Beloved Brethren and Readers:--When enabled to see my unworthiness and igno­rance, I am often tempted through these and the many sore trials and self denials involved, to never speak or write of my pure and exalted Lord any more. But when God gives me ability to also see and feel that my sins are cleansed by the blood of Christ, when he enables me to look away from my ignorance to Christ's wisdom, and from my depravity to Christ's holiness—the conflict is over. And soon the love of Christ is often so very warm in my soul that I feel will­ing and desirous to forsake all, to endure all, and speak to living believers and to careless sin­ners, of Jesus' great love and special redemption. Satan cannot now hinder. But to all around I want to tell that this special love and work of Jesus shall be imputed to all believers--to all who ever have or ever shall be quickened by the Spirit, and divinely enabled to believe on Christ.

"When on the cross my Lord I see,

Bleeding to death for wretched me,

Satan and sin no more can move,

For I am all transformed to love."

The cross is now my favorite theme and chief delight. A sweet heavenly delight min­gled with grief is stirred in my soul by the theme of the cross. When permitted by faith to look up into the pure and loving face of Jesus, so calm and inviting, so merciful and willing to en­dure and suffer for my sins, O, I am so deeply grieved that my sins pierced him!

"See the Lord of glory dying!

See him gasping hear him crying!

Look, ye sinners, ye who hung him!

Look how deep your sins have stung him!"

But "it is finished." His sufferings are all past, and "by his stripes I am healed." So now gratitude and love, inexpressible, mingles with the grief, and my soul is so happy.

"With pleasing grief and mournful joy,

My spirit now is filled;

That I should such a life destroy,

Yet live by him I killed."

O! my dear Saviour! so meek and approach­able, and so willing to suffer even for me a wretched sinner. Surely of all persons, I should love him most. O! may my dwarfed and shrunk­en soul be wholly consecrated to Jesus! May my whole life be gladly devoted to his service.

O! that men would cease to go on in such impudent sin and outrage against the justice and holiness of God. Surely "for all these things" He will bring them to judgment. Nevertheless though they harden their hearts more and more by wicked rebellion against His goodness and longsuffering, yet God will have compassion on whom he will have compassion, and save in the midst of deserved wrath.

Helpless, depraved man, ignorant of salva­tion by the free grace and imputed righteousness of Christ alone, in vain partly depends on his own puny efforts and imperfect obedience, in order to eternal salvation. Now, while man's obedience is right, and for proper uses should be sought and encouraged with all earnestness and zeal; yet his obedience or good works can never make him a good tree or a child of God. Man's good works always follow the "new birth," as fruit or proof that the tree is already made good. And just as surely as the tree is made good the fruit will be made good. But let no one depend wholly nor in part on good works or human obe­dience in order to eternal salvation. Human obedience is too imperfect to bear the gaze of God's purity. Man's righteousness is too filthy to help relieve the foul plague of sin. God is per­fect, and will only accept a perfect righteousness--"the righteousness of God." Rom. iii. 20-26: The perfect obedience or righteousness of the dear dying Lamb of God, singly and freely imputed to the sinner, is the only acceptable of­fering for sin. This is my only hope. This is the way from earth to heaven. Jesus is "the way.”

His sufferings and blood were most freely given for all loving believers on Christ, all that feel helpless, lost and ruined by sin. Though men are lost and ruined by sin, yet by the obedience of Jesus Christ "many shall be made righteous." To all in the house--to all men everywhere, I want to tell that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. When brought into tender sympathy with Jesus in his extreme suffering and bitter death, and made to think of my own helpless state and des­perately wicked ways when dead in sins, when reminded that Jesus still loved me and died for my sins though a rebel against him--then my soul is so filled with love for Jesus and for my fellow-beings, that though I suffer the loss of all things, in obedience to God, I must speak even to the vilest sinners concerning my loving and merciful Saviour. He is the only Saviour. Hu­man merit and human efforts can never save nor help to save, from the justly deserved fire of an awful hell. But while with men salvation is im­possible, "with God all things are possible." I feel if such a vile sinner as myself has received mercy, no one need despair. "The Son quickeneth whom he will" even though a bloody Manas­seh or a wicked Mary Magdaline. 

"The crimes are great but can't surpass,

The power and glory of His grace."

