| Summary: | Gospel Trumpet 1881-June 3, 1962, Vital Christianity June 10, 1962-Sept. 1996, One Voice June/July 2004-Apr/May 2007 ---; SANCTIFICATI And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a Trumpet, and they shall gather to-gether his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matt. 24: 31. kea So will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all placer // there they hive been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Exek. 34: 12. Jer. 52: 39. N N\ 011//, VOLUME XXIV. MOUNDSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, U. S. A., THURSDAY, JANUARY' 28, 1904. NUMBER 4 Babylon is Fallen. ( Rev. 18.) BY WM. W. FITZWATER. " Babylon the great is fallen," Hear the angels loudly cry,. Flee from her destruction, brother, Or your only hope must die; She is nothing but confusion, All her prophets strive for fame, Thus neglecting God's salvation, And profaning Jesus' name. " Babylon the great is fallen," Tho' she stood for ages past On opinions of few mortals, She has crumbled now at last; We discover her foundation Wholly made of human minds, And her walls are daubed with mortar, Human theories of all kinds. " Babylon the great is fallen," Never, never, to arise; Zion's walls are now erected, Towering up above the skies; They are made of God's salvation, To preserve us from all sin: Christ the only door and porter, He alone can take you in. Sect confusion we no longer Recognize to be of God; But his church is made of people, Saved from sin by Jesus' blood; Built upon a sure foundation Jesus Christ the blessed Lord, He upholds her by the power Of his blessed holy Word. " Babylon the great is fallen," Spread the news from pole to pole, Let God's people hear the message And deliver every soul From the cages of deception, Where they grope in sectish night, And have never heard the tidings Of this blessed evening light. Babel's rubbish now is burning While her merchants mourn their loss, Other souls are pleasing Jesus They are clinging to the cross, And are walking in his footsteps, Doing all he says to do: If they only hold out faithful He will guide them safely through. What the Spirit Saith unto the Churches. THt CHURCH IN PERGAMOS CONTINUED. T4 AD the error of Balaam affected only himself the result would not have been so enormous. His own soul would have had all the loss to sustain and pay the penalty. But like every one to- day who falls into the same snare, the result in-volves others, and perhaps many. Think of this error of this one man which led him to a greater error which caused the destruction of twenty- three thousand souls in one day, and how much farther- reaching its influence went we are unable to ascer-tain. Likewise we shall never know this side of the judgment how many souls are exposed, or how many have actually fallen into sin and have been lost through wrong influences of those who profess to obey God, but whose ways are perverse before him. One error not only causes such in-calculable mischief to others, but it also opens the way for the devil to bring in greater error to the one already in the transgression. An evil way will produce an evil doctrine. Every doctrine of error is produced by a spirit of error which first causes the unguarded soul to commit some error, then build up some doctrine to defend itself. Then the next step must necessarily be a claim to the " right to be-lieve and do as you please," or, " obey the Word of God if the Spirit so leads," and many other such false pleas for tolerance and charity. When once the standard of eternal obedience to the whole Word of God is lowered the door is opened for mul-titudinous errors and doctrines, each of which will have its effect in deceiving souls and blinding them from the truth. " There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14: 12. It is sin-ful and exceedingly dangerous to trifle with God's Word. Every person who be-gins to choose out his own way and to put his own constructions upon what - God says in his Word is a heretic. The definition of the term heresy is, a choosing out for ones self ( see Webster), assuming the right to take from God's Word that which suits you and reject the rest In substance, every person who knowingly rejects any part of the New Testament commands and doctrine, or adds to the same, is an her-etic. And any person holding or accept-ing wad believing such, or advocating the same, is also an heretic. The church at Pergamos, no doubt, was aware of these people who held the doc-trine of Balaam being among them, and had probably exposed both this doctrine and that of the Nicolaitines, but the fail-ing of this congregation was, they did not deal with and reject those who held those heresies. " Thou hast there them that hold" these doctrines. This was the danger. As long as any were permitted to hod such error they were possessed with that spirit of error, which would most certainly manifest itself in some manner in destroying others, and of course hold in deception those who hold the doctrine. It is just as dangerous to fellowship an heretic as it is the heresy itself. Both must be dealt with and rejected. " A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject: knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth. being condemned of himself." Tit. 3: 10, 11. To tolerate any such persons who hold such doctrines would be just the ad-vantage that Satan could wish, and Jesus gave this congregation this timely warn-ing. Dear brother and sister, how plainly we can see the fruits of this spirit all over our so- called _ Christian land to- day. A choosing out, and making doctrines to suit the people. Then each person must make his choice and accept that doctrine suit-able to himself or herself. This spirit was the author of the apostasy from the faith in the times of the primitive church. It completely darkened the earth for the long period of more than one thousand years. Nothing but a radical stand against this spirit, and a thorough Scriptural dealing with the doctrine and those who hold it, will fully recover the church of God from this poisonous influence. That which has in ages past captivated the people of God must now be thoroughly exposed and op-posed. Sectism pleads for the liberty and exercise of this spirit. Each sect has its doctrine which separates and divides, claiming its origin from the Bible, and yet divides itself away from others in doc-trine. What a Babel confusion we behold to-day, and what warring and strife has marked the recent past. But since God has raised up a people who stand perpen-dicular on God's Word and expose and oppose these evil spirits of division, and these corrupt institutions of deception that have reproached the name of Christ, the devil has fallen back behind one of his same intrenchments he had in the days of the church at Pergamos. He now pleads for the right of each person to accept and believe that which suits him best, and has effected a confederacy, calling it union, so that none will oppose the other no mat-ter how corrupt it may be, even permitting the roman Catholic to hold to his doc-trine. All strife seems to have ceased. Protestants have ceased protesting against Catholics, and have permitted every form of religion to join their confederacy. It is an undeniable fact that there is no more real Protestantism in sectism to- day, except that which protests against the church of God. Compromise spirits have so blinded the eyes of the multitudes that it is supposed by all that each has a right to pick out any doctrine and creed that suits him so long as such right does not interfere with that of others. God gives no such Scrip-tural right. But where is there a sect preacher that does not teach this doc-trine? Peter speaks of such teachers in the folowing language : " Which have for-saken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of upright-eouness." 