vengeance, such as men experience when they seek to avenge themselves, but a holy vengeance which is called forth by justice. And though truth and justice must be preserved, still he finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked, for this is absolutely foreign and contrary to his nature. But in what doth he find pleasure? The next clause of the text declares, “But that the wicked turn from his way and live,” in this he rejoiceth exceedingly with great delight, and for this purpose he entreats, “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” From the beginning God has purposed that heaven should be kept pure and that no element should enter there to mar its peace and sweetness, nothing to disturb or break the harmony of continual devotion and praise, this he will continue to preserve though it be at a great sacrifice, and for this very purpose did he prepare a sacrifice to be offered in the person of his only Son, that in the fountain of his blood we might wash and be clean, and not only are we justified from our actual transgressions by his blood (Romans 5:9), but also in the same element find power to sanctify and cleanse from all sin. Hebrews 13:12, and 1^st John 1:7.

          Therefore since such abundant provisions have been made for man’s salvation, all who do not accept and embrace the same are left without excuse and will be speechless, like the man without the wedding garment, when brought before the final judgment...bar. But to...day all mankind are pointed unto Christ for cleansing, and God enquires, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” It seems by this that man’s will is the very power that does determine his future state. All who are lost set their will against meeting the conditions of salvation, and will to follow the ways of sin. We find many to...day who when asked to forsake sin, and to seek the Lord at once begin to plead their weakness as the only excuse for continuing in sin. I wonder if such would be willing to acknowledge that they are so destitute of will power that they can not will to do right? Under the Mosaic dispensation some who even willed to do right were at times overcome and coerced into sin. But with Jesus Christ came abundance of grace, which enables man to perform the thing he wills. When once the will is firmly set to serve God, all else must come into subjection to that will.

          Thank God for such ample provisions “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Though the soul be stained as scarlet or crimson, though lost to self respect in the very mire of iniquity and sin, still there is full and complete deliverance for all who will apply. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” ... Isaiah 5:7. Oh, that men would embrace their privileges and prepare to meet their God! “The Spirit and the bride say, Come.” Why will ye die, when all heaven pleads for your return? Why rush headlong into everlasting destruction while the trumpet sounds a continual alarm, forewarning you of the danger that you are in? Awful will be the remorse of conscience when too late ... when the sentence is passed forever. Then shall the stoutest hearts melt in bitter anguish and despair, while all will be made to bow in submission to their fate and acknowledge their condemnation to be just. “Turn ye,” while mercy is waiting to pardon; for “now is the day of salvation.” The hope of spending eternity with God should allure you to seek him with your whole heart, while he may be found. Be assured that when the conditions are properly met, a failure is impossible; for “he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Then, since every man must bear the responsibility of his own eternal destiny, “let us be wise unto salvation.”

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News from the Field.

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          I am glad I can report victory in Jesus’ name over all the powers of hell. From Moundsville, West Virginia I came to Louisville, Kentucky, and preached a few days for the dear saints. We had a very good meeting. I think some of those dear ones that went into heresy are seeing it is no good. Let us continue to pray for them and preach the clean Word of God to them. I shall not compromise with them and “brother” them along and make them think they are still saved. I say in the love of Jesus that not a soul that went into that deception has kept his salvation.

          From Louisville I came to Huntsville, and found my wife’s sister very low and trying to get saved. She found Jesus precious to her soul. From here I expect to go to the Sherwood, Louisiana camp...meeting, and also be at the Simpson camp...meeting, the Lord willing. I intend to work my way eastward and get to the Atlanta, Georgia assembly and also be at the Plattsburg, Mississippi camp...meeting in August. Address me at Huntsville, Alabama. Your saved brother,

N. S. Duncan.

Huntsville, Alabama.

