The Signs of the Times, devoted to the cause of God and Truth, is published on or about the 1st and 15th of each month, at $ 1.50 per annum; if paid in advance, $1.BY GILBERT
BEEBE, Editor.To whom all communications must be addressed.Terms—$1,50 per annum; or if paid in advance, $1.Five dollars, paid in advance, will secure six copies for one year.☞ All moneys remitted to the editor by mail, in current bank notes, of a large denomination as convenient, will be at our risk.
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME XIII
The importance of epistolary correspondence has been felt and acknowledged by the children of God, in all ages and circumstances of the church; but more especially when encompassed about by the enemy, and [unclear] who would pervert the right way of the Lord. When christians enjoy the special presence of God, and feel the joys of his salvation elevating their affections and strengthening the social cords that bind their kindred hearts in fellowship and doing, they desire to speak to one another of the goodness of the Lord. Like the bottles of new wine, they require vent; they must speak, that thereby be the more abundantly refreshed; and that those whom they love in the Lord may be partakers of their joy.
When clouds of darkness lower—when the Divine Presence is not realized—when temptations, doubts and fears and perplexity hem them in on every side and [hide] them in captive bands—when the chilling east wind of worldly care dampens their zeal, and their love grows cold, they are not unfrequently led to exclaim,
“Like one alone I seem to be, Oh, is there any one like me?”
As cold water is to thirsty souls, so is good news from a far country; and the saints under such circumstances have ever regarded Christian correspondence as a peculiar privilege.
Again,—Who so situated or circumstanced can fail to see the special advantages, and benefits enjoyed by a few saints, or a poor worshippers of God, to them the correspondence of the brethren is truly refreshing.
From these considerations, in the absence of all others, we should be led to conclude that the publication of our paper as a cheap and convenient medium of correspondence, ought not to be discontinued to so great an amount of inconvenience, embracing an extent of country so great, and lying in no other way within the reach of the poor. But to obviate what may add other very important advantages, secured by a periodical publication of this kind; among which we will point out the following.
Since the commencement of this Journal, evil men and seducers have continued to grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The clouds which darkened our horizon twelve years ago have thickened fearfully, and those sly, insidious innovations which were then fostered in a helplessness to the gospel now begin to develop their dangerous voices, and tones which none but anti-Christian dogs can endure. Heterodox christians, who at the first, in the simplicity of their hearts, felt alienated to censure us for raising the voice of warning, by sad experience have learned what they were so slow to comprehend. Experience, that although but a severe schoolmaster, has enforced the conviction that all departures from the word of God, in matters of religion, are seductive, and lead astray from the peaceful paths of Zion.—For more than twelve years past, God has been scourging his children out from those corrupted bodies whose end is to be destroyed. And now, with the little flock of Jesus marshalled under his banner, and the alien array drawn up in hostile array against them; while the former correspond in appearance with the men of Gideon’s rejected army, and the latter are like grasshoppers for multitude, is it proper at such a time as this to discontinue our publication? Should we not rather “Cry aloud and spare not; lift up our voices with strength;” and be not afraid; and say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God.
There is at this time an unusual disposition manifested by the adversaries of Zion, to bring all the great alliance between the church and the state, or the ecclesiastical and civil powers in our country. National Conventions are already being held to facilitate this object. The design to create a power of infinite magnitude to be exerted upon the Congress of our nation, is openly and unrebukedly avowed, and published to the world. Proscription, for conscience sake, is becoming more and more common. Leading demagogues of power and influence, and of all the different grades and parties in politics, are enrolling themselves among the advocates of measures, which, if consummated, must involve our country in scenes of persecution and religious intolerance. The elements of religious despotism are ripe among us, and the majority of the people of our country seem more and more inclined to favor the schemes of a designing and wicked clergy. Thousands have already been roused under the fanatical drillings of Sunday Schools, directed principally by an ambitious and never satisfied priesthood. Powerful efforts are now being made to bring all the secular and religious press under the same corrupting influence. Nearly all the secular and religious press of our country are either enlisted to favor the great, or so shackled for fear of losing patronage, as to prevent their remonstrating. The great digressions of the popular church openly avow that religion and science are twin sisters—that they go hand in hand together, and that the state is bound to patronize science, as to indirectly patronize religion in our public schools. A powerful party of a moral and literary union, under the auspices of the “Protestant Association,” avowing their design to strike from the Constitution of our country, the guarantee of equality to all classes—to proscribe and coerce a conformity to the rites of popular religion. And have the Old School Baptists no interest in all this at stake? Or will it be time for us to remonstrate after the chain of oppression is legally riveted upon us? To us it appears, although our trust and confidence is not in God, we are bound to make every lawful effort in our power, to avert the threatening calamity; at least, we are in duty bound to let our brethren know of the signs of the times—of the approach of the enemy, and of the necessity of being upon the watch tower. With party politics we are pledged to have nothing to do, or to say in conducting the publication of this paper; but with religious intolerance and efforts to unite church and state, by whatever sect or party, religious or political, we have much to do in the discharge of duty which solemnly devolves on us, both as a christian, a citizen of the world, and as a publisher.