2 Pet. 2: 14. Jude says of such : They ran greedily after the way of Balsam for reward. Jude 11. It is for reward and wages that these modern Baal prophets teach their sectarian doctrines. Thank God, his people have come out of this awful corruption and found deliver-ance in Zion. Now it behooves us to see that no such compromise spirits find their way, nor are tolerated among us. There can be no one among us who holds any doctrine contrary to the pure and whole Word of God. Praise God ! there is a precious blessing for the overcomers in the church in Pergamos and the same belongs to us to- day who have made our escape back to Zion if we meet these conditions. " To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that reeeiveth. it." Rev. 2: 17. The hidden manna literally was that which was commanded to be put and kept in the ark of the covenant, which was kept in the most holy place in the taber-nacle and temple. This manna is a type of Christ who now has opened the way by his blood into the most holy place for us, where we can partake of him the true manna and bread which came down from heaven. He is called the hidden manna be-cause none but those who enter within the second vail in the precious grace of sanc-tification can thus partake of him in this sense. It is one of God's secrets which none but the sanctified are let into. The white stone also represents the per-feet covenant of sanctification. Anciently it is said it was a custom where two par-ties entered into a sacred covenant they would break a white stone into two pieces, each keeping a piece as a sacred seal of the covenant, which was a profound secret between the two parties. The two pieces were also carefully preserved in shape where they were broken apart so that when placed together they would fit as one. In this precious white stone which Jesus offers to the overcomers over every scheme of the enemy, he writes the secret name of this covenant of sanctification, which name and power and glory only those know who have entered into this secret place of the Most High. " He that an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." J. W. B. " Hear instruction, and be wise, and re-fuse it not." Prov. 8: 33. Seek Not Their Own. T be a Christian is to be like Christ. 1 Every element in the heart and na-ture of a Christian, fully saved, is as pure as the elements of heaven. Selfishness is a principle unlike anything found in the nature of Christ. It is impure. It is un-like heaven. It is opposite to the nature of Christianity. The Christian lives for Christ. The one grand theme of his life is to glorify God. Nothing that he can do is too great for him to do for the Lord and nothing is too small. All the acts of his life flow to one center, viz., glorifying God. Oh, that God may help each of his saints to see this to its depths. Never to perform one selfish act never to draw one selfish breath, but all devoted fully to God. Bless his name ! " What can I do to- day to help on the cause of Christ" is the inquiry of the soul that is devoted to God. What can I do to encourage my brother in the race for the crown of life ? What can I do to make him a better Christian? How can I throw more happiness into his life? How can I shed a sweet balm of hope over the heart of the discouraged! How can I win some pre-cious soul to ' Christ? These are the anxi-ous inquiries of the soul that seeks alone the things that are Jesus Christ's. Such an ardent desire for doing good and glori- , ■ inc.,. God will get an individual out of his hed upon his knees in the early morning, imploring God for grace and spiritual life and power that he may prove the greatest blessing possible to his fellow men. Self would say. " A little more sleep and a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to sleep." " But," says one, " You mean this for the preachers." Yes, I mean that it should be the experience of the preachers. The preacher * ho understands his true posi-tion under God goes about his work with fear and trembling. He seeks earnestly the highest spiritual life that he might be able to feed his hearers. He is a man of much prayer. He carefully studies the Bible that he may be approved unto God. He delivers his sermons in the fear of God. A few days since I read the testimony of a preacher who lived a hundred years ago. He said in every sermon he preached as though a messenger stood with him in the pulpit ready to carry him to heaven when he was through. Such an one seeks not his own but the things which are Jesus Christ's. While this should be the experience and life of the preacher it should not be theirs alone. Every child of God should live sole-ly for God's, glory. They should live in much prayer, and all their talents, time, strength and life lie given to Christ. Self will say, " A little ease, a little lux-ury. It is not wisdom. It is too stormy. That is a little too hard. I may have need so I will withhold. They can do for them-selves as I do. If there is any left after I have taken my fill they can have it." Self seeks many excuses for, not making sacrifices, but the soul that is fully given to God is ready - to endure any hradship to face the storm, to deny self, to give at a sacrifice to Christ, who gave his life for them. Jesus died for us that we should not henceforth live unto ourselves but unto him who died for us. Bless his name! Seek not your own, live not unto yourself, consult not your own pleasure or profit, but live wholly and with all your heart, soul and strength for Jesus and the souls he died to save. and may God bless you. o. E. 0. Worship. ARTICLE H. W ORSHIP in the Spirit is the adora-tion, thanksgiving and praise ren-dered to God in the name of Jesus Christ, from a heart that is free from the condem-nation and guilt of sin. Worship, to be in truth, must be in accordance with the Word of God. As it is written, " Thy Word is truth." John 17: 17. We find in the Word of Gad that worship was rendered in three ways: private, family, and public worship. As God seeks people to worship him in spirit and truth, and those only are true worshipers who thus pay homage to him, it is very important that we know how to worship him in an acceptable manner. With this end in view we will first consider what the Word says about PRIVATE WORSHIP. " My voice shalt thou hear in the morn-ing, 0 Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psa. 5: 3. " Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Psa. 55 : 17. " Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afore time." Dan. 6: 10. Jesus set us the example of private devotion in prayer. He loved to enter some secluded spot and pour out his soul unto the Father, exemplifying his teach-ing on that point wherein he said, " But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou halt shut thy door, pray to thy- Father which is in secret; and thy Fa-ther which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Mat. 6: 6. " And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come he was there alone." Mat. 14: 23. God's people in all ages were in the habit of having daily seasons of private de-votion. It is a fact that many imagine they are worshipers of God, and yet about all they do is to go to meeting once a week to listen to some ear- tickling dis-course by some so- called divine, but have no love for the true worship of God through Jesus Christ. Sectism is thronged with masses of just such people, but they know not God. We will next consider FAMILY WORSHIP. It is clearly taught in the Word of - God that family worship was practised by God's people as far back as Noah; and it is reasonable to conclude that it was prac-tised by God's people before the flood. " And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord," Gen. 8: 20. Everywhere Abraham pitched his tent he set up an altar for to worship. Gen. 12: 7, 8; 13 : 18. He com-manded his family and his household after him. Gen. 18: 19. By this we