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The Gospel Trumpet
Volume 21 - Issue 22 - May 30, 1901
(Articles of interest only)
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Happy Thoughts.
By C. M. Hicks.
Once I was a pilgrim stranger,
Out in darkness and in sin;
Jesus came, that blessed Savior,
Called me back and took me in,
Placed my feet within the pathway
Leading to his throne above.
Now I praise the name of Jesus,
And I sing his songs of love.
Over yonder are bright mansions
Which we read of in God's Word,
Where redeemed ones sing with gladness
Round the golden throne of God.
In that bright and golden city
Jesus sits at God's right hand,
Calling you and me up yonder,
To that sinless, heav'nly strand.
Is not this the land of Glory,
Where the saints all robed in white
Sing the sweet and lovely story
Of that land of pure delight?
Yes, this is the home of Jesus
Where no sorrow comes within;
Where our names are ever written
In the book that's pure and clean.
In that land of purest treasure,
Daily I my Lord shall see;
Of his glory and his pleasure
All my songs and praise shall be.
There we'll drink of Life's pure fountain,
Feast upon the "tree of life."
Dwell with all the blood washed happy,
Free from every toil and strife.
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The New Testament Church.
By Alvin J. Ellison.
Article 8 -- Continued.
His ability is sufficient to attend to the government of the church without the counsel of poor, finite humanity. "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: and ye [the church] are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." -- Colossians 2:3, 9. How beautifully these scriptures show the wisdom, power and authority vested in the Lord Jesus by our heavenly Father. The Father absolutely vest no legislative power in humanity, thus authorizing them to make laws whereby the people of God may be governed -- No, not even so much as a discipline of any sort. Neither is there any necessity for such human organizations and disciplines, "For ye are complete in him" (Christ), who is the only founder, lawgiver and governor of the New Testament church. Praise the Lord!
WHAT CONSTITUTES HIS LAW.
"I have given them thy Word." -- John 17:14. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." -- 2nd Timothy 3:16, 17. By the foregoing texts we learn that the Holy Scriptures constitute the law books of God, whereby the church is to be governed. They should be gladly accepted as such for three reasons: (1.) Because they are the only laws ever "given by inspiration of God." (2.) Because they do what no other law can do, viz., make the man of God perfect; and thoroughly furnish him unto all good works. (3.) Because, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." -- Psalms 19:7-11.
These beautiful texts are certainly definite argument in favor of the Holy Scriptures constituting the law of God, as well as being reasons why they should be accepted as such. Notice the reasons as given by the Psalmist. "The law of the Lord is perfect." Therefore no improvement can be made, neither by adding to nor subtracting from -- any change whatsoever would simply produce and imperfect law. "Converting the soul" -- something that no other law can do. "The statutes of the law are right" -- a noble reason for accepting them. "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." -- Psalms 19:9, 11.
GOD'S LAW IS HOLY.
"This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain [Mount Zion] the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house [church]." -- Ezekiel 43:12.
By the words of Ezekiel we learn that the statutes of God consist of holy laws only; hence the Holy Scriptures. Every Word of God is pure [holy]: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his Words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." -- Proverbs 30:5, 6.
A WARNING.
In conclusion of this topic, we desire to send a note of warning to those who are inclined to obey the doctrines and commandments of men, and are neglecting the observance of the law of God. "Be not carried about with divers and strange [unscriptural] doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." -- Hebrews 13:9. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgeteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blest in his deed." -- James 1:21-25. Therefore, my dearly beloved reader, we exhort you to turn away your ears from every doctrine and commandment of men, and "hearken diligently" unto the voice of the Lord thy God, lest by deceiving yourself you be found wanting in the day of judgment; for, "Every soul, which will not hear that prophet [Jesus Christ], shall be destroyed from among the people." -- Acts 3:23.
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Our Physician.
By D. Otis Teasley.
Chapter 2.
A CATALOGUE OF PROMISES.
"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." -- Exodus 15:26. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." -- Psalms 103:3.
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. -- Luke 9:1,2.
"And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. . . Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you." -- Luke 10:9, 19.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." -- Mark 11:24.
"And he said unto them, 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." -- Mark 16:15, 16.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -- Matthew 7:7.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." -- John 14:12.
The greater works than Christ did, spoken of in the last given text, doubtless refer to the work of preaching full salvation through his blood, which no man could do before his blood was shed. Surely no greater works than Jesus did could be performed in the way of healing the sick, raising the dead, etc. "The works that I do shall he do also." This clause refers to healing the sick and such like through faith in his name.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.: -- John 14:13.
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." -- John 15:7, 8.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." -- Matthew 21:21.
"And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you." -- Matthew 17:20.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." -- James 5:14, 15.
TO WHOM ARE THE PROMISES GIVEN?
There are many people who would take Christ as their physician were it not that the giant monster of tradition had blinded their eyes; being taught from childhood up to trust in medicine, it is not to be wondered at that so many reject the sublime truth of divine healing.
The reader is now invited to take a journey with us through the realms of truth to ascertain by the Bible whether or not God has promised to heal the afflictions of the body. First, we will notice that Christ has never given a commission to preach the gospel which did not contain a commission to heal the sick; and, in fact, no one can preach all the gospel without preaching Christ as our healer. We will first notice the commission given to the twelve when they were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." -- Luke 9:1, 2.
The words, "Heal the sick," in this text are just as much a command and are just as much a part of the commission given to the twelve as the words, "Preach the kingdom of God."
Second, we will notice the commission given to the seventy. In Luke 9:1 we read that Jesus chose seventy of his disciples, whom he sent into every city where he himself would come, and in the ninth verse we hear him say: "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."
Here again is clearly brought to view the fact that divine healing accompanies the preaching of the gospel, and all who love and understand the truth can see that healing the sick was part of the divine commission given both to the twelve and the seventy -- yea, it was a part of their doctrine and practice as long as they lived. While many are willing to acknowledge that the apostles taught and practiced divine healing, yet they will overlook the same glorious truth in the last broad and divine commission given, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Healing the sick through faith in Christ is just as plain and definite in the last commission as it was in any other.
Third, let us examine the commission from which every minister of the gospel to-day must take his authority. "And he said unto them, 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. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." -- Mark 16:15, 18.
Now, dear reader, can you not see that in this last commission to preach the glad tidings of salvation to the fallen race of Adam, is included the healing of the sick? Did I hear you say that this sublime promise was to the twelve apostles only? Then none but the twelve apostles were ever commissioned to preach the gospel, for healing the sick has always accompanied the preaching of the full gospel, and almost in the same breath Jesus says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," and, "They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." Whom were the signs here spoken of to follow? -- the twelve apostles? "And these signs shall follow them that believe." Believest thou this? If not, thou believest not the words of the only begotten Son of God.
Fourth, we will notice that divine healing is a gift in the church. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." -- 1st Corinthians 12:28. We also read that the church was to stand forever, (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18) and, "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever." -- Ecclesiastes 3:14. This being the case, God intended his people should exercise the gift of healing forever, or as long as time should last; and there is not one word of divine writ from which we could infer that the healing of disease through faith in Christ should end, till time should cease to be.
