Part 17

The people of God can find plenty of good preachers whom they know to be worthy, who are devoted to preaching the gospel, and not ruining or corrupting it, to whom they can apply all they can give, and not have a dollar consumed by secretary, or any “middle man,” but all will go to the laborer who is worthy of his hire—to the man that does the work. The means thus given will do four times as much work as if sent through so many hands, and all go as intended by the donor. The work is not a _local work_, and needs no concentration of funds, but is at the door of every man, and the way is open for every man that has it in him to do anything, to do according to the ability that the Lord gives.

INFLUENCE OF THE DANCE.

One dancing-master in a community, with some concessions of a preacher who has an easy conscience on the follies of the age, a little in his favor, with one saw of his bow across the strings of an old fiddle, will inveigle a whole community of wild and thoughtless young people into the dance and hold them there half a night, and not one of them will complain of the _long meeting_. Restraining these influences is not so easy. It requires a combined effort of all the godly. We have done all we could to restrain those terrible demoralizing influences, and a noble band of as true men and women as live have stood by us and encouraged us by extending their patronage and words of comfort. Truly are we thankful to these and to the Lord who has put it into their hearts to do what they have to aid us. We have this consciousness, that to the best of our ability we have done our part. We have tried all the time to exercise the best wisdom we could, and have continually implored the Lord for wisdom and strength to perform the difficult part of the work, in the providence of God committed to our hand.

NO MODIFICATION OF THE DIVINE PLAN.

No modification of principle has ever made any impression on our mind, only the impression that he who proposes it, is ready for _back-sliding_. There are some principles that are self-evidently right. They _can not be modified_. We may depart from them, but can not modify them. The law of God is supreme in its authority. It is absolute. Those of us who have taken it can stand by and maintain it, on the one hand, or depart from it on the other. We can not change it or modify it. There are but two things for men to do, who are not under the law of God. One is to come under the law. The other is to reject it. There are also but two things for those who have come under it. One is to observe it. The other is to abandon it.

We are thankful to be assured that the great body of those who have come under the law of the Great King, are well pleased with him and his law. They regard it as holy, just and good, and regard every man who departs from it _untrue_. The _true_ stand by it, and the _untrue_ depart from it.

But, we have a few claims to put in for the law of King Jesus, and we want the attention of our _liberal_ men to these claims:

We claim for the law of King Jesus that it is most magnanimous and _liberal_. It excels in its _liberality_ all laws ever published. It offers citizenship to all who will come and be naturalized, with full, free and equal rights. It offers to all, the privilege of becoming children in the heavenly family by _adoption_, and makes them all heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, on the _same terms_. It offers the same pardon and on the same terms to all the world. It offers the same divine designations to all, the same gospel, and the same spirit of life; the same Bible, and the same law for all. The same grace of God has appeared to all men. God is no respecter of persons, but he who fears and works righteousness is accepted with him. It has the same liberal terms of union and communion for all who come to God.

ONE WAY TO GOD.

We will, for the sake of the inexperienced, state the argument. When we set forth _the way_, as laid down in Scripture, we are in the affirmative—must show it to be _the way_, maintain and defend it. When _some other way_ is affirmed, we affirm nothing and have nothing to prove, but simply deny. It is no part of our work to prove that there is no other way. We simply have nothing to prove. Let him who affirms that there is some other way prove it. Call on him for his proof, and in default of any proof he loses the case. He trusts his soul, and tries to induce others to trust their souls, on another way, for which he can bring no proof. This is the “vantage ground.” _The way_ is in the Bible, and can be easily pointed out. _Another way_ is not in it, and can not be pointed out. Let him try it who pleases—it simply _can not be done_. Charitable or uncharitable, narrow or broad, liberal or illiberal, _another way_ can not be pointed out in the book of God.

Let there be no cavil. We are speaking of gospel subjects, and the way set forth for them to come to God.

POPULAR UNION MEETINGS.

Suppose a modern popular revivalist such as Mr. Moody, in one of his great meetings should tell his audience that he would read the great commission of our Lord to his apostles, and proceed to read as follows:

“Go you, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.”

“Go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned?”

Then, suppose he should follow this up with the words of Peter, in reply to the three thousand on Pentecost, when they inquired, “What shall we do?” when he said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” or that he should also quote the instructions of Ananias to Saul: “Why do you tarry? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord;” what think you would become of the great union meeting and the wonderful co-operation of so many parties? They would disperse almost as rapidly as the Jews did from our Lord when he overthrew the tables of the money changers and drove them out of the temple. They would hear him no more.

