Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / Sept. 1, 1875, edition 1 / Page 3
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simple now that he can but wonder how it is tluit others cannot under stand it, or why they should mystify it in so many ways, and thereby seek to lessen or degrade the character of so great and trood a Saviour: one that found him condemned to death, and died for him that he might live— black with sni and washed him white with his owm blood — naked and clothed him with the garment of his own imputed righteousness, and prepared him to meet God in peace, and as his Father. Ht is now chang ed in the spirit of his mind, tho’ he yet dwells in his sinful Adamic body which now has to be brought under and made subject to the will of God. And my experience is, that it is a stubborn and stupid pupil, and re quires a wonderful amount of the af flictions under God’s providence to teach him anytldng at all. But I l)ave had enough to make me know that without God’s help I can do nothing, and to make me fully be lieve that there will never be a sigh or a murm: r in heaven should I ever get there; and tho’ I should never meet with or see any that I so loved and cherished on earth, it simply be ing the will of God that it should be so, will be enough. My only desh’e will be to })raise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost— one God ! for this choice, redemption, calling, preservation and eternal sal vation. hlay God so bless both wndter and reader, to his glory, and for our good, for Jesus’ sake—Amen ! Ti^dy, J. A'akce. P. S.—Yfill you or Mrs. R. Anna Phillips, or’W. M. Mitchell, or any other that may liave eyes to see and the key to uniock and harmonize the Word—please give me through the Landmaeks, or otherwise—your views on the tbllov/ing Scrijitures, and you will oftligc me very much, as I think I wish to know the TEUTU in the full harmony of it: “For as soon as Zion travailed, sire brought forth her children,” Isa GG : 8. “ Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away,” John i-5 : 2. “If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch.,” &c., John i5 : G. J. R. jSear Lexington, Pa., July 5th, i875. Dear' Brother' Gold:— lACE you published my short eommuiiicati)u in rejdy to brother Denton, in IjAKD- ' ' M vriKS, for the loth ot May last, on the subjects of “ Separate Soul Regeneration,” and the“Inimor- tality of the Soul.” I hav/; received jU’ivate letters from brethren from dif ferent directions, written in the most brotherly manner. Young preaching brethren and all appear desirous to get informatlan, to all of whom 1 have replied with all the plainne,ss and faithfulness I could, and I hope to their satisfaction. Lately I have noticed communications from some of our ministering brethren on the sub ject of the “Immortality of the Soul,” all agreeing, that strictly speaking, immortality belongs to God alone, as taught—1st Tim. 7 : IG. But, one thinks that in some sense the .souls of all men are immortal. It’s all agreed that a brotherly, friendly interchange of view.s on this subject can do no harm, but may prove instructive and profitable to the saints, if conducted in a proper spirit, and rather than speak or write in any other spirit, I had rather shut my mouth and lay down my pen forever. Iii my re flections I had thought I would .say no more on the subject, but cannot feci satisfied to drop the subject where it is, feeling impressed that I should earnestly contend for the faith (or form ot doctrine) once delivered nido the saints, and I’emembering too that all departures from the faith hereto fore have been shown by a little here, and a little there—like Dr. Fuller— by first teaching that the atonement of Jesus Christ was sufficient for tlic salvation of all men, but Intended only for the elect; and next, that of offered salvatlcn to all men upon teritis or conditions on their part, and then the importance of an educated ministry for the Baptists, like other denominations had, and all things wmnt till the whole train of the means system or modern Missionary institutions came in upon us like a flood. I have no fears that any of the brethren who have written on this important .subject are departing or ever will depart from the faith once delivered unto the saints. But I am sure their writings will leave their influence upon the minds of younger brethren veho have not had such long and trying experiences as some ot us older ones have, and they might grad ually depart from that simplicity which is in the gospel of Christ. If I am in error (which is not impossi ble) on this subject, I am not only willing but .iiixioLi.s to bo coiivonted from that eriVir or convinced by p.nj’’ brother or friend, and I hope all feel .so; but I cannot be convinced by the learned men of this world, so long as they ayply terms 'contrary to God’s holy word, neither will the common acceptation of terms among men do so long as used or applied contrary to the Scriptures. The apostle charged the Churche.s of Galatia that if they (tlie Apostles) or oven an angel from heaven jireached any other doctrine than that which they had taught them, and wdiich they had received, to let him be accursed. I am yet deeply impressed with the truth ex- . pre.ssed by one of the dear brethren, that man and all [lertaining to him is a creatureand mortal,and had a begin ning. And, as to the beginning, and as to tlie soul: we know but little about its peculiar properties or its of fice. Job .said, “ Though I were per fect yet v/ould I not know my soul.” "We all believe it is everlasting and never can become extinct. We are mysteries to ourselves, because we are the creatures of God, and mortal, and should in astonishment say with Da vid, I will praise thee, for I am fear fully and wonderfully made; marvel ous arc thy work.s, and that my soul knowetli riglit well—Ps. 147 : 14.