WARNING!
This book is NOT intended for children!  It is written to warn parents and adults of abominations and perversions of Halloween, witchcraft and the occult.

Links to Topics:

Halloween History
More Information Confirming the Pagan, Idolatrous Origin of Halloween
Stonehenge
The Nimrod – Druid Connection

Halloween History

He caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33:6

Our Pilgrim forefathers knew well of Halloween’s occult roots. In fact they banned celebrating Halloween in America. Halloween was not celebrated in this country until 1845. At that time multiplied thousands of Irish emigrants flooded into New York because of the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-46. They brought with them an old Druid Holiday they called Halloween. Gradually celebrating this day spread throughout the rest of the country.

To understand Halloween’s roots better we need to go back further into history and take a look at the Druids and the Celtic people. The Druids were the pagan priests of the Celts. They were idolaters, occult practitioners and witches of sorts. Lets begin with the information found in the 11^th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Halloween and its former attendant ceremonies long antedate Christianity. The two chief characteristics of ancient Halloween were the lighting of bonfires and the belief that of all nights in the year this is the one during which ghosts and witches are most likely to wander abroad. Now on or about the 1^st of November the Druids held their great autumn festival and lighted fires in honor of the Sun-god in thanksgiving of the harvest. Further, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of this festival Saman, lord of death, called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. Thus it is clear that the main celebration of Halloween was purely Druidical, and this is further proved by the fact that in parts of Ireland the 31^st of October was, and even still is, known as Oidhche Shamhna, “Vigil of Saman.” On the Druidic ceremonies were grafted some of the characteristics ! of the Roman festival in honor of Pamona held about the 1^st of November

Depending on your source material, the Druid Lord of Death and evil spirits was called Saman, Shamhan, Samana, Shamhain or Samhain. I have received numerous letters and e-mail from witches telling me there was no such Druid god. Yet, in the source material that I have used, (see the above quote), such as the historic 11^th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, it identifies the Druid Lord of Death as Saman and his holiday named after him as Oidhche Shamhna, translated “Vigil of Saman.” Other reliable sources call his “holiday” “The Vigil Samhain” (Shamhain is pronounced so-wein). I ask you, are the protests of the occult community an effort to “white wash” the truth about Saman and how they worshipped him in fiendish, bloody worship rituals? I believe that is probable.

Suffice it to say, at this point that the pagan worship day Samhain evolved into Halloween. But what of their Lord of Death? You probably have seen a modern day version of SAMAN without even knowing it. This pagan god was shown as a ghostly, skeleton holding a sickle in his hand. He later came to be known as THE GRIM REAPER.

More Information Confirming the Pagan, Idolatrous Origin of Halloween

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31

Ralph Linton wrote:

The American celebration (of Halloween) rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced in a direct line from pre-Christian times. The earliest celebrations were held by the DRUIDS in honor of Shamhain, Lord of Death, whose festival fell on November 1st.

Another source adds this information. November 1^st was the Celtic New Year. That day was considered the day of death because temperatures were dropping, the tree leaves were falling, and it was getting dark sooner and staying dark longer. They believed their sun god, identified in the World Book Encyclopedia as Muck Olla, was losing strength because Saman, Lord of Death, was overpowering him. Remember, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of the Vigil of Saman, October 31, the Lord of Death called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals as punishment for their evil deeds. This demon god then allowed them to return to their former homes to visit the living. Supposedly, to appease the Lord of Death and keep the spirits from harming the people, Druid priests led the people in diabolical worship ceremonies in which horses, cats, black sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicker cages and burned to death. Again, I have received correspondence from witches that dispute my assertion that Druids offered human sacrifices. Once again, I will reaffirm my position that they did offer human sacrifices, based on my research. Allow me to provide the evidence.

In his definitive book, The Druids, by Stuart Piggott you can read the following

Our information on Druid ceremonies mainly centers on sacrifice, and is contained in the Posidonian sources and in Pliny. Strabo writesof human sacrifice by shooting to death by arrows, or by impaling, and the holocaust of human and animal victims alike in a huge wicker figure (kolosson). Caesar likewise describes these great figures (immani magnitudine simulacra) whose limbs were filled with living men and set on fire. Tacitus is specific on British Druids: ‘they deemed it indeed a duty to cover their altars with the blood of captives and to consult their deities through human entrails.

In the book, The Celts, Gerhard Herm writes of the Celtic people

The inhabitants employ a very surprising and incredible custom when they want to know matters of great importance. They consecrate a human being to death, drive a dagger into his belly, above the abdomen, and draw conclusions about events to come from the squirming of the victim and the spurting of his blood. They have been practicing this custom since time immemorial.