These great union meetings, in which many of different parties unite and co-operate, put a part of the word of God—the language of the Spirit of God—on the same level with their partisan peculiarities and opinions, and ignore all together, the human and the divine! They make no difference between the human and divine, in ignoring, but simply ignore the matters in which they do not agree, no matter whether human or divine. We make this difference; _we ignore all that is human_, and _recognize all that is divine_. The true union ground is _the divine_. We are not to unite simply on what we agree about. We may agree in the wrong—the erroneous—the false. The true ground is to ignore everything that did not come from God, and recognize everything that did come from God. The entire revelation from God to man is that on which to unite. All included in that is of supreme authority, and all not included in that is of no authority at all.

Men may join in union meetings, co-operate in them or unite permanently in them, but so long as they are alliances, leagues or confederations, in an understood, settled and persistent ignoring of clear instructions from the Lord in reference to the way of salvation, the approbation of the Lord will not be there. It matters nothing about the number that unite in these meetings, nor the variety of different parties, nor how many conversions may be claimed, the approbation of the Lord is not there so long as his authority is ignored in deference to people that do not receive it.

These meetings, the different parties pushing into them, and the various preachers participating in them, are simply demonstrations of the confused state of the public mind. Neither the preachers nor the people are settled. They are out at sea and ready for anything new, or anything better, but know not where to find it. They have become so bewildered that they can trust in almost anything, except the clear revelation of God. Whatever a man thinks is right, that is right to him, unless he thinks _the law of God is right_. They can not admit that that is right if a man _does think it is right_! But _it is right_, whether they think it is right or not, and will be right for ever and ever.

WHERE IS THE ARMY OF THE LORD?

Where, then, is the army of the Lord? It is not in an aggregated body, some vast assembly headed by great clergymen, making display and show, of imposing ceremonies and vast assemblies. Like the ancient disciples, they are “scattered abroad,” and are going “everywhere preaching the word.” In their humble homes, their neighborhoods, among plain and sincere people, they are sowing the good seed of the kingdom of God, training their children in the way of the Lord, and, by their godly lives, personal influence and pious instructions, spreading the knowledge of God, and building up congregations. These are scattered in all these States, and in all the principal Territories in our countries. Some of them are found in all the British Provinces, except Newfoundland, in America, in England, Ireland and Scotland, in Wales and Australia, as also in Jamaica. If we could enumerate these, we should find a larger army of them than many think. All of these, true to their principles, and at work where the work is in their reach, and most convenient to them, and so far as they, in any respect, promote the work, advance the cause, and build up the kingdom of God, they are co-operating in the same great work of _saving man_, and are “_laborers together_ with God.” Their work is “associated effort” in spreading the knowledge of God, and filling the world with his glory. They are _standing together_ as one man, and “striving for the hope of the gospel.”

FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE LORD’S ARMY.

We believe that the heart of the great body is true as ever, and that the army is stronger than ever, and there never was a greater determination to maintain every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord, than at the present time. A vast army of young men are rising, true as ever lived, determined to maintain their ground, and will maintain it till the last. The pens of many are already employed, and many more are ready for the conflict. Thousands of preachers are in the field fighting the battle, and more are coming, and the ground will be maintained every inch. The Almighty Arm is underneath and will carry the work on.

FEET WASHING.

There is no evidence in Scripture, or in any early writing, of any such practice as _washing feet_, in time of worship, or associated with worship, either public or private, as a religious rite, an ordinance, an act of devotion, or in any other way. There is no intimation that the washing of the saints’ feet alluded to, I. Tim. v. 10, was a religious rite, or an ordinance connected with worship, any more than lodging strangers. It is put down in the list of “good works,” and not religious rites or devotions.

In like manner, the feet washing mentioned, John xiii. 1-10, was not in time of worship, nor at the time of the Passover, but “before the feast of the Passover,” and after supper, or “supper being ended,” he “rose from supper and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself.” This was not in _public_ at all, but in the _private circle_. It was not in a meeting, nor in time of worship at all, but after a common meal. The washing of feet was not a new thing with them, nor were any surprised at _feet washing_, for it was common, and a _necessity_. That which was new about it, was for the Lord and Master to wash the servants’ feet. Had the order been for the servant to wash the Master’s feet, there would have been nothing new to them in it. But they were abashed at the idea of their Lord and Master washing their feet. With this view, Peter said, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” The Lord responded, “What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.” Peter persisted, not against _feet washing_, but against _the Lord_ washing _his feet_. “Thou shalt never wash my feet.”