As the gift of healing was placed in the church, and the gates of hell and floods of persecution have never succeeded in destroying the church of God founded by his omnipotent hand, and the gift has never been removed from his church or the promise from his Word -- this being the case, all who will not stagger at the declaration of divine truth may believe and enjoy the benefits of the grace of healing. But as the true proverb has said, "A drowning man will catch at a straw," so those who will not open their hearts to all the truth and be filled with joy and peace in believing will often wrest such scriptures as this: "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." -- 1st Corinthians 13:10. Those who by abusing this text try to avoid the truth argue that, when that which was perfect (the perfect law of liberty) had come, that which was in part (miracles, healing the sick, etc.) was done away. Such falsified reasoning is scarcely worth of notice; however we will set forth the text in its true light.
The apostle is here writing of love, as the reader will observe by reading the entire chapter. The lesson he means to teach is: When the perfect light of eternity will have dawned and this mortal life will have put on immortality, and this terrestrial world will have been forsaken for the celestial world eternal, we will no longer have need of tongues, nor yet of prophecy; for we shall know, even also as we are known; but charity, or love, shall continue throughout all eternity, because we shall be with God and "God is love." Then when shall prophecies fail? When eternity reveals in reality all the bright vision of the prophets, and not until then. And when shall the gift of healing pass away? Never, thank God! till we reach the bright shores eternal, where the happy sons of God will no longer be exposed to sickness and death; where, submerged in the pool of God's love and mercy and clothed upon with the garments of immortality, we shall never suffer pain nor feel the burning heat of fever.
Then, dear reader, can you not see that the promise it to "any among us," and that "these signs shall follow them that believe?" If you are afflicted, apply to him at once in faith, who has promised to heal you if you are his child, and whose promise can never fail. Why spend your money and shorten your days by taking poisonous medicines when Jesus stands ready and willing to heal you with the touch of his power? Then do not wait, as many do, until all hope of human aid is past, and you are driven by adversity to accept him as your second choice; but make him your first and only choice. Employ him forever, for he will not only heal your every sickness, but will bathe with gladness your otherwise sorrowing heart, and life on earth will be far sweeter trusting him for all.
We knew of many who've appealed
To Christ by faith and have been healed
Of all affliction and all pain
When earthly help they've sought in vain.
CARING FOR THE SICK.
Every doctrine of the glorious Book of God has been abused by those of its advocates who were possessed of more zeal than judgment; so divine healing has been outraged by fanatics in many ways, and many things which claim to be healing by divine power are nothing more than a deception of the devil. As the devil has power to work miracles (See Revelation 16:14), if he can deceive a soul by removing disease, he is only too glad to do so. While healing by divine power is a gospel privilege, the relief of pain or sickness without the use of medicine, which may sometimes be accomplished by hypnotism, spiritualism, and many other devices of Satan, is not a proof of salvation; for nothing but a life and heart in harmony with God is an evidence of salvation.
A great many have supposed that to trust God in time of sickness means to abandon all human aid in the way of caring for the sick. This is a sad mistake, for God requires us to care for the sick. Some have been so fanatic as to suppose it to be a hindrance to faith and the workings of God to give a sick person a hot water bath, or even diet those who had received healing, saying that God could heal without a bath, or if God had healed a person it was not necessary to diet. It is true that sometimes dieting is not necessary, and sometimes it is very necessary; but not only does the Bible teach cleanliness, but the laws of our land compel us to care for the sick, and a daily bathe, if necessary, need not be a stumbling-block to the faith of anyone. If a patient is properly cared for and the room and clothing kept pure and clean and the proper ventilation and diet provided, the law of the United States does not compel anyone to employ a physician or take medicine. In case of a broken bone it is also nothing but right to have a surgeon or someone who understands to set the bone. It were very unreasonable should a child happen to step on a nail or sharp piece of glass to ask God to remove the nail or piece of glass. Common sense and reason would say, Remove the object and ask God to heal the wound. Also it would be perfectly in order to bind up a wound; but to be continually resorting to liniments, turpentine, and the like shows a decided lack of faith in God.
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Be True to God.
By Willis Pelton.
When God is permitting us to pass through great trials, and the enemy is trying his best to gain an entrance into our hearts, it is then above all other times that we need to stand true to God. Otherwise we will be defeated. We will have trials and severe testing times as long as we exist in this world, no matter how true we have been to God previous to them, and they will be to us just what we make them. If we are true to God through them, they will prove a blessing to our souls, and as a result we will feel a deep increase. How glorious to know that God will not deal with us in any way only as is profitable to our souls.
We can take Daniel as an example of trueness; after he knew that the decree was signed, which forbid any one to ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of the King (Daniel 6:7-10),yet he was true to his God. After he was cast into the den of lions the result of his trueness was that God sent his angel and shut the lion's mouths. All the people of the king's dominion were commanded to "tremble and fear before the God of Daniel." -- Daniel 6:26, 27.
The Hebrew children were true to God, and would not worship the golden image as the king wanted them to, and they were cast into the fiery furnace; but by standing true to God they came out victorious. (See Daniel third chapter.) We are worshiping the same God, who is the same "yesterday and to-day and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), and an eternal trueness in our souls to him will always bring us out victorious.
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Questions and Answers on Divine Healing.
By J. W. Byers.
Question: If there is no virtue in any medicine or applied remedies, why should Jesus commend the good Samaritan for pouring in oil and wine and binding up the wounds (Luke 10:34), and why such proverbs as: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22), and Jesus words, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick?" (Matthew 9:12)
Answer: It is generally conceded by those who are out in this full gospel faith that there may be some virtue in certain medicines and such natural remedies which in themselves are not harmful to the physical body; but we have found that a perfect faith in the Great Physician makes such medicines and remedies useless. Their virtue may be kept for doubting, professing Christians and the poor, suffering world of sinners who know nothing better than medicines and remedies. Any one should be glad and thankful if there should prove to be virtue in any harmless means which could alleviate the awful sufferings of poor, fallen humanity; but God has something better for his people. The adorable Redeemer has taken upon himself our infirmities, and has borne our sicknesses, and he needs no help in this redemption work.
The virtue of medicine and remedies, however, is seriously questioned when we consider the application of the term "medicine." The use of drugs and poisons is said to cause more deaths than pestilence and war. A well known physician and surgeon of thirty-five years practice who is a personal friend of the writer, said to him a year ago: "I am satisfied that two-thirds of all the deaths in the land are caused and hastened by the use of medicine." In the same conversation he said: "My most successful practice of medicine has been since I have begun to make ten doses out of one." From such well authenticated testimony we have a right (and take no risk thereby) to abandon all medicines and place our bodies entirely in the hand of the Great Physician.
Jesus commended the good Samaritan because he showed mercy to the poor man who fell among thieves. He did the very best he knew to relieve the man, and certainly administered no poisonous drugs that would injure rather than help the sufferer.