From the writings of Julius Caesar, we have this account. In the century preceding the birth of Christ, Caesar conquered the Britons and he records very carefully the account of the DRUID PRIESTS:

All Gallic nations are much given to superstition…they either offer up men as victims to the gods, or make a vow to sacrifice themselves. The ministers in these offerings are the Druids, and they hold that the wrath of the immortal gods can only be appeased, and man’s life redeemed, by offering up human sacrifice, and it is a part of their national institutions to hold fixed solemnities (Ceremonies) for this purpose.

I looked deeper to see if I could find the dates of these “fixed solemnities.” I found the answer in an encyclopedia called Man, Myth and Magic. “The pagan Celts in Northern Europe held two great fire festivals each year — Beltane on the eve of 1 May and Samhain on the eve of 1 November — to mark the beginning of summer and winter.” So you see that Samhain, the forerunner of Halloween, was one of the days when human sacrifices were offered. It is interesting to note that when they gathered together on these pagan worship days they would meet in a grove of trees, preferably oak trees, or in a stone circle. There are many stone circles in the British Isles and in western Europe. The most famous surviving stone circle is Stonehenge, located on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire England. It is evident that human sacrifice was common at this ancient Druid Sacrificial Circle because within three miles of this site there are over 350 funeral mounds that contain the remnants of countless human sacrifices.

Stonehenge

The Nimrod – Druid Connection

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 18:21

Have you ever wondered where the heinous pagan worship rituals of the Druids originated? I have. As it turns out it goes all the way back to Nimrod, who built Babel or Babylon. He conceived a one world government model in rebellion against Jehovah-God and went about to establish a one world government in the land of Shinar (which is today known as Iraq) and institute a pagan worship system that rejected the Lord God Jehovah. The primary false god worshipped was called Baal (Syrian & Phoenician), Bel (Assyrian), Moloch or Molech (Ammonites), Ra or Re (Egyptian) to name just a few. Here is why that is important. The American Book of Days says, “Many of Halloween’s customs are derived from the ancient Baal Festivals. Other customs originate from the taking of omens from the struggles of victims in the fires of druidic sacrifices.” Alexander Hislop wrote, “The worship of Bel (Moloch) and Astarte was very early introduced into Britain along with the Druids, the priests of the groves. From Bel, the 1^st of May is still called Beltane in the Almanac; and we have customs still lingering at this day among us, which prove how exactly the worship of Bel or Moloch had been observed” The reference to “lingering customs” refers to Halloween.

Now, allow me to turn your attention back to Nimrod for a moment. It is important that you know that Nimrod incorporated into his worship system the grisly practice of human sacrifice and cannibalism. Hislop says, “the priests of Nimrod or Baal were necessarily required to eat of the human sacrifices; and thus it has come to pass that Cahna-Bal (cahna meaning priest & Bal referring to Baal), the Priest of Baal is the established word (cannibal) in our own tongue for a devourer of human flesh.” Heres why that is important. “The god whom the Druids worshipped was Baal, as the blazing Baal-fires show andchildren were offered in sacrifice to Baal.” Thats what Baal (Moloch) worshippers did. We know that because of what we read in the Bible in Jeremiah 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind.

There is absolutely no doubt that Samhain – Halloween, was a wicked pagan worship day. It is little wonder that even today Halloweens focus is still on horror, mutilation, death, evil and the occult seeing that it is rooted in Baal worship! But, I come in contact with people regularly who protest, “That may have been true in the past, but that is not true today.”

Witches have never given up Halloween! Occultists of all stripes still lay claim to the day and worship their pagan gods and goddesses on that day with demonic rituals.

The Bible and prayer have played an important role in our nation’s history. Not many current day history books inform their readers of this fact or that this nation was founded upon what has been called the Judeo-Christian Ethic. And, if I were to walk up to people and ask them what the Judeo-Christian Ethic was, I would be surprised if I got a correct answer. For the record, the Judeo-Christian Ethic refers to the teachings and principles of the Old (Judeo) and New (Christian) Testaments.

I believe that America has been blessed because our nation was founded upon the teachings and principles of the Old and New Testaments. The Lord promises in Psalms 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

In this mornings message I will be sharing with you a few of the true stories that show the Christian Roots of Our Republic.

• Jamestown Virginia

\To begin, I must take you back to Jamestown, Virginia, established on May 13, 1607 by 104 Englishmen, mostly Puritans. In September of 1608 Captain John Smith was elected Governor of the colony. As Governor, Smith saw that there was a major change that needed to be made if the colony would survive. Here’s the problem. Many of the colonists were off doing their own thing, specifically searching for gold, instead of planting crops and hoeing their gardens. He instituted a new rule based on 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The verse says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Smith paraphrased it, “He who will not work shall not eat!” Indeed, that was a wise move! Though this “law” was unpopular at first, it did facilitate the survival and ultimately the expansion of the colony.