If washing the saints’ feet had been a religious rite connected with the communion, how could Paul have omitted it, when giving that which he received of the Lord? See I. Cor. xi. 20-34. He says, “I received of the Lord that which I delivered to you.” He then proceeds to tell us what it was. See I. Cor. xi. 23-25. This was instituted on “the same night in which the Lord was betrayed.” The occasion of the feet washing (John xiii. 1-10) was not on “the same night in which the Lord was betrayed,” but “before the feast of the Passover.” The feast of the Passover was over before the communion was instituted. We think the following is true in regard to the matter: That the feet washing was _before_ the Passover, and the institution of the communion was _after it_; that two days intervened, and that the two things done were also at _two places_, the one at _one place_ and the other at _another_. The washing of feet did not occur at the same time nor in the same place of the institution of the communion, nor is there the least evidence that it ever was practiced in connection with the communion in the primitive church, nor is there the least authority for it.

We have never witnessed anything of the kind, but we have been informed repeatedly that where they practice this ceremony now, they only wash _one foot_ of each person. We would like to know where they get this. It is not in John xiii. 1-10.

SUCCESS TO GOOD MEN.

We desire to see every man succeed who is for the “right way of the Lord,” and hope the Lord and his people will hold up the hands of every such man. We know the Lord will hold up the hands of every such man; never leave him nor forsake him; but will grant him grace and glory, and withhold from him no good thing; and we know, too, his people, when they have time to reflect and the means of knowing before them, will stand by the good and true, the sincere and faithful. They will let religious adventurers pass, and turn their backs on them. They want no charlatans under the garb of religious teachers. Be good and true, faithful and honest, sincere and sound, in the true sense, and there is no danger of the people getting to think you are _unsound_.

OUR PLEA.

Our straightforward and direct appeal to the people to turn their backs on all that is human and accept all that is divine; on all that is of earth, and receive all that is from heaven; to open the Scriptures and receive all that came from the Lord, as set forth in his own revelation; receive the religion of Christ itself, as he has laid it before the world, in his own word, and nothing else, is so manifestly correct, indisputably safe and right, that it can not fail to strike the mind favorably. It is simply a plea to turn away from all human religions, and except the only divine religion. This is the sum and substance of the whole matter. We have thrown overboard all that is human, and simply maintain what is divine. If the Bible can be maintained over all human books; if the religion of Christ can be maintained over all human religions; if the doctrine of the Lord, and the commandments of God, can be maintained over the doctrines and commandments of men; if “the right way of the Lord,” can be maintained over the wrong ways of men, then the plea we have been making can be maintained.

But we should not expect to revolutionize the public mind at once. Such a thing is impossible in the nature of things, and is not desirable. We could not maintain the position if gained in that way. We desire a healthy and a reliable state of things. Sudden revolutions always leave things in an unsettled state. A gradual change is transcendently better. It is, then, not of impulse, sensation or emotion, but of faith. When the testimony comes to the mind gradually, and the faith becomes stronger and stronger, it finally rises to “the full assurance of faith;” a settled conviction, and the soul is established. But the leaven is working in the meal, much faster than many are aware of, and the mind of the people is changing, and the way is opening more and more. We have never seen a reason for a doubt about the righteousness of the cause, and the possibility of maintaining it, since the day we entered it. We are now as firm in the conviction that it is the only true ground, and the only ground that can be maintained, and the only ground on which all the true Israel of God can unite and stand, as we are that the Bible is a divine book. In all this the past year has furnished additional assurances.

NO CAMPBELLITES.

