EDITORIAL. Alexandria, D. C. January 1, 1840. INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME VIII. (Beebe)

EDITORIAL.

Alexandria, D. C. January 1, 1840.

INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME VIII.

When we contemplate the many difficulties through which the Lord has brought us—the many threatened evils from which he has delivered us, and the united opposition to our labor he has enabled us to surmount, we feel encouraged still to cast ourselves, with all our mortal and immortal concerns, upon his all-supporting power and providence—

“How can I sink with such a prop
As my eternal God!”

Encouraged by the mercy which we have hitherto experienced at his hand, we feel inclined still to prosecute our labors; and we commence this EIGHTH VOLUME of our publication with little other assurance of support than that which we confidently look for from above. It is true, indeed, we have many valuable friends and brethren whom we esteem as true yoke-fellows with us in setting forth truth, and in exposing error; but on them or on our own strength we dare not rely. We feel deeply sensible of our own insufficiency to even think anything as of ourselves; but, as saith the Apostle, our sufficiency is of God. On him we have believed, and we know that he is able to sustain us, and to keep that which he has enabled us to commit unto his hand, until the decisive day.

Whether the “Signs of the Times” have been useful in rallying the scattered sheep, in sounding an alarm in Zion, in opening a general correspondence among old-fashioned Baptists, in comforting, feeding, and admonishing the people of God, our readers ought to judge for themselves. We are deeply sensible that they are not what we could wish them to be—free from defect, but as imperfection marks and mars all human production, instead of ceasing to labor on that account, we would rather endeavor to improve. Our readers must be aware that we occupy no very enviable post, especially if they consider how much rebuke and censure we are subjected to from friends as well as foes. We do not mean to say that we receive more from either than what we deserve, but still those who have ever made trial for themselves will not be slow in bearing us record that it is not very gratifying, at least to the flesh, to stand as a target to be shot at. Yet, after counting all the costs, we feel disposed to spend and be spent in that way which will be most useful to the despised followers of the Lamb. It is indeed, at times, as great a privilege as we can ask for, to be included in the company of those who suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, and his glorious cause. When we are elevated to that distinction, we are honored with the society of those of whom the world is not worthy. All we can therefore consistently desire is to have the assurance that all our sufferings are for righteousness’ sake. But alas! finding as we do, so much of the corruptions of the flesh, so great propensity to err, so much vain and foolish ambition and pride to contend with, we are frequently made seriously to doubt whether we are suffering for righteousness’ sake, or not.

Through our correspondence with the saints, we have become extensively acquainted with the Old School Baptists in all parts of the United States. This we esteem as a very great privilege. To hear so frequently of their welfare, of their trials, conflicts, victories, and deliverances; their comforts, joys, communion with God, and fellowship in the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to us, like cold water to a thirsty soul.

In conducting the present volume of our publication we shall endeavor to keep constantly in view the general edification of the flock of Christ; and while we exert ourself to expose the man of sin, and bring to light the hidden things of dishonesty, we wish to make it our principal aim to encourage, strengthen and instruct the saints.—We shall still look for the aid of our brethren, whose former communications have contributed so largely to the interest and usefulness of our periodical. The cardinal points of our faith and practice, as set forth in our original prospectus (a copy of which we will subjoin to these remarks) will still be closely adhered to in our future course.

We are making arrangements for a new and complete font of type, in which we hope to present our paper in the spring, and we intend to spare neither pains nor such expense as may come within our limited ability in improving our paper. In the progress of our work, we shall need, as formerly, the untiring aid of our brethren, agents, and subscribers.

As it is necessary during the war to display our banner, we here copy the prospectus, which we nailed to our mast head, when we commenced our publication, viz:

“The Signs of the Times, devoted to the Old School Baptist cause, will be published semi-monthly, and shall maintain inviolably the following scriptural sentiments: viz.

1st. The existence, sovereignty, immutability, omnipotence, and eternal perfection of the Great Jehovah—the revelation which God has given of himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; “These THREE are ONE.”—1 John, v. 8th.

2d. The absolute predestination of all things.

3d. Eternal, unconditional election,

4th. The total depravity and just condemnation of fallen man.

5th. The atonement and redemption by Jesus Christ are for the elect only.

6th. The sovereign, irresistible, and (in all cases) effectual work of the Holy Ghost, in quickening and regenerating the elect of God.

7th. The final preservation and eternal happiness of all the sons of God, by grace.

8th. The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

9th. That the Church of Christ is composed exclusively of baptized believers—that to her are given able ministers of the New Testament—that the scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice to the saints of God.

10th. That there is no connexion between Church and State; and as touching the proposition of a marriage between them, the Hon. R. M. Johnson, in his report on the Sabbath Mail question, has amply revealed our faith.

The “Signs of the Times” will be decidedly opposed to Bible, Tract and Missionary Societies, Theological Seminaries, Sabbath School Unions, &c. &c., waging war with the mother Arminianism, and her entire brood of institutions.”