BELIEVER'S LETTERS FROM THE PAST 1: G. WESTERVELT (EMMAUS OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST CHURCH NYC)

It amazes us how knowledgeable believers were in the past, that they could write such sound letters in the faith - ed.

BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 3

"The editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the organ of the Old School Baptists, attacks in no very mild terms or gentle spirit, the recent meeting of Protestants of various denominations in Philadelphia, to oppose the attempts of the Papists of that city to banish the Bible from the common schools. He deems their proceedings fanatical, sympathizes with the Papists in their efforts to discard the bible, and if we comprehend him aright, which is sometimes a matter of difficulty, think that is not a fit book to be read in school, and that the compilations for the use of schools ought to have no religious matter in them. Well, strange things will sometimes occur. A professed Baptist joining with the Papists in preventing the use of the Bible in schools! That interdicted book tells us, in that same day Herod and Pilate were made friends." – Rel. Herald.

THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2

Elder Beebe continues in his opposition to the Bible being introduced into public education in the 19th century - ed.

THE BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Things concerning this issue have not changed much since this article was written in the 19th century - ed.

BEWARE OF DOGS (Beebe) 1844

So said the apostle Paul, and so says our brother of Bradford Co., Pa., whose communication will be found on the 125th page, in this number; but while it is very imprudent for children to leave the plain, straightforward path, to meddle with the ears of such surly curs as may be at strife among themselves, it is equally important that they should not be driven from a correct course by their growling or harking. 

BEST WAY TO INDUCE LIBERALITY TO THE PASTORS (Beebe) 1841

BROTHER PAYTON of Indiana requested our opinion on the above subject, as will be seen by reference to his letter in our last number, page 158. Our reply was necessarily deferred until now, for want of room in the last number.

BEST EVIDENCE OF A CALL TO PREACH

“The best evidence that a man is sent of God, to preach, is that he can preach; but these cannot preach. Did God send them? Never!”

BENEVOLENT EFFORTS 2

“He that is first in how to own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him. ” - Solomon.

BENEVOLENT EFFORTS 1 (Beebe) 1836

“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.” - Solomon.

LIVING FAITH CONTRASTED WITH THAT WHICH IS DEAD (CONCLUDED)

“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness.” – l Cor. i. 22. 

LOCKTOWN NJ OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE

Locktown Old School Meeting House

LIVING FAITH CONTRASTED WITH THAT WHICH IS DEAD (Beebe) 1843

LIVING faith invariably proceeds from a living source, and can never emanate from the carnal mind, which is enmity against God, which is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

A REVIVAL CERTIFICATE

This is how far some went to collect money for Sunday Schools. The words are shocking. - ed.

CONTROVERSY ON JUSTIFICATION

While we wish for a free discussion of every subject of general importance to the household of faith, we regret that our brethren differ so widely on a subject on which they are so well agreed. Unfortunately some of our correspondents either do not understand themselves, or they do not understand each other.

CONTROVERSY

There is truly a diversity of opinion among brethren on the subject of religious controversy. Some of our brethren have expressed a great aversion to the discussion of important and deep subjects, on which our corespondents do not fully agree, while others profess to be greatly edified and comforted by hearing and comparing the conflicting views of those who differ on such disputed points. 

BIBLE DEFINITION OF "GOSPEL"

Like so many Bible terms, the word GOSPEL has been given various definitions contrary to its original and proper meaning. 

THE GROUND OF CHRIST'S GLORY

BROTHER JEWETT: - The 4th and last head, which I mentioned, as a division of those subjects, on which there appears to be an important difference of views between us and some of our Western brethren, is The ground of Christ’s glory, or that which constitutes his glory as the Redeemer. 

VIEWS ON II PET.3:12-13 HEAVENS DISSOLVED, AND ELEMENTS MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT

Dear Brother Beebe: I see in No.21, Sister Dutton requests my views on II Peter 3: 12-13. "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 

GOSPEL ORDER (AND GOSPEL CHAOS)

BROTHER BEEBE: - As I proposed in my last communication a further consideration of Mr. Dennison’s famous argument, by which he seems fondly to anticipate the complete conversion before the next meeting of the Philadelphia Association, of those Brethren who have hitherto had no more benevolence than to suppose that the plans drawn by Christ himself for publishing his Gospel among the Nations of the Earth are sufficient for them to attend to, I will now attempt to show the vast difference there is between these things to which those brethren object, and those which Mr. Dennison enumerates as parallel instances of departure from the Scriptures as a rule of practice. 

THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). 

ON THE SONSHIP OF GOD

Brother Beebe; - This subject, the sonship of Christ, is one of no trifling importance, in our rightly understanding the great doctrine of salvation. 

SON OF GOD AND GODHEAD

Brother Beebe: - As in the 7th number of Signs, for this year, there are two communications which call for some reply from me. I presume you will indulge me in such reply. But also on further investigation, I think, brother Clark's previous communication requires some more extended notice than I took of it in my recent letter. I must, therefore, request the permission to thus notice it previous to replying to the other. 

GNOSTICISM

A strong evidence to me that the church of Christ, at this time, is not only surrounded with Babylonish confusion, but is about to find herself captive in Babylon, is the great propensity manifest by our brethren to refuse the watersof Shiloh that go softly, and to rejoice in something new or strange, something which has the velocity of human imagination in it. 

EXPOSITION OF COLOSSIANS 1.12

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." 

EXPLANATIONS OF THE TERMS NATURAL & CARNAL

BROTHER BEEBE: - Will you permit me to propose an answer for the consideration of brethren a little differing from yours on page 113 of the SIGNS for Aug.1, 1848 – to the first of Elder Goldsmith’s queries on page 115, same number. To your answer to the second query I have no objections. This first query is, “Is it certain that natural and carnal are synonymous terms as used in the Scriptures? You give an answer according to the import of the two words as found in lexicons, but the query was in reference to the use of the terms in the Scriptures.

EXPERIMENTAL DARKNESS

BROTHER BEEBE: - I had formed a resolution not to controvert any subject introduced into the SIGNS, unless particularly called out; and although now inclined to notice a remark of yours, I do not consider it as transgressing in reality that resolution, because I think it will not cause much discussion, being experimental rather than doctrinal, and because I presume the remark was made without reflection, rather than being an expression of your experience on that point. 

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

Brother Beebe: There have been occasionally communications in the Signs, written as relations of experience, which have occasioned in me a desire that something might be said in reference to them. And I now undertake it, although I am aware that either my former communications, or the remarks of some others, have raised in the minds of many of the brethren a prejudice against me, as though I wished to be thought a little more correct than any others on doctrinal points, and therefore that such will now think that I am setting myself up as better acquainted with experience than othes. 

CONDITIONS OF SALVATION

What are the Conditions of Salvation? If the term condition were at all admissible in reference to that which is the sovereign act of Jehovah, I would give these as the conditions of salvation, namely:

DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO HEADS (Adam & Christ)

As in the distinction between the two Heads, the first man and the second Man, so is the distinction between the two lives brought forth severally in these distinct Heads; consequently so is the distinction between the bonds of union by which each Head is united with its body and members. 

DID CHRIST PURCHASE HEAVEN FOR HIS PEOPLE?

Brother Beebe: - I am aware that this, by many, may be considered as mere speculation; and it may not appear to any to have the same importance attached to it with some other subjects. There is, however, with me one consideration alone besides others which I shall notice, which renders it, I think, not an uninteresting nor an unimportant enquiry; that is, whether we as Old School Baptists will conscientiously carry out our professed stand by allowing the Scriptures to decide for us, on all points of doctrine, that is, receiving the doctrine as therein revealed, or whether, to carry out certain systems of the schools we will hold and contend for principles which subvert the plainest declarations of Scripture.

VIEWS ON JUSTIFICATION DEFENDED

Brother Beebe: – I much regret that my thoughts on Justification have been so much misunderstood, as they evidently have been, by several worthy brethren. I cannot account for this so great misapprehension of what I advanced on this subject, but upon the ground that these brethren have in their early experience, as I did, drank in from the writings of men or the preaching they heard, the notion of eternal justification, along with the doctrine of salvation by grace, and had both thus blended together in their connection of the plan of salvation; the one their experience told them was true, and they therefore did not doubt the truth of the other. 

THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

 

Explanation Of Views Heretofore Advanced On Justification. 

ETERNAL JUSTIFICATION?

This is another of Elder Trott's articles on Justification. - ed.

MY THOUGHTS ON JUSTIFICATION

This is the famous article by Elder Trott where he discusses at length, his views of Justification. - ed.

