The Banner of Love“He Brought Me to the Banqueting House, and His Banner Over Me Was Love” — Songs of Solomon 2:4

“Thou Has Given a Banner to Them That Fear Thee, That it Might Be Displayed Because of the Truth” — Psalms 60:4

Volume 81 - Number 9 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright 2013 $12.00 Per Year September 2013

Page 16 The Banner of Love September 2013

Blessed are the meek, for they . . .

Blessed are the meek

Elder Philip Conley

I would see Jesus

By ELDER PHILIP CONLEY“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” -- Matthew 5:5 Today the Christian virtues of the Bible are not just becoming less commonplace in practice, but more and more people do not know exactly what they are. Today, if you asked someone what charity is, they would likely respond that it is a benefit of some kind: raising money for some cause, or hosting an event to promote the cause. When asked about love, they would likely give some sort of emotional definition full of squishy feelings that somehow equates to love. Love and charity are both sacrificial action that puts others ahead of self. Emotion oftentimes attends the action, but the virtue is in the action not the emotion. The Chris-tian virtue of meekness is something the many today would not even be able to define or spot as it is becoming increasingly alien and foreign to the general consciousness of society.

Our study verse is found in the midst of a pas-sage of Scripture commonly referred to as the Beatitudes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. He references many things that people will be blessed to perform with a promised outcome for that behavioral import. Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness have the promise of being filled.

What is meekness . . . ? Peacemakers are blessed with the promise of being called the children of God. Our verse gives the blessing and promised outcome for the meek in this world. Therefore, for us to experience this blessing, we need to know what meekness is, how to properly use it, and then have a proper understanding of what to expect from God’s prom-ise. Meekness is defined in many ways, but two of the most beneficial definitions (from faithful sources like a Webster’s 1828 and other places)

Elder Daryl Hand

By ELDER DARYL WAYNE HAND The Apostle John refers to himself four times in his narrative of the gospel as the dis-ciple that Jesus loved. We can see in John’s narrative and his epistles how much John knew, felt, saw and experienced the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1st John1:1, we see how, from the begin-ning, he heard, saw with his eyes, looked upon and handled Jesus. Oh, how John loved Jesus because Jesus first loved him. Can’t you just see him as he did outrun Peter to the sepulchre after Christ had arisen? Have you seen, felt, or experienced the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Of course you have. What a blessing it is! Scriptures tell that God is love and God loves us with an everlasting love (1st John 4:8, 16; Jeremiah 31:3). We ought to love one another as God loves us (1st John 4:11). The love of God is manifested toward us by God

having sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him (1st John 4:9).We see where Jesus tells us, in John13:34, that he gives us a new commandment, that we love one another; as he has loved us ,that we also love one another. Men know that we are his disciples if we have this love one to another (John 13:35).We should serve, by Christ in us as we live in him, in newness of spirit (Romans 7:6). Jesus tells us that if we love him we should keep his commandments and his words (John 14: 15, 23). If we keep his command-ments, he promises that we shall abide in his love (John 15:10).In 1st John 5:3, we see that the love of God is that we keep his command-ments and his commandments are not griev-ous. Oh, how the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. God grants us, by his grace and mercy,

can be summed up as: 1. quietness of spirit and 2. humility of soul. These two definitions show that meekness is more of an inward sense rather than an outward display. In this sense, meek-ness is what the inside looks like for someone who displays gentleness on the outside. Gentle-ness is an outward calmness, whereas meek-ness is inward calmness. One of the treasures of the 1828 Webster’s is the final sentence in the segment on the definition of “meekness.” It says, “Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated, and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended.”

How do we inherit the earth? Now knowing what meekness is, how do we approach or put our arms around the promise to the meek to “inherit the earth?” One of the hard-est things about this phrase to reconcile - for me at least - is the fact that this world is not the home for the child of God, yet this verse talks about us inheriting something. It is for this reason that I have heard some far out explanations of this verse, but the heart of the answer to the question is found in I Timothy 6:17. Paul encourages Timothy to exhort people not to trust in this world or the things in it but in God. Paul finishes the verse by talking about one of the things the Living God has done for us. He has given us all things richly to enjoy. When we understand the meaning of that expression, we get a good sense of what the manifestation of the promise to the meek is, and we then see how the pitfalls to take away our meek and quiet spirit strip this promise as well. When God made the natural creation, He put things in the creation that were meant to be enjoyed. It is true that food from this planet nour-ishes and sustains our bodies, but God did more than that. He gave us a natural instinct to enjoy the process of eating. Sleep is something the body needs, but God designed people to actually enjoy the process. Families in function help keep a species propagated, but God gave us families to enjoy in the sense of relation, fellowship, soci-ety, etc.

God gives us the ability to enjoy life When it comes to this planet and the natu-rally created things, why is it that man has such a fascination with something like a waterfall? It is simply water flowing over a rock near the edge of a large elevation drop. Why is it that we enjoy sights, sounds, and smells from nature? Why is it that something as crude as eating could be so highly enjoyed? The answer to all these situations is that God has given us all things richly to enjoy. We are built and designed to enjoy them. Not only are they good for us, but He has given the instinct that takes delight in them too. In a natural sense, this is man’s inheritance here. As God’s last and special of all creations, man was given a fully formed, developed, and fit place to which he was naturally designed. Solo-mon repeatedly throughout the book of Ecclesi-astes refers to man’s life, works, etc. as “his por-

tion.” Naturally speaking, God designed us this way, and we have the ability as his special cre-ation and stewards over this world to richly enjoy these lives - completely in keeping with the dic-tates and rules He has established. However, just like natural heirs can forgo or forfeit their birthright, so can natural man not enjoy this life that God has given us unless meekness rules within.

The inner turmoil of man Have you ever watched the sad behavior of someone that was so torn up inside that they either could not eat or did not enjoy eating? Per-haps their sleep departed from them. Work was a burden rather than a joy. Church was a duty rather than a love. No matter what was before them, they did not enjoy it. The inner turmoil that we sometimes fall into will keep us from enjoying what God created for us to enjoy. If my mind and spirit are disquieted within me, I can lose the ability for a season to enjoy the company of my family. I may be in their presence, but I have not been able to enjoy the situation due to the lack of meekness within. Whenever someone is on the other end of the spectrum from overmuch sorrow - haughtiness - the same outcome is affected. Consider the mindset of a prideful man. Food is never good enough. The job does not pay enough. No one else is smart enough. And so the list proceeds. They cannot enjoy the things of life or the people in their life due to the suffocating nature that ego brings about. Meekness is the only mindset and constancy that is suitable ground and prepared soil for our lives to experience living rather than just existing. Truly, if we are breathing and walking around, we have life, but only if we have the quiet, calm con-stancy of soul and humility of spirit do we experi-ence what it is like to really be living. When Christ spoke this, He was actually quoting directly from Psalm 37:11. The entire Psalm is worthy of careful and deliberate consideration to a disciple of Christ today. There are many good encouragements and warnings that are as fresh and vital today as they ever have been. However, the tone of the Psalm is really set in the first verse when the Psalmist encourages the child of grace not to fret over evildoers or become envious of the workers of iniquity. What are those two behaviors if not the polar opposite of meekness? When the problems of the world make us fret, we lose that quiet spirit, and rather, we feel a roaring within. When we become envious of those around us, we lose that humility of soul, and rather, we feel bitter all the time. Bitterness and trouble will make food taste bad. They will also rob the moments of joy that we can have each and every day that we live. We lose our inheritance to such things, and the exis-tence of life occurs without real living. Too many times, I have forgotten that each day is a miracle from His almighty hand. Each rising out of bed is a mercy, and the bed to own and use is a blessed comfort. Food - while necessary - is a joy from Him, family is a blessing beyond com-

pare, and the spiritual plane of His church and the fellowship of His family is the highest of all highs in this world. These items are both necessary for my life and/or commandments for my duty. However, I would rather live in the enjoyment of these things than in the necessity of these things.

Do not fret Today, there is much to rob the child of God’s attention and affection. However, no matter what the evildoers say, do not fret friend. No matter what the workers of iniquity seem to have in this world, look not upon those uncertain riches. Let us trust completely, wholly, and devotedly in the Living God. Look at how much He has not only done for us but given us. Let us enjoy it. Let us enjoy this life to the fulness of His glory. Each day of rising in the morning should be accom-panied with, “Thank you Lord for another day. What wilt Thou have for me to do for You today?” Whatever that thing or things may be, let us do it heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), for that is our daily inheritance to be enjoyed only in the meekness and quietness of soul. In Hope, Elder Philip Conley

blessed times that, when we gather in a loving and peaceful assembly, we are truly able to see, feel, and show a little taste of love. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us (John 4:12). It is such a wonderful experience when he draws us to be with those we love; those who try so earnestly to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. The Lord blesses us to see and feel and experience the love of God working in one another as we see the dedication of our pas-tors, the fellowship of the brethren ,the singing of praises, the expectations of the Spirit, the preparation of meals, the prayers ,the laughter of the children, the sharing of common bonds, the teaching and exhortations of the preach brethren ,the smiles and hugs , the doing for others, and the loving kindness manifested in those who are in Christ and Christ in them. We are lifted so high when God allows those who glorify him to see through a glass darkly and see a glimpse of Jesus and his love exem-plified in those who show love one to another.Show and tell your brethren how much you love them; share with them that Spirit of Jesus Christ that God has put in your heart. Let your light so shine. Come and see! In Love, Elder Daryl Wayne Hand Tucson, Arizona

I would see Jesus . . .From Page One . . .

