February                                            April

Woe Is Me    The Angels     A Hiding Place in the Covert of Hope    Frank and Marie Davis   Baptism at Littlefield Church    Right or Wrong  Tour Through the Bible    Added unto the Church    Singing Yule and Gospel Favorites at Christmas Time    Small things by Small People    Card of Thanks    Sisters Celebrate Golden Anniversaries    Thankful for you all    Wonderful meeting in Mississippi    The Necessity of "Love"    Obituaries

By Elder Mark Rowell

I trust we are all familiar with the theme/thoughts brought to mind when we read the writings of Isaiah in the 6th chapter of his prophecy - especially the first few verses. Isaiah was blessed to see the “...Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up..” with His glory filling the temple. He then saw the seraphim’s which cried “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts...” What a glorious vision! Oh that time and space would allow us to go over the wonderful truths that are presented to us in the first four verses of Isaiah, chapter 6. But our mind is drawn to a profound statement uttered by Isaiah based on his understanding of what he saw.

Verse 5, ‘Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

Now some might say that this is a strange reaction to this vision. Some may even say that great joy should have befallen Isaiah since he was blessed to see the Lord as he did. I believe that Isaiah experienced the joy, but only after some things were revealed to him.

Although we sometimes fall into the snare of crying, “Woe is me!” when troubles assail us, this was not the cause of the lamentation of Isaiah. At this time, he was not overwhelmed by his tribulation. He was not cast down because of his walks through the valleys. He was not disheartened by his physical frailties. Rather, he was engulfed in the revelation of his depravity. Isaiah was made to realize the depths of his depraved nature in the presence of an August and Thrice Holy God.

We cannot begin to understand the depths of our depravity until the Lord reveals Himself to us. There was once a man by the name of Saul who was “...breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” In his own mind, he was perfect and upright, swallowed up in his pharisaical ‘religious’ ways. But this man Saul [who became known as the Apostle Paul spoke of the experience on the Damascus road to King Agrippa; “At midnight, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me..” Paul saw a light so bright that it brought him to his knees and even blinded him for three days! The light he saw was the Lord! As Saul asked, “Who art thou Lord?”, the reply came, “I am Jesus whom thou, persecuted.” Now how many of us can say we’ve seen a light that brought us to our knees and blinded us like Paul? Paul writes of the experience and what was’ revealed to him in Romans chapter 7, “For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, Sin Revived, and I died.” Paul is saying, the sight of his Saviour and being in the presence of the glory of the Lord caused him to realize that he was not perfect but rather undone, as Isaiah, and in need of a Saviour. If you will, Saul had his sins brought right up before his face when he found himself in the presence of the Glorified Saviour!

We must certainly already be born of the Spirit of God before we can realize our depravity, but above, and beyond this, we must have revelation - like that of Isaiah and, Saul of Tarsus - of the awesome glory of God. We, like they, must be made to fall down from our pride and in the dust of humility, declare that God is “holy, holy, holy” and we are vile wretched sinners.

As it was for Isaiah and Saul, it is by the grace of God that we are humbled to see our depraved state. But as harsh and traumatic an experience as that is - and surely it was for Isaiah and Saul - it is only when we are brought to this most abject state, that we can see that God’s grace, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, has delivered us from our sins.

Paul wrote, “Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul realized that he was carnal,”.. sold under sin.” But Paul answered his own question with, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Isaiah also saw this deliverance. ‘When one of the seraphims took a live coal and laid it on Isaiah’s mouth, the seraphim said, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” The Lord then asked, “Whom shall I send.” And the same man that cried, “Woe is Me,” then says “Here am I; send me!”

Even though Isaiah was made to realize his fallen nature he was also made to realize that he had a redeemer; he had a Saviour; he had a deliverer! You see, even though we are fallen by nature, we have a redeemer, a Saviour, a deliverer! We are risen with Him in the Covenant of Grace. We rose with Him when He arose from the grave. We rise with Him in the new birth. And some sweet day, we’ll rise from the grave by His power and dwell with Him for eternity, beholding His glory in perfection, absent from depravity, and instead of prying, “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips!” we will sing with joy, “Holy, holy, holy!”

Think on these things, Mark D. Rowell, [Elder] Houston, Texas

For whom the Lord loveth He correcth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Prov. 2:12.