— Aaiother one of the dear brethren say.q I don’tbelieve there is any real diver sity of opinion among ns upon this snbjcc^; but thinks from what he had lately heard, that harm had grown out of the weak way in which we have talked about none being immor tal. I am convinced that all are alone. If there are, apply it to men. How arc wc speaking ? Not strictly of course ; for the term “immortal” or “ mortality ” is no where in the scriptures applied to men or Angels, for it belongs to God alone. ' How can harm really de done by preaching or writing the plain truth on this sub subject? I cannot see. We have abundant evidence in the Scriptures, that all human beings have future existence in anothei world, that shall never cease, either in happiness with God, or .suffering the vengeance of eternal fire which some are already .‘suffering. Abraliam gave up the Ghost—Jacob yielded up the Ghost. Jesus said to the dying thief, “ To day shalt thou be with me in Para dise.” Stcplien, when dying from the pelting stones said, Lord Jesus re ceive my spirit. Paul w'as willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord—2 Cor. 0: 6 to 8. Tlicii shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it—Eccl. 12. This surely applies to all human being.s—it is to the resur rection of the just and the unjust. That is forever settled by the follow ing language of Jesus himself : “ Marvel not at this, for the hour is coining,in the which all that are in the graves sliall hear his voice and shall come forth ; They that have done good unto tiie resurrection of life, and they that have done evil un to the resurrection of damnation.” I see no neccs,slty for any conti'o- ver.sy on this subject among those of us who have declared in one of our article.y o'l Miith, thai w-e believe the Scriihures to be the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice. The brotherly intcrehange of views among the brethren on this subject, I am sure, can do no harm but prove instructive and cause many to read the Scriptures more carefully. I have not written (unless greatly deceived) just to be striving about words,and Ido hope none will be sub verted, distressed or confused by this short CO mm u n i ca t i o n. I will close, praying the God of all grace to cause us all to be content with the plain truth revealed in his holy word, and we trust in our indi vidual experience, and deliver us from unprofitable speculative notions. Secret things belong to God, but things that are revealed to us and to our children ; and let us never desire to be wise above what is written. I remain yours in love to all the saints, D. W. Patmax. greed in Oi’Ei.iKA, Ala., Aug 2d, 1875. Brother Gold:— G' HAVE just read your editorial ar- Sg tide on “Forgiveness,” in the La^’dmaeks for Aug. 1st, am ,so well ■ pleased with it that I Avish to ask every Church member to give it very special I attention. It is sometime.* evident : that brethren are too stout and exact- ^ ing towards each otlier inca.se of tre.s- passes—wlierea.s they should love one another Avith pure hearts fervently— 1 and exercise forbearance and forgive- i ne.ss—oven as God for Christ’s sake ! hath forgiven them. MT all have ■ our faults and failings and need the believing, that strictiv ^ Avatchful care of each other to warn, reyient or turn aAvay from his wrong and confess it, avcshould forgive free ly so as to make our offending broth er feci that he is yet a brother beloved. It certainly is the duty of Christians to confess their faults one to another, and also to pray one for another that they may be healed. It is often the case that a hard unforgiving spirit is a greater fault in a brother th.au that which he is I’cqnircd to forgive in another. The first thing is apA'ays to be sure there is not a beam in our own eye—before we attempt to im prove the sight of others by taking motes out of their eyes. “ForgiA'C^ and ye shall be forgiven,” Luke 6 37. If AA'e do not forgive, Ave bad as AAvll cprit praying,” Mark 11 ; 25. W. M. Mitciieix. Afton, Augufit 10, 187."). Elder P. D. Gold—Dear Brother .— S I have Avritten to you on Avisb to .say the Landmakks SI ness, I also bus through to my highly c.steemed brotli- er. Elder I. N. Vanmeter, that 1 have received tho issue of August 1st, in which are Ids views on 1st Pet. 4: 17, 18, that I endorse them ; and Avhy? because they are Elder Vanmeter’s Auews? No! but because I consider them consIstcnt,based ujion the Seri])- lui'cs of divine truth, for the ungodly are like the chaff Avhicli the Aviiul drlveth away, and the Lord says—tlie ungodly shall not stand in the judg ment, nor sinners in tlie congregation of the righteous. I was also much comforted by Elder Mitchell’s communientiou on li'rst. page, not because I rejoice at brotber M’s misgivings, doubts and fears, and the gloomy and distre.ssing .scenes AvIth Avhich he is or seems to be oppressed ; but, bcacause they are so expressive of the feelings of the poor and very imperfect writer of tills article; but it is evident from the apostle Paul’s decision, that tho.se things A\mrk together for good to them that love God, Ac., and, if brother M. could boast of such purity as to get alongentirely Avitbout them, God’.s poor and much afflicted jieople would not have that Christian confidence in him Avbicb they do, and I would . .say to brotber M., continue to write for I am sure God’s little flock is much edified and comforted thereby. E, J. WiELIAMS. Association MimRes Wanted. speaking, immortality belong,s to God Elder P. D. Gold.— |:jl T.EASE publish the following in Ip Zion’s Landhaeks : I iiavo. been gathering statistics for sometime past with a view of publishing the present numerical strength of tho Old School or Ib’Imitive Baptists of the United States. I now recpiest breth ren in every ])art of the different State.s and Territories to send tho late.st Minutes of their several Asso ciations to my addre.ss, (to wit :) Looking Glass, Douglas Co., Oregon, and those sending minutes Avho Aviil give their uame.s, and P. O. addre.ss Avill get a copy of the work Avhcii published. Please oblige, I.SOM Ceaxfili.. ■fp “Signs of tlio Times,” “ Pi-iinitive Iki;)- list,” “ liiptist W.iteliman,” and “ 4Ies.seiiger reprove, rebuke—and if our brotber ! of Peace ” will pleas.; eopy.
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1875, edition 1
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