The subject of this sketch was born in Bristol, Wayne Co., Ohio, on the 25th of June, 1843. From his birth his life was one of sorrow, pain and suffering. The enemy of all truth seemed to foresee that God intended to use him as one of His chief instruments in establishing a great reformation in the world, by which thousands of precious souls who were bound in the chains of darkness might be led out into the beautiful Evening Light and set free. Therefore the archfiend put forth his best efforts to destroy his life, beginning as soon as he was born.

The following beautiful lines penned by his own hand, show the disadvantages under which he labored in early life.

Conceived in sin, to sorrow born,
Unwelcome here on earth,
The shadows of a life forlorn,
Hung gloomy o’er my birth.

A mother’s heart oppressed with grief,
A father’s wicked spleen,
Who cursed my faint and gasping breath,
Combine to paint the scene.

But life held on its tender thread,
Days unexpected grew
To weeks, and still he lived,
Why, heaven only knew.

He lived, though life was bitter gain,
His youth a flood of tears,
His body doomed to cruel pain,
His mind to nervous fears.

But the heavenly Father had his eye upon him and sent his guardian angel to protect his tender years. He was converted when about twenty-two years of age, and a few weeks later enlisted as a soldier in the Union Army, and went to fight for his country. It is said that he did this to save his brother, who was a man of a family, and about to be drafted, going in his stead and acting as his substitute. He remained a short time and returned home. About two years after his conversion he entered upon the duties of a minister of the gospel, and in this capacity he labored faithfully with tongue and pen until the close of his life.

During his early Christian experience the Lord began to show him the true church, the body of Christ; but the light not being clear, he was influenced by certain parties to unite with the so-called Church of God, or Winebrennarians. He was deceived in making this step because of their name, “Church of God,” which he well knew by the Word was correct; and not discerning clearly the body of Christ, he yielded to their solicitations.

He remained in this sect about ten years, but never enjoyed the spiritual liberty and freedom he had before uniting with this body. In the year 1879 he became interested in a paper called the “Herald of Gospel Freedom,” which was published in the interest of the sect to which he belonged, acting as the editor of the holiness department. In the year 1880, he became editor of the whole paper, and during this prophetic year God showed him more clearly than ever before the evils of sectarianism, the downfall of Babylon, and enabled him to discern the body of Christ, the true church. True to his convictions of right, he at once began to cry out against sectarianism, proving by the Word that she is a part of Babylon and exhorting God’s little ones to come out of her that they partake not of her plagues.

This astounding declaration fell like a thunderbolt from heaven (which it was) on the sectarian world, and it appeared that all the demons of earth and hell were stirred, and they became terribly enraged against him. He was persecuted, tried, afflicted and tormented: but God’s grace was sufficient and enabled him to stand for the truth. After having assumed control of the paper mentioned, he became impressed that its name ought to be changed, and he laid the matter before God, asking what it should be called. “Gospel Trumpet,” came ringing in his soul. This was the name he got from heaven, and this name is no doubt destined to become familiar with God’s children throughout the length and breadth of the earth.

After removing a number of times from place to place he finally settled permanently at Grand Junction, Mich., where the paper was published for a number of years. He was very earnest and zealous in his work for the Master. Although his body was frail and his constitution weak from the day of his birth, yet by the help of the Lord, he was enabled to accomplish a vast amount of work during his life. He seemed to be a living miracle, and it can be truly said that he walked and labored in the strength of God. He was the author of a number of books including one of poems. The following is a copy of the last poem he was engaged in writing, just before the summons came, calling him away, leaving it unfinished. The first stanza, two lines of the chorus, and one line of the second stanza, is all that was written. It is entitled

A HYMN

Shall my soul ascend with rapture,
When the day of life is past?
While my house of clay shall slumber,
Shall I then with Jesus rest?

Cho.—O my soul, press on to glory!
Worlds of bliss invite thee on.

O shall my immortal spirit,

We see in this that his thoughts were being wafted away to his future and eternal home, to which he was so soon to be called. He was sick but a few days with an infection of the lungs and heart, and God gave him grace to bear his sufferings very patiently, when on the morning of December 12th, 1895, about 3 a. m., he quietly and gently passed away.

Salvation—What Does It Mean?

O, reader, have you given attention to that which is contained in the word SALVATION? O man, think of this; it concerns you more than all other objects taken together for which the whole world is in pursuit.