The proverb referred to in the question reads in the margin: "A merry heart doeth good to a medicine," showing that a merry heart is preferable to the medicine, or is a help to recovery from sickness. Some proper medicine may do some good, but the merry heart is a help to it. The best physicians know how beneficial a merry heart is in aiding recovery from sickness. Who can have a heart so merry as the child of God whose body is in the hands of the Physician who promises to heal? The very attitude of mind and heart of a person whose faith is in Jesus is a conducive to health.
In the use of the expression of Jesus, "They that are sick need a physician," he had reference to himself as the physician, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
Question: If the Lord heals, why do the saints get sick and die? Why do they not stay well till death comes?
Answer: It is appointed unto man once to die, and unless we live to see Jesus come we shall all see death. This enemy is not yet destroyed, but in due time it will be. It is profitable for us to search the Word of God and see what it says about sickness. According to the sacred records there was very little death accompanied by disease among the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. They fell asleep, and it seems that such a departure from earth would be within the power of faith to-day. Many of the saints through this entire dispensation have thus passed away, while, of course, many die with diseases; but the Word of God does not teach that we must die in that manner. Let us believe that healing is a redemption blessing and exercise our faith against disease as long as we live, unless the Lord should otherwise make known his will to us.
Question: There are some who think that because the Word of God says, "These signs shall follow them that believe," and "The prayer of faith shall save the sick," every elder should have the power to heal every one he shall lay his hands upon, and that he should lay his hands upon everyone who applied for healing. There also seems to be some who doubt an elder because some have not been healed. Will you explain through the Trumpet?
L. M. C.
Answer: It is right to expect every New Testament elder to have faith to pray for healing of the sick. While such may not possess the gifts of healing, yet every elder should have faith to pray for healing. But it is a mistake to expect an elder to have power to heal every one upon whom he should lay his hands. First, because it is Jesus only who does the healing, and the elder is only the instrument. Second, because healing depends in the majority of cases upon the faith of the sick person, if he is responsible, as well as upon the faith of the elder or intercessor. It is not consistent with the plan of redemption to expect the intercessor to obtain the healing for the individual regardless of the responsibility of such individual. In case of an innocent child or some person whose sickness renders him incapable of believing, the intercessor can obtain the healing for such a person; but unless every responsible person meets the conditions of obedience and faith, the intercessor can not obtain it.
Jesus himself could do no mighty work in his own town because of the unbelief of the people; therefore, if it hindered him then in his personal ministry, it will do so now in the ministry of his elders.
The fact that some who have been prayed for are not healed does not show that the elder is out of the order of God. He may be, and the healing may not be obtained for such reason; but, on the other hand, it may not be obtained because the individual is out of the order of God. There are many reasons why God does not heal, and in a case where healing is not obtained, it is well for both the intercessor and individual to search their hearts to see if there should be a hindrance in the way. It is not profitable, in case the healing should not be obtained, for the elder to lay the blame on the individual, nor for the individual to accuse the elder; but let both parties wait earnestly upon God, who will increase faith and turn light upon the hindrance so that it can be removed.
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Lift Up the Standard.
By Emma Tufford.
"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people." -- Isaiah 62:10. "A sound of battle is in the land. The Lord hath opened his armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord." -- Jeremiah 5:22, 25.
In these last days the Lord is blowing a trumpet to call his soldiers to the front, and is sending them forward to fight in the great battle that is raging between truth and error. A highway must be cast up, the stones must be gathered out, and the standard lifted.
All must concede that to be instrumental in God's hands in performing this work we must first measure to the standard ourselves. When we have presented our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service, and have been transformed by the renewing of our minds, we are then ready for battle -- "a living sacrifice," as Paul says. We know that they never draft dead men into an army, but those who are alive, robust, active, and eager to obey their commander's wishes to the very letter -- willing to "endure hardness as good soldiers;" men and women who will press the battle on and are ready to lift the standard anywhere, and if necessary die for it; soldiers who will never run away from duty, but stand to their post even when facing the greatest danger. Those soldiers who will lower the standard when the enemy's bullets fly around them are not fit subjects for the battlefield.
Dear ones, we dare not flinch when trials, oppositions, and persecutions gather around us thick and fast, and we are called upon to endure hardness, tribulation, and reproach. If we would be true and loyal soldiers to King Jesus, we must swear allegiance to him whose name we bear; making a solemn covenant to follow in his steps wherever he leads; willing to measure up to the responsibilities of a life of self-denial in the service of our King, and always keep our standard raised where all the world can see it. It is a sad fact that there has been and still is a tendency among some to lower the standard of this glorious reformation and compromise a little (and sometimes much) with the enemy. They seem to be afraid of preaching the straight truth -- afraid of results, afraid of hurting some one. But, dear ones, the pure Word of God will never hurt an honest soul. The Spirit of Christ in a man will not get offended at the Word, and it is the only thing that will bring honest souls out into the clear light and free them.
As regards to lifting up the standard against sect Babylon, I fearlessly declare, with God as my witness, that the mightiest machine that is used to-day in deceiving and dragging souls down to hell is sectarianism; and if we do not sound an alarm and show people their danger, their blood is upon our skirts. Our brothers and sisters are held captive in the ruins of sect Babylon, and if we love them we will do all in our power to liberate them and warn them of their danger. "If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take away any person from among them, . . . his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." -- Ezekiel 23:6. The sword has fallen upon Babylon because God's Word says she has fallen and therefore calls his people to come out of her, and he has given us an ensign to raise up to warn them of their danger. "All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet hear ye." -- Isaiah 18:3. "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's house [his church] shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills [sects]; and all nations shall flow into it." -- Isaiah 2:2. So we see this ensign was to be lifted up by God's church. What is an ensign? -- a banner or signal. A signal is often used to warn people of danger. Therefore, our ensign, our banner, our signal is the Word of God sent forth in tones of love and warning. "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth." -- Psalms 60:4. God wants the whole truth preached without compromise and in love and wisdom. Why are so many precious souls groping their way in darkness to-day? I answer: because their teachers failed to preach the whole truth to them. Some of them have done it ignorantly, while others refrained from preaching the whole Word for fear they might uncover the sins of some of their congregation and thus incur their displeasure and cause them to keep their pocket-books closed; then the preacher would not fare so well. I believe I am safe in saying that there are very few sectarian preachers to-day who preach with no other object in view than to save perishing souls. But human avarice, or greed, accustomed to measure all things by the money standard, sees very little beauty in serving Jesus through love for souls or unblemished loyalty to their loving and supreme Sovereign. They are so avaricious and so fond of display that they will not offer their services to God unless they receive a handsome salary; and then how much do they care for the souls of the dear people over whom they claim God has made them overseers? How much do they care for the flock God has told them to feed? They preach to gain a good living and the evanescent wreath of fame. But what does their preaching amount to?
