Newspapers / Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.) / Sept. 15, 1876, edition 1 / Page 6
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srf' 166 Zion’s Landmark: Wilson, N. C. Avlio were getting the paper gratis be fore you became editor,* but I think all who are not paying ought to re port forthwith. Perhaps some are able to pay in this time, and if they arc they ought to do so. The pa[)er was given to me in 1871, and I have been much comfort ed by it. I am still very poor, and would like, by all means, to have it continued j but, brother Gold, do as you think best for us both. Brethren and sisters, I want to write something for your comfort, but I feel that I need some one to teach me—I hope the Lord will be my Teacher. Brethren, I think when we write, we ought not to throw unlawful chunks in the camp of the saints ; I think we have enough to fight outside of the camp. Breth ren, we ought to be looking at our own conduct. [ think a faithful Christian is dying every day, and a dying man has enough to look at his own case. We should remember our Lord when he said to his disciples, “ My peace I leave with you.” Now, if we have not his peace, how can we l)c his disciples? We rnust have that peace, that love and union of the Holy Ghost, or we have no right to the Tree of Life. We must be faith ful to the cause. Let us put on our whole armor and be at our post. Brethren, I have thought often about our duty, but am not able to express myself; but will say some thing in regard to what I feel. I will first commence with deacons, as they are, or should be, foremost in airrying out Church ordinances. I would say, you should be faithful to your post; you should^ have a calm mind and act coolly, aitd not harshly ; you should look around, and see if you have not left something undone that you should have done. If you have poor members, why not visit ihern ? if you have sick members why not visit them also ? If you have poor members who need help, it is the deacon’s, business to first know the case and then carry it before the Church, and let them instruct him what to do. I think the officers of the Church should be first in busi ness, and see that its ordinances are strictly carried out. I would like to say something to the ministering brethren, as I know that your troubles are great, and that you have many hard trials: I can only say. Be faithful and make full proof of your ministry, for there awaits a crown of life for you; and not you only, but for all who look for his appearing, for he will certain ly come the second time, and he will not come in vain. Brethi'cn in the ministry, it seems, at times, we aie almost ready to surrender, but the liord ahvays appears in time to give courage to our poor souls—he knows j what is best for us. But we some times think our case is the worst one, and think if we were the servants of the Most High, it would not be thus and so with us. But, our trials here are not worthy to be compared w'itli the glory which w*e shall receive. j I hear something said now and then about paying preachers. I don’t Iwlieve any g(X)d preacher wd 11 charge anything for his preaching; but it looks rooeouablc that the Church sliould administer to his necessities: and if they don’t, it causes much coldness, and gives them a reason to think they arc unprofitable to the Cluirch. Some would say, How shall we give—publicly? No! The Lord says, when tliou givest thine alms, sound not a trumpet. Some may say, I am too poor and not able to give. Brethren, if you are poor, and give one ten cents, you are as much reck oned as if you had given ten dollars. It must all be given in the right spirit or it is not acceptable with the Lord. I do not like so much cry in the Church for money. I knew a lady on one occasion, to hand a preacher something wrapped nicely in paper, it looked like a dose of quinine, but when a proper time came, he exam ined it and found that it cemtained a two dollar bill. Was not that giv ing in the right spirit ? Brethren, I believe when w*e want to help the poor, we should give the necessities they mostly need. If we administer to the wants of the saints, I think it is giving to Christ in some manner. Brethren, I have not used much of the written word, for I know you know it better than I do. Brother Gold, I want you not to print this if you think it hurtful to the cause. A POOK, LOXB WANDEREPv. Editor Zion’s Landmark, and Us read ers :— I have been thinking for semetirae of writing a little for the columns of our paper. I ho] examine what I w*rite, and if li^ any thing that he can not endorse he will lay it aside and all will be righ^ I hav^e never troubled you imr your readers with my scribblings before,— I intend to confine my remarks to the household of faith. When I say the household of faith I mean the Prim itive Baptist denomination. For I believe they are the people of the Lord. I wish to say a few words to the household in reference to lier duty. What is duty ? It is an ob ligation resting upon some creature to perform. Christ says, If you love me keep my commandments. There is one neglect of duty that I wish to confine myself to, and that is the sup port of the ministry. Much has been said on this subject by way of exhor tation, and perhaps the readers of the Landmark had rather see something o else more to their taste. But there are some who need the rod, and we hope those who have a clear conscience in this duty will bear with us, and those whose consciences are not clear must remember that “ he that knoweth his Master’s will and doeth it not shall be beaten witli many stripes.” I have been made to wonder if every mem ber feels that ho has discharg:ed his duty in this respect. I fear ma ny have a dead fiiith in tills duty.