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Volume 40 Number 3 $3.00 per year Ralls, Texas 79357 March 1972 |
Sure Foundation * Fifth Sunday at Wellington * Sweet Meetings * Warnings about Selfish Pastors * Good Weekend At Mt. Olive * Comments from the Editor * Sunday Schools are X Rated * Fifth Sunday at Lone Star * Time for God * Enjoyed Some Good Meetings * Fifth Sunday at Elk Creek * Deacons Ordained at Anton Church * Church News From the Northwest * We Enjoy It * Annual Singing * Good Preaching * Singing Planned at Muleshoe * Fifth Sunday at Corsicana * Looking Back * Good Meetings * Religious Liberty * Sister Lizzie Chastain * Good Meetings in Virginia * Maggie Elisabeth Morgan * Joseph E. Chastain * Sister Hale * Sister Ludia White * Sister Alvony Baxter Hale * Lorena Lumpkin * Mrs. Emma Bonnie Goodner * I Enjoy Them * Sister Lillie Owens * I Try To Please Him * Mrs. Lina Phillips * There Is Just Today * Many Blessings * Good Meeting In Alabama * Gerald Lester Vaughn * Emma Lizzie Stephens * B. Lewis White * Brother Johnny and Jackie Bryan * Sister Lillie Ann Owens * In Loving Memory * Robert Franklin Redford * Grace * God Will Sustain His People * The Doctrine of Redemption * Rock Music * Transportation * I Appoint You A People * Meaning of Words * We Enjoyed His Visit Here * The Church *
“Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
This is the language Jesus used when talking to Peter. He was going to build His church upon a rock, it was to have a rock as the foundation.
Someone might ask, “But where is that rock?” Well, Paul says in I Cor. 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ. So if the church has a rock as a foundation, and Jesus Christ is also the foundation, then He must be the rock spoken of in Matt. 16:18, for no other foundation can be laid except Him. I conclude the rock is where Jesus Christ is.
Then the true church has Jesus Christ as its foundation, if He built it upon the rock as He said He would. “Upon this rock I WILL build my church.” This language denotes that it was His determination and will to build it there. If it was His will to do that thing, did He do it? Dan. 4:35 says. “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest that?” So we can all see that the church was built upon a rock, a sure foundation; built upon Jesus Christ.
I know it had a sure foundation for He said the gates of hell should not prevail against it. it Is not like a house built upon the sand. Had not the foundation been sure, the gates of hell might have prevailed, Jesus says they SHALL NOT.
I once heard a preacher say that there was not a man on earth who could trace his church back thru the dark ages. It is my opinion that if the church you are a member of cannot be traced back thru the dark ages, you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus set the church up while He was here on earth. If there were no church thru the dark ages, it was because the gates of hell prevailed against it and it went out of existence, But Jesus said they wouldn’t, so I say they didn’t.
Either the gates of hell prevailed against the church of Jesus Christ, or it has been in existence and prevailing ever since He built it, and will continue to prevail until He comes back to earth again. Which will you take?
This is what I think.
A. E.. Richards
The Lone Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church of Wellington, will, the Lord willing, entertain a 5th Sunday meeting beginning Saturday morning before the 5th Sunday in April, 1972 through Sunday.
We want to invite all peace loving Primitive Baptist who have a desire to come and worship with us to come praying our Heavenly Father to be with us in our efforts to worship Him. We believe that we can take care of all who come to be with us in this meeting.
In bonds of love, Loyd Langley, Church Clerk
We are enjoying good services in our nice own church here in Artesia, N.M. meeting here each first and third Sunday and Saturday night before with our able pastor, Elder Gerald Hand. We have enjoyed the visitors who have come our way and hope many other Primitive Baptists will visit us.
Thank you for publishing such a wonderful paper for us to read.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Johnnie Bowman
Rt. #1 Box 8
Lake Arthur, N.M.
For some time I’ve had a mind to write some on the subject of shepherds and pastors.
I would like to first call your attention to Jer. 23:1-2, which shows us what will happen to the pastors and shepherds, when they seek to please their own fleshly desires. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter sheep of my pasture saith the Lord, Jer. 23:1-2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings saith the Lord.
And the word of the Lord came unto me saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves.
Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Eze. 34:1-2, We also see in Jer. 28: 16-17, when Hananiah, did what he did and did not what the Lord told him, but did what he wanted to do and got in trouble.
When the Lord tells us to do something we had better do it.
You know if all of us would pray that the Lord will send us shepherds and pastors which will Love the church better than themselves, and feed the church of God which he purchased with his own blood Act 20:28. Then the churches will prosper and be in health.
You know and I know when the shepherds do as did Distrotrephes we will have trouble, but if we all had shepherds like Demetrius, we would have a wonderful place to live and our churches would be in peace, but just as long as we have pastors and shepherds like Distrephes , we will never have peace in Zion. 1 John 1:9-12.
Oh how wonderful it would be if we as shepherds could say as did the apostle Paul, in II Tim. when he came to the end of the way, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
I would like to say to all our shepherds let us all try to live in peace and can say as did Paul did we have fought a good fight and can lie down in death and say I have finished my course.
Written in love,
Elder T. E. Majors
I would like to tell your of our good 5th week end in January.
The meeting was at Mount Olive near Caraden and Goldthwaite, Texas. We had some bad weather to begin with, but the attendance was good considering Also they came with great anticipation of hearing the sweet gospel proclaimed by our precious ministers who were Elders, Floyd Griffin of Synder, Okla.; V. M. Bleeker, Olton, Texas; Freddy Boen, Goldthwaite; Curtis Ripley, Waco; and our pastor, James E. Robertson Jr.
An extra good attendance on Sunday, even though it was cold but the sun shone bright. We hope we’re thankful for the many blessings from our heavenly Father, the Giver of all good gifts.
Our meeting time is the 3rd Sunday in each month and Saturday night before being our conference time.
Visit us when you can and always remember us in your prayers.
Jessie Wicker
It helps us a great lot when you renew your subscription promptly when it comes due.
At the Church at Lubbock the second Sunday in February Sister Clara Pierson came to the Church and will be baptized the fourth Sunday, about 11:45 a.m.
She is a sister of the late Elder E. C. Morrisette and Elder E. S, Morrisette. She has been devoted to the church at Lubbock for many years.
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The second Sunday in December I attended the ordination service for Elder Lynn Weston of Hobbs, N. M. Church. There were about ten ministers and twenty deacons in this service. Elder Jimmie Bass was moderator of the presbytery and Elder Kenneth Martin delivered the charge with Brother W. C. Baldock serving as clerk. I don’t recall now who offered the ordination prayer but believe it was Elder Berwin Hand the pastor. I have not had the privilege of hearing Brother Weston preach but those who have say he does a good job.
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At the Anton church the fifth Sunday in January three deacons were ordained. Brother Virgil Hardin, Brother Travis Venable and Brother Charles Richards. There were about fifteen ministers in this service along with about thirty deacons. They already have seven other deacons. This gives them a fine group,
There was some good preaching and a good fellowship at the meeting.
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In Ephesians the sixth chapter the eminent apostle states our warfare is not with flesh and blood, but among other things, with spiritual wickedness in high places. There is a paper I get regularly called: the Christian Crusade Weekly. In a recent issue is a quotation from the Tulsa Sunday World dated Sunday, January 16, 1972 which proves to me the truthfulness of this statement, The heading of the article within itself is startling The heading states
You’re not going to believe this, but there are now X-rated Sunday schools. Sort of the gospel according to Masters and Johnson.
Newsweek Magazine reports that the Unitarian Universalist Association has introduced sex education into nearly half its 1,100 Sunday schools. The program is called “About Your Sexuality,” and it’s for kids aged 12 to 14.
The course is a touch more explicit, however, than what you’ll find in regular schools. The Unitarians are not monkeying around with stick figures and diagrams. They are instead, showing movies of adults engaged in both heterosexual and homosexual acts, as well as still photographs accompanied by tape recorded conversations with teenagers discussing their first sexual encounters.
And guess what! Nobody has to fight with these kids anymore to go to Sunday school. The Unitarian Universalists are almost running out of chairs, as a matter of fact, because their junior attendance is up. . . though that of other denominations is down.
COINCIDENTALLY, The parents of a lot of these 12 to 14-year-olds must have decided they had an incomplete religious education themselves, because 3,000 of them have gone to take the course with the kids. They’ve obviously remembered the old adage, “Don’t send your child to church, take him.”
The kids are encouraged to use street words rather than the terms used in polite society so they'll feel "comfortable."
I asked some clergymen and a child psychiatrist what they thought about this kind of sex education in Sunday schools. Dr. Preston Bradley, a prominent Unitarian-minister (not to be confused with the Unitarian Universalists) said, I believe in sex education, but it doesn’t belong in Sunday school. There’s a great need for this kind of instruction, but there’s a place for it.
“IT MUST BE handled by trained expert teachers. Who would teach it in Sunday schools? It’s been my experience that Sunday school teachers are wholly incompetent to do this sort of thing.”
