By way of introduction, I wish to say that, for the
past few years, there has been a controversy among the people of the
church of God, commonly known as saints, or “Gospel Trumpet people.”
And this controversy came about through a few ministers who became
very liberal in their views regarding the question of the
Christian’s dress. When they first insisted on bringing their
worldly ideas and articles of dress in among the saints, it became
the duty of the ministers of the church to take a decided stand
against them and their false teaching. Accordingly, E. E. Byrum, at
that time editor of The Gospel Trumpet, wrote an article, entitled
“Marching Along the Bypath,” in which he warned the church,
declaring that, “A deceptive, exalted, independent, devilish
compromise spirit is sweeping over the land.”
And he gave the church many other statements of warning from which
we shall quote from time to time as we proceed. This warning, with
many other efforts of other ministers, seemed to stay the worldly
compromise at that time, but later the compromise element enlisted
other ministers of the church in their cause, and another drive was
made against the church, which resulted in carrying away a large
number, both of ministers and lay members, and that time the editor
of The Gospel Trumpet fell victim to the compromise, and from that
time on the publishing work has been under their control and used in
the furtherance of the compromise movement.
Now there are two bodies of people standing directly opposed to each
other on account of this question of compromise. Many false
statements have gone forth, and the minds of many of God’s children
are confused, in regard to the questions at issue.
Having been a minister in the Church of God for the past eighteen
years, and knowing the history and workings of this compromise from
its beginning, I feel it my duty, and for the glory of God, to set
before the people the fundamental difference now existing between
the Gospel Trumpet people and the Church of God, who still hold the
doctrine of the Bible as taught by the church from the beginning of
what is known as the Reformation of the evening light.
In order to do this, we will state what the past teaching was, as
found in the books, tracts, papers, printed testimonies, and pulpit
sermons, etc., which have been preached and published by the Church
of God, also The Trumpet’s late teaching in regard to the things at
issue. And we believe that after clearly setting forth the facts of
the case, every honest, unbiased soul will agree with us that The
Gospel Trumpet people are not the Church of God, as they profess to
be, and are not worthy of the name which they assume. For the
Scriptures declare, ““But Christ as a Son over his own house
[church]; whose house [church] are we, if we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
(Hebrews 3:6)
The following are some of the points of difference between us, which
we will take up in due form and order:
1. On Dress
2. On Church Organization
3. On Church Government
4. On Visible Unity
5. On the Financial Support of the Ministry
With the
preaching of the full gospel of Christ by D. S. Warner and other
ministers of the Church of God in the Evening Light Reformation,
which began about the year 1880, came the word of God on the subject
of the Christian’s dress.
At first
thought one may think that the dress question is of very little
moment, or rather of no moment at all; but by carefully reading the
scriptures addressed to Christians upon this subject, we find that
Holy Inspiration has not left us to ourselves in regard to this
matter, but has given us punctual directions as to what we shall or
shall not wear.
Accordingly we read, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting
on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that
which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this
manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” (I
Peter 3:3-5)
Also, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women
adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly
array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good
works.” (I Timothy 2:8-10)
And also we read, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Again, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is
able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)
The first two passages quoted, emphatically forbid Christians
wearing gold, pearls, or costly array, or to put on apparel, but
commands them to dress as becomes their profession, namely,
holiness, declaring that the spirit of the Christian must be “a meek
and quiet spirit”; and also that their dress must be modest, for we
all know that a Christian is a modest, humble, lowly man or woman of
God. Since their very spirit and character are meek, quiet, holy,
and humble like unto their Lord and Master, they are commanded to
dress as is suitable and becoming their profession of Christ.
The last
two scriptures referred to forbid us as Christians to conform to the
world, and exhorts us to lay apart all “superfluity of naughtiness.”
The Romans 12:2 may more directly refer to the spirit and wisdom of
the world, yet it also refers to the foolish fashions and customs,
which naturally emanate from its spirit and wisdom, and if we are
ever to prove the “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,”
thus pleasing Him in all things, we must cease our conformity to the
world.
The laying
apart of all superfluity is very essential to our Christian life and
walk. Superfluity is anything excessive, not needed, unnecessary,
and that is worn or used for show or ornament, to please the eye, to
satisfy the lust of the flesh or the pride of life; and the Word
says, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:24)
Therefore, seeing that the Scriptures are against such things, we
can truly say that such as laces, embroideries, silks, satins,
plush, and other fine goods should not be worn by saints of God;
neither fancy vests, neckties, silk socks, fancy watch fobs, or any
gay or flashy clothing, but that which “becometh holiness” (Titus
2:3); also, all jewelry, such as rings, earrings, necklaces,
bracelets, gold watches, stick pins, or anything that is worn for
show or adornment must be left off for Jesus’ sake. However, lace
and embroidery cannot be classed with other fabrics; for whole
garments or parts of garments are made of cotton, wool, velvet
plush, silk or fur, and such garments cover the body and keep it
warm; but garments or parts of garments made of lace or embroidery
are worn for show, and not that they have any value as clothing. But
again, saints should not wear anything that has the appearance at
being worn for show or costliness.
Now this is the way the truth has been preached from the beginning
of the Reformation until about the year 1910, as the following
extracts from Gospel Trumpet literature will show:
"Superfluities—By this is meant unnecessary things, such as are worn
for show and style, and cannot be worn to the glory of God, such as
gold cuff and collar buttons, and other jewelry; neckties, an
unnecessary amount of ribbon, feathers, and many other things which
can be laid aside for the glory of God. By-words, slang phrases,
"cracking jokes," silly actions, grumbling, murmuring, idleness,
etc., are weights which should be laid aside." [Little Things, pp.