Salvation is worth a thousand times more than health of body; in comparison with which men consider money no object; and for the hope of regaining they lavish gold and greenbacks as free as dirt.

Salvation is more to be desired than all the glory and pleasure that the highest honors of earth can yield. Yea, it places the soul upon a plane so elevated as to receive the admiration and adoration of heaven. “If any man serve me, saith the Lord, him will my Father honor.” (John 12:26). It places a man far above the highest object of earthly ambition. It gives him a kingdom greater than Alexander or Napoleon ever swayed scepter over. “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Even the “kingdom of heaven.” “They which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:17). And this glorious reign is not located in some future age; but John, writing to the seven churches in Asia, in the first century of Christian grace, declared that Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, the Prince of the kings of the earth, him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, hath also “made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.” (Rev. 1:5, 6). As again seen in this beautiful book of symbols, at the very opening of the plan of redemption, the blood-washed celebrated the praises of God with a “new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of even kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9, 10). And Peter calls God’s church “a royal priesthood,” i. e., a priesthood of kings.

All who live in sin are slaves to their own lusts, and are not able to govern themselves. But salvation makes us kings in rule over our own selves; over our passions, appetites and desires. “And he that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city” Prov. 16:32. Salvation also places us in kingly triumph over all the elements of this world; over sin, fashion, and popular sentiments; and over the devil himself, who claims to be the ruler of earth, a master of the situation of life, with a peace that nothing disturbs; and a joyful faith in God which sees all things working together for our good, and contributing to our happiness.

Salvation is greater riches than all the gold, silver, and valuable treasures of this earth summed up together. A treasure that never faileth; a wealth so great that to the happy possessor everything of earth is, in comparison, reduced to dust and dirt. O “the unsearchable riches of Christ!” Eph. 3:8. “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9. How rich? “He that overcometh shall inherit all things.” Rev. 21:7. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32. Yea, hath given. “For all things are yours. Whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours.” 1 Cor. 3:22.

So teaches the word of God, and so bear witness all who have tested His wonderful claims. Reader, look back over that long line of holy martyrs, who, in the possession of this great treasure, gloried in tribulations, and shouted for joy amid the flames: disdaining life, with all it could offer, when tendered to them as a compensation for their hope in Christ; and there behold the eternal and incalculable value of salvation. If then, such unbounded wealth, such innumerable blessings, and such infinite bliss and happiness are all treasured up in salvation, who can afford to be indifferent to the glorious treasure? But again we ask, What does it mean?

Salvation Means Deliverance

The entrance of sin into our world has brought in its train indescribable wretchedness. Guilt and remorse sting the conscience and fill the soul with shame. Sinful habits form the links of an iron chain, which binds the life in utter despair. A chain of bondage which defies all human strength. Burning lusts are set on fire from hell, all clamoring for unholy indulgence; the gratification of which is only followed by greater misery. Restless and unnatural desires deprive the soul of peace; and the half-awakened fears of death and judgment hang dark and gloomy over the life. Hope dies, and with it, manhood and womanhood give up their struggle, and surrender the life to dark melancholy or open shame. Reader, Salvation means deliverance from all these elements of woe and misery. And should even this picture fall short of the deep shades of your case, salvation yet means complete deliverance from the strongest chains of habit, the lowest depths of sin, the deepest hell of intemperance and debauchery. Deliverance from darkness into light, from the power of Satan unto God. From the woes of a guilty conscience into peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; from remorse into the joys of pardon; from the thralldom of sin into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. O how wonderful! wonderful!! deliverance by the almighty arm of Him whose name is Wonderful!

And when all this blessedness is reached by the divine miracle of regeneration, if the new-born soul continues to “desire the sincere milk of the Word, and grow thereby,” he will soon come to the privilege of another great and glorious epoch in divine grace; the entire sanctification of his nature; the utter destruction of all inward bent to evil, and the restoration of the “divine nature.” 2 Pet. 1:4. Perfect deliverance from the “body of sin,” into the “image of God,” and his perfected love.

Beloved, this is not an overdrawn picture, nor a tale of human fancy. Nay, it is the very substance of the sure Word of God: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:21.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15. And “where sin aboundeth grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5:20.