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THANKS TO ALL FOR HELPDear Brother Richards, I appreciate your and others’ generous dona-tions to print booklets. This generosity is a real benefit in our effort to get more books by our old preachers into the hands of our current preachers. I hope to give at least a dozen of these old books to every preacher on our mailing list. We mailed the last of the books by Elder Guy Hunt on January 22nd. Next we have sent the manuscript for Elder Lemuel Potter’s book on Close Communion to the publisher and are mailing them. Donations enable us to send a copy of the book to our preachers. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Elder Harold Hunt Maryville, Tennessee

MULESHOE ANNUAL MEETING -- The Annual meeting of the Muleshoe Primitive Bap-tist church began Friday night and continued through Sunday noon on the 4th Sunday weekend in August. The meeting was well attended with visitors from across the state, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Arizona. Ministers attending were: front, left to right: Elder Clem Cook, Berwyn Hand, and Darryl Hand; middle: Elders Thomas McDon-ald, Larry Guffey, Don Watson, Gail Faries, Bernard Gowens, Kenny Venable and Don Richards; back: Elders James Baker, Scott Bass, Don Martin (pastor), Norman Jones, Bro. Charles Martin, T. Ray Little, Henry Newman and Lyman Little. Not pictured Elder Bill Pollard and Steve Baldock.

Minister ordination in Mexico Elders Donnie Halbgewachs, Kenny Venable, Darrel Chambers, Brother Jesse Freeman, and Sister Barbara Halbgewachs traveled to the Shekinah Primitive Baptist Church in Juarez, Mexico, where Elder Halbgewachs is pastor, just across the border from El Paso, on the Fourth Sunday in August, 2013 for a minister ordination.. Sunday Morning, after loading the Halbge-wach’s suburban with food, and supplies, we had prayer and started our journey. To my surprise, there was no wait at the border crossing and we had no travel or safety issues on this trip (thank the Lord). The week earlier, an elderly sister of the church was beaten, held at gunpoint, and robbed in her home during the middle of the day while her husband was at work. She lives within a block or two of the church. These people regularly suffer the effects of the drug cartels and other crime activities in this dangerous part of the world. The purpose of this trip was to worship God with the members there and to conduct the ordi-nation of Bro. Jose Luna Sanchez to the full work of a gospel minister. Elder Donnie Halbgewachs had baptized Bro. Jose about 2-1/2 years earlier. Soon after they met, Bro. Jose had expressed a deep desire to learn as much as he could about the bible and to serve God with his life. He has since proven his desire is sincere and earnest, and he has been a devoted student ever since. Soon after his baptism, and his private studies with Eld. Halbgewachs began; Bro. Jose started teaching and preaching to the congregation under the supervision of Eld. Halbgewachs. Eld. Halb-gewachs has maintained a continuous and regu-lar schedule of studying together with Bro. Jose during this time and is very confident that he is sound, mature in the faith, and that he was ready for the ordination. This was my fourth visit to this church in Juarez during the past year and I have seen Bro. Jose preach to the congregation and interact with them on each trip. Each time, it has been obvious that the congregation is very responsive to the preach-ing of Bro. Jose, and that he is very much loved by the congregants. Bro. Jose’s family (wife, children, and nephew) are all very supportive and involved in the Church activities. A presbytery was formed on August 25, 2013 for the purpose of ordaining Bro. Jose Luna San-chez to the full work of a gospel minister. A prayer was offered, and the ordination proceeded with Eld. Halbgewachs serving as the moderator. Eld Halbgewachs spoke about the purpose of the ordination service to recognize the calling and gift of God in the life of Bro. Jose. He asked two male members questions about Bro. Jose’s gift and qualifications. These men answered the ques-tions positively. Eld. Halbgewachs had previously provided a number of excellent questions to Bro. Jose regarding the basic doctrines of Grace, the word of God, the resurrection, the purpose of the Church, the purpose of the Gospel and the ordi-nances of the church, and the duties of church members. Bro. Jose had answered these ques-tions in writing and had provided a number of

BAPTISM AT ZION PBC Sister Rachel Elaine Watson came forward at the invitation of the Zion Primitive Baptist Church at Crosbyton, texas on Sunday, June 16, 2013, requesting baptism, and member-ship in the church. Our pastor, Elder Tom Taylor, asked Sister Rachel if she believed that Jesus Christ was her Savior,. To which she answered in the affirmative. She also expressed her love for the church and desire to be part of the church body. After a motion and second, the church voted unan-imously to receive her into the church upon her baptism, which took place Sunday, June 23, 2013. We want you to rejoice with us over this dear young sister’s desire to be identified with Christ and His church. We know that the angels rejoice over one sinner that repents. Rachel is and will be a precious addition to the church. She is the daughter of Sister Connie Watson and the late Brother Leon Watson of Farwell, Texas. Elder Tom Taylor, pastor Bro. Sam Latimer, church clerk

THE TRUTH IS --- That there is no Scripture in the Bible that tells mankind to “Accept Christ,” but that you are “Made Accepted” in The Beloved. Eph. 1:6; “Accept” in its various tenses in the K.J.T. is there 87 times - 60 in the O.T. and 27 in the N.T., but none that tells humans to accept Him. -- Hulan Bass

PLEASE RENEWDear Brother Don, I think we’re a little late on this; but please renew our subscription for two years. We’ve sent a little extra to use for other expenses for the Banner. Mack and Julie McLeod Buffalo Gap, Texas

REAL ENCOURAGINGDear ones, John 6:37-40, Ephesians 1:13; John 10:27-30, Ephersians 2 and others. These are really encouraging. May our Dear lord comfort and strengthen you all. In dear hope and love, Sister loretta Lilly Akron, Ohio

MISSES ITDear sir: Please send The Banner of Love to the address herein. Maude Winchester has not been getting her paper and she really misses it. Enclosed is a check for a one year subscription. Thank you, Linda Winchester Purcell, Oklahoma

MOVED I have recently moved and want to get the paper. This is my new address in Garland, Texas. I am enclosing a check for the subscription to the paper for another year. God Bless, Mildred Ramsey Garland, Texas

JUAREZ, MEXICO ORDINATION -- The Shekinah Primitive Baptist Church of Juarez, Mexico (near El Paso, Texas), conducted an ordination on Sunday, August 25, 2013 of Brother Jose Luna Sanchez to the full work of the gospel ministry. Pictured from left are Elder Darrel Cham-bers of Alabama, Elder Kenny Venable of Lubbock, Texas, Elder Jose Luna Sanchez, Elder Don-nie Halbgewachs, pastor, and Brother Jesse Freeman of Lubbock, Texas. [Editor’s Note: Just before press time, we learned that Elder Sanchez baptized nine new members into the church the following Sunday.]scriptures to support his answers. The questions and scriptures had been translated to English and were provided to the presbytery. During the ordination, each question was addressed and the answers expounded by Bro. Jose, while Eld. Halbgewachs translated each answer. Bro. Jesse Freeman, a deacon from Lub-bock, Texas, understood Spanish and spoke many resounding “Amens”, along with the congre-gation as Bro. Jose spoke in Spanish. After the expounding of these questions, the presbytery gathered around Bro. Jose, and Eld. Halbge-wachs led the ordination prayer. Afterwards, he delivered a charge in both Spanish and English to Bro. Jose, and his wife, Sister Tina. This was fol-lowed with prayer and the signing of the Ordina-tion Certificate by the members of the Presbytery. A tearful handshake (and many hugs) followed as this congregation rejoiced as a result of the bless-ings of God, the provision of a Mexican preacher/pastor, and the recognition by the work of this presbytery. We had a good time of fellowship and a deli-cious meal afterwards. (We even sang happy birthday in Spanish to Eld. Halbgewachs to cele-brate his 70th). It was a blessed privilege to par-ticipate in this joyous occasion. The Lord has been very gracious and good to His poor and afflicted people in this desolate and dangerous part of the world. Thank you Lord! -- Elder Darrel Chambers

NEW MINISTER -- Elder Donnie Halbge-wachs, pastor, is shown with newly ordained Elder Jose Luna Sanchez and his wife, Sister Tina Sanchez.

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Elder Cleveland Bass resides in Cortez, Colorado where he serves as pastor of the Cortez Primitive Baptist Church.

By ELDER CLEVELAND BASS When I think of a will , I think of a document expressing one’s desire to bestow his pos-sessions to someone after his departure form this world. Now suppose that I have a million dollars and I go to a lawyer and tell him I want to draw up a will to bestow my money. The lawyer says, who do you want to give your money to? I tell him that it doesn’t matter to me, just to whoever. He will tell me that I don’t need a will, just go out on the street and start passing it out. God has a will. In his will,he has specifics. He expresses his desires, and he does his will. In Daniel 4:35 Daniel says: “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and 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 thou?” What is God’s will? Jesus tells us in John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. In John 5:30 Jesus says, I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Jesus came to do the will of the Father, if we can find out what the Father’s will is, we can learn what Jesus came to do. John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came sown from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Here is the Father’s will in verse 39, And this is the Father’s which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Now Paul tells me in first Timothy 1;15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Since Paul says Jesus came to save sin-ners, then we conclude that the will of God is that Jesus should save sinners. The angel tells Joseph in Matt.1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus did the will of his Father, for he always did that which pleased him. For a will to be in effect, there must be a testator, and also the death of the testator. Heb. 9:16, or where a testament is,there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Jesus died for our sins on the cross, therefore the will is in effect.

GRACE PBC HOUSTON – 132nd Primitive Baptist Association was held with Grace Primitive Baptist Church in Houston, Texas the 1st Sunday in August. Ministers attend-ing included: Bro. J. R. Bowers, Bro. Josh McClain, Elder Trey Collier, Elder James Reed, Elder Jeff Moseley, Elder Bill Moseley, Elder Brian Ramsey, Elder Mike Rodgers, Elder Chris Blevins, Elder Mike Rhodes, Elder Mark Richards, Elder Michael Moseley (Pastor), Elder Gary Rhodes, Elder Pat Young, Bro. Owen Howard and Elder Ron Smith.

1963 AT HOUSTON – This picture was made in December 1963 at the Grace Primitive Baptist Church of Houston of the ministers in attendance at the meeting then. From left Elder Archie Robertson. Elder J. A. Rowell Sr., pastor, Elder Cleveland Bass, Elder Jimmy Bass, and Elder John Casey.