The Importance Of Diligence

I must tell you that one of the things that has made America great is the work ethic of her people. Even before man’s fall into sin, he was charged with dressing and keeping God’s Garden. There are three verses that I want to share with your about the importance of working diligently.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”

Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Proverbs 14:23 “In all labour there is profit…”

God blesses honest, diligent work! Laziness and irresponsibility bring poverty. We read in Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard [idle; lazy person] desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat [prosperous].”

If you will be successful, be diligent in all of your undertakings. Employers are looking for diligent workers!

• Plymouth Massachusetts

On September 16, 1620 the Mayflower departed for the New World overloaded with 102 Pilgrims. Finally after more than 60 grueling days at sea, at 7 a.m. on November 19^th the “Land-Ho” came from the crow’s nest. All the Pilgrims gathered on deck and William Brewster led in the singing of Psalm 100 in meter. They prayed and thanked God for seeing them through the arduous voyage.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalms 100

The words of the doxology are a good reminder for us… “Praise God from who all blessings flow.”

If you ever get a chance, when you are in Washington D.C., to go to the Capitol; In the Rotunda area you can see the mural commemorating the Pilgrims coming to the New World.

The Importance Thankfulness

The Pilgrims knew what it was to be thankful to the Lord! Despite their hardships, they knew the truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” We need to follow the example of the Pilgrims and make known our thankfulness to the Lord.

• Philadelphia Pennsylvania: The First Continental Congress

We have see that 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and Psalm 100 a part of our national heritage. But there is another Psalm that played an important part in the founding of our nation – Psalm 35. In September of 1774 the First Continental Congress was meeting at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia. They had invited Rev. Douche to open the session with a Scripture reading and then prayer. Below is a portion of that Psalm. Remember as you read the words that the colonies were in a struggle with Great Britain and moving closer to war by the day.

Psalms 35:1-9 “A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. 3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. 4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. 5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. 6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. 7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. 9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.”

John Adams wrote to his wife, “It seemed if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.” Further, when Rev. Douche lead in prayer the historian says it brought tears to the eyes of every man present.

May I make an observation? Our forefathers wanted God’s aid and blessing on this nation! I believe that we as Americans should follow the pattern of our Founding Fathers and regularly read the Bible and pray to our Lord for Wisdom, Guidance and Protection.

• Philadelphia Pennsylvania: Independence Hall

I would be surprised if there was anyone here who did not know of the Liberty Bell. It was purchased in 1751 to commemorate the 50^th Anniversery of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of privileges. Pennsylvania’s original Constitution speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people all over the world. Inscribed on that bell are words from Leviticus 25:10 “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” How fitting it was for the Liberty Bell to be rung on July 8^th, 1776 from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House, summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

I am thankful God has entrusted us the freedoms that we have in this country. However, I see our freedoms eroding as our citizens move away from the God of the Bible and His teaching. Benjamin Franklin hit the nail on the head when he gave a speech to the delegates of the Constitutional Convention on Thursday, June 28, 1787. He said…

“We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political undertaking no better than the builders of Babel.”

The Bible passage Franklin quoted was Psalm 127:1

Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of reading the Bible, following its principles and praying for the Lord’s wisdom, guidance and protection. The final example that I offer you in this message is…

• George Washington Taking The Oath of Office

On April 30, 1789 the first President of the United States, George Washington took the oath of office. He asked that the Bible be opened to Deuteronomy 28. Do you know that content of that chapter? God promises blessings for obeying his Word, and cursing or judgment if God’s Word is disobeyed.

I for one, want to see God’s blessing continue on our Nation and I am therefore resolved to incorporate the Bible, its teachings and Prayer into my daily life to give Him a reason to bless me, my family and our nation.

Let me review the Scriptures that have had a part in the foundation of our nation…

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Psalm 100

Psalm 35

Psalm 127:1

Deuteronomy 28

Saint Paul said, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 Is your life founded on Jesus Christ? J

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

If you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I would urge you to call on his name this very moment and ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul.

Can you name five of our nations Founding Fathers? Likely most of our readers would include in their list George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison. However, I doubt if any would have included in their list the name of Fisher Ames. He is one of the so called, “forgotten founding fathers.” Ames was born in Dedham Massachusetts on April 9^th, 1758 and at 50 years of age he died on July 4^th 1808. He graduated from Harvard College in 1774 and taught school for five years before turning to law, and in 1781 he was admitted to the bar. Ames was elected president of Harvard in 1804 at age 46, but had to decline because of declining health.