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In the covert of hope we have a hiding place from the storms and tempests of life, knowing that though the rain falls today yet tomorrow the sun will shine again and in the meanwhile the blessed rainbow of hope lends her radiance as a beacon light to the weary soul, that the battle will soon be over and the victory won. In all of life's tribulations and sorrows, this hiding place of hope gives rest for the weary and strength for the weak and the engulfed by time's gloomy night, yet hope will light the way. Soon dark clouds will vanish and soon the trials will be over. In the meanwhile, little one, hide under the shadow of God's wing.

The sure promises of God is a hiding place, for He who made the promise is immutable. He will not change. The Bible is filled with glorious promises of His children. We can hide ourselves in the shadows of those promises, even as a shadow of a great rock in a weary land, the promise of a Saviour, of a mediator, of a perfect offering for our sins, a promise of another life after all of this weary life is over. For Christ and His love is our hiding place.

There is another hiding place for any works of man would not hide him from his sins. This is proved by the sin offering of the Jew, which was made day after day and could never take away their sins, but now Christ, the one perfect offering for our sins has perfected forever those who are sanctified and hidden under the shadow of His wing, safe from all dangers and fear, safe in the knowledge of His everlasting love; which love has inspired our love toward him, and love of God is sweet evidence that we are born of God. His love hides the sinner from his sins, for blessed is the man whose sins are covered. What a serene feeling of being in a hiding place for the little convert, being led into the water, and then buried with him in baptism, an experience never again to be repeated; also at the communion and while washing some saints feet hidden from every exalted thought, we see Jesus as our Saviour and then love reigns supreme.

After being in our hiding place with the Lord we leave with a greater zeal, an inspired heart, undaunted spirit, renewed courage, a living faith and a brighter hope. Every child of grace need to frequently in prayer and in worship to resort to this hiding place then we can say with David, "Thou art my hiding place."

I call to memory, when I was a child, I would sometimes steal away to a little grove of trees, over in the field and there hide away and try to pray; the spot took on a sacredness to me as I grew older, for it seemed that this grove hidden from all, I could pour out my heart to the Lord and He would hear.

Sure, I was just a little boy, confused with growing up and being afraid to tell my thoughts to other people; but here in my secret hiding place I thought I was talking with someone who would surely understand and who would never laugh at my foolish requests. Later, after I grew up and moved into this large city I found that my hiding place was not gone, for in the heart which prays. We find Jesus who is our hiding place. How long since I have been there? Do I neglect my prayer life?

As Isaiah said that a man shall be a hiding place. We know he was talking of Jesus, and every child of bliss has a welcome, for he has said,"Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Elder J. A. Rowell, Sr

The Banner of Love, October, 1961

ELDER J. A. ROWELL, JR.

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I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalms 16:8

As sure as there is a God, an earth and man on it, there are also angels. The Sadducees did not believe in angels, "For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both," [Acts 23:8]. The Jews worshipped angels "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels." [Colossians 2:18]

The angels occupy a considerable and important place in the scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation, the word's angel and angels appear two hundred eighty-six times [286] times; in the Old Testament, one hundred ninety-two [192] times, and ninety-four [94] times in the New Testament. The Scriptures are rich with information concerning angels. We will look at some things concerning angels in the following paragraphs, the Lord willing.

Heaven is the native home of the holy elect angels, but they do not have infinite knowledge; "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only," [Matthew 24:36]; "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." [1 Peter 1:12].

The angels are creatures created by God for His holy purpose, ministering spirits, not governing spirits; "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities. or powers; all things were created by him, and for him; And he is before all things, and by him all things consist," {Colossians 1:16-17]; "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven and the things that therein are, and the earth , and the things that therein are, and the sea, and things which are therein," [Revelation 10:6]. The angels serve as our protectors: "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father, which is in heaven," [Matthew 18:10]. This shows that there is a very personal bond between the angels of God and the children of God; "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation>" [Hebrews 1:14].

I can think of several times in my life, and I am sure that you can in yours, when God's [our] angels have kept us from certain harm, and think of the many times that we have been delivered from harms way that we don't know about, "The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them," [Psalms 34:7]. We thank God for these heavenly protectors that God has assigned to us.

This also stands in strong support for the doctrine of election because our elect angels were created for our behalf; the text says "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father," "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

[Hebrews 1:14]. Although created before man, they were created to serve as 'ministering spirits' to all who would someday become God's 'heirs of salvation.'

They are the elect angels, they fell not, as the evil angels did. They take part in and are in sympathy with the affairs of God's elect children; "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth," [Luke 15:10]. "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men," [1 Corinthians 4:9]. The elect angels are assigned for the benefit of God's elect children.

