The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-27
NEW RELIGIOUS FAITH.
The Advent of the "Comeouters" in
South Carolina.
atlanta Journal.

ers.
All evangelical churches sing of
"One far off Divine event,
To which the whole creation moves"
but it does not suit them to sing in
the same choir. Hence there are
many kinds of Methodists, Presbyte-
rians and Baptists, and many kinds of
all other denominations.
IT have looked up the "Comeout-
ers" and find that they are properly
classified as a segment of the Baptist
circle, which, according to A. j. Can
field and other equally good authori-
ties, is composed of about fourteen
different sects.
But this article is to be confined to
a statement of facts in regard to the
Comeouters in Pickens county, South
Carolina, where they were first called
by that name.
That I might be sure not to misrep-
resent this sect, l invited Rev. John
Ellenberg, one of the prominent lead
ers, to tell me of his faith, and the
work of the "Comeouters.'
He began by saying that the name
was term of reproach, but that he
and his sympathizers had no objec-
tions to being called by that or any
other name, so long as they were al
lowed to worship God according to the
dictates of their own consciences, and
to direct a sin-cursed world to Jesus,
the way, the truth and the life.
Mr.. Ellenberg went on to say that
he espoused the cause of the Come
cutters" about three years ago, when
the first active work began in Pickens
County. He SOON became convinced
that their exposition Of the Scriptures
was the only true and satisfactory ex-
position he had ever heard, and the
more he preached it, the better he was
satisfied that it was true.
The "Comeouters' acknowledge no
leader but Christ; they have no dis
cipline but the Bible. They recognize
nothing like session, presbytery,
synod or general assembly; no associ-
alton, and societies or mission boards.
In fact, they have no church roll;
never open or close the doors of the
church, have no clerk, depending
entirely upon the recording angel
to write the names Of true be-
levers in the Lambs book Of
Life, and to blot them out if they
should backslide. They allege that
the church is Gods, and that none
but He can open or close its door, and
that none but He can receive and ex-
clude members, and that He alone can
enforce the Bible discipline.
The "Comeouters" believe in man s
free agency, and when one processes
faith in Christ and shows an expert
mental knowledge Of the truth, the
preacher baptizes him by immersion.
This is taught to be the only Scriptu
raj mode of baptism. If the convert
ever backslides and is reclaimed, he
must be reimmersed. And only such
as are immersed are true and faithful
members Of the church Gof God, as
the Comeouters call themselves.
They preach the doctrine of "the
new BIRTH" and teach that it occurs
among all denominations, but that
none will remain except such as 'ful
fill all righteousness" by submitting
to immersion and having their feet
washed. The foot washing is held to
be as necessary to salvation as INNER
sion, and both are considered indis
pensable.
They further believe and teach that
the day of physical miracles has not
passed-that miracles are as frequent
and necessary to life and prosperity Of
the church now as they were in the
days of the apostles, and that their
wonder and power as formerly is ac
cording to the faith of the performer
and the subject. Faith and prayer is
their pool of Bethesda, and when the
halt, the sick and the blind 90 down
into these waters when they are trou
bled, and do not express the coveted
healing, it is because the angel has
been frightened away by the unbelief
of some one concerned with the per-
formance.
The elders, all of whom are preach
ing and teaching elders, ordain other
elders and deacons wherever and when
ever it seems necessary. The former
look after the spiritual and the latter
the temporal welfare of the members
of the church, but none are allowed
to exercise any authority in the way
Of discipline. The preacher is to look
to God for his support. and if the free
will offerings are not sufficient for this,
then he is to work with his own hands
as Paul did. Mr.. Ellenberg says none
Of them are any better than Paul, and
any of them who are right are as
good.
In explaining his views of the new
birth, Mr.. Ellenberg said that of it.
self was enough to knock up all these
alleged church organizations. Sons
ard daughters do not join families
they are born into them. So the new
birth makes men and women heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ. Here
it was suggested, "Then you believe
in the final perseverance of the
saints?' "Oh, no, said he. "you
were born into the Boggs family, but
you may die out of it. Turning
again to sin is dying out Of the family
of God"
He says the church of God has its
missionaries in all lands, but they do
not cost it a cent. 'They that preach
the gospel shall live of the gospel"
''It is those who preach and teach
something else for boards, societies
and all kinds of machinery to raise
money. The 'Comeouters do not
charge cent, never ask aims. have
no salaries, fees or perquisites, but
distribute among the poor and needy
the free will offerings placed at the
disposal of the deacons. This is the
Gospel of the Son of God, and I nev-
er knew what satisfaction and con-
tentment were till | experienced its
power. l fully believe the Bible, in
the providence of God, will bring all
the world of Christians into this one
church of the living God, into one
faith, one baptism, into 'one mind in
Christ Jesus, and all be members of