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Ministers by whom we believed. Kentucky christadelphian bible school July 1 – 7 2017. Thomas Williams 1847 - 1913. The PDF software picks up background icons from the Microsoft Powerpoint template that show up on certain slides as circles.
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Ministers by whom we believed Kentucky christadelphian bible school July 1 – 7 2017 Thomas Williams 1847 - 1913
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We also believe and therefore speak The work of an evangelist The care of all the ecclesias Let your moderation be known unto all men Prove all things; hold fast that which is good Five day lesson plan
And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: Do you understand what you are reading?
“ Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:27-35 ESV “How can I unless someone guides me?”
For Unification To review the work of a man who was used by God as an instrument to establish and nurture many of the ecclesias and families from which brothers, sisters and children at this Bible come – he was an influence for the truth and peace Why was this subject chosen?
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 citing Jeremiah 9:24 The uselessness of pedigree according to the flesh
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 ESV Why was this subject chosen? 2. To learn from our history
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 Why was this subject chosen? 3. As a means for studying the message of the Bible
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. • But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14 Why was this subject chosen? 4. On account of the principle, “knowing of whom thou has learned them”
Why was this subject chosen? 5. For benchmarking our understanding and practice in the 21st century with that of the ecclesias in the 19th century
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; • And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Why was this subject chosen? Respect The apostle Paul commands us to esteem brethren who undertake work for the Lord.
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:4-6 What our purpose is not To glory in men according to the flesh
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 The same spirit of faith The resurrection which is through Jesus [Young’s Literal Translation of the Greek preposition dia, by the means of]
Skilled as a carpenter Thomas Williams apprenticed as a carpenter He taught carpentry to others as a young man in Wales Carpentry was his connection to Christadelphians
Early life in south Wales Born in Parkmill Lost his mother at age 2 Raised by his grandmother Moved to Mumbles in his teens Met William Clement, a Christadelphian and also a carpenter Gower Peninsula X X Parkmill Mumbles
Early life in south Wales Baptized at 17 Married to Elizabeth Clement “for the better without the worse” Emigrated to Chicago in 1872 at age 25 with three children (five more were born in the US)
Did Thomas Williams ever meet and/or hear Dr. Thomas in person? Yes. Brother John Thomas probably with his daughter, Sister Eusebia Lasius, visited Mumbles in the summer of 1869 on his third trip to England.
These lessons are dedicated to the memory of our late Brother Jim Millay and his work in the Lord Picture taken at Watkin’s Glen in September 2016 on the shore of Seneca Lake Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Could a “Thomas Williams” ever arise among the christadelphians of north America today? Question to think about
The work of an evangelist 2 timothy 4:5 TUESDAY JULY 4
the Sola Scriptura movement The establishment of The Advocate (1885) The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Project Managing the thorn in the flesh Today’s content
The rise of Sola Scriptura Protestant sects in 19th century America The Restorationist Movement in America led by Campbell-Stone The Adventist Movement in America led by William Miller The Seventh Day Adventists James and Ellen White The Zion Watchtower Tract Society Charles Taze Russell Disciples of Christ and the Christian Church Christadelphians Church of God of the Abraham Faith Worldwide Church of God led by Herbert W. Armstrong
…the reader must, in justice to himself and the truth, study it with the Bible at his right hand, for he will find but few pages in which frequent reference is not made to its authority, and without which nothing can or ought to be determined. Author’s Preface to the first edition Elpis Israel, p. xx A Christadelphian statement of sola scriptura “It is written” occurs 80 times in Scriptures, 63 times in the New Testament.
