USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > Danville > Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Danville Association of Regular Baptists > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
.
language of David, Ps., ciii, 1-4; " Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who heal- eth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies."
2nd. He is not only the way, but he is the truth also. So to be without Christ is to be without truth-to have Christ is to have truth.
We may think like the rich man who trusted in the keeping of the law for salvation, but the Savior told him that would not do, for he himself was truth. I well recollect when I quit my swearing, and some of the worst habits I had, and thought God would save me for it; but I hope I found that was not truth, for Christ is the truth. My works were only the works of a poor sinner, and God would not accept them; therefore they are not truth; but to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ is to be clothed in truth, for he is the truth. Just so with all our obedience, keeping the ordinances, etc., -all fail to be true in point of salvation. It matters not how much we may love or trust in something else but Christ; the time will come when we will know it is false, it can not save, for God has declared by the prophet Jeremiah, xvii, 5; "Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm;" and 7th verse of the same chapter: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." This is true because he is blessed with Christ, and Christ is truth. If this be true, what a blessed hope the Christian has ! Truth, or Christ, to go with him here in this world of trials, afflictions, persecutions, and division that Satan with his wicked devices causes us to pass through ! But, dear children of God, as the apostle Peter would encourage us in his 1st epistle, 4th chapter and 12th verse :. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you." For it is no new or strange thing, and Truth, or Christ, is with you in them all, to sustain you and comfort you. Oh, what comfort he gives his dear children in this world of trouble ! And not only so, but father, mother, brothers, and sisters may forsake us, but truth, or Christ, says, I will be with you, and when you come to die I will not forsake you, but will take you from all your troubles to happiness-from earth to heaven; from sin to God.
Not only is he the way and the truth, but he is the life also. The Bible teaches that man in a state of nature is without eternal life, dead in trespasses and sins, away from God. He is not fit to be in the presence of God, because he is a sinner, and God is without sin. He loves sin and rolls it as a sweet morsel under his tongue. God hates it; so what the sinner loves God hates. Neither could he enjoy the presence of God if with him. So in that condition, he neither has will nor power to raise himself from that state to one higher, because he is dead in sin. He needs to be changed-he needs life eternal, which changes him from death to life.
Do not think we oppose good works. Not so. We only object to the use some men make of them, like Paul did of circumcision, as re- corded in Acts xv; also in Galatians. He did not object to circumcision, but to the use they made of it. They concluded that except they were cir-
-
S
1
cumcised, and kept the law of Moses, they could not be saved. Just so now. Some conclude except they do something, (it matters not what that is, ) they can not be saved. But Paul said neither circumcision nor un- circumcision availeth any thing, that is, in point of salvation. Just so in regard to what we do, or do not do. It has nothing to do with giving eternal life, or saving us. But we must be born again-made new creat- ures in Christ. We may believe that by our obedience we receive eter- nal life, but that can not be, for that would make our obedience the way of salvation, and Christ says, "I am the way." We may take our obe- dience, or service, and that of others, one by one, "although we may have trusted in them, they can not save. It is the child of God that obeys acceptably, not the dead sinner. The ordinance of baptism, the Lord's supper, the preached word, the Sabbath-school, the Bible, and many other things we might speak of, all fall together in point of salva- tion. They can not give eternal life, for Christ says, St. John, x, " My sheep hear my voice," etc., "and I give unto them eternal life." In fact, he is eternal life himself. Paul said to the Colossians in the third chapter and third and fourth verses, "For ye are dead, a d your life is hid with Christ in God; when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
So we see we are not saved by or through these forms of service, for that would make them the way of salvation, and Christ says, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Then the only way to go to God is by Christ. We can not go to
God by joining some church. The church was intended for something else. We can not go by the Bible. God designed it for something else. Just so by baptism, the preached word, communion, feet washing, and every other act. These are not to take us to God, because the Savior says, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." Yes, no man. The high, the low; the rich, the poor; the learned, the unlearned: a// have to go to God by Christ, if at all. By nature all men are sinners, dead in sin, far from God, without eternal life, and have to die and leave this world and go into eternity. But, blessed be God, the Scriptures open to our minds a way to go to God! Yes, it presents Christ as a Savior for poor sinners like us. Jesus says, " I give unto them eternal life." Then something else does not do it. I care not where we are, or what we are doing, it is for Christ the Holy Spirit to give eternal life to the dead sin- ner. We may be at home or abroad, on land or on sea, by ourselves or in a crowd, when we are quickened or made alive. But it is not where we are, not what we are doing, that gives life; but it is the Spirit that quickens. We may be sitting under the preaching of the gospel, or at the dance, when life is given; but, bear in mind, it is not the preach- ing nor the dance that gives life, but the Spirit.