Will of God

The Primitive Baptist Church of Midland, Texas began holding an all day Saturday sing-ing on the 4th weekend of October in the mid 1960’s. This year it will be held on Saturday Octo-ber 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Mdland church. the church is located in north Midland (one block south of Claydesta Center) at 411 W. Shandon. Elder J.E. Barrington, pastor, had a love for fellowship with the Lord’s people in singing our beloved hymns. He wanted to encourage our people to gather and sing praises to our Lord. The foundation of Harmony Plains singing school in 1964 and the joy found and loved in singing was one of the catalysts for Midland Church to have an annual event. The “4th Sunday Singing” as it was called continued throughout the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. The tradi-tion was discontinued in the 90’s but found new life again a few years ago as a reunion event for the many “children” who grew up at Midland and were deeply influenced by Elder Barrington along with the Church. Although scattered across the United States, most all of them were here to renew this loved tradition. The Drummond family, Burrus family, Barrington family, Kirkpatrick family and Wilburn family came together at

Midland and the tradition was once again ignited. Singing begins Saturday morning, October 26th at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12 noon and singing after lunch until about 3:30. There will be no Saturday night session or supper. --Gary Barrington

ENJOYS PAPERDear Brother Richards, I enjoy your paper. Although of late times to read and study is hard to find. I wish to send you my change of address from Gardendale, Alabama to Hoover, Ala-bama. Thank you and God Bless you, Sister Anne White Hoover, Alabama

THANK YOU Thank you for your service. We appreciate The Banner of love. May God bless your efforts. In bonds, Byrl and Majory Hardy Perryton, Texas

Now when one makes a will, he also appoints an executor. The executor for the will of God and Christ is Christ himself. He will see that we, the beneficiaries, receive the full benefits of his will. You see, we are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ In man’s will, some may receive more than another heir. But in God’s will, all that is Christ’s, is also ours. In closing, we had nothing to do in order to become an heir of Christ, We were not ask if we wanted to be a child, an heir of Christ. It is all by his grace. If this makes any sense, you can print it . If not , then out it in file thirteen. [It makes a whole lot of good sense! -- Editor] Written in Love and for the cause of Christ. -- Elder Cleveland Bass Cortez, Colorado

Midland PBC continues 50+years of annual October singing

In their inward parts By ELDER MARK GREEN“After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31.33). We have here a wonderfully graphic description of what happens in the new birth. In Old Testament times, the law was written in tables of stone. It was an objective law - one outside of the individual - and could be kept outwardly by those who were Jews outwardly. This law, however, is not written outwardly, but inwardly. God writes this law in the hearts of His people. A law is a principle of righteousness. When a man is born of the Spirit, a principle of righ-teousness or holiness is stamped in his very inward parts. Brother Paul says that grace teaches us that we “should live soberly, righ-teously and godly in this present world.” Living in this manner is righteous conduct. This teaching that we “should” do these things is done when God writes His law in our inward parts. Our Lord said that His children must be “bom again.” The apostle James uses the same Greek expression in Chapter Three of his epistle when he speaks of that wisdom that is “from above.” This wisdom or instruction is not of the earth, but is from God, from above. “It is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” This is a good description of con-duct that is sober, righteous and godly. Parents can teach children how they ought to conduct themselves, and can and should teach them good manners and upright behav-ior. They can instill in their children good habits that will serve them well in this world; but they cannot write anything in their hearts. They can train their outward conduct, but they cannot teach them to know God or to love Him. Outward instruction and outward discipline is a function of parental authority, but only God can change a heart. The new birth is an inward work, and only God can do it. – Elder Mark Green

Elder Mark Green lives in Booneville, AR, is owner/ pub-lisher of The Primitive Baptist/The Christian Pathway, P.O. Box 334, Booneville, AR 72927. Subscriptions are $12 per year. He also is pastor of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, OK, near Tulsa.

STAYING IN TOUCHDear Brother Don, Please renew my subscription for another year. I enjoy being able to stay in touch even during the times I can not make it to church in Fort Worth. It was wonderful to see you recently at the Mid-land Church. Love all much, Meredith Drummond Weatherford, Texas

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Don R. Richards

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Praying in schools

It was a little more than 50 years ago that the U.S. Supreme Court overwhelmingly ruled against the New York City school system’s then practice regarding public prayer in public schools. The overwhelming public perception, which still generally prevails today, was that the Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale had banned all prayer in public schools. That perception was wrong then; and that interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling was wrong. Banning all public prayer in school was not what the Court did. Prayer was still legally allowed in schools after that famous case, and it is still allowed today. We just do not teach our children to pray as we should; and we do not pray ourselves as we could, or should.. What the New York school system had done 50 years ago that caused several Jewish fami-lies to file suit against the schools, was to write a prepared prayer for the students, and then to encourage students to recite the prayer publicly at schools.. I was in grade school at the time, but I well remember our family’s attention to it because several years prior to then the family had per-sonal involvement in a similar issue. My father (Elder Afton Richards) related to us a story about when he was in high school. The local high school administration had a similar practice of encouraging religious worship for students. They provided/encouraged scripted bible verse readings by students. My grandfather (Elder Hard Richards) pri-vately, and sincerely, constructively criticized the practice because he strongly contended the verse readings were written to proselytize the listeners -- i.e. convert listeners to a particular doctrine -- usually an arminian-type doctrine which focuses on eternal salvation earned by the works or acts of man. It is well known among Old Baptists that the prayers of the majority of individuals is, by its very nature, proselytizing. Most people do not realize they are speaking in a manner that would be offensive to a non-arminian believer. Most Old Baptists are no different. We intend that our prayers generally reference our doctri-nal belief in non-merited, eternal salvation (purely by the grace of God), which would not be acceptable to the majority of Christians. How would most Old Baptists respond if required to read a script written for them by someone who sees no problem in encouraging school kids to “accept”Christ or face prospects of eternity in hell. In our family’s case, the school administra-tors, not understanding why my father com-plained of the arminian scripts prepared and

read publicly, offered my grandfather the oppor-tunity to write his own script and to have my father (then a high school student) read it over the school intercom. As you might guess, my grandfather wrote one, and cited relevant Scripture which clearly proved eternal salvation by the sovereign, unmerited grace of God and without the merit of man. My father read the script at school, and, (surprise, surprise) school administrators shortly thereafter discontinued the practice. Now, back to my subject involving the current law regarding prayer in schools. What the Supreme Court ruled in the famous 1962-63 cases was that school officials could not write prayers for students, nor make or encourage, public school students to pray. The Supreme Court did not ban all prayer in school -- only prayer written, prepared or encour-aged by school officials in their “official” capacity. Students, teachers, administrators, and visitors have always had their own constitutional right to pray in schools, so long as their methods do not interfere with primary school activities. Have you ever noticed a public school foot-ball player drop to one knee after scoring and offer a prayer? (In today’s culture it is known as “Tebow-ing” after the practice of popular athlete Tim Tebow.) Ever watch a high school basket-ball player make the sign of the cross before shooting a free throw? Or an athlete point his fingers to the sky to thank God after a play? Those players have a constitutional right to observe their own individual religion. Your kids have the same right -- we just have not been teaching them about their right of prayer. Children in public school presently have the right to bow their head and pray, such as before eating their meal in the school cafeteria. A school teacher or administrator has the right to individually bow their head and pray at their desk, in the hallway, or the cafeteria. We need to teach our children their right, and their duty, to pray as the Lord would approve. I am not talking about teaching our children to make a “show” of prayer to look good to others. We need to teach them to “let their light so shine” that others who may witness their act would give glory to our Lord. Not only do we need to teach our children TO pray, but HOW to pray, WHAT to pray for, and WHEN to pray. (Matt. 6:5-13). And that should include when they are at school, or school events. It is their constitutional right. Most of us do not pray as we should even when we have opportunity. If our children are not praying in school, it is our own fault. We should not attempt to blame it on the schools, or anyone else.

regular worship service will be held on Sunday. God has richly blessed this little church in the past two years. Four have been added to our church family since the spring of 2012. Brother Logan Cochran, 14 years of age, came forward last spring to ask for a home with the church. Then in October, Brother Devin Ryan, age 5, asked the church if he could be baptized because he loved the Lord and the church. In the spring of this year, Brother Devin’s father came forward asking for a home in the church. Finally during the Annual Meeting, held with Har-mony Primitive Baptist Church in June, Sister Cheryl Brown asked the church to restore her membership and that it be placed here at Little Hope Church. We truly appreciate the spirit that led these precious ones to desire a home with us. May the Lord bless them in their church life. We surely pray the Lord will bless this celebration of thanksgiving for all the Lord’s blessings toward us. May our efforts to serve Him and each other be accept-able in His sight. Should anyone have questions please call Elder Tracy Frederickson (209) 662-0546 or Brother Harold Ryan (559) 232-6110. A couple of motels near the church are listed below. In love, Elder Tracy Frederickson, Pastor Brother Harold Ryan, ClerkSpringfield Suites by Marriot – 1219 E. Almond Avenue – Located just South of Madera and just West of Free-way 99. Southbound, take Almond Avenue exit. North-bound, take first Madera exit. Make U turn at the first opportunity, cross over freeway to Almond Avenue. Left on Almont to motel. Telephone: (559) 664-9800.

Holiday Inn Express – 2950 Marketplace Drive – Locat-ed just North of Madera and just West of Freeway 99. Northbound or Southbound, take Avenue 16 exit. Tele-phone: (559) 661-7400.

Days Inn – Located just across the street and North of Holiday Inn. Take Avenue 16 exit off Freeway

SALEM PBC, WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS TO HOST78th ANNUAL MEETING NOVEMBER 9-10 The Good Lord willing, Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas has set her 78th Annual Meeting embracing the second Sunday in November and Saturday before. The meeting will begin on Saturday morning Novem-ber 9th at 10:00 A.M. and continue through Sunday morning, November 10th at 10:30 A.M. There will be an afternoon service on Saturday after lunch. We invite all our brothers and sisters in Christ to come and worship our Lord and Master. The Church House is now located at 3200 Cheryl Street in Wichita Falls. If you are unable to attend, please pray for us that the Lord will richly bless us to glorify His great and holy name. If you would like more information, you may contact our Pastor, Elder Thomas McDonald, at 940-391-6153 or the Church Clerk, Brother Randy Taylor, at 940-781-6775 or Randy@salempbc.org.