Here saving grace is placed over against all sin. And even in hearts and lives where “sin abounded,” grace, the saving mercy of God, much more abounds. Though your sins tower up like dark mountains unto heaven, grace towers far above. Though they be as deep as hell, the grace of God with omnipotent arm reaches unto you. Though great wickedness spreads over all your past life, grace super-abounds to save you. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “And the blood of Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. To meet your wants as a great sinner, God has sent to you “a Savior and a great one.” Isa. 19:20. Though your soul is cursed by your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins,” Amos 5:12, you may “make your supplication to the Almighty.” Job 8:5. “Though your lusts and wickedness rise like mighty billows and threaten to sweep you quickly down to hell, “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.” Psa. 93:4.

“And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.” Heb. 5:9.

“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9:13, 14.

Reader, be assured that the writer is one, and he is personally acquainted with thousands of others, who though our case has been as dark and hopeless as yours, have, by the grace of God come to a happy realization of those precious scriptures. Therefore, full salvation is not only true in the Word, but also in fact. And if you are willing and obedient will prove true in your case.

Salvation Makes us Free From Sin

“For he that is dead is free from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also live with him.” Rom. 6:7, 8. “For in that he died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:10, 11. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Rom. 6:18.

“He that is dead is free from sin.” And this freedom is attained now in this life. Hence immediately follow the words, “Now if we be dead with him,” etc. And just as Christ lives unto God, a holy life, “likewise, in the same manner we should reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Not dead to sin prospectively, or only professedly, but DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN. Actually dead and oblivious to sin. Having no more part in the sins of this world than if literally dead and buried. What can more strongly and more positively express absolute freedom from sin than the declaration that we are dead indeed to sin? One might abstain from the commission of sin and yet not be really dead to it. But when dead indeed to anything that must be the end of it. It means that we have no more to do with sin than the dead who lay in the cemetery have to do with the business of this world. As natural death puts an end to all activities here on earth, so complete salvation in Jesus is the terminus of all human actions of a sinful character.

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22.

Salvation Keeps Us From Committing Sins

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Rom. 6:6. Men’s outward lives are usually an expression of their inward state. Therefore, the condition of being free from sin will naturally exclude sin from the outward life. As certain as a pure fountain will send forth a pure stream, from a pure heart there will proceed a holy life. For “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” and all moral actions flow. Out of the heart, we are told, “are the issues of life.”

But do the Scriptures actually teach that salvation enables us to live without committing sin? There are a few texts in the Old and New Testaments which, when not rightly understood, seem to teach the contrary. One of these is in Solomon’s dedicatory prayer, 1 Kings 8:46; a parenthesis reading as follows, “For there is no man that sinneth not.” A very sensible translation of these words is found in the version of the Old Testament by Isaac Leeser, a Jew. It reads as follows: “If they sin against thee (for there is no man that may not sin).” Here is a beautiful consistency that is wanting in the Common version, which reads as follows: “If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not).” In the use of the word “if,” a mere possibility of their sinning is expressed, while a probability remains that they may not sin. But the next clause virtually asserts that there is no if about it, that all men do sin. There is, therefore, a lameness in the translation that must be apparent to all. A direct disagreement between the two parts of the same verse. But as rendered by Leeser the verse is consistent with itself and with the Bible throughout. It does not teach that all men must and do commit sin; but all may sin.

While all intelligent volitional creatures of God may sin, there is no necessity for any child of God on earth to commit sin. But there are in Christ Jesus abundant supplies of grace whereby all may easily live free from sin. We will not here take up other texts that are supposed to teach that we must all continue to be sinners in this life. But let us appeal to the Scriptures to find our privileges in Christ. While the Bible draws the true picture of human depravity, the universal sinfulness of our race, aside from the grace of God, it also teaches the all sufficiency of salvation to preserve us from the being and practice of sin. Anything less would not be salvation. “Thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. Jesus means Savior. If he is not able to save and keep us from all sin he is not correctly named. We are told that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” Luke 1:68, 69.

“To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Verses 72–75.

Salvation in Christ does not leave us to resume the life of sinning in a modified degree, as too many in error teach, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Nay, the Lord has indeed “visited and redeemed his people;” “delivered us out of the hands of our enemies;” all inward foes that prone the heart to leave the God we love. And the result of this deliverance is that we may “serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.” And no person can live a life of sinning and holiness at the same time. Jesus has settled this question when he answered that “no man can serve two masters.” And again, “He that sinneth is the servant of sin.” Therefore is not the servant of the Lord. “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, nor an evil tree good fruit.” Therefore he whose life brings forth sin, is a sinner and not a Christian.

