CAUSES OF CRIME (BEEBE) 1845

[Does this situation sound familiar in the present time? - ed]

CIRCULAR LETTER OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION (BEEBE) 1843

[We include these comments to understand how this association was formed: 

Their first Association was formed in 1811; it consisted of fourteen churches, and was called the New Jersey Association. The Central New Jersey Association was formed in October, 1828, by the representatives of seven churches. The Sussex Association was formed in 1833, by four churches. The Delaware River Association was constituted in 1835, by Old-School, or Anti-Missionary Baptists; (through the infleunce of Elder Samuel Trott) its members were less than five hundred when the Association was organized, and they have not increased since that time. The East New Jersey Association was established in November, 1842, by fourteen churches. There are at present in New Jersey the following five Associations: the Central, East, North, Trenton, and West, representing 178 churches, with 31,936 members.

ed.]

CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. (CONCLUDED) BEEBE 1868

The word children always signifies relationship, derived and dependent existence, made manifest by the generation and birth of a life previously hidden in the loins of a progenitor, in the development of which the children derive their life from the parent.

THE CHERUBIM AND THE MERCY SEAT (BEEBE) 1866

 

Mr. Beebe: Please give your views of the Cherubim and the Mercy Seat, as set forth in Exodus 25. What do they represent or teach? Your compliance with this request will oblige. 

Hannah Miller. 
Penn Yan, N.Y. December 28, 1865.

AN OLD SINNER TO HIS BRETHREN (ELDER HEZEKIAH WEST) 1843

An old sinner to his brethren that are sinners, at the south, or west, or elsewhere May this be your consolation, that Jesus came to call not the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

EXPERIENCE (JOHN E. DAILY) 1886

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."— Col., ii, 8. 

ELDER RITTENHOUSE'S LATE THOUGHTS ON PREDESTINATION 1886

[It seems toward the end of his life Elder Rittenhouse began to wane on the doctrine of absolute predestination.  We agree with him that others who do not believe in it may be Christian and should be treated with kindness and affection. Yet we see nothing wrong with the term Predestinarian Baptists.  This term is meant to distinguish us from the silly term "Calvinists" since we follow no man.  As for absolute predestination, if there is no absolute predestination, there IS NO predestination. We also suppose it difficult to believe that Essau and Jacob are simply referring to "nations" and not individuals.  But we leave Elder Rittenhouse to speak in his own words. - ed.]

WELSH TRACT WEBSITE TUTORIAL 1 & 2

  

 

PRACTICAL GODLINESS 1886

Much has been talked about, preached, and written about "Practical Godliness," and some have gone so far as to say they want more practical godliness and less doctrine.

LETTER FROM ELDER DAVID BARTLEY 1886

[An early Letter from David Bartley.  He may not have been ordained yet. - ed]

EPHRAIM RITTENHOUSE ON REPENTANCE 1886

Dear Brother Respess: 

I notice in the February number of the Gospel Messenger that Elder Mitchell has turned over a request to some of the brethren to answer, mentioning my name, and thus rather especially turning the matter over to me.

TRAINING CHILDREN & SUNDAY SCHOOLS 2/2 1886

WHAT IS ASSUMED FOR SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 

TRAINING CHILDREN & SUNDAY SCHOOLS 1886 1/2

It is in vain to educate your children — vain to train them in mind and morals, with a view that it will prepare them for heaven. They must be born again; they must have spiritual life. 

CIRCULAR LETTER - THE NATURE, AND EFFECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE 1844

To the Churches composing the Licking Association of Particular Baptists, their Messengers wish grace, mercy, and peace multiplied:

Dearly Beloved Brethren and Sisters: - It occurs to us that we could not select a more appropriate subject, (because none possesses more intrinsic merit,) for our present annual address, than the Origin, Nature, and Effects of that warfare which so painfully disturbs the peace and quiet of the children of the regeneration.

