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University Library 
 University of California Berkeky 
 
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 e 
 
 Old 
 
 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways 
 and see, and ask for the old paths, where Is 
 the good way, and walk therein, and ye 
 shall find rest for your souls: but they said, 
 We will not walk therein. Jer. 6-16. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN ZAHND 
 
 1920 
 
The 
 Old Paths 
 
 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways 
 and see, and ask for the old paths, where is 
 the good way, and walk therein, and ye 
 ehall find rest for your souls: but they said, 
 We will not walk therein. Jer. 6-16. 
 
 BT 
 
 JOHN ZAHND 
 1920 
 
 PRICE 25ct. EACH 
 OR $2.00 PER DOZEN 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 1 
 
 SIX BLIND MEN 
 
 It was six men of Indostan, 
 To learning much inclined, 
 Who went to see the elephant, 
 (Though all of them were blind), 
 That each by observation 
 Might satisfy his mind. 
 
 The first approached the elephant, 
 
 And, happening to fall 
 
 Against his broad and sturdy side, 
 
 At once began to bawl: 
 
 "God bless me! but the elephant 
 
 Is very like a wall !" 
 
 The second feeling of the tusk, 
 
 Cried: "Ho! What have we here, 
 
 So very round, and smooth, and sharp? 
 
 To me 'tis very clear 
 
 This wonder of an elephant 
 
 Is very like a spear!" 
 
 The third approached the animal, 
 
 And happening to take 
 
 The squirming trunk within his hands, 
 
 Thus boldly he spake : 
 
 "I see," quoth he, "the elephant 
 
 Is very like a snake." 
 
 i 
 
 The fourth reached out his eager hand, 
 And fell about the knee; 
 "What most this wondrous beast is like, 
 Is very plain," quoth he; 
 ' 'Tis clear enough the elephant 
 Is very like a tree !" 
 
 The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 Said: "E'en the blindest man 
 
 Can tell what this resembles most; - 
 
 Deny the fact who can, <C 
 
 This marvel of an elephant 
 
 Is very like a man!" 
 
 The sixth no sooner had begun 
 
 About the beast to grope, 
 
 Than, seizing on the swinging tail 
 
 That fell within his scope, 
 
 "I see," quoth he, "the elephant 
 
 Is very like a rope!" 
 
 And so these men of Indostan 
 Disputed loud and long, 
 Each in his own opinion 
 Exceeding stiff and strong, 
 Though each was partly in the right, 
 And all were in the wrong! 
 
 We have selected the above as a fitting sentiment 
 of expression to demonstrate to the mind of all readers 
 the inconsistencies of religious, political and fraternal 
 divisions of thoughts and action. If the Gospel Law of 
 Christ was put into effect, we would have only one body 
 namely the Church of Christ. Why not comply with 
 His law? 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 2 
 
 TRUTH LAW OF SERVICE 
 
 Love manifesting a perfect and rounded life, is the 
 crown of being and the supreme end of knowledge upon 
 the earth. A man's truth is the measure of his love. 
 Truth is far removed from him whose life is not governed 
 by love. The intolerant, even if they profess the highest 
 religion, have the smallest measure of truth. Those who 
 exercise patience, listen calmly to all sides, and arrive at 
 and incline others to thoughtful and unbiased conclu- 
 sions on all problems and issues of life, they have 
 truth in the fullest measure. Why boast of truth when 
 continually swayed by grief, disappointment, passion, 
 and sink under the first trial that comes to you? Why 
 formulate dogmas and call them truth? Truth cannot 
 be formulated; it can only be experienced by practice, 
 and manifested in a stainless heart and a perfect life. 
 Truth will not be proven by arguments and learned 
 treaties, for if men do not perceive truth in patience, 
 forgiveness and compassion, no words can prove it to 
 them. 
 
