Part 1

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │ │ │ The cover image was provided by the transcriber and is placed │ │ in the public domain. │ │ │ │ The INDEX at the end of the book is in the form of a table of │ │ CONTENTS, and has been so labeled and moved to the front of │ │ the book following the Preface. │ │ │ │ Punctuation has been standardized. │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps. │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a Transcriber’s Note. │ │ │ │ Scripture notation was shown in multiple formats. These have │ │ been standardized into a single format. │ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes are used when making corrections to the │ │ text or to provide additional information for the modern │ │ reader. These notes are not identified in the text, but have │ │ been accumulated in a single section at the end of the book. │ │ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

“BORN OF THE SPIRIT.”

OR

GEMS FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE.

A MIRACULOUS CONVERSION.

THRILLING MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ALMIGHTY’S POWER.

_To Save the Sick, Feed the Hungry, and Clothe the Naked._

OUR GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE.

ARE THE DAYS OF MIRACLES PAST?

ANSWERED BY THE AUTHOR,

REV. ZENAS OSBORNE.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY

ELDER MOSES NATHANIEL DOWNING.

“We use great plainness of speech.”--_Paul._

“And the common people heard Him gladly.”--_Mark._

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. JOHN JOHNSON & CO. 1888.

Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1888, BY REV. ZENAS OSBORNE, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

INTRODUCTION.

One of the specialties of this age is book-making. This argues demand. This demand, especially in the realm of morals and religion is based, partly on the prevalence of erroneous theories and the importance of their refutation; partly on the necessity that renewed and increased emphasis be given to the word of God; partly on the existence of what is called “advanced thought,” and partly on the fact of a great reading public. Then let the good work go on. The servants of sin and error are busy and persistent in pushing their productions to the front. Let the sons of “grace and truth” magnify their office, and “hold forth the Word of Life.” The demand for good and useful books will increase as long as error increases, as long as truth and the Church of Christ are antagonized.

Of all human interest that of the soul is paramount. The truth which leads to its possession is priceless. The vehicles of truth are various and many. Truth is the enemy and exterminator of error, and when harnessed for war it pursues and overtakes its foe, and victorious, it shines the brighter, and is the more appreciated by the contests through which its laurels are won. “The words of the wise are as goods, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies.” The preservation of their words is a sacred boon to the world.

The author of “Born of the Spirit,” or “Gems from the Book of Life,” has hit on a taking title for his book, and without doubt, the careful and thoughtful reader will find that it is fully justified by the subject matter of its pages. It is with great pleasure I introduce Mr. OSBORNE to the reader. I have known him nearly thirty years, and have been associated with him in the work of God in the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the F. M. Church over twenty years. He is known to be an able minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has a religious experience. He has been “born again, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The many years he has spent in the Gospel ministry and his deep Christian experience have not only enabled him to gather many “Gems from the Book of Life,” but also have qualified him to speak with no uncertain sound on the topics treated in his book.

The arrangement of the work is admirable, being in short chapters, each one complete in itself. May it have a wide sale, not only throughout the denomination of his choice, but also in thousands of homes in the “regions beyond.” And wherever it goes may it demolish error, encourage Christian faith, inspire Christian zeal, intensify Christian love; and may the author, having grown gray and nearly worn out in the service of Christ, find at the resurrection of the just not only that he is counted among that redeemed throng, but also that his “Born of the Spirit,” his “Gems from the Book of Life,” has, by the blessing of God, added a multitude to that count.

M. N. DOWNING.

BINGHAMTON, N. Y., April 24, 1888.

DEDICATION.