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          I am praising God for full salvation and the wonderful peace which continually flows through my soul. While I have this peace in the soul, there is fighting without; but God giveth victory through his precious name. His cause is on the onward move and souls are reaching out for the pure things of God. Praise his holy name! We are looking forward to better things for Nebraska. Oh, how many precious souls are groping their way in darkness and despair, not knowing what wonderful things God has in store for them. Dear brethren, we should press the battle, that precious souls may be rescued from sin, and that the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ may be established in every city and hamlet, till it reach to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have a beautiful grove in which to hold the camp...meeting here, and are hoping that the Lord will send some of the ministers from the East, West, North, and South, so that the wonderful truth of his Word may be preached in all its fullness with the power of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. Let as many of the saints in the state as possible, come, and make this meeting the best ever held in the West. If we come expecting wonderful things of God and will comply with his Word, he will bless the meeting. Praise God for his Word!

W. S. Page.

Ulysses, Nebraska, July 16.

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          We are truly glad that we can report victory over all the power of the enemy. The Lord is greatly blessing our souls day by day. Praise his holy name! He does exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. Truly he will not withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. In answer to prayer we had the glorious privilege of attending the Moundsville camp...meeting, and we received a real benefit thereby. Praise God! We are better qualified to lead precious souls to Christ. We came from Moundsville to the Morehead, Kentucky camp...meeting, in which the Lord blessed our labors. At the close of this meeting we enjoyed a feast to our souls as we washed each other’s feet and partook of the bread and wine. Truly we were all happy (John 13:17). This meeting closed with victory. We came out into the country four miles in company with dear Brother Sutherland and wife, and souls are being saved. Halleluiah! After the Jeffersonville camp...meeting, the Lord willing, we will go south by way of Knoxville, Tennessee. Any one desiring meetings along the way can write to Brother W. A. Sutherland or myself. We solicit your prayers that God keep us in his order and use us to his glory.

W. P. and P. Long.

Morehead, Kentucky, July 16.

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          We are still saved, sanctified, and kept in the Lord’s order. We held at this place the third meeting since leaving Moundsville. Brothers Sutherland, Pearson, and their wives were with us in the first meetings, which were held at Ashland, Kentucky, and Ceredo, West Virginia. Morehead is the county seat of Rowan County, and a town of bloodshed. The meeting commenced July 4, and was a glorious success. Souls were saved nearly every day. Ten were immersed. About fifty happy saints took part in the ordinance service. The power of the Lord was present to heal. The congregations were good; preachers, lawyers, and doctors attended, and the truth went forth with power and simplicity. There seemed no opposition; in fact, any opposition would have proved fruitless, owing to the interest the truth carried with it. Many said it was the best meeting they had attended. The prospect for the future is encouraging. The preparations were hardly sufficient for the number of people attending from a distance, but I know the saints will be better prepared next year if there is a camp...meeting at Morehead. Brothers Long, McClure, and Dunagan were the preachers.

G. T. Clayton and W. A. Sutherland.

Morehead, Kentucky.

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          The Lord in his infinite mercy is still leading and keeping us and giving us power over all the power of the enemy. Praise his name forever!

          Our meeting at Enfield resulted in much good and was beneficial to precious souls. Eight were at the altar seeking personal help from the Lord, some for pardon and some for the blessing of entire sanctification. It was a pleasure to see dear ones, as they made their consecration, enter into the promised land. We closed this meeting with an ordinance service which was witnessed by a large audience.

          From there we went to Oklahoma City, where the truth had never been preached in its fullness. All kinds of spirits presented themselves for recognition, but we gave no place to them. When we brought the Word to bear upon them they would soon take their departure. One of these spirits was so bold as to announce, without asking permission, that he would preach under the tabernacle the next day at 11 o’clock. We took the case to the Lord in prayer and rebuked the evil spirit. When the time came the man’s mouth was closed, so that he did not preach his intended sermon. Thus the Lord gave us deliverance from the jaws of the lion, as he had done in many other cases. Praise his name forever! One sister was restored to our heavenly Father’s favor again, and one was sanctified. Many others were encouraged and helped. Brother Shipman took leave before the meeting closed, going to his home at Glenco, Oklahoma. Brother A. Markwell of Guthrie, Oklahoma, was with us in both meetings and was used of the Lord in the preaching of the Word, both in public and private.