Historically, Fisher Ames is best known for his opposition to Jeffersonian democracy. He favored a constitutional republic. Ames said, “A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in their way. The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty.” Further, he stated that, “Liberty has never lasted long in a democracy, nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism.” In fact he believed that it was “democracy that pollutes the morals of the people before it swallows up their freedoms.” For a pure democracy, he argued, would lend itself to the new nation’s coming under the influence of the basest of human motivations: greed and a lack of public virtue. Ames believed that “the United States must lash itself to a constitution of laws, not the whim of democratic preference.”

Why did Ames believe that? He believed that all men were sinners! He believed that law and morality should not be decided by majority vote but upon the higher principles of the Bible because as a dedicated Christian he believed that the Bible was the true source of wisdom. He believed that our nation would be much more stable if it were a constitutional republic with a constitution rooted in the principles of the Bible.

Fisher Ames was an outspoken supporter of the Bible’s central role in all of education. He believed the Bible, being the Word of God, should be at the very center of school curriculum. As a first-session congressman he said, “Should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a schoolbook? Its morals are pure, its examples are captivating and noble.” He went on to say, “The reverence for the sacred book that is thus early impressed lasts long; and, probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind.”

Our founding fathers followed the lead of Fisher Ames and organized a government based on constitutional republican from of government and not a pure democracy. In fact, was Fisher Ames who suggested the wording of the First Amendment, which was adopted by the House: “Congress shall make no law establishing religion, or to prevent the free exercise thereof, or to infringe the rights of conscience.” In its final form the first amendment to the United States Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

During the summer of 2001 my family and I took a trip to Virginia and North Carolina to do family tree research and visit some historic locations. As we were traveling “the Constitution Route” on highway 20 in Virginia, I came across an interesting monument about seven miles east of Orange. On it was the embossed head of John Leland, the influential Baptist preacher and champion of religious liberty. It is believed that the monument marks the location where James Madison and John Leland met to discuss Madisons candidacy for Virginia delegate to the Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution. At that meeting, Leland pressed Madison concerning his stand on religious freedom and individual rights. Madison promised Leland if he was elected, he would do all in his power to see that religious freedom and individual freedom would be incorporated into the Constitution by amendment. Elder John Leland and hence the Orange Baptists did throw their support behind James Madison who was elected. As expected, he voted in favor of ratification of the Constitution. Then, true to his word, he drafted and introduced twelve amendments to the Constitution. Article III of Madisons proposed Bill of Rights reads, “Congress shall make no laws establishing articles of Faith, or mode of worship, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition to the government for redress of grievances.” The members of the convention condensed Madisons proposed third article. In fact, they changed it to the First Amendment which reads; “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Edited by Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

The material in this article was taken from the book American Statesmen and Heroes by Catherine Millard, who got the material from An Oration Delivered at the State-House in Philadelphia to a very numerous audience by Samuel Adams on Thursday the 1^st of August 1776; member of the General Congress of the United States of America. ( pp.1-6; 17-18, 32)

In order to fully grasp the biblical mindset and value-system of this great American patriot, Samuel Adams, will quote from his famous Oration given at the State House (Independence Hall) on August 1,1776. This oration is now housed in the Rare Book Collection of the Library of Congress in our nation s capital. Throughout this Address, Adams quotes the Holy Scriptures to under gird his thesis, which is that, “…Our Fore-fathers threw off the yoke of popery in religion; for you is reserved the honor of levelling the popery of politics. They opened the Bible to all, and maintained the capacity of every man to judge for himself in religion…”

Countrymen, and Brethren,

I would gladly have declined an honor to which I find myself unequal. I have not the calmness and impartiality which the infinite importance of this occasion demands. I will not deny the charge of my enemies that resentment for the accumulated injuries of our country, and an ardour for her glory, rising to enthusiasm, may deprive me of that accuracy of judgment and expression which men of cooler passions may possess… Truth loves an appeal to the common sense of mankind. Your unperverted understandings can best determine on subjects of a practical nature. The positions and plans which are said to be above the comprehension of the multitude may be always suspected to be visionary and fruitless. He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all. Our Fore-fathers threw off the yoke of popery in religion; for you is reserved the honor of levelling the popery of politics. They opened the Bible to all, and maintained the capacity of every man to judge for himself in religion. Are we sufficient for the comprehension of the sublimest spiritual Truths, and unequal to material and temporal ones? Heaven hath trusted us with the management of things for Eternity, and man denies us ability to judge of the present, or to know from our feelings and experience what will make us happy

The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be perhaps humble instruments, and means in the great providential dispensation which is completing. We have fled from the political Sodom; let us not look back lest we perish and become a monument of infamy and derision to the world… We cannot suppose that our opposition has made a corrupt and dissipated nation more friendly to America, or created in them a greater respect for the rights of mankind… Courage then, my countrymen! Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind, an asylum on earth, for civil and religious liberty?