Many and bitter have been my conflicts with reason. So I feel impressed to sound a note of warning against reason as a religious guide. To reason together in the sense of duly considering what is already revealed in the Scriptures to learn and do our duty, is good; but to consult reason as a teacher or guide to decide how much of God's word we shall receive and obey, is very bad. Reason, in common with every other fac­ulty of man, is depraved, and is unsafe and unfit to be a guide It's vision is marred that it can­not see, and its judgment is besotted that it cannot comprehend nor explain the "things of the Spirit." Forgetful of this, and of God's com­mand to "beware" of the teachings of philosophy, we are seduced to disobey our Lord. Thus in our pride we are prone to bow to fallen reason in matters of christian faith and practice, and to be influenced by its enchanting, deceptive, and skeptical arguments. Let us then beware of philosophy or reason Let us not appeal to reason for guidance; but as a little child let us in love humbly and submissively look to God; and without questioning, believe and obey his blessed Spirit and word of truth. Yet many and sore are my conflicts with reason. My reason suggests that men having gone away from God by disobedience can come back to him by their obedience. But God says, "By one man's disobe­dience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Christ) shall many be made right­eous.'' Reason says, that the careless sinner is able to come to Christ Jesus says, "No man can come." Reason says, that the impenitent sinner can pay all he owes; Jesus says, "neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Reason says, that men dead in sins can repent and be­lieve, and thus save themselves from hell; or make a start resulting in their salvation; Jesus says, "with men this is impossible." So Arminians, I would humbly observe, are mislead by reason to reject or wrest God's truth in their uni­versal conclusion, that men dead in sins are able to perform their obligations to God. O, friends, this is a sad mistake. For even to Christians God's word plainly declares that "Ye cannot do the things that ye would." But I would further observe that man's inability does not destroy his accountability, or obligation to God, nor even to men. And we, dear brethren, should not boast of our superior doctrinal soundness over our Arminian friends, on the above or other points of difference. But we should rather seek to Obey our Lord's command: "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall"--fall into error like others. For we too are fallible and liable to "fall from" our "own steadfastness" in faith or practice. Let us rejoice that it is "God" who "is able to make up stand."

How frequent and dangerous are the allure­ments of reason! For now reason renews the conflict by this suggestion: "To address those born again is well enough, but since unbelievers are dead and cannot hear why talk to them of Jesus? To do so is foolishness! It is unreason­able! It is inconsistent with philosophy!” Thus, I am tempted, through depraved reason, to conclude that unbelievers should not be so addressed. Oh what sore conflicts with the flesh! For a time such wicked thoughts, such daring pre­sumption, makes me dumb with grief and aston­ishment. Then looking to him who is able to succor the tempted and whose "ways are past finding out." I am with humble faith and love, made to consider the following truths: The trinity in unity of God is unreasonable; mortals cannot explain it. But this foundation truth must be admitted because God has taught it in his word. The new birth is unreasonable or be­yond the reach of worldly reason. Nicodemus could not understand it, no man can fully comprehend or explain it, because though not revealed; yet the new birth is plainly taught in God's revealed word. The doctrine of the resurrection is incon­sistent with reason. Human reason or worldly wisdom cannot fathom its mysteries. Yet the resurrection of the dead should be preached. Though all these precious Bible truths are above reason or "past finding out," yet our God will have them proclaimed. And though sinners are dead and cannot hear, and to address them is in­consistent with depraved reason; yet God taught and moved his apostles, and still inclines men to preach to them "Jesus and the resurrection."

So though unbelievers are spiritually dead and cannot hear, and reason oppose, yet God gives his ministers faith to preach Christ cruci­fied to them. The apostles were accustomed to "preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Here the scriptures plainly declares that Christ crucified was preached to those three classes of men. Though the preaching of the cross is fool­ishness to unbelievers, yet such preaching to them is right. For not reason but revelation, not philosophy but the Bible, is our guide. I be­lieve the Bible, not because it agrees with reas­on; but I believe its statements are so, because God says so.

May the love of Christ constrain us to give heed to the scripture, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain de­ceit.''

May the Holy Spirit guide us with humble unquestioning faith and love, to sit at the feet Jesus and learn of Him as a little child. Dear brethren, pray for me, a great sinner, saved and cleansed, I trust, by the blood of Jesus.