The terms of this volume will be as formerly. One Dollar in advance; or One Dollar and Fifty Cents per year if not in advance. Five Dollars in advance will secure six copies for one year.—All moneys to be sent to us in bank notes, current at the places from which they are sent, to be sent to us by mail, at our risk, and at our expense.
Those who wish to discontinue ought to have so signified before the commencement of the new volume, but those who have neglected to do so will notify us by returning this number immediately, or be considered as subscribers for the volume. But we hope our brethren and friends will see and feel the importance of sustaining the work, and give us the encouragement we need from them, cheerfully, cordially, and without much delay.—Our best endeavors shall be to make the volume interesting and profitable to our readers, and with a humble reliance on God, we will endeavor to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
We shall still hope to be favored with communications from our former correspondents, by whose talents our columns have been enriched heretofore.
Circular Letter,
To the churches composing the Old School Predestinarian Baptist Association, convened with the church in Jay, Me., September 13th & 14th, ’44.
DEAR BRETHREN:—We call your attention to a portion of God’s word in Luke xii. 33: “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God’s people have ever been, still are, and ever will be, in this world, a poor and afflicted people. They are not of this world, for Jesus has chosen them out of the world; therefore the world hates them. God said to the serpent that he would put enmity between him and the woman, between his seed and her seed. And according to the parable, the tares and the wheat were to grow together till the harvest. Not only is it the pleasure of our heavenly Father that his people shall inherit the kingdom, but that they shall also suffer for his sake: for whom he loves he chasteneth. They have been called the offscouring of the earth—many have suffered death for his name, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. God’s people have at times appeared small on the earth. At one time Elijah complained that they had killed the prophets and dug down the altars, and he alone was left, and they sought his life. But God had reserved him; he had reserved seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then (says the Apostle,) there is a remnant according to the election of grace. His children are said to be a chosen generation—a royal priesthood—a holy nation—a peculiar people—and they have ever remained as kingdom dividers from all parties, and as a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid. Although all that belongs to his little flock were by nature children of wrath even as others, dead in trespasses and in sins—yet God who is rich in mercy, hath loved them with an everlasting love, and sent his Son to die for them—has brought them in everlasting righteousness to be imputed to them, without works; not according to our works, but according to his mercy he hath saved us. Therefore Jesus has said, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And it is said of his people, “they shall be made kings and priests unto God;” that “they shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world.” It is thought by many that this kingdom is to be obtained by the obedience of the creature. But the Apostle has said, that It is by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works—not according to the former covenant—for behold the days come, saith God, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah—not according to the former covenant, (which was on conditions) because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith God. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those of Judah, saith God, I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. This new covenant is ordered in all things and sure: for God hath foreknew and predestinated them to be conformed to the image of his Son. He calls them out of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son—gives them to see their undone condition as transgressors of his holy law, and under its curse.—He also gives them to see that Christ had become the end of the law for righteousness to all his believing children—gives an earnest of their inheritance—shows them that it is his pleasure to justify and glorify them—that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. That he will ultimately gather all his ransomed flock into his eternal kingdom; that they shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in his kingdom.
Dear brethren, as we have professed before God and man to be the subjects of his kingdom, and have covenanted together to take the Bible for our rule of faith and practice, and not to follow the doctrines and commandments of men; if we walk according to this rule, may we not reasonably expect opposition from our adversary, and all his followers? And ye shall be hated of all men for my sake, (says Christ,) great shall be your reward in heaven. Therefore, brethren, may we bear afflictions as good soldiers of the cross, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; taking the word of truth for our guide; praying that we may be delivered from the errors of this present evil world, and not be again entangled with the yoke of bondage. So farewell.
Corresponding Letter,
The Old School Predestinarian Baptist Association, convened with the church in Jay, Me., to the Associations with whom she corresponds, sends greeting.
