Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / April 15, 1875, edition 1 / Page 3
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Zion’s Landmarks : Wilson, N. C. 83 feet a certain purpose, in which the oliurch may to some extent become ijivolved, steps are taken so adroitly and the work goes on to a fearful ex tent: the peace and fellowship of the dmrch is interrupted and dissensions follow. The power of endurance under such trials can only be given by direct manifestation of the favor of the Almighty, and by continued assurance of deliverance by his hand Sometimes by remarkable revelations and presentations of the end of the trial, whatever it may be. When such consolations are sent, it is im- {X)ssible to doubt or refuse them, though I have had those I regarded, a^brethreu tell me tauntingly, that they would place no confidence in “such things,” particularly when they hadn’t yet seen them realized,” &G. Some seem to doubt direct rev elation, or that the Lord ever deals ^yith us by dreams, as he did with Jiatioiial Israel. Brit he surely does, aad convincing proofs of it might be given. I could relate some, which surely none, who had a knowledge of divine revelation, could doubt that they were sent, and sent both to com fort and instruct. Indeed, out of two of them X awoke enraptured to anch a degree that I eculd not refrain from waking others and telling of the wonderful consolation given—and that we had cause to rejoice and give thanks, I and that continually. But O, it would not last! doubts and fears and mourning v/omld come at times, though my natural disposition is hopeful aud buoyant. For the most part I mourn my indifference, my carelessness, ray fondness for the things of the-world, such as are grat ifying to ray Tastes. I feel that I have much to live for, and with the blessed assurance of a long, and I ti'ust, useful life, I cannot say with some, That I am weary of this life.— I do not presume in saying that I’ve been assured of a long life, for during offie of the brightest manifestations that I ever received, and at a time when I was confident my end was at hand, the assurance came with great effect, and in presence of those around me, of advanced life with the enjoy ments of the }>eace of Jerusalem. A recent letter to ray former Pas tor, Elder J. L. Purringfon, I closed with this sentence: Whatever trials may be mine to bear, I shall yet see peace upon Israel,” It comforts me to know that I wrote it, now that I shall never see him again. Many pleasant conversations I had with him, when it was gratifying to me to tell him how specially I seemed blessed in his ministry. I never failed to attend his nearest appoint ments whenever I could, and some times at much inconvenience, aud without exc6ption, I believe,he seem ed sent with a me.ssage peculiarly to my need, so that I never went with but the expectation or assur ance that whatever doubt or trouble rested upon my mind, on going it would be relievcd> His semions were to me, almost without excep tion, like medicine to the sick, just as the sermons of one who once occu pied his place, R, C. Leaehman. His preaching seemed to invigorate and strengthen even against bodily suffer ing, and I once risked my life alone and unprotected for many miles, sooner than lose one of his soul rejoicing, hoart-gx’atifying sermons. But a change seemed to come, cir cumstances prevented an attendance at his preaching, and gloom came over me. I felt that a change v/as about to take place, something sad was going to happen, I knew not what; but I felt like his usefulness with regard to me was about to end. I lost that comfort very sensibly, and dream after dream was sent me of the death of some one who had been near to me, butjl could not tell who. At length the news w’as brought by s little Methodist preacher, that ‘‘Elder Leaehman had been very ill, and was lying now at the pointof death.” It sent a thrill of misery to my heart fi'i' I was then seated at the dinner table with a number of religious op- posere all 'around me who I know re joiced in the news, and under the circumstances (for it was aTirae when the workers of iniquity had arisen in their strength to effect a separation and bring trouble in the church) his death was a trying and j^ainful event) and when they watched to see the effect, I wept silently aud ^said but little. And to their inquiry, “What will you do for a preacher, now that Mr. Leachmaxr is gone?” I replied, “Tlie Lord wilL,^ead another that can take his place.” As with Elder Leaehman, I had some such presentment of the removal of Elder Purrington, and now anoth er, if need be, will be raised up or provided to do the will of God—but what shall be is knowm only to him wdio rules our destinies, and whose judgments are abroad in the earth. Just Iiere I am reminded of a circum stance that once occurred. Having been oat to judge of the weather, and concluding that the mild South wind then blowing foretold a fair day—I ojiened the Hew Testament, and the first words I saw were these, which tlien seemed especially applicable— “When ye see the South wind blo'w ye say there will be fair weather—ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the skv, but how is it ve cauuot dis- cern this time?” This letter really seems so discon nected and imperfect that it is scarce ly worth sending, yet if you w^ill bear with me I will make an allusion to a very sad dream sent me about four years before Elder Leachman’s death —and then to another vision as it more properly might be called, which I felt well assured wms sent to sup press a murmuring spirit, aud then I shall cease to intrude. la the for mer case, the melancholy events which have taken place, with their afllictions which were afterwards seen to come were presented, and with them were spoken the words, “per- fecting holiness in the fear of the Lord,” in a way to impress me forci bly with their meaning. In the lat ter, the painful crucifixion of St. Peter was so vividly presented that I awoke immediately, eclaiming “O Lord !” so great was the sympathetic agony I suffered, and for a long time it brought resignation to my compar atively light sufferings and suppress ed my hard thoughts. I leave what is written to your consideration. Yiroinia F. Walden. 