 Therefore, cease from vain arguments about truth 
 and think and say and do those things that make har- 
 mony, peace, love and good will. Practice heart-virtue, 
 search diligently for truth that frees the soul from error, 
 sin, and all that blights the human heart and darkens 
 with unending night the pathway of those on earth. Fill 
 the mind with encouraging thoughts as the opportunity 
 comes to you, cause others to see and understand the law 
 of "all things common." Try by the means of na- 
 ture's law around you to educate the mind in deep 
 thought for yourself, then mankind will respect you ; not 
 because of your wisdom, but because in you, through you, 
 above you, and beyond you can be seen the light and 
 hope of a law or condition where the vital test of service 
 to mankind can be set forth, where all can enjoy the 
 heaven of earth, where friends can be true friends, where 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 we can be as one, live as one, dwell together as one 
 family; no rich, no poor, no hut to dwell in, no cast of the 
 slum to deaden the sense of justice; then "The Church 
 of Christ" will be that light on a hill. Yes, dear reader, 
 Zion will then be the pure in heart because of justice. 
 One home for each to dwell in comfort under proper 
 conditions. Law is impersonal, and its highest expres- 
 sion is that of service. When the purified heart has real- 
 ized truth, it is then called upon to make the last, the 
 greatest and holiest sacrifice. It is by virtue of this sacri- 
 fice that the divinely emancipated soul comes to dwell 
 among men, clad in a body of flesh, content to dwell 
 amongst the lowliest and least, and be esteemed the ser- 
 vant of mankind. 
 
 Men immersed in self, who cannot comprehend the 
 goodness that is absolutely and impersonal, deny divinity 
 to all saviours except their own, and thus introduce per- 
 sonal hatred and doctrinal controversy; and, whilst de- 
 fending their own views with passion, look upon each 
 other as being heathens or infidels, and so render null 
 and void, as far as their lives are concerned, the unself- 
 ish beauty and holy grandeur of the lives and teachings 
 of their own masters. 
 
 Truth cannot be limited ; it can never be the special 
 prerogative of any man, school, or nation ; and when per- 
 sonality steps in, truth is lost. Those who give, yet never 
 think of receiving; those who work without regretting 
 the past or anticipating the future, and never look for 
 reward, are they who will crown eternal truth. They 
 will be the saviours of mankind ; they will see the naked 
 and clothe them; they can see the hungry and feed 
 them; and realize the need to give drink to them that 
 are athirst. 
 
 Friends, who can see the bread of life come down 
 from heaven manifested in the example of the Christ? 
 It is written, the earth is mine, and the fulness thereof; 
 if I were hungered, would I ask you, surely we can then 
 see beauty in the law of service. It is given to the world 
 to learn one great and divine lesson, the lesson of unself- 
 ishness. The saints, sages and saviours of all time are 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 those who have submitted themselves to their task. All 
 the scriptures in the world are framed to teach this one 
 lesson ; it is too simple for the world, which, scorning it, 
 stumbles along in the complex ways of selfishness. Then 
 let "The reader learn the lesson of saints and sages by 
 performing His work. Are you doing your part? If so, 
 we will hear from you who are willing to co-operate in 
 this great work of Zion's cause. 
 
 CHAPTER 3 
 
 RICHES SELFISHNESS 
 
 Mark 10:21-31: "Then Jesus, beholding him, loved 
 him, and said unto him: One thing thou lackest; go thy 
 way; sell whatsover thou hast, and give to the poor, and 
 thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up 
 thy cross, and follow me. And he was sad because of 
 that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great 
 possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith 
 unto his disciples: How hardly shall they that have 
 riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples 
 were astonished at his 1 words. But Jesus answereth 
 again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for 
 them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of 
 God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of 
 a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of 
 God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying 
 among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus 
 looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but 
 not with God ; for with God all things are possible. Then 
 Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and 
 have followed thee. And Jesus answered and saith, 
 Verily, I say unto you, There is no man that hath left 
 houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or 
 wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 
 but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, 
 houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and 
 children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 to come, eternal life. But many that are first shall be 
 last, and the last first." 
 
 In quoting from these sayings of Jesus it is self-evi- 
 dent that he did not approve of those who had riches to 
 the extent that they would hold them in selfishness, but 
 rather he plainly outlined the important fact that the 
 things we acquire in this life should be used for the pur- 
 pose of assisting and helping others in the development 
 of better conditions; and in his reference to the "king- 
 dom", it is plain that he referred to a condition to be 
 established by mankind, where neither rich nor poor 
 should exist; but that all might have an equal opportu- 
 nity to receive of the abundance of life. Now, if we had 
 preachers in this day who would use their energies to the 
 end of bringing about this condition, instead of trying to 
 exalt the idea of a life beyond the bounds of time and 
 space, the people would soon find a home in an organi- 
 zed body that would sweep the civilized nations into a 
 body of respect and love to this end. We then hope that 
 all believers in the principles taught by Jesus will unite 
 together and not continue in a divided condition ; unite in 
 union of purpose and thought, as well as acton, for in 
 this only can there be united strength that will attain to 
 the great object and purpose, namely, "The Church of 
 Christ." 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 4 
 
 PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT ALL FEAR 
 
 All the processes of the body are carried on by men- 
 tal energy, the power of thought. This is a fundamental 
 principle of the very highest importance, and one that 
 God's people can all prove for themselves. Think of 
 some delicious morsel of food, the mouth fills with water. 
 Think of bending the finger, and unless stopped by a 
 counter-thought the finger bends. Concentrate your 
 thought intently upon your right hand for a few minutes, 
 and it will begin to tingle and fill with blood. These 
 are very simple experiments, but they prove that the 
 power that produces the effects originated in the mind. 
 For instance, you have learned that good, causing glad, 
 cheerful thinking, makes you feel better and stronger 
 physically. You may know what it is to be instantly re- 
 lieved of bodily feelings of pain, depression, weakness, 
 loss of appetite, and illness, by the receipt of some cheer- 
 ing information ; as to the unexpected arrival of a much 
 beloved relative or friend, which has filled your mind 
 with happy thoughts. 
 
 You have all noticed many times the rapid improve- 
 ment in health and beauty of young people who have 
 made the happy discovery that, in their case at least, the 
 course of true love does run smoothly. You may have 
 experienced this yourself. On the other hand, you have 
 seen the cheeks pale, the eyes dull, the appetite fail, the 
 body waste, and sickness and even death follow as the 
 result of grief, disappointment, fear, shame, hatred, or 
 some other unhappy thoughts. 
 
 First, we shall consider the effect upon the body of 
 thoughts and feelings in general. Second, the effect of 
 thoughts and feelings centered upon the body and its 
 parts and functions. Upon examination of the first 
 group, we find that it is very naturally divisible into two 
 classes : the right thoughts and feelings and their results, 
 and the wrong thoughts and feelings and their results. 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 I clasify these mental attitudes and processes as positive 
 and negative; others are expansive and contractile. It 
 does not matter very much what we call them, so long 
 as we understand what they are, and how to cultivate 
 the right kind and avoid the wrong kind. 
 
 The first and most important of the good, positive, 
 or expansive thoughts is love. In its highest, best and 
 widest sense, love is the foundation of them all and in- 
 cludes them all. He who loves himself, his fellow crea- 
 tures, and his God, will have courage, faith, hope, pati- 
 ence, contentment, peace, self-control, poise, power, 
 purity, cheerfulness, joy, happiness and all the rest of 
 the positives 
 
 This is not a treatise on ethics, or I should take the 
 space to show how this is true. But you will see it if you 
 think it out carefully. Now, careful experimentation has 
 shown that love and the other good mental processes in- 
 crease the quantity and quality of mental energy avail- 
 able for the performance of the bodily functions. The 
 result of this increase is stronger and better action of the 
 heart and other circulatory organs; quicker, keener, and 
 more trustworthy work of the brain and nerves; more 
 rapid, thorough and efficient digesting and assimilation 
 of food by the alimentary canal ; more perfect and more 
 complete elimination of wastes and poisons by the pores 
 of the skin, kidneys and other excretory organs ; greater 
 air capacity, and more normal oxygenation of the blood 
 by the lungs ; and richer, purer and more vital blood, the 
 life stream. 
 
 All this means that the body can do more work with 
 less fatigue, has more vitality, energy, and beauty, and a 
 much higher power of resistance to the inroads of disease 
 when the mental condition is positive of expansive, than 
 when it is negative or contractile. 
 
 Cheapest and worst among all the negative thoughts 
 and feelings is fear; and as love really includes all the 
 other positive thoughts, so fear very nearly includes all 
 the other negative thoughts. The man who has fear in 
 his heart falls very easily into selfishness, worry, hatred, 
 doubt, despair, discouragement, impatience, discontent, 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 anger, intemperance, impurity, melancholy, grief, and 
 misery. These thoughts and emotions are attitudes of 
 mind, and waste and weaken mental energy; paralyze 
 the brain and shrivel the nerves, contract the heart and 
 other blood vessels, hinder and even stop altogether the 
 digestive processes, obstruct the work of the eliminative 
 organs, cramp and restrict the chest and lungs, actually 
 cutting down the amount of air breathed, and impairing 
 oxygenation ; weaken and impoverish the blood, in many 
 cases generating active poisons in the life stream, and 
 thus lower the vitality and resisting power of the whole 
 organism. Fear, suspicion, anger and grief have often 
 worked such havoc in the body that death has followed 
 as a direct and immediate result. These are not theories. 
 They are scientifically demonstrated facts. 
 