JOHN H. SPENCER'S EXPLANATION OF ELDER THOMAS DUDLEY'S CHRISTIAN WARFARE VIEWS 1844

Editor's note: We do not agree with Spencer’s attack on Dudley's views, although he presented fairly accurately. Per Elder Crowley: "Spencer's line "The other family was created in, and simultaneously with Jesus Christ" seems that he thought Dudley was an Arian.  I thoroughly agree with this: 4. The nature of each of these families, is uniform and unchangeable. That of the natural man is wholly corrupt, and remains so perpetually, in every member of that family: That of the spiritual man is wholly pure, and can never be, in any degree, corrupted or tarnished." John H. Spencer, in his A History of Kentucky Baptists, wrote of T. P. Dudley's Circular Letter:

THE LORD ALONE OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (ELDER MIKAL SMITH) 2024

The whole of the gospel, its fullest and only truth is THE LORD ALONE OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

BEEBE ON WHETHER CHRIST WAS A CREATED BEING (BEEBE) 1860

[This will settle once and for all Beebe's and the Signs' views on the nature of Christ. - ed.]

WHEN WILL DEATH BE VANQUISHED? (ELDER EPHRAIM RITTENHOUSE) 1886

Dear Brother Respess: — 

Death has again entered our family circle. In less than five months since my companion was taken from me, we have been called upon to mourn another bereavement. 

CONCERNING WHETHER THE CHURCH SINNED OR NEEDED REDEMPTION (BEEBE) 1860

[This is one of the more profound articles we have published by Beebe.  It is worth your time to read it! - ed.]

FALLEN ANGELS 1840 (BEEBE)

Our attention has been called to the subject of the "angels which kept not their first estate," &c., by Brother Gaines, of Kentucky, who desires our views on Jude 6, and 2 Peter ii. 4. 

SUBSTITUTING CALVIN OR CALVINISM FOR GOD (SANTAMARIA)

[This is what happens when men are adored more than God - ed.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PASTOR G. REGARDING THE DEITY OF CHRIST (ODell) 5/5

FIFTH LETTER TO PASTOR G. 

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PASTOR G. REGARDING THE DEITY OF CHRIST (ODell) 3-4/5

 

FOURTH LETTER TO PASTOR G. 

MISSIONARY PRIESTCRAFT - NO PAY, NO PREACHER

Pay me well,
And I'll help save your souls from hell;
Or, like the swan.
When winter is coming on,
I to wanner climes must go,
For God has call'd me there to preach, 

I will let you know;
And before I on my journey wag, 

I must the reason Let you know, it is because I do
not get the bag.
For to work I am too grand
Then in the pulpit I will take my stand.
And there he speaks with artful guile,
The reason is he wants his pot his neighbor's
meat to boil.
His table richly clad and spread.
With the honest delver's bread;
And whether he wears coat or gown,
His preaching is for money down.
But money down men cannot always pay,
Then promises from church or boards will do a 

future day
Pray at this do not start,
For if I beg for you I must share a part,
And if I choose to foreign climes to go,
Whether God has call'd me there or no,
Money in my bag I most have,
To help me the people's souls to save.
Tho' Peter thro' Jewish cities took his tour,
And Paul the Asiatic coast did scour;
Yet for the bag these never went,
For God had these .apostles, sent.
Yet Judas, never call'd of God, 

to the eleven himself did join,
And this you know was bad, and thus his theft in
manner clandestine.
His bargain, sale trade, and death, proves he went
for the bag.
So men who hire out themselves to teach,
Prove to all around that it is for the bag they
preach
Judas the bag did carry, we are told,
And it was this that kept him in the, fold;
But when greater gain of others he could make,
He did the Saviour and his cause and his people
all forsake.
So let it be once to the Old Baptist, churches told,
That in my esteem the missionaries have the Old
Baptist cause for money sold;
And because they can by missions more money
make,
Therefore they do the Old Baptist cause and their
brethren all forsake.
For had not the mission scheme of money invented
been,  the hireling for to pay,

The United Baptist churches would have remained to this day.

Primitive Baptist 

November 1841

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PASTOR G. REGARDING THE DEITY OF CHRIST (ODell) 2/4

SECOND LETTER TO PASTOR G. 

From: Dan Odell

Subject: Redacted answer to a Primitive Baptist minister Bro. G. It came to me this morning early, that a portion of what I would share with you as a setup for a brief exposition of Matt. 3:15-17, was already available to me in the form of a letter addressed to a Primitive Baptist minister; Who, notwithstanding the Christ-exalting lessons he was enjoying, picked up on an unfamiliar sound from them that led him to believe, I might be “unorthodox” respecting the Deity of Christ and the “Godhead” as he has understood it for over 50 years. Which view determined who he would or would not fellowship with. 

