The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1910-01-20
6be 5effersontan
A L0y,uan on "HOliness

question
Now want your ideas on Holiness. There
are some around here who claim to have the sec
ond blessing, second work of grace. Some say
they are sanctifed and do not sin any. Now what
l want to know is is it possible to live without
sin? am not able to find anything in my Bible
on the second work of grace. 1t says that we are
saved by grace but it does not say anything about
second grace. You will find very nearly all who
claim to have the second blessing to be Methodist
In faith. 1t is very strange that some of the old
Primitive Baptists Missionary Baptsts don't
ever receive this wonderful blessing.
Wishing you merry Xmas and a prosperous
New Year, am
Very truly, A. B. BELL
Ashburn, Ga, Dec. "a, 1909.
ANSWER.
That's ticlzlish subject to tackle. How
ever, [ will give you my ideas about it.
Some years ago, there was great propa-
ganda in favor of Holiness, or the Second
Blessing; but [ thought that, at present, the
churches were inclined to discourage it.
While | am a poor Judge of individual
character, human nature is an open book to
me. Whenever [ see self satisfied lawyer
doctor, editor, farmer or merchant [ knoqD
that he is man who is going to get passed on
the road. The disconnected, striving, and
therefore groaoinag rival, will leave the COM
placent chap behind. It never fails
To continue to improve, expand and go up
ward, it is necessary to be ever on the racb-
planning, learning, comparing, correcting in
venting, adapting and, often, carrying.
Now, the elemental human traits are not
changed by religion. A man is convicted, in
his own eyes, of being sinner: he realizes
that evil spirits possess him: he repents, and
undergoes change of heart He, thereafter.
wants to live right, and do good; and the
longer he lives IN this qoay, the more beautiful
his nature and his life will become.
But he should aaever claim that he IS O. SAINT
No human being could possibly cease to be hu-
man, aO1ssze alice.
The mere claim of sanctifcation is evidence
of acknowledgements, aohich Is SINFUL In the
very act of claiming infallibility and perfec-
ton, the Christian falls into perilous evil.
1t seems to me that what Christ said about
the pharlsee and the publican, settles the mat
ter.
You let one of those Holiness fellows, who
says that he can no longer sin, undertake to
drive some shoats from the corn-feld back
to the lot; or lead yearling calf to town; or
ride a frlsky horse, under whose tail some
prankish boy has put "cuckleburrs'; or
plough new ground; or blow the camp
ground horn, after some practical Joker has
put soft soap in it; or tumble at his starched
linen shirt for half-an-hour of a cold morn
ing, putting the studs in the bosom of it and
the buttons in the wristbands, and then, after
getting his head through the collar, find that
the laundry has torn the buttonhole out; or
have his hat blown off in town on windy
day, and be compelled to chase it from block
to block, with all the storekeepers standing in
the DOORS looking on, laughing, and shouting
encouraging remarks; or have the village sot
enfold him In brotherly embrace, smear his
face with a slobbery kiss, and then puke on
his billed shirtl