understand that he taught his family and household to worship God, and obey him. We are accounted as children of Abraham if we obey the gospel. " If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs accord-ing to the promise." Gal. 3: 29; 1 Pet. 3: 6. Jeremiah, the prophet, considered it a I: inous sin for families not to worship God. No doubt this referred to family wor-ship, as well as public and private. " Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." Jer. 10: 25. God. wants all his people to have family wor-ship. Every saved man or woman should have a family altar, and see that their chil-dren and those composing their household come before God with all reverence for the worship of the true God. PUBLIC WORSHIP. By public worship we mean the regular assembling of Christians together to wor-ship God in the name of Jesus Christ. There are a great many forms denominated Christian worship, but much of it is done in vain. The priests of Roman Catholicism go through a routine of Latin mummery, which none but themselves understand, while their deceived hearers are made to believe this to be true worship. It is con-trary to New Testament teaching for a lan-guage to be spoken in public worship which can not be understood by the hearers. " So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?' for ye shall speak into the air. . Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian; and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me." 1 Cor. 14: 9, 11. Paul farther de-clares, " I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all : yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my un-derstanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." Ver. 18: 19. Those words are a rebuke to the silly prac-tise of Roman priest- craft, and those who blindly follow such darkness. In Protestantism we find the preachers following closely in the wake of popery in some respects. The preachers do all the preaching, praying; and in fact, do about all the - weir- shining for the people. The consequense is that spiritual death and for-mality reigns throughout the realm of sect Babylon. God intends all his saints to take an active part in public worship. God does not design that all his saints be preachers, but all should be able to testify, exhort, and prophesy, or speak to the church to edification, exhortation, and comfort. 1 Car. 14: 3- 5. " For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." Ver. 31. This includes men, and women also. Praying and singing make up an important part of worship. Ver. 15. We have no reason. to believe that instrumental music was ever intended to be used in Christian worship and since we do not find it was so used, we do not consider the practise as necessary to wor-ship God in the spirit. WHERE WE SHOULD WORSHIP. God may be worshiped in spirit and truth publicly, either in a house built for that purpose, or some other public build-ing; or in a private house, or out in the open air. Jesus and the apostles preached and worshiped in this manner. God is not confined to any particular locality. Paul preached in Jewish synagogues, a court-house in Athens, on the market places, and most any place he could get, the people to listen to the gospel. We read of the saints, with their wives and children, accompany-ing him to the seashore where he was to board a ship, and they all kneeled down on the beach and worshiped. Acts 21: 5. Again, he hired. a house and dwelt in it, preaching to all who would gather to hear him, and teaching them to worship God. Acts 28: 30. Paul also mentioned congre-gations who used to assemble at certain brethren's houses to worship. Rom. 16 : 5 1 Cor. 16 : 19 Phile. 2. God's people should have houses. in which to worship, but should not neglect to meet together for public worship because they may not have a meeting- house, or chapel. Jesus promised to be present wherever two or three were gathered in his name to worship, and we must not forsake the assembling of our-selves together. Heb. 10: 25. J. C. B. Parents' Duty to Their Children. BY P. F. ROPP. FOR some time this subject has been up-on my heart. And often when I would see little innocent children all decked with ruffles, tucks, embroidery, braid, an un-necessary amount of ribbon, and even gold pins for buttons ( forbidden in God's Word. 1 Pet. 3: 3), I wished some one would write and stir up parents to their duty. Pride is one of the most abominable things spoken against in God's Word. Read 1 John 2: 16; Mark 7: 21- 23; Mal. 4: 1. Dear parents, you are fostering in your children's hearts that which will have to be crushed out before they can become followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. My soul cries out to God to save the children from pride and worldly conform-ity. If children go off into the world the parents are largely to blame, for the Word of God says, " Train up a child in the way it should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Since this is true, and you put on your children things that are superfluous, and contrary to God's Word, things that you would not wear yourself, are you not hardening their hearts against - God's precious Word? If we do this we will be responsible to God for not instructing our children in the right way. Pride is a sin in the sight of God. The Lord hates even a proud look. In 1 Sam. 3: 13 we read that God sent judg-ment on the house of his servant because his sons were wicked and he did not re-strain them. If we restrain our children from other sins and let them go on in the sin of pride we are just as guilty before God. In Prov. 1: 8- 10 and 1 Pet: 3: 4 we can see with what ornaments God is pleased. If you love your children with Christian love, you will command your house after you, and bring them up in the way they should go. Prov. 22 : 6; Eph. 6: 4. To disobey this part of God's Word is no less than any other disobedience. Parents should teach their children the Word of God. Dent. 4: 9. " Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou hest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord swam unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the. Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours." Dent. 11: 18- 24. One great reason why parents do not have a better experience and more victories is because they loan their children to the devil by letting them go to picnics, parties, shows, dances and sect meetings, which are all an abomination in • od's sight. Chil-dren should be restrained, or kept from such things, and shown. the evil of them, just as they should be kept out of bad company. These things must be taught by example and precept. They can be kept before the eyes of the children too by having plenty of good religious books for them to read, and mottoes on the wall in-stead of expensive pictures and other un-necessary- ornaments of the world. In this way you are doing your duty by obeying God's Word. And your children will not go astray, because you remained on the Lord's territory. Some say we should populate heaven by raising children. That is right, but be careful that you do not populate hell by allowing them to have their own way, which is contrary to the will of God. I have heard parents say their children were too old to punish when they were only twelve years old, while others think they love their children too much to punish them. Such love is only. natural or of the flesh. The fear and love of God in our hearts will cause us to be interested most in the soul and future welfare of our chil-dren. " He that spareth his rod hateth his son hut he that loveth him ehasteneth him betimes. Withhold not correction from the child : for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die." Prov. 13: 24; 23: 13, 14. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. " The rod and reproof give wis-dom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." Prov. 29: 15. Par-ents should not provoke their children to anger lest they be discouraged. To the elders he says they should rule their own house, and have their children in subjec-tion with all gravity. 1 Tim. 3 : 4. Since the elders are examples to the flock, it is certainly plain enough that all should do the same. aoonAtntohlthsd eoesrrosa gonrhotamoedesbitetto, mo house for it is , d, iaiensghtitaielinrdndf. s, ieo I have seen one ' parent object when the tnr This t ei h)- tsDhy si eahseee t hn tnhe itself ouuelshent, not stand. If parents have the love of God in their hearts for each other and their children there will be no such divi-sion. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. " Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." THE GOSPEL TRUMPET. Jan. 28, 1904. Gospel Giving and Receiving. BY EVA M. WRAY. s GIVE'and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." Luke 6: 38. Here is a positive command with a four-given by Jesus Christ him-self panrodmiiinsse Mark 10 : 29, 30 he makes the promise still stronger, making it an hun-dred fold. " And Jesus answered and Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house . . . or lands for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall re-ceive an hundredfold now in this time, = houses . and lands [ now, in this present time], with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." The last clause of this precious promise would more than am-ply repay all that man can ever forsake or give for the gospel's sake; but Jesus Christ, knowing the weakness of human-ity, in order to make giving a great in-dueement, promises great reward in earth-ly treasures right here in this present world. Just think, he promises a hundred-fold of houses or lands, or whatever we forsake or give for his glorious cause. . Did you ever figure up that a hundredfold is ten thousand per cent? What a won-derful investment ! - When men loan mon-ey on an earthly investment they receive from eight to ten per cent, or sometimes, by driving a sharp bargain they receive from fifty to a hundred per cent on the investment. But just think of the very God of the universe who owns all the gold-mines in creation. Yea, " The cattle on a thousand hills are his," even, " the earth and the fulness thereof." Oh, I tell you, it pays to invest with him who is abun-dantly able to repay to the last farthing, - all that he promises, while earthly banks are failing and men are defrauding each other constantly. But some will say, If God owns all things, why does he command his people to give to his cause, even of their limited means sometimes? Simply because that is the kind of giving that glorifies his name. It is part of God's great and per-fect plan of salvation that his people are to deny themselves. The poor widow in 1 Kin. 17: 12 denied herself and. starving child of their last meal to give to the man of God, and notice the rest of the account, how she received her hundredfold right here in this present world, or ten thous-and per cent on the investment. Notice also how Jesus commands the poor widow in Luke 21. I tell you brethren, it pays to observe and obey every least commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can truthfnlly testify that for every offort and act of self- denial to give to the precious cause of the gospel, I have received my hun-dredfold and I can cheerfully recommend the great saving bank of heaven as the safest one in which to invest. Then when in times of need and adversity, I can come boldly to the divine owner of that bank telling him that I have invested my all with Whim, and he invariably repays me with the hundredfold, 10,000 per cent in temporal things, according to his exceed-ing great and precious promises. Besides his blessed approval is upon my soul, and the sweet assurance of a mansion prepared in heaven for me. Oh, who would not give according to the precious command? Praise his dear name ! Bluefield, W. Va. I am glad that I can report victory in my soul over all the powers of Satan. I can truly say that serving the Lord is my sweetest delight. I am so thankful I hail learned to cast all my care upon Jesus, realizing he cares for me. Jesus is my Savior, sanctifier and healer. Though our trials and difficulties be many the Lord will deliver us from them all, and we shall come out more than conquerers through him that loved us. Like Paul I feel that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of God which I have in. Christ Jesus my Lord. Please pray for me that I may keep humble and low down at the feet of Jesus, ever ready to do his will. Pray also for my unsaved husband that he may accept the truth and walk in the light of God's Word. - Your sister in the love of Jesus, Mrs. Mayniq Sarver., Jan. 28, 1904. THE GOSPEL TRUMPET. 3 The present offer which we are making on the Gospel Trumpet to place it before the people at the rate of ten weeks for ten cents will expire the 15th of February. Up until January 18th the total number of subscribers amounted to 48,595 thus you see that the paper has been carrying light and liberty into a vast number of homes, in many of which are those oppressed by sin and disease. The reports from a great number of persons who have received the paper are truly gratifying to our souls. During the first few weeks of the offer we received between_ four and five thousand subscribers per week. These were many, yet by the help and blessing of the Lord, and the past experience which we have had,. we were enabled to handle these names such a manner that with a very few excep-tions the paper was sent out promptly. While this offer has involved a large amount of work and responsibility upon us, yet we are not tired of handling it and we feel that it would be pleasing to the Lord for us to renew our energies, and make an-other special effort ere this offer closes. We are willing to take care of any amount of names whieh may be sent in. This week we will enclose a blank in each paper and we trust that the interest of each one may be renewed to put as many names on the blanks as you can and send them in, that many thousands of homes may yet have the privilege of re-ceiving the paper. It is only a short time until the offer expires, but if all will do their part, it will greatly enlarge the num-ber of readers. We suggest that great care. be taken in writing the names, post- offices and states plainly, which will help in in-suring a. prompt delivery of the paper. If the people in your community have been. well supplied and you have means which you could use in this direction, send the money and we will furnish the names. Only a few days ago we received a letter from a man who expressed great satisfac-tio• in reading the paper and desired to know who was so kind as to send us his name. Upon investigating the matter we found that his was one of the names which we had selected. Not only is the ten- cent offer a means of shedding light into thousands of homes and bringing to them the blessings of sal-vation and the healing of their bodies, but it is the means of enlarging our regular subscription list. We have before us a letter somewhat similar to many we re-ceive on this line. From Kentucky. " Dear Sirs: I am one of your ten- cent subscribers. My time has expired and I will enclose $ 1.00 for the Trumpet one year. Yours respectfully." In the following we will give a few ex-tracts from the letters of some who have received blessings to their souls through the reading of the paper, others who have been led into the light and healed by the-power of the Lord. From Arkansas. " Gospel Trumpet Com-pany : While reading a copy of your paper it brought untold joy to my soul. Of all the literature I have read, there has not been any to touch my soul as the Gospel Trumpet, and now I thirst for this rich soul food. I feel that I can not recommend it too highly. You may take my name as your sister in