This has to do with what I believe is the single greatest cause of confusion regarding a Biblical view of the Divine Essence. Which is the failure to make the simple distinction between the Incomprehensible and Invisible Essence and the OPERATIONAL REVELATION of the Essence as displayed in creation, redemption, and illumination. Failure to make this clear is huge in our understanding. Hence, what was common among our Old School (Christ taught) forefathers, is uncommon, foreign, disregarded, and viewed as heretical by most today. May this suffice for now as a stepping stone, so to speak. Please see the following letter below: 

With the highest regards, 

Dan O’Dell, S.S. with a reason to hope if not deceived. 
Weslaco, TX. 4.16.2024 

From: Dan ODell Sent: Monday, February 19, 2024 4:14 PM

 To: Pastor G. 

Subject: RE: The Pre-existence and Manhood of Christ. 

Brother R. It is good to know that unlike most Trinitarians you do not believe in a generated Son of God, much less delegated as such. With respect to the Tri-PERSONALITY of God…it appears that the relative properties of the Divine Being identified as Father, Son, and Spirit have more to do with the OPERATIONS OF GOD than the ESSENCE of God. 

The Divine Essence is, in the end, incomprehensible to any creature. Therefore, for a creature to dare to speak authoritatively on the MODE of existence of the incomprehensible God, is the utmost of folly. I am sure you would agree with this statement: That which is to be known of a Trinity in God (operationally considered) is revealed in the PERSONATOR of God…the Man-Christ Jesus, both human and Divine. For example: if God is revealed as the first cause of all things, as the cause of the manhood of Christ, or author of our spirits, he is properly called Father. This is a relative term relating to an offspring or an issue. If God is revealed in the labor of His works, as in creation or redemption, He is properly identified as the Word or Son. 

The term word, or Son, is also a relative term relating to a speaker, something spoken, and something spoken to. The Word proceeding was the human nature of Christ (John 1:14), the speaker was God (Gen. 1:3) and when He speaks to us by His Son or Word, we are the things spoken to. So, God expresses His will and reveals His power in and by His Word; in which He goes forth in the outworking of His eternal purposes, speaking all things into existence by the Word of His power and so “all things consist” (are held together) in that same Word. If God is to be revealed as an invisible Spirit, to quicken dead souls to life and dwell in His people, and not be a corporeal substance, but a spiritual indwelling, He is revealed as the Holy Ghost. To me, the triune way God is revealed seems rather to be in relation to the triple work in which he is revealed, i.e. Creation, Redemption, and illumination, and not in a trinity of individually distinct and separate Persons/Beings subsisting in what was understood by our Old School Baptist forefathers, as a simple uncompounded indivisible Divine Essence without body, parts, or passions. Have you not sometimes wondered why our sweet Lord Jesus was identified as the “everlasting Father” preceded by “The mighty God”? In Isa. 9:6? Or Rev. 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY.” In verse 17, “I am the FIRST and the LAST.” Are these not Christ’s own definitive terms of Himself? I see in this verse, that Christ is the “first” to the exclusion of all other first persons distinct from Him; further, He is the “last” to the exclusion of all third or last persons, distinct from Him. He is “THE ALMIGHTY” to the exclusion of all equal persons, for there can be only one ALMIGHTY. 

I see Him as the Lord Jesus Christ in exclusion to all other lords as distinct persons from Him. In these cases, I believe we are dealing with the Divine Essence in contrast with the Divine Operations wherein God is revealed by Christ. I am becoming convinced that failure to make these distinctions is the primary cause for much misunderstanding relative to these most important doctrines. Especially where the same words are used but with different understandings as to the meaning of the words used by both parties. Alas, I have spoken more than intended. I bought into the generated Christ idea and had to be saved from that as well. I once asked a noted PB minister in the Paris, AR. area (about 1989) what his thoughts were about eternal generation. He responded, “I believe it, but it was so far back it doesn’t matter.” I walked away in disbelief. If the Deity of Christ does not matter, what does? END THIRD LETTER TO PASTOR G. Editor’s note: This was to continue the setup for a brief exposition of Matt. 3:15-17 as requested 4.10.2024. 

Dear Bro. G. 

