Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / April 15, 1875, edition 1 / Page 2
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i Zion’s Landmarks : Wilson- N. C. promise is that “he that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread,” while on the other hand he that fol- Joweth vain persons is void of under standing.” Prov. 12 ; 11. As I am writing now to Primitive Baptists, whom I esteem to be the Church of Christ, let me remind them of the solemn obligation not to pnt an occasion to fall in any brother’s wav. If he is srrieved with thy meat, you are not walking charitably to desti'oy the peace and happiness of him for whom Christ suffered and died. Rom. 14: 15. However ranch your course may ba to your individual good or interest pecuniari ly. you are forbid to let your good he evil spoken of. Your good must correspond with every word of God, else it is condemned. It cannot be doubted but that it is the solemn duty of Christians to “follow the things which make for peace and tilings wherewith one may edify another.” It is very evident that when Primi tive Baptists follow the Grangers it does not promote gospel peace, neith er is there any mutual edification in the gospel kingdom thereby. Then if there is not we violate the above law of Christ in looking upon this f^range woman to lust after her, and though we should not be openly iden tified witli the institution, “It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth or is made weak.” Rom. 14 : 19, 21. Many brethren are often lessly led into error, be some one .of repute^ t.iic ^ standing, has led' the however, would have none follow him any further than he followed Christ. The churches of Galatia ran well for a time, but when they were mov ed from original gospel principles to another gospel the Apostle did not fail to reprove them and desire their troublers to be “cut oflf.” “Confidence in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint,” Prov. 2$ : 19. For this reason Paul would not take John, whose sur-name was Mark, with him ou a tour of preach- iu»'. Mark, on a former trial, had deserted him in a time of need, and did not go heartily to the gospel work—Acts 1.3: 13 aad 15; 38.— Barnabas however still clung to John Mark, and afterwards he also manifested much weakness and was carried away with dissimulation— Gal. 2:13. Asa general rule, I suppose that all men, aad the best of men, have their weak points in which they are peculiarly liable to be over come by temptation. This is e\d- dent in David and Solomon, with the Apostle Peter, John Mark, Bar nabas and others. Under heavy pressure many gave way for a time. At Paul’s first answer to false charg es before the tyrant Nero, all his brethren fo’’sook him, but the Lord stood with him and strengthened him, that by him the gospel might be fully known—2 Tim. 4; 16.—• Many like Demas love this present world and are drawn away to its charms. Christ hath foretold of the coming of many false prophets point ing professedly to him saying, “IjO, here is Christ; lo, he is in the desert; 1g, he is in the secret chambers,” but we are warned to “believe them not,” Matt. 24: 25. Christ is not in these secret chambers, his word is not there, he is not there in the authority of Ids gospel law and ordinances, and if he is not there his people should not be, for they are commanded to follow him. “He spake openly to the world and in secret said nothing” John 18 ; 20. Did he belong to a secret institution ? But waiving the matter as to the merits or demerits of this new institution of the world, we know that it causes strife and divis ion among brethren and churches that were before in peace and love.— We know there can be no harm in letting it alone, and we should not put a stumbling-block in onr broth er’s wav, or give any occasion for them to fall into strife, especially where there is no gospel principle violated in letting it alone. We are commanded that “\Yhatsosvcr we do in word or deed to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Col. 3: 17' If to unite with this or any similar or der in secret assemblages, in formal Remarks . Baptists are so few that no true ones can well be spared from the lit tle band. Yet strife and division will rend asunder genuine ohristians. We lament to see them divided ou doctrine or in conduct. Few things are more settled among them per haps than this, that they are a people separate from the world. How easy to just let these institutions of the world alone. Nothing can harm us as long as we are at peace among ourselves and with God. If we once begin to encourage worldly societies there will be no limit, no end to this thing. We exhort and entreat any of our brethren, who are identified with these things, to pause and con sider that the peace of Zion is above any worldly gain. The way to make our bread for the natural body is to labor for it and look to God for his [Ed. blessing. VTarbextow, Va., Jan. 22, 1875. JElder Oold—Esteemed Brother ENCLOSE one dollar for another six months’ subscrip tion, and again use the oppor- ^ tunity to gratify a desire, if not a sense of duty, which I believe has been given me by him who searcbeth the thoughts and intents of the.hcart, and “who seeth not as man seeth.” Though one letter from me had been published in the Lahd- jVfARKS, I ventured another, which was my last, feeling at the time, that if I had the approval of Providence, prayers, and bind ourselves by oatbswthe letter would be published; if not, or pledges to keep out many cf our | it would be suppressed. I do not brethren and conceal the real workr j believe however, that the publication ings of the institution from them, of a letter is always a sign of its di- .ne in the name and authority of s Christ, then ifJ is a! christ?''n 14 U -ii^Yliat is done in his name, his Char acter and Spirit must be in it and be manifested by it—else it cannet be done in his name. When Dinah, the virgin daughter of Jacob, went out simply “to see the daughters of the land” it seemed very harmless, but she lost her virgin beauty and was^reatly defiled there by—Gen 34 • 1. So, when church members go out to see these daught ers of men, (worldly in.stitutions,) they have just that far got into the “snare of the Devil,” and are in a very fair way to be “taken captive by him at his will,” 2 Tim. 2: 26.