Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / Dec. 1, 1875, edition 1 / Page 5
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Zioifs Landmarks : Wilson^ N. C. home '.vithout her. When I was coming home on the train meditating' over the sad calamity, it seemed to appear to me that those three of the family had died and had gone to heaven, and that I had to die and go to hell, and hell seemed to be present- el to me. Oh ! I was in so much trouble ; I felt like I was lost forever and there was no chance for me; w'a.s going to die, and where God and Christ was I never could go; all I could do was to beg for mercy. My very breathing was in prayer to God for mercy. Brother Gold, I can’t describe my feelings. Oh! I felt that I was tiie worst sinner on earth. I would try to read the Bible, but could not read much : I could read this passage. The soul that sins' shall surely die, and if in your sins where God and Christ is you cannot go. Oh! I felt I was a sinner. I felt like I was going to die ; it seemed that I could feel something in my heart that would kill me, for it seemed to grow and get larger, and thought it would burst and then I should die. I only could beg for mercy. Went on this way for about three months, getting worse every day of my life: tried to get rid of that great trouble, but could not: tried many fashions but could not. It had hold of my heart. Oh ! how I longed to see the light, but it was all darkness, woo and misery, sinking down. I felt that I must go down forever. Oh ! that load in my heart it was as a cage of unclean birds ; yes as a troubled ocean casting up mire and dirt all the time. Oh ! I wanted to be good. 1 longed to see the day when freed from ’S'a; but ail is dark. Oh ! every sin, ev'ery foolish thought seemed to rise between 'me and God. Yes, as a mountain without top. Oh! such a sinner, and God could not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. Went on this way, begging the Lord for mercy, but could not see how he could have mercy on such a wretch ; that was all I wanted, but thought it was not for me. One night it seemed to get worse: the burden heavier; thought I was gone forever. No help for me; though I felt that God was just if he sent me to hell. Could see no other way, for tlio law was good, just and holy. I felt to give everything to Gcxl, for him to dispose of as was proper to him. His will be done, not mine. Felt like I would never see the sun rise again; and had asked God to have mercy until I was afraid and ashamed to ask anv more ; but thought I would go to my lot and a.sk him one more time, for the last; for I wa.s gone. I got to the door but could get no further. I was so frightened that I turned round and fell on my face on my bed, and asked God to have mercy if it could be his will; but his will be done not mine; when it seemed that something said, “Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.” Brother Gold, I can’t describe my feelings at that time.. My burden was gone; all seemed to be calm and serene, and I was compelled toi^raise the Lord. My soul was filled' with joy, and had I ten-thousand tongues. I could not have p>raised the Lord enough. Why ? Because as David says, he had done great things for me, whereof I was glad. Yes, he had taken, me out of that hor rible pit of mire and clay, and placed me on a rock, and put a nevv song in mj^ mouth ; even praises unto God. I thought my troubles were over and all my sorrows gone. But alas, it was not. I went to Church the next Sunday and was sitting hearing old brother Baker preach, and enjoy ing myself very well; thinking I should never see any more trouble, and that I would praise the Lord the balance of my days, whether many or few, All my days were his, and that all should be devoted to him. Sit ting there in this way, and brother Baker told in his preaching how he viewed Jesus. Something seem to f?ay to me, “ ah ! you thought you were a Christian, but you are not, if you were you would have viewed Christ as he did ; he is a christiau, you are deceived about the whole matter, and it is all an imagination ; you were just in trouble because your sister died.” Oh ! I did not know what do ; but I only could pray to the Lord if I was deceived to unde ceive me. I was in great trouble all that night, and the next day. I could not eat nor sleep. All I could do was to pray to the Lord to un deceive, if I was deceived. That day about one o’clock I was plowing in that deep trouble, when a voice seemed to say, blessed is he that hath not seen and yet believeth ; arise and be baptized. Thai cheered my feelings, and I never have doul'|C ed so"much^ince, tTiough doubts and fears often arise ; but I can’t help relying on that promise, for I believe the mouth of Bie Lord spoke it. I was then drawn out to the Church. Oh! it was so beautiful, all so near like Christ. The brethren and sis ters it seemed were almost the image of Christ. Oh ! I loved them so well, and could they ever love me ? No, I was too mean for good people to love. Saturday came, the 3rd Saturday in June 1873. It seemed that I was bound to go to the Church ; I wanted to hear preaching, and I wanted to go. I set apart some time that week to go to Church. Part of the family said I had better stay at home and work, and kill some of ray grass, for everything was very grassy. So then I thought I would not go. I would stay at home and work; but when the day came and time to start, I was fixino- to go the first I knew, so I went on. Conference was opened, and the first I j knew I was up and talking. I was received without a question, and it was a pleasure to me. There was something that hin dered baptism the next day ; but on the next meeting, July meeting, I was baptized. That was a happy time with me, And if our happiness below In .Jesus be so isweet; 'AHuit height of iRptures shall we know When around tlie throne we meet ? Brother Gold, it has been up and down with me ever since. Brother Gold, pray for poc4- un worthy me. Yours, in hoj)e of eternal life,. Stej?iiex B, Mooee.. IIuRDLK’a Mills, Person