Further brief notice will now be given to the deceptive claim wherein reason says, that, "Christ crucified should not be preached to men dead in sins; because to do so is inconsistent, or contrary to reason." Sad thought, for in this claim an attempt is made "to spoil" us "through philosophy," and have us believe it wrong, it being contrary to reason, but a light matter to be contrary to God. In reference to the above un­scriptural and wicked suggestion of reason, I would humbly say, that in serving God, we should not walk by reason but like Abraham in offering Isaac, we should walk by faith. Faith and reason are in direct conflict; which do we prefer to walk by and seek after? Reason proudly questions or doubts the truth of God; faith humbly believes. Reason coldly inquires why God commands; faith lovingly obeys. So reason opposes faith and denies the full inspiration and authority of the sacred scriptures. Oh shame, where is thy blush? Shall I presume to thus question and place the truth of God on trial at the puny bar of human reason, to be accepted or rejected as reason may approve? Tom Paine did that; and through sore conflicts with the flesh, I am sometimes tempted to thus bow to fallen reason. But shall I do so? God forbid. To the humble, loving believer, the word of truth is final and decisive. I dare not follow Tom or any other man away from Bible truth. But I want to follow my Saviour! Dear brethren, when thus tempted to follow reason, let us draw near God in humble prayer, and hear of his words and learn of him, in loyal obedience and submissive love.

Moses was commanded to speak unto King Pharaoh to let Israel go; and was plainly told, "The King of Egypt will not let you go." Moses loved, and obeyed. Ezekiel did not follow puny reason, but prophesied as he was commanded, to the dry bones that had no life. Jesus preached to unbelievers; words of censure, warning, and threatening. "Then began he to upbraid" or blame them, "because they repented not." Matt. xi. 20. "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul." Mark viii. 36, 38. He plainly told them of their sinful, helpless state; "Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep;" "ye serpents, ye genera­tion of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell." Matt. xxiii. 33. To believers or to those tired of sin; he gave sweet promises and invita­tions. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest." John the Baptist preached to the multitude. To the "mockers" Peter preached "Jesus of Nazareth." Acts ii. 14. Paul preached Jesus and the resur­rection to the sensual Epicureans, knowing their vile lusts and wicked                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 men of God to preach Jesus to the vilest of the vile; not to give life or make them children of God; but because God has so commanded.

By these examples of Jesus and his apostles, and plain scripture testimony, showing the general proclamation of the gospel, as well as its special invitations and promises, I am much comforted. Thus in God's word, unbelievers are plainly told of their sins, of God's wrath against sin, and of Jesus the only cure for sin; and that only through Christ's imputed righteousness shall any ungodly sinner ever be spared from the justly deserved fire of an awful future hell, "where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched."

In the same word of truth, believers are plainly told of their deliverance from sin, by God's free grace, through the obedience of Christ. And they are led of the Spirit, and con­strained by our Lord's love, special invitations, promises and death, to flee from every sin; to find sweet refuge and peace in trusting the obe­dience of Jesus; and to abound in love and good works while here, and finally to enjoy the un­merited bliss and unspeakable glories of heaven.

So in many conflicts, the man of God is commanded, though he be nothing, to turn from the unlawful guidance of human reason and in obedience to God, preach Christ crucified to ail present, to men dead in sins as well as to others; knowing that the dead cannot hear, knowing that the gospel is still foolishness to some to whom it is preached, but the "power of God to them that are called." Thus God's ministers are led of the Spirit and taught by the word to preach Jesus to the multitudes, leaving the re­sult with God; knowing that preaching, or pray­ing, or any measure or might of men however right, cannot give life to the dead sinner. To give spiritual life to men dead in sins, is the un­aided work of the Holy Spirit. "For the Spirit quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing."

Thus I am comforted in trusting wholly to God, who has all power and who alone is able to give life, and save the ungodly from sin and death. God, our just and merciful sovereign, has the right to do as he pleases with his own. Matt. xx. 13, 15. "As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will." Since "the Lord knoweth them that are his," and has all power to quicken whom he will, I have the blessed assurance, that as seems good in his sight, he will quicken and sanctify all his elect people, whom he has chosen and predestinated before the foundation of the world to that very end. Eph. i. 4, 5. And this regeneration and sanctification of men, is according 'to God's eternal purpose, and the good pleasure of his will. This truth is recorded for the believer's instruction and comfort, "to the intent, "that the church might know the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eph. iii. 10. "Having predestinated us, according to the good pleasure of his will." Eph.i. 5. This comforts me and I am made to exclaim, "O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out." Rom. xi. 33. What a wonderful depth of God's wisdom and mercy, that any rebellious sinner is saved! How rich and free is the unmerited grace of God to lose, ruined sinners! For though lost, ruined by sin, and so unworthy of Jesus, or the least of his favors; yet "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 

"To him who on the fatal tree,

Poured out his blood his life for me;

In grateful strains my voice I'll raise,

And in his service spend ray days.