Tradition Extra-biblical revelation Experience Other claimed sources of authority Church government vested in human authority The extent and role of ecclesiastical organization Veneration of men Worship of relics Substituting that which is carnal for that which is spiritual
Many of our readers will not be aware that the start of THE CHRISTADELPHIAN ADVOCATE was largely due to our deceased brother, Dr. G. G. Bickley. Until 1883 from the year after our arrival in America --1873 – we were engaged in business in the town of Riverside, Iowa. Bro. Bickley was the first to invite us to Waterloo to give a course of lectures, and our visits continued frequently, during which time he continued to urgently request us to remove there in the interests of the truth. No business opening appearing to us, we hesitated till, at last, Brother Bickley found us an opening in which to make a beginning; and therefore he was the cause, humanly speaking, of our removal to Waterloo. How The Advocate started – moving from Riverside to Waterloo
Soon it developed that our brother had solicited the assistance of Brother G. T. Washburne, then of Jersey City, N. J., to arrange for us a lengthy lecturing tour, during which we were to decide whether we thought it feasible to start an American periodical. Our tour lasted four months, and during the time Brother Bickley was writing here and there on the project of a periodical. Thus he started the idea, and he was also prepared to help financially carry the idea into effect. So far as the editor of the Advocate can see, there never would have been a Christadelphian ADVOCATE had it not been for our beloved brother, Dr. G. G. Bickley, who has now been laid to rest to await his reward. How The Advocate started – a lecture tour to take counsel with the brethren
Though our dear brother was seven years older than we, his death makes us feel that we are not very far from the brink of the grave. If we are permitted to live to his age – 72 – how quickly the seven years will pass away! Brother Bickley loved life, as a precious gift of God; but he had to die, and we must face the same end. It is useless for tears to flow, and for the heart to ache, we must keep face to the sun, else the shadows will overwhelm. The Christadelphian Advocate, November, 1912, p. 285-286 “We are not very far from the brink of the grave” Brother Williams fell asleep in Christ 13 months later in December 1913 at age 66
That we may so write so as to be understood by the “partially educated” and the poor of this world; and with the approval of Him whose “eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” (Psalm 11:4), is what we are most concerned about. We know from experience and observation, that it is among the impossibilities for anyone to conduct a periodical in such a manner as to please every one. The Christadelphian Advocate, Volume 1, Number 1, March, 1885, p. 2 “What we are most concerned about”
…inasmuch as someone must hold the rein, we must ask to be allowed to do so in the guiding of THE CHRISTADELPHIAN ADVOCATE – in deciding what shall go into its columns, and what shall go into the waste basket…In laying down this rule by which we intend to be governed, it must not be understood that we by any means, ignore the fact that “where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Counsel is what we shall at times crave, from those who have proven themselves, and who shall prove themselves “workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Our Name and Object, p. 3 “Counsel is what we shall at all times crave”
Leave Waterloo(Iowa) for Chicago June 23; transfer to the train to Guelph after a short visit with brethren in Chicago Ten days at Guelph, six lectures given Four days at Doon-- four lectures given (Doon and Blair) Four lectures at Galt Two lectures at Preston One lecture at Waterloo (Ontario), return to Galt to take a sister’s funeral, back to Waterloo (Ontario) for the lecture Three lectures on one Sunday in Hamilton, acceded to the request to take the funeral of young brother John Dixon, short steamship excursion to Toronto to get acquainted with the Toronto brethren, then back to Hamilton The 1884 lecture tour – Canadian portion
Several years have elapsed since any intelligence has appeared in the advocate from here. Bro. and Sister Renshaw and myself have been connected with the Doon Ecclesia, but becoming alive to the great responsibility that rests upon us in proclaiming that everlasting gospel to the dying sons of Adam, and which is our only balm in this day of universal darkness, we have formed an ecclesia to be known as the Berlin and Waterloo ecclesia, meeting every Sunday morning at 10:30 A. M. on the corner of King and Queen Streets, Berlin. E. H. E. CHART, Secretary-Treasurer The great responsibility that rests on us
The older ones, who had hold of the helm when I used to visit Hamilton, seem now to stand back, possessed of a feeling that it is no use trying to get the people to listen, and seeming to be saying to themselves, “We will give our attention to ourselves.” This is a mistake. We have always found it so. Long after some have concluded that “it is no use”, many have come out of darkness into light. It is ours to go on with the work, regardless of present visible results; and generally speaking, attention to ourselves at the expense of the alien breeds crotchets, discontent and, at last, serious trouble. The Christadelphian Advocate, July 1898, p. 203 The problem with attention to ourselves
WHY DID OUR ECCLESIAS LOSE THEIR COLLECTIVE ZEAL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND HOW CAN IT BE REGAINED? Question to think about
Three lectures in Buffalo on one Sunday with two hour stop on the journey from Hamilton to Buffalo at Niagara Falls to view the falls Three lectures in Elmira on one Sunday Called on new brother in Corning Two lectures given in Rochester Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania – chartered train to Sunday School picnic The 1884 lecture tour – New York State & Pennsylvania
At Jersey City he gave two lectures, visited the grave of John Thomas with his daughter, Sister Lasius Took the steamer from New York to Fall River, MA and then the train to Fitchburg, MA – lectures given Worcester, MA – two lectures given Visited the believers in Lowell, MA for two days Two lectures given in Boston Returned to Jersey City where two lectures were given in a different part of the city Two lectures given in Baltimore, MD Six lectures given in Washington, DC The 1884 lecture tour – New England and mid-Atlantic
Lanesville, VA to attend gathering of the brethren and then a stopover in Richmond to visit brethren there Returned to Washington, thence to Pittsburgh to visit brethren there Stopped in Grand Rapids, MI for one week to visit the believers there and lecture Two lectures given in Chicago Arrived home in Waterloo on October 19th The 1884 lecture tour – Virginia, Pittsburgh, Michigan and Chicago
Left on November 15th on request to take the funeral of sister Thompson in Mahanoy City, PA Returned through Spottsville, KY where five lectures were given in the public school house and then to the Barranswhere five more lectures were given, one to an audience of 400, his second visit there Seven days spent in southern Illinois at Ward’s Mills Arrived back in Waterloo on December 17th, 1884 The 1884 lecture tour extension
…but the one on whom the principal part of the work depended (our eldest daughter) was compelled, from impaired health, to give up, and a compositor whom we had hired left, to engage in business on his own account, and this almost completely stopped the machinery of the office until our return home. [1891, p. 235] Mary Melvina, the editor’s daughter, had worked in the office for a number of years, and was well in line with the run of things as well as being an index to every detail, having an excellent memory. The first of January, 1896 ended her help in the office and took her to a farm in Iowa as help-meet to one who has promised to love and keep her in sickness and in health as long as they both shall live [1896, p. 147] Who did the physical work of publishing The Advocate?