And, brethren and fellow-countrymen, if it was ever granted to mortals to trace the designs of Providence, and interpret its manifestations in favor of their cause, we may, with humility of soul, cry out, not unto us, not unto us, but to thy name be the praise… the gradual advances of our oppressors enabling us to prepare for our defense; the unusual fertility of our lands and clemency of the seasons the success which at first attended our feeble arms, producing unanimity among our friends and reducing our internal foes to acquiescence these are all strong and palpable marks and assurances, that Providence is yet gracious unto Zion, that it will turn away the captivity of Jacob. Our glorious Reformers, when they broke through the fetters of superstition, effected more than could be expected from an age so darkened: But they left much to be done by their posterity. They lopped off indeed some of the branches of popery, but they left the root and stock when they left us under the domination of human systems… and decisions, usurping the infallibility which can be attributed to Revelation alone. They dethroned one usurper only to raise up another. They refused allegiance to the pope, only to place the Civil Magistrate on the throne of Christ, vested with authority to enact laws, and inflict penalties in His Kingdom. And if we now cast our eyes over the nations of the earth we shall find, that instead of possessing the pure Religion of the Gospel, they may be divided either into infidels, who deny the Truth; or politicians, who make religion a stalking horse for their ambition; or professors who walk in the trammels of orthodoxy, and are more attentive to traditions and ordinances of men, than to oracles of Truth. The Civil Magistrate has everywhere contaminated Religion, by making it an engine of Policy; and Freedom of thought and the right of public judgment, in matters of conscience, driven from every other corner of the earth, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum. Let us cherish the noble guests and shelter them under the wings of an Universal Toleration. Be this the seat of unbounded Religious Freedom. She will bring with her, in her train, Industry, Wisdom and Commerce. She thrives most when left to shoot forth in her natural luxuriance, and asks from human policy, only not to be checked in her growth by artificial encouragement… No man had once a greater veneration for Englishmen than I entertained. They were dear to me as branches of the same parental trunk, and partakers of the same Religion and Laws: I still view with respect the remains of the Constitution as I would a lifeless body which had once been animated by a great and heroic soul; But when I am raised by the din of arms; when I behold legions of foreign assassins paid by Englishmen to embrue their hands in our blood, when I tread over the uncoffined bones of my countrymen, neighbours and friends, when I see the locks of a venerable father torn by savage hands, and a feeble mother clasping her infants to her bosom, and on her knees imploring their lives from her own slaves whom Englishmen have allured to treachery and murder; when I behold my country, once the seat of industry, peace, and plenty, changed by Englishmen to a theatre of blood, and misery, Heaven forgive me, if I cannot root out those passions which it has implanted in my bosom, and detect submission to a people who have either ceased to be human, or have not virtue enough to feel their own wretchedness and servitude

“…graven with an iron pen and lead…” Job 19:24

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

God & Country

The great orator and statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was invited to dinner at the Astor House in New York City, when he was Secretary of State under President Fillmore. By the time he got to the city, he was very tired and rather unsociable which was unusual for him. However, he livened up when a guest asked him, “Mr. Webster, will you tell me what was the most important thought that ever occupied your mind?” Webster hesitated a moment but then replied, “The most important thought that ever occupied my mind was that of my individual responsibility to God.” After giving that answer he proceeded to speak upon that subject for the next twenty minutes to the surprise of everyone.

Music Is Neutral!?

There is a popular fabrication making the rounds and many churches today are claiming that music is neutral. Nothing could be further from the truth. The great Scottish Patriot Andrew Fletcher said, “You write the laws, let me write the music, and I will rule your country.” Dr. Max Schoen wrote, “Music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive senses. The medical, psychiatric and other evidence for the non-neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone should seriously say otherwise” (Dr. Max Schoen, The Psychology of Music, 1940).