ZION PBC IN CROSBYTON, TEXASTO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING NOV. 16-17 Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Crosbyton, Texas will be hosting a meeting on the third weekend in November. The meeting will begin on Saturday, November 16th and conclude on Sunday, November 17th . Elder Zack Guess from Memphis, Tennessee, will be the guest speaker for the meeting. Services will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. with lunch to follow. Afternoon services will start at 2 p.m.. For Satur-

day night, supper will be at 5:30 p.m. with services starting at 7 p.m.. The meeting will conclude with a Sunday morning service beginning at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. We invite everyone to come worship the Lord with us for all or any part of the meeting.The church is located at 401 S. Emerald in Crosbyton. Please pray for our church and this meeting. For more information, contact Elder Tom Taylor (806) 620-0463, or Bro. Sam Latimer (806) 675-0600.

OLD NEW GARDEN PBC, MISSOURITO HOST ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MEETING The Old New Garden Primitive Baptist Church, near Excelsior Springs, Missouri, will host its annual Thanks-giving Day meeting on Thursday, November 28, 2013. There will be morning and afternoon services, with morning service beginning at 10 a.m. followed by Thanksgiving Dinner at noon. The church is two miles east of Excelsior Spring, Mis-souri on Missouri Route “O” then one mile south. For more information contact Elder Kenneth Clev-enger (660) 395-9756 or (660) 415-7464; or Bro. Ste-ven Rogers (816) 776-6325.

- December 2013 -LUBBOCK, TEXAS PBC PLANS ANNUALNEW YEARS EVE SINGING DECEMBER 31 The Primitive Baptist Church of Lubbock, Texas will host its annual singing on New Year’s Eve on Decem-ber 31. The service will begin at 7 p.m. will refreshment breaks planned throughout the evening. The singing will continue as long as anyone desires to keep singing. For more information contact Elder Kenny Venable (806) 777-3119.

FIRST PBC DALLAS TO HOST ANNUALNEW YEAR EVE SINGING DECEMBER 31 The First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas will hold its annual New Year’s Eve singing beginning at 7:30 p.m. on December 31. There will be food and refreshments throughout the evening. For more information contact Bro. Ronnie Mallow (Ronnie227@aol.com) or Elder Clifford Gowens (cbgowens@verizon.net).

FARMERSVILLE, TEXAS PBC TO HAVENEW YEARS EVE SINGING DECEMBER 31 The Primitive Baptist Church of Farmersville, Texas will host a signing on New Year’s Eve December 31. The church is located 2 miles south of Farmersville on County Road 557, just off Highway 78. A sign forthe church about 3 miles south of town on Highway 78; take CR 557 and the church is about 1/4 mile. For more information contact Elder Owen Rushing (972) 978-6036.

AMARILLO PBC TO HAVE SINGING ONNEW YEARS EVE DECEMBER 31 The Primitive Baptist Church of Amarillo, Texas will hosts its New Year’s Eve singing on the evening of December 31, 2013. The church building is located at 914 West Colorado in north Amarillo, just west off of US 287 and just north of the Park. For more information contact Elder Jeremiah Cun-ningham (806) 420-8989 of cunningham.jeremiah@gmail.com; or Bro. Joshua Cunningham (806) 683-8671 or joac83@gmail.com.

Wichita Falls ChurchAdds Meeting Days The Salem Primitive Baptist Church announces changes in her regular meetings. Lord willing, her Pas-tor, Elder Thomas McDonald, will be with her on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays. Brother Thomas has already been filling the 1st and 2nd Sunday appointments and we are grateful he has agreed to add 3rd Sundays. Elder Kemmey Morris will continue his monthly appointment and will now be with us on 4th Sundays. Salem has been richly blessed by having these two able servants of the Lord to be with her proclaiming His grace and love for God’s children. We always love to have visiting ministers and also invite all of our brothers and sisters in Christ to come and visit us when you can. We will try our best to have you feel at home. Our regular services always begin at 10:30 A.M. each Sunday we meet. We love spending time in fel-lowship with our brethren before services begin and also at lunchtime. May the Lord be with each and every one of you. Please pray for us when you are at a throne of grace, for we need the prayers of those we love. Elder Thomas McDonald, Pastor Brother Randy Taylor, Church Clerk

Elder Mike Ivey’s book on eternal security of deceased infants Sovereign Grace Publications is pleased to announce the release of “Eternal Security of Deceased Infants” by Elder Michael Ivey. This 88-page paperback is an excellent treat-ment of the subject of infant salvation. Infant death rates in the world are still alarm-ingly high despite all the advances of modern sci-ence and medicine. Few extended families are untouched by the painful experience of losing a little child. The issue of infant salvation, therefore, is inescapable to every group that seeks to be theologically relevant. Parents who have lost children yearn to make sense of the tragedy of an untimely death. Various religions espouse a wide variety of beliefs regard-ing infants death and eternal salvation from infant baptism and an “age of accountability”, to parental imputation of righteousness and infant purity. In contrast, Elder Ivey makes a case, both from the Scriptures and Baptist religious history, for the idea that God, in His presence and love, has made provision for the eternal security of every deceased infant. The book may be ordered for $8 (plus shipping and handling) from www.sovgrace.net. Each order will be invoiced with shipment, due and pay-able in 30 days. If credit card payment is prefer-able, it may be done at www.lulu.com/shop/michael-n-ivey/eternal-security-of-deceased-infants/paperback/product-20006922.html. Or order may be made by mail with payment of $10.99 ($8 plus $2.99 S&H) to Sovereign Grace Publications, P.O. Box 23514, Lexington, Ky 40523.

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Meetings... Page 3 . . .- October 2013 -

BURNET, TEXAS PBC TO HOST SINGINGSATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013 The Primitive Baptist Church of Burnet, Texas will host a singing on Saturday, October 5. The singing will begin at 10 a.m. followed by lunch. The church is located about three miles east of Bur-net on Highway 29. for more information contact Sister Joy Rocker (rucker.joy@gmail.com) or Elder Hugh Montgomery (pop6@sbcglobal.net.

LOUISIANA PB ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 11-12AT NEW PROVIDENCE PBC, RINGGOLD, LA The Louisiana Primitive Baptist Association will con-vene with New Providence Primitive Baptist Church, Ringgold, LA, beginning Friday morning October 11, 2013 and concluding Saturday afternoon October 12, 2013. We invite all to come and worship with us during this meeting and pray that the Holy Spirit will be present. For further information contact Elder Joe Asbell (318) 995-7100 or Bro. Benny Miers (318) 687-5073.

NEW PROSPECT PBC, NEW ALBANY, MSANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 11-13, 2013 New Prospect Primitive Baptist Church, located in New Albany, Mississippi, will host its annual meeting October 11-13, 2013. Services wll begin on Friday evening at 7 p.m. Ser-vices on Saturday will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch and afternoon services. No night service on Satrurday. The meeting will conclude with Sunday ser-vices at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. Elder Ronald Lawrence, of Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, is the invited minister. New Prospect Primitive Baptist Church is located northwest of town on Fairgrounds Spur Road in Glen-field, near National Guard Armory. Please pray for this meeting and come worship with us that we may give praise to our Lord for all of his bountiful blessings. For further information contact Elder Grady Camp at (662) 234-7807 or (901) 754-7528.

ABILENE PBC TO HOST ANNUALMEETING OCTOBER 11-13, 2013 - The Abilene Primitive Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas will host their annual meeting the second week-end in October. The meeting will begin on Friday night and continue through Sunday. The Abilene Primitive Baptist Church is located at 3565 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601. For more information, please contact their pastor, Elder Hulan Bass at hulan.bass@suddenlink.net.

OCTOBER 10-13. 2013 ANNUAL MTG. AT LONE PILGRIM PBC IN MISSOURI The Lone Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church in Hills-boro, Missouri will hold its annual meeting the second weekend in October – 10, 11, 12 & 13, 2013. The meeting will begin Thursday, October 10, with supper at 5:30 p.m. and evening services at 7:30 p.m. . The meeting will conclude Sunday after dinner. We invite all Old Line brothers and sisters to visit us. We cherish your visitation and Christian fellowship. For information you may call Elder Donald Barnett, pastor (636) 789-2195. Elder Travis Eye (573) 438-4422; or Sister Janice Kolano, clerk (636) 789-2131.

SPRING GROVE PBC, TOMBALL, TEXASANNUAL MEETING 2ND SUNDAY WEEKEND The Spring Grove Primitive Baptist Church of Tom-ball, Texas (near Houston, Texas) will host its Annual Meeting the 2nd Sunday weekend in October, 2013. The meeting is an open meeting and the church invites any and all who would like to come worship and fellow-ship. The meeting will begin with a 5:30 p.m. supper on Friday followed by services at 6:30 p.m. Saturday morning service begins at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and afternoon service at 1:30 p.m., and after a short break another service at 4 p.m. followed by supper. There is no Saturday night service. The meeting concludes Sunday with a 10 a.m. ser-vice concluding in communion followed by lunch. The church is located at 14002 Alice Road in Tom-ball, Texas For more information please contact Elder Jeff Moseley (832) 514-5535 or Elder James Reed (281) 831-0283.

DIXIE PBC ANNUAL MEETING SET2ND WEEKEND IN OCTOBER - The Dixie Primitive Baptist Church in Whitesboro, Texas will host their Annual Meeting the 2nd weekend in October. Services will start on Saturday morning at 10:00am. There will be afternoon services, no services Saturday. The Dixie Primitive Baptist Church is located north of Whitesboro, Texas on Highway 377. Exit Highway 82 in Whitesboro onto Highway 377 and proceed about 2.4 miles. The Church building across the highway from the Dixie cemetery. For more information, please contact Sis. Darrene Collins at dollmama42@gmail.com CONTENTNEA PBC ASSN HOSTED BY GOOSE CREEK PBC NC OCTOBER 12-13, 2013 The Contentnea Primitive Baptist Association will be hosted by the Goose Creek Primitive Baptist Church of Lowland, North Carolina, October 12-13, 2013. For more information call Elder Gene Lupton (252) 745-7441.

ANNUAL SINGING AT MIDLAND PBC, TXPLANNED FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 The Annual October Singing at the Primitive Baptist Church of Midland, Texas is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2013. The singing will begin no later than 10 a.m. and continue until at least 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at the church. The Midland PBC building is located at 411 W. Shan-don Street in north Midland, just one block south of Claydesta Center. “MidlandPBC.org.”