Christ and I shall try to get my friends all to subscribe for the Gospel Trumpet. I ask your prayers that I may obtain more faith in Christ. Yes, I ask your special prayer for me, I am ever yours in Christ." From North Carolina. " I sent ten cents for your paper ten weeks and I am. de-lighted with the paper. I see no worldly doubtful advertisements in it and it meets, my idea of a. Christian indeed and in truth. I will renew in due time, as I am to stop all the papers I have been formerly taking, called church papers, but they are after the world. We are spiritually dead in this mountain country. We have been taught the sinning religion by the preach-ers of the dead churches, that are slaves to the unrighteous mammon, hence the true gospel meets with great opposition. But blessed be his name, in his own good time the truth will prevail. Your faithful bro-ther in His name.", From Maine. " Gospel Trumpet Com-pany. Some kind friend has been sending me the Gospel Trumpet, which I have read with delight. It does me good to read a-bout God's dealings with his children. Oh, how I love the Word of God, it is sweet to my taste and I love his true children. I got truly interested in reading the Gospel Trumpet. Husband loves to hear me read it. At the time I received the paper I was quite sick. My lungs were in bad shape. I told my husband there must be something done. He told me I must ask God to heal me. I had so little faith in healing. After I got the Trumpet it seemed as though some one was acquainted with me and everything I read applied to me. I opened my Bible to Jas. 1: 6 where it reads, " Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord." That set me to thinking. I said unbelief is sin. So if unbelief is sin. I must have sin in my heart. So I went to God and told him I would do anything if he would remove the sin from my heart and heal my lungs, and he has done it. Praise his dear name ! I will love him as long as I live. Pray for me and mine. Your sister in Christ." From Ohio. " Dear Friend: It has been about three weeks since I sent far your paper. It was prompt, and so full of truth that I read some of it over two or three times. I feel it would be a great help to some of the brothers so I will send for three papers for ten weeks [ names of his friends were included]." From Nova Scotia. " Gentlemen : En-closed find money order $ 1.00 for which kindly send me your publication; The Gos-pel Trumpet, a copy of which I have seen and of which I approve. I need the com-plete trust: the consecration of myself to God of which you write. My awn heart condemns me. Pray for me." From Ohio. " Dear Brother: There was a sainted brother gave me a sample copy of your beloved Christian paper and I am very much taken with its reading, for it is good spiritual food for the hungry soul. I praise the Lord for such papers to read, for they are full of the Holy Ghost re-ligion, that is something we have not : very much of in our part of the country. En-closed find ten cents for ten weeks sub-scription, and may the Lord bless you in all your efforts to advance the kingdom of our blessed Christ. Your brother in Christ Jesus." From Kentucky. " Dear Editor: I have been reading the gospel truths that your paper contains. I feel that it is the means of grace to me. I am a minister of the Methodist Church South. I have been im-pressed for a long time that all these dif-ferent denominations were a work of men not warranted by God's Word. I believe you have the Bible on your side, so in order that I may be fully on the Lord's side with you, please give me some information in regard to the proceedings of the church. I believe God wants me to work on that line. I believe there is too much formality in our churches and I want to get with the band that is clear and clean for God. I send you my subscription for the Gospel Trumpet with others. Please send them at once as I am interested very much." From South Carolina. " Dear Brother : I ask for some information. I am called to teach the true gospel of Jesus Christ and I have been teaching among what is called the Fire Baptized Holiness, and since I have been reading your papers and books I have learned the truth and they began to hate me. I know I have been baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, and I am living to all the light I have. Pray for me and give me some instructions." From Virginia. " Dear Sirs: A short time ago I staid all night with a friend that was sanctified and I read some tracts pub-lished by you and I found a great deal of truth in them and I want you to send me some of your literature and prices of your books. Be certain and send them if you please. Faithfully yours." We see by these letters we are receiving that there are many good honest hearts ready for the reception of the precious truth of God and we should not be dis-couraged in sending the papers, thinking perhaps they will be thrown away and it will be seed sown in vain, because while one might reject it and throw it aside, others will pick it up and it will turn to their salvation. We here give another letter, which will show that the blessings of the Lord can even be upon a piece of the Trumpet. From Missouri. " Dear Sirs : Please send me a few sample copies of your Gos-pel Trumpet commencing with the first number in the month. As I was doing my daily work to- day, cleaning the depot floor, I found a small piece of the Trumpet. I looked at it a moment and saw it just suited me, I then began looking for the ad-dress, as I want to become a reader." Truly if these reports give you the satis-faction, which it does to our hearts, you will also feel like making a- special effort while this special offer lasts. We trust that each one will take advantage of this re-maining opportunity and- fill out the en-closed blanks, as the Lard may direct., Remember that all lists must be dated and mailed to us not later than Feb. 15. Praying the blessings of the Lord upon all the Trumpet readers and the papers as they go forth, we are, faithfully your co-workers in the Lord. - Fire, Fire, Eternal Eire. MRS. V. CRI'kE, S. O UR mind has. been greatly stirred over the fact that hundreds of lives were recently lost in a large theatre in Chicago, because of the fear that they might be burned to death. We hear that they trampled each other down in their mad rush for life until hundreds lost their lives, not because of being burned to death but for fear of it. . A lid yet, a more terrible scene presented itself to our view and that was not only of hundreds but of millions who are rushing on down the dark way to (- A • ila, death in the lake of fire and brim-stone, which is the second death. Rev. 21 : S. And cry as loud as we may to warn them of the danger only a little ways ahead, only one now and then heeds the warning, and makes his escape. On, on they go, crushing down prayers and tears in their behalf. Yea, sermons, and songs, and warning after warning from God direct, have sonic of them received, all' to be crushed under their feet while they rush right on toward the eternal fire instead of away from it. - Oh, sleeper, will you not awaken to the doom of thy soul, thy precious soul, thy never- dying soul. Most all people seem to be dreadfully alarmed at the thought of being burned to death in this world, and yet they suffer the devil to closely draw the veil of carnal pleasures over their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes the things that await them in the future, and also close their ears, lest they should hear the gospel of glorious salvation from all sin and be converted. Reader, do you not hear the judgment thunders in the distance? Nearer and nearer they are sounding to warn you to flee the wrath to come. Ere long the floods of God's wi ath will be poured out upon this ungodly world. They that have not before had their sins washed away in the blood of Jesus, will be turned into hell with all the nations that forget God. Psa. 9: 17. 