William Cowper’s Conversion To Christ

If you ever get the opportunity to visit England there is a quaint little museum called the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney. Nearly every Christian knows who John Newton was because he composed the beloved Christian song – Amazing Grace. William Cowper was a gifted poet. He and Newton would meet weekly in the little garden cottage to compose new Christian songs to be sung at the church Newton pastored across the way. Cowper gives this account of how he came to know Christ as his Savior – “I flung myself into a chair near the window, and, seeing a Bible there, ventured to apply to it for comfort and instruction. The first verse that I saw was Romans 3:25 – “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” I saw the sufficiency Christ had made for my pardon and justification. In a moment I believed and received the peace of the Gospel.” (500 Wonderful Conversions; by Harold F. Sayles; The Evangelical Publishing Co. of Chicago; Copyright 1909)

Thomas Edison Quit Sunday Work

Published in The Ram’s Horn January 24, 1903

[Editor’s Note: Far too many professing Christians do not honor the Lord’s Day. They work, shop, go to sporting events, etc. and think nothing about it. I came across this in my archives and found it interesting that a man who made no profession of being a Christian felt it was important that his son honor the Lord’s Day. Perhaps it will provoke some serious thought on the issue of honoring the Lord’s Day]

Until quite recently it was the practice of Mr. Edison, the world-famous electrician, to work in his laboratory on Sundays, owing to the fact that several of his inventions required immediate attention. But he has suspended that practice from a motive that would do credit to his father. An interesting episode occurred in his laboratory one Sunday morning. Mrs. Edison and their little son Theodore came down on their way to the Baptist Church at Llewellyn, N.J. Theodore went into the building with his father, and began his usual experiments.

“You mustn’t work on Sunday, Teddy,” said Mr. Edison, addressing his son. “You work on Sunday,” was the lad’s prompt response, as he poured a lot of green fluid out of a bottle in a tall jar. But he remembered his mother had disapproved of his father’s Sunday labors.

Mr. And Mrs. Edison looked at each other significantly. Edison immediately left off his Sunday work.

“…graven with an iron pen and lead…” Job 19:24

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

God & Country

President Thomas Jefferson offered this National Prayer for Peace on March 4, 1805. “Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endow with thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Christian, Take Up Your Cross and Follow Christ!

Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910) was a Baptist minister called “the prince of expository preachers.” The following quote is a thought provoking one.

“Christ’s cross has to be carried today; and if we have not found out that it has, let us ask ourselves if we are Christians at all. There will be hostility, alienation, a comparative coolness, and absence of a full sense of sympathy in many people with us, if we are true Christians. There will be a share of contempt from the wise and the cultivated of this generation, as in all generations. The mud that is thrown at the Master will spatter in our faces, too, to some extent; and if we are walking with Him, we shall share to the extent of our communion with Him in the feelings with which many men regard Him. Stand to your colors! Do not be ashamed of the Master in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. And there is another way in which this honor of helping the Lord is given to us. As in His weakness He needed someone to aid Him to bear His cross, so in His glory he needs our help to carry out “the purposes for which the cross was borne.”

Quote to Note

“If by excessive zeal we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master’s service, then glory be to God – we shall have so much less of the world and so much more of Heaven!” Charles H. Spurgeon

Who Was Maewyn Succat?

David L. Brown

No doubt, most of our readers have no idea who he was. He is better known as Patrick or Saint Patrick. However, Maewyn or Patrick was not a Catholic. His name is not found in Catholic writings until almost two centuries after he had died. He was born some time between 385 and 415 A.D. He was not Irish at all, but was a “free born” son of a Roman-British decurio, an area magistrate appointed by Roman officials over the town of Bannavem Taberniae. His father owned a farm nearby in the city of Dumbarton, Pictland, which today is Scotland. At the time this city was under British control. Thus, Patrick was a Roman Brit. Calpurnius, his father, was a deacon in their local church. His grandfather, Potitus, was a pastor. When the last of the Roman soldiers pulled out of Britain in 410 A.D. almost immediately Irish warlords and others raided the once peaceful coastal towns of England. We learn from reading Patrick’s Confession that he was kidnapped and sold as a slave. He wrote — “I was taken into captivity to Ireland with many thousands of people, and deservedly so, because we turned away from God, and did not keep His commandments, and did not obey our pastors, who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought over us the wrath of his anger and scattered us among the nations…” Miliucc, a Druid tribal chieftain bought Patrick and put him to work herding pigs and sheep. He lived like an animal himself, having no shelter and being constantly with the animals day and night, often, in hunger and thirst. He felt helpless and hopeless. The despair of slavery and the solitude of his occupation compelled him to see his need for Christ. He writes in his confession, “I was about sixteen but did not know the true God, but in a strange land, the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes, and I was converted.” (Patrick of Ireland: The Untold Story by Rev. Roy D. Warren, Jr.).

Patrick escaped from his captors and, after some time, returned home. However, he felt called back to Ireland to preach the Gospel. He began his ministry there in about 430 A.D. God so blessed his preaching the Gospel that one source says, “he planted over 200 churches and had over 100,000 truly saved converts.” (Patrick of Ireland: The Untold Story by Rev. Roy D. Warren, Jr.). The record shows that the Gospel he taught was the message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, not the spurious, works oriented version of salvation. This is a glimpse of the real Patrick. (For a more complete account of Patrick’s life and work go to – logosresourcepages.org).