We would like to announce our fifth Sunday meeting in April, God willing. The church house is located just 7 miles west W C St of Decatur, Texas on FM 1810. It is called Lonestar Primitive Baptist Church.
We plan to start the first singing about 10a.m. Saturday, Ap”il29th, All who can are invited to come and worship God with us, and the ministry to pr e a c h the gospel, as it is in Christ.
In Christian Love,
Ernest Inman, Pastor
The Banner of Love is a must at my house. I wish it came oftener.
We have church at Crescent, Oklahoma three times each month. Come to see us.
Mrs. Hazel Mize
Route 2
Crescent, Oklahoma 73028
Time gathers into space
Some distant mile away
And discusses with the universe
What it will do each day.
When it makes its decision
It rushes to the earth
And kills one half a century
That nations may have birth,
That slaves may gain their freedom
And the righteous keep their way.
That those young men in uniform
Will learn they need to pray.
One century to another
Time makes its speeding path.
It writes its own true story,
And modernizes math.
We need not question time,
It’s here and it will trod
Upon us till we're resting
In the sheltered arms of God.
Benny Watson
Tuesday July 8, 1969
I was much impressed by the article in the January Banner of Love concerning modern day dress, and how just about all our women church members have gone “all out” taking worldly customs in order to be popular, and their daughters also. We are the servants of whom we are overcome, or influenced by. He that is a friend of the world is an enemy of God. There’s reason in all things, and the style have part all reason, and are plain ridiculous.
“A women shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all that do so are an abomination in the sight of the Lord.”
If we haven’t enough courage to face criticism when we are doing right, then we are poor weaklings and of little worth in God's service, If our manners and dress display worldliness then our Christian light is not shining or it should.
We need more preaching on Christian living and duty, even if it isn’t popular, we accuse others of preaching to please, aren’t we doing the same?
We are to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth, but listen to the average conversation of many church members and you’ll soon learn where their treasures for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
It makes my heart heavy to see so much indifference and cold unconcern, all about.
At the end of Paul’s life he said “I have fought a good fight I have kept faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. “But the average church members of today, puts up no resistance whatsoever to the evils of our time but falls in line with the crowd, and trips merrily down the prim rose path to the music of the “pied piper’ to destruction.
The Lord helps us all to make 1972 a great year in the Lord’s service.
Yours Under the Blood,
Mrs. Viola Arnold
I enjoy the paper very much, with the good letters in it. My health has been bad and my eyes have failed me where I have difficulty reading.
May God bless each and every one Pray for me.
Sincerely,
Dillie Towry
Box 114,
Keimedale, Texas 76060
I enjoyed reading the Banner tonight, as usual. I was happy to see there was an article by Elder Rotenizer, from Virginia, included, and enjoyed it very much, as well as others.
I had been intending to write of how much Elder Rotenizer’s preaching and visiting has meant to Grace Primitive Baptist Church in Houston, also the visiting of Sister Rotenizer, at our fifth Sunday Meeting last fall. Our pastor, Elder Raymond Lee, and others from Houston and Baytown churches had visited in Elder and Sister Rotenizer's vicinity and in the church he pastors, and came back with good reports, which made us look forward to their visit. With liberty provided by The Spirit of God, we were not disappointed.
I understand that it is not hard to find a Primitive Baptist in the county where Elder Rotenizer preaches, because there are more Primitive Baptist there than any denomination. I believe there are about 23, 000 people in the county, in the past, there have been more Primitive Baptist in the county than all other faiths combined.
Elder Rotenizer is another minister that is held in high esteem in his community, I have been told. I hope to have the privilege of visiting there sometime. Also, I believe I can speak for our church in saying that Elder and Sister Rotenizer have a standing invitation to visit us again. Others preached wonderfully at the meeting and are always welcomed.
Deacon E. W. Singletary recently passed away, and we will greatly miss him and his beautiful bass voice in our services. The church has called for the ordination of Brother J. A. Rowell, Jr. to the office of Minister, to be held during our Fifth Sunday Meeting in April, at 3620 Hurley, Houston, Tex.
We believe he is called of God to this work, and he will be very beneficial to the cause. We are expecting many visitors, including you, Elder Richards, to be with us in the series of services. Elder Jesse Bass of Austin is expected to be here also.
I ‘m sure our church clerk, Brother Ivins, will send you the formal announcement; but I did want to make these few remarks.
We appreciate the visiting Elders that have been here recently.
Enclosed is a check for the renewal of my subscription for another year.
Johnnie A. Bass, Jr.
4317 Lafayette
Bellaire, Texas
We the church at Elk Creek, Oklahoma voted while in conference on the third Saturday in January 1972 to entertain a fifth Sunday meeting in April 1972 to began on Friday night April 28 and extend through Sunday April 30.
We cordially invite all Primitive Baptists who have a desire to come and be with us in this meeting. Come praying that God will be with us.
We also want to invite anyone that has a desire to come visit us on first Sunday of each month when Elder Wilce Jones preaches for us, on Saturday and Saturday night and Sunday on the third weekend of each month which is our regular conference time when Elder Kenneth Martin our pastor preaches for us.
Last month was pastor calling time and we called him for our pastor for another year. We love and esteem these dear servants very highly. They also elected this unworthy writer as their clerk for another year. May the Lord continue to bless you.
Remember us in your prayers.
Done by order of the church while in regular conference,
Elder Kenneth Martin; Mod. Jim Stewart; Church Clerk
I am sending in the money for my paper. We enjoy reading the good paper. There are lots of familiar names in the Banner of Love we remembered, some e I known for a long time.
May the Lord bless you and yours, and keep the paper coming.
In Christian Love, Mrs. Eunice Harrison 22224 South Vermont,
Space 39
Torrance, California
I am sending money for the paper. I hope you and your family have a wonderful year. I thank you for sending me the paper.
I have not been able to go to church for some time, and I enjoy the paper,
Thank you, Mrs. Joe F. Burleson Pearsall, Texas
Shown here are three men who were ordained deacons at the Anton Church the fifth Sunday in January.
They are Virgil Hardin, Travis Venable and Charles Richards
We've enjoy reading of the good meetings everywhere and especially from Oklahoma and Texas since we were reared in that country. We came to California in 1950 and 1970 then moved to Oregon.
Our little church here in Grants Pass has enjoyed a wonderful year just past having had the privilege of seeing five new members join the church by experience and baptism. There has been a number of visiting Elders last year and several have promised to come this year. We thank God for all who have come to worship with us. There have been several lay members and friends too. Come again dear ones.
We meet second and fourth Sundays. Elder Griffin is our pastor but due to weather conditions through the winter months he has not been here the past two months. We hope he can come the second Sunday in February. Our son Hebert fills the forth Sunday appointment and we enjoy his efforts very much as well as meeting with each member and singing and praying together.
Our building fund is still growing and we thank all who have contributed to it. We are trying to be patient and look to the Lord for his guidance that we may use good judgment as to how we use this fund.
If it is God’s will some day we will be able to publish a report of what we have done.
Pray for us when at a Throne of Grace.
Albert A. Morris
Grants Pass, Oregon
I trust the Lord will give all of you the Lord’s people a prosperous year, both spiritually and naturally.
Hope you can keep the Banner of Love coming as we enjoy it very much. May the Lord take care of all His people is my prayer.
Laura Womack
408 Latteman Drive
Odessa, Texas 79760
Our annual Primitive Baptist Singing will be held at Muleshoe Church Saturday and the fourth Sunday In April.
We want to invite all lovers of good singing to come and enjoy these two days singing.
Harvey L. Bass
I heard a wonderful sermon on the radio Sunday morning by Brother Richards on the Muleshoe station. It was the fifth Sunday in January, and the text was faith. And me being all alone and not able to go to any of the good meetings, I just lay on my bed and rejoiced with every word that was spoken.
Faith is a wonderful subject. It brought back sweet memories of my babies when they would mash a toe or maybe a finger and I knew it was hurting them so bad. They ran to me and would say “Mama, kiss it.” and if I ever told the truth, the minute I kissed it, they just stopped crying and I believe with all my believing power that the reason it stopped hurting was because of the faith they had in Mother.
My bible tells me if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains. I have thought on this so often, and it comes to mind that all plants that grow will mix, except the mustard. I wonder on this so much. Then it comes to my mind I pray for God to give me faith, then I will ask myself, do I have the faith that I believe he will give me faith?
What a wonderful God we have. He is so ready to forgive us of our mistakes.
Brother Richards, I wish you would write an article sometime about the term “absolute predestination”. I have relatives that seem to be well acquainted with the bible, but we don’t agree about all of it.
I don’t think there was ever a baby born, but God had knowledge of it, and knew when it would make the first cry.
I don’t claim to be smart, but I do believe there is a devil, I know God is good, and everything He does is good, but it seems to me sometimes like everything I do is bad.
But sometimes I do have a few good thoughts. Here is a thought I have and that is to send some money over to the church that pays for this radio time. And also to send some money to the preacher who brings these wonderful messages and his wife. I don’t do this to pay the preacher a salary, but just because I want to help what I can. As long as I get a free check each month. I will try to do a little mite.