We are back from Welsh Tract Church and back to work here as usual. Having a few hours to myself this afternoon, I am blessed to attempt to continue our conversation regarding my views of Matt. 3:15-17. I understand you have received my redacted letter to a PB minister sent to you on the 11th. This being so, I am trusting you have some sense as to the importance of a clear and distinct difference between the Nature of our One Only Living and True God as compared to His OPERATIONAL REVELATIONS of Himself as set forth and held out in the Person and work of our Man-Christ Mediator; Wherein and by Whom we are blessed to discover all that is knowable about the INCOMPREHENSIBLE GOD of the Bible. On the strength of this assumption, I will proceed with further foundational information I am convinced is inseparably connected to a Biblical understanding of Matt. 3:15-17. In so doing, I will speak of three primary points of consideration, which are: 

I. THERE IS BUT ONE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, 

II. THE SPIRITUAL OPERATIONS OF THIS ONE GOD, and 

III. WHAT WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND BY GOD IN CHRIST.

Because time is precious and much is to be considered, I will limit myself today to points one and two. 

FIRST: THERE IS BUT ONE ONLY LIVING AND TRUE GOD: Amos 4:13, “For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and created the wind, and declared unto man what are his thoughts, and maketh morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, the Lord, the God of hosts is his name.” Exodus 34:14, “For thou shalt worship no other God; for the Lord whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Psalms 82:18, “That men may know, that thou whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.” Deuteronomy 6:4, “Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” Isaiah 44:8, “Is there a God besides me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah 45:21-22, “There is no God else besides me, a just God and Savior, there is none besides me; look unto me, and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.” 1 Cor. 8:4,6, “There is none other God but one…But to us, there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him.” If the above scriptures prove anything, they all go to prove there is but one only living and true God. 

This leads us to the next point: 

SECOND: THE SPIRITUAL OPERATIONS OF THIS ONE GOD: Let us hear our sweet Jesus say: “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship in spirit and truth,” John 4:24. 2 Cor. 3:17, “Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” Thus, we are to understand that where the Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is mentioned in the Scripture, the same one true and living God is displayed in His SPIRITUAL OPERATIONS, such as worship or liberty. We arrive at this from Peters's words to Ananias in Acts 5:3-4. “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God.” That the Holy Ghost is the true God, appears in the case of Mary’s conception recorded in Luke 4:35, “And the angel answered and said unto her, the HOLY GHOST shall overshadow thee; therefore also, that the holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the son of God.” Consider also, 1 Cor. 12:3, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” 

When God is declared to be Omnipresent as a pure simple and uncompounded Spirit, it is under the name “Spirit”. As in Psalm 139:7, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” When God gave spiritual gifts to men, though the gifts were diverse, yet they all came “by the same spirit,” 1 Cor. 12: 4. Hence, we discover there is but one true and living God and that He is “a Spirit” as the Man Christ taught us. That God is undivided and uncompounded is evident from the above-referenced scriptures if they stood alone. 

Alas, they do not. For example: Mark 12:29, “And Jesus answered him the first of all the commandments is hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” Vs. 30, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart.” And Vs. 32, “And the scribes said unto him, well Master, thou hast said the truth; for there is one God, and there is none other but he.” Verse 34 informs us that the scribes answered discreetly by quoting Deut. 4:35. Bringing these two points to a close, I will make this statement for you to consider: Though the doctrine of God’s operational revelation as “three”, is fully revealed in scripture, there is nothing like the positive declarations we find in this point, with respect to the ONENESS OF THE DIVINE ESSENCE, aka, THE UNITY OF GOD. Surely, as the Man-Christ Mediator taught us, “The first of all the commandments is this, hear O Israel; THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD,” Mark 12:29. 

So much so, it is carried through the law, the prophets, and into the New Testament. This cannot be done by accident! Rather, by a Divine design. I submit the point of the first importance in the Doctrine of God, is His UNITY, and not how God is parted out and thereby divided. Hence, any system of Soteriology which implies either directly or indirectly by inference and implication, the existence of God as three beings (or persons), or parts of God, is a greater departure from the scriptural doctrine of God, than that which either obscures or denies His operational revelation as Three in One. 

It is my hope to be blessed to share with you an enlargement of the last sentence of the above paragraph in my next letter. I hope to show what we are to understand from scripture by GOD IN CHRIST, and what CHRIST IS; And in this process what the Father, Word (or Son), and Spirit are. Once we do that, I will offer my understanding of Matt. 3:15-17 as requested. Thank you for the opportunity to share with you what has fascinated me for some time and brought immeasurable joy to my heart. 