          During the past year the Lord has wonderfully blessed us and led us in plain paths. We have no reason to complain at his dealings with us. It is also true that we have had some trials of our faith; but in every case the Lord did not leave us to ourselves, but came to our aid and gave us succor. Many precious souls have been led into the fountain open for sin and uncleanness and have been made to rejoice in a Savior’s love, for which we give God all the glory; for he it is that has done the work. The Lord has graciously supplied our needs in temporal things. When one of the company would become afflicted in any way we would take the case to the Lord, and he has invariably given help and deliverance from sickness.

          We are here for a short time; we expect to go to the Oswego camp...meeting, then to Whitehead, Oklahoma, which will be our address for a time. Pray for us.

G. W. Carey and Company.

Mulhall, Oklahoma.

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Testimonies.

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          The Lord wonderfully saved me over two years ago and then sanctified me by a second, definite work of grace. Praise his holy name! He keeps me with victory over all the power of the enemy and enables me to love and serve him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and trust him for healing. He healed me of a disease I had been afflicted with from childhood. Doctors or medicine could do nothing. He has healed my little boy of a broken arm this spring. One bone was broken and the joint dislocated. To God be all the praise and glory.

Alice Brown.

Riceville, Tennessee.

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          I wish to testify to God’s goodness to me. He has cleansed me from all inbred sin and given me a clean heart. I can not praise him enough for his loving kindness to me. God has given me an experience that the devil and all the world can not take from me as long as I obey the teachings of his blessed Word. I desire to do my Master’s will at all times and am willing for him to have his way with me. We are commanded to watch and be ready for the coming of Christ. I feel that I am ready. I long for the time when I can see my blessed Savior, for I know he has gone to prepare a place for me. Dear saints, let us live true to God. If the world persecute us, we know that it persecuted Christ. Pray that I may be healed of catarrh of the head and throat, and that I may be kept humble where God can use me to his glory.

Mrs. Emma Casteel.

Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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          I am still saved and kept from sin by the power of God; and by meeting the conditions of the Word, by faith, I have been sanctified by a second, definite work of grace. I have taken Christ as my physician and have been healed many times. Bless his name forever! I am glad I discern the body of Christ, the church. I find there is a spirit that is the life and operation of Babylon, and when we begin to drink of Babylon wine and receive of its spirits we begin to doubt that sectism is Babylon, and begin to think it is not as bad as we heard or thought it was. I am determined by the grace of God to fight the good fight of faith against the powers of darkness. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Pray that the Lord keep me humble.

J. A. Pratt.

Wamic, Oregon.

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          We are fully saved and walking in all the light of God lets shine upon us. The Lord is our healer and helper in all things. Jesus will not leave his children in darkness if they are willing to abide in him. Wife and I were converted in a Methodist revival last November and joined that denomination on probation for six months. As I went to the meeting and heard so much preached against divine power in healing, saying it was selfish to pray when any one was sick, for fear it might not be the Lord’s will to heal them, it gave me an earnestness to know what to believe. I went to studying the scriptures and found that the blessing and power are only given to them that believe the whole gospel of Christ. The Lord wonderfully helped us in case of sickness on that line. Praise his holy name! So I told the minister that it did not seem right for me to join the denomination, for the doctrine did not correspond with the gospel of Christ. He told me if I did not join I would backslide. But it came again to me: “Be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage,” and all fears and doubt left. We are fully trusting in Christ. Pray that we may be sanctified.

Mister and Mrs. W. C. Rewatt.

Klondike, Michigan.

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          We read: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.” A witness is one that knows something, and is not called to a court room to swear if he is ignorant of the case. I can testify beyond a doubt that I have been born of the Spirit of God and am saved. I started for heaven many years ago and have never given up the journey nor had a desire to quit the Christian race, for at the end of the race is the prize and the crown. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” ... 1^st Corinthians 9:24.