BETHLEHEM PBC, PURCELL, OKANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 18-20 The Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Purcell, Oklahoma will host an Annual Meeting the third week-end in October. The meeting will begin Friday night with supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by evening service at 7 p.m. Ser-vices will continue through noon on Sunday. They would like to invite everyone who can, to come and worship the Lord with them. If you are unable to attend, they would appreciate you remembering their meeting in your prayers. They have members who welcome visitors to stay in their homes, a couple motels in the area and several R.V. hookups at the Church. For more information, please contact: Brother Michael Winchester, Church Clerk (405) 288-2345Elder Mike Hughes, Pastor (405) 525-7352

LITTLE ZION PBC, ORDWAY, COLORADOANNUAL MEETING 3RD SUNDAY WEEKEND The Little Zion Primitive Baptist Church of Ordway, Colorado will host its annual Fall Meeting and commu-nion the 3rd Sunday weekend in October, 2013. Our Lord willing, the meeting will begin on Friday evening, October 18 with supper followed by a service of love, singing and prayer, and preaching. Saturday will continue with worship service, noon dinner, followed by communion and foot washing. The meeting will conclude on Sunday morning fol-lowed by noon dinner. We are looking foreward to this time of fellowship and love in our Lord as we come together to worship. Our desire is that our God will be glorified as we come together to worship him in humility. We invite all who can come and worship with us. And if you cannot be with us with your presence, we greatly desire your most humble prayers for this meet-ing. We do have camper hook ups on the church grounds. If you need more information, please call Elder clem Cook (719) 456-1023; Bro. Charles Martin (719) 456-9879; or Bro. Carl Milyard (719) 980-8333.

REVILLE PBC IN ARKANSAS ANNUALMEETING SET 4TH WEEKEND OCTOBER - Lord willing, Reveille Primitive Baptist Church near Magazine, Arkansas will host its annual meeting the fourth weekend in October. There will be three services on Friday, beginning at 10:30, and three services on Saturday, beginning at 10:00. The meeting will conclude on Sunday morning. Meals will be served throughout the meeting. The Church is located just east of Magazine, Arkan-sas, off of Highway 10 on Reveille Valley Road. For more information, please contact Elder James Isaacs at (479) 963-3163.

- November 2013 -OLD SCHOOL PBC, FORT WORTH TO HOSTANNUAL MEETING NOVEMBER 1-3 The Old School Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas will host their annual meeting this first weekend in November. There will be services on Friday night , all day Sat-urday and on Sunday. The Saturday night services will start as close to 6 pm as possible, with preaching ser-vices at 6:30 pm. The Old School Primitive Baptist Church is located at 3105 Gardenia Street in Fort Worth, Texas 76119. One route to the Church is to take I-20 to Fort Worth and exit on Wichita Street. Turn north and proceed a few miles to Gardenia Street. Gardenia Street is just a few blocks north past E. Seminary and will be on the left. The Church building will be on the right. For more information please contact Elder Mike Montgomery (mijudaca@gmail.com).

LITTLE HOPE PBC, MADERA, CALIFORNIAHOSTS FELLOWSHIP MEETING NOV. 1-3 Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, of Madera, California, invites all to attend a fellowship meeting starting Friday evening November 1, 2013. Elder Ricky Myers of Mississippi has promised to be with us during this meeting. A fellowship meeting with singing and prayer will be held Friday evening after din-ner. Regular services will be held on Saturday at 10 A.M.. Following lunch afternoon services will be held at 1:30 PM and at 4:30 PM, followed by dinner. Our

PB group visits Mexico mental facility BY ELDER DARREL CHAMBERS On August 25, 2013, after the worship service at the Shekinah Primitive Baptist Church in Juarez, Mexico, ordination of Elder Jose Luna Sanchez, and fellowship with the congregation; Elder and Sister Halbgewachs, Elder Kenny Ven-able, Brother Jesse Freeman, and I traveled to a facility just a mile or two from the church. (See page 2 for article and pictures on the ordination service) I had previously understood that this was a mental hospital; but it looked more like a prison facility than a hospital. This facility is actually a place where a minister mercifully tries to provide for the outcasts of their Mexican society who are desperate and without any other societal sources of help. The residents have a variety of reasons for being in this facility. Some have very obvious physical afflictions, some have mental afflictions, and others seem fairly normal. But, it is not a hospital, even though the staff will administer medication to the residents that require it. Although we had stopped by this facility on previous trips and had spoken with some of the residents and workers, I had never been inside the walls, only inside the outer fence. We were prohibited from taking pictures inside this facility, although the visual images will be indelibly etched in my memory for a long time. The Halbgewachs’ had been donated several cases of Girl Scout cookies that we brought to distribute to the inhabitants and staff of this facility. Once inside the gates, we saw a courtyard full of folks surrounded by small cubbyhole size cham-bers that served as the home for these residents (inmates). The aroma that immediately hit us was worse than the smell of the outhouses I have used at various times in my life. Oh, how we take the simple basic blessings for granted; even the blessings of clean air and fresh water we enjoy. The occupants here were very poorly clothed, and dirty as well, and the genitals of several inmates were exposed. Yet, just our short visit and the provision of a few sweet treats, brought big smiles, and temporary happiness. We began by distributing the cookies from the corner of the courtyard; but, after several minutes, it became evident that some in the line were repeat recipients, while others were not receiving any. So, I began to move around the courtyard to distribute some cookies to the occupants in wheelchairs, or the crippled, and to some who could not leave their cubbyhole sized concrete homes/cells. As I left the corner of the courtyard, instead of being presented with a line of people with outstretched hands, I soon became sur-rounded with people, with outstretched hands that were soon touching me all over. I was reminded of the times when the Lord was thronged by crowds of people desiring to be healed of their various afflictions. Only, the Lord has power to heal, and I had none; I only could provide a few small treats that were quickly run-ning out. Yet, these folks were very anxious to receive their treat. How much more would the desperate have flogged our Lord who were in desperate need of healing? At one point, I noticed a person on the ground scooting on her haunch-

es, and unable to stand. This woman had no clothing below the waste, and was scooting on rough sand and rocks on a surface that even my tender feet would not handle. How pitiful she appeared. I made my way to this woman and reached down below all the other outreached hands and gave her a few cookies. She took one dirty hand off the sand, wiped it on her shirt and reached to get the cookies, then thanked me with a smile. I later directed Sister Halbgewachs to this sister for her provision of a few extra cookies. As I stood several minutes in the middle of the courtyard, I became surrounded with so many folks reaching and touching me that the others became concerned for my safety and asked if I were okay. I was, and said so; but, I did have some concern for my billfold as several times it was picked at in my back pocket. However, I never felt any danger nor had any problems. But, I did regularly check my billfold. These people were posing no danger to me though, and I felt a sense of peace, and calm, although I was also filled with sorrow for their pitiful plights. After the cookies were all gone, I was able to move around the courtyard more freely, and I was approached by a woman with outstretched arms who wanted a hug. I freely gave her a hug and wondered if these folks were as starved for love and affection as they were food. One man approached and asked, in English, if we were Christians. I said, “yes” and he started asking where we were from. I took him to Bro. Halbge-wachs so that he could give him directions to the church, and they conversed for several minutes. I could see no obvious reason why this man should be in this facility, and Eld. Halbgewachs conclud-ed the same. I was blessed to visit with several of the inhabitants who the Halbgewach’s had befriended during their years of regular visits to this facility. One lady had no legs below the knees, and only had one arm, and one stub that stopped near the elbow. Sister Halbgewachs spent several minutes conversing with her and introduced me to her. She said this woman was a seamstress and had sewn many things for her. Sister Halbgewachs has to bring in the fabric and thread, and the lady will sew whatever is request-ed. She beamed as Sister Halbgewachs bragged on her sewing talents. She also has to move around by scooting on the ground; but, at least she was fully clothed. She showed me her “apart-ment”, which was a concrete cube not much larger than a coffin. (It was probably 5’x6’x8’ in size.) We later visited with some of the staff mem-bers, saw the recently upgraded kitchen and laundry facilities, and visited some of the new Women’s dormitories. The Halbgewachs’ mar-veled at the progress that had been made since their last visit; but, there is still a great need for propane, electricity, food, and clothing. Just last month, the facility had their electricity turned off due to their lack of funds to pay the electric bill. Much of their food is collected as donations from local grocery stores after the food reaches a con-dition that it cannot be sold, or is out of date. They are often provided bags of half rotten potatoes or onions, and I saw several heads of wilted lettuce

in their supply pantry. They did have some donat-ed canned goods though. The Halbgewachs told the staff that they knew a source for flour that was infested with weevils and the staff stated they would be more than happy to have that flour. (Weevils provide protein when cooked). Most people would want to avoid such experi-ences, smells, and images; but, I was reminded of the Lord’s compassion for the lame, sick, hurting, and imprisoned people (whether in prison to a sin-ful lifestyle, a diseased body, demon-possession, or enslaved in a physical prison). He was not afraid or offended to touch the lepers or other unclean folks. Jesus also had compassion on the multitudes and fed the hungry. Few people truly approach Christ-likeness to the extent that they are willing to position themselves among those in deplorable conditions and show compassion to them. I am also ashamed of the attitude that is shared by so many, that folks in this condition could do something to deliver themselves out of it. How blessed we are to have health, mental capacity, a family or other support system, and opportunities. Everyone does not have these blessings. I am thankful for my times and experi-ences with the Halbgewachs’ and to see the love they show to those in the greatest of need (wheth-er in the USA, Mexico, or the Philippines). They have a heart for these folks and love to share basic necessities, and the words of this life with them. I don’t know how their bodies contain the huge hearts they have? On this trip, we also drove around the neighbor-hood and saw the Native Mexican Indian tribe that is housed in this same little Colonia on the out-skirts of Juarez. These Indians have their own language, school, and government all within an area of about 2 blocks square. The Halbgewachs have regular meetings and feedings of these people, and share the gospel with them. We also drove around the neighborhood and went by the homes of several of their neighbors and church members. Several ran out to their Suburban with wide smiles and outstretched arms as we drove around. They would stop and visit for a minute or two prior to pressing on to the next stop. I have been asked by some about how the impoverished folks in Mexico compare to those in the Philippines. I would say that the living condi-tions in Mexico are worse. There is much more greenery and natural sources for food and water in the Philippines than in Mexico. The Filipino people are also some of the happiest people on earth, and though oppressed, always seem to greet you with a big smile and an enthusiasm that is contagious. The Mexicans and Filipino’s both rejoice in the gospel and are happy to hear the good news of God’s Amazing Grace; but the Mexicans wear more of an appearance of oppres-sion. I am so thankful for the natural blessings we enjoy in the USA, but I am even more thankful for God’s grace that reaches to His children in all types of conditions all over the world.