14]
"If we as saints will leave off the feathers, the ruffles and
mufflers, the gold watches and chains, the diamonds, rings,
necklaces, gold-rimmed glasses, silk dresses, hobble skirts, low
necked waists, embroideries, etc., we shall avoid transgressing the
Bible, the Holy Spirit, our conscience, sinning against the
brethren; then we shall stand without fault before the throne of the
great Judge who now stands before the door with the record of our
deeds. Take for example the wearing of the necktie. We not only
consider our own conscience, but that of others. Because it has been
discarded as an unnecessary article of dress, and is so regarded by
the church, almost, if not, universally, it is therefore best to
leave it off lest we offend our brethren, if for no other reason."
[The Gospel Trumpet June 27(or 21), 1912]
"It has been fully agreed upon by the saints and representative
ministers that it is an unnecessary article of dress, that the
wearing of it is catering too much to the world, and, therefore,
should be discouraged. Ministers who are full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom and miracle-working faith and power will not need such
things, neither pianos, nor stringed instruments to get an audience
and to convert souls." [The Gospel Trumpet December 19(or 12), 1912]
"Question—Why do not the saints (men) wear neckties? It is so
noticeable, would like to know.
Answer—For the reason that they are for ornament only, and as such
are not needful nor useful."
[The Gospel Trumpet August 20, 1908]
"Question—Can one keep saved and use tea, coffee, wear corsets,
neckties, etc.?
Answer—[Caffeinated] tea and coffee are narcotics—poisonous, and
more or less injurious to the human system, and men and women become
slaves to the habit. Salvation will deliver from all such bondage
and habits when connected with the proper teaching. It is a
generally admitted fact that the corsets are injurious, and if
people know this, they are guilty before God in cleaving to pride
and fashion, and especially when it is harmful. Neckties are
superfluous. God’s Word forbids outward adorning; but such are
fashionable, and doubtless have a part in 'the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life.'" (I John 2:16)
"Salvation
delivers from the desire, “lust,” and “pride” of such things. Where
men and women get saved from these things and teach against them,
then take to them again, the devil has seduced them." [The Gospel
Trumpet June 12, 1902]
"We gladly refrain from wearing anything that only brings us nearer
the world and adds nothing to comfort or necessity. Wearing a collar
large enough and of such material that it protects our coat from the
perspiration of the neck, seems to be a matter of convenience,
economy, comfort, and cleanliness; but this could not be said of a
necktie, which is so generally considered by the world as a
necessity, but which is for no other reason than for appearance. It
is consistent with the word of God that we should be clean and neat,
but if you were to take the worldly judgment for our standard of
neatness, where should we find ourselves?" [The Gospel Trumpet
October 20, 1910]
Now, dear reader, you, can see by the Word of God and the past
teaching of these people, that all worldliness in dress was
forbidden. But now these very same writers and preachers, including
E. E. Byrum himself, have repudiated their own teaching and are
wearing many of the things they formerly taught against. So,
according to their own statements, as recorded in the above
extracts, “The devil has seduced them.”
E. E. Byrum had said:
"It is a matter much to be regretted that two or three ministers of
this Reformation have become so blinded by such a spirit as to don
their superfluous paraphernalia and take the pulpit, even at a camp
meeting, and upbraid as fanatical the saints who would not fall in
line with the same…. The word of God stands today as it always has,
and to wear a superfluous article will lead to other superfluities
and open the gates to worldly conformity and pride; and a compromise
spirit that will plead for worldly conformity will plead for letting
down on doctrinal lines. Then what is the matter with those
ministers? They have stepped over into the bypath of the broad way,
and are headed for the dump pile. “Is that not too strong a
statement?” someone may say. No; and the sooner they are made to
realize it, and the people see it, the better it will be.
It is a downright compromise with the devil. It is the spirit of the
thing we are after, and we trust the men themselves may find
deliverance. "
[Byrum,
Enoch E., Marching Along the Bypath; The Gospel Trumpet September
15, 1910]
The writer of the above now wears his necktie, which he had
vehemently condemned in others. So, according to his own teaching,
he has “stepped over into the bypath of the broad way, and is headed
for the dump pile.”
And the same spirit of compromise, that has seduced these people in
regard to worldly dress, has also seduced them into letting down on
other doctrinal lines of Bible truth, as we shall see as we proceed.
We find among these Trumpet people today those who wear neckties,
gold watches, breast pins, laces, embroideries, silks, and coffee
and tea drinking, corset wearing and many other things almost too
numerous to mention, but may this suffice for the present on this
subject.
Turning to Ecclesiastes 3:14-15, we read: “I know
that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put
to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men
should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which
is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”
Without a doubt, this scripture is very fitting and appropriate to
the subject under consideration, for all who read the Word of God on
the subject of the organization of the Church of God, find that the
following was to be her lasting characteristic: she is of divine
origin. Her inception coexisted in the mind of God with the plan of
salvation. Her origin, being the immediate result of redemption, was
inseparable from it. And therefore, since, in the counsel and good
purpose of God, Christ was a “Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world,” (Revelation 13:8) the church, redeemed through His blood,
also stood before the divine mind parallel with the gift of His Son.
