FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. De Soto Co., Mi., April 1, 1845.

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

De Soto Co., Mi., April 1, 1845.

BROTHER BEEBE:—I am not acquainted with you personally; but by reading the Signs of the Times, I am led to believe that we are of the same family; and so I propose to give you some information concerning our family connections in these parts. We are a united people, and the great Shepherd feeds and takes care of us, and keeps us united.


I attended our association, the (Tallahahatchie,) which was held with the Antioch church last October, and a more pleasant meeting I have not attended for a long time. The business was executed in harmony and love. The stand was occupied on Sunday by Elders More, Gurtbry, Cuip, and Parks: we had a large and remarkably orderly congregation. The doctrine preached was food to the children of God, which made them rejoice. Our next association will be held with the church at Cold Water, Marshall co., Mi., commencing on Saturday before the second Sunday in October next. So far as I am acquainted, we are in peace and of one mind. The Lord is raising up and sending laborers into his vineyard. Within the last three or four years, the Lord has raised up within the bounds of this association six young gifts; three of which have been set apart by ordination. And I am happy to learn that these brethren do proclaim the truth of the gospel, fearlessly of men and devils.

My brother, I wish to give you some of my views of the plan of salvation; take them for what they are worth. I am no scholar, and but a child in the experience of the things of the Kingdom. When I hear strange doctrines, which are opposed to that which was taught by Christ and his Apostles, and hear the cry of “Lo, here is Christ, and Lo, there is Christ;” &c., I am convinced of the truth declared by the wise man. “There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof is death.” God’s people are one people. “My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, and the choice one of her that bare her.” (Cant. vi. 9.) “One Lord, one faith and one baptism.” I believe this: the church of Christ was comprehended in the wisdom of God, and is justified through the merits of Christ, and that according to his own purpose and grace, which was given her in Christ Jesus before the world began. A soul can only be born again by the power of God; nothing short of his almighty power and grace can quicken.

The Spirit of God gives life, and makes the quickened sinner to see and feel his deep depravity and ruined state, shows that he is condemned by the law, and justly, and also that his own righteousness is but filthy rags, and makes him fully sensible of his total inability to extricate himself. In this condition we are made to cry, Lord save, or we perish, and when


the soul is thus brought by the Spirit, the same Spirit reveals Christ to him, as the hope of glory, and he is made to confess that “Salvation is of the Lord.” Not of men, not of the institutions of men, nor of ministers, nor priests, nor anxious benches; nor by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. We are made to view the plan of grace as a most glorious plan, laid in infinite wisdom, and executed by infinite power and grace; and that no flesh shall glory in the presence of God. All things work together for good to them that love God; to them that are the called according to his purpose. The plan of the building of grace was perfect in the mind of God, and all that was, or ever could be necessary for the complete finish of the work, was and is treasured up in Christ, so there can be no lack. This plan presents a perfect chain; it has five links; two before time, two in time, and one of which time shall be no longer. The first two links are the foreknowledge and the predestinating decree of God; for known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world. “Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate these he also called.” (Rom. viii. 29 & 30.) As God, he saw the end from the beginning. Nothing new to him has been presented. The church as the body of Christ, as the bride of the Lamb, is as ancient as the mediatorial office of Christ. She was chosen in him before the foundation of the world. His members are called in time; yea, “Saved and called with an holy calling; not according to their works; but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given them in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2 Tim. i. 9.) They are made acquainted with Christ their spiritual head, by being thus called from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and satan to the liberty of the sons of God. Jesus says, my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish. The church is not justified for what she is to do, but for what Christ has done. These I understand to be the two links in time; viz: calling and justification. This work is wrought in them by the Spirit. Jesus said he would send the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, &c., which should take of his and show unto them. And this very people, whom he foreknew, predestinated, called, and justified, shall be ultimately glorified with him in heaven. The building shall be complete in Christ, and all the glory secured to the great Builder. He will bring and fit the last material to its destined place in this spiritual building; then shall his mediatorial work be completed, the kingdom in its fullness be presented to God, and time shall be no longer. And as Jesus is the first resurrection, so he will assuredly raise up all his members, at the last day, as he has promised. Yes, my brethren, these vile bodies shall be raised, and they shall be made like his glorious body, and the saints thus raised shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

Election is a glorious plan, in which the God of grace, ordained to life, ere time began, His chosen, ransomed race,

Yours in hope of eternal life,

J. R. RENFRO.
FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.