0 reader, have you ears to hear, and eyes to see ? Do you hope somehow to escape at that last great day ? If so, where is your ground for hope ? Remember the rich man and Laz:. arus, and the ten vir& ins, five of which were wise and five were foolish. Mat. 25. " Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Ver. 41. Think of the one who came to the marriage not having on the wedding garment, how the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and east him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. Mat. 22. The call comes to all, but only a few are willing to meet the condi-tions of God ' s 1Word and get clothed in the pure, white, spotless garments of salvation. And to you, cold professor, what is your hope of heaven, if the luke warm are to be spewed out ? No doubt it is more pleasant now to sit idly by your own warm fire- side while others go forth to suffer and sacri-fice home comforts to rescue the perishing, but what will the reaping be? Go work to-day in my vineyard, are the Master's words. Are you doing with your might what your hands find to do? Or will you save yourself any inconvenience and think more of those horses which you say are consecrated to God, than you do of perish-ing souls? If such is the ease, rest assured your prospects of entering the celestial city are small indeed. Be not deceived. If you have lost your first love for God's work, beware, for he will have somewhat against thee, and unless thou repent he will come quickly and remove thy candlestick out of its place. Rev. 2. Read verses 2, 3, and 4 of this chapter and judge yourselves. Oh, what darkness will enshroud your poor deceived soul ! Oh, what anguish: yea, bitter anguish will you realize if you awake on eternity's morn to find yourself in the lake of fire, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. May God help dear souls to awaken now to the doom of their soul and be ready for the last great day, when God will take vengeance on the wicked and those who have left their first love. If there were more lands and crops, and horses and stock of all kinds given up to God's control, there would not be so many earthly treasures of pro-fessed Christians to be consumed ( when this old earth shall be burned up) at a complete less to the holders thereof. Many more might be rescued from the eternal fire, if we had more means to be used far God's work. Do we hear the wards of that old song echoing and reechoing in our ears, " Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save ?" Man's Responsibility. BY E. A. REARDON. W E are all passengers from time to eternity and shall soon stand be-fore the judgement- seat of Jesus Christ; " that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he bath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Car. 5: 10. The very fact that God has set before us life and death, and has given us liberty and power of choice ( Dent. 30: 19), is sufficient evidence that we are very responsible beings. God has done his part by making a way of escape through the plan of salvation. " It is finished" were the words of Jesus on the cross. Since the Savior died what an immense weight of responsibility rests upon us all. The plan is perfect; the way to heaven is plain; God is merciful, and whosoever will may be saved. What more could the Lord do? Surely it ought not to be hard for people to believe that God loves us when he has proved it by such a sacrifice. Too few un. -: derstand what is expected of them. It is so easy to shift responsibility, or to turn aside from it without looking it square in the face. It will pay us all to see things as they are, and, with the fear of the Lord upon our hearts, give them due considera-tion, lest we miscalculate and help the en-emy deceive us. There is too much at stake for us to lightly treat eternal mat-ters. Too many enter upon the serious things of a Christian life without duly counting the cost. The staunchest, most unwavering and useful Christian charac-ter is never based upon excitement, fancy or unreality, but upon a. cool and wise con-sideration of eternal things as they are in truth. - God's dealings with us leave us abso-lutely without any excuse if we are lost in the end. If, in the last day, we hear the dreadful sentence, " Depart from me," we shall have to own it is our fault. Many who have not looked at things as they are, and who have not shouldered up the respon-sibility that belongs to them will be as-tonished and surprised when the last hour comes, and perhaps will say, " I did not know it meant so much." We can not blame God, men nor the devil if we go to Continued on page fine. SPREADING THE TRUTH. THE TEN- CENT OFFER ON THE GOSPEL TRUMPET HAS CARRIED HOPE AND COMFORT INTO THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES. WHAT SOME HAVE TO SAY OF THE TRUMPET. . THE GOSPEL TRUMPET. Moundsville, W. Va., Jan. 28, 1904. A WEEKLY HOLINESS JOURNAL. Entered at the Post- office at Moundsville, W. Ta., as Second- class Matter. E. E. BYEUM. Editor. A. L. Brims Office Editor. Contributing Editors: H. M. RIGGLE . . . . Cambridge Springs, Pa. CHAs. E. ORR . Federalsburg, Md. T. C. BLANEY Lemieux, Ont. J. W. BYERS Lodi, Cal. GEO. L. CoLE 7300 Stewart Ave., Chicago. Published by GOSPEL TRUMPET CO. BEITNITE, RADICAL, and ANTI- SECTARIAN, sent forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the publication of full Salvation, Divine Healing of the body, and the Unity of all true Christians in " the faith once delivered to the saints." Subscription price, postage paid, United States, Canada, and Mexico, 81.00 Foreign Countries, $ L50 Expressed in English Currency, Os. 2d. " " German Currency, . 6mark 18pf. 01- All subscriptions must be paid in advance. In about two weeks after your subscription is re-ceived, receipt and credit of same will be shown by the address label attached to your paper or wrapper. The date on the label is your best receipt, and should be watched. In case we fail to extend the date prop-erly, notify us at once. 1 Jan. 5 means that your subscription is paid to Jan. 1, 1905; 23 Dec. 4 means Dec. 23, 1904, etc. Papers without date are free. Business Communications, moneys, etc., must be addressed to GOSPEL TRUMPET COMPANY, Moundsville, W. Va., to insure credit; otherwise we will not be responsible. We must keep God's commandments. Jesus himself said that the Father's commandment is life everlasting. He said again that his own words are spirit and life. To keep his commandments is a proof of our love to him, a proof that we know - him, a . proof that the truth is in us, and a proof that we are not deceived. John 14: 21; 1 John 2: 3, 4; Jas. 1 : 22. Many are running in the race, but some will not get the prize, because they are not running the right way. We must run the way of his commandments ( Psa. 119: 32) if we expect the prize. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall be accepted of God at the last day, but only those who have heard the sayings of Jesus and kept them. To hear them and not do them is like building a house on the sand which will be thrown down; but to hear them and do them is like building a house on a rock, which will stand firm. - - Do not allow Satan to deceive you by saying it is not necessary to obey all his commandments, for James said if a man keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all. Neither allow him to deceive you by saying that we can not keep them, for the beloved John said that his commandments are not grievous. Some would have us think that it is a hard thing to keep God's commandments, but those who get their hearts right with God find that his yoke is easy and his burden light, just as the Word tells us it is. Let us always possess an experience that rejoices at God's Word, delights in his truth, and our lot will not seem hard. David said that God's commandments were his delight, and that he loved them, and if David could delight in them and love them, we can too if we will. number of subscribers in each state and the amount that each state is required to pay in order to remove the indebtedness. Alabama. . 