To the man that Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda he said, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14. Thirty and eight years this poor man had been bound by a great affliction. Would the Lord Jesus heal and forgive him, and then threaten him with a greater calamity in case he sinned again, were it impossible to abstain from sinning? This was cruelty instead of a blessing.

To the woman Jesus pardoned of her many sins he said, “Go and sin no more.” John. 8:11. Who but a cruel tyrant would exact of his subjects a thing impossible? But such is not the character of Him that issued the imperative prohibition, “Sin not.”

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, “I fear, lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I should be found unto you such as ye would not.” “Lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already.” 2 Cor. 12:20, 21. To him, sin in the realm of professed Christianity was a shocking thing. Instead of expecting them to sin, his righteous soul was stirred with holy indignation because many of them had sinned. He bewailed the fact and threatened to come unto them with the scourge of sharp rebukes. He had surely taught them something better than the modern sinnership religion; hence his surprise that “many had sinned.” But these words also prove that even in that carnal congregation all had not been guilty of sinning. Therefore, none need to have been.

Hear this solemn blast from the trump of God: “Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame.” 1 Cor. 15:34. The man that sins is here represented as being asleep in sin, and ignorant of God; a condition in which it is a shame in the sight of God for any man to be, more especially if professing Christ. He, therefore, that sins is not a Christian; not even awake unto righteousness.

Jesus tells us (Luke 15:7), “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.” Reader do you know why a just person needs no repentance? If not, let David inform you, in Psa. 119:1, 3: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” “They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.” The Apostle John also gives you a good reason for the same thing: “Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him.” 1 John 3:6. No wonder God’s children need no repentance; they do no iniquity; they “sin not.” This is a fact so fundamental in the divine life, that upon it the inspired apostle bases the chief distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil. “He that committeth sin is of the devil;” and “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin because he is born of God. In this, the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.” 1 John 3:8–10. Is not this plain Bible truth? The children of the devil sin. The children of God do not sin; and by these facts each class is made manifest to the eyes of all men. Here is the dividing line between the family of God and the kingdom of Satan. Which side are you on? God authorizes all men to classify you with the world if you commit sin. John repeats again in this epistle (5:18), in the following positive terms: “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”

What can modern teachers, who confess they sin daily in word, thought and deed, do with these scriptures? Some tell us that he that is born of God cannot avoid sinning because he is in this wicked world. But this saith the Lord: “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” 1 John 5:4. “If, therefore, the world overcomes you, you are not born of God. Others tell us that he that is born of God does not sin habitually, or does not commit great, or mortal sins. But over against these theories stand the words of God: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” Does not sin at all but keepeth himself. It is very humiliating for pampered members of the worldly sects to confess they are yet in the devil’s family. But in every attempt to deny that fact while they yet practice sin, the immutable word of God stares them in the face, contradicts their profession, and overthrows their dead hope. Dear reader, we pray you to soberly think of this matter. How can you rest at ease with the word of God directly against you? If it stands, you cannot stand when judged by it in the last day. If you sin, you know just where God classifies you.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.” 1 John 2:1. What utter darkness and confusion to suppose John would write these young converts for the purpose of instructing them, in the grace of God, that they sin not, and in the same epistle say, as some imagine he does, “If any man saith he liveth and sinneth not, he is a liar,” etc. Thousands go on consoling themselves with this home-made scripture, living in sin, and yet hope to get to heaven. But salvation makes us free from sin, and puts an end to the business of sinning; and without this salvation your soul is lost forever.