To the memory of her who became my companion when we first set sail on the domestic voyage of life, and who for seventeen years, by her amiability, Christian integrity, and faithfulness as a wife and mother, made home earth’s Paradise; and subsequently to her who for nearly twenty-five years has stood so heroically with me in the joys, sorrows, toils and sufferings consequent upon an itinerant’s life; and to the dear children given to us by these sacred relations, who now, as the infirmities of this uncertain life are coming upon us with sure and certain tread, manifest in the silvery locks, furrowed cheeks, bedimmed vision--all indicating that our sun is rapidly descending the western slope, so tenderly care for us in bearing the burdens of life, and lovingly provide for our comfort, is this work sacredly dedicated by

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

My reasons for writing and publishing this book are:

1--I believe that the Lord wanted me to. The burden has been on my heart for years to do this very thing.

2--I have a great desire to perpetuate the glory of God for the miraculous power displayed in saving one, who had been so great a sinner as me, and for so many years in the toil and conflict of life, leading me beside the still waters, and into green pastures; delivering me out of the hand of my enemies, and all their expectation again and again; bringing re-enforcements when it seemed that all supplies were cut off.

3--On several occasions for miraculous deliverance from drowning, when others perished, and for the preservation of life on other occasions, when nearly kicked to death by vicious horses, and badly bruised by them.

4--Living on the old battle ground, where so many battles were fought between “The Buffalo Regency” on one side, and God’s militant host on the other, and being so well acquainted with both sides, and the questions involved, which resulted in the formation of the Free Methodist Church, and in the order of Providence I was making the Rev. John E. Robie a call when the Buffalo Regency met in council, and determined upon the expulsion of all that endorsed Methodism clean and clear; and then, on the other side, I was often present at Bro. Amos Hard’s when councils of war met, and determined to stand by the “old landmarks,” however much it might cost them.

Truly, there were giants in those days. A nobler class of saints never wore a martyr’s crown than those of the old Genesee Conference. Their memory is still precious.

5--To encourage precious souls that have taken the narrow way, that have left old associations that had in days gone by been as dear to them as life, but for conscience sake and the glory of God, had forsaken all and cast their lot in with the unpretentious, whose aim and object is to do all the good possible to the souls and bodies of men, and gain the skies at last. And to persuade those who really desire to be just what God designed we should be, and want all the light and help possible to do likewise, cast their lot in with the few, if the Holy Spirit leads you in that direction. It pays richly to follow the _Pillar_ of fire, even though it may lead in peculiar ways. It is the safe way.

Every article written in this book has been, we humbly trust, the promptings of the Spirit for the salvation of souls and the building up of the Redeemer’s Kingdom.

6--It has been frequently stated that the days of miracles are past, and that we are not to expect any very great displays of God’s saving power in these days of light and culture; but these expressions are not in harmony with a thus saith the Lord and experience. My conversion was just as marvelous as St. Paul’s, and what I have passed through, and have seen of God’s power on others for more than thirty years, has been just as miraculous as the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gate, or the man that was blind, whom Jesus touched, “and lo, he saw men as trees walking.”

_That double cure_ mentioned in this volume was just as great a marvel as the expelling of the legion of devils from the men of “Gadara.”

CONTENTS.

CHAP. TITLE

Introduction

Dedication

Preface

1. A Translation

2. I Wanted to Swear

3. About My Tobacco

4. The Plague of Narcotics

5. A Call to the Ministry

6. A Particular Providence

7. A Peculiar People

8. The Free Methodist Church a Necessity

9. Dreams, Presentiments

10. Healing Faith

11. A Double Cure

12. Justification

13. A Direct Route

14. Rest, But Not Loiter

15. A Living Sacrifice

16. The Law And The Gospel

17. Keep The Sabbath Day Holy

18. Your Fruit Unto Holiness

19. Without Natural Affection

20. Sowing And Reaping

21. To Actual Settlers

22. The Widow’s Mite

23. Are We Drifting

24. Pap

25. Victory

26. Lock Up

27. A Success

28. They Might Be A Success

29. Fear, Or The Scare-crow Devil

30. Trust

31. Seeing Eye To Eye

32. The Edge Off

33. The Old Salt Lick

34. Be Positive

35. The Dead Line

36. Pump Logs

37. The End

38. Conclusion

I.