County, N. C., November 5 th, 1875. PBOPOSE, through the col umns of the Lanmiakk.s, to to write to the brethren, sisters ^ III I friends Avho have request ed me to write, that they may hear from me after ray return home from my late tour in visiting the four As sociations held in the Eastern portion of our State. I Avill state to them that I Avas greatly blessed in health and .strength so as to. fill all my appointments, and, met Avith many warm Baptists at Little Eiver, Keliukee, Contentnea and White Oak Associations ; also, a great many attended my appoint ments, between the different Associa tions Avho appeared to receive me in love, for Avliieh I desire to return thanks to the God of heaven for his great love, that we hope he has be stowed on us; for Avhen I see so many strange faces all come together from the East, West, North and South and all speak the pure language of Canaan, it brings to mind the Avords of our Savior; “Peace I le'ave Avith you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world givetligive I unto you; let not your heart , lie troubled, neither let it he afraid.” I do helieve,my breth ren and sisters, that I both saw and felt the power of that peace which is giAmn only by him who has all power in heaven and earth. Though I met Avith many difficul ties by the way, hearing that some of ray family Avas quite sick and Avish- ing to see me ; also, many brethren falling in Avith me for several days at a time, and enjo^ying Bieir compa ny so much. When they would fill their appointments they AA'^ere then at liberty to return to their homes and loA^ed ones. But, let my feelings he homeward or onvA'ard, I felt hound to the Lord and his people—to go on in the strength that the Lord AAmuld give. But, I often thought of Lot being led out of the City leaving many that Avere near him in the flesh, and going forth in obedience to the Avord of the Lord. Also, the words of Job, when he heard of the’destruc- tion of his property and the death of all his children, he exclaimed, “The Lord givethand the Lord taketh away, blessed he the name of the Lord.” Also think I received some comfort from these Avords: “All things Avork together for good to them who love God, to Lhem that are eallfd according to his purpose.” And having a hope that I Avas obey ing his call, at times, could take courage, and would admonish all the brethren and sisters not to fail to assemble themselves together; pray with and for each o.ther, for in so do ing we receive .spiritual strength and lose nothing; for all we enjoy, both temporal and spiritual, are tliegifts of Gcxl, and from my short experi ence would insist on all the rainister- iim brethren to travel as much as they can, in visiting the saints in many places, as it appears tO‘St?engtheii our weak faith. When Ave can meet AvIth one we never saAv before and hear him testify of the dealings of God with his people, ar«d expound the- soriptiiwes so inuch to our feelings, it sliows us that the Lord boss his faithful Avitivesses in mnny piaa'ts of the earth, and we feel tuat he ha.s sent them to comfort ns Avitb his truths in onr AA'cak and dark days. I have spent as much as six AA'ceks in my late tour to the Eastern por tion of onr State, and feel amjily re- Avarded for all ray time and trouble both in spiritual and carnal things. The brethren, sisters and friends, ap peared to receive me Avlth the spirit of love, and proved it to me by their liberal contributions to my necessities, for Avhich I ask liberty to return to- them the most profound thanks, and Avhen I think of their smiles and their tears, Avhen time came for u* to part, my lieart burns in love to wards them, and only can say : Though many miles apart we be- I liope they may remember mc;. And hope the time will shortly be Tliat we may each other see. I will say that Avhen I returned koine I found my family in a very- good condition ; had been some sidc- ness with them, but Avere at that time- all able to be up. My Avifs (Sister Burcli) was much pleased at my re turn home, and to hear' that I liaAli en joyed myself so well with the breth ren, sisters and friends. Yours in the bonds of loA^e. JAS. A.. Bukcii. Novembek; 10, 1875. Dear Brother Gold:— ^^^^HIS is an endeavor to write 0' you as was promised Broth- er Ayeovk who reqciested mo to write out our trip,- to the As sociation and hack. September 30th Avc-arrived at Jov- siali Vick'*s and found him and fami ly avcIL Thera Are -stayed .all -iiighi - and enjoyed oiar,selves finely. Friday October 1st we started to the Falls in company with Brotlier Vick and Avife, Brotlier Odum'and sister Odum and others. We arriv ed safe at the Falls and lieard broth er J. A. Burch preach a most excel lent sermon. We Avent houic Avitli brother Bass in company with broth er Burch Arhcre Ave were hospitably entertained by brother and sister Bass : found them to he g'enuineBap tists, indeed and in truth. Saturday October 2nd Ave- started to the Association in company Avith brother Bass and brother Burch AA'here we arrived safe and feund a and sti'1'1 more- heard brother Hassell preadi a most excel!.?nt sermon Avheu we re-jiaired to- the liouse. The A.'-so- ciatioo AA-as organized by prayer and praise by Elder Clayton Moore and electing brother C. B. Hassell Moderator and J. D. Biggs, Clerk.— The Associatiou proceeded to busi ness in the usual aaw in much union and harmony as heretofore. AA wenF that evening to friend Jesse Powell’s Avhere we Avere kindly enter tained by him and his lady for the- night. Friond. Powell is a. wealtliy man, but we are bound to-think they (he and and his Avife) possess more- than tlie wealth of this world. Sunday October 3rd Ave again, started to the-Association with mam:- of tl>e dean brethren ami sisters.— There Ave found a large-and, attentive oongregatiem were entertained! dra'ing the day by the following- brethren, viz: Dameron, IIa.ssell, Go!d,., and Woodaixh HaA-:ing.a jii'ess— large congregation coming and
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 1, 1875, edition 1
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