Of that holy institution, we have seen, He cast a beautiful shadow
upon the earth, in the form of the temple and all its contents. And,
after “Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, for
a testimony of those things which were, to be spoken after,”
(Hebrews 3:5) in due time, “Christ as a son over his own house,”
(Hebrews 3:6) appeared, and He built this beautiful “church of the
living God.” (I Timothy 3:15) He adorned her foundations and walls
with the pure gold of His heavenly love, and set them with the
precious stones of His graces and gifts. He adorned her pillars with
the robe of His righteousness; and in her He sheds the light of his
own glory. She is from heaven, and all members are born of God.
Along with Christ, her life and head, she is the gift of infinite
love. She is “God’s building,” chosen of Him for His own dwelling
place; and where He spreads a continual feast of love for all His
heaven-born children. The divine Son purchased her with His own
blood (Acts 20:28), yea, He gave Himself for her to be His own bride
(Ephesians 5:25); He built her upon the rock (Matthew 16:18).
As the true tabernacle of present divine testimony, the Lord pitched
her and not man (Hebrews 8:2). As the house of God, “he that built
all things [in her] is God.” (Hebrews 3:4) As the beloved city, she
“hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)
Her foundation is Jesus Christ the divine Savior: “For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.” (I Corinthians 3:11)
Her life and light is the “eternal Spirit” (Hebrews 9:14); her
creed is the pure word of God. Thus spake God by the mouth of His
servant Moses: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their
brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he
shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he
shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy
18:18-19) This is fulfilled in His Son as the apostle testifies
(Acts 3:22-23).
God announced that He would put His words in the mouth of this
prophet; and when He came, He testified, saying, “The words that I
speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) Therefore, “God, who at
sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by
his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
This adorable Christ came into the world and delivered the perfect
law of His kingdom, and when about to finish His mission on earth,
He said, “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and
they have received them” (John 17:8); and when He sent forth His
ministers to preach His gospel to every creature, He commissioned
them to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew
28:19-20) Thus we see that Christ Jesus spoke all the words that the
Father put into His mouth, all that He had commanded Him to speak;
and the Son likewise commissioned His apostles to publish all and
only that which He gave them. Therefore, “All Scripture divinely
inspired, is indeed profitable for teaching, for conviction, for
correction, for that discipline which is in righteousness; so that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly fitted for every good
work” (II Timothy 3:16-17, Emphatic Diaglott)
God the Father, then, is the source of this new covenant, and Jesus
Christ is the mediator of the same, Its object is the conviction of
men in sin, and the teaching, correction in discipline, in
righteousness, of all the saints of God, and the result is, by means
of it they are perfect. As the divinely inspired discipline, it
corrects every error, and teaches every obligation of righteousness
in all our relations to God and to man.
—Daniel S. Warner, in The Cleansing of the Sanctuary. [It is
uncertain how much of the above is quoted from the book]
We see by the foregoing testimony of sacred truth, how that God,
back in eternity, even before the world was, purposed to redeem
fallen man; and not only so, but that He would take the redeemed
material and of it build a beautiful church, even to be His dwelling
place on earth. We will see as we further give the testimony of
truth on the subject of the organization of the Church of God, that
God alone is the sole builder of it, and that nowhere in its
organization is the touch of man’s hand found, but that it is a
wholly divine organization, and in the language of scripture,
“nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it [and] that
which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is
past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15) Oh, how unchangeable is this
organization! And how complete also, even so complete that nothing
can be put to it—it has every organ and function necessary to its
completeness and perfection. One had as well say that a man with the
use of both his legs has need of crutches to walk on, as to say that
this divinely organized church has need of a human organization in
order to procure and maintain system and order. Such would be horrid
folly, and casts reflection upon both the wisdom and ability of God,
and is well nigh blasphemy.
In order to show you how the ministers of the Church of God taught
on the subject of church organization, we quote the following from
D. S. Warner:
"Therefore when men charge us with discarding all organization, they
either knowingly or willfully misrepresent us. As the Word teaches,
so we teach. The church that Jesus purchased with His own blood, He
also built (Matthew 16:18), that is, organized. “In whom [Christ]
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple
in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:21) These scriptures and many others
clearly set forth the church of God as a symmetrical, and perfectly
organized structure.
Of this fact there is no question; but with regard to those who hold
the prerogative of organizing the body, all do not so well agree.
The general teaching in sectarian theology is that God only saves
and gathers men out of the world into a general mass, and that is
the duty of ministers to form the material thus provided into
organic form. But we teach that God saves men into His church, also
forms them into due order, and really organizes the church Himself.
As to which position is correct we will now appeal to the Word. A
few texts will be sufficient to settle the question. The church, we
have seen, is a building, a house; that is, an organic structure.
Now it must be apparent to all, that whoever is the architect and
builder of a house organizes the same. But “He who hath builded the
house hath more honour than the house. [And] he that built all
things is God.” (Hebrews 3:3-4) “But now hath God set the members
every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (I
Corinthians 12:18) “And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles,” (I Corinthians 12:28) etc. To furnish with organs [in
the sense of parts of an organism, not musical instruments —Ed.]
“built,” “compacted,” (Ephesians 4:16) “fitly framed together,” and
to “[temper] the body together,” (I Corinthians 12:24) covers all
that is included in the word “organize.” And, “All these worketh
that one and selfsame Spirit.” (I Corinthians 12:11) Yea, “It is
the same God which worketh all in all.” (1 Cointhians 12:6) He
then, through the Spirit, is the organizer of His own church."