— Faith alone is dead. James says, “Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.” Well, if there is any thing neglected which God has com manded, there is a blame somewhere. And who is to blame in the neglect of this duty? I think the ministers are to blame in a great many instan- ce.s for not telling the churches in plain teAfinyieir duty os did Paul. There were deacons appointed in the apostles’ day to serve tables ; and, the Baptist have deayons now to serve in the same office; but, I think they ought to use more influence than ma ny of them do. Would it be wrong to deal with a member for covetous ness ? The same Law-giver who for bids to steal forbids covetousness also. I believe the deacons should visit the families of their ministers, and poor members too, if any are afflicted and not able to make a support, and in quire into and find out what their necessities are, and then report to the church; and the church should re lieve such necessities, by all bearing their part. But the deacons say, some will not bear their part, and that oth ers will not do anything for the sup port of the ministry. What must we do then ? We ought not to have the whole burden to bear : surely not. But I-think the deacons should use their authority in their office, and stir such members as are careless and neg ligent UD to their duty. And if so be that they will not take heed to the deacons, and remain obstinate and uticoncerned in the matter, I think they should be brought before the church and dealt with, as (dead branches;) faith alone is dead. If any man see his brother in need and relievetlr'' not his necessities, how dwelleth the love of God in liim.— Perhaps many of the members think they do all they are able to do. Let me ask such members if they have not got species of idolatry about iheir houses, such as pictures of no- to ornament the wall. Some are vain enough to buy the pictures of our Lord and his disciples, so-call ed, and have ticwln hung upon theii* walls: (how presumptuous.) Stop and think for a moment of the idola try that is in our land. Baptists, are you today with a clear conscience.— Don’t tell me yes, v/hen your minis ter is so much neglected, and your houses adorned with vain pictures.— Perhaps you may think you bought them with your own money, and that it is no one’s business. Stop and think, Christian. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.”— “ The Lord giveth and the Lord tak- eth away.” Dost thou not fearGbd? Knowest thou not that thy earthly goods are a gift from him. Yea, thy health, strength, and thy life also, are portions of his goodness. Nev er say you have done all you were able to do, while you have the above mentioned idolatries attached to your houses. We think you had better take them down, and reduce them to ashes, and not have such trifles a witness against you. We have said we think tlie dea cons should visit the families of their ministers and see what their necessi ties are. Yes, see if they lack food or raiment: see if his buggy is bro ken down so lie can’t carry his fami ly to preaching. See if he rides a saddle, to attend his appointments, that you would be ashamed to be seen riding. (I am a living witness to-day to some of the above neglect.) Some ohurches have a way of mak ing a yearly contribution of a few dollars to their preacher, and perhaps feel that they have done their duty till another year rolls around, not knowing any thing about what their preachers’ needs are. Some ministers have to go in debt to supply tlieir families, and all unnoticed by the churches. The preachers are the churches’ servants, anel they ought to see that their ministers don’t suf fer for any thing. If a preacher has calls enough to fill np all his time, then it requires more to keep him up. We think a minister who has not calls enough to fill up all his time should observe Paul’s example, la boring with his own hands as raueli as he is able for the sup[>ort of his family. But we must remember that some of them are too old to labor much, (we should respect old age,) and we should see tint thev do not •/ suffer for attention. It is an easy matter to relieve a minister’s necessi ties when every member is willing to discharge his duty : for when one is willing to do any thing it is an easy matter for him to do it. No wonder there is so much leanness, coldness, and barrenness of Spirit, so long as there is so much neglect of duty.— Wc believe coldness begets coldness. So long as a Christian lives out of hl« duty he need not expect the smiles of his Lord and Master. God has prom ised to bless his children in duty, not for it. Why should a Christian shrink from his duty ? Does it not argue unbelief, and a distrust to God’s word ? Is not unbelief the condem ning sin of the world ? What a fear ful condition for a Christian to be in. God has promised u- a blessing in our obedience. Yea, he promises to pour out to the obedient a blessing that they shall not find room to con tain it. Yes, we believe were more instant in duty wanid be blessed in a two-fold sense. But we are such weak-minded beings w« are sometimes afraid to put our wliols trust in God, having no confidence in the flesh. Oh, how corrupt the flesh is; it is contrary to all holiness, to every thing that is God-iike. It it always seeking its own glory. It is too often puffed up with pride and self-conceit. Oh, how we should strive to keep these mortal bodies un der. What excuse have we for not discharging our duty? Shall we plead ignorance with the word of God in our hands? a poor excuse in deed I There is tco much pride among some Baptists ; too much con forming to the world. We should remember he that is a friend to the world is an enemy to God, Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Then let us relieve the necessities, not only of the ministers,but of all others in need. Never be afraid to do well. Never ! give grudgingly. Never think w® ■ are not able; for tlie earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. May all be at their posts in this day of sin : and iniquity, W. Hardien, f i t Jj f i a I . i (“Remove not the ancient laud-') j \ mark, which thy fathers have set.” j I HE MUST WOT STRIYE, Preachers are men of like passsions With other people, and are liable to be misled by them. One of the ways of being wrongly influenced by bitter
Zion’s Landmarks (Wilson, N.C.)
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Sept. 15, 1876, edition 1
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