Go into the so-called churches of to-day and notice how cold, heartless, insipid, and powerless are the sermons preached from their pulpits. The uneducated can not understand a good part of their sermon; and instead of lifting up the standard of the Bible, they preach to tickle itching ears and gain for themselves the applause of men, esteeming the praises of men of greater value than the approbation of God. Had they earnestly endeavored to impress upon the minds of the people the great necessity of measuring to the Bible standard, the religious world to-day would be in a vastly different condition. There would not be so many false professors, hypocrites, infidels, and divisions. But by listening to erroneous, sugar-coated preaching, the dear souls have become formal, indifferent, dry, and spiritless; and instead of enjoying the warm rays of the glorious Sun of righteousness in their souls, and the refreshing showers of rain from heaven, there is a drought in the land, and they get such poor food that they do not flourish. The result is they become dwarfed and barren, and unless God's true ministers can be instrumental in his hands in persuading them to come out of their cages to where the warm, scintillating rays of the Sun can shine in them to revive them and make them grow, they will be cut down and cast into the fire.
Now, brethren, the Lord help us to see the results of shunning to declare the whole counsel of God! Are we going to leave dear, precious souls for whom Christ shed his blood in their sad condition and not warn them and show them that there is a better life for them. Are we going to leave them in the hands of those who are deceiving them and are keeping them bound down by the straps and bands of sectarian bondage and dragging them down? or will we "blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in his holy mountain?" How I thank God that he has, and is still, raising up ministers that for the sake of Jesus who died so ignominiously do not shun to lift up the Bible standard, and who preach the Word in all its purity and are crying aloud and sparing not, but are lifting up their voices like mighty trumpets and shouting out the pure gospel until sin and division are being shaken. God's honest people are discerning the body of Christ and making their escape out of the awful ruins of Babylon. God help the preachers who fail to preach the Word! for unless they change their course they will be smitten by him who sitteth on the white horse, and out of whose mouth proceedeth the sharp, two-edged sword. Brethren, let us press the battle to the gate and be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
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The Church a Flame of Fire.
By Emil Kreutz.
"But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it." -- Obadiah 17:18. In this prophecy we have set forth one phase of God's spiritual church, also the dead, formal, fleshly religions of sectism. Edom or Esau here are those who worship in fleshly pride or wisdom. You know Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. The ministry of sectism are thus selling their spiritual privileges for filthy lucre, or, in other words, are making merchandise of the gospel, by this means forfeiting their right to spiritual freedom. They are in bondage to the flesh, etc. Jacob, you know, bought his brother's birthright and was the chosen freeman of God. Jacob and Joseph in prophecy always signify God's spiritual people. Esau, of course, was brother to Jacob; yet he was indignant, and fought against and persecuted Jacob, the same as Ishmael did Isaac. Galatians 4:22-31. There has always been confliction between those who were of the flesh and those of the Spirit. The ritualistic, formal worship of God through the doctrines of men has always been in opposition to true, spiritual worship; but in the prophecy under consideration we have the promise that there would come a time when God's spiritual church would be so filled with the fire of the Holy Ghost that she would be able to set on fire and burn up cold, formal, ritualistic worship; yea, "there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau: for the Lord hath spoken it." In the prophecy of Zechariah 12:6 the same line of thought is given: "In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem." The "governors" no doubt signify the ministry -- those who have the ruling of God's house. "He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." All agree and desire that the ministry be made a flame of fire, and this is well and good; but the whole church is spoken of as being a flame of fire.
"And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place [notice, every dwelling place] of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense." -- Isaiah 4:5. This would be after the purging by the spirit of judgment and burning (verse 4) that "upon all the glory shall be a defense." We read in the prophecy of Malachi that Christ "shall sit as a refiner of silver, and will purify the sons of Levi [the ministry], and purge them as gold and silver that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years [apostolic times]." "Like priest, like people," invariably holds good in every case; if the ministry is filled with the fire of the Holy Ghost, the people soon will be, since fire kindles and spreads. Reformations and revivals begin with the ministry. In Isaiah 33:14 is the question, "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" See the answer in verse 15 and the result. "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites." Even so, grant it, Lord Jesus!
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The Perfect Law of God.
By R. Rothman.
Those who are able to read the Bible, and those who are privileged to hear the Word of God preached in its purity by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, are indeed fortunate. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most valuable thing in this world. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. Without its glorious light this world would be altogether lost in darkness. We say those who can read the Bible are fortunate; but their good fortune will turn into evil if they only hear and do not obey. The religious world to-day is filled with doctrines of men that are in opposition to the gospel of Christ. The propagators of these false doctrines have the Bible; but they have set at naught its counsels. They do not humbly accept it as the final decision. The people who imbibe the traditions of men never obtain a settled experience in the grace of God; for he is not unfaithful to allow honest people to be satisfied with a deception. But those who accept the precious Word in all its fullness and purity, and direct their ways and thoughts in accordance therewith, are a happy people. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." -- Psalms 1:1, 2. The "counsel of the ungodly" is everything that is contrary to the Bible, and this includes a great deal of the teachings of Babylon, such as, we must sin more or less each day, in thought, word, and deed; every man has a right to cling to his sect; the Bible standard of living is impracticable; there are many non-essential commandments in the New Testament, etc.
Those who build their characters upon the traditions of men in opposition to the plain teaching of the Word of God, sooner or later will find that they have made a dreadful mistake. But he who lives by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." -- Verse 3. The Word further says, "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." -- Verses 4-6.
There is no satisfaction in trying to serve two masters. If we are professing to be followers of Christ -- his disciples -- we should be willing to take his Word for our counsel. The trouble with sectism to-day is that she believes herself wiser than Christ, and pretends to make laws superior to his perfect statutes. But here and there is a real child of God who will not accept the dry straw of Babylon, but follows the Lord into his green pastures. They meditate on the law of the Lord and follow the Lamb whithersoever he leadeth. They are able to say with the Psalmist, "I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy Word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou has taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." -- Psalms 119:98-104. Babylon is enraged against the saints because they hate her false ways; this 104th verse gives the reason why we hate her deceit. Praise the Lord for his pure words!
We once read in a Babylon book that the characters in the New Testament, such as Paul and Peter and all the other children of God, are only intended by the Lord as our ideals, and that we must not hope to attain to their standard. They truly are ideal men, but the same grace of God that saved and sanctified them is for us; the blood of Christ has lost none of its power. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Be ye followers of me, even as I am also of Christ." -- 1st Corinthians 11:1. Babylon teaches her poor victims that they must sin, that there is no hope for them this side of the grave, to be set free in Christ. The people, accepting these false teachers as true, blindly follow the ways of darkness, and remain in the kingdom of the evil one; for it is written, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he can not sin, because he is born of God." -- 1st John 3:8, 9. We see from this that the result of following false teaching is bad indeed. It means eternal death and banishment from the presence of God; for Jesus says those who die in their sins can not be where he is.
On the other hand, there is nothing but encouragement and glory awaiting those who will cleave to the Lord and walk in the ways of life. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." -- Psalms 19:7-11.
