EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE OF ELDER DAVID BARTLEY 2...

[ed. We continue with Elder David Bartley's experiences during his early life.]

EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE OF ELDER DAVID BARTLEY. 1...

INTRODUCTION

THE GENTLE READER may want to know the motive and aim of the author in offering this humble tribute to the brotherhood; therefore I may briefly say, the motive is neither ambitious nor selfish, but to glorify God; and the aim is, to both admonish and encourage His dear and loving children, especially the young soldiers of the Cross.

THE LOVE OF THE WORD "REFORMED"...

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11)

TOUGH NUTS FOR AN ARMINIAN TO CRACK...

[ed. This is from a pamphlet published by Elder J.B. HardyElder J. H. Hardy was born near Greensburg, Mo., November 15, 1875. He was married to Sue Wheeler, July 13, 1897. Elder Hardy graduated from the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., in 1898, and in 1901 he located at Lamar, Colo., where he united with the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in November 1902. Sister Hardy united with the same church in July 1903. at the turn of the 20th century.]

PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP...

CORRESPONDENCE

Montgomery, Ala., Jan. 25, 1902.

Mrs. T. E. Cole – Dear Sister In Christ: – Your very interesting and good letter was indeed a pleasant surprise to me, and I am glad that you were enabled to write so much and so well, for it has been to my comfort. I can understand and enter into your feelings and sorrowful experiences, as expressed in your letter, and sympathize with you in those trials of faith.

FORGIVING MEANS FORGETTING...

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8-14)

CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE...

Obedience is an obligation arising from existing relationship, and the nature of the relationship establishes the extent of the obedience. If a very limited relationship only exists, the obligation of obedience must be equally limited.

CURSED BE CANAAN...

Brother Kennard requests my views through the Signs on Genesis 9:25, 26.

EXPERIENCE OF DAVID BARTLEY...

BORN AGAIN.
Fifty years ago this afternoon the holy Father gave me faith in Jesus, and revealed him to me as The Lord my Righteousness. This revelation banished all fear, and filled my soul, with perfect love and peace. It was a, new world to me, and the darkness was past.

GOD IS OMNIPOTENT AND ACTIVE...

GOD reveals himself as both omnipresent and omnipotent, the almighty, who tills immensity and inhabits eternity.

ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS...

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” – Jer. 6:16.

PREDESTINATION...

Beloved Brethren: – Predestination is a prerogative of all intelligent beings, and God possesses it pre-eminently and infinitely, because he is infinite in all his perfections or attributes, while all others are finite and limited. But the Almighty is unlimited. These are primary and self-evident truths.

THIS IS ALL MY SALVATION...

“Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow” – 2 Sam. 23:5.

SACRIFICE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD...

The sacrifices which are acceptable unto God is a subject worthy of the earnest attention of the true worshippers; therefore I submit some thoughts upon it, trusting you will find them according to the testimony of the Lord.

THE MORAL RELATION OF MAN TO GOD...

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” – Gen. 3:16, 17.

THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD...

Omniscience – boundless knowledge. Omniscient – knowing all things. God only is omniscient, for he alone knoweth all things. All his intelligent creatures, whether men or angels, are greatly limited in knowledge, being finite in all their powers. Not so with God, who is unlimited in every perfection of his, for he is the infinite one. Infiniteness cannot be measured nor bounded, and therefore God is absolutely unlimited, both in his being and in all his faculties or powers.

THE POWER OF GOD - THE WEAKNESS OF MAN...

“For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION...

“Wherefore, my beloved, seeing ye have always obeyed, not am in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil. 2:12-13.

TIME SALVATION...

Beloved: – The Old Baptist people have long been troubled with the confusing doctrines of “means of salvation,” “means of grace,” and such like; but not until the present young generation rose up, who assume to be wise above all the fathers, has the confusing and uncertain Sound of “conditional time salvation“ been trumpeted forth in almost all the camps of Israel.

SUFFERING WITH CHRIST...

Beloved Brethren In Christ: – In mind and heart I have been much exercised recently upon the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, and today am impressed to write to the members of Christ upon this heart-touching theme, with the hope that they may be comforted with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, and that their confidence in him may be strengthened, and their love abound.

INFLUENCE...

BELOVED: – We do well to consider and understand why we do anything, or one thing instead of something else, and what it is that inclines and moves us to action in all we think and feel, say and do.

MODERN MOVEMENTS...

click to enlarge

Brother Beebe: – We are in a world of conflicting interests and contending parties. These act as causes producing feuds and turmoil. These embitter the sweets of social life, and blend their unhallowed influence in almost every circle of community.

TRUSTING GOD IN A TRANSLATION...

Some Christians worry about the translation of the Bible they use.  Thus, they try to become experts in the history of the version they use, the theology of the men who translated it and then, get involved in the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts they are based on.

THE MEANING OF GRACE...

BELOVED BRETHREN: – Does it seem meaningless to you that one should write upon the meaning of the simple word “Grace!” Yet it may not be labor in vain. The fact that a word is very common and simple, may incline us to pass over it slightly, and thus we may miss its deep and rich meaning; its strength and comfort.

PAUL THE CHIEF OF SINNERS...

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I Tim. 1:15)

JESUS WEPT...

Dear Brethren: – This verse (John 11:35), is the shortest and most expressive in the Bible. There is a volume of meaning in it.

JONATHAN EDWARDS: FATHER OF MISSIONS...

We wish to thank Bruce Gore, a Presbyterian elder, historian and an excellent lecturer, for the information we will use in this article.  We will post his YouTube presentation for those who wish to hear the lecture.

LONDON CONFESSION OF FAITH TINKERED UP...

Dear Brethren In The Faith Of God: – As the plea has been made that the meaning of English words, though plain and clear when used, yet becomes dark and obscure in later times, so it is with the declaration of the religious belief of the Baptists of the seventeenth century, in the year of our Lord, 1651, and published in the London Confession.

ELDER BARTLEY ON GOOD WORKS...

With your permission, beloved Editor, I feel moved to offer some thoughts to the household of faith upon good works, their nature, extent and use.

BARTLEY: THE FULTON CONVENTION...

REVIEW OF FULTON CONVENTION WORK

WORK. After a close and careful comparison of the entire work of the Fulton "National Convention" with the text of the London Confession, as published in a booklet by the Elders Kirkland, in the spirit of godly sincerity and charity I wish to review it impartially with peace and goodwill to all lovers of truth.

REMARKS ON EPHESIANS 1:3...

"Blessed be the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

CIRCULAR LETTER ON FREE WILL 1783 (SAMUEL JONES)...

[ed. Again another excellent circular letter from Samuel Jones of the Philadelphia Association and then Pastor of Pennepeck Church.]

The elders and brethren of the several churches, met in Association at Philadelphia, October 21st, 1783.  To the several churches to which we relate, send greeting.

NATURAL & CARNAL THE SAME?...

EXPLANATION OF THE TERMS: NATURAL & CARNAL.

BROTHER BEEBE: - Will you permit me to propose an answer for the consideration of brethren a little different from yours on page 113 of the SIGNS for Aug.1, 1848 – to the first of Elder Goldsmith’s^§ queries on page 115, same number. To your answer to the second query I have no objections.