To listening multitudes I'll tell,

How he redeemed my soul from hell;

And how reposing on his breast,

I lost my cares and found my rest.

See from his head, his hands, his feet,

Sorrow, and love, and blood doth meet:

Where e'er such love and sorrow found?

Did thorns e'er pierce so pure a crown? 

"God forbid that I should glory save in the cross."

Dear Brethren, amid all our conflicts in doctrine or practice, if we imitate or obey Jesus, we shall come off "more than conquerors through him that loved us and gave himself for us." Jesus healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, re­stored sight to the blind, forgave sins, and never turned one empty away. So, dear brethren, He demands of all men, and especially would have us, be pitiful, be courteous, avoid jesting and foolish talking, and from him that would bor­row turn not away. Jesus went about doing good, sends the rain on the just and on the un­just, and quickens "whom he will." Thus he is "the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe." Likewise He will have us "do good unto all men, specially unto the household of faith." So I feel the love of Jesus within sweet­ly constraining me in imitation of Him, to be specially concerned for loving believers; and to desire that they obey Jesus and be fed and com­forted with the strong meat and sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." But may the Lord of his mercy continually bless me and all his dear people, with the grace of obe­dience, to duly encourage "the preaching of the cross" to unbelievers also in simple, loving obe­dience to our Lord's command. In many con­flicts I am made sad that I often fail to prove my special love for Jesus and His beloved church as I should. For though Jesus preached to, and died for, the ungodly, sometimes satan tempts me to follow depraved reason, disobey God, and bring reproach upon His church, by denying that Christ should be preached to unbelievers, when some of them are the chosen of God whom Jesus loves. Eph. ii. 4, 5. Then let us not ap­peal to reason as our guide, and so conclude be­cause preaching cannot give life, that Jesus should not be preached to unbelievers. But let us ever obey our Lord in this matter and "abide in his love." Dear brethren, because men dead in sins cannot repent and love God, let us not be led by depraved reason to conclude that they are free from debt or obligations to repent and love Him. We know in our experience, that the Spirit taught us our inability and obligation to God, and our just condemnation for sin. We were led to see that all our days we had been much in debt to God, and could pay nothing. We were then convinced that it is wrong for men to hate God, and right that they should love him. Yet we are plainly taught in the Bible that no man dead in sins ever will or ever can repent and love God, unless Jesus gives him repentance and the love of God is shed abroad in his heart "by the Holy Ghost." "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word." Jno. viii. 43. "There­fore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father." Jno. vi. 65. So let us obey God in holding that "men Should repent" and that Jesus alone can "give repentance." O! Lord, "uphold my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not." May I "be strengthened with might by thy Spirit" to say to proud, reason depart, for I dare not, I must not bow to thee, nor serve thee. For it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." And may we, thy people, be content with what "is written" or revealed, ever remembering that we only know in part concerning the things of him whose "ways are past finding out." Dear Lord, lead me often to view my loving, suffering Saviour in Gethsemane and on the cross; and to rejoice in the salvation of sinners through his blood. Grant that this scene of suffering and blood may increase my love for Jesus and make me willing to suffer with him. Oh! for Jesus' sake renew my strength in thee to press on in this holy conflict with warmest love and loyal obedience to God, and with loving sympathy and patient forbear­ance to men. And now, beloved brethren, I de­sire your prayers to God in my behalf. I desire the earnest prayer of all who love God. O! brethren, "let brotherly love continue." May God bless you all, and cause you to stand firm in the apostles' doctrine and practice. May the love of Christ constrain us to confess our "faults one to another, and pray one for another." In view of Jesus' love and suffering, may our Lord lead us to be humble, kind and forgiving, and keep us from all evil, for our dear Redeemer's sake.

With much love for "all the holy breth­ren,'' I am your unworthy brother in "sore con­flicts and hope of eternal life,

M. D. DENMAN.

Alexandria, Tex.