A TRANSLATION.

“Once I wandered in the maze of error, In the downward road; Oft my soul was filled with fear and terror When I thought of God. Jesus saw me rushing on to ruin, Offered pardoning grace; And I left the way I was pursuing, Turned and saw his face.

CHORUS-- Now I feel my sins forgiven, Through th’ atoning blood, And I have a blessed hope of heaven, Glory be to God.

I am glad I ever found the Saviour, Now I’m fully blest; There are pleasures in His pardoning favor, Joy, and peace, and rest. I’m standing on the holy mountain, Near Salvation’s pool, And the waters from the bursting fountain Cheer my thirsty soul.

I’ve left earth’s vain and fleeting pleasures, Bade them all adieu; And I’m seeking now for heavenly treasures, Lasting, pure and true. Glittering toys of time, farewell forever; To you I’ll not bow; I will leave my blessed Jesus never; He’s my portion now.

I will tell Salvation’s pleasing story, While I live below, And I’ll try to spread my Saviour’s glory, Everywhere I go. When the word is from the Master given, ‘Child, from toiling cease,’ I expect to find a home in heaven, Home of endless peace.”

When young, I was “trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Well do I recollect some of the first lessons taught me by my parents--such as “Our Father which art in heaven,” and “Now I lay me down to sleep,” and others of a like character. These were in the morn of life, printed upon memory’s tablet. I always believed there was a divine reality in the religion of Jesus Christ. I do not recollect a long time when the Spirit of God did not strive with me, and often powerfully; so that frequently I felt that I was the chief of sinners. I would often resolve to seek the Lord, and when the time came I would procrastinate for a more convenient season. Thus I grieved my heavenly Father for thirty-two long years.

I wonder that God spared my unprofitable life so long. My father was a lover of the truth, as it is in Christ Jesus. He had great respect for the Sabbath--hence the children were not allowed to play and frolic about on the Lord’s Day. I praise God for these early, godly impressions. Well do I recollect, when a very small child, sitting in my little chair, and singing with my father these beautiful lines, “O, how happy are they who their Saviour obey,” etc.

At the age of eight I went with my father to a quarterly meeting, held in a barn. While the saints were upon their knees in prayer, I was upon my knees calling upon the name of the Lord. I felt something going through me like lightning, producing a heavenly sweetness; also that I had suddenly been put in possession of wings, for I felt like flying. As I look back upon this scene, I have no doubt but that God’s blessing was upon me on that occasion. I was frequently under such deep conviction of sin that I could not sleep nights. These seasons of deep conviction continued with me until I was converted to God. After these seasons of conviction I became more hardened in sin. On several occasions I was brought near to death by disease, drowning, and in other ways. If being delivered from the jaws of death in a variety of ways is evidence of our election, then I am elected, for I have been thus delivered. I praise God that our election has a different foundation--even JESUS CHRIST--the Saviour of men.

At the age of twenty, I agreed with some of my associates to go forward to the mourners’ seat for prayers, as the preacher had said that the next night would close the meetings unless there should be a move among the sinners. We did not want the meetings to close, neither did we mean to get religion at that time. I loved to attend religious meetings, not because it was _right_, but to _see_ and be seen, and to enjoy the society of kindred spirits. The night arrived in which we had agreed to make a move, to prevent the meetings from being broken up. Meetings had been run for several weeks, without any apparent success, until _the_ night in which we had agreed to move. After preaching, the invitation was given to any wishing religion. One of the company went forward, and then another. I thought of my word; I had agreed to go. It was an awful moment with me. I thought that we were trifling with the Almighty. I would have given worlds, if I could, to be out of the scrape. I shook from head to foot, like Belshazzar of old. I was completely covered with sweat, so terribly was I exercised. The company had all gone; I was left. I started; had all I could do to get to the seat. God overruled this for His glory. Some twenty-five went forward that night. The meetings went on with power and profit. Many were converted to God. My condition was painful in the extreme. For several days after this I seemed to be on the boundary line between the two worlds, and about to be ushered into the everlasting burnings. Whenever I closed my eyes to sleep I seemed to be surrounded by the damned in hell. O, what a view I had of the lost! How I seemed to hear the wailings of despair, and realized that this was the doom of the wicked. After this I became more wicked than before. I was a complete adept in wickedness. I had been free from all parental restraint from the time I was about twelve years old. I mingled in all kinds of society; hence I had an excellent opportunity for learning much of the evil that exists at the present day. I learned too much.