[Warner, Daniel S.; The Cleansing of the Sanctuary]
Dear reader, you will see by the above that the Church of God is a
divinely organized church, and that God only is that God is the
organizer. This is the position that has been taken by the ministers
of the Church of God from the beginning of the Evening Light
Reformation down to about the year 1910. You will further see by the
following extracts from Gospel Trumpet literature, that according to
the Word of God we understood human organization in regard to the
church to be unscriptural and wrong.
"In January, 1882, Sister Lottie Blackwood told me one day that
sectarianism was not right, that she had found a better way, that
some ministers around Bangor, Michigan, were preaching against it,
and that many had left the sects and embraced the “evening light.” I
did not raise any opposition to her, because of the esteem and
respect I had for her, but inwardly I felt very sad to think she
would leave the good old Methodists and go with a class of people
that had no respect for system attained through human organization.
Therefore I resolved to study the Bible to qualify myself to
convince her of her error. I studied the Word faithfully, but, to my
surprise, and delight, I found she was right. So, before I ever
heard a sermon preached on the church question, I was thoroughly
convinced that the Word of God stood out in bold condemnation of
human church organization."
[Palmer, A. B.; Nineteen Hundred Years of Church History]
As many know, A. B. Palmer was one of the ministers of the Evening
Light Reformation, and he understood that human organization to the
Church of God was condemned by the Bible, hence he preached it that
way. Not he only, but all the ministers for thirty years or more
held human organization to the church as absolutely contrary to the
Word of God, as you will further see by the following extract from
The Revelation Explained.
In discussing the two-horned beast of the revelation, and his mark,
the writer of that book has this to say:
"The greatest principle of false doctrine that originated with
Catholicism, and one that has been transferred to every Protestant
sect, is, that a human organization is necessary to complete the
Church of Christ on earth. The Church of Rome has an earthly head
and a human government; and Protestants, also, firmly believe the
unscriptural doctrine, that they must bow to an organization of men
and thus be under a visible human headship; they receive the mark of
the beast."
[Smith, Frederick G.; The Revelation Explained, “Chapter 13”]
Now, we wish to call your attention to three points in the above,
which the writer holds to be wrong and contrary to the Word. First:
That to teach that a human organization to the church is necessary
to complete it, is one of the greatest principles of false doctrine,
brought from Roman Catholicism. Don’t forget this. Second: It is an
unscriptural doctrine to believe that we must bow to an organization
of men and thus be under a human headship. Third: They that teach
and practice such doctrine “receive the mark of the beast.”
Now, dear reader, we will show you by Gospel Trumpet literature,
that they, the Gospel Trumpet people, have departed from both the
Word of God and their own past teaching on the subject of church
organization. In the Ministerial Letter of June, 1915, Thomas
Nelson, writing on church organization, after taking notice of the
divine organization of the church, comes out very boldly and
declares, “There is need of a human organization to work together
with the divine Spirit—in this way only can system and order be
procured and maintained.” Thus you see that they have surrendered
their position formerly held, and according to F. G. Smith’s
statement, have embraced the unscriptural doctrine of Catholicism,
that a human organization is absolutely necessary to procure system
and maintain order in the Church of God. And not only this step has
been taken in apostasy from divine truth, but indeed they teach the
human headship, which F. G. Smith had once so strongly condemned
Protestants for doing. Listen to him:
“Christ is the head of the church,” someone may say. True; but “the
husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church.” (Ephesians 5:23) Does not the wife also have a head of her
own? So also the church has a head of its own; the church, however,
is subject to Christ, as its spiritual head. The officers of the
church constitute its personal head.
[Smith, Frederick G.; Financial System of the Bible, pp. 31]
Here, as in the other statement of heresy, the writer boldly
declares that the Church of God has a human head. Surely “The dog is
turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her
wallowing in the mire.” (II Peter 2:22) The Pope of Rome makes no
greater claims to headship than this man has. Now let us examine his
statement carefully and see how it wrests the scriptures in regard
to the wife having a head of her own: for he bases human headship of
the church upon the proposition that although the husband is the
head of the wife, yet she has a head of her own. His reasoning runs
that therefore, although Christ is the spiritual head of the church,
yet, since the church bears the same relation to Christ as the wife
does to her husband, and the wife has a head of her own, hence the
church has a human head of its own.
Now in the first place, we deny that, in the sense the apostle uses
the illustration, the wife had a head of her own; for the apostle
here is speaking of the family relationship, and we declare on the
authority of the Word of God, that, in the family relationship, the
wife has no head but her husband, for the scriptures declare in
regard to the family relationship, “Wives, submit yourselves unto
your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22) Why, we ask,
should wives submit themselves unto their own husbands? The answer
is clear: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even [to the
extent] as Christ is the head of the church.” (Ephesians 5:23) Here
we find that the wife has no headship in the family, but her
husband. But one may ask, “Then what is the wife’s place in the
family?” Let the Word answer, “And Adam gave names to all cattle,
and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for
Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:20) The
Word of God declares the wife to be a helpmeet again here, “For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his
wife; And they twain [two] shall be one flesh.” (Mark 10:7-8) So we
see that, in the marriage and family relationship, the husband is
the head and the only head, and the wife is his helpmeet by his
side, from whence she was taken. Hence Mr. Smith’s position of the
wife having a head of her own falls to the ground under the weight
of God’s Word. Therefore, his position of two heads for the church
is without foundation in the Word of God, and he had to borrow it
from the unscriptural teaching of Roman Catholicism, and therefore
they bear the mark of the beast. A thing with two heads is properly
termed a monstrosity. I once saw a dead baby with two heads, but
even nature teaches us that a body should have but one head. And
this is very apparent, for, since the head is to rule the body, more
than one head would result in confusion.