With Christian love,
Mrs. H. W. Moore
Clovis, N.M.
The West Texas Primitive Baptist Singing Convention will convene here in Muleshoe on Saturday and Sunday April 22 and 23.
We have had many visitors at our past sessions, from as far away as California and other states.
We hope and pray that a good crowd will gather here to sing praises unto the Lord, I have always enjoyed these singings and look forward each year to the next one.
Songs of our fathers and mothers, Primitive Baptist songs, old and new, and some four notes or Harp songs are usually sung.
It will start Saturday morning at 10 and continue through the day with lunch at the church house, and back again for Sunday morning and afternoon, to close about 3 p. m. Sunday.
I am so thankful there is no age limit in these annual singing conventions.
1 was very impressed last year when a little boy led a song, as well as those up in years.
I just love to see the young folks gather in and put their he arts into praises to God in song.
May this continue on when we older ones are gone.
May our Lord be Praised, Elder Kenneth Martin Mule shoe, Texas
I want to report the fifth Sunday meeting at Corsicana. I went up Friday morning and by the time I got the other side of Mexia it started raining and freezing. By the time I arrived at Corsicana everything there was iced over, and it kept that way until almost noon Sunday.
The crowds were very small Friday night but we felt the presence of the Lord as Elder Fannin preached a sweet discourse.
Then Saturday morning it was still raining and freezing but they kept coming in, until we had a nice crowed. Elder Dunn from Henderson came in then about noon Elder Carl Watson from Lampasas came in, so those three preaches together with Brother Walter Stevenson, and Brother Octor Moseley brought the messages. We had a wonderful meeting as the Lord blessed each and every one that went into the stand, to preach sweet Jesus,
There were others that had promised to come, but the weather and sickness hindered them,
But Sunday morning the house was full.. We had a good song service, a fervent prayer and good preaching. And the good sisters provided a lot of good food for the bodies.
So, my dear brethren and sisters, if you want to be treated better than you feel you deserve, just visit the church at Corsicana.
I believe you will, get that kind of treatment.
In Christian love and hope,
P.A. Westmoreland
Bryan, Texas
My life as I look back. The pathway I have covered has not always been a bed of roses nor has it been a bed of thorns.
I cannot remember when I didn’t believe there was a God, and some how I could feel his presence faraway; so faraway I did not understand what it was or what it meant.
Of course, when I grew older I did understand the meaning of this unseen thing. I felt a nearness of God and his protecting and care for me.
I’ve been a sickly person all my life and I’m sure it’s through him I live, or even exist to carry on.
I’ve always thought of these good old songs I love so well. Oh How I Love Jesus, oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me. Then things would be a little brighter for me. Always when I sang some good old song that fit the occasion, I felt better. Things would go along pretty smooth for a time. Then it would hit me again, some troubles, some sickness, something kept happiness from my home.
I found comfort in singing ‘T here's not a friend like the lowly Jesus no, not one! no, not one.’
I don’t have much of this world’s goods, not much money wise, even when there seemed no way. ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief's' to bear; What a privilege; to carry every thing to God in prayer, O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we near, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Many times I’ve been in the hospital seriously ill and not expected to live for some reason I don’t know why, I’m still here. I don’t know what I’ve ever done or can do to help anyone, or to give assistance, or to help the church, but I am willing to help anyway I can. I love my Lord and trust him. I love all the Old Baptist everywhere. I believe they have the truth. Pray for me a poor sinner saved by Grace if saved at all.
A sister,
Edith Green
Lawton, Oklahoma
When reading the Banner of Love about the good meetings in different parts of the country, it was pleasing to be able to read about them.
We are also having some good meetings and would share them with all of you if you would come and be with us.
Elder J. E. Newman and others came to be with us in January. Elder Newman preached for us Saturday night. Not only was he blessed but it appeared to me that all seemed to be rejoicing and carried to the mountain top along with him.
During conference the third Sunday in January the Salem Church, Wichita Falls, voted Elder J. R. Knight as pastor. The Lord has blessed him many times since the church called him to finish the remaining part of last year. We sincerely hope the Lord will continue with him at this little church and also as he fills his appointments to the other churches in which he has been called.
The First Sunday has been set aside for Elder Allan West. He has been with us a little over a year and we enjoy the teachings and revealing of the scriptures which have been open to him by the manifold blessings of God.
We love all our Brethren and Sisters and hope you will let us share this love by coming and being with us.
B. M. Jenkins
Wichita Falls, Texas
I sure enjoy the Banner of Love. I can not get to church very often and the paper helps.
May the Lord bless you and your family. Keep up the good work with the good news.
Love to all my friends,
Florence Griffith
Memthis, Texas
(Church - State Separation)
Definition — Religious Liberty. the right of a person to adopt and profess opinions on religious subjects, and to worship or refrain from worship, according to desire or to the dictates of conscience, without external control.—World Book Encyclopedia.
Religious Liberty was completely unknown among ancient people the population being compelled to accept the religion of the ruler. The Roman empire, with its own State religion, tolerated other beliefs as long as they did not interfere with the “established” religion. Christianity, however, was forbidden because of its teachings of the brotherhood of man, the fatherhood of God, and the Deity of Jesus Christ. Under the Roman Emperor, Constantine, during the third century of the Christian Era, Christianity (in its highly corrupted form), became the State religion. As a result of this unholy marriage between Church and State, the persecutions of the “Dark Ages” came about. The Church (Catholic) could now use the arm of civil government to enforce its edicts. For approximately 1260 years those who would not conform to the demands of this Church-State federation were compelled to worship in secret or in remote regions of the earth. The fires of persecution raged against the true worshippers, intermittently, during this time, to the extent that millions forfeited their lives for conscience sake. The sufferings endured by these Christian martyrs almost defy description. Religious persecution continued beyond this period however, after the Protestant Reformation and even into this land of ours.
The Pilgrims left England in order to find a place where they might worship as they chose but even they, carried with them the prevailing ideas of religious intolerance. In all of New England except Rhode Island, dissent from the established order of Church worship and belief was looked upon as sedition against the State and sin against God. Catholics persecuted Protestants, Protestants persecuted Catholics and each other, both Protestants and Catholics persecuted Baptists. It was only after a long and bitter struggle, on the part of Baptists and others that this condition was finally corrected. With the formation of the United States and the drawing up of the Federal Constitution, a Bill of Rights was added upon the insistence of those so earnestly contending for civil and religious liberty. This victory for freedom was won only by a very slender margin and only after a long and bitter fight. But the first amendment to this new Constitution was made to state “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This has become our guarantee of religious liberty and has exerted a powerful influence upon other countries.
But the foes of freedom have never “given up”, and our precious liberty has been maintained only through constant vigilance on the part of many.
I was interested to read, from Hassell’s Church History, the following account of something that took place among Primitive Baptists in the year 1848. The brethren of the Kahukee Association, having become disturbed by a course of events threatening Religious Liberty in America, sent a letter to the legislature of the State of Carolina containing the following quotations. “To the Honorable, the Legislation of North Carolina, the ministers and delegates representing the churches composing the Kuhukee Baptist Association, in conference assembled with the church at Great Swamp, Pitt County, North Carolina; Feeling as they conceive a high regard for the Christian religion, the liberty of conscience, and the happiness of mankind; but viewing with distrust the rapid encroachments of ecclesiastical power and clerical corruption in these United States, but more particularly in the State of North Carolina, most respectfully and humbly desire to lay before your body this their earnest petition. memorial and remonstrance: They remonstrate against the passage of any laws in this State favoring societies or churches of any cast or denomination; since the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. They beg that you grant no monopolies or exclusive privileges to any sect or denomination of religious persons, whether Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Pagan or Mahometon; and that you pass no acts of incorporation for the benefit of any religion society or convention whatever. They humbly conceive that in the passage of laws heretofore, incorporating purely sectarian institutions, societies, conventions, academies and colleges, and exempting from taxation property owned by religious denominations, the provisions of our State Constitution have been transcended, and a strict regard to equal rights and privileges among the people has been overlooked; and that wisdom, justice, and a jealous regard for peace, harmony and equal rights, require that all such laws, promises and enactments should be repealed—” The letter also contains this expression — “Priestcraft, they fear, is endeavoring to regain its ancient foothold in this country, and to establish its tyranny over the bodies and consciences of men.” End quote. A similar letter was sent to the Congress of the United States. This is recorded in Hassell’s History beginning with page 787. 1 earnestly urge our readers to obtain a copy and read the letters in their entirety. The things I have written thus far are amply proven by history. You don’t have to take my word for these things; simply investigate for yourselves.
So you see, my brethren, the foes of freedom had not given up in the year 1848, nor have they given up yet. The letters sent by our concerned brethren at that time, did not result in any major reform of government. The trend that they so much feared has continued to grow, until now the encroachment of favored churches is posing a more serious threat than it ever has before: it is my humble opinion that our precious freedom to “worship according to the dictates of our conscience” is in greater danger now than it has been at any time since the adding of the first Amendments to the U. S. Constitution. Our brethren of the Kahukee Association mentioned “priesthood” but the word now is “clericism”, for it is not only priests but also Protestant ministers who are reaching out for Government Aid in various forms.
I am fearful that we may be on the way of not only losing our religious liberty but many of our civil liberties as well. And I am thinking of this idea of One World Government — and ONE CHURCH. This should be enough to almost make the blood of every truly Christian individual “run cold”.
The battle now seems to lie centering around the field of education, and there is a concerted effort on the part of the ‘‘clerics’’ to gain special advantage for private and religious schools. Many arguments are put forth as to why they are ‘‘entitled’’ to tax support for parochial schools, and the term Parochial has come very much into focus. But no one can deny the fact that tax-aid to religious and church—related schools is aid to that particular church. It is therefore highly unfair to every minority religious group, and also to those who do not wish to support any religion.
If that were all there is to it. 1 would not be so concerned; but I am fearful of the long-range consequences. What many of the ecclesiastical powers want no doubt, is to break down the wall of separation between Church and State. They want the whole lump (so to speak) but are willing to settle for a part (now) — But will that end the matter? I am sure it will not. Hitler wanted to rule the world, but was willing to take it over a piece at a time. The question is, When will this thing stop? Churches already own much of America: great commercial interests, and without taxation. Now they want folks to pay taxes to support their schools.
Those brethren in 1848 were willing to try to do something about the situation then, but what are we doing about it now? So far as 1 know, there is only one national organization that has gone all out to try and defend our precious liberties of religion in America. That organization is called “Americans United” (for separation of Church and State). They have been fighting our battle. I think it is high time we were trying to do something for ourselves.
But what can we do? you ask. There is much we can do. First of all, we can awake to the seriousness of the situation, and try to awaken others. We can draw up resolutions. We can write letters — to our State Capitols — to Washington. We can write letters to the Editor, where such columns are available. ‘We can write articles for publication in our church papers. We can talk to our neighbors and friends.
And there is something else the citizens of my native state (Missouri) can do. The citizens of Missouri are being asked to sign an Initiative Petition requesting that the people be permitted to vote on an amended wording of a section of the Missouri Constitution which would absolutely prevent the use of tax money to support any religious activity whatever. I think the language is so clear that there is no way over, under or around it.
And last, but not least by any means, we can pray. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chron.’ 7:14.
In gospel bonds,
Floy F. Gross
This article reprinted from the Gospel Witness, by request, and permission of the author.
Sister Lizzie Chastain a member of Tuscola Primitive Baptist Church passed from this life January 6th, 1972, in the Cox Hospital in Abilene, Texas at the age of 93 years.
The funeral was held January 7th in Elliott chapel in Abilene, burial was in the Tuscola Cemetery.
Sister Chastain was survived by two daughters, one sister, 33 grandchildren and many great grand children and great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and 6 children. Sister Chastain, has been in failing health for quite a while and wasn’t able to attend her church. She loved her church very much, and often told how she missed attending her church. She was a faithful member and was loved by all whom knew her for her kindness and sweet loving person that she was.
We at Tuscola church loved her very much and she is greatly missed. We realize our loss is God’s eternal gain and that her spirit is sweetly resting around the great throne of God, and in that great day of resurrection her soul and body will be reunited and she can praise God in a perfect way.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family and loved ones. May God Bless and comfort them in their hour of sorrow, and give them sustaining grace that they may be reconciled to God’s will.
We have a sweet hope that when God comes to gather up his jewels, that we may join her in that heavenly kingdom.
Written by
Winnie Billings Icy C.C.
January 6th my wife and I were blessed to be in one of the most wonderful meetings in the home of Brother and Sister McPherson, Columbus, Ohio.
After James Bibler, Elder Hanover and I preached four came before the church and ask for a home with the church at Newark, Ohio and asked me to stay over and be at the baptizing. We did and it surely was a sweet pleasure to see them come to the church.
We were blessed to visit in the good home of Brother and Sister Flowers and to enjoy their fellowship.
I would like to say to all four of those sisters who came to the church that I pray God will be with you and your church life will be a blessing to you and the church and God will give each of you grace to bear the sorrows of life and to enjoy the sweet fellowship with God’s children.
Elder T. E. Majors and wife Front Royal, Virginia
If you know someone you think would enjoy the Banner of Love, send us the name and address and let us send a ample copy. — —Editor
Death Notices and Obituaries
Maggie Elisabeth Morgan of 4913 South Stiles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was born at Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1888, and moved to Oklahoma in 1908. She passed this life at the Hill Crest Hospital, after a short illness, in her eighty-third year of life.
She was married to Joe R. Morgan, August23, l908.A marriage that lasted 63 years, 5 months and 12 days.
Survivors include her husband, Joe R. Morgan of the home, one son, Marvin H. Morgan, 507 S.E. 33, Oklahoma City; six daughters, Viola Hayslip, 33 1/2 S. E. 46, Oklahoma City, Lovie Head, 5001 S. Stiles, Oklahoma City, Ruby Mullins, Clute, Tex. Flossie Owens, Free Port, Tex. Bertha Ray Everett, Ardmore, Oklahoma; two sisters, Alice Hamby, Ceres, California. and Leona Sheppard, Clovis, N. M.; one brother, William H. Johnson, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 27 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. A host of other relatives and friends.
Brother and Sister Morgan moved their church membership to Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, in l939, and their love and fellowship is greatly appreciated by this church.
Funeral service were conducted by Elders M. L. Smith and Oba M. Cummings at the Primitive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
Joseph E. Chastain of 2228 S.W. 25 Oklahoma City was born in Texas December 23, 1886 and was taken to his heavenly home December 20, 1971, three days before his eighty—fifth birthday.
He married Frances Blackburn January 8, 1913, and God has blessed them with a long and happy married life.
The bereaved are his wife Frances Chastain, Loutisha Morrisett, Okla. City., Winford Chastain, Edmond, Okla., Mrs. Minnie Maxwell, Edmond, Okla., Mrs. Lola Mann, Midwest City, Okla., Manley Chastain, Chickasah, Okla., 16 grandchildren, eight great—grandchildren and a number of nephews and nieces, with a multitude of other relatives and friends.
Brother Chastain was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church for 61 years.
Funeral services were conducted by his pastors, Elders Bill McCarthy and Oba M. Cummings at the Primitive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
Written by Oba M. Cummings
Whereas if has pleased our Heavenly Father to call from this life Brother Brown Hickman, be it resolved that we, the Florence Primitive Baptist Church, bow In humble submission to His holy will.
Brother Hickman had been a member of our church since 1945. As long as his health permitted, he attended services faithfully. For the past several years he had been confined to his home, much of the time being confined to his bed or chair. Brother Hickman was a very fine man, who loved his church and the doctrine of salvation by grace deeply.
I had the pleasure of visiting Brother Hickman many times and he always enjoyed talking about the church, although he missed being able to attend services regularly.
We would not wish Brother Hickman back, as he suffered so long in this life. Rather, we rejoice in the knowledge that he is now in spirit with Christ, to await his second coming.
Be it further resolved that we send a copy of this resolution to his wife and a copy to a Primitive Baptist paper for publication.
Elder W. B. Daniels, Jr., Mod.
I. M. Hausenfluke, C. C.
Sister Alvony Hale, who passed away Jan. 7, this year was 94 years old and a member of the Bethel Church at 3102 West Palm Lane in Phoenix.
She left four daughters and two sons who will miss her very much. She was put to rest in Inglewood Cemetery In Los Angeles by the side of her husband Elder Baxter Hale, who died in 1958.
Elders Leonard Moore and Frank Kays conducted the services. Sister Hale was very devoted to the church and had a strong and abiding faith in her heavenly Father. She has paid the debt we all must some day pay, when the Lord shall call us home, we hope, to that celestial city beyond this vale of tears.
Sleep on dear Sister Hale, and rest in peace until God shall raise these mortal bodies from the tomb. Some sweet day we hope to meet you in that blessed home prepared for God’s chosen family where the pain and tribulations of this life will be remembered no more. There will be a vacant seat in the little old church where she loved to sit and feast on the glorious gospel of our Lord.
But then there will always be precious memories of her in our hearts.
Submitted in Love,
T. H. Logan
2441 West Clenrosa
Phoenix, Ariz. 85015
Whereas it pleased our Heavenly Father to call from this life our dear sister Ludia White, be it resolved that we, the Florence Primitive Baptist Church, bow in humble submission to his holy will.
Sister Deaconess Ludia White joined the Florence Primitive Baptist Church in 1951, along with her husband, Brother Deacon George White.
Sister White was known and loved by Primitive Baptists in every area of the state. She and her husband were very devoted members, who never forgot to visit the sick and shut-in among us. Sister White loved to attend church and especially enjoyed good, gospel singing. As long as health permitted, she took a very active part in church affairs.
Even after ill health prevented regular church attendance, Sister White would write to some member of the church at Florence before each meeting, enclosing her contribution for care of the church and its ministers, and expressing her love for the members.
Although she had no children of her own, she was indeed a mother in Israel to countless young people throughout the state.
Sister White wore herself out serving her brethren, sisters and friends in Christ, and she is now resting with her dear companion in that wonderful, long awaited home in Heaven.
Be It further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to a Primitive Baptist paper for publication and one to the relatives.
Elder W. B. Daniels, Jr. Mod.
L. M. Hausenfluke, C. C.
Whereas it pleased our divine and Holy Father to call from our midst our much loved and precious sainted sister Hale.
We bow in humble submission to God’s Holy and righteous will.
Sister Hale was born in the state of Virginia in the year of our Lord 1877—she fell asleep in Jesus January 7th 1972 making her stay here on earth 94 years and six months.
Sister Hale joined the Primitive Baptist Church when she was 16 years old, was a faith and devoted member in it, giving 78 years of her life to it of which she served so faithful.
Funeral services held for her at the Chapel of the Chimes in Inglewood, California officiating Elders F. E Kays and L. O. Moore. After she was laid to rest by the side of her deceased, sainted husband, the late Elder Baxter Hale, Inglewood Cemetery to await the call of her Lord and Saviour, whose voice shall sound and cause all that sleep in Jesus to come forth to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall Elder and Sister Hale ever be with the Lord.
So sleep on in rest beloved ones, though we shall miss you very much in our church service and mourn your passing, yet, we have a sweet hope that we shall meet with you in that day, together with all the redeemed of God, never to be separated any more.
Yes, and where there shall be no more sadness, pain, disappointment or death.
Sister Hale leaves to mourn her passing, Stela Hale, Erma Blume, Lottie Herron, Iola Boxwell, daughters, Ray Hale, Lloyd Hale, sons. Besides a great number of grandchildren and great, grand children and to be sure a great host of friends and loved ones.
This written by her unworthy and former pastor yet one that loved her dearly for Christ’s sake I feel sure that an obituary of her home church at Phoenix will follow.
(Elder) L. O. Moore
We the Pilgrims Rest Primitive Baptist Church of Lamesa, Texas, wishes to send these few words of respect in memory of Sister Lorena Lumpkin.
She was born February 24, 1908 in Wise County Texas. Sister Lumpkin passed away at the Brownfield Hospital November 15, 1971 after a short illness. Funeral services were held in the Church of Christ building in Loop, Texas, Her pastor Elder H. D. Russell officiated assisted by Elder B. R. Howze. She was laid to rest in the Resthaven Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas to await the coming of our Lord.
She is survived by her husband D. H. Lumpkin of Loop, Texas, Other survivors are; one sister Leona Clark, Lubbock, Texas; three brothers J. M. Clark Loop, Texas, Redford Clark, Hale Center, Texas and Claude Clark, Lubbock, Texas.
Sister Lumpkin had been a Primitive Baptist member since July l924 having united with the Church at Tule, Texas at that time. She had been a member o f the Lamesa Church since March 18, 1961.
She was a strong believer in the Primitive Baptist Doctrine. She was a very good singer and especially loved to sing the good old songs of Zion in praise of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The writer of this letter lived a neighbor to Sister Lumpkin for about thirty six years and can truthfully say she was a good neighbor. She will be greatly missed in our church.
The members of the Lames a Church wish to express their heart felt love and sympathy to Brother Howard and the rest of the family in the loss of their loved one. May we bow our heads in humble submission to the will of almighty God.
This letter of respect is being written at the request of the Pilgrim s Rest Primitive Baptist Church of Lamesa, Texas while seated in regular conference December 11, 1971.
Elder L. D. Russell, Mod.
Bryan Jones, CC.
We feel to have sustained a great loss in the passing of Sister Emma Goodner. Words cannot express our sadness as we survey the memories of joy and sorrows experienced together. We desire to humbly bow in reverence to the Will of the All Glorious One Whom she loved, served and trusted to the end.
Sister Emma lived a life of love. She loved her companion, her children, her church, her friends, and most of all her Lord. The twenty-third Psalm was her favorite scripture, and without a doubt the Lord was her Shepherd. The reading or hearing of this beautiful Psalm gave her needed strength for many trials, and when death hovered near, it was her joy and strength. The beauty of God’s Creation as they flourished as if especially for her.
She united with Bethlehem Church at Purcell, Oklahoma, in 1933, and was baptized by Elder A. D. West, deceased. At the time of her passing she was clerk of Pilgrim Rest Church in Duncan, Oklahoma, since its establishment in 1955. Her faithfulness and care toward the Church will be remembered long.
Emma Bonnie Palmer Goodner was born December 21, 1912. She passed from this life December 11, 1971, at the age of 58 years, 11 months, and 20 days.
She was married to Roy D. Goodner, February 18, 1932. They lived in Maysville and Lindsay, Oklahoma, moving to Duncan in 1945. They resided at 1003 Spruce at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband Brother Roy D. Goodner; two sons, Thomas D. of Duncan, Oklahoma, Bobby Ray of Sherman, Texas; three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Newman of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Mrs. Bonnie Fowler of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Julie Sorenson of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Brother Marvin Palmer of Duncan, Oklahoma; Brother Silas Palmer of Eufaula, Oklahoma; four sisters, Mrs. Venus Goodner, Lindsay, Oklahoma, Mrs. Blanche Laabs, Apache Junction, Arizona; Mrs. Jimme Brashears, Kinta, Oklahoma; Mrs. Alice Palmer, Antioch, California; five grandchildren; Robert David Goodner, Kelly and David Newman, Erin Fowler, Jenny Dee Sorenson. And a host of friends.
Services were conducted in Duncan, Oklahoma, by Elder J. E. Newman assisted by Elder Bill McCarthy of Oklahoma City. All who knew her have lost a friend. She was the same to all. The abundance of flowers and the presence of the many friends testified of the life she lived.
Sister Emma has gone on to meet Jesus, her Blessed Redeemer, and the redeemed of all ages. She is where no sorrows, pain, not tears abide, and the flowers never fade. Where peace and joy abound and praise is the order of a Day that knows no tomorrow. For Brother Roy D., the. children, the Church, and all we say, “Thank you dear Lord for her. “In our sadness and sorrow we know she is happy now. May we be given sweet Grace to travel on the few days or years in duties ways. Then receive us Dear Lord unto Thee, to enjoy the Blessings of Eternity with those gone be fore, beholding and rejoicing in the Glory of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
By one who loved her,
(Elder) J. F. NEWMAN
The year of 1971 was a trying year. I got my right hand cut off. It was off 8 hours, but hope we are thankful. The doctors put it back on and it is doing fine now.
I am back at work and can use it some. Pray for us when you have a mind to pray.
We are enjoying some good services at Corsicana. We sure enjoyed having Elder Jimmie Bass. It was the first time we had heard him preach, but hope it isn’t the last.
Come to see us if you ever can. We enjoy the Banner of Love very much.
Your Brother in hope,
O. J. Moseley
Mrs. Lillie Ann (Winkles) Owens, 86, died December 22, 1971 at the Shady Oaks Lodge is. Abilene, Texas after a long illness.
The funeral was December 23 1971 at 2 p.m. at the Primitive Baptist Church in Abilene, with Elder C. L. Casey of Cisco and Elder Afton Richards of Rails officiating. Nephews were pallbearers.
Burial was in DeLeon Cemetery beside her husband Elder Jim B. Owens a Primitive Baptist preacher who died in 1943.
Born July 3, 1885, in Erath County, she was married to Jim B. Owens in Mills County, December25, 1908. She moved to Abilene from Cisco in 1952.
Survivors are one son, Earl Owens of 1741 Anderson, Abilene; one daughter, Mrs. R. A. (Anna Mae) May of l850 Jameson, Abilene; eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
She was the daughter and last surviving child of the late Charlie and Caroline Winkles. She was preceded in death by her husband and 5 children.
We, the Cisco Primitive Baptist Church, bow in humble submission to the will of our Lord in His taking of this dear Sister Owens.
We know the Abilene Primitive Baptist Church will write a resolution of respect to Sister Owens as her membership was with their church. But she was a member of the Cisco church for many years and her late husband was pastor of the Cisco church for several years before his death. So it was with deep love and respect to their memories that we voted to write a resolution of respect from our church also.
Elder Casey and Elder Richards delivered a beautiful and consoling service at her funeral. One that the family has expressed tome as how much it meant to them. And I am happy to state here, that this writer is a small part of that family. As Sister Owens was a Great Aunt tome. But the relationship was much closer than that. Aunt Lillie was always a tower of strength tome. No matter what hardship or sickness she always managed to carry on. She never gave up. She was always working at something. Washing clothes, ironing, gardening, canning, babysitting, cooking, (and she was a good cook), and when she finished with that she would quilt or crochet. Her hands were always busy. And she was always so faithful to go to church and to sing and take part as long as she could.
And as Elder Richards said, it is hard to speak of Sister Owens without speaking of Elder Owens and to speak of him without speaking of her. For they worked together side by side, each was a pillar of strength to the other. Especially during their trials and tribulations. During the time Uncle Jim had to have a leg amputated, and during the births and deaths of 5 of their children ranging in age from newborn, to 3 month old twins, to an 18 year old daughter named Ethel. But they came through all the trials loving God even more and Uncle Jim preaching God's gospel.
Then after Uncle Jim’s long illness and death. Aunt Lillie still carried on. She had suffered several illnesses and broken bones. But hardly ever had she complained. She was always thankful things were not worse with her. And this is inspiration I hope I can live by.
I’m sure many of you readers who know Aunt Lillie will know what I mean when I say, through Aunt Lillie I have seen God. I have seen Him through her voice as she sang at church or at home; I have seen Him through the washing of her feet at communion time; through the hospitality in her home; and through her love she showed for God and his people.
And just 3 days before she died, my Mother and I and my family went with Anna Mae and Bob, Earl and Dorothy, and the grandchildren to visit Aunt Lillie during the Christmas party at the rest home where she stayed. She was in her wheel chair that day and seemed to enjoy the visit so much just as we all did. She ate good and we made pictures. It was such a wonderful day. I told my Mother, when we got home, that I felt like I had been mighty close to God that day, and she agreed. Then 3 days later Aunt Lillie quietly slipped away, out of this life, with Anna Mae holding her hand.
And the last time I gazed on her frail little body and saw those still hands that had always been busy, and saw her sweet face that always managed a smile, but was now tilted upward looking toward Heaven as if to say, “I will soon be there,” I still felt her love and strength and courage and so near to God.
I just pray that we who knew and loved her, can carry on in her memory. And for those who did not know her. I pray that you and land all of us, may someday possess the peace and happiness she now has.
Written by order of the church while seated in regular conference January 2, 1972. One copy to be sent to the family, one copy to The Banner of Love for publication and one copy to be put on our church records.
Elder Afton Richards, Mod.
Mrs. Belva Yeager, C.C.
I enjoy reading the good letters in the Banner of Loves which teach us things that we should think about. So we may try to do our duty in the Church.
My greatest desire is to try to please our Lord and Master. The Bible teaches us that the true Church must keep the faith and add nothing to it, or taking nothing from it--just keep the ordinances as they are, and as they were delivered once to us.
I know of one people that have done this. It is the one referred to as the dove, the one undefiled, She is but one, and the choice one of she that bear her.
Acts. 28:22. There is none like the Primitive Baptist Church.
C. S. Mullins
Rockdale, Texas
I have a picture of mother Phillips, which was printed after her 96th birthday, and then she passed away at the age of 96 years and 29 days.
She had been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for 80 years and was one of the Plainview Church charter members. I thought others would like to see her picture. We appreciate Brother W. K. Britton’s tribute to her.
We all love her and miss her very much, but the Lord loved her more and took her where she had longed to be for a long time.
Written by a daughter—in—law
Mrs. H. H. McPherson
Mrs. Lina Phillips, possibly the community's oldest resident, quietly marked the ninety-sixth anniversary of her birth last Wednesday at Lockney Nursing Home. Relatives and friends called during the afternoon on t he "young at heart" woman, w ho is alert and enjoys visitors despite her years.
Mrs. Phillips has resided at the local nursing home since it opened. After rearing her family in the Lone Star—Providence area, she moved to Plainview.
The honoree’s guest list was headed by her children..
Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Phillips, of Plainview, Mrs. Ben McGhee, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Phillips, all of Lockney, Mrs. Joe Phillips, a daughter-in-law; Mrs. Paul Glasson, a granddaughter and great—grandson.
Also calling and offering their congratulations were friends Mrs. Grace Marshall, Mrs. Sylvia Yeary and Mrs. Livingston.
Mrs. Phillips has two other children; Mrs. Ruth Busby of Rialto, Calif., and H. H. McPherson of Silverton.
In a housing development for the elderly, I have a real nice apartment. I love alone and am as happy as one could be under my circumstances.
I have many blessings which I thank God for, but attending church is not one of them. I never get to hear Primitive Baptist preaching any more and I miss it very much. I have decided the best way to hear from many friends is through the Banner of Love.
I am acquainted with so many of the writers and really enjoy reading the good letters, we do not have mail delivery here and that is a drawback. I still my Anton friends and wish I could meet with them again, but probably will not in this world. I hope to be at that great last meeting.
Your sister,
Ruth Dalton
Decatur, Ark.
I was at Brother Beckett's home church the fifth Sunday in January. It was their fiftieth anniversary meeting. They has a nice congregation for a rainy day, and a good service.
We are having good meetings at all of our home churches in our area and some coming home occasionally which makes us rejoice to see them take up the cross and follow Jesus. And to try in their way to praise and honor the great and wonderful name of the Lord.
Brother Beckett and I enjoyed our visit with you folks at the West Texas Association last full. I won’t ever forget it. I wish I could tell all of the ones we visited in their homes how much we appreciated their hospitality.
May the grace of our lord be with you in all of your thoughts and undertakings, to guide and keep you and comfort you and your family.
If not asking too much, pray for me and mine.
If you ever have a mind to come to Alabama, I hope you come to our part.
A little brother saved by grace - - - there is no other way.
E. M. Oliver
Montgomery, Ala.
We are having wonderful meetings each month at the Comanche Church. Elder Curtis Ripley is our pastor. We love and esteem him dearly for the truth he preaches.
We are thankful the Lord sent him our way. We love him and Sister Ripley and the children.
Mrs. E. O. Teague
Comanche, Texas
I am sending the money for my paper. I had an accident the eighth of December, broke my right elbow and have not been able to work since then, but think I will be able to return to work soon.
The Lord has been good to me through all of this and I hope I am thankful.
A sister in Christ, I hope,
Verron Russell
Dear God--
It’s late and I should be in bed,
Thankful for
Some place to lay my head.
And I ---
Should not be worried, sad or blue, Because - - -
There’s just today
And YOU will see me through
And doubts--
I should not have--for they
Will keep
Till Early morning--
And I must not weep~
Because - - -
You’re mine the whole night through,
And if I’m lonely,
God--I’ll talk to you!
I’ll ask
For faith and love to see me through,
These gifts---
Dear God, I know must come from YOU.
Please be---
With those I love, they mean so much,
Teach me
Somehow, to just “reach our and touch.
There is
A lot of living that I need to do
Before---
You take me home, someday, to be with YOU.
I need
For those I love to know I care,
And if they have a burden---
Mine to share!
This life
Is little, mine is almost gone,
Please let a memory of me
Linger on!
Dorothy Brown
1802 Nolan
Big Spring, Texas
Gerald Lester Vaughn, born in Lineville, Iowa, July 29, 1915, passed away January 30, 1972 after a long illness. He was bedfast much of the last years of his life.
Gerald married Rachael Gardner, to them were born three sons and two daughters, Rachael and the children survive, also a large family of Gerald’s. These with many other relatives, church friends, and friends of his passing.
Gerald united with Little Zion Church at Ordway, Colorado after he was stricken with muscular sclerosis. As he and I came from the water, he said, I have let so much time pass by me, have not studied as I should. What do you suggest I study before my eyes get to where I cannot read, (soon they did) I told Gerald the book of Romans would give him a wonderful story.
Truly, we must say there is relief in death. These who knew Gerald above all others, With eyes turned heavenly, those left awhile here say, we mourn not as these who have no hope.
By Gerald's request the writer spoke the message, assisted by his pastor, Elder Glen Lauderdale and Brother Clem Cook.
In hope,
(Elder) Ira M. Fry
208 No. Foote
Colorado Springs, Colorado
We, the members of Pilgrims Rest Primitive Baptist Church have been made sad again, by the passing of one of our members, Sister Emma Lizzie Stephens. She was born to Elder and Mrs. I. F. Hollis, March 23, 1892 near Shawnee, Okla. She passed away Nov. 22, 1971 at a convalescent hospital in Oraville, Calif. She was married to Charles Emmet Stephens Nov. 3, 1916 who preceded her in death in 1949.
She united with the Primitive Baptist Church Dec. 1, 1941 and was baptized by her cousin James Ira Hollis, at the First Baptist Church of San Diego.
She is survived by two children, a son Delbert Emmet Stephens and a daughter Julie Ruth Stephens both of Oraville, Calif. A brother Frank Hollis of St. Helena, Calif. and five grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
To know Sister Stephens was to love her. She came to California in October 1939 and in 1942 started a rooming house business in Turlock.
She came to Chico, Calif. in 1949 where she was a nursing companion to some women, and upon their passing she moved to Oraville in March, 1969 to be near the church where she was a faithful member. Her love and support to the church bears witness to where her love was.
A good example for us to follow as her life grew dimmer her hope and faith grew brighter.
We would say, weep not dear ones, for she is sweetly resting in Jesus.
Her seat is vacant, her sweet voice will be heard no more, but her many good deeds and memories will live on.
Elder D. A. Layne her pastor conducted the funeral service Nov. 24, and her body laid to rest in the Garden of Peace cemetery at Flen Oaks memorial Park in Chico, Calif., to await the call when God shall call His children home. She will be greatly missed by her church and loved ones, but our loss is her eternal gain. Written by request of the church while in conference.
