Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / Jan. 15, 1876, edition 1 / Page 5
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Zion’s Landinai'ks: Wilson, N. C. S7 '['he wisdom which they seek is that which will entitle them to the distinctions of A. M’s., D. D’s., L- L. D’s., &c., which qualifies them to figure well ami show off'to great ad vantage before their congregations, command fat salaries, occupy conspic uous posfs, compose flowery sermons and deliver them with eloquence and style, and receive the highest encomi ums from the world. This all seems very nice and proper to the eyes of the world and is much admired by them. “But that which is highly es teemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God,” Luke 16 : 15. “And these men-made preachers, when they get the finishing touch,” and go forth to preuch what they call the gospel of Jesus Christ, behold how the world flocks to them ! what applauses are lavislied upon them; what encomiums from the tvorld; how eloquent and flowery they deliv er their sermons; how fluent and forc ible, liow logical, popular, fashionable, tasty and accomplished in dress and address; how overflowing,sympathetic and soul-loving they are. Can it be presumed that these preachers are ])reaching the doctrine that Paul per iled his life so often for? How' would Christ,or Paul, or any of the Apostles look in the stand be side one of our modern theological- taught, lisping, drawling fancy fel lows, with a nice cravat after the la- te.st fashion, .standing collar and broad cloth suit, w'cll .satisfied with his fash ionable dress and imaginary good look.s, perfumed and stilted back with aljphs pomp and dignity of a false teacher,twirling a ponderous gold kej> as he reads his or somebody’s ser mon from the desk. Christ declared that not many of the wise and noble were called. None but those called and qualified by God can preach the unsearchable riches of Jesus Chri.st. There are many in our day crying- peace! peace! and so there were in the days of the Apostles, but their cry is only a mockery. “The present is a time w'hen men will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts they are heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears.” Popular creeds are substituted in the place of the faith once delivered to the saints—the commandments of men instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ—human inventions take the place of divine ordinances : the holy scriptui’es are made an article of spec ulation, and the excitement of the natural passions is taken for repent ance towards our Lord Jesus Christ, and salvation by works is the popular theme. “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers tb the false prophets.” To be considered charitable in a popular sense of the word, in this fast and enlightened age of the world religiously (.so-called) is to join all the fashionable religious societie.s, and ev ery other society of whatever name and creed under the heavens, and pat ronize every scheme which men and devils have devised and are still de vising to carry ont their corrupt plans, to crush out the truth and per secute the church of Christ. And if one has plenty of the lubricating ar ticle, with which the plausible machine' ry is made to run very sraoothlv, he can become very charitable indeed, and be honored with the highest seat in the earthly kingdom. This kind of charity is very popu lar in the eyes of the w-orld and flvsh- ionable religionists of the day, and is sounded flrr and wide; it rings aloud from every pulpit in the land, and echoes through every press from east to west, and from north to south.— It calls for no other qualification on the part of its patrons than a well filled purse and an open and ready hand to deal it out at the command of the regulators of the machine. But this charity is not the kind of charity spoken of in the scriptures, for it is written there that charity is connected with faith and hope, and that the greatest of these three is char ity 1st Cor. 13 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13- I’his charity or loveofGod is com municated by the Holy Spirit to the redeemed of the Lord in their new birth and, in its operation upon th ;ir hearts, produces love to God, their redeemer, and begets love one for an other. The experience of every heaven- born soul is not according to the fickle fancy of the carnal mind, but they are taught by the Holy Spirit^ and, by the workings of the Spirit of God upon their hearts, they are made to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, “ For it is God which worketh in them both to will and do of his (own) good pleasure,” Philippians 2 : 13. The same power that raised Christ from the dead, and no power inferior to that, is adequate to the working of that belief in the children of God, whether they be infants or adults, to give them life eternal. It is more, yea infinitely more, than a mere formal assent or historical belief that unre generated men and devils exercise un der the influence of external evidences or outside cau-ses. It is the result of an inward working of the Holy Spir it, unseen by mortal vision, unaided by mortal power or labor or scientific research, but felt, and that deeply felt, by the subjects upon which that power operates. Jackson Cagle. ©CCOULING to previous notice, the fj-QHi the Churches— delegates Contentnea, Healthy Plain.s, Upper Black Creek and Scott’s—met at Up per Black Creek Meeting House, in Wilson County, N. C., on Thursday December 23rd, 1875, for the pur pose of organizing an Association to be knowm by the name of B/act Creek. Elder P. D. Gold, being called on, preached the Intioductory Sermon from Acts 15: 16, 17, “After t'^is I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up : That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.’’’ After the sermon, which was full and forcible, the rueeting organized by apjK>inting Elder P. D. Gold Moderator, and Elder A. J. Moore Clerk, After praise and prayer the names of the delegates from the several Churches were called and enrolled in the Table of Churches, viz : From Contentnea—Sol. Lamm, L. T. William.son and Joseph Farmer. From Healthy Plains—Bennett Bul lock, Hilliard Boykin and J. B. Smith. From Upper Black Creek —Josiah Barnes, Joseph Moore and Mabry Uenfroe. From Scott’s— John Lucas, A’incent Barnes and Jo nas Lamm. On motion, the Constitution and Rules of Decorum now governing the Contentnea Association were piesent- ed, read and adopted. Resolved, That this Association hold its meetings on the fourth Sun day in October, and Friday and Sat urday before, in each year. And, on motion, agreed tljat our first As-socia- tion be held with the Church at Up per Black Creek, Wilson County, N. C., and, that Elder P. D. Gold preach the [ntroductory Sermon, and Elder B. P. Pitt be his alternate. On motion. Resolved, That we take up correspondence with the Content nea and Little River As.sociations. To Contentnea—Joseph Farmer, Ben nett Bullock and .Josiah Barnes.— To Little River—Elder John Scott, Solomon Lamrn, J. B. Smith and Bennett Bullock. On motion, the Association then adjourned to meet again at the time and place appointed. Praise by P. D. Gold, Mod. A. J. Mooee, Cl’k. V Fr.ANKLiN County, Va., Get22,187S. Dear Brethren and Sisters:— WILL try, in my weakne.ss, if the Lord will permit, to tell you what the Lord has done for my poor soul. I was very young when first I saw myself a sin ner. I did not have the burden of sin that others seem to have; but. felt that I was born and conceived in sin. I felt that I was in an awful condition, and that if I died I would be lo.st forever. But, it seemed that everybody could get religion if they tvoLild try—it was a long time before I could humble myself. Often I would go to Church hoping to find relief: .sometimes I Avas more atten tive than at others: sometimes I would be enticed off by my young companions, and then ! Would be in great trouble, and Avould wander off by myself and beg the Lord to have rnei'cy on me. I would often try to read the Bible but it .seemed hidden to my understanding. One night I dreamed the world was burning up : the fire seemed to consume everything: it .seemed too that I would be burned up ; but I fell on my knees and implored mother to pray for me—she slapped her hands and rejoiced, and .said there was no Bine to pray then—then I awoke. I never shall forget that dream. I then resolved never to return back to the world. tlow often have I thought. Why hIiouIcI I longer lie ? The b'essing.s I have sought Are not for laich a.s I. My case now began to look like an outside one: there seemed to be merev »/ for everybody but me. I could hear of others being relieved ; but I re mained the same—full of guilt and shame. Lord, have mercy on me! seemed to be in every breath I breath ed. I lost all hope of ever getting religion; for, I could not sec how the Lord could be just and save one so vile as I felt myself to be. I married in ray seventeenth yea]-, October 29th, 1855. The first Sun_ day in December I and my com panion vvent to Church. . I walked in and took a seat near the Stand and thought if there was anything for mo I would hear it. Eiders A. Turner and J. R. Martin preached. Elder Turner preached first—his text was : “For God, who commanded the light to .shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts,” Ac. I sat with my head bowed down. Brother Martin’s text was, “Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, my spirit doth rejoice in God my Savior.” Before he conclud ed, it seemed that all at once I Avas lifted up, and that such a lo\m took possession of my breast. It seemed that I loved everybody, and especial ly those that belonged to the Baptist Church. I felt tint Christ died for me and bore my sins upon the cro.ss, I could then see through all my suffer ings. Everything seemed new. There Avas a great change indeed ; many times since I hat'e Avandered out of the path of duty. I though know whatever the Imrd does is rivht o -I am Avilling for his will to be done. I went to Bethel Church, and Ava.s received, and baptized by Elder John R. Marti ii. Since that time I haAm passed through many hard trials. In 1873 I was called on to give up my onlv child (a little girl only four months and four days old,) but I humbly hope that I will one day meet with her to part no more. May the Lord bless you and the dear children scattered abroad, is the prayer of Your unworthy si.ster. Mary A. Starkey. Dear Brother Gold. f '~jAS the baptism of the Holy Ghost ' ceased or not in all cases ? Please ansAver this through your papier. T. W. Thompsox. The Holy Ghost is ju.st as needful now in quickening dead sinners, and keeping alive Christians, as ever.--- What is needful more now is the bap tism of the Holy Ghost to inflame men with the love of God and his glory, and to lead them to seek his glory more. The disciples could do nothing un til the descent and baptism of the Holy Ghost. They AA-ere to tariy at JeriLsalem until they were endued Avith power from on high. On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Gho.d filled the whole house, and cloven tongues as of fire appeared. These cloven tongues or divided tongues of fh’e represented the gifts of tongues— divided, cut, loosed, tongues: speaking any language—and speaking like fire Avhich devours all filth and fears nothing. 'They Avere also filled Avith the Holy Ghost., Not only was. the-
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
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Jan. 15, 1876, edition 1
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