Following Christ Without Carnal Weapons
By A. G. Carter
BRO. SMITH:—I still feel highly gratified with the teachings of the Review. I have not a shadow of doubt but that it brings to us present Bible truths, and shall feel free to cast in my mite towards its support. I can cheerfully endorse the sentiments of Bro. Everts, in his article entitled, “Follow me.” To follow the Saviour is eternal life, but to refuse, is pain and eternal death. Since I realized my sins forgiven, I have not believed the followers of Jesus have a right to use carnal weapons; for Jesus taught us to pray for God to forgive us as we forgive others. If we forgive we shall be forgiven; if we forgive not we shall not be forgiven. Matt. vi, 12–15. I am aware some will say, But, they must say I repent, &c. Granted; but says Paul, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. xii, 17–21; Lev. xix, 18; Deut. xxxii, 35; Heb. x, 29, 30. Jesus came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them; [see Luke ix, 51–56;] then to follow him we should do likewise. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matt. xxvi, 52. Is not the second sword here referred to, that which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord? See Rev. i, 16; ii, 16; Isa. xi, 4; xlix, 2; Eph. vi, 17; Heb. iv, 12; Rev. xix, 15, 21. With the testimony of Jesus and his apostles before us, we cannot be the followers of Jesus, and engage in wholesale murder; for no murderer hath eternal life in him. With regard to political strife, for years past I have been doubtful of there being any good accomplished in that way. Last Fall, Bro. Hart was here, and strengthened my views on that subject very much. Since that time I am fully persuaded to let it alone. I now acquiesce with him on communion; viz., that those that reject the light, and teach that the Law of God is changed or abolished, cannot prepare an emblem of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They may prepare and call it the broken body and shed blood; but I doubt very much its being acceptable to God. God is not mocked. Sin is the transgression of the law; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. iii, 20. For where no law is there is no transgression. Rom. iv, 15. The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Ps. xix, 7. All his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Ps. cxi, 7, 8. The Saviour says, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Here is his reason: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Matt. v, 17, 18. As the heavens and earth still remain, so every jot and tittle of the law remain. Then if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments. Matt. xix, 17; I John v, 2, 3; Rev. xii, 17; xiv, 12; xxii, 14; Ps. lxxxix, 26–36. See also Isa. lvi. Here we see that the Gentiles as well as Jews are blessed for keeping the Sabbath. Of this number of Commandment-keepers I hope to be one; for those only who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus will have a right to the tree of life. Some have tried to cramp us to Sunday-keeping. They say, What do you think you are going to do? you can’t compel your children to keep Saturday for the Sabbath? After they are of age they will see they can’t get employment unless they work Saturdays and keep Sunday like other folks,” &c. But the Word says, Bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, &c. My grace is sufficient for you. Glorious promise! Soon after Bro. Hart was here, Eld. B. Webb came, and has been lecturing during the past year through this vicinity. He has been in the New Time theory. He contends that the law of ten commandments was abolished with the ordinances, that the cleansing of the Sanctuary is the burning of the earth, that the two-horned beast is Russia, and that the Third Angel’s Message is in the future. We have presented the word showing the perpetuity of God’s law, &c. He tries to reject it by referring it to the law of ordinances, to our “bump of firmness,” &c. Such arguments (?) will not stand the test in the last day. See John xii, 48. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. See 2 Pet. iii, 8; Rev. xx, 12. By some I am considered uncharitable for rejecting him as a brother in Christ; but I am not to go beyond my Lord, i. e. have more charity, but to follow him, i. e., have as much charity. May God grant us consistency in our faith.