Let us think for a moment what a Savior we have; that not only while in our best acts and humblest position while in rature, but even in our most wicked acts, he can touch our hearts; with his spirit he can give life; when dead in sin, can quicken us together with Christ, (not something else.) By grace are we saved. Dear children of God, do we experimentally realize this as a truth? If so, then comes the services which tell of the work of grace in the heart. Our baptism tells our faith
£
mio
in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. And the gospel comes to us, with all its blessed promises, as it tells all that Christ has done for us, and we by faith lay hold of them. Oh, what comfort it gives our poor hearts! Dear brethren, here is the way which our text speaks of. Not only the spirit can go to the Father, but also the way our bodies can be saved. I know they will die and go to the grave. Our friends may take us to the graveyard and bury us out of their sight, as we have ours, there to rest from all the troubles of this life, but He can raise them from the tomb Christ says, in John xi, 25, "I am the ressurection and the life;" and in John v, 28, " Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice: and shall come forth." Again, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, in Rom. viii, 11: " But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Also, in I Cor. xv; " This mortal must put on immortality," etc. We might refer to many . other scriptures, but we must forbear, for we are getting too lengthy. Oh, blessed hope in the resurrection! He is the way; both soul and body go to God-as much the one as the other. He is the Rock of my salvation; in truth he is our salvation. With such a hope as this, let me exhort you, dear brethren and sisters, to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, not in order to be saved, but because he has manifested himself to you as your Savior. Yes, we need thee, precious Jesus, for we are full of sin. But we trust in thee to take us away from this world of trouble, away from sin, to the Father, there to enjoy thy peaceful presence throughout eternity. Live together in love and peace, and may the God of love and peace be with you and guide you in all truth with his blessed people elsewhere, is our prayer. Amen. LEVI T. BUCHANAN.
P O. Addresses of Ministers.
E. D. Thomas Danville, Hendricks Co., Ind.
W. S. Fisher
Advance, Boone Co., Ind.
Allen McDaniel .Royalton, Boone Co:, Ind.
E W. Thomas Danville, Hendricks Co., Ind.
L. B. Ragan Haughville, Marion Co., Ind.
M. Mastern Mt. Meridian, Putnam Co., Ind.
A. G. Fields . Wheaton, Ind.
J. F. Keency. Rainstown, Hendricks Co., Ind.
T. J. C. Sparks Brownsburg, Hendricks Co., Ind.
L. T. Buchanan New Maysville, Putnam Co., Ind.
John R. Daily . Lizton, Hendricks Co., Ind.
G. W. Dodson .. Snyder, Ill.
George S. Joseph (licentiate). Lizton, Ind.
J. O. Denman (licentiate) . Rosedale, Parke Co., Ind.
Yearly Meeting.
A yearly meeting will be held at Salem church on the third Satur- day and Sunday in May, 1892, to be attended by Eld. J. H. Oliphant.
F
STATISTICAL TABLE.
CHURCHES.
Days of meeting.
NAMES OF MESSENGERS.
Received by Experi-
ence and Baptism. Received by Letter.
Received by Relation.
Dismissed by Letter.
Total Membership
Money for Minutes.
Money for Corres- pondence.
Providence.
Not represented ..
31
----
Palestine ...
Eld. L. T. Buchanan. D. T. Darnell, John D. Hart
79
$2 00
----
Mt. Pleasant
1
Eld. E. D. Thomas. Eld. E. W. Thomas, J. T. Dodson
1
63
1 50 1 32
Big White Lick ...
4| Wm. Symmonds, B. C. Symmonds, N. Huddleston
91
1 00
----
Mt. Tabor ...
