Zion’s Landmark
T« flS BSfKISS «3f TSS PlIlITIfS BAPTISM.
“TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIJIONI.”
VoL ix-No. 15.
Wilson, N. C., June 15, 1876.
Whole No. 207
Zion’s Landmark.
By the help of the Lord, this paper will
contend for tlie ancient landmark, guided by
its stakes of trutli,and strengthened by its cords
of love.
It hopes to reject all traditions and
INSTITUTIONS OF MEN, and regard only the
BIBLE AS THE STANDAED of TRUTH.
It urges people to search the scriptures and
obey Jesus as the only King in the holy hill
of Zion, keeping themselves unspotted from
the world.
It aims to contend for the mystery of the
faith in God and the Father, .Jesus the Medi
ator, and the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Com
forter.
All lovers of gospel truth are invited to
write for it—if so impressed.
May grace, mercy and peace, be multiplied
to all lovers of Jesus.
Near Lexington, Ga., May 8th, 1876.
Dear Brother Gold:—
I feel impressed to write ou some
matters I have noticed lately, spring
ing up among some of the brethren
in some sections of the coun
try, which 1 fear will, without timely
care and cautious attention, cause
more unnecessary and unprofitable
u'ouble, if not division, in the Church
es. The first that I will notice is
that of suffrage. The laws of our
«Jountry now give men (both white
and colored) the privilege to vote in
all pollLical elevtions. This is a legal
right, and church members too,
have a right to vote as they please.
And the saints are required to be in
subjection to the powers that be (the
laws of the country). If a Church,
say with ten male members, are all
Siound in the faith and order of the
gospel, living in peace and brotherly
love and Christian fellowship; and
an election comes, and all these ten
members vote—five voting contrary
to the other five ; should this case of
differeuce be allowed even an inves
tigation in the Church ? I answer—
No ! Because it is a legal, outside, po
litical matter, with which the Church
has notiiing to do. The members, in
their relation to the world, differed
and crossed each other in voting
hut, in their relation to the kingdom
of God, they are agreed as ohurch
members. Therefore, let every mem
ber, in each of these relations, have
full liberty. Never intermix them ;
for, so sure as they are mingled in
Church diseipiiue, distress and mis
ery follow.
Again : some Churches are not dis-
jKised to allow their members to re
ceive any aid the laws of the country
offer, or allow them, without laying
themselves liable to discipline and
probably exclusion from Church
privifeges. Surely, such Churches
have not properly investigated this
subject—or, I have not. Let it be as
it may; if I could offer any thought
tiiat would prove benefieial, I would
be glad. The law (whether right or
wrong) has made provisions for the
the relief of citizens involv'ed in debt;
and, to this law, .saintsare required to
be in subjection. Therefore it is the
privilege of church members to re
ceive any aid the laws give them, as
much so as other citizens. If, how
ever, a church member takes advan-
tasfe of this law to defraud his credi-
tors, or avoid paying just debts—as
soon as this is manifested, then is the
time to commence gospel discipline
with him. Not for taking a home
stead (for that was legal), but for de-
fraudiug his creditors; for, this
would be a violation of the gospel
rule. But, if a member, after receiv
ing what the law allowed him, shows
that his object was to retain his land
and other property to support him.^ielf
and family, and use Ids land and
stock to make all he could to pay his
just debts as fast as possible, and
still fills his place as an orderly mem
ber in the Church, should he be dealt
with and cut off from Church privi
leges? I do think not! And, as
the Church is furnished with a full
and complete rule of discipline in the
New Testament, there is no necessi
ty for Churches or Associations to
make additional rules or pass resolu
tions. Invariably such proceedings
have resulted in discussion, disputa
tion and division. But let each
Church watch over her own members
in brotherly love aud Christian for
bearance, and, when necessary to exe
cute discipline, be sure to conform to
the following rule: Gal. 6: 1.—
“ Brethren, if any man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such a one in the spirit of
meekness, considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted. Bear ye one
one another’s burdens and so fulfill
the law of Christ.” This done and
all would move on to the best inter
est of the Church and to the glory of
God.