DEAR BRETHREN:—Our beloved Father, through his tender mercy, has spared our lives through another year, and given us the privilege of meeting once more in an associable body, for which we should be thankful. Truly, the visitors from the churches were of a soul-cheering character, while they inform us that the unity of the Spirit still abounds among them, and that the precious truth of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour is the only thing that does or can feed the souls hungering after pieces of olden wine and the glory of the glorious Redeemer, as his Alpha and Omega, the head over all things, God blessed forever, even now we trust if God is made known “through Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption:” and notwithstanding there are many here to stress, and much said of the ability of man to will and to do, and so obtaining salvation by improving the light that is in him, and the mere religion has become popular in this day of boasted light and knowledge —yet we have not so learned Christ, for he found us in a desert land, in waste howling wilderness, and discovered to us, but we were lost, and blind, and naked, having no hope, and without God in the world; having no just conception of his holy character, and without us the peace of conscience or that precious gospel which is free power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.
We held our meeting with the church in Jay, and thankfully received your messengers and minutes, and solicit a continuance of your Christian correspondence. Our next meeting will be held, (if the Lord wills,) with the First Baptist Church in Whitefield, on Friday and Saturday after the second Lord’s day in September, 1845.
In behalf of the Association, WM. QUINT, Jr., Clerk.
Extract from Minutes
At a meeting of said Association, held in Whitefield, Me., on Friday and Saturday, after the second Lord’s day in September, 1844.
Voted, to open a correspondence with the Warwick Association, in the State of New York; also, if the request of said Association.
Voted, that Joseph L. Purington and Phineas Hartwell be messengers to the Warwick Association, and that they be authorized to solicit a correspondence with the Baltimore, Delaware, and Delaware River Associations.
Voted, that we solicit a correspondence and interchange of minutes, with the corresponding Meeting and Ketocton Association in Virginia, and that a copy of our minutes for this year be sent to each of those Associations.
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Signs of the Times.
Hillsborough, Scott Co., Mi., Oct. 25, ’44.
BROTHER BEEBE:—At the close of the Bethany Association, it was requested to send you a copy of their minutes, requesting you to give it a place in the Signs of the Times, so that the children of God who are scattered abroad may have an opportunity to know that there is a poor little band in this south, who have separated themselves from the religious multitude of the present day—professors, having no confidence in the work of the flesh, but having full confidence in the wisdom and power of God to manage all things that pertain to the building up of his Zion on earth.—Therefore please to publish as much as you think will be interesting, or the entire minutes at your disposal.
Yours, as I hope, in Christ, JESSE G. TURCKEY.
The importance of epistolary correspondence has been felt and acknowledged by the children of God, in all ages and circumstances of the church; but more especially when encompassed about by the enemy, and [unclear] who would pervert the right way of the Lord. When christians enjoy the special presence of God, and feel the joys of his salvation elevating their affections and strengthening the social cords that bind their kindred hearts in fellowship and doing, they desire to speak to one another of the goodness of the Lord. Like the bottles of new wine, they require vent; they must speak, that thereby be the more abundantly refreshed; and that those whom they love in the Lord may be partakers of their joy.
When clouds of darkness lower—when the Divine Presence is not realized—when temptations, doubts and fears and perplexity hem them in on every side and [hide] them in captive bands—when the chilling east wind of worldly care dampens their zeal, and their love grows cold, they are not unfrequently led to exclaim,
“Like one alone I seem to be, Oh, is there any one like me?”
As cold water is to thirsty souls, so is good news from a far country; and the saints under such circumstances have ever regarded Christian correspondence as a peculiar privilege.
Again,—Who so situated or circumstanced can fail to see the special advantages, and benefits enjoyed by a few saints, or a poor worshippers of God, to them the correspondence of the brethren is truly refreshing.
From these considerations, in the absence of all others, we should be led to conclude that the publication of our paper as a cheap and convenient medium of correspondence, ought not to be discontinued to so great an amount of inconvenience, embracing an extent of country so great, and lying in no other way within the reach of the poor. But to obviate what may add other very important advantages, secured by a periodical publication of this kind; among which we will point out the following.