God's angels are holy, "When the Son of Man shell come in His glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory," [Matthew 25:31].

The angels are glorious, bright, and frightening in their appearance: "And his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible," [Judges 13:6]; "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men," [Matthew 28:3-4].

The angels surround God's throne: "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." [Revelation 5:11-12].

God does not rule the world by laws, principles, and inanimate power only, but by angels, living beings, they are the Kings couriers. He uses them to carry on the governing of His universe, however, glorious as their work is, they are, nevertheless, in subjection to Jesus, for the angels are round about the throne, The Lamb is on the Throne.

There are numerous times that the angels have been used as Gods couriers, we will give a few examples: "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat," [Genesis 19: 1-3].

"And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite; and his son, Gideon threshed by the winepress, to hide it from the Medianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him. The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." {Judges 6:11-12].

"But the angel said unto him, Fear not Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife, Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings," [Luke 1: 13-18-19].

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a

Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." [Luke 2: 9-14].

Finally, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches, I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star," [Revelation 22:16]. In Hebrews 1:7 we read, "And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." The Greek word here rendered "Spirits" has a primary and secondary meaning, namely 'Spirits and Winds.' God is not only defining the nature of the celestial creatures, but is also describing their qualities and activities.

TO BE CONCLUDED

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Time has come to renew the Banner.

Dortha and I enjoy the news from Primitive Baptist people.

May God bless your work.

Clem Knight

Wichita Falls, Texas

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Right or Wrong

By Elder Hulan Bass

There are fast multitudes of people of the world who are ‘Worshippers, but most all are engaging “vainly” in such, basing their criteria and guidelines upon the precepts and commandments of men. Let us begin now to fine tune our focus. We now know the multitudes of wrongs but let us see if we can spiritually search and find the single right. Jer. 6:16- Prophetically pointing to our N. T. Church Age Day says -  Thus, saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the Old Paths, where is the Good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. What a powerful declaration. What a Multiplicity of various strong points of truth. What a shame that they rejected such.

Examination of this text is demanded. Jer 6:16- This has to the Single Right, because, Thus saith the Lord, First, Stand ye in the ways, Many have the centuries of time brought to think that we are to “Stand at the Cross-Roads of Life and make our major decisions, however, upon careful examination of this phrase, we see that we are Standing at a Traffic Circle and not just a Cross -Road.

Multiple choices, but only one is right, is always the finality of any equation. Deciphering Truth must come from only one source, God and His Word. Therefore, since we are sincere seekers of truth, let us observe and see, then ask for the Old Paths. Why are there plural Paths? This must be addressed thusly. The Paths all lead to the same source - God and His Truth We find this lesson in the History of Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and many others who walked in the Old Paths, that is, each of their lives were different, but each of their paths arrived at the same truth.

Further proof of this premise is found in the next phrase – “Where is the Good Way.” Each different life is a path, and these many paths all blended and melted into the single good way. Let us now consider this single good way. Not What, but Who is it? The next text tells us Heb. 10:20, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His Flesh.

How can we doubt. We know who it is. We know the New living way. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. This way was not contrived in time, but in Eternity, not His “becoming a being,” but that of His Eternal Sonship and Existence, and the contriving was established in the Eternal Counsel, of His Saving Execution on the Cross of Calvary, one for all. Heb. 10:14.

HE is the only way, Truth and Life -John 14:6, 1Cor. 12:31-Paul tells us there is something much greater than the O.T. Laws, which was coveted, but there is a “more excellent way.” It is therein only that we shall find rest for your souls. This is a spiritual rest. We find this fulfillment in our knowledge by The Gospel, The Church and its Ordinances, wisdom’s ways are ways of peace, rest, joy, and happiness in a small measure, as an Earnest - Eph 1:14.

The Gospel establishes our knowledge that we are eternally established in the Blood of The Lamb, who stand as slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 5:6 The Gospel eliminates fluctuating, wavering, and being tossed to and fro with every wind as in Eph 4:14. That is the Good Timely Way, and our Paths all lead to that Single Truth.

However, the text has a last phrase that is very sad. They said, We will not walk therein. They rejected the Paths and Way, and continued their pursuit of their own evil ways, which they chose and delighted in, but to their own destruction, which was inevitable. The way that seemeth right unto a man is logically justified by their statement, where Isaiah wrote - Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and tight for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bittern” is this still a lesson for us today? I wilt let you answer for yourself.

