Samuel Williams Write To The Signs 1838

Westville, Champaign Co., O. March 28th, 1838.

DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:—In my last letter, before this, for the Signs of the Times, I made a remark, which perhaps would be better explained. I would not wish to be understood from the remarks in that letter made by me, respecting that indifference manifested by some, towards the support of the ministry, as entertaining the belief that they are all antichristians, who neglect to, or do not, aid in the support of the Lord’s ministers. I believe there are many precious brethren who are so destitute of the things of this world that it is not their duty to do anything, towards the support of any minister of the Gospel, within my acquaintance at least. Again, I believe there are others who have plenty, and to spare, of the good things of this world, who neglect this duty, who nevertheless are Christians; their negligence arising from a want of a careful investigation of this subject. But what condition that person is in, who calls a minister of the gospel an arminian, merely, because he exhorts his brethren, to attend to those duties which God has enjoined upon them; I know not, but one thing I do know, and that is this—that the enemies of the Cross of Christ, have, from the conduct of such persons, reproached the people of the living God.

My main object in noticing these things, in my letter preceding this, was to show the means resorted to, by the arminian Baptist’s of the Mad River Valley, in order to prejudice the minds of the Lord’s people, who still have a standing amongst them, against the Old School Baptists who are their true brethren; and also, to keep them from declaring war, with the God-dishonouring doctrines and inventions, of these same arminian Baptists. Dear brethren; you, who are still in a measure, under the influence of their “wicked workers,” beware of Mr. Universal gospel, falsely so called; beware of his sanctimonious looks; beware of his affected speech, and look to Jesus Christ, and of what He hath said and is still doing for His bride, the church; examine well His written word; pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And remember you are not to expect much peace of mind whilst you remain disobedient to the command, saying, “Come out from among them, my people.” And now may the good Lord deliver all His people from the wiles of designing men, is my prayer for Christ’s sake, Amen.

Once more: It is said to be the beautiful flower of darkness. Brethren, can you believe this? That the enemy of all righteousness should be engaged in sending the light of divine truth to the dark and benighted nations of the earth, whom he holds in chains of superstition, idolatry, and death, is too absurd an idea to be credited. Admit the idea, and what follows? Why the devil in Burmah is a very different kind of devil from the devil in America—for there he is engaged with all his power to prevent the word of God from entering his dark dominions, lest the prison doors should be opened, and some of his captives should go free.—But in America he is employed in sending that same word of life there; and of course satan has arisen up against satan, and is divided against himself. Is it not more consistent to suppose that the same wicked agent that is opposing the entrance of the word of life, is engaged in hindering its being sent forth there?

The above quotation, no doubt, would have us take as incontestable proof that the charge of their works, being the works of darkness, is false. But they have not yet proved that what they are sending is the light of divine truth. Oh yes—perhaps they may say, for if the devil was the author of it in America, its entrance could not be opposed by the devil in Burmah; otherwise, satan would be divided against himself. Let us suppose that the devil in America, seeing that some of his people were determined “To get religion,” and that there was no way that he could hold them under his dark dominion so firmly, as to give them the privilege of becoming religious, like the Scribes and Pharisees of old; and then in order to keep them from thinking of their helpless condition, invents schemes of his own liking, to keep their minds back from the thing before them, and then that there should be no doubts in their minds respecting the origin of their religion, in full accordance with some of his subjects here, he makes a desperate opposition—this gives the finishing stroke to his American subjects; for they now conclude, this must be the religion of the Bible, for it would not have received any opposition from this dark and benighted people; but might not all of this be done, and the devil remain the same deceitful devil in both countries? Do not the Mahometans oppose the Roman Catholics, and the Catholics the Mahometans? But does that prove that the religion of either of them is the religion of Jesus Christ? “While they tell us (says the Circular) that they are friendly to the spread of the gospel and the circulation of the scriptures, we answer, give us the evidence, and we shall rejoice. But we want a different kind to convince us than what we have seen.”

I have no doubt, but they have told the truth in the last quotation in part at least. They would like to see a general forsaking of the commands of the Lord, and a general introduction of the inventions of men. They would like to see the flock of Christ yield to be fleeced by a set of Arminian, Fullerite Baptists. They would like to see all opposition to the spread of error cease. The Circular again.

“We want to see something different from a determined opposition to every effort for supplying the destitute, both at home and abroad.”—Let us enquire with what they have supplied the destitute? Many Churches that were destitute of confusion, strife, contention, division, false doctrine, and the inventions of men have been largely supplied by their efforts. But there are more churches destitute of a preached gospel since their efforts have been introduced than there ever were. “By perusing the minutes of 1835, you will find the Association occupies precisely the same ground now that she ever has done.” Admitting them to be the Mad River Association, then this statement of theirs is false. For neither at the constitution of the Association, nor for one or two years afterwards, was there a word said about their Anti-Christian schemes of toleration, &c. “A further object we have in view is to show that while they have assumed the imposing name of OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST, they have departed from Regular Baptist principles by confounding the purpose and acts of God; and holding doctrine that clearly supersedes the necessity of good works.” The doctrine of salvation by grace alone has ever been viewed by the whole Arminian Phalanx as superseding the necessity of good works. I once viewed the doctrine so myself; and as I know what my condition then was, I fear that those who adopt the language of the Circular are strangers to mercy, and to the God who made them. “And they have also departed in practice, by attempting to abridge the liberty of conscience and action of their brethren, where God alone should be judge.” How, I would enquire, are we to know the judgement of God, but by His written word; and if we take that, as the man of our counsel, we shall find that the NEW SCHOOL BAPTISTS have departed in practice, by giving liberty to the conscience and action of brethren, where the word of God has forbidden it. There are many more things in the Circular, equally as false and inconsistent, as those that I have already noticed; but for want of time, I have now finished my remarks upon it. Dear Brother, I have visited since last August, between 30 and 40 Baptist Churches; in several of which the Lord appears to be at work, awakening careless sinners, comforting those that mourn, and many who have been led off by the new school are returning, acknowledging their wanderings, and uniting with their old brethren. May the Lord enable you to fight the good fight of faith.

I ask for a prayer for you and all His people.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS