Our Change.
Zion's Advocate, June 1898, Vol. 37, No. 6.
The most difficult and paintful task we have ever undertaken was to resign our churches in Indiana and bid adieu to our friends there, in order to locate in Virginia and enter upon the new field of labor here. At our last meeting at Salem church, west of Indianapolis, a young sister came to the church and related her experience, dating it back only about three months before. The Lord had opened her heart while we were preaching at that place, and she said she wanted us to baptize her before we left. Another sister immediately followed her, and told us she had desired to become a member of the church for five years or more, but had failed to do her duty. She said she could not bear to see us leave without baptizing her. We waited upon these two precious sisters, leading them into the baptismal waters amid much rejoicing. As we took leave of these dear ones, tears flowed from many faces, while tokens of love and expressions of deep regret were heard from all. This precious church we had tried to serve for some years, and the tie of affection that bound us together had become greatly strengthened. How very dear they were to us, and how sad the parting! At Mt. Zion church north of Danville our last service was very impressive and touching. The parting hand was taken attended by much weeping. Old and young bowed their heads in manifest sorrow as we spoke the sad word "farewell." Three weeks after the meeting there one of the members, a brother whom we had baptized about eleven years ago, departed this life and fell asleep in Jesus. Being called back to preach his funeral, we tried to comfort the grief stricken family with the promises of God and the consequent hope of the Christian. Thus under very lamentable circumstances we were again compelled to bid adieu to those inestimable friends.At Abner's Creek Church, another one of my charges, the crowd was immense, and the interest manifested by young and old was such that the occasion was indelibly fastened upon our memory. By no people can we ever be more highly respected than by the members of this church and their families. May God abundantly bless them and make his cause to prosper in their midst. May he reward them for their kindness to us during eleven years of imperfect service.
At my home church, Mt. Tabor, a large crowd assembled, and showers of divine blessings were poured upon us. After preaching our farewell sermon a young sister offered herself for membership and was received. At the wterside we sang a hymn and extended the invitation, when another sister came forward and told us what the Lord had done for her soul. We were happy beyond expression as we led these two trembling children of God into the stream, and buried them in obedience to the Lord's command and in imitation of his example. On Wednesday evening fllowing we again met at the church, and after divine service a brother was received for baptism. The following day we held service at the home of a sick young lady who had requested it, after which we baptized the dear brother above referred to. This church is especially dear to our hearts. Here the great division over the means heresy began. Since that division we had tried to serve the original or primitive church there as pastor. In the midst of a long series of lawsuits and other discouraging features, we had stood together. Many had come home to their friends at that church and received baptism at our hands. A pastor and flock could not be dearer to one another than were we. The broken sobs and flowing tears of these dear, precious ones so overcame us that we could not refrain from regretting that we had arranged to leave them. We, with our wife and two of our children, were blessed with a sweet home in fellowship with them. But while circumstances have combined to separate us in distance, yet our hearts are still united by ties of love that space cannot sever. Dearer friends than they are we never expect to find, and wherever our lot may fall in this valley of tears, we shall continue to gratefully remember these kindred in Christ. How thankful we are that separation is only for a few short years! A little while, miles may lie between, but the period draws near when together we shall dwell in our habitation on high, where all tears will be wiped from our eyes, and where we shall forever dwell in the full enjoyment of unsullied peace at God's right hand. "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning."
J. R. D.
Copyright c. 2005. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