There is no such thing in this country as Campbellism, nor is there any such body of people as Campbellites. There is a people in this country that have gone back to our Lord to learn what he gave to the apostles and authorized them to preach, and to the apostles and learned what they preached to the world, and what they taught the church; who receive what the apostles preached and taught, and believe it in full; no more, no less. In this they claim to receive the religion of Christ itself, as he and his authorized ambassadors set it forth. They receive and believe it on the authority of its divine founder, the Lord, from heaven, and enforce it on all who hear them, as the only complete, perfect and divine system in the world; the only true religion; the religion of Christ itself. They claim to be Christians, followers of Christ, children of God. The body to which they belong is simply the body of Christ, the kingdom of God, the church. Christ is their head; their infallibility. They believe on him. They obey him. They hope for all he has promised, and fear all he has threatened. To be in him is to be in his body, in the kingdom, in the church, to be a Christian, a follower of Christ. They receive him and all he has said, but reject all that did not come from him. This is no Campbellism, nor Methodism; but the religion of Christ itself. That is what we are for, and we are for it because it is from God, and has the authority of God in it.

CONVERTING THE CITIES.

They must be brought to know that they must be revolutionized, created anew, conformed to Christ, and then taught to worship according to the Scriptures. The work is not to be done by wholesale, nor by the device of man. Nor need we think we can take the great cities by getting a few rich or popular men. We must preach the gospel to _the people_, the _whole people_, and turn _them_. The gospel invariably commences with the humbler classes, and works up through them till it reaches all grades. It did not commence by converting emperors, kings, or governors; nor did it reach these for a long time. It did not commence by converting rich men, but mainly with the poor; but in time reached the rich. It did not commence with converting priests, but after a time we read that a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

In the main, this has been the case in our time. We commenced with the humbler people in the cities and have reached through to every class. We gained the attention of vast numbers of people in the country, and turned them to the Lord, when they were poor. They have been prospered, and gained wealth; gone to the cities, and thus augmented the churches there; but, in many instances, they are not the good people they were, nor loving and maintaining the truth as they once did.

A HAPPY MEETING.

At Lower Blue Lick, in Robertson County, Kentucky, in the month of September, 1875, Elder Franklin met his beloved father in the gospel and veteran in the cause of reformation, Eld. Samuel Rogers. He thus describes the happy meeting, and expresses his high regard for a true man of God:

One morning when we were in the stand, waiting a few minutes for the audience to assemble and become composed, we saw once more the venerable form of Samuel Rogers, making his way up the aisle. We could scarcely restrain our emotions when we saw the old saint, bringing before our mind in visible form what has been our lifetime idea of one of the old prophets. We met him in the aisle, when he spoke out with the tears tracing down his noble face: “Bro. Ben, I am in the land of the _dead_ and _dying_, but shall soon be in the land of the _living_.” We could give utterance to no words. Peter said, in the mountain of transfiguration: “It is good for us to be here.” So it was to us on this occasion. More than forty years had elapsed since we first saw him, and he appeared to us _old_ then. He is now in his eighty-sixth year. He sees to read without glasses by holding the print close to his eyes, and hears better than when we saw him last. He converses with readiness and ease, and his voice is remarkably good. His plain and striking comparisons are as ready as ever. He styles a dry and prosing exhortation, after a good sermon, “snow in August.” He tells a preacher, trying to be learned and profound in his preaching, that he “puts the fodder too _high up_ in the rack—the sheep can’t reach it.” The main trouble is that there is no “fodder” there. He says: “We used to have _men_ and _women_, but now we have _ladies_ and _gentlemen_.” He says he still _eats his dinner_ and _supper_ and lets the rest of them _dine_ and _take tea_.

When at home he spends many hours alone, and some of the friends inquired whether he did not get lonesome. “No,” said he, “I never get lonesome. I talk to the Lord and he talks to me. I talk to him in my prayers, and he talks to me in the Bible.” This is keeping good company, and a glorious way to keep from getting lonesome. He reads up and keeps fully posted in all that is transpiring among us, and is fully alive to all the dangers now threatening the cause—the insidious steps now tending to undermine and overthrow all we have done. Still, like Paul, none of these things move him. He is firm as the everlasting hills. He has settled convictions and purposes, and can not be turned away from them. He can see, as Solomon says, that “one sinner destroyeth much good,” but adheres to another saying of much importance from the same source: “Fret not thyself because of evil-doers.” The Lord is with him and he is as happy as he can be, full of love and good-will to God and man. Thanks be to God for the faith of Christ that has the power to bear up the spirit, to console and comfort him in extreme old age, and opens to his view, now that he is about to let go this world, “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens;” and now that he is about to surrender up this life, that opens to his view a life that never ends. Blessed be the Lord who is pleased thus to deal tenderly and kindly with him in his near approach to another world.

CHURCH DECISIONS.