Blessings,Darrel Chambers

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Meetings... Page 2 . . .FISHING RIVER ASSN. SEPT. 19-22 AT NORTHNEW GARDEN PBC, EXCELSIOR SPGS, MO The Fishing River Primitive Baptist Association will be held the 4th Sunday weekend in September with the North New Garden Primitive Baptist Church near Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The meeting will begin on Thursday evening, Sep-tember 19 and continue through noon on Sunday, September 22. The church is located east of Excelsior Springs, Mis-souri on Highway “O”, one mile south of Highway 10. For more information please contact Elder Darle Siegel (816) 637-3815; Bro. Rayford Crowley (816) 637-2934, or Bro. Stephen Crowley (816) 637-3735. Please pray for us and come and be with us if you can.

SOUTH ARKANSAS ASSOCIATION PLANNED3RD WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER AT CANE CREEK The South Arkansas Association will be held with the Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Thornton, Arkansas the 3rd weekend in September.

AMARILLO PBC TO HOST ANNUAL FALLMEETING 3RD WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER The Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church will host their Annual Fall Meeting the third weekend in September. There is a sandwich supper Friday at 5:30 pm fol-lowed by the evening service with singing starting around 7 pm. The Saturday morning service will begin around 10 a.m. followed by lunch and an afternoon service. There will be no Saturday night service. The meeting will conclude Sunday morning with the song service beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. We invite all old line ministers to come and be with us and invite all to come and worship with us. If you are unable to be with us, we do ask that you would remem-ber us in prayer. For more information you can contact: Elder Jeremiah Cunningham at 806-420-8989 or cun-ningham.jeremiah@gmail.com or Brother Joshua Cun-ningham at 806-683-8671 or joac83@gmail.com

OXFORD, KANSAS PBC TO DEDICATE NEWCHURCH BUILDING SEPTEMBER 20-22 The Primitive Baptist Church of Oxford, Kansas will give thanks and dedicate its new church building in a special meeting the weekend of September 20-22, 2013. The church was previously located in Perth, Kansas, but the congregation recently decided to move to Oxford and acquired an historic church building from the City of Oxford. The meeting will begin with services at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 20; and at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 21; and at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 22. Meal will be served, including a traditional hamburger/hog dog cookout on Saturday. Elder David Pyles of the Jackson, Mississippi Primi-tive Baptist Church, and former pastor at Perth, is the guest speaker for the meeting. Current pastor of the church is Elder Randy McCarty of Oklahoma; and regular appointments are filled by Elder Allen Daniels and Bro. Keith West. The church meets 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays at 10:30 a.m. For more information contact Sister Jo Whaley Hayes at (620) 440-1170.

FIRST PBC DALLAS TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING4TH WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER The First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas will host our Annual Meeting the 4th weekend in September. Supper will be served at 5:30 pm on Friday night, with services following. There will be services on Sat-urday morning, afternoon and evening, with services at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday morning. We will probably try to start our preaching services on Saturday night around 6:30 pm. Our Sunday worship services will be immediately fol-lowed by our Communion service. We would love to see visitation from our sister Churches, as well as min-istering servants that the Lord may send our way. Aside from opening our homes to visitors, we also have limited electrical hookups for campers. For those who would prefer to stay in a hotel, there is a Holiday Inn close to our Church. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (2 miles to FPBC), 8703 East R.L. Thornton Freeway (Interstate 30), Dallas, Texas 75228, 214.660.0006 Directions: From Interstate 30 in east Dallas, exit and go north on Buckner Blvd (Loop 12). After the 2nd traf-fic signal, bear right onto Peavy Road. Turn right at the next traffic signal onto Gross Road. The church address is 1920 Gross Road and will be one block down on the right. For more information, please contact Bro. Ronnie Mallow (RonnieM227@aol.com / 817.602.2050) or Elder Clifford Gowens (cbgowens@verizon.net / 972.442.5851)

HOUSTON PBC TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING5TH SUNDAY WEEKEND, SEPTEMBER 27-29 The Houston Primitive Baptist Church will host their Annual Meeting and Communion during the 5th week-end in September. Services begin on Friday night, with supper at 5:30 p.m. and singing at 6:30 p.m. We will meet on Satur-day morning at 10 a m. and in the afternoon at 2:00 pm (lunch and super after each service). Also, on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. with singing, preaching and com-munion (lunch to follow). For more information, please contact Bro. Gregg Scott (greggscott@att.net) or Elder Ward Rowell (wjrowell@sbcglobal.net).

VALLEY SPRINGS PBC MEETING SEPT. 28-29 The Lord willing the Valley Springs PBC will hold it’s annual meeting the fifth Sunday in September and Saturday before. Services begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 28. followed by preaching service. Lunch will be served and afternoon services starting about 2 pm. There will be no night services and the meeting will conclude with service starting at ten thirty on Sunday morning. Lunch will follow Sunday services also. We meet on second and fourth Sundays. The church house is located off of highway 71 about six miles north west of Llano Texas on Fm 407. It is truly a country church. We say that no one comes by our church, you must be coming there on purpose. For information please call Larry Hausenfluke at 512- 746 2055, or 512 630 4489.

BETHESDA PBC, MT. VIEW, OKLAHOMAANNUAL MEETING 5TH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER Bethesda Primitive Baptist church in Mt. View, Okla-homa will be hosting its annual meeting 5th Sunday weekend in September. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Septem-ber 28. Followed by lunch and afternoon services. The meeting will go through Sunday, September 29 with services beginning at 10 am. Prayerfully God will bless us with visiting Elders and visitors to join with us as we try to worship our Lord and Savior. The Church is located in Mt. View, Oklahoma in the north part of town on Hwy 115. Contact Bro.Thomas Bond @ 850-499-0487 or Bro. Garland Crain @ 580-482-3570.

SNYDER, TEXAS PBC ANNUALMEETING 5TH WEEKEND SEPTEMBER The Snyder, Texas Primitive Baptist Church will host its Annual Meeting the 5th weekend in September, 2013, Friday night through Sunday noon, Lord willing. Supper will be served at 5:30 pm on Friday night, with services following. We will have services on Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening and Sunday morning with services beginning at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We are looking forward to having visitation from our sister churches. The guest ministers invited to the meeting are Elder Michael Gowens from Lexington, KY and Elder Mark Richards, pastor of the Little Vine Church in Austin, TX. The address of the Snyder, Texas church building is: 2011 Avenue M, Snyder, TX 79549. The building is located on the corner of 21st Street and Avenue M. We would love to have your presence in our meeting. We are praying to our Gracious God that He will bless all the services to His honor, glory, and praise and to the upbuilding of His Cause. For additional information, you may contact Brother Thomas Strayhorn at 325-573-8034, Brother Tommy Pate at 325-573-5340, Brother Michael Hackfeld at 325-737-2329, or Elder Bernard Gowens, Pastor living in Friona, Tx at 806-250-3398. Pray for the meeting.

NEW SALEM PBC, FLOYDADA,TEXAS TO HOST5TH SUNDAY MEETING IN SEPTEMBER The New Salem Primitive Baptist Church of Floy-dada, Texas, is having a 5th Sunday meeting in Sep-tember, 2013. Elder Clifford Gowens, pastor of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, has been invited to come, and we welcome any others who desire to come and wor-ship with us. We trust that the Lord will be in our midst and that He will be glorified and the congregation will be edified and encouraged in these troubled times. The meeting will begin Saturday morning. Sept. 28, 2013, with lunch served, and we will have Sat. after-noon services, but no night services. The meeting will conclude with services on Sunday morning, Sept. 29, and lunch to follow. Please be prayerful for our services. Everyone is welcome, so please make plans now to come if you can. For any questions or further information, please call Elder Ronnie Hedges, at 806-637-0430 (home) or 806-891-1340 (cell). You may also call deacon Ronnie Fowler at 806-799-3225 (home) or 806-778-5336 (cell).

