THE GOSPEL MESSENGER 

CARROLLTON, GA.,

August 30, 1887.--Dear Bro. Mitchell: --I feel inclined to write you briefly the pleasant condition of the Primitive Baptists in this part of Georgia. The Lord has been good to us poor dust worms all through the journey of life, but this is especially and more abundantly manifested and enjoyed of late in bringing into the church many precious members and stirring up Christians to their duty who had long seemed to be almost dormant.

I seldom visit or hear from a meeting of late in this part of the country but what I witness or hear of from one to four persons coming to the church and telling what great things the Lord has done for them. At our union meeting at Little Vine, second Sunday in August, two were received, and on the third Sunday four were received at Poplar Springs.

Friday before fourth Sunday in August was set apart to meet at Holly Springs to ordain a preacher and three deacons. There were six ordained ministers present, three licensed preachers and ten deacons, besides other visiting members and a large concourse of spectators. The deacons were readily ordained, but there being a doubt in the mind of the presbytery as to the legality of setting a man apart to the pastoral work of the ministry unless some church besides the church where his membership is (which already has satisfactory supply) should call for his pastoral services, it was decided by the presbytery not to ordain him at present for no other reason save that no church had called for his ordination.

And here dear Brother Mitchell, I request your views as to the propriety or impropriety of ordaining in such cases. I once assisted in ordaining a man before any church had specially called for his ordination; neither was his pastoral services ever afterwards called for by any church, and he finally fell in with the Missionary Baptists. Another one of the presbytery had once assisted in a similar case with similar results in the end, and so we hesitated in this case and did not ordain the brother.

But I must pass from this to tell you that in conference on Saturday a strange lady came forward with sacred boldness, yet possessing a meek and harmless expression, apparently fearing nothing but her God, and began to tell the church of the sorrows and conviction for sin through which she had passed, speaking in a clear and distinct manner so that the whole church and congregation could distinctly hear, and to whom all gave special attention; but when she come to speak of the great mercy of God in her deliverance, she broke down for a moment and the greater part of the congregation also become as "little children" with soft and humble hearts. Though she was a stranger in the flesh she was at once acknowledged as a sister in the spirit and heartily received into the fellowship of the church by over one hundred brethren and sisters present. Next morning, her husband came forward at the water and another lady also, both of whom were received. And here, Brother Mitchell, I will state that I learn that the first and strange lady who came forward is a relative of yours. Her name is Mrs. Henry Lee Burton, daughter of James and Elizabeth Payne, of Chambers County, Ala. Her father died in the late war about 1864.

After baptism had been administered we assembled at the house to feast on the rich things of the gospel of Christ as preached to us by Elder Enoch Phillips and to partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of our dear Redeemer and also to wash one another's feet as commanded by our blessed Lord who Himself set the example as recorded in the 13th chapter of John. And we felt that surely the Lord was there to give His children a feast of love, causing their souls to rejoice in God, their Savior. Many of the congregation were melted to tears saying to the brethren "Pray for us." Remember me in my afflictions, as I am in very poor health and confined at home much of the time this summer.

If you think the above would be of any comfort to Christians, correct and publish, otherwise cast aside.
My feelings at present are such that I can find comfort in almost everything. GEO. M. HOLCOMBE.

REPLY--How blessed it is to be so subdued by grace that we can "find comfort in everything!" But it is generally through much tribulation, trial, affliction and sorrow that we are prepared to appreciate the Lord's help, or the triumphs of His grace over our sins.

Elder Holcombe's letter has come to us as cold water to a thirsty soul and as good news from a far country. It tells of the Lord's doings towards the children of men, and it is marvelous in our eyes. It shows us how the grace of God reigns in the hearts of his people to make them of one heart and one soul, and dwell together in unity. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" It is there the Lord has commanded his blessing to rest, and it is there it brings forth its heavenly fruits of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness and brotherly kindness. And, oh what a sweet fragrance of Christ flows out from this garden of the Lord! All the rich and "chief spices" of the love of God in Christ, the atonement for sin, redemption by the blood of Jesus, with all the gifts and graces of the spirit, which are shed abroad in the heart, cause every little plant of grace to bud and grow and thrive until the united fragrance of these plants are like an "orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits of camphor, spikenard, saffron, calamus, cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes."--Song iv. 13.

But while we rejoice with our brethren who rejoice in the Lord's work in and among the churches iii Carroll County, Ga., we can but "Weep also with those who weep" over the desolations of Zion in some other parts of the state, where we hear of "wars and fightings debates, backbitings, strife, contentions and other evil works." Let us remember, brethren, that the Holy Ghost hath said by the apostle, "If ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

Many things spring up to our remembrance of years long past when Elder Holcombe speaks in his letter of the "strange lady" which was received and baptized, being our relative in the flesh. Her father, James L. Payne is our nephew and lost his life in the war. The poor boy had but little remembrance of either father or mother as they both died when he was but a child, leaving six children in poverty and want to battle their way as best they could in the world. For some years it fell to our lot to care for poor James. Finally he grew up and married a worthy lady, Elizabeth Sanders, daughter of Brother Jordan Sanders, long since dead. May the Lord grant unto this once "strange lady" and her husband that they may no longer be as "strangers and foreigners to the Lord's people, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of faith."

But as our dear Brother Holcombe specially asks an expression from us to the propriety or impropriety of a presbytery of ministers declining the ordination of a preacher for the shine reason that no church save the one of which he is a member had called for his ordination, we will briefly say that on this point we may differ a little with some of our brethren; though on our part, it is not a difference of such magnitude as to mar fellowship or weaken Christian confidence in our brethren.

A prudent caution in doing the work of the Lord is certainly commendable; especially in a work of such vast importance to the peace, growth, edification and comfort of the church as ordaining a man to officiate in all the functions of the gospel ministry. And while we fear that there has been too much carelessness on this point both by churches and presbytery, so that many have been set apart by ordination that never should have been; yet, when it is an admitted fact that there is no other objection than the absence of a call by some other church for his ordination than the one of which he is a member, we can not see that only reason is of itself sufficient to prevent his ordination. All the obstacles against ordination should be such as the scriptures interpose; and if the word of the Lord does not present any opposing barrier it would be a grave responsibility for a presbytery of ministers to set up any of its own.

It certainly is important to have the concurrent judgment of sister churches in every official act of each church; but even if several churches were to request the ordination of a minister and the church of which he is a member, knowing all the surroundings, should not deem it proper to have him ordained, she certainly has the right, and it is her duty to refuse the request. And if it is her right and duty to refuse for scriptural reasons, then we conclude for the same reasons she may have a brother set apart by ordination even without a call for his pastoral services by any other church. But no church should call for the ordination of one of her members to the pastoral work of the ministry unless she is fully satisfied to accept of his services in that capacity herself; that is, if such church is, or should be without a pastor.

The distinctive marks of qualifications or disqualifications given in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus are an infallible guide to the church and presbytery as to whom should be set apart and who should be rejected. And a church where a brother in the ministry has been raised up, or has long been a member, certainly ought to be a better judge of the home standing, disciplinary ability, general upright character the extent and usefulness of his preaching gift, than other churches who may have only a very limited acquaintance in any of these essential particulars. The caution given in the New Testament to "Lay hands suddenly on no man; neither be partaker of other men's sins," shows that much care is to be used lest some one should be set apart that ought not to be; but if there is no objection save that mentioned by Elder Holcombe, the writer would hesitate to assume such responsibility.

When the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, the guide and teacher of the church said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work, whereunto I have called them," did the church at Antioch refuse on the ground that no other church had requested it or called for their services?--See Acts xiii. 1, 4.

M.