18 Bank St., Newark, New .Tersey, June 22nd, 1874. Dear Brother Gold, Brethren and Sisters, beloved of God, Disciples of Jesus Christ, “My Lord and tmj God:” 0ERMIT an unworthv worm to write unto you a few words according to the will of Je- hovah. I am counted as naught by the pretended Apostolic clergy in Popery, Semi-Popery, and their descendants. There are many words u.sed among ourselves which I wish were banished from cur vocabulary, or used very carefully in union with the plan of salvation according to the only doc trine which is according to godliness; that is the free, unconditional, sover eign, distinguishing covenant, family, everlasting love and consequent favor of Jehovah, unsought aud undeserv ed. The first word I wish to bring before yon, beloved brethren and sis-’ tei'8, is the very much used v/ord “re g'^.erafcioa.” The Methodists afiti many others understand regeneration and conversion as one and syyionimous, but in common sense they are not, do not mean the same thing ; but the bunglers of theology cannot, do not, and will not see the Spiritual king dom of Christ. The word “regener ate” indicates that generation pi’evi- ously existed. The word is found in two places in the New Testament.— The translators, King James, the Archbishops and Bishops, honestly, according to their educational preju dices as Episcopalians, and their dogmas and the Protestant Catechism, placed the word in the New Testa ment. How do I know? When I was a boy my father sent me to a Protestant school,and I w'as taught in the same dogma to answer Parrot like—“What is your name?’’ James. “Who gave you that name?” My gorlfathers and godmothers in my baptism (sprinkling or rantism,) wliereia I was made a member of Christ, a child of God and an in- lieriter of the kingdom of heaven.— What infamous delusions and impi ous lies are here: these men honestly believing this doctrine of hell, these men ignorant of spiritual things ac cording to their natural conviction placed the word in the New Testa ment, “By the washing of regener ation (baptismal regeneration is the dogma) mark I and renewing of the Holy Ghost. In order to regenerate the thing it must have previously ex isted. Adam possessed not the di vine nature unless after he had be come sinful. He had but one nature purely liunian,good but not spiritual. He was liable to fall, and fall he did from his sinless state and “as by one man,” &c. I declare to you beloved, the Holy Ghost dwelt not in Adam before he fell, and therefore he has never and never can be renewed. But eternal life is the free, new covenant gift by the Holy Spirit of Jesus our Emmanuel, God, with us. In the new birth experience all God’s fam ily are made partakers of the divine nature. All exterior conformity to ecclesi astical, Hierarchical law or ceremo nies, belief or creeds amount to noth- b)g—they are meresounding brass or tinkling cymbals, invention.s of men. ‘‘The kingdom of God is not in meats or drinks or of an holy day, but in peace and righteousness (in Christ) and joy in the the Holy Ghost. Dear brethren and sister.s, I pro pose not to use the words above nam ed, or to use them in order to explain as above to all the churches of the Saints. Young Christians, try my view.i by the scriptures, “walk b_y the same rule and mind the same thint One faith, one Lord and one baptism. Bless the Lord, he has jiust brought me through a great pecuniary trou ble. Yours in the everlasting covenant, James Fackreli.. SiiEiJjY, Cleveland County, N. C., December 10 th, 1874. ,P. D. Gold:— |NCE more it has fallen to my lot to wultetoyou on business, and I have concluded to pen a few thoughts for your ex amination—if you think them incon sistent and rather to harm than edify throw them aside: Except the Giver of every good gift shall be with me to direct mv thoughts and rule my pen all will be vain. My mind has been running back to the creation of man. 1 un derstand he was created to glorify his Creator, having all power and privi lege to do as seemetii good in his sight, and to create and give man a law, for without law there could not be any transgression, and without transgression I do not see any way of redemption, and without redemption could the praises due from those that are redeemed ever be given to Eatiier, Son and ever ble.ssed Spirit ? Here is the mystery of godliness as seen by Ezekiel—a wheel as it were in tlie midst af a wheel. If one or more generations had passed before my transgression aud the traiLsgressIon had taken jilace, the present plan of salvation could not be adapted as it is. Where is man after having many opinions and many strange sermons on the condition of man in his present inability, (some people say ability) to perform even one good thought with out divine aid. I conclude with one of old, “Even so Father for so itsccmeil good in thy sight.” Man is defiled, salvation is free for those to whom it is revealed, and eternal condemnation is just lor those that perish. I hope to be remembered by you a throne of grace. James McKinney.
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
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April 15, 1875, edition 1
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