“…graven with an iron pen and lead…” Job 19:24

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

God & Country

On August 22, 1787, George Mason (1725–1792), Father of the Bill of Rights, made this statement during the debates of the Constitutional Convention – “As Nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins, by national calamities.”

Is God Judging America?

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

Is God judging America? That is a sobering question to ponder is it not? However, I think Christians need to wrestle with that question. I believe we need to ask and answer three more questions. They are – 1) Why does God bless a nation? 2) Why does God judge a nation? 3) Is America exempt from the principles that God has laid down in His Word?

I would suggest that our readers search the Scriptures and answer these questions. Here is a brief outline of what I have discovered in my own study. First, in answer to why does God bless a nation; God blesses people and nations who keep his Commandments and Precepts and live righteously. Psalms 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. See also Psalm 33:12. Second, in answer to why does God judge a nation; God judges nations that do not fear Him and keep His commandments. Psalm 2 makes it clear that nations that rebel against Him, He holds in contempt. Then, verse 9 says, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Further, consider the principles set forth in 2 Kings 17:12-20. Lastly, what is the answer to is America exempt from the principles that God has laid down in His Word? I would simply say NO! For the last 50-75 years generations of Americans have been sowing evolutionism, secular humanism, relativism, amorality, immorality, abortion, homosexuality, political correctness, hedonism and multiculturalism into the culture. The harvest from that seed has been growing up and now we are beginning to reap the harvest as Galatians 6:7-8 says.

I will conclude this brief article by making a statement and asking a question. My statement; America has not replaced Israel. But, I do believe that Bible passages that refer to Israel often establish clear principles that are relevant in other situations. I believe that the Scriptures I have referenced apply, in principle, to our nation. I do know this, Proverbs 14:34, speaking to any nation says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Now to my question; Is God Judging America? Christians live for the Lord and pray that our nation will return to being a God fearing nation.

Saved Through A Mistake

(Taken from The Ram’s Horn, Feb. 19, 1898)

One day the Swiss Reformer Felix Neff walking in Lausanne when he saw at a distance a man whom he took for one of his friends. He ran to catch up with him and tapped him on the shoulder before looking him in the face and asked him, “What is the state of your soul, my friend?” The stranger turned to Neff and saw it was not his friend. He apologized and went on his way.

About four years after the incident a person came to visit Neff one day and said he was indebted to him for his kindness. Neff, did not recognize the man, and asked him to elaborate. The stranger explained, “Have you forgotten the unknown person, whose shoulder you touched in the street in Lausanne, asking him, “What is the state of your soul?” He went on to say, “That was me: your question led me to do some serious thinking, and now I find it is well with my soul.”

We do not know, this side of Heaven, how a few words for the Lord may be used of God to accomplish great good.

The True Road Sign

The story is told of two men who were driving to a little town they had never been to before. One said, “I like to see where I am going. This faith you Christians talk about is unreasonable and ridiculous.” As they approached the fork on the rural road they were traveling they feared they were lost. There were no gas stations or even houses around to ask for a clarification in directions. As they got closer to the fork in the road they saw an old, weathered sign pointing to the right, giving the name of the town they were looking for saying it was one mile down the road. The Christian said to the man riding with him, “What shall we do?” The unsaved passenger said, “follow the sign, of course.” The Christian responded, “but wouldn’t that be walking by faith, just what you criticized Christians for doing?” “No!” the man exclaimed, “Because the sign clearly says the town is just one mile down the road to the right.” “You are right,” said the Christian, “but the Bible is just like that sign, and in it we read about the way to Heaven. We don’t see Heaven any more than you see the town from this fork in the road. Our faith in the Bible and what it says about how to get to Heaven is just like your faith in the road sign. We take the testimony of that which we read in regard to that which is invisible.”

“…graven with an iron pen and lead…” Job 19:24

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

God & Country

The following advertisement was placed by King’s College in the newspapers of Metropolitan New York: “The chief thing that is aimed at in this college is, to teach…children to know God in Jesus Christ and to love and serve Him in all Sobriety, Godliness, and Richness of Life.” The date of the ad was 1754. Tragically, King’s College, which is now Columbia University, advocates an educational philosophy diametrically opposed to the Biblical philosophy the college was founded on.

Pray and Encourage

The great evangelist D. L. Moody once used this illustration –

“Have you heard the story of the child who was rescued from a fire that was raging away up in the fourth story of the house. The child came to the window, and, as the flames were shooting up higher and higher, he cried for help. A fireman started up the ladder of the fire-escape to rescue the child from its dangerous position.