2 | Eld. Allen McDaniel. Eli Smith, Albert F. Smith
31
1 50
1 55
Abner's Creek _.
1
Eld. L. B. Ragan. T. B. Jones, John A. Hufford ..
3
73
1 85 - --
Danville ..
Mareen Stuart, Charles R. Thompson. James Conn James Martin, R. Calhoon. Wm. Oliphant
2
80
2 25 1 05
Little Flock.
L. C. Northout, George S. Joseph. Wm. Harrison
12
1 00
Mt. Zion.
Eld. John R. Daily, R. J. Foster, John W. Clark J. O. Denman ..
3
61
1 75
Bethany .
Not represented
112
First Friendship __
1
G. W. Barber, John W. Eggers
61
1 25 -
Vermillion
4
Not represented ..
130
Bethel __
1
G. A. Harlow, J. R. Harlow. D. T. Harlow
21
45
Otter Creek.
Letter but no messengers
20
50
1 50
Second Friendship Salem.
3
G. J. Menifee. C. Roark, W. C. Frazee ..
60
1 00
Mt. Moriah
1
Eld. W. S. Fisher. W. H. Reeves. J. T. Fisher
18
1 00
Mt. Calvary
4
John Plunkett, R. B. Sanders. S. Russell
3
14
75
Eel River ..
John C. Layne. B. Beaman, D. M. Hunter.
1
5.
12
50
2
16
50
Second Liberty ... 2
Cyrus Stephenson.
Total
26 8 4 3 21 37 19 1214 $23 20 84 77
NAMES OF DECEASED MEMBERS.
Mt. Pleasant-Sarah West .. Big White Lick-Elizabeth Holtzclaw Jane McBee. Danville-Lucinda Christie.Jane K. Moon. Mt. Tabor-Elizabeth Roberts. Antioch-Jacob Dinsmore. Bethel-Joseph Graham. Offer Creek -Margaret Hoff. Second Friendship-Wm. B. Richardson. Jane Barker. Salem-Sarah M. Mathews. Nancy Newham. Surah E. Newham. Mt. Moriah-Martha Brewer, Dennis McFaddin. Elizabeth Elmore. Mt. Meridian-David uunter. Sr. Eel River-Sarah Tilley.
2
13
50
85
Antioch ..
19
75
First Liberty
W. M. Craven, G. W. Milhon. T. D. Richardson
52
1 00
Mt. Meridian.
2
Eld. M. Masten. Ezekiel Moore, Johnson Herod
3 3 138211 1
47
1 50 - -
-
1
Excluded.
Restored.
Deceased.
$ _.
1
1
20
I
IMAA MODERATE
MINUTES
OF THE
Sixty Ninth, Annual Meeting
OF THE
Danville Association
REGULAR BAPTISTS
HELD WITH
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH,
Hendricks County, Indiana,
September 7, 8 and 9, 1897
:1897: CHURCH ADVOCATE PRINT FT BRANCH IND
ПО ИЗАДА ЦИМЕТРУ
HEMALATTA CATIENCE
J
MINUTES
OF THE
Sixty Ninth Annual Meeting
OF THE
Danville Association.
REGULAR BAPTISTS
HELD WITH
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH.
Hendricks County, Indiana,
September 7, 8 and 9, 1897
1897 CHURCH ADVOCATE PRINT FITBRANCH IND.
£
ТУЛАЯЕГОГанСЯ Я УТАНОВ ИЗЛІВ ОНА ЗМ
ИЗМИтаТТА M El_А
MINUTES
OF THE
Sixty Ninth Annual Meeting
OF THE
Danville Association,
REGULAR BAPTISTS
HELD WITH
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH
Hendricks County Indiana,
September 7, 8 and 9 1897
1897 CHURCH ADVOCATE PRINT FT BRANCH IND
YAARELİ 118U9 3
3
MINUTES
Of the Sixty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the Danville Association, of Regu- ular Baptists, held with Mt. Pleasant Church, Hendricks County, Indiana, on September 7, 8 and 9, 1897.
Tuesday's Session.
1. The Association met pursuant to adjournment at 10 o'clock. Introductory prayer and sermon by Elder John R. Daily. Text, Isa. xxv, 6. 7, 8.
