Beloved Brethren:--So much has been said about predestination for the past fifteen years, that it has seemed more useful to speak of other things.

However on this much worn subject, I feel most humbly and from love to all the churches, to give the warning--TAKE HEED. My brother, as you love the church and her prosperity, I entreat you as fathers, let us not talk about one thing so long.

NOT PREDESTINATION, BUT SPIRITUAL TWO-SEEDISM IS THE TRUE ISSUE.

Some twenty years ago (1880—DM) the few brethren who advance the error of Two-seedism, often became very bold. But finding their claims unscriptural, the public preaching of this philosophy was discontinued. And seeing that preaching on Two-seedism would be fatal, they preferred the Predestination Hobby for discussion,: and to draw away attention from the true issue. Thus rest was found for the unscriptural theory of "eternal children" or "spiritual two-seedism” which claims that the elected are as old as Christ.  So for years, when anything has been said against two-seedism, if one of that way was present, he would turn the conversation to predestination, Thus I well remember extreme predestination became the Hobby by which two-seedism would avoid exposure. While all who hold to these errors, do not believe the other; nevertheless two-seedism is the true issue which raised and continues the present discussion.

Satan could not find a subject for a Hobby more truly "past finding out" than predestination. Therefore no subject is more suited than this one to answer his wicked, design of sowing discord among brethren.” 

AVOID DISCORD --TALK OF BETTER THINGS.

To avoid discord let us not seek to spread the matter, let us talk of better. And let ex­treme views on this confusing question be con­trolled by those churches infected with such unscriptural views.  For if this disturbing theme of predestination as now speculatively discussed by various brethren be urged upon the churches generally for their consideration and action great confusion and estrangement will most probably follow. Let us calmly consider. None can find out predestination nor explain it; be­cause "past finding out." And many brethren not having clear views of this beclouded subject would be so confused as to not know where they justly belong. Besides, general “Bars of Fellowship” would prevent our true ministers from preaching to and saving many such brethren from delusion. And since "The leaders of my people do cause them to err," the churches thus debarred from hearing sound preaching would likely be led into the error of eternal children, claiming that the "new man" is uncreated and divine, no change in the new birth, etc. Then what would we see? Coldness, carnal indul­gence of the appetites--moral ruin, bodily decay.

LOVINGLY CHECK WRONG TEACHING.

for the above reasons and in humble obedi­ence to our Lord, let us lovingly check wrong teaching and preach and publish more about Jesus. For surely there never was a more favor­able time than now to preach the pure gospel without charge, and thus invite lost sheep to throw off the tyranny of preachers and popes, and come home to the church.

LACK OF LOVE.

Then, beloved, on this perplexing question, let us not by general "Bars" and evil speaking be estranged from our brethren. Rather let us by example behave ourselves humbly toward them, and kindly save or exclude contentious and unsound ones, know nothing but Christ cru­cified, and thus let brotherly love continue. So let us not use such words as "separation" from those we love and for whom Christ died. Those things which cause or increase coldness in our Lord's beloved church specially on difficult points are most painful to my heart. Such a state of things is a great shame to us. "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." Jas. iii. 10. For this wrangling or want of love keeps back many humble believers from coming in the church. Oh ! brethren, this ugly contention and resulting coldness, should not continue. We should not think to prolong contention, lest the "Ark of God” fall to the ground; for we are not upheld by men. But comforting truth, we are kept by the power of God." I Pet. i. 5. May the Lord fill our hearts with such warmth of love for Our crucified Saviour and for our brethren, as shall constrain us all to turn from strife with shame and bitter weeping.

AVOID EXTREME VIEWS.

To be scriptural and save ourselves and others from extremes let us not say that God's predestination or purpose extends to nothing but the salvation of the elect and to things per­taining thereto, Let us fear lest we might be saying too much. (Acts lxvii. 26.) For does it not seem that our extreme brethren trying to explain too much, is one cause of our trouble? Let us all fear God, and confine ourselves to plain scriptural teaching; and by this example, try to save our brethren from dangerous ex­tremes.

To this end let us be careful to express these facts: that our Sovereign God causes holiness, and suffers sin; that though fallen and helpless, all men are blamable or accountable for sin, and therefore as fully under obligation to repent and to love and obey God, as if they were able to do so; and that even though renewed by grace, we are so weak and dependent, it appears we have not sufficient ability to obey except through Christ, or the present stirrings of the Holy Spirit "working in" us "that which is well pleasing m his sight." Heb. xiii. 21. This will tend to relieve the anxiety of those brethren who seem to fear that we are drifting toward Arminianism, and boasted human ability.

And I would humbly ask extreme brethren not to make the unscriptural claim, that God's predestination or purpose extends to sin as it does to holiness; and I beg that they refrain from the undue use of "can't help-it," leaving room for the inference, that christians are not enabled to avoid committing even theft, murder and adultery, but are guilty of these crimes, and "can't help-it." If brethren will avoid such ex­tremes, this will relieve our fears that they are drifting toward two-seed-ism, and indifference to good works.

SAFE TO BE SCRIPTURAL.

Beloved, each of us may safely say: I can't do as well as I desire; but I can turn from sin, go to meeting, join the church, and so, "Do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Gal. iv. 13; Phil. v. 17; Mark xiv. 8.

Do not err, my brethren; do not increase a party spirit. Rather let us avoid extreme expressions and thus help those who differ from us to do the same way. While some hold reproach­ful views, there are many thought to be extreme on predestination, who are not inclined. These, if no more, you may save from being misled, if you courteously walk in love. Very many only mean to express the truth as We believe it; that God, the "One that inhabiteth eternity," did pre­destinate the Salvation of the salvation of the chosen, (Rom. viii. 29) and also "He appointed the moon for seasons," and "Hath made of one blood all nations of men and hath determined the bounds of their habitation." Ps. civ. 19; Acts. xvii. 26; that He is the Creator and Sovereign ruler of the entire universe, causing the good and Suffering the bad actions of men. Ps. lxv. 4; I Cot. x. 13.

However, after kind forbearance, if it should become necessary for a church to pass "Non-fellowship Resolutions" for extreme views and disorderly talk on predestination, let her do like Bro. Grafton's church; in such Resolution, be sure to include SPIRITUAL TWO-SEEDISM. THE TRUE ISSUE OF TODAY,

Finally, as in the family, if some one does not first cease to agitate strife it will never end, so it is in the church. Let us "TAKE HEED" to ourselves.

Now having made to you this earnest be­seeching appeal of love, I feel that it is best to say no more about this long discussed and difficult affair; for we know in part--"Only that and nothing more."

May God bless you, my dear brethren, "Working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ."

Yours in love,

Sparta, Tex.

M.D. Denman