          Yes, in an earthly race only one gains the prize; but God is no respecter of persons and every one who is willing can take up his cross and follow Jesus and be among the great crowd of witnesses who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

          “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ... Hebrews 12:1, 2. Jesus our great Example, endured the cross, the persecutions, trials, and afflictions, looking forward to the joy he was to have at the right hand of the throne of God. Shall we who are followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene expect to go to heaven on flowery beds of ease? Are we better than our Savior? “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” ... Amos 6:1. “Who [Jesus] went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” ... Acts 10:38.

          Are we doing anything to lead lost souls to Jesus? This was Christ’s mission. Are we gathering souls with him? If not, we are not his followers, and need to repent and flee from the wrath to come. God’s Word plainly says, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” ... Matthew 12:30. If our light is not shining, we have no oil in our vessel, and are not helping some one into the kingdom of heaven ... not gathering souls with Jesus ... then souls are stumbling over us into hell, by our failing to point them the way to heaven. We will be scattering abroad, and unless we repent and turn to God, we will receive the sentence, “Depart from me: I never knew you.” The crown is at the end of the race. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” ... 2^nd Timothy 4:8. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” ... Matthew 10:22. Not he that runs in the race for a while and then gives up, but he that endureth to the end, wins the crown.

          For my part, by the assisting grace of God I intend to endure to the end and gain heaven at any cost. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” God has done great things for me, whereof I am glad. He has brought me out of darkness into this marvelous light and transplanted me into the kingdom of his dear Son, adopting me into his family and giving me all the privileges of the heirs and children of God, and the desires of my heart in many things. “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” ... Psalms 37:4. There is nothing impossible for God to do for his children, those who keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Eva Protzman.

Staten, California.

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What God Has Done For Me.

          About twelve years ago I received light on the Bible doctrine of divine healing. I was then about forty years of age and had been afflicted in my hip from the time I was sixteen years old. I had tried doctors and patent medicines but to no avail. Sometimes for weeks I had to have help to sit down and raise up. The pains were so bad sometimes that I would almost hollow at the top of my voice. No one but God knew what I suffered those years. So when I heard the glad tiding that divine healing was for me as well as those that lived in past days, I obeyed God’s Word. It took me about three days to get entire victory over unbelief, but when my faith took it in the work was done. I can truly say that from that day to this I have been healed of that dreadful disease. The enemy tried a time or two to impose it upon me again, but by trusting God he was not permitted to do so. To God be all the glory.

          I weighed about one hundred and thirty...five pounds before God healed me; but my weight has run from one hundred and seventy...five to two hundred and twenty...five pounds for several years. Praise God! My weight is just two hundred pounds now, and I only lack a few days of being fifty...two years old. I can say of a truth I am a stouter man than when I was young. To God be all the praise. God has been my doctor ever since, for myself and family. We have four children that have never taken a drop of medicine. The oldest one of them is nearly twelve years old. A few years ago he was taken very near death’s door; yet, though but a child, he said he would not take medicine. God raised him up when our faith had been tested. We have had different kinds of sicknesses, but the Lord has delivered us out of them all. Praise his name, all ye his saints, for his goodness to the children of men! When I was first healed I promised the Lord I would always trust my body in his hands. I often told the people that, when God failed to heal me I would let this body go down into the grave; I would not dishonor him by resorting to the aid of man. This was truly fixed in my heart. Some thought it strange, but God has permitted me to keep it fixed in my heart.

          About three years ago I was brought to the test, so far that my limbs were cold. My eyes were set and I was speechless, but knew what was going on around me. My wife and mother stood by me, asking God to spare my life a while longer. I knew that I was dying, that life was passing swiftly away. I had suffered greatly all that day, but all pain was then gone and I was lying easy. I knew that my time was close to an end unless God lengthened it for a time, and it seemed hard for me to decide whether I wanted to live longer or not, as I knew and had the evidence in my heart that all was right. I felt that I was perfectly willing for God’s will to be done, when it seemed to come to me that I could have my choice. When my two little children stood by praying God to spare my life, as I thought of their mother being dead, I looked at them and said in my heart: Lord, spare my life that I may raise them up, also for my companion and poor old mother that looked so pitifully at me. God was gracious, and my life was granted. Next day I was in the streets tending to business, to the great astonishment of some that saw me the day before. To God be all the praise.