Elder D. A. Layne; Mod.
Florence Hendrickson, Clerk
B. Lewis White, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernie White, born September 2l, 1932, departed this life January 28, 1972.
After getting his degree from the University of Colorado, he was engaged in the real estate business with his father and was very active in civic affairs.
He was married in 1957. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, one son, Bernie Robert, one daughter, Ann Coker, his parents, one brother, Corliss and two sisters, Sandra Dean and Linda Spiker.
Lewis united with the Primitive Baptist Church here in 1954. Today the above bereaved family, his church friends, business friends and many other relatives mourn deeply his passing.
We feel to say, His Lord will gather the harvest, and at the awakening, behold the face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.
His pastor,
(Elder) Ira M. Fry
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dec. 18 Brother Johnny Bryan, as we called him, and his crippled daughter Jackie were on their way to buy groceries for her when they met with tragic death. A train ran over them, killing them instantly, and totally demolishing the car.
Brother Bryan was a member and deacon of the Primitive Baptist Church. He was a faithful servant to the church and true to its belief and doctrine to the end.
His home was a place of kindness, and hospitality always.
He was born April 25, 1890 in Blunt County, Ala. His stay on earth was 8l years. He married Maudie Wilson, Dec. 4, 1910 in Blunt County, Ala. He moved to the Merkel area in 1924. His daughter Allah Lois “Jackie Bryan” Spiegel, age 52 was born Nov. 6, 1919 in Fla. She had lived in California, moving back to Merkel, Texas, in 1935.
The two are survived by the wife and mother, Sister Maudle, of the home, one daughter Mrs. Ross Ferrier, Jr. of Fort Worth, two grandchildren, one sister of Merkel, one brother, of Abilene and one sister in Alabama. Also nieces, nephews, and a host of friends, who will miss him very much.
The double funeral was held in the Merkel Methodist Church Sunday, the 19th with Elder Jesse Bass, assisted by the pastor of the Methodist Church, speaking words of comfort to the family and many friends.
They were laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery of Merkel to await the coming of our blessed Lord and Master.
God bless those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Written by one who loved them.
Mrs. Iva Bains
Baird, Texas
Sister Lillie Ann Owens was born July 3, 1885 in Erath County and passed away December 22, 1971 at the Shady Oaks Lodge in Abilene after a long illness. She and the late Elder J. B.. Owens were married at Lueders Texas on December 25, 1899, Elder Owens preceded her in death in 1943.
Sister Owens survivors are a son Earl and a daughter Mrs. Ann May both of Abilene. Also eight grandchildren and one great grandchild survive Sister Owens. She moved to Abilene from Cisco in 1952 and joined the Abilene Church by letter in 1954. Funeral services were conducted on Thursday December 23, at the Primitive Baptist Church in Abilene with Elder C. L. Casey and Elder Afton Richards of Rails officiating. She was laid to rest in the De Leon Cemetery by the grave of her husband. Both Elder Casey and Elder Richards spoke words of comfort to the family and paid special tribute to the life of Sister Owens. Sister Owens lived a life of devotion to the Church and always bore her trials and troubles in this life with great patience and understanding.
We will miss her presence and the smile that she always greeted everyone with but we could not wish her back to this life of sin and sorrow, so we will say sleep on Sister Owens in the Arms of sweet Jesus and we have a sweet hope of meeting you again some day in that upper and better Kingdom where God shall wipe away all tears and there is no night there.
Written by order of the Church while in conference on Saturday night before the third Sunday in January 1972.
Elder Boyd Chambers, Mod.
Felix Pair, Church Clerk
Written in loving memory of our beloved parents, by the children of Elder Walter Lou and Lydia Drusilla Wright.
Papa entered into his Eternal rest at 3:20 a.m., Wednesday, January 4, 1971, as reported in The Baptist Trumpet and The Banner of Love, shortly thereafter by Elder Berwyn Hand.
Mama only lived a few short month and entered into her Eternal rest at 3:20 a.m., September 4, 1971 in Methodist Hospital, Lubbock, Texas, where she had been confined for five days.
She was always a faithful, devoted Primitive Baptist, companion and mother.
Mama had served many years as Postmistress in loop, Texas from 1919 until 1932.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, September 6, l971 at 3:00 p.m. in the Smith Rogers Funeral Chapel, Lovington, N. M. Conducted by our dear brother, Elder Berwyn Hand, pastor of the Primitive Baptist Church, Carlsbad, N. M. and Rev. Joe Vernon, pastor of the Jackson Street Baptist Church, Lovington, N. M.
Burial was beside our dear Papa in Resthaven Memorial Park, Lovington, N. M.
Papa would have been 83 on January 13, 1971, Mama would have been 80 on September 7, 1971.
We wish to again express our deepest gratitude and thanks to all who stood by is through the many months of caring for Papa, with so many faithful to visit. All the cards sent, and prayers in our behalf, the many beautiful flowers, the good food prepared for us throughout the passing away of both our Papa and Mama.
We, a family of seven children were greatly blessed with wonderful, good and loving Christian parents, having moved from Runnells, Colorado in the summer of 1918, traveling in a covered wagons to settle on new raw grassland, breaking our for farmland on our new purchased home at Loop, Texas in Gaines County.
Our first real West Texas home was a half dugout with an eight by six foot wide upright doorway, at each end of the thirty foot long sixteen foot wide, two room dwelling.
Having lived in the covered wagons while preparing this home.
Then the people of the community in 1919 appointed Mama Postmistress by petition, which was later officially verified.
We later moved one half mile north into an old settlers home of the deceased postmaster.
In l921 Papa brought in lumber and built our permanent home on our land, with a large adjoining building, thereby establishing the first General mercantile, dry goods and grocery store and officially recognized Post Office, which was the new Loop, Texas.
There was a small white wooden schoolhouse on land adjoining us, one half mile to the north.
Being earnest and devoted members of the Primitive Baptist Church our parents, and several families in the Community being of the same faith and order, held church services that were conducted in the little schoolhouse.
Some of these families were the Hicks’, Wisenant’s and Moon’s.
This was when they were all of the Trumpet Baptist.
Some of the visiting Elders were Elders John B. Dentors, Tommy Dunn, Hamp Richards, and Hardy Richards.
In the later 1920’s a church vas organized and met in the old schoolhouse at Gomez, Texas (which is now the Brownfield Church pastored by Elder Goforth)
Elder John B. Denton was called and served as first pastor as long as his health permitted.
We had many visiting brethren and Elders, some being Elders, Abe and Dempsey Koin, Currington, Spenser Moore, Pittmars, Henry Cash, and many others, such as Elders W. R. Dale and J. P. Dale.
Elder W. R. Dale later served as pastor many years at Gomer, Texas.
In 1941 due to ill health our parents moved to Las Cruces, N. M., where Papa farmed many years and served as pastor of the Messilla Valley Church until he retired.
In July 1970 we moved Papa and Mama by airplane ambulance to the Lovington, N.M. hospital to he near some of us, that we would be able to care for them, in their last days.
It was a privilege and a blessing to be permitted to sit by Papa’s side many hours and hear him sing, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long.” Hear him preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, quoting scriptures word by word, and the most fervent of prayers, as long as he had voice to speak.
Our precious Mama was blessed to help care for him and stayed by his side as he constantly called for her.
Then we laid her to rest. By the families of Mrs. G. W. (Mabel) Massingill, Salem, Oregon, Mrs. J. L. (Lola) Towns, Lovington, N.M., Mrs. R.D. (Lillie) Maze, Whiteface, Texas , Dalton Wright, Ackerly, Texas, Lloyd Wright, Albuquerque, N. M. Raymond Wright, Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvester Wright, Lovington, N.M. A great host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. One brother of Papa’s Charlie Wright, Roswell, N.M.. One brother of Mama’s Earnest Overman, Lake Whitney, Texas.
Robert Franklin Redford was bornJanuary3l, 1891 near Valley Spring, Llano County Texas, where he lived all his life. He died at his home on January 3, 1972, a few weeks before his 80th birthday. He was married to Grover Alexander who proceeded him in death on January 22, 1963. They had no children. Two sisters survive him.
In August 1933, he united with the Primitive Baptist Church and continued to attend until his death. He loved to sing. With his passing goes the Redford name from the Valley Spring Church roll after a period of nearly 90 years.
He was buried in Salem Cemetery near Valley Spring, with services being conducted by his pastor. Elder Jesse Bass. Nephews served as pallbearers.
Brother Redford was blest with health to live independently until his sudden death, about which one of his nieces remarked, “The Lord must have loved Uncle Robert specially, for He took him quickly when the time came.” We are saddened at his going and will miss him greatly.
This writing was authorized in Conference on February 6, 1972.
Elder Jesse Bass, Mod.
Mabel R. Osbourn, Clerk
Again this time, we are printing twelve pages in the paper. We think we have a lot of good reading and hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy preparing it for you. ------ Editor
There has been a lot written and spoken about Grace, which is the unmerited gift bestowed upon an undeserving person.