MOREOVER THE LAW ENTERED

 These are the thoughts of Elder Trott on the doctrine of the law - ed.

SALEM WITCH TRIALS 2/2

"There are such Devils in the Church: Not only sinners but notorious sinners; sinners more like to the Devil than others…If ever there were Witches, Men & Women in Covenant with the Devil, here are Multitudes in New-England." Samuel Parris, Sermon

We continue with the last installment of this series.

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS 1/2

The Salem Witch Trials have been explained by many.  The most common explanation is that it was some form of mass hysteria.  The Puritans are presented as strict and literal in their interpretation of the Bible, especially in the passage in Leviticus that says you must not suffer a witch to live.  But is this all there is to it?  We investigate. - ed.

What The Lovers Of The Heathen Thought Of Their Old School Brethren

 

Many say that the Primitive or Old School Baptists are an unwelcoming lot.  History presents them as separating themselves from the New School Missionary Baptists.  One of the several Baptist magazines was the World.  Samuel Trott quoted some of the things they said about Old School Baptists. Some might think these issues are irrelevant for today, but that same kind kind of thinking views the events that happened in Palestine over 2,000 years ago, equally irrelevant.- ed.

The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same

 

We include another article, which though it was written in 1832, still describes the situation in American Christendom. - ed.

An Old Church Program

 

We do not know the exact origin of paper church programs.  We guess that they were an offshoot of the Anglican Parish newsletters, which began in the late 19th century.  With the invention of the mimeograph machine, more churches used them, since they were cheap to reproduce.  Either way we will reflect on an old church program we found in our possessions. - ed.

Biblical Basis For Church Practices

 

For those who may think that the views of the Old School Baptists are irrelevant in this modern age, we post this article written over 150 years ago.  In the day of mighty superchurches and missionary organizations, this article might be relevant. - ed.

Is America a "Chrisitian" Nation?

 

150 years ago, a man of God named Gilbert Beebe an Old School Baptist preacher and editor of the Signs of the Time, wrote an article that is very relevant for today.  It is almost like he is speaking as a contemporary.  Back in 1850, there were Christians who wanted the Constitution to reflect a "Christian" perspective.  Read Beebe's words and see if he answers this view - Ed.

JERUSALEM - GOD'S HOLY CITY TODAY?

"But we are come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn , which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12.22-23)

The Manufacture of Ministers 1

Unlike the ancient and outdated apostles, today's ministers have massive sources to be equipped and prepared (by men) to preach the gospel. Dallas Theological Seminary is a dine example of this with its vast offerings of postgraduate masters programs, all of them in the "arts". Just look at all these different programs!

MERCY TO A DECEITFULLY WICKED HEART

It is an amazing fact that God ordains the treachery of the human heart to achieve his purposes and glorify himself.

WHOSE CHILDREN?

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother" (I John 3.10).

"THAT Will Keep You From All That God Wants You To Be"

This is what Steve Furtick an Arminian pastor spoke about on TBN a "Christian" television station preached. We are told the same thing by Joyce Meyer a woman preacher and TV personality. We are not attacking any of them personally or questioning their salvation. We have no right to judge this.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse them me from secret faults. (Psalms 19.12)

For those who teach that one has to repent for all his sins to be forgiven even as believers, we have riddle. How can they ask forgiveness for sins they are not aware of? For reasons only known to himself, our Lord keeps some our sins out of our awareness. God has secrets. 'The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our brethren forever, that we may do all the words of this law' (Deut. 29:29).

The Trial of Job - Elder Silas Durand

We have a limited time special on the above book.  Here is what Elder Poole wrote when we first republished it:

    There are but a few books written on the subject of Job and fewer still that are worth the time it takes to read them. Welsh Tract Publications has now made available the finest work on Job that we know of anywhere.

ON THE DEATH OF 2 CHILDREN A POEM (BEEBE) 1833

 

We had never known of the sorrow, or the expression of it, that Elder Beebe had in 1833. This poem was published in the December 25, 1833, Signs of the Times. One can feel the natural grief of the parent as well as the heavenly submission of the Saint to the will of Almighty God. Beebe makes no speculation on the eternal state of his offspring, but leaves it in the hand of him who "is too wise to err, too good to be unkind." Would that we all, in the midst of providences hurtful to the flesh and natural feelings, might be blessed with the same spirit as He had to face the loss of 2 children. [RNL]