Again: some brethren .seriously ob
ject to church members taking part
with fellow-citizens in worldly organ
izations or secret societies, for farming
or agricultural purposes. This, I
think, is the privilege of church
members as they stand related to the
world as citizens of our country, as
much so as any other citizen. If they
think improvements can be made in
cultivating the earth and in receiving
the benefits of their labors, and none
of their brethren should complain if
in these worldly movements their
conduct is legal and honorable; and
while, in the relation in whioh they
stand to the Church of Christ, they
are sound in the faith and fill their
places as orderly members, I see no
reason why the Church should com
plain. In this life, while saints stand
related to the kingdom of God, they
are also related to the world and must
have to do with it while they remain
in this imperfect state. In every case
where the saints are forbidden to
unite with others in public or secret
companies, it is such that are openly
or secretly wicked, or such as pretend
to be devotees to the service of God,hut
disregard his word, having the form
of godliness but denying the power
thereof. Notice 2nd Cor. 6 : 14, to
the end of the chapter. The Church
is charged, in her .spiritual relation to
the kingdom of Christ, to be not un
equally yoked together with unbe
lievers, as there is no agreement with
the temple of God and idols ; no con
cord with Christ and belial, nor with
believers and infidels, “ Wherefore,
come out from among them and be
ye separate, saith the Lord; and
touch not the unclean thing, and I
will receive you, and will he a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons
and daughters, saith the Lord Al
mighty.” Again; Eph. 6: After
speaking of many shameful, wicked
things done by many in secrecy, it is
written: “ And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of dark-
ne.ss, but rather reprove them; for it
is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in se
cret, for all things that are reproved
are made manifest by the light, for
whatsoever doth make manifest is
light.” The Church of God is the
highest organization under heaven,
and is separate from every other king
dom or order that ever has been or
eyer will be. Difiering in doctrine and
practice, no matter how fair they
seem, they are of this world and must
perish with the using, after the doc
trines and commandments of men;
and the saints are commanded to
touch not, nor taste, nor handle.—
The Church of Christ is called his
love, his imdefiled, and is but the one
—the only one of her mother, the
choice one of her that bare her—while
Anti-Christ is represented by the
three-score queens and four-score con
cubines and virgins without number.
Yet, the Church of Christ is iu no
way related to the hosts of Anti-
Christ in all their plans, doctrines,
practices, names, orders and unscrip-
tural movements. While the Church
of Christ is thus separate, she is no
where required to provide for the
worldly relations and pursuits of her
members in the business of this life;
If she is to the smallest extent she
surely is required to the greatest ex
tent, and would be engaged in a
heavy business which her Master has
not required. But, she does well to
watch over her members iu a Church
relation alone—in Christian charitv
and brotherly forbearance, executing
discipline according to the rule given
by the King in Zion, which rule can
never be improved upon nor made
more plain or binding upon the saints.
‘‘ Peace he on as many as walk accord
ing to this rule, and mercy, and upon
the.Israel of God.”—Gal. 6: 16.—
Aud we may safely say, contention,
debate, strife and division, be on all
such as undertake to improve and
make this rule more plain and bind-
ing, by passing and establishing reso
lutions of their own ; and no wonder,
for it would be treating the Great
Head of the Church with disrespect,
if not contempt. Oh ! that \ve all
could be content with the following
language: “ For the Lord, he is our
judge. The Lord, he is our law-giver.
The Lord, he is our King, he will
save us,”—la 33: 32. May ihe Lord
deliver us all from being moved by
carnal feelings in our dealings one
with another. While Anti-Christ
without is' seeking our dissolution,
may we strive for peace within or
among ourselves.
D. W. Patman.
Remarks:
Brother Patman’s experience has
been long and valuable as a Baptist.
I am sure his advice is excellent on
the que.=tion of politics. This sub
ject should be kept out of the Churoh
—should never be made a test of fel
lowship.
As to homesteads, &c. When any
of our Churches or Associations have
passed re,solutions, I suppose their
aim and spirit was to secure just what
brother Patman contends for: though
it would have been much better if
there had been no necessity of pass
ing them. We should adhere to the
Bible in that as everything else,“That
no brother go beyond and defraud,”
&G. The bible is sufficiently expres
sive. It matters not what the law of
the land may provide, or allow, it nev
er gives a Baptist a right to violate
the law of God.
As to the question of human socie
ties, any organization of the world in
any sense connected with religion, or
that has any form of religion about
it, as a chaplaincy, &c., is to be avoid
ed by Baptists, as broth P. says, I
should like to see our people produc
ing more meat and bread in our land ;
for the earth is to feed us. Agricul
ture is the most Important form of
worldly business. Any proper ef
forts, whether individual or in union
with other farmers, for this purpose,
all may be good: but people who
unite in such organizations are so apt
to blame tho.se who do not join them.
In matters not wrong in themselves,
but not commanded in the Bible, •
such as the one referred to—brethren
should be left to do as they please.—
Ed.
Davidson County, N. C.
Elder P. D. Gold, and Brethren
Through Zion’s Landmark I de
sire to express some thoughts on the
subject of religion. And, for a start
ing point, will adduce liom. 3: H,
which reads as follows c
“ There is none that seeketh after
Cod.”
Now, if I can have light that I
may unfold the mystery of the gospel
contained in this text, I .shall not
please the carnal mind, the legal pro
fession, or in short, not one of Ad
am’s faraily7save those born of God»
born of the Spirit—born again. If
I do, then the offense of the cr«58
hath ceased; for the preaehing of the