Some have tried to believe and teach that God furnished the Grace and we poor little puny sinners must supply the faith. But that won’t work, because it said, “through faith" if you go through something you are in it. If something goes through you it’s in you.
When my brethren say they believe that it is. “By Grace”, they mean just that, with no strings attached.
If man could be instrumental in supplying this Grace, he sure would not give any to those he disliked, and would take it from those, who disagreed with him. Thank God, it is not that way.
Those who are established in the Truth are led by Grace. They will never teach one of God’s little ones, “you must do this or that to get to heaven.”
I don’t appreciate people who will ask unnecessary questions of God’s little children. Some of these questions go like this: “Do you want to go to heaven?” and then the answer is usually, Yes. This then brings on this urgent statement, “Then accept the Lord as your personal Saviour.”
The thing about it is, one person just does not have grace to give someone else. God is the only source of grace.
Why did God love His people? Eph. 2:4-5. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love, (how great is it?) Great enough to save you for heaven, and to keep you saved here on earth. Wherewith He loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (By Grace are ye saved). Just on other way to get into Christ,
Can’t we see where that a loving Saviour quickened us together with Christ? He has just what it takes to do the great work of His Father. You and I don’t have even what the apostle had. Oh, we can rejoice in the love of a Saviour, and influence others, We can sing, pray and preach when we are given grace to do so, But save someone for heaven? No.
I have tried to save the one that are already saved - saved by grace that is. How? Oh, try to get them to come to the church - to turn from wrong and turn to right. To quit proselyting other people and to teach them the truth.
No one can bring another person into Christ, for that is the work of Jesus Christ the Saviour. I wish people could see this. They just can’t until the Lord release it to them, and when He does, that person will leave the work system, and join the “grace army."
In his heart and mind, he will love it and all that Is connected with grace.
The coming together with Christ, and the Quickened together with Christ will come up in his heart, like a spring of fresh water in a desert land. It will become a light to his feet and a lamp unto his path.
If anyone desires to crucify the Lord a fresh, and bring him to an open shame, he can do so by telling people and teaching them that God’s grace is not enough to save them.
Some think it takes water baptism to bring people to Christ, some think belief will do it, and others think keeping the ten commandments is the thing. A person that is born of the Spirit of God is passed from death to life.
“And you hath he quickened (born again) who were dead in trespasses and in sin.” You can’t find a dead person in this scripture, not anymore, he is alive in Christ, quickened, born again, and brought into eternal life.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” Romans 8:1.
Is not all that are walking after the spirit children of God? I think so.
Romans 8:14, For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God.
If we have found who the spirit of God is leading, we have found the children of Cod.
Not, not of works, lest any man should boast. Because it is our sinful nature to be boastful. Not him that willeth, nor him that runneth, but God that has showeth mercy.
Not belief (Yet) and not baptism, not obedience, and not the law. Nothing on my or your part on the way of action. We were dead and could not move, pray, sing, accept, reject or anything like that. The first thing you or I ever did was to cry, and perhaps that will be the last thing we do. Life must come before action. Are we going to expect something of a lifeless, dead person? No.
I just don’t see how anyone could be spiritually minded, if he is not being led by the spirit of God. And I don’t see how we could be led by the Spirit of God, if he has not been quickened by the spirit, and I don’t see how anyone could be quickened together with Christ, if he has not been saved by grace, and that not of himself, but a gift of God.
If God gives it to you, you have it and no one can take it away from you.
But you can rejoice in this wonderful unmerited grace. It was given to you, and not brought about by your good works or your faith, or kind deeds, or anything you did.
It is alone by the Saviour who came to this world of sin and sorrow and suffered on the cross, lived here about 33 years and taught us how to overcome Satan and all of his cohorts,
By humbling ourselves at the feet of Jesus, by overcoming evil with good, we can do many things. Just be satisfied with the goodness of God’s house. I wish I could and would pray without ceasing. I desire to be honest and faithful until the end.
Yours in love for the cause,
(Elder) Kenneth Martin
Muleshoe, Texas
Cast thy burden upon the Lord; and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psl. 55:22 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness Psl. 119:123. We know in the first text David had learned to cast his burden upon the Lord. He knew well the story of his experience. The Lord had brought him out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established his going read Psl.. 40:14. Surely David knew the strong rock of salvation. When he said mine eyes fail for thy salvation, he was wanting to see them again, he was wanting to see the words of righteousness. One of the greatest portions of my hope is that I can sometimes claim a relationship with these saints of old. We sometimes feel just like them. Dear readers fit yourselves to these saints. At our second Sunday January meeting, we had Elder John DeWitt, wife and three sons with us, the older son and wife live here in Colorado Springs. Elder DeWitt from the first word to the last in his preaching filled our souls with the glad tidings. We were made to thank God for sparing Brother John to the church, his practice as a doctor. Those who do n t know of Brother John’s illness, know this he has been spared by the grace of God and wisdom give to medical science. When we left in parting, each saying farewell and not good by, for our hope had been revived, we shall meet again.
Come, sometime in the week, I go hungry again, perhaps, it was because I wanted more, you all know 1 am speaking about that hunger, that is for righteousness. I reviewed Elder DeWitt’s thoughts and study, yet a longing for more. We, learn the sustaining hand of God by action, thought or prayer. The third Sunday in January a car load attended the services at Ordway, Colorado. Brother Clem Cook followed by Elder Lauderdale (pastor) preached. That we might think of gospel benefits by the instructed word, have we all looked at Psl. 119 Chapter and noticed thy word and its many uses. Please review it to get the fullness of my mind. In Pro. 25:11 the wise one said, a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As riches go can you see a more perfect picture. I have thought the wise one had been made to see this apple of gold in Pro. 2:3 as the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadows with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
A word fitly spoken, I think surely this can be words, but as I write this, one word that whole service filled my soul with what I had been searching for, Brother Cook as he closed said, and these words were given to sustain us. (This is what preaching is for, to feed the flock) Acts 20:28 it says feed the church. Also, get John 2l, especially verse 15, 18. Feed my lambs, feed my sheep. A word fitly spoken, perhaps here spoken at the right time.
To say the least I went home feasting and still am, and would pass it onto others. The Lord shall sustain us. In I Kings 19th chapter you will need it all, get verse 8 and he went in the strength of it forty days. In verse 12 we have the still small voice I would have sent it in the wind, or the earthquake, notice verse 11 not in the fire. Our Lord’s will is so rich, by a still small voice we hear it. Notice how this still small voice speaks in I King l7:8,l6. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, I have commanded a widow to sustain thee. Notice, the widow and the son, with, what they had almost gone verse 12 and in verse 16 and the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruise of oil fail according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. All, notice, but by Elijah. The Lord Neh. 9:21 preached over again. Yea, forty year didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing, their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
May we rush to the new scriptures Act 7:11 Stephen, was stoned to death for preaching as he did, review the whole chapter. They were not sustained by Egypt, but by the Lord. God had sent Joseph down before them to preserve life. Gen 41, 46 Chapter 45:5 the text above. May we close with Chapter 45:
25, 28 we see here wagon full of the blessings of God. His hands that sustain us, and with Jacob we say, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Can’t we see why the Primitive Baptist divide, life and the reviving of life?
In Gospel Bonds,
(Elder) IRA M. FRY
The redemption of God’s people was an absolute necessity in order for them to be fit subjects for heaven and immortal glory. The reason for this necessity was brought on by the transgression of God’s law causing man to become guilty in the eyes of God.
The guilt of man is due to the fact that God is just therefore a perfect administrator of justice and the law. Consequently when man disobeyed the commandment of God there was no other recourse that God could do but declare man as guilty. Romans 3 verse 19 "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, It saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth maybe stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” When any one is declared guilty then justice demands that the penalty of the law be exercised which is exactly what God did thereby placing man under the law of sin and death. Now man has no other recourse but to serve out his sentence unless the court intervenes through mercy and forgives man of his crime or in this case sin.
Forgiveness can only transpire when the price of guilt is paid thereby causing the remission of sin. The remission of sin can only be accomplished by the shedding of blood as seen in Hebrews 9 verse 22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” As can be seen in the old testament the children of God worshipped under the law dispensation which as a part of the service the shedding of the blood of animals was practiced. These were sacrifices offered to God by man accomplished remission then there would have been no reason for these sacrifices to be continued year after year.
God was looking for a blood, offering which would appease His wrath thereby gaining redemption. This offering was to be one of purity and without sin which in no way could be offered by sinful man because a clean thing cannot come out of an unclean thing. Peter teaches this plus telling what exactly brought redemption to man in 1 Peter 1 verses 18 and 19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb with out blemish and without spot.”
The price of guilt had to be paid which could not be done by the corruptible things on earth as silver and gold but only by the shedding of the blood of Christ. This price was paid as stipulated in 1 Corinthians 6 verse 20 “For ye are bought with a price.” So the price was paid not by man but by Jesus as seen in Ephesians 1 verses 12-14 and in Ephesians 2 verses 13-16.
Jesus paid the price which brought final remission of sins as seen in Hebrews 9 verse 12 “Neither b y the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Therefore it was no longer necessary to perform any more