278. $ 683.88. Alaska. . • . . 3. 7.38. 11. 27.06. Arkansas. . 168. 413.28. California. . . 299. 735.54. Colorado. . 88. 216.48. Delaware. 12. 29.52. Washington, D. C. . 6. 14.76. Florida. . • . . 80. 196.80. Georgia. . . 143. 351.78. Hawaiian Islands. . 2. 4.92. Idaho. . . 185. 455.10. Illinois . . . 433. 1,065.18. Indiana. . . 669. 1,645.74. Indian Ter. . . 157. 386.22. Iowa. . .172. 423.12. Kansas. . . 493. 1,212.78. Kentucky. . 258. 634.68. Louisiana. . . .171. 420.66. Maine. . . 29. 71.34. Maryland. . . 67. 164.82. Michigan. . . 733. 1,803.18. Massachusetts. . . 14. 34.44. Mexico. 1. 2.46. " Minnesota. 82. 201.72. Mississippi. . . 272. 669.12. Missouri. . 699. 1,719.54. Montana. 11. 27.0.6. Nebraska. . _ 175. 430.50. New Hampshire. 8. - 19.68. New Jersey. . . . 29. 71.34. New Mexico. 8. 19.68. New York . : 103. 253.38. North Carolina. . 122. 300.11. North Dakota. . . 69. 169.74. Ohio. . - 859. 2,113.14. Oklahoma. . . 289. 710.94. Oregon. . . 234. 575.64. Pennsylvania. . - 709. 1,744.14. Philippine Islands. . 6. 4.92. Rhode Island. . 6. 14.76. South Carolina. . 228. 560.88. South Dakota. . 24. UAL Tennessee. . _ 141. 346.86. Texas. . . 216. 531.36. Utah. . 7.38. Vermont. Virginia. . .145. 3576.7308. Washington. . . .344. 846.24. West Virginia. . . .343. 843.78. Wisconsin. . . 138. 339.48. Foreien. . .104. 255.84. Canada. . . 211. 592.86. Total. . _ 10,079. $ 24,794.34. - Jan. 28, 1004. 4 Paul said that the end of the command-ment is charity ( love) out of a pure heart, but by reading what love will do, we find that if we love God we will keep his com-mandments. " For this is the love of God, that ye keep his commandments." God could not afford to close his Word to man without putting in a good verse for us in the last chapter of Revelation. We can not misunderstand the beautiful and decisive language of John in the Book. " Blessed are they that do his command-ments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." Yes, my dear reader, God meant for us to keep his commandments. TIM GOSPEL Do you mean to keep them? If not, you will positively be left on the outside of the heavenly city, among the' dogs, sor-cerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and those who love and make lies. Oh, beware, beware I J. E. F. OFFICE ITEMS. The brethren left for India at 3: 05 P. M. on Thursday last week. Bro. and Sister Teasley are now with us, to remain during Bro. Byrum's absence. We have had a beautiful winter thus far, but a rise in temperature, with rain accompanying, has melted the snow in the upper Ohio Valley and western Pennsyl-vania, so that a very high flood is looked for. Sometimes these floods stop all rail-way and steamboat traffic, and in such a case we would. not be able to reach our readers on time with the Trumpet. We have finished the type- setting on Bro. Brown's book, and have begun on Bro. Byrum's new work on the Ordinances of the Bible. Would. say that we also ex-pect to reprint, with some modifications, our former tract on the New Testament ordinances. Many prayers have gone up in behalf of the work in India. It might be of in-terest to a great many to know that over $ 5,000.00 has been contributed by the dear brethren throughout the United States since the arrival of Bro. A. D. Khan last June. We are in receipt of a quilt from a sis-ter in Michigan. Bro. H. M. Riggle was with us a few days last week in the interest of manu-scripts for books and tracts. Questions Answered. Ques. Please explain Phil. 3: 12- 15. J. M. A. Ans. For the reader's convenience we will quote the reference entire. Ver. 12. " Not as though I had already attained,. either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Ver. 13. " Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are be-hind, and reaching forth to those things which are before." Ver. 14. " I press to-ward the mark for the prize of the high calling. of God in Christ Jesus." Ver. 15. " Let us therefore, as many- as be perfect, be thus minded : and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." The apostle in the preceding verses speaks of the resurrection of the dead. This is the subject he is discussing. The resurrection from the grave to a blessed immortality with all the hosts of heaven was a glorious theme to him. In another place of his writings he says, " If there be no resurrection I would of all men be most miserable." But he hoped in a resurrec-tion from the dead. He believed that this mortal should put on immortality. That he might be found in the righteousness of Christ in that day, he had suffered the loss of all things. In verse 12 he tells us he - had not yet won or received the expected prize namely, the resurrection from the dead, neither had he yet attained to a perfection which he expected to attain to in that day. This by no means denies him having a present experience of Christian perfection. There is a Christian perfection, and there is a glorified perfection. Christian perfec-tion is being fully saved from sin and being ready to meet God, while glorified perfection is when this corruption shall put on incorruption. The former experi-ence he enjoyed, and, the latter he held in blessed expectation and says, " I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." To apprehend is to seize, to lay hold upon. Christ laid hold upon him to bring him to his salvation and to the resurrec-tion from the dead, and now he follows after to lay hold upon that resurrection. He farther says, " I count not myself to TRUMPET-Future Prospects for the Further-ance of the Gospel. To the Brethren Everywhere : Our hearts swell with thankfulness and gratitude to God because of his wonderful blessings and prosperity upon the work. Especially is this manifest in the sending of a greater amount of holy literature into all parts of the world than ever before. We are living in a time when the earth is being flooded with poisonous books and tracts, and pa-pers, spreading death and destruction among the nations. But we rejoice to know that God has a plant located at Mounds-ville, W. Va., from which messages of heavenly truth, blasts of solemn warning, and pure doctrine, is being heralded as flying messages to every nation. This is effectually counteracting the work of the devil, and tens of thousands are now rejoicing in a Redeemer's love. It is a fact that the publishing house is used to a very large extent in carrying the present truth of the pure gospel to the ends of the earth. This work is the Lord's and ours, and therefore all are interested to see this mighty instrument of God, the publishing-house, prosper in its mission. It appeared to us that it would be very encouraging to the brethren and church at large, to have an exact statement as to the finan-cial prosperity of this part of the Lord's work, as everybody seemed burdened the last year to have all incumbrance in the way of indebtedness removed. Since the Moundsville camp- meeting last June a special effort has been made by both ministers and the brethren everywhere to liquidate the entire debt before May 1, 1904. These united efforts have been crowned with wonderful success. It was decided that for every dollar sent in as a donation in this direction one dollar's worth of literature should be sent out over the world where most needed. This is a wonderful offer. On May 1, 1903 the entire, indebtedness of the publishing work amounted to $ 41,437.50. Since that time- by the help of the Lord and the united effort of the church, the amount has been reduced to $ 24,794.34, Jan. 21. This makes a total amount paid in since the Moundsville camp- meeting $ 16,643.16. Thus $ 16,643.16 worth of holy literature has been distributed