Now, since we see that Mr. Smith has wrested the scriptures in
regard to the headship of the church, let us examine the scriptures
and see where God placed the ministers of his church. We first read,
“But be ye not called Rabbi, for one is your master, even Christ;
and all ye are brethren…. But he that is greatest among you shall be
your servant.” (Matthew 23:8,11) Again, in the scriptures, “Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:1) “For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants
for Jesus? sake.” (II Corinthians 4:5) “Paul and Timotheus, the
servants of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:1) “Till we have sealed
the servants of our God.” (Revelation 7:3) “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at
Cenchrea.” (Romans 16:1)
These and many other scriptures teach that the officers in the
church are servants, and not the head of the church. You may search
the Bible through, and you will never find where the officers are
head of the church. They never become more than humble ministers or
servants to God and His church. So again we see the false teaching
of The Trumpet people in regard to the church. Hence the great
difference between us and them. They resort to the unscriptural
doctrine of Catholicism, but we stand on the Word of God alone, and
defy the hosts of sect confusion to move us.
Now we come to the third point of difference between
us, namely, church government. We wish to take this up from a
scriptural standpoint and set forth the truth in the matter. We have
seen that the Church of God is divine, and that God Himself is her
builder, maker, and sole organizer. So, also, we find that the
government of His church is unlike any other government, political
or ecclesiastical. We read in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…to order
it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from
henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this.” Again, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is
the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he
might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him
should all fulness dwell.” (Colossians 1:18-19) Now we see by the
above scriptures, that Jesus Christ was ordained of God to be the
head and governor of His church, and nowhere in the Bible do we find
that anyone was to be chosen to be equal with Him in rule or
authority in His church. But we do read in the second Thessalonian
letter, of the “man of sin” (II Thessalonians 2:3) who would exalt
himself to the headship of the church, and this no doubt refers to
the Pope of Rome; but God declares that He will destroy him at the
second coming of Christ.
But although Christ is the governor if His church, He has officers
through whom He governs His people. So, we read, “But unto every one
of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.” (Ephesians 4:7-8) “And he gave
some, apostles [planters]; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” () One may ask, “For
what purpose did He give them?” Hear the answer: “For the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body [church] of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12); “And God hath set some
in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers” (I Corinthians 12:28); etc. Now we see that the officers
of this church are divinely appointed, even by the Lord Himself. So
there is no school or college of bishops in the church, to appoint
the officers their work; no great ones in this church; no class
ministry; none above another. Every preacher is called of God,
qualified by the Holy Ghost and sent forth by Him into the
particular place where the Spirit pleases. Accordingly we read, “But
Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of
the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great
exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but
whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
(Matthew 20:25-27)
Here we see the humble equality of the ministry as taught by Christ
Himself. In the government of the Gentiles, there were degrees;
there were petty officers, and above them all was the Emperor. But
Christ said, “It shall not be so among you.” All were equal in
authority in the ministry; all received the same commission. Their
field was the world, and they were to go when and where the Holy
Ghost might send them. The history of the labors of the apostles
shows this very plainly. And to show you how this has been taught
among us, we quote D. S. Warner in The Cleansing of the Sanctuary:
Her government is divine, not only in the legislative, as we have
just seen, but likewise, in its judicial and executive departments.
“The government shall rest upon his shoulder.” (Isaiah 9:6) “He is
the head of the body the church…that in all things he might have
the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18); a divine government in the
highest sense; a theocracy not only appointed by God, but
administered by Him; even “one God and Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:6) “It is the
same God which worketh all in all.” (I Corinthians 12:6) He chooses
men for elders and deacons, as “helps [and] governments” (I
Corinthians 12:28); but these, as well as all the members of the
body, have no right or power to act, except as “it is God which worketh in [them].” (Philippians 2:13) If, therefore, they teach or
exhort, it is by His Spirit dwelling in them. So her government is
indeed all divine; yea, it is indeed a government of God, working
all things in all the members.
[Warner, Daniel S.; The Cleansing of the Sanctuary]
Now the Trumpet people teach contrary to this:
"A minister is as much the servant of the church as he is the servant
of God, and he should not feel free to go where he pleases and
undertake any work in any place on his own responsibility or
leadings. We may call following such unsystematic and disorderly
methods being led by the Spirit and sent by the Holy Ghost. The
result will always prove that such leadings are mostly human notions
that waste means, times, and lives, and often work great havoc in
the churches. Let the brethren as well as the Lord send you, and if
they do not think you are qualified for the work you think of
undertaking, God will not hold you responsible for not doing it."
[Ministerial Letter June 1, 1915]
Now, dear reader, you see by the above, that they would set up, or
establish, a college, or board of “brethren,” to question your
leadings of the Spirit, and to pass upon the same, and to tell you
whether or not you could go here or there to preach Christ’s gospel.