Salvation Fits Us To Live Holy In This Life

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11–14. Here is a whole sermon. Salvation is not the result of our good works; but the outflow of God’s grace, the pure gift of his mercy. It is not reserved in heaven for us, but has appeared on earth to all men, and is delivered free of charges at the door of every heart. It redeems us from all iniquity. It teaches us how to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Namely, it gives us power to fully abstain from all sin, and say no to every presentation of evil. And as a result we live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. We have already seen—Luke 1—that the covenant of divine mercy provides grace whereby we may serve God without fear in righteousness and true holiness before him all the days of our life.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:1, 2.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21. His spiritual life was purely the life of Christ in him; and in all its minutia redounded to the glory of God.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24. These testimonies are descriptive of God’s will in us, and our privileges in Christ. For the same salvation which the apostles enjoyed we need, and the same Christ who saved them from all sin is able to do the same for us. Nor is there any respect of persons with God. If, therefore, the apostles and first disciples of Christ attained an experience where they were really “crucified with Christ,” “dead to sin,” and “free from sin,” and their life was simply the Christ life in them, God requires the same of us all. While the gifts of God in salvation are various, salvation itself is the same to all. And we all need the same holiness of heart to fill our calling in life, however humble it may be; and to fit us for heaven. Therefore he who testified to the Roman brethren that “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the law of sin and death,” also tells them, and us as well, “to reckon themselves dead indeed unto sin.” He who said to the Galatians, “I am crucified,” etc. also commands them, saying, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” “And they [the children of God] that are Christ’s [fully given to him] have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.” He who told the Ephesians that God had chosen us in Christ even “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love,” 1:4, commended them to “put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the Spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” 4:22–24. Thus we might go through all the Epistles and find that the highest plane of salvation and holiness gained by the apostles is also administered to and enjoined upon all the children of God.

Salvation Twofold

There is a late creed compromising what is called “The Fourfold Gospel.” But since we read of nothing of the kind in the old Bible, we may safely conclude that this is “another gospel,” a new arrangement. If we go beyond the oft expressed twofold salvation of the Word, we see no propriety in summing up the gospel in four special gifts, since its divine mercies are, we may safely say, a thousand fold, its blessings innumerable. But the great object of the Saviour’s death is to save men from all sin. And because sin exists in two forms, the word of God often presents salvation as a twofold cure for sin. And, following the Word in this simple classification of its saving power, we of course for the time being, confine ourselves to the Scriptural method of deliverance from all unrighteousness, without reference to the many other precious gifts of divine grace that accompany salvation.

We have said that sin exists in two distinct forms. The first is the actual commission of sins. All understand that every willful act of disobedience to God’s word is sin. Hence it is written, “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. But again it is written, “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. Therefore if there is such a thing as an unrighteous nature in fallen humanity, it is sin. That is sin in nature; sin as a moral element, or bent to evil, back of, and distinct from all sinful actions that arise from it. This is a fact clearly taught in the Scriptures, and consciously experienced in all sanctified humanity. It is said to be “sin that dwelt in me.” Rom. 7:17. Sin in “motion.” Ver. 5. “Sin working death in me.” Ver. 13. Thus we see that sin exists as an element of moral evil; as an indwelling, moving, working force. The same is also called the “body of sin,” “the old man.” Rom. 6:6. It is also denominated the “works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. This foe to the human soul is infused in man’s fallen nature. Eph. 2:3. And is hereditary from the fall of our race. Psa. 51:5–7.

To meet and remove this twofold form of sin the Bible sets before us a double remedy. It is anticipated in the Old Testament. Thus saith the evangelistic prophet Isaiah, 61:6, 7, “Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory ye shall feast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” Thus when the Gentiles were brought into the fold of Christ, in the present more glorious dispensation, the promise is that instead of our sins we should “possess the double,”—double salvation imparting everlasting joy. Thank God for a twofold salvation, removing both sins committed, and sin inherited. A double measure of divine grace, which saves to the uttermost from all kinds of sins, and sin.

Looking forward to the Gospel era, it is said, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin, and uncleanness.” Zech. 13:1. Namely, to remit sins and cleanse out indwelling unrighteousness.

In Isa. 26:3, we read, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” But instead of “perfect peace,” the marginal reading is “peace, peace.” So also in Young’s Translation. This is prophetic of the twofold grace in its present reign of Christ. Accordingly we open the New Testament and we read that justification gives us “peace with God.” Rom. 5:1. We also read that “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7. The former implies a surrender to God, and reconciliation to the divine will, which comes through repentance, and is in justification. The second, “the peace of God,” comes through perfect consecration to God, and consists in the holiness of God. The perfect tranquility that reigns in a heart that is pure even as Christ is pure. So we have peace—peace. Peace with God, and the holy peace of God.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1, 2.

Here are clearly taught two successive accesses through Christ: first into justification, second into the standing, or stablishing grace; which is perfect heart holiness. See 1 Thess. 3:13. And each time it is distinctly said that we enter by faith. Therefore the second grace, as well as justification the first, is not a growth, a development of the first, nor by works, and indeed, by no gradual process, but, being by faith, it is grasped as an instantaneous gift from God, purifying the heart by faith.