free to all parts of the earth during the lash eight months. At the same time the debt has been largely re-duced. Praise God for this great move. Eternity alone will tell the results. Now, brethren, let us by a special effort accom-plish what we started out to do, viz., liqui-date the entire debt before May 1, 1904. This can easily be done, and we believe the church ever y where will say amen. By a united effort this can be accomplished without any heavy burden upon any. There are 10,079 paying subscribers to the Gos-pel Trumpet. . These are distributed as follows by states and counties, showing the The average for each subscriber to pay in order to cancel the entire debt will be only $ 2.46. Brethren let us do this. While $ 2.46 would be the average amount for each one, there are some poor who may not be able to do much in this direction, while others of means can make up their lack. There are thirteen weeks before us, and let us put forth our ability in this direction for his glory, and the scattering of light all over the earth. Remember for the amount sent in on the debt, that amount will be sent out in free literature, consist-ing of papers, books, Bibles and tracts of our publications. Minister and workers who can make careful distribution of lit-erature are requested to send in your or-ders, and as fast as means come in, litera-ture will be sent you. Also tons can be sent to foreign fields, and effectually be used in opening up doors for salvation work. Thus in thirteen weeks we can send out $ 24,794.34 worth of gospel truth to the nations while we list the debt. A re-port will be given in the Trumpet every week of the amount sent in by each state and Canada for this purpose. A number of ministers presented subscription papers at the different camp- meetings during the summer,• and $ 12,872.10 in all was sub-scribed to be paid before May 1, 1904. Of this amount $ 4,914.00 has been paid. There still remains on the subscription list $ 7,958.10 unpaid. It is not best to put this matter off till the last . day. Let every-body see that the amount they subscribed on the papers is all in before May 1, 1904, as that is the date the books close each year. May God bless in basket and store, bodily and spiritual blessings all who have so freely given to the Lord of the first-fruits of all their increase, and upon. all who will continue to do so, is the humble wish and prayer of your servants and co-workers in the same cause, H. M. Riggle. D. 0. Teasley. have apprehended. He had not yet laid hold upon, or won the experience of the res-urrection. " But this one thing I do, for-getting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark far the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." In those days when this was written the Grecian games and Olympian races were not only an amusement but they were a passion. These are used in imagery of the Christian race. The Christian race must not only be a pleasure but a passion. The Olympian racers bend forward pas-sionately in the race to obtain a corrupt-ible crown. The Christian must bend forward with all the energy of his soul to obtain an incorrruptible crown. This is what the apostle means by " reaching forth," and " pressing toward the mark." The 15th verse is very significant to those who are not perfected in Christian experience. " Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded." It is only the perfect Christian that he would have to be mindful of the heavenly prize and to reach forth in desperation for the same. Those who are more or less in sin and not perfected are not allowed to enter the con-test. May the good. Lord help each reader to fully comprehend these things and stir up his soul to the giving of all diligence to make his calling and election sure. C. E. O. flan. 28, 10b4. IRE GOSPEL TRUMPET. 5 Man's Responsibility. Continued from page three. the lost world, for God does not want us to go there, and besides, he has devised a plan of salvation that will save us in spite of all that men and devils can do. This' salvation is positively devil- proof and will stand every test in any and all circum-stances of this life. People who are not decided for God and heaven can very eas-ily excuse themselves down to the lost world. God has a part in this matter and man has a part. We dare not lay on God that which belongs to us and then charge God with folly if we do not get through. Some do not know where they are, nor how they stand before God, their lives are without purpose and they are simply drifting along to eternity, somehow ex-pecting the Lord to pass them into heaven whether they do their part or not. God says, " Be not deceived." It is our busi-ness to know where we stand. It is our responsibility. Of course, after people get deceived, God has to lay a certain. amount of responsibility upon others in order that the deceived may get delivered; but, after people have had the light and have been warned of God and then get deceived, it is because that some place back in their experience God made them responsible and they rode over the check. If we sleep and drone our way into eternity, resting on " hope so's" and -" guess so's," living an uncertain and an unfaithful life, let us not expect to meet • od's face in peace. Let us not depend on the Lord to pass us through while we close our eyes to the re-sponsibility that belongs to us. Neither let us lean upon the prayers _ of others to save us when we ourselves have not done our part. We might look for a moment at the sin-ner's responsibility. God loves him and Jesus died for him, but the Word says, " Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55: 7. Suppose the sinner pleads the merits of Jesus' blood and begs God to pardon him freely but at the same time neglects, over-looks or refuses to do the forsaking of his way. Will God forgive him? He " will by no means clear the guilty." Ex. 34: 7. " He that covereth his sins shall not prosper : but whoso confesseth and' for-saketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28: 13. Who is it that shall have mercy ? Those who meet the conditions, confess and forsake. No one else can do this for the sinner. This is his responsibility. Let no one be so unwise as to think that God will let him into heaven in his sins. He is mer-ciful, but he never shows mercy contrary to his Word. To think that he will pass people through in their disobedience is a false idea of God's, mercy. Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Tim. 2: 19. Can a to-bacco slave justly ask God to deliver him from the habit if he will not give it up ? By the grace of God people can forsake their sins. A slave to the tobacco appe-tite once came to the altar for salvation. He said he had tried for two, years to quit but he could not. In course of our con-versation with him he made use of an ex-pression similar to this, " How can I quit it when I can not?" We told him God held him to forsake his way, and then asked him if God would require him to do something that he could not do. He said, " No." The devil had told him he could not forsake, and he had been believing it for two years. When he saw his responsi-bility and that he could forsake by the grace of God, he renounced the devil's lie, went to believing God, shouldered up his part and it was but a little while till he was gloriously delivered. God commands the sinner to repent, con-fess, forsake, forgive, make restitution to the extent of his ability, believe the gos-pel, and these things he can do by the grace of God. If the heart is hard and impenitent the Lord can break it up and grant repentance unto life, but the sinner must earnestly and diligently seek. " Seek ye the Lord." " Seek ye the Lord while he may be found." " He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." " Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to y
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