After preaching the pure gospel of Christ for years, there are a few men who are compromising with Babylon. They seem to have forgotten the clear, clean message they received from God in the beginning, and apparently have lost sight of the one glorious body of Christ, for the advancement of which they once earnestly worked and prayed. They have not got into this condition through studying the Word of God, but by reading and hearing the philosophy of men. They have gotten away from the real power of the gospel, away from the leadings of the Holy Spirit, and their preaching is becoming, or has become, Babylonish -- great swelling words of men's wisdom, sentimental effusions, and confusion and a lack of definiteness in doctrine. God have mercy on them, and the people who listen to them! for the end of their way is sure to be evil. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." There was a time when God could bless such preaching to a certain extent, but that time has forever passed for those who have once heard the present truth. The message of God in these days is clear and definite, Come out of Babylon and stand fast in the one body of Christ, reject every other body and spirit, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Many a once spiritual man has sounded the death-knell to his spiritual usefulness by refusing to hearken to the voice of the angel, "Come out of her, my people;" and no man can ever return to Babylon and remain spiritual. Jesus said, "Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you."
Some people seem to imagine it makes no difference what they believe, so long as they are sincere, etc. But this is a mistake. God's Word does not teach conflicting doctrines. The gospel does not contradict itself. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" -- Hebrews 2:1-4.
Dear ones, when the Holy Spirit has once witnessed to a truth, let us not tamper with contrary doctrines, for it will only result in evil. Be willing to endure persecution and self-sacrifice for the truth; for these must accompany the holding to the commandments of Christ. It is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. It is better to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. We will receive a hundredfold in this life; for godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. Let us follow Paul's admonition to Timothy -- "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords." "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." Amen.
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The Penitent Soul.
To the one who has spent his life in wickedness and has become awakened to his sinful condition, the outlook for the future is made sad as he takes a retrospective view of his past life. The enemy of souls now comes forward with his plausible arguments. As the promises of the Lord are presented concerning redemption from sin, the enemy pictures up the blackness of the past and declares that it is too late. The indulgence in sin has been so great for such a long time that hope has fled away and the future is forever darkened because of sins and crimes committed. Thus the poor wanderer in sin looks out upon the future, feeling the veil of darkness drawn about him. Truly within himself deliverance is beyond his grasp. But there are words of comfort from the blessed Book wherein are recorded the promises of the Lord. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" -- John 3:16. Again we hear the words of Jesus, saying, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." -- Luke 19:10.
Truly to one who has been traveling the road of wickedness, groping in darkness, and now desires to make a change for the right and prepare for heaven, these words are indeed precious. It is at this point where the enemy will make every effort possible to discourage the one who is seeking help from the Lord. If the enemy can not succeed in discouraging him, he will try to keep him from doing that which is right in order to obtain salvation. The Psalmist says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." -- Psalms 34:18. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them." -- Psalms 145:18, 19. The prophet Isaiah says, "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Remember that, as Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, he is now seeking you while you are seeking him. "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 55:7. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that the wicked must restore the pledge and give again that which he has robbed. Ezekiel 33:15.
God requires people to straighten up their evil doings as far as lieth in their power. If you have broken a contract with some one, stolen property, or injured any one, make those things right.
If what you have done is beyond your power to make right, God does not require impossibilities of you. If you can not do it immediately, do what you can and God will take the will for the deed. You are to make restitution just as fast as the Lord opens the way before you. If some one has injured you, forgive him. "For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." -- Matthew 6:14. The most wicked man or woman on the face of the earth can receive pardon of their sins and be made happy in Christ Jesus if they will do their part and come unto the Lord and let him save them from their sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -- 1st John 1:9.
Do you need help from God? Then humble yourself in his sight, otherwise you can not expect him to aid you.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." -- Luke 18:10-14.
We may make long prayers and speak very highly of ourselves, as did the Pharisee; but the Lord will pay no attention to such prayers. They pass by as the idle wind. But when we come in humility to the Lord and with a contrite spirit, as did the poor publican, then the Lord will not only hear but grant a favorable answer to the petition offered. Let every penitent soul take courage. Meet the conditions of the Word of God; lay hold upon his promises by faith and receive that which is in store for you.
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An Overplus of Preachers.
A would-be minister of Hartford, Connecticut some time ago said:
"It is not possible for the theological seminaries to introduce young men into the ministry without driving out an equal number of men who are in work. There are a large number of men of the highest qualifications who can not secure a pastorate in existing conditions. The appeal for financial aid for the seminaries on the ground that an increase of educated ministers is a necessity at the present time is an attempt to obtain money under false pretences. The present policy of purchasing impecunious students to fill the seminaries is an outrage on decency and justice. If men who study law or medicine must pay for the privilege, and the best men do it and honor their profession by their manliness, why should divinity offer free tuition, rooms, light, and heat, and even, if there is not enough, lend or give money to destroy the manliness of the students, when many of the best workers the church has are standing idle in the market-place with empty pockets and aching hearts?"
This would sound as if the prayer which Christ urged his disciples to pray has been profusely answered, and instead of the laborers in the harvest being few, that there is now an overplus. But when we consider that there is a vast difference between the harvest of the Lord and the dried-up vineyards and chaff piles of Babylon, we still find that in spite of the seminary-manufactured preachers the true gospel laborers are few, while the fields are yet ripe unto harvest. If the so-called ministers who profess to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ would preach as Jesus Christ commissioned his ministers to preach, and if they would not only preach it but practice it, there would not be an overplus of preachers. There would be but very few of those salaried preachers to remain in their present positions, as they have so educated their members and congregations to go on in their sins that to begin to preach the truth to them as it is in Christ Jesus would soon cause them to lose their positions, be minus their salaries, and be thrown out as outcasts. This would give open doors to the seminary-manufactured preachers to get a position, unless they too should conclude to preach the truth.
But what about men who dare to preach the truth in all its purity and are denied a salary? Need they stand idle in the market-places with empty pockets and aching hearts? They need not stand with aching hearts because of their empty pockets. The man who would dare to preach the truth and live in accordance with the same, the Lord will supply. He has promised it in his Word. Such a man is not afraid to trust God. He may have some tests of his faith, which will only better fit him for the work before him. The Lord will make an open door for him. If it is not in some synagogue or house of worship, he will find a place to preach the gospel along the highways and the hedges. He has no more need of a stated salary now than had Peter and Paul and the ministers of the gospel in olden times. Shame on the preacher who will refuse to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ until a contract has been signed by which he is to receive a few hundred dollars of filthy lucre! It is the duty of the children of God to look after the needs of those who supply them with the necessary spiritual help, but the preacher should have his dependence upon the Lord. The fields are still white unto harvest, and the Master is calling for laborers in his vineyard. He wants laborers who will work, who will dare to speak the truth, dare to do the right, dare to stand by his Word and deliver souls from the hand of the enemy.
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Who Is The Head Of The Church?
We live in a time of a multiplicity of religious beliefs and doctrines contrary to the Bible, which have caused a multiplicity of sects or bodies of people separating themselves one from another, organizing themselves into parties subject to certain rules and regulations peculiar to themselves, and calling that body a church. So numerous have these so-called churches become that should someone undertake to preach the gospel of God in all its purity or set forth the church of God from a Bible standpoint, he is often looked upon with suspicion. Having had their minds so diverted from the truth by the traditions of men, they do not comprehend the plain teachings of the Word of God -- do not discern the body of Christ, the church. Their common interrogation is, Who is the head of the church? Who is the founder? the organizer? How are the members kept together? Must they not join something in order to have a home? etc., etc.