 You want to know how to get free from bad, nega- 
 tive contractile thoughts, and how to cultivate the good, 
 positive, expansive kind? There are two ways, and 
 these two are one. They may be stated in two words: 
 Think, Do Let the white light of God flow through you. 
 Say, "I can and I will." Unite with the true body of 
 Christ under the law of all things in common and be se- 
 cure in the one faith. 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 5 
 
 ALL THINGS IN COMMON 
 
 In order that Zion may be established in accordance 
 with the law of our Saviour, it is well for us to consider 
 what this law is, and then apply ourselves to the same. 
 In the 16th Chapter of Exodus, we notice that when 
 bread had been sent from heaven, the common law pre- 
 vailed; and therein we can plainly see that when the 
 bread fell from heaven, that he who gathered much, had 
 little; and he that had little, had all that was needed. 
 In other words, things were held in common and there 
 were neither rich nor poor, under the law of rules which 
 regulated their affairs. 
 
 In the 9th Chapter of Nehemiah we will notice 
 especially in the 20th verse, that God withheld not the 
 manna from their needs ; but gave them land, houses and 
 cities to dwell in. In other words, it is very plain to no- 
 tice, and especially to those who desire to do so, that 
 the common law of all things being equal was to be the 
 order as understood by the prophet. 
 
 In the 25th Chapter of Leviticus we have a definite 
 outline showing conditions which prevailed, and especi- 
 ally in the 9th and 10th verses, the year of jubilee is re- 
 ferred to, when all was again restored and every one 
 received their own. In the 24th and 25th verses we no- 
 tice that the land would be returned even if the heirs 
 made claim for the same. There is no reason to believe 
 that those who are honestly seeking the truth can see 
 here that there was a working system wherein men were 
 about to take the advantage, and to take the property 
 from others, because of their smooth way of speculating 
 and accumulating; and for this purpose every 50th year 
 was set aside when everything should be restored to its 
 original owner, so that justice and equality might pre- 
 vail. In the 31st verse reference is made especially to 
 the money lender; that he should take no usury or in- 
 terest. We can readily see that under this law the bor- 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 rower was not made a slave to the lender, as under the 
 present condition. Today we find that many times the 
 poor pay usury or interest which sometimes verges on 
 to straightout robbery. 
 
 In the 20th Chapter of Mathew, 1st to 60th verses, 
 Christ refers to the kingdom of God, and likens it urvto 
 the laborers who went out into the harvest field or vine- 
 yard and labored for a penny a day. Those who went 
 out in the first hour received a penny. Those who went 
 out in the 3rd hour received a penny. Those who went 
 out to their labor in the 6th and 9th and llth hours all 
 received the same compensation. By this we can readily 
 see that our Lord had no intention but what all should 
 share equally; and when anyone was converted to the 
 Gospel and had yielded obedience thereto, he became as 
 one family of God and shared equally in all things com- 
 mon, inasmuch as he complied with the law of Christ. 
 
 In the Acts of the Apostles, 2nd Chapter, 44th verse, 
 it is plain that under the teachings of the law of Christ, 
 the Apostles recognized this law ; for they had all things 
 in common; and they that had possessions, sold them; 
 and great fear came upon them when they saw how far 
 from God they had strayed, and how short they had 
 come to complying with this great principle of the com- 
 mon law. Again in the 4th Chapter of the Acts, 32nd 
 verse, we notice that they held all things in common. No 
 one claimed anything was his own, and no one lacked, 
 but all had plenty. Again in the 5th Chapter and the 
 1st verse of Acts we notice that when Ananias and his 
 wife kept back part of the price of their possessions 
 which they had sold, they were condemned to death. 
 The fact is, that there can be no inequality in the king- 
 dom of God. There is no individual who can claim an 
 inheritance over and above his brother. 
 