2. The letters from the churches were read, and the messengers' names and statistics were recorded in the sub- joined statistical table :
CHURCHES.
Meeting Days
MESSENGERS',
NAMES.
Rec'd by Baptism .
Received by Letter
Rec'd by Relation.
Restored :
Dismissed by Letter
Excluded .
Deceased .
Total Membership.
Money for Minutes.
Money for Corresp.
Providence
3
A. S. Byrd, and L. H. Stewart,
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 28 1 00 0 00
Palestine.
Mount Pleasant. -
1
Mount Tabor . 2
Abners Creek . 1
Danville .
2 Mareen Stewart, Allen Jones, J. F. Conn.
3
0
0
0
0 1 84
1 50 12 50
Little Flock. 1 James Martin, and Eras- mus Oliphant.
2
0
0
0
0
0 37 50|0 00
Antioch
2 Elder George S. Joseph, and Silas Graham.
2
0
1
0
0 1 38
1 00 0 00
Mount Zion. 3 R. J. Foster, Wm. Tharp and J. W. Clark. -
0 0 60 1 50 1 25 2 0 0 0
2 0
0
0
0
0 0,16 50,0 00
5
0
0
0
0 2 90 1 700 00
Bethel.
1 D.C. Adams, A.A. Web- ster, A. L. Webster. Eld. A. G. Fields, John Cox, Geo. W. Barber. E. H. Carter, J. R. Har- 4 low, G. A. Harlow.
2
0
0
0
0 1|24 75/0 00
0
0
0
0
0 0 48 0 00 0 00 0
1
0
0
0
0 1153 1 00 0 00
Salem. 4 Wm. Symmonds, W. C. Frazee.
2
0
0
0
0
2
0 59 1 0010 00
Mount Moriah . 1
3
0
0
0
· 0
0 1 47 1 00 0 00
2
0
0
0
0
0 0/19 75 0 00
1 17 75 0 00
0
0) 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 12 0 00 0 00
.
·
·
.
.
$ $
0 0
0
0
1
0 0 83 1 65 4 00
1 0
1
0
0
0 1 63 1 25 2 50
0
0 1 0 55 1 25 0 0 00 0
1
0
0
0
2
0 1 71 1 60 0 00
2104.
Bethany .
First Friendship 1
Otter Creek. 4 No Messenger.
Sec'd Friendship 2
J. N. Richardson, and J. C. Stout.
J. F. Mason, Elijah Brewer, W. H. Reeves C. P. Beadle, John Ma- son, Elder M. Masten. Eld. W. S. Fisher, Lar- kin Wise, B. Sanders. No messenger.
0
Eel River
4 L. T. Buchanan, J. Polk Christie, D. T. Darnall Eld. E. D. Thomas, J.T. Dodson, E. F. Christie Eld. John R. Daily, Jas. Shirley, A. F. Smith. Eld. L. B. Ragan, J. M. Parks, T. B. Jones.
5
--
Mount Meridian. 12
Mount Calvary. 4
286. Dai H14
UT 343
1912462
-- 2-
3. After an intermission of one hour the Messengers met for business, and after introductory prayer by Elder W. O. Parker, became organized by electing Elder J. R. Daily, Moderator, and Elder E. W. Thomas, Clerk.
4. The door of the Association was announced open for the reception of churches. None offered.
5. Corresponding Letters were called for as follows :
(1) White Water, letter received by the hand of her messengers, Elders W. O. Parker and A. W. Hackleman, and Brethren H. R. Matthews, John Hackleman, and. Jos. Hendricks. (2) Mt. Pleasant, no letter or messenger. (3) Salem, no letter, but her messengers received, to-wit: Elders Lemuel Potter, Archie Brown, and A. A. Shoultz. (4) White River, letter presented by the hand of her mes- sengers, Elders M. G. Mitchell and Thomas Mitchel, jr., and Brother John Graves. (5) Blue River, no intelligence (6) Conn's Creek, no intelligence.
6. The Circular Letter called for, read, and referred to a committee consisting of the Moderator, Clerk, and Eld- er L. B. Regan ; said committee to arrange business for Thursday.