          Last winter I gave way to trials and temptations and got away from the Lord, and was in that state about two months. Yet I did not forget my covenant with the Lord, to trust my body in his hands.

          I can testify to full salvation. God received the prodigal back, and put a robe on me and shoes on my feet, again established my goings, and put a new song in my mouth, even praises to his name. Dear ones, of a truth I feel for the poor backslider. I know how sad it is to be away from God and feel like he would never take me back. I pity any one in such a condition, bound by Satan. My prayer is that the Lord will help me rescue the fallen. May God bless all his ministers with the spirit to leave the ninety and nine and go after the one that has gone astray from Father’s house; for there is balm in Gilead for every sin...sick soul. Pray that I ever keep true to God the days I yet live on earth.

W. M. Wilson.

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Obituary.

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Crescent City, Oklahoma.

          ALLNUTT. ... Sister Lavinia Allnut died June 20, 1901; aged 47 years. She heard the gospel preached in its purity six years ago and gladly accepted it. She was chosen of God as overseer of the little flock at Lone Star and was faithful to God and always ready for every good word and work. She trusted the Lord as her Physician and was always ready to hold him up as a perfect Savior. She leaves a husband and a son  and daughter. May the Lord fit and prepare them to meet her in heaven. Funeral Services at residence by Brother Henry, from 14^th chapter of John.

S. E. Schieffler.

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          CARPENTER. ... Our sister, Belle Carpenter, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 1901. A Happier, easier, more triumphant death my God has never let me witness. We believe that she fell asleep at the command of God. She came to Denver with her brother on the 10^th of May, expecting to labor for the salvation of precious souls. She remained from Friday till Sunday evening at the so...called “Rescue Home” at 1425 23^rd Street, but was rejected and set at naught by those in authority. Knowing that “we have fellowship one with another,” she sought God earnestly to know the cause, and was speedily rewarded. On the said Sunday evening she came among God’s saints in their usual assembly, and as a drop of water needs no invitation to “unite” when it comes in contact with another quantity of its kind, great or small, even so it was with our souls when she came among us. When the work was done for which she was sent here by God, it pleased him to take her. Many times in her ten days’ affliction her relief was so manifest that our souls were made to rejoice. Truly death has no sting, nor the grave any victory, when sin is not present. May God help each dear mourner to follow her as she followed Christ and be ready at his coming to spend eternity with him who counts us worthy to be called the children of God.

M. L. Adams.

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Divine Healing.

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Healed of Severe Cough and Cold.

          I am still standing true for the Lord. I was afflicted with a severe cough and cold, but I continued to trust the Lord for the healing of my body. After two weeks of firmly standing against the enemy the Lord healed me without having taken a drop of medicine. This was the severest attack I have had in five years, but I can report victory over the enemy, both for soul and body. Dear saints, it pays to trust the Lord and live the life the Word demands. If there ever was a time we needed to be true it is now.

T. H. Holmes.

Macon, Georgia,

July 13.

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God Can and Will Heal Us.

          It gives me great pleasure to know that Christ can and will heal us if we will only give ourselves to him. I was afflicted with heart and nerve trouble. I had the best physicians, but they did me no good. So I quit taking medicine and put my whole trust in the Lord, and am glad to say I am able at present to do my own work and take care of my three little children. They have also been healed at different times. I give God all the praise and glory. Pray that I may always continue to live with the Lord.

Mrs. Edward Bower.

Milford, Illinois,

July 8.

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A Great Helper.

          I am saved and kept by power divine. I praise God for his dealings with me. I have taken God for my all. He is my great help in every time of need. I have been sick, but to...day finds me healed. God’s little ones here were agreed in prayer and the work was done. Such a blessing came that we were not able to contain it. I can not praise God enough for what he is doing for me. I expect to trust him while life shall last. Praise God, I am rich in Christ! I pray that I may be of some use to him, as he has done much for me.