And if they, the “brethren,” tell you not to go where you feel the
Lord leading you to go, God will not hold you responsible for not
doing the work He led you to do. Can you think for a minute that
such teaching is in keeping with the Word? Such is nothing less than
pleasing man, and where, pray tell me, in the Word of God has He
given men dominion over your faith, and over your understanding when
or where Christ sends you to work for Him? Search the scriptures and
see how God calls and sends His ministers independently of any
earth-born Council, Synod, College, or Board. Take, for example, the
ministers of the early church. Christ sent the first ones forth
without human straps or bands to “Go…teach all nations,” (Matthew
28:19) with no One to answer to but the “great shepherd of the
sheep.” (Hebrews 13:20) A little later He saved Saul of Tarsus. See
how He commissioned him; here are his words: “But I certify you,
brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by
the revelation of Jesus Christ…. But when it pleased God [not the
brethren], who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me
[not the brethren] by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I
might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with
flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were
apostles before me [the apostles at Jerusalem were called to preach
before he was]; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto
Damascus.” (Galatians 1:11-17) And this same Paul says, “Be ye
followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)
A good example for preachers now.
The Ministerial Letter quoted above stands contrary to the Word of
God on this subject. It calls God’s divine system of government
wasteful of means, time, and lives; also destructive. But it is
plain to be seen that such men are blinded with he false doctrines
of sectism, and have departed from “the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3) Therefore, they are left to
their own human reasoning; and they build their own human
organizations and try to impose them upon the Church of God,
pretending that they are scriptural. But thank God for a Holy Bible
and Spirit which will teach His children the true doctrine. “The
meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his
way.” (Psalm 25:9) Amen.
And now we come to the next subject of difference,
namely, visible unity. And upon this, as well as upon all other
subjects of the Bible, we wish to give you the Word, and not our
human notions, for if there is such a thing in the Church of God as
visible unity, it must have its foundations in Bible truth.
Accordingly, we read, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah [that
is, the tribe of Judah], nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until
Shiloh [rest giver] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the
people be.” (Genesis 49:10)
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand
for an ensign [a standard] of the people; to it shall the Gentiles
seek; and his rest shall be glorious. It shall come to pass in that
day, that the LORD [not man] shall set his hand again the second
time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from
Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush [the land
of the blacks], and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and
from the islands of the sea.” (Isaiah 11:10-11)
“And it shall come to pass in the last days [in the gospel
dispensation], that the mountain of the LORD’S house [church, not
some sect] shall be established in the top of the mountains [high
above all carnal sect division], and shall be exalted above the
hills; and all nations [not just the white race alone] shall flow
unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2)
“I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest
be my salvation [not the religion of one nation] unto the end of the
earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the
brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see:
all they gather themselves together [they don’t divide up in
different congregations because of race or color], they come to
thee: thy sons shall come from far [from other nations], and thy
daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow
together [not apart].” (Isaiah 60:3-5)
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to
thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast
prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-82)
“And other sheep I have [Gentiles] which are not of this fold
[Jews]: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and
there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
“And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same
year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it
is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and
that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself:
but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die
for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he
should gather together in one the children of God that were
scattered abroad.” (John 11:49-52)
We see by the foregoing scriptures, that the mission of Christ to
this world was to bring salvation to the whole human family, and
that He would call His converts from every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people, regardless of their race or color, customs, traditions,
habits, tastes, prejudices, vast difference in education, etc.
Although they were formerly broken by sin into fragments, castes,
and hostile camps, the one against the other, they were, thank God!
to make peace both with God and each other through the blood of His
cross, as it is written: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes
were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our
peace, who hath made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and hath broken
down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in
his flesh the enmity…for to make in himself of twain one new man,
so making peace; And that he might reconcile both [Jew and Gentile]
unto God in one body [not two] by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby…. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone; In whom [Christ] all the
building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God
through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:13-22)
Here we see that the Gentile does not come to the Jew, neither the
Jew to the Gentile, but both come unto God by Jesus Christ, and at
the cross are washed from their sins in His own precious blood,
losing their race preference, and are made “one new man, so making
peace,” from henceforth builded together for God’s dwelling place on
earth. And we read in Acts 2 where, on the day of Pentecost, about
three thousand souls out of every nation under heaven—which most
assuredly included the colored races, such as the Egyptian, the
Ethiopian, and Libyan—were saved together and became associated
together in the church at Jerusalem. “And they, continuing daily
with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
There was the fulfillment of all the scriptures concerning Christ’s
coming to earth to bring salvation to all men, and to establish His
church in unity and oneness; no division of any kind or character,
but perfect unity, both visible and in the Spirit. And indeed this
visible unity continued throughout the history of the early church,
as witnessed by the labors of the apostles.
Peter had to learn this wonderful truth before he went to the
household of Cornelius, and arriving there, he declared that God had
shown him not to call any man common or unclean; for “in every
nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted
with him.” (Acts 10:35) However, once, through fear of the Jewish
converts coming from Jerusalem to Antioch, he withdrew from eating
with the Gentile saints. But he was rebuked by Paul for such
conduct, and was told that in this he had “walked not uprightly
according to the truth of the gospel.” (Galatians 2:14) Therefore,
to divide the people of God into different congregations because of
their race or color is to raise again the race wall of partition,
which Christ died to destroy. And having more than one congregation
in any one city because of race or color, is simply division, and
destroys the visible unity that Christ most earnestly prayed unto
God for, and died that it might be realized among His people on
earth. If we do not preach it and practice it we are no better than
sect Babylon, and God will disown us as His people. Now we will give
you a statement from D. S. Warner on this subject, so you will see
that not only the Bible teaches visible unity, but that it was
taught and practiced among the saints in the Evening Light
Reformation.