THE FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH.
In Matthew 16:16 we read where Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." We find that he did build his church, and the apostles understood the building thereof when he was speaking to the children of God and said, ye "are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." -- Ephesians 2:20-22. It was built upon a strong foundation. "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." He is the founder of the church.
THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
Were we to ask who is the head of the Church of Rome, you would answer, The Pope. Methodists acknowledge John Wesley as their head and founder. So, likewise all the daughters of Babylon have a different head and founder to their so-called church from that given in the Bible as the founder and head of the church of God. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body." -- Ephesians 5:23. For he "hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. . . He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." -- Colossians 1:13-18.
The only way to get into this church is by a spiritual birth, being born into it through Jesus Christ. He says, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." -- John 10:9. He also says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." There are people to-day who are trying to climb up some other way to get into the church without getting in through Jesus Christ. Such are classed as thieves and robbers trying to steal their way into heaven without paying the price, or meeting the conditions which the Lord has given in his Word. Jesus Christ taught the people that they must repent before they could enter into the kingdom. He said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again."
The people of ancient times once became so foolish as to believe that they could build a tower that would reach up to heaven. The whole earth was at that time of one language and one speech. The people gathered together in the land of Shinar, "And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." -- Genesis 11:3-9.
These people were not satisfied to be governed by the Lord, and sought to make a great name unto themselves, contrary to the Word of God. When Christ founded his church upon earth they were of one heart and one soul. -- Acts 4:32. We find over fifty years later Paul, writing to the Corinthian brethren, said: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." -- 1st Corinthians 1:10. But since that time the people have met together in the regions of vain glory, filled with superstition and ignorance, puffed up with their own imaginations, and not satisfied with the unity and oneness of the church of God. They were not willing to meet the conditions and enter through the door Jesus Christ; therefore they sought to make a mighty name unto themselves and build an ecclesiastical tower that would reach unto heaven. For some time Roman Catholicism held sway. God looked down from heaven upon this ecclesiastical, human-invented structure, with its city of confusion and Babel tower, and he confused their language insomuch that from old mother Rome, whom Protestant denominations, as well as the Word of God, generally term the mother of harlots, has sprung a multiplicity of so-called churches, or harlot daughters of Babylon. This mother truly has many daughters. "And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." -- Revelation 17:5. They all claim to be churches, branches of the one great church. Roman Catholicism did not originate from Jesus Christ the great head and founder of the church. The devil is the founder of that church and all other so-called churches springing from her or founded since that time. This may seem like strong language to some, but we would advise such to read their Bibles. Those churches will not take you to heaven any more than were those who built the tower of Babel able to climb up to heaven by way of it. You may have great faith and confidence in your so-called church, but in that great day you will not be measured by the discipline of your church, but by the Word of God.
Long after the fall of the ancient city of Babylon the angel of the Lord said unto John the Revelator, "Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter." -- Revelation 4:1. He did not have reference to the literal city of Babylon, but to things that were to take place after that time. He foresaw the great spiritual confusion and human ecclesiasticism in this day and age of the world. He saw the scattering of the children of God, and the time when God would give his people warning to flee out of the midst of such confusion. As he looked forward to this time he saw an angel come down from heaven having great power. "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils," etc. Revelation 18:2. The Lord desires to gather his people together once more into the one body, and that they may be of one heart and one soul as in the morning of the Christian era. We read in the words of the prophet Zechariah of a time when the spiritual sky was neither light nor dark; when the Word was going forth to some extent in its purity, but not as it should; and he says, "But at evening time it shall be light." -- Zechariah 14:7. The prophet Ezekiel said, "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." -- Ezekiel 34:11, 12.
There are many people of God scattered throughout these various sects or denominations, living up to all the light they have, who are almost starved for want of spiritual food. Ministers, instead of preaching the whole Word of God and showing them their privileges in Christ Jesus, are preaching the faith out of them, instead of giving them that bread of life which will fill them with all the fullness of God. And now hear the 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. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? . . . Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." -- 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17. God wants all his people out of such faithless, God-dishonoring sects, many of whom fight holiness, divine healing, the ordinances of the church of God, the unity and oneness of his people, or some of the things which the Lord has set forth. Christ says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." He did not say these unholy denominations are branches, but "ye," the children of God, make up the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the founder of his church, the builder, the head; and Paul says, "Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." "The head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." -- Colossians 2:10, 19. If we then are complete in him, why join anything else as a church? "Christ is all, and in all." -- Colossians 3:11.
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From A Prisoner.
Dear Saints: This leaves the writer still enjoying the very best of health, for which I am truly thankful. The territory continued my case until next fall. I am persuaded to believe this is the fruits of my disobedience to God. I have been in a luke-warm condition for about three months, giving ear to man instead of obeying God's Word. Please pray that I may be restored. It has been impossible to answer the many kind letters I have been receiving. I truly hope each one will accept this as an answer. Jesus will remind each of you some day of the cheer and comfort your kind letters have done me. Many times have I been discouraged and felt like giving up all hopes, when I would receive a kind letter from some of the dear saints filled with the Spirit; then I would be made to rejoice instead of feeling sorrowful. Oh, I long for the day when I may hear the pure gospel preached! Should any of the dear saints be passing through this way, will you please stop and see me? Will each one who will feel led of the Lord please write my poor, sad mother a few words of cheer and comfort? Address her, Mrs. M. M. Estes, Coleman, Texas. The men in charge are very kind to me. Jesus will care for his own. Many thanks to those who have been sending me literature. I have no chance now to distribute it. All letters will be met with a hearty welcome. Pray earnestly for me.
W. B. Hall.
Roswell, New Mexico.
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Testimonies.
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Bonneterre, Missouri.
I have been living up to all I know of God's Word in the past two years. I wish to testify to all of God's saints that I and family have been trusting in the Lord for both soul and body. He is our physician in all cases, both sickness and sorrow, and has never failed to give relief. We give God all the glory and praise.
John R. and Rachei Harper.
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Battle Creek, Michigan.
God has been a wonderful Savior to me. Last Tuesday I arose with a terrible sick headache. I asked the Lord to heal me according to his will, but did not seem to get any better. About 8 o'clock a sister came in and we had prayer. The Lord touched my body with his healing power. I worked all day, for which I give God the glory and praise. He has healed me many times. The devil has set many traps to catch and overthrow me, but through the mercies of God I am saved, sanctified, and kept by the power of God.
Mary E. Abbott.
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Byron, Arkansas.
God pardoned my sins thirteen years ago, and I lived an up and down life until four years ago when I prayed to God to sanctify my soul. Praise his dear name! He sanctified me. I was very happy and felt entirely pure and free from sin. Praise his holy name! I feel that way yet. A year ago last fall I gave up doctors and medicine and took Jesus for my healer. He healed our little boy and girl of the chills, and our baby of something like the flux. I know that Jesus has the same power to heal to-day that he had when he was here on earth. I have given up all for Jesus and am putting my trust in him. I like to read the Trumpet. It gives me much light on God's Word. I love to read the testimonies of the saints. Pray that I may ever keep humble at the feet of Jesus.