          I was also healed of the smallpox. A sister came to see me; we were agreed and I was raised from my bed, and from that time did my work. God received all the glory, for without him we could do nothing. Pray that God have his way with me.

Lucy Stage.

2734 Lucas Avenue,

St. Louis, Missouri.

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JUDGMENT.

By Mary Heldenbrand.

          The present judgment in preaching the Word comes with authority and power, and not as that of the scribes and Pharisees. “O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.” ... Isaiah 26:13. “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.” ... Isaiah 28:5, 6. The Lord himself will be the crown of glory, spirit of judgment, and strength to every one that will fearlessly turn the battle of right against wrong to the very gate. The Lord will be exalted.

          “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner...stone, a sure foundation.” ... Verse 16. Jesus Christ was this stone. He was tried and tested and precious in the sight of the Father. He is the rock upon which the church is built ... a sure foundation, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail, for he overcame death, hell, and the grave. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” ... Colossians 1:18. “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” ... Isaiah 28:17.

          Go to the ministry of Christ and see how perfectly these scriptures were fulfilled. The judgment against all sin was given right up to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” “Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” ... Isaiah 1:27. Every saved soul knows it was through judgment that he was redeemed. Praise God for ever! “The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” ... Isaiah 33:5, 6. Wisdom and knowledge lie in the righteous judgment of God, and shall be the stability of these times and strength of salvation. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” ... Isaiah 33:17. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.” ... Psalms 89:7, 14, 15. Dear saints of God, rejoice in the judgments that are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

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TEMPTATION.

By Viannah Crites.

          May the blessings of our heavenly Father rest upon the dear souls who are passing through temptations and as yet know not how to meet the temper. Some ask us if we will ever attain to such heights that we will not be tempted, and our answer has been: Not while we live in this world. We need not expect to get above our Master, whose trials were the hardest right in the end. So, dearly beloved, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” ... Ephesians 6:11...18.

          Knowing it is Satan’s business to try to annoy and discourage those not acquainted with his cunning devices, therefore, the object of this article is to make known some of his tricks to those who have more recently started to walk the narrow way.

          Some who have become sick of their sinful ways and have come to God and implored his pardon ... which he is willing to grant to those who feel the need of a Savior’s forgiveness, and also his help to overcome their sinful habits ... then went on their way rejoicing for a time; but ere long they felt an element in their hearts that may, at times, cause them to be overcome. The root of sin, or the carnal nature, is still in the heart, and at times may try to send out shoots, such as anger, pride, love of self, and many more too numerous to mention. All this goes to show the individual has need of a deeper work of grace. Beside all these, he may feel a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and may also have a man...fearing spirit. Well, he comes to realize he must have a deeper work of grace, and in order to have this he must yield himself to God’s will ... nothing reserved; a perfect sacrifice it must be. Then he calls upon God to sanctify and cleanse, take the old man out, root and branch; for “every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up,” and the carnal nature is one of these plants which God did not plant in the human heart, but was brought about through the deceitfulness of Satan in dealing with our fore parents. We accept our sanctification the same as our justification ... by faith.

          Now remember, dear ones, it says you can stand in this grace, but does not say you will not be tempted; but when temptation comes you must reckon yourselves dead indeed unto sin. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” You must believe God’s Word. When you asked him to cast the old man out, you must believe the work to be done, because he has told us to ask and receive. We are not asking amiss in this, and so it is our duty to believe that the work is done and watch and pray. Do not think you will ever be able to quit watching and praying while you live in this world. Satan is just as busy walking to and fro through the earth, seeking whom he may devour, as he ever was, and our duty is to resist him “steadfast in the faith.” He knows where your weakest points were when under his control, and he will be watching the gate that leads to them. You should keep that gate strengthened by watching and praying. You will find devils of different characters knocking for admittance at the door of your heart; some of these are bold, impudent ones, and may hang around a long time trying to get in. Then they will set you to wondering why these temptations last so long, and perhaps get you to questioning if you were really sanctified or not, and the devil begins to shove himself in by way of doubts. Now, dear ones, when you remember your sins were all pardoned, and that afterwards you were wholly sanctified, not by feeling but by faith in the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit ... you should boldly stand on God’s Word, and if the lying, cheating, hating, proud, or impatient devil steps up to you and seeks for admittance, do as Jesus did ... say, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”

          We can not afford to let any of these come in. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” If he does not go immediately, resist him steadfastly.