I wonder that God did not cut me off in my sins, after grieving his spirit so long. _He is not willing that any should perish._ I had felt for several years that I should not have the strivings of the Spirit but once more, and then, if I did not yield, I should be left to myself, abandoned of God.

On the fifth of February, 1857, God met me in the road. These words came with great force to my mind: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve. _Come, decide the matter now._ If you mean to serve the devil the remainder of your life, say so right _here_. Have this matter _settled forever_. If you mean to give yourself to God, do it _now_! This is the time.”

These were awful moments to me. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” I was pressed to a decision. My immortal spirit seemed to balance between heaven and hell. Heaven, with all that is lovely, joys immortal forever at God’s right hand, seemed to be clearly presented on the one hand; and the damnation of hell on the other. _Which will you have?_ I resolved from that time, henceforth and forever, to seek after and serve God with all my redeemed powers. That evening I erected a family altar, and commenced calling upon the name of the Lord. The next morning I thanked God for keeping me and mine through the night; and when seated around the table I thanked God for the food prepared for us. This was really a great cross. I had _vowed_ to God, the residue of my life should be spent in His service. I continued to seek the Lord by doing everything I thought a Christian ought to do. I made it a specialty to get religion. I cried unto the Lord with all my heart, and the more I prayed the worse I felt. For three days and nights I was wrestling with God in prayer. I confessed my sins. I did all that I could. After continuing in this way for about three days, it occurred to me that there was no mercy for me. I had sinned away the day of grace. These were truly awful moments to me. No hope! No mercy! No salvation! Right here the spirit whispered to my aching heart, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved;” and blessed be God, right here I was enabled to believe that Jesus Christ was my Saviour. My weight of guilt was gone. Joy and peace filled my heart. Old things had passed away, and behold! _all_ things had become new. I sprang to my feet and praised God aloud! At this point in my experience, my feelings are well described in those beautiful lines of Dr. Hunter:

Sinking and panting, as for breath, I knew not help was near me, And cried, “O, save me, Lord, from death! Immortal Jesus, hear me!”

Then, quick as thought, I felt Him mine, My Saviour stood before me! I saw his brightness round me shine, And shouted, Glory! Glory!

Oh, sacred hour! Oh, hallowed spot! Where love divine first found me; Wherever falls my distant lot, My heart shall linger round thee!

And when from earth I rise to soar Up to my home in heaven, Down will I cast my eyes once more, Where first I was forgiven.

II.

I WANTED TO SWEAR;

OR, HOW I KNEW THE DOCTRINE OF ENTIRE HOLINESS, AS TAUGHT BY JOHN WESLEY TO BE TRUE.

My conversion to God was as clear as the sun at noon-day; “Old things passed away and _all_ things became new.” As I looked out the next morning upon the fields and woods, all seemed to be praising God. My soul was completely ravished with his love. I had been “translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” I was emphatically a new creature in Christ Jesus; all the aspirations of my soul were changed. I wanted to tell everybody what the blessed Jesus had done for me; I felt like crying continually, “_Behold the Lamb!_” God helped me to tell the story of the cross, which kept the fire burning within--Glory to God! “As I came to Zion, songs and everlasting joy was upon my head,” and in my heart. For days

“Not a cloud did arise to darken my skies, Or hide one moment, my Lord from my eyes.” “And I could not believe That I ever should grieve, That I ever should suffer again.”