In the first chapter of Romans, the apostle expresses his solicitude for the advancement of the church to the possession of this perfected salvation, says he longed to see them and impart unto them the precious “spiritual gift” that establishes the soul. Ver. 11. And this he proposed to do by preaching unto them the “gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.”—Ver. 16, 17. From the first plane of faith to the fullness.

Christ promised the church a fullness of joy. John 15:11. And John thus testifies concerning that grace: “And of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.” John 1:16. The preposition “for” has the force of either because of or in order to. If we give it the former application, this text teaches a measure of divine grace received because of a former experience in grace. If the latter, it shows a cardinal grace in order to the reception of the fullness. So it matters not which way we take it.

In exact harmony with this process of salvation, Paul writes to Titus, saying, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 3:5, 6. This, it would seem, is too plain to need comment. Salvation is in two measures; first, regeneration, second, the renewal—of the soul in the divine image, see Col. 3:10—by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

The double cure for sin is also seen in 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a very precious and comprehensive truth. It assures of pardon, first, then on the same condition of confessing our state, we receive the perfecting grace of God which sweeps out of our nature all unrighteousness. That must necessarily include inbred unrighteousness. This glorious gospel, we are happy to testify is true. Praise the name of Jesus! We will conclude by introducing one more of the precious couplets that describe the twofold salvation of the Bible.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

By the wonderful saving and transforming grace of God we are changed from our sinful state into the very image of God, yea, into the image of the glory of the Lord. But this wonderful change is not wrought by a single touch of divine power. First we must be raised from guilt and shame, into the precious glory of justification; and from that degree of glory we are changed into the fullness of glory, into the very image of the glory of the Lord. And, observe, this glory of the image of the Lord is not received by a transition from earth to heaven, but it is by the Spirit of the Lord. And he is the sanctifier. Rom. 15:16.

So, dear reader, if you have been born of God, and your soul is yet thirsting and longing for “more grace,” that is just what God wants to give you. James 4:6. Therefore consecrate your all forevermore to God, and on the authority of his Word believe the very God of peace sanctifies you wholly, through the precious blood of his Son, and it shall be done. Amen.

Salvation Makes Us Perfect

It is a very common utterance in the camp of formality that no one may hope to be perfect in this life. But what says the Word? 1. Perfection is commanded both in the Old and New Testaments. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1.

“Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.” Deut. 18:13. “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chron. 28:9.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48.

“The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” Luke 6:40.

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1.

“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.”

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Cor. 13:9, 11.

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” Heb. 6:1.

2. Perfection is fully provided for.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psa. 18:32.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8. Since it is God himself who proposes to make us perfect, can there be any lack of power to accomplish the work? “As for God his way is perfect.” Psa. 18:30. “And the meek he will teach his way.” Psa. 25:9. Yea he “shall set us in the way of his steps.” Psa. 85:13. And “give his angels charge over us to keep us in his ways.” 91:11. Therefore the righteous “do no iniquity: they walk in His ways.” 119:3. “And they shall sing in the ways of the Lord.” 138:5. What a beautiful wreath of heavenly truth these Scriptures compose: and the same might be much enlarged. They show us that God’s way is perfect, and he makes known to us his own precious way, and sets our feet in the same, and keeps us therein. Praise his name! First, then, among the provisions for our perfection may be set down the infinite God Himself. All the power and wisdom of the Omnipotent are pledged to make us perfect, and preserve us blameless. Who then can say we cannot be perfect in this life?

But this is not all. Speaking of “his saints,”—are you one of them?—we read, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Col. 1:27, 28. The revelation of Christ is given to make us perfect.

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Col. 4:12.

The ministry of Christ are commissioned to make the saints perfect, and complete in all the will of God. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph. 4:11, 12. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. All scripture is given us of God for the purpose of making every real man of God perfect. Are you a man of God? If not, that accounts for the fact you cannot believe in and receive this state of Christian perfection.

“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” Heb. 7:19. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Heb. 10:14.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Heb. 13:20, 21. Surely we have provisions adequate to make us perfect. All the fullness of the God-head. The inspired Word, the living ministry, Jesus Christ himself, his perfect sacrifice, and precious blood, all vouch safe to us this beautiful grace. And is it still true that no one ever attained perfection? We shall next prove that it has been attained both under the old and present dispensations.