Now let us let The Lord Jesus Christ Himself tell us the closing finality of this subject in Matt 7:13-14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the Way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it. It is clearly obvious that the premise and principle we have herein established, declared and manifested on display in this writing, is that there are multiple clover-leaf interchange of myriad directions.

Many wrong roads are available. I would dare say that if ten [10] Bible students were asked to give their exegesis of a particular text, that you would most probably get ten [10] different views, and the interesting premise is, that they all could probably be wrong. Ten seekers, but no finders of Truth. “Many there be which go in thereat” says the text. Even as I write this there are millions in the work-place, in society, in domestics in the economy, in politics and in religion, who are in the “wide gate and broad way.” Even within our own ranks of PB’s we find ourselves, theologically, on many fine and delicate points in the wide gate and broad road. Timely and even Gospelly, we are on the way to destruction. Next we may take great consolation, in the fact that there is still yet, another way. It is the strait difficult gate. It requires much reading, searching, meditating, studying and prayer, which is a weariness of the flesh [Ecc 12:12], to find this Narrow Way of Truth.

And if found, then it leads us to Life, and that does not say, “Eternal Life”, but a life of joy and happiness, found Timely in The True Church on Earth, in the True Gospel of Christ. Finally, it is stated that only a few find it.

I close with Job 28:1- There Is a Path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen.  There are that just because such is not known or seen, does not negate the fact of the existence of The Path. It is there, and the great multitude do not know it nor have they seen it. Yet, there is a few a Remnant, 7,000 reserved to know, see, find and walk therein.

 Compiled by Hulan F Bass - Lockhart Texas

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On Sunday morning, fourth Sunday in January, 1999, following a very spiritual morning service, Sister Kendyl McIntosh came forward asking for a home in the Church by experience in baptism. Sister Kendyl is ten years old and is the daughter of Sister Nancy McIntosh and the late Brother Tommy McIntosh, and is the granddaughter of Elder Cleveland and Sister Dora Bass.

She was baptized that afternoon by her grandfather, Elder Cleveland Bass. It is so wonderful to see the little ones come home to the grand old church, no matter how old they are.

Am sending a picture of the baptism. We appreciate the paper so much, and all your efforts.

In Christian love,

Elton Bass

Going into the homes of ailing church members to sing yule and gospel favorites seems like a good idea.

On the evening of December 16, 1998, seventeen individuals, with most of them being fellow members of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist, did just that. I'm happy to say that I was one of them.

Our first stop, after departing in about five vehicles from the church at 160l 44th Street, would be at the residence of Sister Estelle Kirk at 1114 42nd Street. The next stop would be at the abode of Brother Gerald and Sister Marie Clayton, who dwell at 2107 23rd Street. Our third place of seven to visit and sing would be at the home of Brother Cecil Pharr, who lives at 4423 39th Street. At 90 years of age, he is one of the oldest of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist and one of the deacons.

Next, our fourth stop would be at the residence of Sister Odessa Garrett at 4805 38th St. Our fifth stop for us would be at the residence of Sister Vera Fowler, at 3710 47th St. Our sixth and next to the last stop was at 5401 54th St., where Sister Paralee Milam and several of her loved ones were present. Over two hours later and nearing 9:00 p.m., our seventh and final stop was at the residence of Brother Cecil and Sister Johnie Barnes, who dwell at 4715 61st Street.

Who came up with this idea of doing such a wonderful thing for many of our incapacitated members? I wish it had been me, but it was Brother Jesse Freeman. He deserves all the credit, but being a very humble and modest person, probably won't accept it.

Written with much love,

Jerry Bass, Lubbock, Texas

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THANKFUL FOR YOU ALL

Dear Brother Don and all who work so diligently to keep the Banner in the ways of truth and peace. I'm thankful for you all.

Our little church here in beautiful Poteau, OK is very thankful that we have been able to meet every Sunday, so far, and we would be glad to welcome you all to come worship with us.

In the love God gave us for you,

Elder Jesse Doyle

Poteau, OK

Dear Sister Richards, we pray that you and yours and also all the brethren in your area of the country are feeling well and receiving many other blessings from our Blessed Lord. Shirley and I are doing well and receiving many more blessings than we feel like we deserve. We pray that we are thankful for all the Lord's blessings.

We continue to enjoy the Banner; we look forward to its arrival each month. May the Lord continue to bless you and Brother Don as you continue to labor to put this very important means for news and articles for the Lord's little children. Any time you want to send some extra copies I will distribute them among the churches in this area of the country. Please give everyone our love.

I am enclosing my check for a one years subscription for Earl Ford, Jr.

In Old Baptist Bonds,

Elder Kenneth Clevenger

Cameroon, Missouri

Note: Elder Clevenger, we appreciate the subscription. I will send you some extra papers to distribute when this paper is out. We really appreciate you handing them out.

......Opal Richards

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Dear Brother Richards, hope this finds you and yours well in the Lord. We enjoy reading the Banner of Love.

We have had four new members this year. We feel that the Lord has blessed us with His presence and has added unto the church such as should be saved. For this we are so thankful. May we ever remain humble and dependent upon our Dear Saviour.

I am enclosing a picture of our church clerk, Sister Louise Cantrell and her husband, Deacon Brother Seborn Cantrell. The church surprised them with a 50th Wedding Anniversary Sunday, December 20, 1998. Sister Louise has been church clerk for 38 years without missing a conference. Brother Seborn has been an ordained deacon for 38 years, also.

We, Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church, feel honored to have such dedicated and faithful officers. They received many cards, gifts, and family, along with friends who attended both services and anniversary after church services.

May God bless you in your efforts to proclaim His Truths to His little ones.

In Hope,

Elder Paul Violet

Pastor

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Mrs. Sally Burress and Marie Davis, both daughters of the late Elder W. H. Richards, celebrated Golden Wedding Anniversaries recently.

Sally and Darrell Burress celebrated their anniversary on January 9th in Lubbock at a local restaurant with their family, while Marie and Frank Davis held their celebration in the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Purcell, Oklahoma on Feb. 11, 1999 with Elder Hylton Crain officiating.

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On Saturday, February 13, 1999 at 3:00 p.m., Frank and Marie Davis were honored at the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Purcell, Oklahoma, in commemoration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Elder Hylton Crain officiated at this celebration, also, as well as the officiate at their wedding.

Amanda Hamilton, their 17 year old granddaughter, registered guests. Grandsons, Wade, 8 and Phillip, 7 served as ushers. Their son, Darrin, and oldest grandson, Devin, age 20 escorted Frank and Marie to their seats at the front.

Elder Mike Hughes, pastor of the church, prayed a most fitting and humble prayer.

Elder Hylton Crain officiated at the renewing of their marriage vows, as he did at their wedding vows 50 years ago. After a most fitting tribute to the couple, by Elder Crain, the congregation sang, "Step by Step, Day by Day," while they congratulated them. After prayer, the congregation sang, "Abide with Me."

After dismissal, the congregation was invited to the reception, which was held in the dining room of the church.

During the reception, Henry Richards daughter, Lanetta, sang, "Put on your old Grey Bonnet."

Approximately 90 guests were in attendance, some friends, far away.

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CARD OF THANKS

The family of Elder J. P. Dale, Jr. would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for your love and concern during the loss of our loved one.

We appreciated each card, phone call, and for your presence and each expression of love during this time.

May God bless each one is our prayer.

Mrs. J. P. Dale, Jr.

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Dear Brother Don and Sister Opal: Having wonderful services in Northeast Miss. at Beulah Church in Saltillo, Miss.

Have had several deaths, but our little group seems to be holding on.

Brother John Gassaway [Medical Doctor] from Starkville, Miss. has been filling the stand on 2nd Sunday of each month.

I have been filling the stand on 4th Sunday of each month. We encourage all Primitive Baptist in east Miss. to come worship with us. We remind everyone of our up-coming meeting, 5th Sunday week-end in May Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Elder Sonny Pyles from Graham, Texas will be doing the preaching.

Enjoy the Banner so much. We pray the good news will still go out by mail.

Our love and prayers,

Elder Billy Walker

So. Fulton, TN

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I am renewing my subscription to the Banner. I moved from Oklahoma City to Denver, CO. in 1993, so this paper means a lot to me, hearing from people back that way. Thanks.

Alma Dorough

Lakewood, CO.

What comes to mind when you hear the word "Love?" We read and hear a lot about this subject almost every day in the world, and everybody has an opinion on the subject. A day doesn't go by without hearing the word Love in some form or fashion. Let's face it, it's a part of our natural world, and you can be sure that almost every one in the world has a certain perception of what Love is.