JULIA GAY McPHERSONSept. 6, 1934 — Oct. 1, 2012 On October 1, 2012 Julia Gay Merrell McPherson left this world of sorrow and suf-fering to be with the Lord our God. Gay was born on September 6, 1934 in the home of her parents, Vivian and Willard Mer-rell, near Flomot, Texas, Three months later her family moved up on the plains east of Sil-verton, Texas to the Hay Lake community. Gay went to school at Hay Lake and then to Silverton for High School. Gay was raised in the Church of Christ until her baptism into the Primitive Baptist Church along with her hus-band Lawrence Gale McPherson. They were baptized together in 1966 by Elder Luther Porter of Paducah, Texas. They have thoroughly enjoyed their member-ship with the New Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Floydada where the Doctrine is Plain and Christian fellowship and laughter abound with humor. During Gay’s youth, she was a lady cowboy and an avid horseman and cattle hand; she helped her father and neighbors during brand-ing, processing and doctoring. She remained very active in sports till later in life; she loved competitive sports including basketball, soft-ball through her fifties and golf up until her last year. She was also very aware of the dollar which she learned at a very early age. She understood the sacrifice her own mother gave up to see that her children could enjoy some delicacies of life. This has been passed to her children as well. Gay married her friend and love of her life for 59 years, Lawrence Gale McPherson. They were married in Clovis, New Mexico on November 29, 1952. Several of their good friends witnessed this joining in Clovis. Gale could always pull a quick witted remark to something Gay had said or asked, Most nota-bly about cooking! Upon Gale’s discharge from the Navy, they settled in Floyd County. Gay and Gale made a living farming the land, where she helped her husband by Hoeing, Driving a Tractor, Driving the Truck, and Hauling Cotton Trailers to the Gin along with her domestic chores. Along with raising crops they raised three chil-dren. Gay was a wonderful mother to Steven Dale, Dar Lee and Willard Dee. Gay was always on the move hauling these three to various school activities, sporting events, 4-H activities, and trips to Roaring Springs just to camp out and relax. Sadly, “Dee” has preceded his mother in death due to a tr fie accident at the age of 23 years. Gay and Gale loved to travel! They have been blessed to be able to travel and see many of God’s Creations together. They trav-

eled many places here in the United States and several trips abroad. For their 50th Anni-versary they included their Whole Family to join them in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. What a wonderful trip that was! Gay also loved to read, but above loved to embrace new chal-lenges that would enhance her life and knowl-edge and especially if that experience would benefit others she cared so much for. Love your Husband with passion and humor; Love your Children with all your heart and let them make mistakes but be there for them at all times; Collect Friends of all kinds and all ages, even though they might have different and new ideas, or if you are bound not to like them, because chances are you will; Do not be afraid to have adventures; do not let age hold you back; Learn to Laugh at yourself and find humor around you; Most of all Always have Faith in our Lord and lean upon Him with All Things.(Proverbs Chapter 3) Momma died on a Monday Morning at 6:15 a.m. with a son and daughter present at her bedside, What a blessing it is to be with a loved one as they go to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The warmth we received from our Brothers and Sisters during this time is evidence of our true Living God. Yes, Gay will be missed here on Earth, each and every day, until we will be able to join her on that wonderful Journey to Heaven. This letter of respect to the New Salem Primitive Baptist Church was prepared by her loving daughter and favorite son in law; Dar Lee McPherson Foster David A. Foster

What’s in your will? Do you have a ‘Last Will and Testament’? If so, what’s in it? Have you taken this good opportunity to leave a small part of your estate to the church? A will is an excellent opportunity to help provide for the future needs of the church. A small contribution to the church on the event of your death could be used to offset the church’s expenses for funeral, but also pro-vide for long term needs for the church build-ing or assistance to the other church mem-bers. When you have your will prepared, or updated, consider making the church one of your inheritors.

NOTE REGARDING OBITUARIES Because of the number of obituaries received by the Banner of Love, the patience of our readers is requested in the regular pub-lication of these memorials. Priority is given each month to more timely articles and meetings notices.

Nuts For Arminians to Crack

Elder JB Hardy, Sr. first published “Nuts for Arminians to Crack” in 1882. It was later expanded to 300 thought provoking ques-tions. These questions are arranged under the headings of Free agency, Apostasy, Election and the Atonement, and the Historical Identity of the Church. This booklet has recently been republished by Brother Byrl Hardy and Elder Gail Faries. The new edition contains a biographical sketch of the author, as well as his son, Elder JB Hardy, Jr. The cost of the booklet is $5.00 which includes mailing costs. If you would like to order a copy of this booklet, please send your payment to: Elder Gail Faries 811 Genoa Ave. Lubbock, TX 79416

God crowns meI’ve been made happy through the day,Just because I stopped to pray,And I can feel this in the wayGod crowns me.

I sit in church and listen still,Knowing this to be His will,And, oh, for it is such a thrill,God crowns me.

I sing a praise unto the Lord,And I know the strength of His great sword,Although I’ve wants, I been restored,God crowns me.

Happy days I feel are mine,The gifts from Him are pure and fine,And I need this, for all the time,God crowns me.

Benny C. Watson Dallas, Texas

Obituaries

Page 10 The Banner of Love September 2013 Page 7The Banner of LoveSeptember 2013

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By ELDER LARRY WISE Jesus Christ spent many hours in prayer to His Heavenly Father and none more vividly than in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus takes Peter, James and John into this garden and tells them to tarry and watch with Him while he goes a little further into the garden. He prays, “0 my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as will, but as thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:39). After fervent prayer to God, He comes to those disciples and finds them asleep and says to Peter, “...What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into tempta-tion: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:40-41). The instruction by Jesus to His disciples was to “watch and pray’ and the spirit is always willing to comply but the flesh is weak. There is a physical sense in which the flesh is weak and the disciples succumbed to this and fell asleep. Preachers who preach in an after-noon serviœ know this as some members of the congregation are prone to go to sleep after a good morning service and a hearty noon meal. The flesh is ready for a nap. There is also a spiritual sense in which the Spirit is will-ing and the flesh is weak. The Spirit is always willing to “watch and pray” but the human nature of the flesh is weak. The law God gave Israel was holy and good but it could not atone for sin. It was weak because it required perfect obedience and sinners were keeping it. Paul emphasizes this is Rom. 8:3: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the like-ness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”Jesus asked His disciples, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” after his first prayer in the garden. He went away three different times in the garden and prayed to His Heav-enly Fattier, using the same words each time. Since Jesus asked, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” we must conclude that He spent one hour in prayer each time for a total of three hours and after each time the disci-ples were asleep. After the third prayer and finding the disciples asleep, he tells them they can sleep on now because “the hour is at hand” for the Son of man to be betrayed. Could these three hours of prayer in His humanity be a prelude to the three hours of darkness on the cross in which the sun refused to shine? Luke says that an angel was sent from heaven with strength for Him.Remember that Jesus was a partaker of flesh and blood and made in the likeness of sinful flesh yet not with any sinfulness of human nature, being conceived of the Holy Ghost. We are sinners by nature and by practice,

even though we are born again by the Spirit of God: consequently, “the Spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” To overcome the weak-ness of the flesh to “watch and pray”, we need the strength that comes through Christ who prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13). If God dis-patched an angel from heaven to strengthen His only begotten Son, surely He would give us the strength we need to overcome our weakness.We are told to lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us and run with patience the race that is set before us. (Heb. 12:1). How is this weakness (weight and sin) laid aside? “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despis-ing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2). The Spirit is willing to lay aside every weight and sin, but the flesh is weak so let us go to the source of all our needs. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16). There is grace that is necessary to save us for heaven, and there is grace available to save us from the weak-ness of our flesh.We find that “watch” and “pray” go hand in hand as Paul exhorts the faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2). Paul needed God to open a door of utter-ance to speak the mystery of Christ and make it manifest as he ought to speak. What could keep him from making it manifest as he ought? It must be the weakness of the flesh. Remember Paul said, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” (Rom. 7:19-20). There is a conflict between the flesh and Spirit, and we become servants to that which we yield whether it is obedience unto righteousness or sin unto death. (Rom. 6:16).Watch your mouth, watch for the enemy, watch for good and not for evil, and watch for

His coming. Pray, submit yourselves unto God, resist the devil and he will flee; then attend God’s house. The Spirit is willing to always do this but the flesh is weak. – Elder Larry Wise Randolph, Mississippi (Elder Larry Wise resides in Randolph, Mississippi and publishes “The Glad Tidings” church newsletter from which this article is reprinted. He serves as pastor of the Bethany Primitive Baptist Church of Pontotoc, Missis-sippi.)

Worthy Causes There are many worthy causes in need of finan-cial consideration. First priority for giving should always be in sup-port of the local church and its ministry. Once that need has been addressed, the following are listed for consideration by our readers:

Georgia Fire: Sister Carolyn Hamlin (daughter of the late Elder John Thompson and Sister Sue Thompson of Columbus, Georgia), and her family lost their house by fire earlier this year. They lost everything. They are in need of help to rebuild their house and for clothes and house-hold items. The Hamlin Family c/o of Charles Thompson, 5000 Old Post Road, Columbus, GA 31909.

Tragedy in Little Rock: A church family at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas has been hit by tragedy. While Brother Todd Weatherford was at work on his job, his house was totally destroyed by fire and his wife, Tiffany, died in the fire. His home and everything in it was a total loss. A special fund has been set up at Iberia Bank, any branch, for “The Todd Weatherford fund.” To mail a contribution, send it to Iberia Bank Attn. Steven Long, 212 Broadway, Little Rock, AR 72201. To use a debit card, the address is Pay Pal, dweatherford94@yahoo.com.

Mexico PBC services. Funds may be provided to help this new church, Shekinak PBC, in Juarez, Mexico (El Paso) as it continues to meet in a diffi-cult environment and feed needy children. Send donations to Elder Donnie Halbgewachs, P.O. Box 856, Canutillo, Texas 79835

New York City services. Funds are needed to offset expenses of once-per-month Primitive Bap-tist worship services in downtown New York City for the first time in more than 40 years. Send donations in care of Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church, Elder Steven Bloyd, 46 Davis Road, Street, Maryland 21154.

- September 2013 -FULLER CHAPEL PBC, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARANNUAL FALL MEETING AUG. 30 - SEPT 1 The Fuller Chapel Primitive Baptist Church of North Little Rock, Arkansas will host its annual meeting the first Sunday weekend in September. The meeting will begin n Friday evening, August 30 and will continue through Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1.

LITTLE FLOCK PBC, MANSFIELD, ARKANSASTO HOST SALEM ASSN. SEPTEMBER 5-8 The Salem Association of Arkansas will be hosted by the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church near Mans-field, Arkansas, beginning on Thursday night before the second weekend in September. The Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church is located on the Apple Blossom Loop in Mansfield, Arkansas. For more information, please contact Elder Mark Green at michaelspappy@hotmail.com.

MT. VIEW PBC, SMITHVILLE, TENNESSEEFALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 7-8 The Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church Of Smithvlle, Tennessee will host its annual Fall Meeting the 2nd weekend in September, 2013. The meeting will begin on Saturday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m. and with a Saturday night 7:30 p.m. service. It will conclude with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday (September 8) service followed by lunch. The visiting ministers to the meeting will provide the preaching services for the Fall Meeting. Elder Paul Violet is pastor; Sister Louise Cantrell, clerk.