Celia Bradley.
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Nicodemus, Kansas.
I wish to testify of what the blessed Savior has done and is still doing for me. He has saved and sanctified me to do his whole will. Praise his holy name! Not long ago I had my wrist sprained. It was very painful. I took it to the Lord in earnest prayer and it was healed instantly, for which I give him all the glory. I am so thankful that we have such a kind Savior. My whole determination is to do all I can for Jesus and serve him the remainder of my life. Pray that I may ever be kept low at Jesus' feet.
Birdie Myers.
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Eightmile, Missouri.
I am happy to report that in spite of all the elements of the lower regions Jesus Christ maketh me whole, soul, body, and spirit, and that through faith in his all-atoning blood and according to his eternal Word, he justifies me freely, and sanctifies me wholly by a second, definite cleansing, and satisfies my once-longing soul completely. Therefore I am encouraged to press forward in the mighty name of Jesus. He gives me victory over the works of the devil, who is deceiving and binding souls for an eternal hell. How sad and deplorable it is to behold the sight even now! What will it be when we stand before the great Judge of the quick and the dead!
I have been here with my family since November where sin and gross darkness are abounding. Not a soul but myself takes the Gospel Trumpet, to my knowledge, nor has a clear conception of God's precious Word. Those who seem to have a desire to do what is right are very hard to reach, from the fact that sect holiness (so-called) doctrines of men and devils have been forced upon the people with a spirit of harshness, until souls can hardly realize there is anything better for them. Oh, how my heart leaps for joy to think that when God Almighty called me out of sectism he took sectism out of me and made me to understand that "Babylon is fallen." Hence I have no more fellowship with her than with the devil, neither with any of her literature. My soul is stirred upon this line. I feel like sounding out a warning against patronizing such literature; but do all that you do to the glory of God. Yet the precious, never-dying souls who are entangled in the mass of confusion, we must earnestly seek to win for Jesus. Praise his dear name forever for this glorious light and for the Gospel Trumpet and its literature which is heralding the glad tidings of great joy to so many parts of the earth! My prayer is that it may be kept pure and free from all deceptions and false doctrines so that it will go through to the end of this last and most glorious reformation. If there are any saints near here it would do my soul good to hear from or see them. It seems a very long time since I have seen a real, dear child of the King. "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." -- Job 23:10. May God bless you all and keep you standing on his eternal Word, serving him without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life.
Jesus has been my only physician for the past six years without compromise, or failure on his part. Halleluiah to our God! Remember me in prayer.
Nellie Holmes.
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Muscogee, Indian Territory.
I am thankful for such a wonderful experience as I now possess. I have felt the hand of the Lord upon me for some time, but was in sectish bondage for over two years. I studied for the ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When I was about ready to get my license I heard the pure Word, and it broke me all up, so to speak, and having a deficiency in theology and half believing in the holiness movement, I was shut out. Sanctification was forbidden to be preached as a second work in the bounds of the Owensboro (Kentucky) Presbytery; so, of course, I was left. I staid out of, or away from, the denomination for some time; but, with all the money that I have made, I have been getting poorer and poorer, till to-day I have one dollar and ten cents left. My experience during this time is almost beyond belief, but God is my witness (as well as many of my friends) of the change that has taken place in my life. I have felt for the last six years that the Lord had a special work for me, but I would not let go many little sins, and would not trust him. How thankful I am that God has spared my life! I am now, after a long sinful life, completely given up to God, for his glory and the salvation of souls. I have entirely consecrated myself to Jesus and mean by his grace to spend my life in his service. Pray that I may hold on to God, also that some brother in the Lord will come this way who will baptize me. I had the ceremony of sprinkling, or pouring, performed when I joined the sect. I am now standing on the promises of God, but have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Thank God, he has healed me through prayer and faith! I threw my medicine away. I can say of a surety that God helps us when we trust him. I have had several great temptations during the past two weeks, but glory to his name! I have been delivered from them all. Brethren, pray that I may spend the rest of my life in God's service, also for the salvation of my companion and daughter.
C. W. Hicks.
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Divine Healing.
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Have Faith in God.
A short time ago I wrote to Brother E. E. Byrum requesting that he, together with those of the brethren who had faith, have special prayer for the healing of my wife who had catarrh of many years' standing and consumption, both of which have given her considerable trouble in times past. I desire to say to the glory of God that by the time the letter reached its destination she was entirely healed of both diseases -- no symptoms of either are manifest at the present writing.
Brother, sister, take your case to Jesus! He can do cures, no matter what the nature of the sickness nor where you live, for he is our all-powerful Jesus and an omnipotent God. Many times he has touched our bodies and set us free from the power of disease, or spoken it away with his Word. By the grace of God we expect to be faithful to the end of this race, at which time we shall obtain the prize. Pray that for us to live will be Christ in this present world, and that God use us to his glory.
J. E. Forrest.
Quadrate, Louisiana.
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Gained Over 40 Pounds In Weight.
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell what he hath done for my soul." -- Psalms 66:16. He has put a new song in my mouth. Praise his name forever and ever! I have been saved three years, and old things have passed away and everything has become new. The Lord has forgiven all my sins and cleansed me from all filthiness of the flesh. I was a slave to tobacco and chewed over a pound a week. I asked the Lord to take the appetite away from me, and, praise his name! he did, and now I can not bear the smell of it. I trust the Lord for all things. He heals my body. I also quit coffee and tea. I have taken no medicine for over three years. I am healthier and I weigh from 40 to 50 pounds more than when I was in sin. "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." -- Exodus 15:26. "And ye shall serve the Lord thy God, and he shall bless thy bread, and water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." -- Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 7:15.
My wife and I are alone in this place. There are others here that profess holiness, but they are of the class that say there is nothing in baptism. Others say they will wash feet, and some one thing and some another; but I praise the dear Lord that I am willing to keep all his commandments and for a willing heart to do his will at all times. He saves to the uttermost, and I expect to serve him the rest of my days here on earth, let it be long or short, I never belonged to any church but the church of God. I was born into this great church that the Lord set up while he was on this earth. Praise his name for a church that man can not turn his dear saints out of!
W. H. Reynolds.
Chickasha, Indian Territory.
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Healed of Many Afflictions.
The dear Lord is now my physician and has healed me when other doctors failed to do me any good. He healed me in April of a very bad sick spell. Two doctors did all they could for me, but failed to do me any good. I took the medicine and asked the Lord to make me well; but I did not get any better, but rather grew worse. One day while praying the Lord showed me that if I would quit using medicine and fully trust him I would be healed. So I sent for an anointed handkerchief and had a brother and sister pray for me. From the time the handkerchief was applied in the name of Jesus I commenced to improve, and have been improving ever since. To God I give all the glory. I am now able to help with my work and take care of my little ones. I do praise the dear Lord for his blessed Word and for his healing power.
Dear ones, it pays to trust Jesus, just to take him at his Word. I find he is a help in every time of need. I am saved and living for the Lord, and ask an interest in your prayers that I may be found doing the Lord's will at all times. If there is any one led of the Lord to preach the truth here, they will find a welcome in our home.