Since the commencement of this Journal, evil men and seducers have continued to grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The clouds which darkened our horizon twelve years ago have thickened fearfully, and those sly, insidious innovations which were then fostered in a helplessness to the gospel now begin to develop their dangerous voices, and tones which none but anti-Christian dogs can endure. Heterodox christians, who at the first, in the simplicity of their hearts, felt alienated to censure us for raising the voice of warning, by sad experience have learned what they were so slow to comprehend. Experience, that although but a severe schoolmaster, has enforced the conviction that all departures from the word of God, in matters of religion, are seductive, and lead astray from the peaceful paths of Zion.—For more than twelve years past, God has been scourging his children out from those corrupted bodies whose end is to be destroyed. And now, with the little flock of Jesus marshalled under his banner, and the alien array drawn up in hostile array against them; while the former correspond in appearance with the men of Gideon’s rejected army, and the latter are like grasshoppers for multitude, is it proper at such a time as this to discontinue our publication? Should we not rather “Cry aloud and spare not; lift up our voices with strength;” and be not afraid; and say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God.
There is at this time an unusual disposition manifested by the adversaries of Zion, to bring all the great alliance between the church and the state, or the ecclesiastical and civil powers in our country. National Conventions are already being held to facilitate this object. The design to create a power of infinite magnitude to be exerted upon the Congress of our nation, is openly and unrebukedly avowed, and published to the world. Proscription, for conscience sake, is becoming more and more common. Leading demagogues of power and influence, and of all the different grades and parties in politics, are enrolling themselves among the advocates of measures, which, if consummated, must involve our country in scenes of persecution and religious intolerance. The elements of religious despotism are ripe among us, and the majority of the people of our country seem more and more inclined to favor the schemes of a designing and wicked clergy. Thousands have already been roused under the fanatical drillings of Sunday Schools, directed principally by an ambitious and never satisfied priesthood. Powerful efforts are now being made to bring all the secular and religious press under the same corrupting influence. Nearly all the secular and religious press of our country are either enlisted to favor the great, or so shackled for fear of losing patronage, as to prevent their remonstrating. The great digressions of the popular church openly avow that religion and science are twin sisters—that they go hand in hand together, and that the state is bound to patronize science, as to indirectly patronize religion in our public schools. A powerful party of a moral and literary union, under the auspices of the “Protestant Association,” avowing their design to strike from the Constitution of our country, the guarantee of equality to all classes—to proscribe and coerce a conformity to the rites of popular religion. And have the Old School Baptists no interest in all this at stake? Or will it be time for us to remonstrate after the chain of oppression is legally riveted upon us? To us it appears, although our trust and confidence is not in God, we are bound to make every lawful effort in our power, to avert the threatening calamity; at least, we are in duty bound to let our brethren know of the signs of the times—of the approach of the enemy, and of the necessity of being upon the watch tower. With party politics we are pledged to have nothing to do, or to say in conducting the publication of this paper; but with religious intolerance and efforts to unite church and state, by whatever sect or party, religious or political, we have much to do in the discharge of duty which solemnly devolves on us, both as a christian, a citizen of the world, and as a publisher.
The terms of this volume will be as formerly. One Dollar in advance; or One Dollar and Fifty Cents per year if not in advance. Five Dollars in advance will secure six copies for one year.—All moneys to be sent to us in bank notes, current at the places from which they are sent, to be sent to us by mail, at our risk, and at our expense.
Those who wish to discontinue ought to have so signified before the commencement of the new volume, but those who have neglected to do so will notify us by returning this number immediately, or be considered as subscribers for the volume. But we hope our brethren and friends will see and feel the importance of sustaining the work, and give us the encouragement we need from them, cheerfully, cordially, and without much delay.—Our best endeavors shall be to make the volume interesting and profitable to our readers, and with a humble reliance on God, we will endeavor to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
We shall still hope to be favored with communications from our former correspondents, by whose talents our columns have been enriched heretofore.
Circular Letter,
To the churches composing the Old School Predestinarian Baptist Association, convened with the church in Jay, Me., September 13th & 14th, ’44.
