Holly Springs Church
MISSISSIPPI, Marshall County, May 10, 1836.
Brother Campbell
I have been living in the Chickasaw Cession a year since
February last, and know but little that is doing in the
world out of the bounds of our immediate
neighborhood-having heard no proclaimers of the ancient
gospel - seen but few paper or periodicals of any kind. The
all-absorbing question here is, “How am I to obtain the
greatest quantity of land?” Very few appear willing to
wait, relying on the promise of future inheritance, or to
render obedience to Him who has said, "My kingdom is not of
this world."
Not long since I attended a call of some of the brethren at
Holly's Springs, now the county seat of Marshall county,
where a church was constituted of' upwards of twenty
members, who there and then agreed to meet every Lord's day
for the purpose of reading the Word, prayer, praise,
breaking the loaf, &c. I have since learned they
continue steadfast. I think it highly probable that this is
the first church constituted in the bound of the purchase.
As usual, great exertions are made by the different sects
to gain foothold; and almost the first effort is to warn
the people against the hideous monster “Campbeilism" - the
next is to raise a storm and direct the frightened souls to
some method of obtaining religion not sanctioned in the
Scriptures. I am astonished at the ignorance of the most
learned - the best read of their teachers. What exertions
do they use - what labored zeal to prevent their hearers’·
inquiries from resting upon salvation by works; while, at
the same time, they are building up a system of salvation
by works - under the idea of salvation alone by grace.
T o me it appears plain that God has, in the person of his
Son, provided all things necessary for the salvation of man
- nothing too much - nothing deficient. To believe the
report, and to receive it as now presented, is all that is
requisite. Their immediate submission to the authority of
the Messiah as evidence of genuine faith, brings the full
assurance of pardon and acceptance with God. I have been
charmed with Matth. xi. 28-30. "Come unto me," &c. How
often has it been the cry of the inquiring soul. 'Lord, I
would come, but I know not how; I have followed all the
directions of my spiritual guides - but, alas! all my
endeavors are vain-all have proved abortive.' The Lord may
reply, 'You are seeking rest in an unauthorized way;' "Take
my yoke upon you," first, then - "learn of me" - rest to
your soul will necessarily result. If this is
"Campbellism," I exult in it.
If I had youth on my side and ability, I should rejoice to
be the bearer of the glad tidings to my dying fellow-men. I
am old - my days are nearly numbered; but I do rejoice that
the day is not far distant when the light that now shines
above our horizon shall arise in mid-day splendor, consume
the man of sin, and deliver from his charm the bewildered
votaries.
May the God of Jacob, brother Campbell, be your stay and
support! Remember us at the King's throne.
Yours in Christian Hope,
JAMES N. BROWN
Millennial Harbinger, N VIII, Vol. VII, 1836, 382