(CLICK HERE FOR TABLE OF CONTENTS) THE OLD-PATH PULPIT: A BOOK OF ORIGINAL DOCTRINAL SERMONS. BY F. G. ALLEN. A new edition without change from the original manuscripts. NASHVILLE, TENN.: GOSPEL ADVOCATE PUBLISHING CO. 1940 CONTENTS (Click on highlighted title to go to sermon) SERMON I. PAGE The Principles and Objects of the Current Reformation ......9-36 SERMON II. The Church of Christ ................................37-57 SERMON III. The Doctrine of Balaam ...............................58-81 SERMON IV. The Beginning ......................................82-106 SERMON V. The Great Salvation ................................107-123 SERMON VI. Walking by Faith. ..................................124-141 SERMON VII. The Lord's Additions ...............................142-160 SERMON VIII. Our Strength and Our Weakness. .....................161-179 CONTENTS. PAGE SERMON IX. The Divine Drawing ................................180-202 SERMON X. The Will of God. ...................................203-219 SERMON XI. The Witness of the Spirits ...........................220-236 SERMON XlI. The New Birth: Its Nature and Necessity ................237-255 SERMON XIII. The Obedience of Faith. ........................... 256—271 SERMON XIV. The State of the Righteous Dead ......................272-290 SERMON XV. Paul's Experience in Paradise .........................291-308 SERMON XVI. Future Recognition. .................................309-325 SERMON XVII. Our Position: Its Safeness and Strength ............... 326—336 SERMON XVIII. A Farewell Talk ...................................337-350 PREFACE. THE AUTHOR. Frank Gibbs Allen, whose name and life have long been associated with "the old paths," was born March 7, 1836. near LaGrange, Oldham County, Kentucky. From early day as a farm boy, he was a leader in his community. Reared by pious Methodist parents, he developed in leadership in that denomination. His companion, formerly Miss Jennie Maddox, to whom he was married in September, 1856, was a member of the church of Christ, and through her influence he became a Christian. being baptized for the remission of sins by William Tharp of Middletown, Kentucky. From that day, F. G. Allen became a champion of New Testament doctrine, and forcefully proclaimed by pen and word of mouth the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and his life ever reflected the reality and value of Christianity. Alone, and with little financial strength, Brother Allen began the publishing of "The Old Path Guide" at Louisville. Despite the handicaps so common in religious publication work, the effort was a success and the influence of its sponsor was ever felt through its pages. This monthly magazine later was merged with "The Apostolic Times" of Lexington, but F. G. Allen still remained the dominant figure. His school and college preparation, comparable to the highest attainments of our day, and earned the hard way (without the grace of finance), contributed to his mastery of the scriptures and was such as to make its possessor an outstanding character for many years even now his works follow him. In what is thought to be his peak of maturity and labor of love, tuberculosis fastened itself upon him, and he departed this life on January 6, 1887, from Trimble County, Kentucky. THE BOOK. One year before the death of F. G. Allen, the book of "Original Doctrinal Sermons"—more commonly known (vii) viii PREFACE. as "The Old-Path Pulpit"—was completed and published. It was popular from the beginning, and worn and used copies today are in great demand. We are bringing into being again this masterwork, which has long since been out of print, and which book from the distant past remains one of the best-known, most reliable, and greatly loved volumes. The original content, unchanged in this new edition, was prepared "at a time" when the author "was almost prostrated witch a fatal disease, and heavily burdened with editorial labors." But these trying difficulties were but the necessary stimuli to bring realization to the author that "if the work was to be done at all it must be done quickly." Therefore, selecting such subjects as he thought "would do the most good in the future" and such "doctrinal sermons as are not commonly preached by others," he set about his task with the fundamental principles of Christianity as his leading interest. The author cared not for the silvery trimmings nor the golden eloquence of the messengers—and yet there was ever with him a simple loveliness, a mark of loyal sincerity, and a glow of godliness both in life and sermon. Even the casual reader will recognize the value of this volume of sermons, and the thoughtful student will be blessed immeasurably by the content. THE DEDICATION. This volume was originally dedicated, by the author, "to all preachers of the gospel of Christ who love the 'old paths' and desire to walk in them," and we send forth this new edition with the hope that it will prove a blessing indeed to all who consider the teachings of its pages and especially those who are responsible in teaching efforts. L. O. SANDERSON, Gospel Advocate Company. THE 0LD-PATH PULPIT. SERMON I. THE PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTS OF THE CURRENT REFORMATION. Delivered before the Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention, Lexington, August 27, 1878, "I am doing a great work', so that I can not come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" – - Nehemiah vi:3. THIS is the language of Nehemiah, the servant of God, to the delegation sent to him by Sanballat and Geshem, asking him to meet them in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono, to hold a council together with reference to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. 'In order that we may understand the force and significance of this language, it is necessary that we understand something of the circumstances under which it was spoken. It has an interesting and important history underlying it; and to this your attention is first directed. It is the history of the REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM BY NEHEMIAH. Those of you who are Bible readers, and I presume that most of this intelligent audience are, remember (9) 10 THE OLD-PATH PULPIT. that when the Jews were carried away into Babylonian captivity, some of the poorest of the land were left for vine dressers and husbandmen. These continued, with their posterity, in the land of their fathers. During the whole of the captivity, therefore, there were some Jews in and around Jerusalem. It will be also remembered that during the captivity, a Jew might, by the special favor and providence of God, obtain a high position of trust and honor in the Persian government, such as we find in the case of Daniel, and that of Nehemiah. Now it came to pass that during the latter part of the captivity, Nehemiah, a man of whose previous history we know nothing, obtained great favor in the eyes of the King, Artaxerxes; so that he enjoyed one Of the first positions of confidence and honor in his government—that of cup-bearer to the King. While occupying this position, he came into the presence of the King on one occasion with a sad countenance. This was both unbecoming in the King's court, and dangerous; hence we infer that his grief was too intense to be hid. The King saw at once that he had some great sorrow at heart, and immediately asked him the cause. Nehemiah told him that one of his brothers and other Jews had come down from Jerusalem, and he had inquired of them the condition of the Jews that had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and of the condition of the city of Jerusalem. From these he had learned that the remnant that were left of the captivity were in great affliction and reproach, and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and her gates consumed with fire. Consequently: he said: "Let the King live forever; why THE CURRENT REFORMATION. 11 should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?" In the kindness of his heart, the King asked Nehemiah what he could do to alleviate his distress. Then Nehemiah, forgetting all selfish considerations, and prompted by the holy patriotism of his heart, having previously taken the whole matter to God in prayer, in answer to which this favor was granted, asked permission to go over into the land of Judea and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This was granted, and Nehemiah had placed under his command a small force for the accomplishment of the work. With this little band, he came over to the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah kept his own counsel. He told no man of the purpose that God had put into his heart. He selected a few reliable men, and with these he went by night and took a survey of the city. The moon must have been riding high in the heavens, and pouring the light of her full-orbed splendor upon the ruins of the "City of the great King," as Nehemiah beheld and described them. The city was in silent slumber; fit emblem of the slumber of the glory of Israel. As an indication of the utter ruin of the city, when Nehemiah came to the gate of the fountain, and to the King's pool, the beast on which he rode could not pass for the debris that filled the way. Having thus made himself thoroughly acquainted with the condition of the city, he matured his plans, and immediately set to work to rebuild the walls, and restore the place of his fathers' Sepulchers to its former grandeur and glory. He then revealed to his men the purpose of his heart, and how, through the Divine favor, he had obtained a commis- 12 THE OLD-PATH PULPIT.