Our popular culture is constantly being saturated by its theme on television, radio, in books and magazines, and lately mow even on your computer, through the world Wide Web. You can come, ask those of Christian world and they can without a doubt share with you their particular version of exactly what they believe love is.

So, after we have heard all different opinions, from so many sources what do you conclude? Perhaps, you might say, there doesn't seem to be anyone who knows what love really is. The whole world seems to be rudderless, and lost, without any sense of direction. But, really, love, what exactly is it?

In my younger days, I myself have, just like so many others, had the experience of what the world calls Love, which is really only the sensuous lust of the natural flesh, But, I would like to share with you what God has, by His most wonderful Grace, taught me concerning a more perfect way. A love far superior than can be found in our flesh. A love that is essential to our Spiritual well-being, as food, water, and exercise are to our natural bodies.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:18, "I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing." And that seems to be the problem in the world. "There is no good thing" that can be found in the flesh of man. The whole world believes that they can, by simply observing that they see and by natural means, experience the love they crave!

There are really only two forms of love in the universe, 1. human love and 2. Spiritual or Godly love. We will start by looking at human love. Human love, or natural love cannot be taken lightly. That simply cannot be ignored. Like it or not it is part of the flesh, designed by the Creator for the express purpose of building a bond between a man and a woman, and forming the fundamental foundation for the family. This is the very thing that causes the attraction between the sexes, as well as the feeling we feel when we hold our newborn child in our arms for the first time. Human love is a powerful and complex thing.

We need to understand two basic things about human love. First, that its' always, always based on natural feelings, which are subject to change from one minute to the next. Now stop and think about it for a few minutes, ask yourself how many different feelings do you experience in just one single day? I dare say there will be countless. Right? I would add that you can't experience anger and human love at the same time.

Secondly, our natural feelings are corrupted by our depraved nature. We inherited our sinful, corrupt and fallen nature from the first man Adam. And this nature is carnal, and only desires carnal or natural things, what it can see, hear, touch and taste. It's contrary to God, and it will never, ever seek to know Love. Why? Because "God is Love," and the carnal mind stands as an enemy to all that is God. [1 Jo. 4:8-16].

There is a popular myth that has been passed along by poets and song writers throughout the countless ages. It says that human love will last forever. We hear it so much, and by so many, that we believe that's what love is all about. Countless numbers of God's children, both young and old, have fallen into this trap designed by satan. It sounds so good and so sweet, but in the end it brings only sensual lust and ultimately leads only to pain, misery, and destruction, Those that indulge in it believe that they are entering into something that will bring them lasting joy, but they find instead that it brings different types of dangerous diseases that result in wrecked lives. They desire love, but they receive death!

We hear many people say today, "I will love this person forever," and tomorrow we find them in divorce court! Why do you suppose this is? The problem lies in the fact that when they said that they loved each other they were experiencing only human love which is based simply on how they felt at any given time, and it faltered and failed when the trials of this world came upon them!

We, as children of God need to always be aware that we can never rely on our natural, carnal feelings to know, and experience true love, because feelings change, and they will lie to you. So don't trust them! Love must of necessity be based on something more substantial than ever changing human feelings! They must be based on the eternal love of an Eternal God!

Now, as I have already indicated, man in his natural state can never comprehend love, all he can ever know is the mere lust of the flesh. True love is a thing of the Spirit, and the "Natural man", [man in his natural state] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." [1 Cor. 2:14]. Love is a thing that comes only through the Holy Ghost, man through his natural flesh will never seek, nor find love. The natural man reasons with a "carnal mind" [fleshly, bodily, lewd, stimulating, pleasing, appealing, unspiritual] which is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

[Rom 8:7]. And so man, in his fleshly state, is an enemy to all that can truly be called love.

But, a regenerated, and born again child of God has two natures. His inner man is born of the Spirit, while his flesh continues on in its natural sinful nature, leaving him to suffer a warfare in his members. The Apostle Paul writes about this problem in his letter to the church at Rome. He said, he saw a "law in" his members, warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him "into captivity to the law of sin which was in his members." [Romans 7:23]

Paul is saying that while he had an inner desire of his Spiritual man, which were in direct conflict with the carnal desires of his flesh, he was left in the condition that when he "would do good, evil is present with" him. [Rom 7:21]. So we see that when a child of God tries to rely on the flesh to experience real genuine love, he will fail, falter, and fall in to sin. Why? Because he is a sinner by his nature. [See Eph 2:3] and all that his flesh can ever know is lust.

TO BE CONTINUED

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