          Perhaps a little of my experience would be of benefit to you. Before I was wholly sanctified I was very proud; but when God sanctified my nature the roots of pride were all taken out ... worldly adornment was laid aside, and I began remodeling my clothes. The plainer I could get them the better they suited me. Worldly adornment found no place in my heart, and, oh, how blessed I felt in obeying God’s will! All worry to look and do as worldly people was gone; my delight was to do the will of God. After I had been sanctified some six or seven years, one day a proud spirit stepped up to me and whispered that I would look well if I were to curl my hair, and tried to get me to go to the glass and look at myself. He suggested that I would look better if I were to put a little trimming on my clothes, and many other things; but I kept up a stout resistance and continued to call upon God to make him flee. He hung about for nearly two weeks, and when I saw how hard he was trying to get in I called mightily upon God to help me and cause him to flee, and he had to go. I was made to praise God for my deliverance from so bold a villain, for he meant no good to me had I let him in or yielded to his suggestions. I was made to praise God more than ever for the sweet rest I had enjoyed for so many years from the pride of the world. It seemed I had been so free from pride that I had forgotten the great deliverance God had wrought for me, until I was permitted to pass through that temptation. In fact, I had forgotten how people felt when proud, and could not show it up as I could after that temptation. Hate came, but I said: No, I have no room for you. Three times in one day he came seeking admittance, but each time I turned with love and a holy kiss to the one he wanted me to hate. Impatience rapped for admittance, but I said, No. What if our cow did leave the tall, green grass and walk into our garden and devour our bed of peas just ready to bloom! It would not have bettered it any for me or any one else to let impatience get in over it. So instead of going after her myself and whipping her, as was suggested by the evil one, I sent one of the children.

          “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” The devil tries to make some people believe that when they are sanctified these things will never present themselves, and so on this ground he cheats many out of their experience.

          After the children of Israel had crossed over Jordan into Canaan ... which is typical of our spiritual Canaan, or sanctification ... we have a plain case before us of how Satan appeared to Achan and suggested that he take the wedge of gold and the Babylonish garment and hide them in his tent. When he obeyed the suggestion it caused him to be put to death. So it is with us if we yield to Satan ... it will cause spiritual death. If physical suffering attacks us we should ask God to heal us, and by his help keep a steady resistance against this also. And now, dear ones, may God strengthen all our hearts to remember that he has promised to keep us in every temptation which should come upon us to try us. Then let us watch and pray.

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Prayer and Power.

          The worldling may succeed in life by carefulness, by skill, by intelligence and by force; but in the work of God no man can succeed without prayer. No human can effect the changes and accomplish the work required in the service of God. There is a super...human work to be done, and a super...human energy is required for its accomplishment. To be prayer less is to be powerless. No matter what other qualifications men may have for the work, unless they have the power of God they will never succeed in accomplishing the service of God. Multitudes of men and ministers may trace their failure to their prayerlessness. They are eloquent, but they do not pray. They are enterprising, but they do not frequent the mercy seat. They belong to secret societies and clans, but they do not know the secret of the Lord which is with them that fear him. They may have education and all that learning can give them, but without prayer they will be like a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. They may be abundant in labor, fervid in speech, and zealous in good works, but all this will not avail unless they have that power and that presence which only come in answer to prayer. Let Christians learn the lesson, and as they desire to be useful and do effective work for God, let them see to it that they watch and pray, that they continue instant in prayer, and thus draw from heaven that power and help without which they can do nothing, and without which, all that they undertake to do will amount to nothing in the end.

...Selected.

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