— Those Primitive Baptist churches or members who have united or bid God speed to one or more of any of these “daughters of the land,” if they do not get sick enough “to come out from among them” will, in my opinion, soon have other kindred propositions made them, such as was made to Ja cob and his sons after Dinah had been defiled. “Make ye marriages with us, give your daughters unto us and take our daughters unto you. And ye shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you ; dwell and trade ye therein and get ye possessions therein,” Gen. 34: 10. What a be nevolent proposition ! well calculated to stir up the lustful propen.sity of corrupt nature. Affectionately, W. M. Mitchell. the Lord’s I however vine approval, only aa purposes are sclwed. ooTifiJvniw^in this sign, an when disappointed again and again, in not seeing the letter in the paper, I concluded that I had not the ap proval of God on mj ways, and, though sorrowfnl admitted to myself that I merited his disapprobation and must look for disappointment. Another nember came and, before I had opened it, I felt like my letter was in it, but I said “No, I don’t de serve it!” but, when ! saw my signa ture I burst into tears, overcome by a feeling of mingled humiliation, thankfulness and praise. With me there is nothing that so humiliates as the favor of God, manifested in his providence, for I most always am sensible of ray unworthiness, of my exceeding sinfulness, so that I am and which is of Christ, and ever new, has saved me from my sins, and caused me to receive and enjoy the blessings of heaven. To illustrate my feelings with re gard to myself sometimes, I will here state an instance ; On one occa- •sion I had stood for a moment before a mirror, when suddenly such a sen.se of inward depravity came over me, that without hesitation, but impul sively I exclaimed audibly to ray own person in the mirror, “You abominable creature of corruption, you ought to be in the regions of woe now.” But in many acts of rny pa.st life, which indeed has seemed a wayward, if not insane course, I’ve had cause to believe fully, in this truth, that “it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,” and in my deepest, sorest trials, have been comforted by the knowledge of God’s approval of my waj^s, that he worked in me to will and do of his pleasure, to^fulfill his wise designs. Often have these words been mine, “Who is he that condemneth ? it is God that jiis- tifieth.” He brings to naught tlie understanding of the prudent, and confounds the wisdom of the wise'— He works contrary to human reason ing and executes judgment and mcF- cy in accordance wdth his heart- searching knowledge. In him tbs oppressed have in this land of woe a friend and conqueror. Surrounded by the wicked who arise to take crafty counsel against the righteous, vrlv) can save them from their snares privily set ? or who will plead their cause against a condemning world, or H^illl^them Qiff^dii^behands of th« w®?kgi’8 of iffiquity f^Sure!^ none but the Almighty eould accomplish such great salvation. When encom passed about, and pursued by those who work mischievous devices, and in enmity of heart whet their tongues like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words, how exceeding hard to observe th« admonition : “Fret not thyself be cause of evil doers, because of the- man who bringeth evil devices to- pass—because of him who [irospereth in his way,” &c. He that hath formed the wicked for the day of evil, and hath prepared the waster to destroy, raises up from time to time, those who shall accomplish his pur pose, and are fitted for the work as- oppressed with shame when he ap pears in my behalf, and I do at such times wonder that I am noticed, but to receive punishment due my sins.— Besides my own heart’s wickedness, I am conscious that all the good I ever did, and all the faithfulness against opposition in the service of Christ for which I may have receiv ed credit, was alone of the Almighty, for I am satisfied that If left to my self under all my great temptations, I should have forsaken the svay of truth long ago. And instead of en joying his providence now, I should have been the miserable victim of ray own crimes. That spirit of holiness which I trust has been implanted, signed them, and the man who “brings wicked devices t© pass^’ is made the in.strument by which he sends affliction and punishment upon his people and their enemies, and by which he also causes hia name to he declared in the eai'tli, and exhibits the power of his might. It is hard, however, that each siiauld prosper iu his way, particulai’ly when any of God’s children have become the vic tims of his evil devices—but it is not strange that he should, since there is DO scarcity of those who are ready to unite in an iniquitous course, and to strengthen the hands of evil doers. If there are designs against the ciiurch, or the determination is taken to ef-
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
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April 15, 1875, edition 1
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