As there is but “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all,” (Ephesians 4:6) so likewise there is
but “one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of
your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4) It was the purpose of God to save
both Jews and Gentiles through the gospel of His Son. Now there was
a great gulf of prejudice and vast separation in sentiment and
education existing between these two classes; and it might very
reasonably be thought that characters so remote from each other
could never be blended together in one body, and live agreeably
under one faith. Did therefore, the Lord indulge their alienation
from each other, and their extreme peculiarities, by providing a
separate fold for each? Nay, for the Great Teacher says, “Other
sheep I have [Gentiles], which are not of this fold [not Jews]: them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be
one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Those antipodes of
humanity, if saved at all, must be brought together into one fold….
By means of any complete concordance you may see that church is
never once in the plural number when referring to the disciples of
Christ in any one city. No matter how large the city and how
numerous the believers, there is but one Church of God in it. Hence
we read, “the church that was at Antioch” (Acts 13:1); “the church
of God which is at Corinth” (I Corinthians 1:2); “the church of the
Thessalonians” (I Thessalonians 1:1); “unto the seven churches
which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos,
and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:11) Thus you see there was only one church
in one city. And though under the apostasy there are today many
bodies, many towering steeples, and rival altars, in every town and
city, God’s Word is just as true as when written by the inspiration
of the apostles, and there is but “one body in Christ.” (Romans
12:5) Yea, there is but one body universal in Christ, and but one
body in Christ in Chicago, in New York, or in any city on earth.
Therefore, if “God be true, but every man a liar,” (Romans 3:4) it
follows that the multitude of bodies seen in these last days
occupying the same place, are not in Christ, not the one body of
Christ."
[Warner, Daniel S.; The Cleansing of the Sanctuary]
Now, dear reader, we have given you both the truth, and the past
teaching of The Gospel Trumpet people on the subject of the visible
unity of the Church of God. We want to say right here, we stand
today on the Word of God and preach and practice the truth of this
teaching also. But the Trumpet people no longer maintain visible
unity, but have separate places of worship for the Negroes who are
of their faith, except where there is no race prejudice, and on the
occasion of their general or extraordinary meetings. So you see, by
such action, they have a white man’s church with all of the colored
races admitted, except the Negro race. The reason for such action is
that they cater to the race hatred of the unsaved world, and the
“Jim Crow” laws of different states, and bar from their local
assemblies the Negroes. Hence according to their teaching and
action, Jesus has two folds, one for the Caucasian, Malay, North
American Indian, Mongolian, etc., and another fold for the Negro.
But we believe the words of Christ, “And other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold: them also I must bring…and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) This shows the difference
there is between us on this subject.
And now we come to the last subject of difference
between us that we will write upon at this time, as we do not want
to make this writing too lengthy. And we are perfectly willing to
let the Word settle the question under consideration, for we know
that when we come to the judgment, we will not be judged by the
tradition of men, but by the Word of God, and we do not want to go
beyond it, neither fall short of it, for no doubt to do either would
be equally hurtful and wrong.
Now, under the law of Moses, there was a legal system of financial
support, and heavy penalties were inflicted on the transgressor. But
all who have the knowledge of the Word know that Jesus, by His death
on the cross, abolished the entire law system. Therefore no part of
it was carried over into the gospel dispensation, and hence no part
of it is binding upon the children of God today; and to teach men
and women that they ought to give ten percent, or any exact amount,
is to go back under the law and bind upon people what Christ has
destroyed in His death. The Trumpet people teach a certain definite
system of their own make—holding that neither Christ nor the
apostles had any certain system of financing the work of God. In
this we differ, for we believe that the New Testament teaches a
definite system of finance; and that Christ and the apostles both
preached and practiced it; and since this is the case, it is both
wrong and unnecessary to create a financial system of our own
liking.
Now, we will give you the Word of God upon the financial system, as
taught by Christ and the apostles.
“Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given
to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but
because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put
therein.” (John 12:5-6) “Now no man at the table knew for what
intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because
Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things
that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give
something to the poor.” (John 13:28-29) Now we see by the above
scriptures, that Christ and His disciples had a purse, or “bag”
which held the money which they had. We see also that this money was
used to purchase the things they had need of, and also to use in
helping the poor. Further, we see that Judas, one of their number,
was their treasurer.
“Now,” one may ask, “where did they get the money which was the
common fund, and out of which they supplied themselves and the poor?
Did Christ teach the people that they had to give a certain percent
of their income unto Him and His?”
If He did, there is no record of it in the New Testament. But we do
read where Paul said, “I have showed you all things, how that so
labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how that he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.” (Acts 20:35) So from this we infer that Christ taught
people to give.
“But where,” you ask, “did the money come from which Judas carried
in the ‘bag’?”
We read again, “And it came to pass afterward, that he went
throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad
tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And
certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and
infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many
others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luke 8:1-3)
Praise the Lord.
Here we see how Jesus was supplied with the necessary means to carry
on His ministry. So, we can say without fear of successful
contradiction, that Christ taught the glad tidings of the kingdom of
God throughout every city and village, and as He taught them and
healed their sick, the people were made to realize the truth that
“The labourer is worthy of his reward” (I Timothy 5:18); hence,
“certain women with many others ministered unto him of their
substance.”
Thus we see the system that Christ inaugurated was a system of
freewill. “Freely ye have received, freely give,” (Matthew 10:8)
and we do not hesitate to say that thirty years’ experience in the
Evening Light Reformation has taught the ministry and saints that
the system of freewill has been very successful in spreading the
gospel to almost all the nations of the earth.