The Great Salvation was produced as a response to an opportunity identified by brethren to witness to the truth at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. 14,000 copies were printed for that purpose and more were needed. The Chicago World’s Fair 1893
The Great Salvation was produced as a response to an opportunity identified by brethren to witness to the truth at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. 14,000 copies were printed for that purpose and more were needed. The Chicago World’s Fair 1893
Through the suggestion and instrumentality of our esteemed Brother Tichenor, a stand was secured in “The American Institute Fair” (held each year in N. Y. City for two months) and supplied with Christadelphian literature, Sister Tichenor attending it, assisted by one or more brethren and sisters each day, as it was convenient to them. It was made especially attractive by having for a background an enlarged coloured “God Manifestation Chart” (12 feet square) property of Bro. Coddington. …a greater work of like nature presents itself…having a similar stand in “The World’s Fair” in Chicago. The Christadelphian Advocate, December 1891, p. 303 Letter to the Brotherhood from Brother Walter Andrew, Brooklyn, NY The original initiative
To World’s Fair Visitors: This edition of “The Great Salvation” is issued specially for you. You may feel that you have not time to read it while you are visiting the Fair. If so, please do us the kindness and yourselves the justice of taking care of it till you return to your homes; and then lay aside prejudice and read the little book carefully. The second page of the cover
Do you ask, Whence its source? We answer: The Christadelphians of the American continent, believing that the way outlined herein is the only way of salvation, and moved by a sense of their duty to God and their fellow-men, extend this little work to you as an olive branch of love, in the hope that it may help you to obtain the blessings of the great salvation. Do you ask, Who are the Christadelphians? We answer; They are a people who believe the things set forth herein and try to faithfully practice the precepts of Christ, in the hope of realizing the great salvation. We answer:
The work of printing, folding, making up and binding these has taxed out little office to its full capacity. Such an amount of work would have been impossible a few years ago, before we were so freely helped to add new machinery and type. Nearly a ton and a half of paper has been used in this edition… This stand (at the Art Institute where the Congress of Religions was meeting adjacent to the Fair) was placed in charge of the editor, who was to be there himself or keep someone else there during the day time, and for night meetings other brethren took turns. We gave as much personal attention as we could, and sent Brother Nungasser when we could not be there, Sister Williams also taking charge a good share of the time. [1893, p. 243-245] The labourers are few
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Galatians 4:12-15 My condition was a trial
Having had to work hard before leaving home in order to be able to leave, and then to continue to fill platform appointments…we were worked down until our stock of vitality was at quite a low ebb…Our hearing had become so impaired that we felt somewhat alarmed…the thought of cancelling these (planned appointments in the lecture field) would be a source of mental harassing that would be harder to bear than the work itself – “the cure would be worse than the disease.” So, after reflection, we concluded to lay aside all literary work, and confine our labour to that which seemed the more pressing. We commenced to improve, and continued, until, when we reached home we were like a new creature. The Christadelphian Advocate, June-July 1888, p. 150 “Our hearing had become so impaired”
We feel that we have, during our work in the Truth for the last ten years, overtaxed our strength, and that to it is to be attributed the inconvenience we now experience from impaired hearing. However the work comes; we cannot stand still, and it is better to wear out than to rust out. We are not without hope, either, of regaining what we have lost in the life that now is as well as in that which is to come. The Christadelphian Advocate, July 1893, p. 151 “It is better to wear out than to rust out”