BETHANY PBC, ECRU, MISSISSIPPI TO HOLDSPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 6-8 Elder Ronald Lawrence of Nashville is the invited speaker at a special meeting September 6-8 at the Bethany Primitive Baptist Church of Ecru, Mississippi. Services begin Friday night at 7 p.m. and on Satur-day at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch.Supper ewill be at 6 p.m. followed by evening services at 7 p.m. and Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. Elder Larry Wise is pastor at Bethany.

FARMERSVILLE PBC TO HOST SINGING ONSATURDAY BEFORE 2ND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER The Farmersville Primitive Baptist Church in Farmer-sville, Texas will host a singing on the Saturday, before the 2nd Sunday in September. The singing will start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and entertain lunch afterwards. There will be more singing in the afternoon, until 2:30 pm or so. Come and pray the Lord will bless the effort and that we will all just have a really good time. The Church building is located 2 miles south of Farmersville on County Rd 557, just Highway 78. You will see a sign for the Church about 3 miles south of town on Highway 78. Take C.R. 557 and the Church is on the right about 1/4 mi. The address is:1287 County Road 557, Farmersville, Texas 75442 For more information, please contact Elder Owen Rushing at 972.978.6036.

NEW HOPE ASSOCIATION OF MISSISSIPPI TO BESEPTEMBER 6-8, 2013 AT SARDIS PBC The 167th Session of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Association will be September 6-8, 2013 at the Sardis Primitive Baptist Church near Rienzi, Mississippi. The meeting begins on Friday morning, September 6 and continues through Sunday morning. For more information contact Elder Cecil Woodruff (662) 287-3543 or Brother James Perry (662) 462-5634.

SALEM ASSOCIATION AT LITTLE FLOCK PBCNEAR MANSFIELD, AR 2nd SUNDAY WEEKEND The Salem Primitive Baptist Association will be held with the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church near Man-sfield, Arkansas the 2nd Sunday weekend in Septem-ber. The meeting will begin Thursday night. For informa-tion contact Elder Steve Woods (479) 650-4031.

SALEM PBC, WICHITA FALLS, TX TO DEDICATENEW BUILDING 3rd SUNDAY WEEKEND The Salem Primitive Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, Texas will host a special meeting to dedicate its new church building. the 3rd Sunday weekend in Septem-ber. The dedication service will be Saturday, September 14 beginning at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and the afternoon service at 1:30 p.m. The new building is located at 3200 Cheryl Street on the northwest corner of Cheryl and Beverly Drive (Loop

11) in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is about four blocks south of Business Highway US 277 (5th Street and Seymour Highway). Elder Thomas McDonald is pastor and preaches each 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays with Bro. Kemmye Morris speaking on 4th Sundays. For information contact Bro. Randy Taylor at randy@salempbc.org.

TOMBIGBEE ASOCIATION IN MISSISSIPPIPLANNED SEPTEMBER 13-14 The Tombigbee Association of Primitive Baptists will be held with the Enon Primitive Baptist Church, west of Fulton Mississippi near Peppertown the 3rd weekend in September (Fri.-Sat., September 13-14). Services on Friday and Saturday begin at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and afternoon services. No night services are planned. Elder Bobby Howell is pastor.

GOLDEN GATE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCHHOSTS ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 20-22 Golden Gate Primitive Baptist Church will host our Annual Communion Meeting beginning on Friday morning September 20th and concluding Sunday morning September 22nd, 2013. The Lord willing, we will hold communion services on Saturday morning at 10:00. Please note that we have moved this annual meeting from the 1st weekend in October to the 4th weekend in September. This was done after much prayer and acknowledg-ing that moving the meeting would allow for more visita-tion of our sister churches as well as remove the ongo-ing challenge that we have had with Cal Trans road maintenance in Niles Canyon over the 1st weekend in October. It is our intent to make the 4th weekend in September our permanent time for this annual meeting so please put it on your calendars and plan to come and worship the Lord with us. Services are as follows: Friday 9/20: Worship services - 10 am; 2 pm; and 6:30pm. Saturday 9/21: Communion - 10 am; Worship ser-vice - 2 pm; Worship service - 6:30pm. Sunday 9/22:Worship service - 10 am. Lunch and Dinner will be served on site and we have plenty of room for RV’s complete with water and electricity hookup. Church Address: 2950 Niles Canyon Road, Fremont, CA Mailing Address: c/o Sister Suzie Berg, 8740 Hoped-ale Ct, Elk Grove, CA 95624

Watch and pray

ONE-YEAR FREE SUBSCRIPTIONTO NEWLY-BAPTIZED MEMBERS The Banner of Love will provide a one-year free subscription to any newly-baptized mem-ber of the Primitive Baptist Church. Ministers, church clerks or interested mem-bers should send to the Banner of Love the names and addresses of your newly-baptized members, and we will add their names to our mailing list for a free one-year term.

Page 8 The Banner of Love September 2013 Page 9The Banner of LoveSeptember 2013

HatfieldsMcCoys

Elder William Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield, shown with wife Mary Polly Runyon Hatfield, was a Primitive Baptist minister and pastor of a backwoods Primitive Baptist Church located between Hatfield Creek and Blueberry Creek in Pike County, Ken-tucky in about the 1880s. He also was Judge Hatfield, serving as a Justice of the Peace. He presided over the famous “Hog Trial” dispute over the ownership of a hog between McCoy family head Randall McCoy and Hatfield family member Floyd Hatfield. To eliminate any question of bias, he named for a jury six members of the Hatfield family and six members of the McCoy family. Although “Preacher Anse” was a cousin of Hatfield family head “Devil Anse” Hatfield, he was not actively involved in the violence of the famous family feud between the families; and in fact lived peacefully near the Randall McCoy home place.

&Primitive Baptist

connections in America’s famous family feud Randall “Ole Ran’l” McCoy was the leader of the extended

McCoy family clan in the famous feud with the Hatfield family. Elder “Preacher Anse” Hatfield lived peacefully nearby Ran-dall McCoy during the feud and was reportedly never part of the violence between the families.

William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield was leader of the extended Hatfield family involved in the famous family feud with the McCoy family. The primary time of the feud lasted about six years in the 1880 era and spanned across the Tug River between West Virginia and Kentucky. “Devil Anse” was a cousin to Elder William Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield, who pastored a backwoods Primitive Baptist Church in nearby Kentucky.

Elder Wiliam Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield stayed mostly neutral during the famous American family feud between the Hatfields and McCoys in the area over lying the Kentucky and West Virginia state line. Elder Anse pastored a church in Pike County, Kentucky located in the backwoods between the Hatfield Creek and Blueberry Creek. However, he also serve as the local justice of the peace, and was once called upon to preside over a now-famous public dispute in the early days of the families’ feud.

Many Hatfields and McCoys were PBs Many of the Hatfields and McCoys were Primitive, or “Hardshell” Baptists at a time when the Baptist first split was developing in the mid 1800s over the appropriateness of Bible tract societies, missionary societies, Sunday Schools, seminaries, and temperance societies; along with the then con-temporary emergence of the Stone-Campbell movement that launched the Church of Christ and Christian Church. The families generally ended up in one of the three denominations when the doctrine of “predestination”, which initially remained popular with all three denominations, emerged out of the church split. The religion of the Hatfields and McCoys has been a source of discus-sion on a lot of recent forums because the recent mini-series showed them attending a white clapboard building with “Church of Christ” over the door. Elder “Preacher” Anse’s strong religious convictions were not shared by family patriarch Devil Anse. When asked in a newspaper interview (New York World, 1888) what church he belonged to Devil Anse said, “I belong to no church unless you say that I belong to the one great church of the world. If you like, you can say it is the devil’s church that I belong to.” Like-wise, Randolph McCoy did not formally belong to a church during the time of the feud. He did say that he believed in God and he went on to say that anybody would believe in the devil if they lived near Hatfields.

Hatfield family head Devil Anse (cousin to “Preacher Anse”) later report-edly become an elder (some say deacon) of a Church of Christ in Logan County, West Virginia.

The Hog Trial In the fall of 1878, Randolph McCoy brought charges against Floyd Hatfield for stealing one of his hogs. The resulting trial was presided over by the local justice of the peace, “Preacher” Anderson Hatfield. Preacher Anderson was “Devil Anse” Hatfield’s cousin and did not want to appear biased so he gathered a jury of six Hatfields and six McCoys to hear the case. When the jury reached its verdict, Selkirk McCoy, nephew of Sarah McCoy and a veteran of the Virginia Confederacy, sided with the six Hat-fields in favor of Floyd. The McCoys felt betrayed and open hostilities soon erupted between the Haftield and McCoy families.

Elder Hatfield’s background No other prominent role is reported for Elder Hatfield, who otherwise apparently lived peacefully with both sides throughout the feud, and in fact lived close by to the family home of Randall McCoy. He was born Septem-ber 25, 1835 and died March 6, 1920, lived 84 years 5 months and 10 days. Elder Hatfield joined the Primitive Baptist Church, called Enon, located on Mate Creek, Logan County, West Virginia and was baptized by Elder John Ferrell on the fifth day of July 1853. Elder Hatfield had a call to the ministry and the church gave him license to preach on the tenth day of November, 1868. He then moved his membership to the Old Pond Creek Church, Pike County, Kentucky. He was ordained by Elders John Ferrell and James Williamson, on the eleventh day of July, 1869. Elder Hatfield preached 51 years and 5 months. The last text he ever used was Genesis, second chapter and seventh verse: “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, etc.” He was

Pictured is the family home of Elder William Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield located in Pike County, Kentucky near the West Virginia state line. This house was the site of the famous Hatfield/McCoy feud “Hog Trial” presided over by Elder Hatfield, who also served as the local jus-tice of the peace. A jury of six Hatfields and six McCoys decided 7-5 in favor of Floyd Hatfield, thereby adding fuel to the fire of the famous American backwoods feud.

Elder Anse Hatfield plays judicial role in feud

wonderfully blessed to preach Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. Brother Hatfield was a faithful minister; he would always leave his worldly affairs and go to his meetings. He was married to Polly Runyon August 2, 1855, and unto them were born fourteen children; twelve living, two dead. Brother and Sister Hat-field lived to see their fourth generation. Their grandchildren were one hundred and eighteen in number; their great-grandchildren, one hun-dred and fifteen, and their great-great-grandchildren, fourteen.