Now, we desire next to see how the church at Jerusalem, which was
the beginning of the divinely organized church on earth, carried on
their financial affairs. For Christ, at the time of His ascension,
commanded the disciples to tarry at Jerusalem and “wait for the
promise of the Father,” (Acts 1:4) which was the baptism of the
Holy Ghost and fire, by which they were organized into the church of
the living God. Of their number at that time, we read that they were
an hundred and twenty, together with one accord, waiting for the
baptism of the Spirit, and that when that day fully came, they were
all filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as the
Spirit gave them utterance; and thousands cried out, “Men and
brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) “Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them [the original one hundred twenty] about three thousand
souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles? doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things
common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one
accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did
eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God,
and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41-47) Also, this
was a daily ministry, as is recorded in the sixth chapter of Acts;
and when the number of believers were greatly multiplied, seven men
were ordained by the apostles, who were given charge of the freewill
offering system of supplying the needs of the work.
Now, dear reader, do you see how this same system, which Christ
employed to finance His work, was employed by His apostles? They did
not take the church for money, but they freely gave the gospel in
the power of God. And they that gladly received it did not have to
be taxed or harnessed with a legal system of giving in order to get
them to do their duty, for the burning love of God in their hearts
caused them, when they saw their brother in need, to sell their
possessions and come and lay it at the apostles’ feet, and
distribution was made “unto every man according as he had need.”
(Acts 4:35) And we further declare on the authority of God’s Word,
that that is the way the apostles preached and practiced it as they
went everywhere preaching the gospel, even among the Gentiles. We
read further, of Paul who was shipwrecked on the island of Miletus
among the barbarous people, where he preached Christ, and healed the
sick. “And when we departed, they loaded us with such things as were
necessary.” (Acts 28:10) Also, when Paul taught gospel giving, he
taught it as the freewill of the people, not “of necessity,” but
willingly, “for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7)
“Yes,” says one, “but did not the Lord ordain that they that preach
the gospel should live of the gospel?”
Yes, indeed He did, and would you like to know when and where he
ordained it thus? Then, turn to Matthew 10, and find where Christ
commissioned His twelve disciples to go preach. There he tells them
what to preach and how to live while they are preaching: “Provide
[get] neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip
for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves:
for the workman is worthy of his meat.” (Matthew 10:9-10) Again we
read of Christ sending other seventy to preach, and He tells them in
regard to their financial support, “And into whatsoever house ye
enter, first say, Peace be to this house…. And in the same house
remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.” (Luke 10:5,7) So you see, dear
reader, how and where the Lord ordained that they who preach the
gospel shall live of the gospel. And you may search the New
Testament in vain to find where God has authorized His preachers to
bind a legal system of finance upon His people.
“Yes,” says one, “but did not Paul teach the Purpose Plan?”
Let us see if he did, and if so, to what extent. Paul taught the
Corinthians in regard to the ministers of Christ, that they were
“not [to] muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn,” (I Timothy
5:18) and that the Lord ordained that the people among whom His
ministers labored were to support them by freewill offerings. Then
also, in II Corinthians 8 and 9, he said he had no commandment from
the Lord for them; but he gave his advice, how that they should make
up a bounty to send to the poor saints at Jerusalem, and in order
that everything be in readiness when he came to gather their gift,
he advised them as he had the churches of Galatia, namely, “Upon the
first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as
God hath prospered him,” (I Corinthans 16:2) and that “as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give.”* (II Corinthians 9:7) This
is the simple truth of the whole affair, and never again do we read
of Paul or any other minister of that age, telling the saints to lay
by them in store upon the first day of the week. Thus you see there
was no system other than the system of freewill, as is so plainly
taught in the Word. Hence, the Trumpet system of purposing a
definite amount to be paid at stated periods of time, and having the
sect envelope way, is only human, sectish, and without authority in
the Holy Scripture.
Before we conclude this we wish to record the testimony of some who
worked in the early part of the Reformation, and see how they
understood, that God would have them do in regard to finance, and
you will see by such how the Trumpet people have departed from their
own past teaching, as well as from the truth in this matter.
"Today we are saved to the uttermost and filled with the love and
glory of God. Not a sin upon earth has any dominion over us; we are
free! hallelujah! We live by the Word of God. We believe it all, and
enjoy it. We as a family living economically do not use alcohol,
tobacco, or medicines; no pearls or jewels or gold; no braids or
ruffles or laces; no plumed hats; but dress common and clean and
comfortable, and eat common and healthful articles of food. We
preach from three to nine times a week, but receive no salary, nor
take up any collections. We have all we need, and are just as happy
and contented as we could wish to be, and all because God is our
salvation."
[Palmer, A. B.; Nineteen Hundred Years of Church History, pp. 415]
Now, dear reader, we could multiply testimonies like the above, to
show how the early ministers of the Evening Light Reformation
understood, taught, and practiced the Word of God on all these
points, but we believe this sufficient to help you see the
difference between the people of the Church of God and The Gospel
Trumpet people, who, although they once preached and practiced the
whole truth, have in these last days let down the standard of the
gospel, have compromised with this world and sectism, and are
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, and we believe that
every person whose conscience is not seared will be enabled by this
to see the right way of the Lord and truth, and be persuaded to walk
therein and find rest to their souls. Amen.
