The new name; or, the soul's entire purification

Front matter

Shelf '.♦B5L 5

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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Preface

THE general favor which the author's former writings have met with among people who love to read devotional books, has encouraged him to add another small volume to the list before he goes hence. The reigning thought of this book, like that of the others, is Christian holiness, though it is not a regular treatise of the subject, nor is it confined wholly to the idea of entire sanctification. The author has allowed himself more latitude in this than in the other books, and has given some space to brief discussions of other religious topics which he deemed vital.

The chapter on " Religious Revivals " contains some thoughts which greatly aided the author in his early ministry as a pastor, and, in later years, in his work as an evangelist ; and he believes that these thoughts will stimulate and aid to much greater success all young ministers and other Christian workers who may carefully study them, until they clearly distinguish between depending upon signs and indications and upon God's immutable promise, or clearly discern between natural

PREFACE.

and evangelical faith. Natural faith must always give way to the supernatural before any truly great work of revival can commence; and just at this point, when natural faith is failing, and the evangelical about to assert itself and claim the victory, the great majority of Christian workers close the exercises, hoping that some future time may be more auspicious. Thus, about the time a grand work of God was commencing, they grieved the Spirit by abandoning the field of conflict. The hope that this little volume may fall into the hands of some of these weary and disappointed workers has led to the insertion of this chapter.

With considerable trepidation, lest he might encourage unbelief rather than help the faith of the Church, the author has inserted one chapter on the subject of "Faith Healing." Being himself an invalid for many years, he has had his attention frequently called to this matter ; has read almost all the literature that has been published upon "Divine Healing ;" has tried St. James's prescription for sickness at different times ; has been very speedily cured of certain ailments through "the prayer of faith;" has failed at other times, and with other diseases ; and has, by these experiences and study of the theme, reached certain conclusions respecting scriptural teaching on the subject, and has summarily presented these conclusions in this chapter.

Without any specific allusion to other chapters,

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PREFACE.

it is hoped that they all may help every reader in his spiritual life and work ; ^nd with this fond hope the author sends this little volume forth, praying that the Holy Spirit may fill every chapter, paragraph, and word, and greatly bless every reader of its unpretending pages.

Table Of Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The New Name 9

II. Steps to the New Name .... 14

Chapter I. The New Name

NAMES in the Scriptures are not at all merely used arbitrarily to designate persons and things. Many, if not all, are designations of origin, office, relation, condition, qualities, attributes, etc. We are told, by those who are acquainted with the philology of ancient languages, that the name "Adam " means, primarily, " red earth," and that it was intended not only to stand for the first man, but also to express his formation from the " dust of the ground." And the Bible narrative states that Adam named the woman whom God gave to him for a companion, "Eve," the root meaning of which is " living," thereby expressing her maternal relation to the future race of mankind. Thus a volume could be filled with highly interesting etymologies of biblical names and appellations.

This, then, being the character of scriptural titles, it was no uncommon thing to change and give new names to sacred places and persons ; to express, when the occasion arose, their new relations, conditions, transactions, and other facts connected with their history. As samples of the almost innumerable instances of giving places new names, to commemorate certain events which transpired there, mention may be made of Beersheba and Jehovah-jireh. The former of these names, meaning " the well of the oath," was given by Abraham, to hold in memory a covenant made between him and Abimelech. The latter of these names, meaning " the Lord will provide/' was given by the same patriarch to Mount Moriah, to commemorate forever the wonderful providence which provided for him a sacrifice, and saved the life of Isaac. Another familiar instance of changing the names, of places is found in the history of Jacob. He changed the name of Luz to " Bethel," to express what he experienced there on his way to Padanaram ; and changed the name " Jabbok " to " Penuel," to set forth in word his wonderful vision of God, face to face, in his wrestling with the angel.

As instances of changing the names of persons, memory readily calls up Abraham and Sarah. Their names were changed in advanced age from "Abram" and "Sarai"by an insertion of the same particle into each name. This particle, or letter, was taken from the divine name ; and besides making the new names designate the headship of a numerous posterity, they indicated deeper consecration to God than ever existed before, and was also significant of the introduction of a new element from the divine character into their nature.

Another notable instance of changing the name of a person, and one which fully illustrates the dominant idea of this article, took place with the patriarch Jacob. His original title meant " supplanter," and was expressive of that trickery which cheated his brother out of his birthright, which cropped out in some of his dealings with Laban, and which attended him till he had his Jabbok experience. In his long and desperate struggle with the angel, he finally broke down, was conquered, and frankly and fully confessed his inward defilement. This was succeeded by the impartation of a new nature, and God gave him a new name significant of the radical change which had taken place in his character. Before this event he was but partially saved, now he is saved fully ; was but partially sanctified, now he is sanctified wholly. Before this event he was Jacob, a " supplanter," but now he is Israel, " a prince of God." And this is " written for our learning."

The Scriptures promise to every believer a like change, or the same inward purification, if he will honestly and truly confess his need, and seek the grace. Hence, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." " Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God : and I will write upon him my new name." " Him that overcometh," no matter who he may be, and every Christian, be he naturally ever so feeble, may wrestle with the angel, and overcome, as certainly as Jacob did, and be constituted a pillar in the New Testament Church, nevermore to go out if he remain faithful. He shall have written upon his nature the name or nature of God, and the name of the Church of God, which is heavenly-mindedness, holy relishes, celestial affinities, and every other lovely and winsome quality of the Lamb's bride. He shall have stamped, also, upon his being, the Saviour's own new name, which is Christ, the Anointed One.

When Jesus was baptized, He prayed and saw heaven opened, and the Spirit descending upon Him " in bodily shape like a dove," and remained upon Him. In alluding to this experience, the Saviour said, at a subsequent period, " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor," etc. This anointing gave Him the adorable title, Christ, which, doubtless, He calls His new name, and which He will write upon all believers who will wrestle with the angel of the covenant, and overcome.

Christ is an untranslated Greek word, meaning " Anointed One," and from it the name " Christian " is derived. This is also an untranslated Greek word with an Anglican termination, and means " anointed persons." Hence, no believer is a Christian, in the full New Testament sense of the Word, till he overcomes, and has received the Saviour's own new name, or become an entirely sanctified believer with the anointing of the Holy Ghost.

Oh that God's people might see the desirability and necessity of the new name, and, by the thousands, and multiplied thousands, arise and claim their privilege in the gospel, and take the name " which the mouth of the Lord shall name," " the holy people, The redeemed of the Lord " ! Then would our Zion rejoice in the fulfilment of the prophecy, "Thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."