The True Foundation of Peace
Zion's Advocate, Vol. 44, No. 10, October 1905.
Peace in the church of Christ is so desirable, and it is so essential to the growth and prosperity of the precious cause. We have been much elated and encouraged over the peace that has abounded among the dear saints in the Ketocton and Ebenezer Associations since we have lived in their midst. There are none who strive to lord it over others, and the ministers and laity are living in love and sweet harmony. "Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity." It is sure enough like the "precious ointment" on Aaron's head and beard and garments, and like the "dew of Hermon" and that which "descended upon the mountains of Zion."The foundation of our peace is that we are willing to be nothing but Old Baptists. None of us believe that the commission given by Christ to his apostles was intended to be laid upon the church as a body, which false idea has been the parent of all the Missionary machinery that has ever been invented. None of us believe that there should be a "Federal Government," in which one body is set up over others, and another over that, as higher courts and courts of appeal, for the settlement of local questions and questions of general interest. We think the government given by our blessed Master is the best we can have, and so we will have no other. We are opposed to the plan that some have suggested that there should be only one Old Baptist paper, and that it should be under the control of a publication society. These are all new things, and things the church should never consent to.
We believe the doctrine that has been handed down to us, the origin of which is the great Head of the church. The fatalistic doctrine that God has predestinated all evil the same as he has all good we abhor. The sovereignty of God we most assuredly believe, and we maintain that he will do all his pleasure, and that his purposes, either of providence or grace, can never fail. The number
which will be finally presented by the Saviour in heaven, when he shall say, "Behold, I and the children which God hath given me," will be the exact number that the Father chose in him before the foundation of the world, for which he died, and which shall have been effectually called by the Spirit and kept by the power of God. This is the eternal truth, in which we stand, and in which we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. New things are of men and we will have none of them.
When we left Indiana, in 1898, it seemed that peace abounded to an extent beyond what had been seen for many years. It was there then like it is here now, and so it was in the adjoining states. There was free and peaceful interchange of ministry that was truly delightful. Now there appears a restless spirit. That spirit was stirred by Harry Todd and others who were partially or wholly ensnared by his heretical teachings. When he went to his own place, we thought the waves would settle, but others have shown a spirit of dissatisfaction with the old order of things and are giving trouble. What this will yet develop into we are not prepared to say, but we now wish it understood by all that we propose to stand on the old ground, where we have stood all the while, and oppose any measures for changing what Jesus and the apostles have given us in their holy teachings. Let us all rally to the standard and stand by it in this age of shifting, restless action. This is the true and sure foundation of peace, upon which all can continue united who love the ancient doctrine and practice.
J. R. D.
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