This paper was started one year ago as the organ of the Northern
Indiana Eldership of the Church of God, a body of Christian workers
who were raised up through the following circumstances:
Several ministers of the Church of God in Indiana through a
scrupulous regard for truth and righteousness refused to fellowship
men who were yoked together in the dark leagues of secrecy. For
thus reproving the works of darkness their licenses were withheld.
Accordingly through the providence of God and the force of
circumstances they formed themselves together as an independent
body, recognizing God as the founder of his own Church and all true
Christians as her real membership.
The Bible is their only creed, and Christian character their only
test of fellowship.
The labors of this little band have been signally blessed of God,
and their members increased.
The Herald, all things considered, has been a decided success. At
the recent session of the Eldership Eld. I. W. Lowman was reelected
Editor and Elder Warner was elected Associate Editor.
As heretofore, it shall be the aim of the Herald to "contend
earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints," not a part,
but the whole faith of the gospel, ignoring the traditions of men,
reproving the works of darkness and enforcing all the will of God.
It believes in raising men to the Bible standard of holy living by
leading them into the Bible measure of grace.
It advocates a salvation that lifts men above the regions of mere
duty and places them in such sweet and perfect harmony with God
that they delight to do his will; a salvation that constrains to
every good work by the infinite power of perfect love, and not by
the lash of the law.
Viewed from a human standpoint the Herald may appear to possess
two separate features; namely, that of an organ of the Church of
God and an advocate of holiness. But viewed from a pure Bible
standpoint these distinct features naturally blend into one effort
to restore and propagate the pure religion of the Bible.
Church signifies "called out." The divinely given title, Church of
God, therefore denotes the called out of God or separated unto God.
Holiness means the same thing; that is, to be separated from all
sin and wholly given up to God.
The editors of the Herald firmly believe that apostolic truths and
Bible holiness can not be separated.
The work of holiness has been too long encumbered by human creeds
and disintegrated parties among its friends.
Though holiness as a distinct experience is the most precious and
important truth of the gospel, its wonderful triumphs have been
much limited and rendered comparatively unstable for the want of
being identified with all other Bible truths and divested of human
systems.
Upon the other hand, the Church, ever accepting the only infallible
and divinely authorized standard of discipline and wearing the only
church title that was "given by the mouth of the Lord," is utterly
disqualified to perform her appointed mission in bringing the world
to God unless she be girded with the invincible power of perfect
holiness and the full and distinct baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Truth is mighty; but holiness, being the fulness of God in man, is
almighty. The union of these divine forces, we believe, will make a
complete conquest of this world for God.
To restore the divine plan in the harmonious action and the spread
of these elements of salvation is the primary object of the Herald.
A part of the paper will therefore be devoted especially to that
doctrine and experience of entire sanctification, to be conducted
by the Associate Editor, the Editor-in-Chief being also fully in
line with holiness definitely through the blood.
With an unshaken trust in God, and confiding in the integrity of
our cause and the support of all lovers of truth and Christian
purity, we begin Vol. II of the Herald in the name of the Lord
Jesus.
I. W. Lowman,
Editor and Publisher.
D. S. Warner,
Associate Editor.
An entry from the diary, dated October 7, contains an interesting
item and will close this chapter.
As I arose this morning and approached the Lord I was led to ask
my heavenly Father for some means, as I was entirely destitute,
having been just able to pay my ticket fare here by the addition
of a postage-stamp which through the kind providence of God I
happened to have and the agent was kind enough to take. I came
down, washed, and took my little morning walk for exercise and
meditation, returned, and as soon as seated Father M. said, "I feel
impressed that I should give this brother some money and I believe
we all ought." He handed me a half dollar and the several brethren
all followed with half dollars and quarters. Glory, honor, thanks,
and praises be unto God our Savior forever and ever! Oh, bless the
Lord, my soul, who supplieth all my needs according to his riches
in glory in Christ Jesus!