3. Perfection has been attained. “Nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.” 1 Kings 15:14.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9. Would the all-wise God be looking about in all the earth to show his power in men whose hearts are perfect, if no such ever live in this world? “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1. “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Job 1:8. It appears from what follows the above that Satan was no believer in perfection of holy character. He ascribed Job’s righteousness to selfish motives, as a means of earthly prosperity. He suggested that if God would put forth his hand and touch all he had Job would curse him to his face. But God, who knows what is in all men, had confidence in Job’s holiness as being pure and unselfish. So he subjected the man whom he pronounces perfect to all the tests that Satan had asked for. He permitted the devil to take all his property, and with it his children and his health. Though great and unaccountable affliction and mental distress made him wish he never had been born, yet in all this great trial, “Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” 1:22. But he came out of the furnace as he went in, accepted of God. 32:8, 9. So God’s testimony of Job’s perfection proved good, and Satan’s derogation a lie. Thank God for the book of Job! Among other precious things it clearly shows us that God is on the side of perfection, and Satan and his cursed unbelief stand against it. Reader, this fact will help you to determine whether you are of God or of the devil. God’s truth teaches and his saints live out Christian perfection. While Satan, even after proved a liar in Job’s case, and in thousands of others whom he has questioned, is still base enough to keep up the cry, “none perfect, none perfect.” And it is a lamentable thing that he has in his employ even many professed ministers of the gospel, all well trained in Sinumust College.

Let us now hear the testimony of David: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” Psa. 37:37. “Who [the wicked] whet their tongues like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: that they may shoot in secret at the perfect.” Psa. 64:3, 4.

“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” Psa. 101:6.

Why the command to “mark the perfect man,” if none be perfect? And how could the wicked shoot at the perfect, if no such characters exist on earth? Again, how could God’s eyes be upon the perfect of the land, if there be no perfect in the land?

Hear now the testimony of Hezekiah: “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.” Isa. 38:3.

Dear reader, can you look God in the face, and with confidence make such an appeal? If you have walked before God in truth and with a perfect heart, you can testify to him in the same holy boldness.

The following texts abundantly prove the attainment of Christian perfection under the new covenant.

“Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect.” 1 Cor. 2:6. “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Col. 2:10. The word “pleroo,” here rendered “complete,” means to be filled up, fully supplied, wanting nothing, etc., and is equivalent to perfection. Paul had the privilege of preaching to perfect men, hence there were such in his day.

“Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Phil. 3:15. In verses 11, 12, the apostle, speaking of the “resurrection of the dead,” calls it a perfection which he had not yet attained. Many either willfully or ignorantly pervert his words into a denial of perfection in Christian grace, when all can see he speaks of the resurrection of the body, and final rewards. But these are careful to pass by in silence his words in verse 15, where he speaks of perfection already attained.

We have now proved that there is a state of grace called perfection, clearly commanded, fully provided for, and actually attained and witnessed to in this life. This leads to the inquiry, What is it? Doubtless many disbelieve in perfection because they associate it with something which is not provided for in this life. But while we accept the plain scriptural statements of present perfection in Christ, let us also qualify and apply the term as the scriptures do. We will here confine ourselves to the New Testament. The standard is raised by the Lord in Matt. 5:48. “Perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It is evident that the state consists in being like God in some particulars. Let the Word point out what they are.

1. “Pure even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3.
2. “Righteous even as he is.” Matt. 6:33, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 John 3:7.
3. “Partaking his holiness.” 2 Cor. 7:1, Heb. 12:19.
4. “Perfected love.” 1 John 4:17.
5. “Perfect patience.” Jas. 1:4; Col. 1:11.
6. “Perfect faith.” 1 Thess. 3:10; Heb. 12:2; Rom. 1:17; 1 Cor. 13:7.

Perfection of Christian character is then a present experience, and is the result of salvation. Hence it is not the result of any extra-ordinary birthright, nor is it through education, growth, or self culture. But “by one offering he [Christ] hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Heb. 10:14. It is here declared identical with entire sanctification, and sanctification is salvation. “Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13. We praise the Lord our God that the perfect Christ has provided us with a perfect salvation which makes us perfect Christians, and preserves us “holy and unblamable and unreproveable in his sight.”

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