An Effectual Wedge
Zion's Advocate, Vol. 45, No. 4, April 1906.
That the "commission" was given by the Saviour to the church as a body, commanding her to "send" out her preachers into the world, instead of to the ministers as a command to "go," is a wedge that is being driven by Elder J. V. Kirkland, which has proved effectual in severing the fellowship of some of our dear ministers and churches. Elder Kirkland has been urged to desist from advocating this heretical notion as well as some other pet theories of his, which he very well knew would result in breaking up the peace of our dear cause. He seems to have dropped all but this one, which he continues to drive by the aid of a new paper started by him for this purpose. By a cry for "peace" and a plea for "no bars to fellowship," he has secured the sympathy of many, and seems to be exulting over the success he is making in drawing away disciples after him. His own association, the Greenfield-Philesic has dropped his church from her fellowship, which action has been endorsed by her corresponding associations: Big Sandy, Forked Deer, Obion, Predestinarian Baptist, and Soldier Creek. The Ketocton and Ebenezer Associations of Virginia stand as a unit against the Kirkland departure. The Salem Association of Indiana, Elder Lemuel Potter's old association, has declared against it. Many other associations have, either directly or indirectly, shown their opposition to it. We have not heard of a single association of our denomination adopting the theory and measures of Elder Kirkland. Elders J. H. Oliphant, Sylvester Hassell, J. W. Richardson, C. H. Cayce (with his precious departed father, Eld. S. F. Cayce), W. C. Arnold, R. W. and J. M. Thompson, C. W. Radcliff, A. A. Shoultz, Archie Brown, T. S. Dalton, C. H. Waters, Lee Hanks, and scores of other gifted ministers, have stood up against this innovation. We feel to be the weakest among them, and our additional aid may not be of much service, but we have never hesitated to declare our opposition to it, and we now publish to all who may read this our hearty endorsement of the position taken by Elders J. H. Oliphant and Sylvester Hassell on this question recently published in "The Primitive Baptist." Our love for peace is so great as to cause us to spend many sleepless hours of the night and restless hours of the day in weeping over this breaking up of our peace.How we long to see peace prevail in our beloved Zion! How we wish all would be contented with the old landmarks and lay
down the carnal weapons of unholy strife! We would love to look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities, as a quiet habitation. Those who have stirred up strife by the introduction of new things could restore peace if they would only do so.
J. R. D.
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