7. By motion and second the Association agrees to have four discourses tomorrow, and the following breth- ren were elected : Elders Lemuel Potter, A. A. Shoultz, Archie Brown, and J. H. Fisher.
8. Brethren G. A. Harlow, Albert Smith and W. C. Frazee are appointed as a committee on Finance; the mon- ey for minutes and correspondence was given to the com- mittee.
9. Appointed Elder L. B. Regan to write a General Corresponding Letter.
10. Adjourned to meet Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. Prayer by Elder L. E. Thomas.
Wednesday's Services.
A very large concourse of people assembled in the grove, and were first addressed by Elder Lemuel Potter, from Isa. xxvi, 1, 2, who spoke comfortingly to God's
sorster
THT
£
children of their security in Christ Jesus. Elder A. A. Shoultz spoke next from I. Cor. x, 1, 2, by which he showed that immersion was the only scriptural mode of believers' baptism. After an intermission of one hour, Elder Archie Brown addressed the people from Rom. ix, 15, 16, showing clearly from the Scriptures that salvation is of God's mercy. Elder J. H. Fisher closed the services. by using Acts, ii, 37, exhorting to obedience and practical godliness. It was truthfully said, "God is in our midst."
Thursday's Session.
The Association met at nine o'clock and was opened with prayer by Elder M. G. Mitchell.
1., Bill of arrangements reported and adopted.
2. Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum read.
3. Names of messengers called and statistics correct-
4. Circular Letter reported without change and adopted, and ordered printed with the minutes.
5. Corresponding Letter called for, read, and re- ceived.
6: Messengers to Corresponding Associations were appointed as follows :
(1) White Water, Elders E. W. Thomas, L. B. Ra- gan, and J. R. Daily, and Brethren W. C. Frazee, James Shirley, T. B. Jones, R. J. Foster, and C. L. Belcher.
(2) Inasmuch as we have received no intelligence from the Mt. Pleasant association, and our correspondence is of no utility to them or us, therefore, we drop corres- pondence with them for the present.
(3) Salem, Elder J. R. Daily, and R. J. Foster.
(4) White River, Elder L. T. Buchanan, E. W. Thomas, W. S. Fisher, J. R. Daily, and M. Masten, and Brethren Wm. Symmons, J. F. Conn, W. C. Frazee, J. P. Christie, L. H. Stuart and John Hart.
TTA TUY B ТИЗНЫХ
الخامسة
1
URN EMYA
-- 4
(5) Blue River, upon the information that they had dropped correspondence with us, their name was dropped from our minutes,
(6) Conn's Creek, Elders L. B. Ragan and George S. Joseph.
7. Elder M. Masten was chosen to write the next Circular Letter.
8. : Agreed to hold the next Association with Bethel church, Tipton county, Ind., commencing on Friday before the first Saturday in September, 1898. Those coming from the north or south will get off at Sharpsville, on the L. E. & W. R. R., and those from the east or west at Kempton.
9. . The Finance committee reported as follows: For minutes, $18.70, and for correspondence, $10.25-the lat- ter distributed as follows : Elder. J. R. Daily, $5.25, and Elder E. W. Thomas, $5. 4 The report is received and the committee discharged.
10. The following memorial was read and received, and ordered printed with the minutes :
MEMORIAL.
We deeply feel our loss in the death of Elder E. D. Thomas, which occurred June 16, 1897, and Elder Allen MeDaniel, which occurred last October. The former had long served us as Moderator, and with untiring zeal sought the good of our cause. Both had for many years served our churches humbly and faithfully in preaching the precious gospel of Jesus our Savior, among us. Their lives were such as becomes the followers of Jesus, and they have left a bright example for the Elders and mem- bers who survive. We bow in humble submission to Al- mighty God in this matter, and earnestly pray his blessing to remain with us in supplying us still with faithful men. We sympathize deeply with sisters Thomas and McDaniel, and their families, and pray that our blessed Savior may be their stay, and enable them to bear with Christian for- titude their deep affliction. While the loss of these dear ones has produced a vacancy in our ranks, the thought of which fills our hearts with grief, yet we mourn not as those that have no hope, knowing that they have passed
-
W
TOTETo
1
0
10
0
from labor to a rest beyond, and trusting that we shall fol- low them when our labors below are ended.
11. The Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum be printed in the minutes.
12. "By motion and second the Association adjourned to meet with Bethel church on Friday before the first Sat- urday in September, 1898, at 10 o'clock.
ELDER J. R. DAILY, MODERATOR. ELDER E. W. THOMAS, CLERK.
GENERAL CORRESPONDING LETTER.
The Danville Association of Regular Baptists, now in session with Mt. Pleasant church, Hendricks County, Ind., on Sept. 7, 8, 9, 1897, to the sister associations with whom we correspond, sendeth this our annual message of love and fellowship :
We have received intelligence from the churches com- posing our association. Peace abounds, with some degree of interest, and the Lord is still adding the little lambs to his fold as in the beginning. We received intelligence from all the associations with whom we correspond, except Conn's Creek, either by letter or messengers. All of whom were invited to seats in council, and we were made glad and caused to rejoice in our hearts, to hear the glo- rious gospel of salvation proclaimed by your ministers. We have also a number of visiting ministers with us pro- · claiming the same gospel. salvation by grace. But amidst our rejoicing, our hearts are made sad by the absence of some we have long since learned to love. The Moderator of our association, whose presence and words have gladden- ed many hearts ; a father in Israel indeed, a counsellor has been called from labor to reward. May we remember his counsel, and be faithful until the end as he. Elder Allen McDaniel has also been called from our midst. One we highly esteemed for the work's sake. May we bow in hum- ble submission, remembering that "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
-
-
-6-
We earnestly request a continuation of your corres- pondence. Fare-ye-well.
ELDER J. R. DAILY, MODERATOR.
ELDER E. W. THOMAS, CLERK.
CIRCULAR LETTER.
Very dear brethren, according to custom and ap- pointment of the association, you will expect something in the form of a circular letter. And for a subject up- on which to write, we have selected that of love. The apostle says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but ' that He loved us and gave His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." John, iv, 10, 11. There is no word that ever saluted the ear of men or angels that contains so much as that of love, especially. God's love. It is the ground of all praise to God by men or angels, for God is love, and for this great love wherewith He loved. us, even when we were dead, hath He quickened us together with Christ; and so great was this love that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, and at this love men and angels have been astonished. The inspired apostle says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath be- stowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God." And the poet understood something of the same love when he composed the following lines :
"Love is the golden chain that binds The happy souls above, And he's an heir of heaven that finds His bosom glow with love."
We hear him by the mouth of the prophet, saying, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." Dear breth- ren, if we have been made the happy recipients of His . . love, we are His children, and are born of God, for "Whosoever loveth is born of God." Jerusalem above, which is free, is the mother of us all. Then we are the
-
E
-
sons of God; and if sons, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. All the blessings and privileges of His kingdom here below are ours to enjoy, while we re- main in the flesh, and when the scythe of death shall mow us down, we shall be gathered home in that spirit-world, there to await the resurrection morn, when these mortal bodies of ours shall come forth and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be fashioned like his glorious body, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Dear brethren and sisters, can you remember when this great love first found its way into your bosom, and took away that stony heart and gave you a heart of flesh? If so, be of good cheer, for this is the Lord's work, and marvelous in our eyes. It was then you could sing with the poet :
" 'Twas the same hand that spread the feast That sweatly forced me in, Or I had still refused to taste, And perished in my sins." .
Thus, "we love Him because He first loved us." In view of such love as this, what manner of persons ought we to be? Shall we neglect our church meetings and plead bad weather or bad roads? Or if we have some little hardness against a brother or sister, shall we stay . away from church on that account and tell all the neigh- bors about the matter, instead of going to that brother or sister in the spirit of our Master, and trying to effect reconciliation as our Lord directed? Dear brethern, if any of us have been guilty of these things, let us do so no more, but let us cultivate this principle of love and endeaver to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Labor for the peace and welfare of each other, and when we meet at church and our minister fails to come, let us engage in a word of prayer, and exhort one another to every known duty; select a moderator and transact the necessary business of the church. . In this way we exhibit our love to our heavenly Father, and to each other, and let our light shine, that others seeing our
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.