I shall remain, 

A debtor to Mercy if my heart does not deceive. 

Dan O’Dell, 
Weslaco, TX. 4.17.2024 

New Vernon, N. Y., June 1, 1840, 

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM WELSH TRACT PUBLICATIONS

THE COMPLETE DIGITAL SIGNS OF THE TIMES FROM 1832-2017

This is a very large file (10.11 gigabytes) If you don't have that much space, you may run it from the Flash Drive, but this will take more time. You need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download) program installed and open it from there. The PDF is searchable, but some of the older issues, are smudged thus affecting the software's ability to find the words. Copying and pasting will be difficult due to the quality of some of the older issues.  The price is $45.

Please send me an email at gsantamaria685@gmail.com. We will accept payment in Zelle, Cash App, Venmo personal check, or postal money order. Please make sure you give your mailing address. I will not post my Zelle, CashApp, or Venmo information until you write me due to privacy concerns. For those mailing a check or money order, you may mail me at:

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Email: gsantamaria685@gmail.com

For now, until Welsh Tract Publications is reorganized as an LLC, I will handle the financial transactions. Understand that Welsh Tract Church does NOT have any affiliation with Welsh Tract Publications. Like the website and the YouTube channel, these websites were created by the friends of Welsh Tract Church. We do not believe in any extra-church organizations or "ministries". Flash Drives are now available.

The Lord Bless you!

DIGITAL (POCKET) THOMPSON NOW AVAILABLE FROM WELSH TRACT PUBLICATIONS

This flashcard contains all of the known articles written by Elder Wilson Thompson from 1832 until he died in 1866. It also contains Simple Truths, His Autobiography in a PDF file as well as an audiobook as well as his work Triumphs of Truth. Also, these works will be fully searchable and will fit on your smartphone. It will also be suitable for printing. The cost will be $50 for the flash drive containing all this information. We accept Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, or personal checks. For more information write to gsantamaria685@gmail.com.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PASTOR G. REGARDING THE DEITY OF CHRIST (ODell) 1/4

A collection of letters between myself and a Sovereign Grace Baptist Pastor beginning 4.02.2024 and ending 4.26.2024

HEZEKIAH WEST ON MISSIONS OCTOBER 1, 1838

[This is still as true today as it was in 1838.  Hezekiah West was a great preacher! - ed.]

FALSE CHARGES AGAINST OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS (ELDER HEZEKIAH WEST) 1838

[A Great article by Elder Hezekiah West from Pennsylvania written to Elder Bennett the editor of the Primitive Baptist in Georgia - ed.]

HOME MISSIONS (FROM THE BAPTIST REPOSITORY) (BEEBE) 1834

“Of all the objects which can be presented to the Christian community, none is more urgent, or mere worthy of their regard or liberality, or demands more wrestling in prayer, or greater sacrifices, than those of our Home Mission Society.“ 

HOLY ALLIANCE (BEEBE) 1833

UNDER the above head, the editor of the Repository has informed his readers that there exists an alliance between God and his people and that God has laid aside that power which works without means and has devolved upon his people a course of duty, &c. 

GENERAL MEETINGS (BEEBE) 1834

THERE appears to be a disposition manifested by our Old School brethren in various parts of the country to encourage a mutual interchange of sentiment, to take sweet counsel together, to walk to the house of the Lord in company; but not to try experiments upon the Holy One, nor with the expectation of aiding the Lord in the conversion of sinners.

FRUITS OF THE REVIVAL (BEEBE) 1858

[Have things changed much since Beebe's time? ed.]

FLESH AND SPIRITS (BEEBE) 1880

The scriptures speak of all the human family as of one common earthy origin. All are and were created in the first man Adam, of whom Paul testifies that he is of the earth, earthy; also that he was made a living soul, that he was not spiritual, (in the sense in which the second Adam, which is the Lord from heaven, is,) but he was natural. 

A TRUE BAPTIST WHO SUFFERED FOR HIS PRECIOUS LORD (Santamaria)

[We obtained this story from the Christian History Institute. We do not think much needs to be said about what Christ did in the life of this man - ed.] 

THE TIME TO FAVOR ZION (BEEBE) 1858

THE TIME TO FAVOR ZION. We have no reason to doubt that every incident that God in his holy providence allows to transpire, however oppositely designed by the wrath of men, or malice of devils, must ultimately, under the gracious hand of God, result in favor of Zion.