DEAR BRETHREN:—We call your attention to a portion of God’s word in Luke xii. 33: “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God’s people have ever been, still are, and ever will be, in this world, a poor and afflicted people. They are not of this world, for Jesus has chosen them out of the world; therefore the world hates them. God said to the serpent that he would put enmity between him and the woman, between his seed and her seed. And according to the parable, the tares and the wheat were to grow together till the harvest. Not only is it the pleasure of our heavenly Father that his people shall inherit the kingdom, but that they shall also suffer for his sake: for whom he loves he chasteneth. They have been called the offscouring of the earth—many have suffered death for his name, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. God’s people have at times appeared small on the earth. At one time Elijah complained that they had killed the prophets and dug down the altars, and he alone was left, and they sought his life. But God had reserved him; he had reserved seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then (says the Apostle,) there is a remnant according to the election of grace. His children are said to be a chosen generation—a royal priesthood—a holy nation—a peculiar people—and they have ever remained as kingdom dividers from all parties, and as a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid. Although all that belongs to his little flock were by nature children of wrath even as others, dead in trespasses and in sins—yet God who is rich in mercy, hath loved them with an everlasting love, and sent his Son to die for them—has brought them in everlasting righteousness to be imputed to them, without works; not according to our works, but according to his mercy he hath saved us. Therefore Jesus has said, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And it is said of his people, “they shall be made kings and priests unto God;” that “they shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world.” It is thought by many that this kingdom is to be obtained by the obedience of the creature. But the Apostle has said, that It is by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works—not according to the former covenant—for behold the days come, saith God, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah—not according to the former covenant, (which was on conditions) because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith God. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those of Judah, saith God, I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. This new covenant is ordered in all things and sure: for God hath foreknew and predestinated them to be conformed to the image of his Son. He calls them out of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son—gives them to see their undone condition as transgressors of his holy law, and under its curse.—He also gives them to see that Christ had become the end of the law for righteousness to all his believing children—gives an earnest of their inheritance—shows them that it is his pleasure to justify and glorify them—that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. That he will ultimately gather all his ransomed flock into his eternal kingdom; that they shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in his kingdom.
Dear brethren, as we have professed before God and man to be the subjects of his kingdom, and have covenanted together to take the Bible for our rule of faith and practice, and not to follow the doctrines and commandments of men; if we walk according to this rule, may we not reasonably expect opposition from our adversary, and all his followers? And ye shall be hated of all men for my sake, (says Christ,) great shall be your reward in heaven. Therefore, brethren, may we bear afflictions as good soldiers of the cross, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; taking the word of truth for our guide; praying that we may be delivered from the errors of this present evil world, and not be again entangled with the yoke of bondage. So farewell.
Corresponding Letter,
The Old School Predestinarian Baptist Association, convened with the church in Jay, Me., to the Associations with whom she corresponds, sends greeting.
DEAR BRETHREN:—Our beloved Father, through his tender mercy, has spared our lives through another year, and given us the privilege of meeting once more in an associable body, for which we should be thankful. Truly, the visitors from the churches were of a soul-cheering character, while they inform us that the unity of the Spirit still abounds among them, and that the precious truth of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour is the only thing that does or can feed the souls hungering after pieces of olden wine and the glory of the glorious Redeemer, as his Alpha and Omega, the head over all things, God blessed forever, even now we trust if God is made known “through Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption:” and notwithstanding there are many here to stress, and much said of the ability of man to will and to do, and so obtaining salvation by improving the light that is in him, and the mere religion has become popular in this day of boasted light and knowledge —yet we have not so learned Christ, for he found us in a desert land, in waste howling wilderness, and discovered to us, but we were lost, and blind, and naked, having no hope, and without God in the world; having no just conception of his holy character, and without us the peace of conscience or that precious gospel which is free power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.
We held our meeting with the church in Jay, and thankfully received your messengers and minutes, and solicit a continuance of your Christian correspondence. Our next meeting will be held, (if the Lord wills,) with the First Baptist Church in Whitefield, on Friday and Saturday after the second Lord’s day in September, 1845.
In behalf of the Association, WM. QUINT, Jr., Clerk.
Extract from Minutes
At a meeting of said Association, held in Whitefield, Me., on Friday and Saturday, after the second Lord’s day in September, 1844.
Voted, to open a correspondence with the Warwick Association, in the State of New York; also, if the request of said Association.
Voted, that Joseph L. Purington and Phineas Hartwell be messengers to the Warwick Association, and that they be authorized to solicit a correspondence with the Baltimore, Delaware, and Delaware River Associations.
Voted, that we solicit a correspondence and interchange of minutes, with the corresponding Meeting and Ketocton Association in Virginia, and that a copy of our minutes for this year be sent to each of those Associations.
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Signs of the Times.
Hillsborough, Scott Co., Mi., Oct. 25, ’44.
BROTHER BEEBE:—At the close of the Bethany Association, it was requested to send you a copy of their minutes, requesting you to give it a place in the Signs of the Times, so that the children of God who are scattered abroad may have an opportunity to know that there is a poor little band in this south, who have separated themselves from the religious multitude of the present day—professors, having no confidence in the work of the flesh, but having full confidence in the wisdom and power of God to manage all things that pertain to the building up of his Zion on earth.—Therefore please to publish as much as you think will be interesting, or the entire minutes at your disposal.
Yours, as I hope, in Christ, JESSE G. TURCKEY.
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