“The wind swept the flames near him, and it was getting so hot that he wavered, and it looked as if he would have to return without the child.

“Someone in the crowd cried: ‘Give him a cheer!’ Cheer after cheer went up, and, as the man heard them, he gathered fresh courage. Up he went into the midst of the smoke and fire, and brought down the child safely.

“If you cannot go and rescue the perishing yourself, you can at least pray for those who do, and cheer them on. If you do, the Lord will bless the effort. Do not grumble and criticize; it takes neither heart nor brains to do that.”

Comic & Curious

A teacher asked her class to name five different members of the “cat” family. Nobody answered until one little girl raised her hand.

“Well?” said the teacher, encouragingly.

The little girl said, “Father cat, mother cat and three little kittens!”

“Poor Richard’s”

Benjamin Franklin published “Poor Richard’s” almanac for some twenty-five years. He made up many of the maxims found in its pages. These are taken from Poor Richard’s:

“Lost time is never found again.”

“He who rises late must trot all day.”

“There are no gains without pains.”

“The cat in gloves catches not mice.”

“One today is worth two tomorrows.”

“Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.”

“Fish and visitors both smell in three days.”

Four Principles of Stewardship

David L. Brown, Ph.D.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

We seldom use the word steward or stewardship today, so I will begin with the definition of a steward. A steward is a person who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to him by another. In this case, a steward is a person who manages what has been entrusted to him/her by God. God has entrusted us with our lives, our talents, our time, and our money. Therefore, stewardship is the careful and responsible management of the things God has entrusted to your care. Consider the Four Principles of Stewardship listed below.

God owns all things – The truth of this principle is seen in Psalms 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Since God owns it all, when He entrusts us with a portion of His possession, we are to manage what he has entrusted to us as He would have us manage it.

Stewardship is a sacred trust which all Christians should respect — 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Every believer has the personal responsibility to manage, supervise, and administer all that God has given him/her to the glory of God — Luke 19:13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy (= use what you possess) till I come.”

Every Believer-Steward will give account of his/her stewardship — Luke 16:2 “And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.” Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Ponder this question – “Are You A Faithful Steward?“

“…graven with an iron pen and lead…” Job 19:24

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

God & Country

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

The 1963 Supreme Court banned prayers in public schools. The following prayer by kindergarten children was declared illegal:

“We thank you for the flowers so sweet;

We thank you for the food we eat;

We thank you for the birds that sing;

We thank you God for everything.”

George Washington’s final remarks to the nation in 1796 should have been heeded. He said, “Of all the habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would men claim the tributes of patriotism who would work to destroy these great pillars of happiness.”

Speak Up Boldly For The Lord

I am a student of history, particularly of the Reformation era. Two years ago I stood at the exact spot in Oxford, England where Hugh Latimer was burned at the stake with Nicholas Ridley for their faith in Jesus Christ during the reign of bloody Mary (Mary Steward or Mary I). However, before that, Latimer was a solid witness for Christ. He was bold to speak up for the Lord Jesus Christ, even at the peril of his life. Below is one famous account of this man’s boldness.

“Hugh Latimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given. The next Sunday, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: “Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest. Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest–upon Whose message thou are sent? Even by the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.” He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday–and with considerably more energy.” 

ALL THINGS ARE THROUGH HIM

Text: Romans 11:36

There is “peace with God” through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1

There is “atonement” through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:11

There is “joy in God” through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:11

There is “eternal life” through our Lord Jesus Chist – Romans 6:23

There is “victory over death” through our Lord Jesus Christ – 1 Corinthians 15:57

There is “glory” through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 16:27

Historical Snapshot of George Whitefield

(adapted from an article by Sheldon B. Quincer)

One of the greatest revivals of American history was the Great Awakening of the 18^th century. The beginning of the century saw most of our churches cold and lifeless. A few godly men saw the desperate conditions and were used of God in starting revival fires, but it was not until the arrival of English born George Whitefield 1740 that the fires were flamed into a blaze that swept the eastern seaboard and Georgia. Under God, Whitfield became the leader of the revival.

He belonged to all denominations – he was ordained as an Anglican, became a Calvinist Methodist, was buried under the pulpit of the Federal Street Presbyterian Church of Newburyport, Massachusetts and many of the converts of his meetings joined Baptist Churches.

In thirty-five years of Gospel ministry in the British Isles, West Indies, and America, Whitfield preached 18,000 sermons to audiences which sometimes numbered 30,000 people.

His sermons were both doctrinal and practical. In reading them one is impressed with his emphasis on the total depravity of man, the righteousness of Christ, and the Grace of God. To him man is a sinner in need of Christ’s imputed grace. He firmly held that “salvation is of the Lord.”