Mrs. William Bird.
Griffith, Ohio.
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Miraculously Healed.
About a year ago my feet and limbs began to swell, and by pressing on them a dent would be left. I knew at once that I had the dropsy, for a sister of mine died with dropsy some years before, which made me well acquainted with that disease. As quick as possible I called for the elders to pray for me. About the same time I read that to bathe in very hot water would often cure dropsy. So I raised the temperature of my bath water and used it as hot as I could, and in a short time I was well. I began to think of testifying, but doubts began to arise in my mind. The devil said it might have been the hot water that helped me instead of God. So I concluded I had better say nothing about it, as it was such an uncertainty. In about six months after I was first healed I discovered that my limbs were swelling again. I went to the Lord in prayer, also bathed in very hot water; but I grew worse. My feet and ankles became deformed by the swelling, and I was greatly disabled. Again I called for the elders and did according to James 5:14, but still grew worse. In a few more days my limbs and feet were very badly swollen. I wanted to write to my son in Alaska, but was afraid to say that I was healed, as I feared I would not get well, and I would afterward be ashamed. But after I became perfectly reconciled to the will of God, whether life or death, I remembered these words: "And whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." I could see that I had lacked faith in God's Word. So I at once wrote my son, that I had been afflicted with the dropsy, but that the Lord had healed me, for I knew that God's Word is true. That same night the swelling nearly all disappeared, and now has entirely left. I am now well and praising God.
Last winter I was taken with a severe cough, and for 34 hours coughed unceasingly without rest. I asked husband to pray for me, and before the prayer was finished the cough left me and I have not had it since. I have been healed of sore throat and fever, and also of catarrh of four years' standing.
Mrs. K. M. Burrington.
Fairhaven, Washington,
May 7.
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Healed of Catarrh.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul and body. Praise his blessed name forever! I can not thank God enough for what he has done for me. The Lord saved me and sanctified my soul some years ago and has kept me free from all sin, and to-day I have a joy in my soul that is unspeakable and full of glory. I have also taken him as my physician for many years, and have always found him true to his Word. Many times my faith has failed to trust God as I should, so I suffered for weeks and months when he was able to heal me instantly. I have been troubled with catarrh of the bronchial tubes for years. I have been anointed and had hands laid on at different times, but would let the enemy cheat me out of it when the symptoms of the disease would come back. I have been worse this last winter than ever before.
I caught a severe cold at the assembly-meeting at Grand Junction, Michigan in November, and I have coughed ever since and raise much phlegm. So a short time ago I felt impressed to send to the Trumpet Office for an anointed handkerchief. When it came I did as directed and claimed the healing. I truly felt that the work was done, but my cough would come on as bad as ever, and I would rebuke the devil. But my faith would waver. I waited a few days and applied the handkerchief again, but it was the same -- the enemy cheated me out of the victory. So last Sunday (May 12) at 11 o'clock, when the little ones at Moundsville were praying for the sick and afflicted, I put my case in with the rest and felt impressed to anoint my throat and the upper part of my chest with oil. I applied the handkerchief in Jesus' name and the work was immediately done. Praise the Lord! he heard the prayers of his children. My heart was so filled with gladness and thanksgiving to God that I shouted his praises for what he had done for me. I felt his healing power go all through my body. (Catarrhal trouble comes from the blood being impure.) I was also fasting, not only for my own healing but for others that were afflicted, and I believe many were healed at that time. When I went to bed that night I did not have a coughing spell as I had been in the habit of having, but slept as a child all night. I had also coughed much upon arising, but I was free from it as though I never had had it. I have been somewhat tested since, but my faith does not waver a particle. I know Jesus heals. I did not say anything about my healing till the next morning. I was wondering if I had better tell it. Something seemed to whisper that I had better wait awhile, and that every time I told it I got worse again. Something reminded me to rebuke the devil. That was of the Lord, so I did resist him, and told what the Lord had done for me. What joy came into my soul in honoring God by telling it! Oh, the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Mrs. L. A. Smith.
Plainwell, Michigan.
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Unity In the Body of Christ.
By D. S. Warner.
It is a beautiful and glorious fact that, "Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." -- Hebrews 2:11. "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one." -- John 17:22. "As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." -- Romans 12:4, 5. We are even "all baptized by one Spirit into one body. . . and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." -- 1st Corinthians 12:13.
These and other scriptures show that all the saved of God have one heart, one spirit, one mind, one faith, and one way. This being true, it follows that when a soul has lost salvation, and has gone out from the fellowship of the church of God where he or she lives, such is out of fellowship and has no part nor lot in the church of God anywhere in heaven or earth, until fellowship and membership is restored to the same by salvation. This is essentially the case. For since all true saints are of one heart, mind, and spirit, a person not in fellowship with the true Spirit of God in one place can not be anywhere else, for God and his Spirit are the same everywhere. When persons "separate themselves" from the church, being "sensual, having not the Spirit," and the same are received and tolerated by the church at some other place, it shows discord and confusion, and does dishonor to the Lord Jesus, the head of the body, making an appearance that Christ is two-faced and double minded. Also when men and women have made it manifest that they are not of us by going out from among us, and the churches in other places are all in their normal condition and discern the false spirit in them and reprove the same should they come to them seeking sympathy and fellowship, they must see and feel their lost condition, and their return to God will generally be the result. But, on the contrary, when such hypocrites go out from God and his saints and find sympathy and reception in other localities, the same will prop them up, sanction their sins, and cause them to go on therein and be lost in the same. All such sympathy is of the devil; it works confusion in the body of Christ, dishonor to the Head, and damnation to the soul on whom it is bestowed.
When it is the duty of God's ministers and elders to rebuke crooked men and evil spirits, all the members of the body may not have sufficient to see the necessity of the rebuke. But if they have the right spirit they will keep their mouths closed and their hands off God's business. But if any one has a devilish, stuck-up, and picking spirit, he will show the same by croaking and fault-finding and act the part of a snake doctor to the person whose soul God is trying to save by the Holy Spirit rebukes given. It is true, weak members may be tempted under such circumstances; but if honest, sincere, and free from evil spirits, they will resist the devil and draw nigh to God.
Now we say in all love, such wandering stars, for whom is reserved the mists of darkness, should be treated, loved, and labored with as sinners wherever they go seeking recognition to prop them up in their wickedness. If you love their souls, give no place to them excepting as sinners. If you hate their souls and wish them to go on in sin and be lost in hell, prop them up in their works of the devil, and you will accomplish that end.
The order of Christ is: "Let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican." Confirm your love to them in any benefit you can confer, but do not encourage them to persevere in their ungodly ways by acknowledging them as Christians in any way whatever. Wherever God's own church exists it is one: so a person out of fellowship at one place is equally out at every other place. Christ is not divided, and God is not the author of confusion; but he is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever," and he is the same in every place on earth; and "as he is, so are we [his saints] in this world." So unless you prefer Babylon confusion to the divine unity and harmony, never receive in one place what God rejects in another, for the body is one, and the Head of the body changes not. Amen.
Gospel Trumpet Reprint.
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