 There has been nothing, nor is there anything in 
 the world to go back of the principles of the Gospel of 
 Christ and the law of all things in common. The spirit- 
 ual and material law should be combined; the whole 
 world should receive the benefits of this law. Zion must 
 be a light, a city set on a hill, so that the radiance of its 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 light will shine by active demonstration, by the people 
 who are willing to carry out the great ideal, so that 
 through this light, not only a few, but the whole world 
 may be saved. Religion that is not for the uplifting of 
 the common masses, is not, and cannot represent the 
 Christ. A condition must be provided under the laws 
 of ALL THINGS IN COMMON, where both rich and 
 poor may find rest. The rich, who are in slavery and 
 bondage but do not know it, should be released from this 
 condition. The poor, who live in the hovel or hut in the 
 dark and damp basement or in the shacks at our great 
 camps, must be taught, must be released. The middle 
 class, as it is termed, who are in sorrow and mourning, 
 afflicted with the disease of unrest and discontent, must 
 have a haven of rest, a release of their condition of bond- 
 age. There can be no faction in religion or the body 
 politic, there must be one body, viz: One Faith, One 
 Lord, One Baptism, One God, who is in you all and 
 through you all and above you all. The Saviour of men 
 came that we might have life, and that more abundantly. 
 
 13 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 6 
 
 JESUS IS COMING 
 
 Do you realize the importance of this great question? 
 that Jesus is coming to the earth again to begin the 
 Reign of Peace and Righteousness, when wickedness, 
 wars and bloodshed on the earth will end? 
 
 It is the one important theme of the Old Testament 
 prophets, and of the apostles. The apostles preached 
 faith in Christ and repentance, that our sins may be 
 blotted out forever WHEN HE COMES; for that is the 
 time when the short-comings of the righteous are to 
 be blotted out forever, and their final redemption ac- 
 complished. 
 
 Before Jesus comes, the Gentile nations of the earth 
 must reach their "times" or "fulness." Their cup of 
 iniquity must be full. The Lord is going to let the so- 
 called civilized nations of the earth reach their limit in 
 sin. They are at war because they have forgotten God. 
 Their secret or hidden sins are many. They have made 
 wonderful progress, harnessing the power that moves 
 the universe, electricity, producing marvelous inventions 
 for the convenience of mankind. We push the button 
 today and it is done. We operate the wireless instru- 
 ment and converse through space across the ocean. And 
 men are taking the credit and glory of all these things 
 unto themselves, saying, We have accomplished all this 
 by our own power and wisdom. They are conducting 
 the affairs of State in their own power and wisdom. 
 They are not looking to God who has blessed and pros- 
 pered them so abundantly for many years past. As na- 
 tions, they have forgotten the God who created them, 
 and there is woe, sorrow and trouble in store for them 
 unless they repent. 
 
 Matt. 16:26-27 He will come in the glory of his 
 Father. 
 
 Matt. 19:28 He will sit on the throne of his glory. 
 
 Matt. 24:3-51 To his apostles, Jesus goes into the 
 
 14 
 
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 details of his second coming, telling them the signs of 
 the times. 
 
 Matt. 25:1-13 Parable of the wise and foolish 
 virgins. 
 
 Matt. 25:14-30 Parable of the talents. 
 
 Matt. 25:31-46 He will judge all people when he 
 comes. 
 
 Matt. 26 :64 **Ye shall see the Son of man sitting 
 on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds 
 of heaven." 
 
 Mark 8 :38 All who are ashamed of him now, 
 "shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh * * 
 with his holy angels." 
 
 Mark 13:3-37 To his apostles, he goes into the 
 details of his second coming, telling them the signs of 
 the times. 
 
 Mark 14:62 He will come in the clouds of heaven. 
 
 Luke 9:26 He will be ashamed of all those who 
 are ashamed of him in this world. 
 
 Luke 12:35-48 Have your lights trimmed and 
 burning when he conies. 
 
 Luke 13 :34-35 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which 
 killeth the prophets * * ye shall not see me until the 
 time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh 
 in the name of the Lord." 
 
 Luke 17:20-37 To the wicked, his coming will be 
 sudden and unexpected. 
 
 Luke 18:27> Little faith on the earth when he 
 comes. 
 
 Luke 19:11-27 The ten talents, gone to receive a 
 kingdom and return. 
 
 21 :7-36 To his apostles, he goes into details of his 
 second coming, telling them the signs of the times. 
 
 John 14:3 His promise to come again and receive 
 the righteous. 
 
 John 14:18 He will come again to the righteous. 
 
 John 21 :28 He will go away and come again. 
 
 John 21 : 2 1-24 If John tarries till he comes again. 
 
 Acts 1:9-11 As he ascended into heaven in body, 
 so will he come again to the earth in body. 
 
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 Acts 3:19-21 His coming is the times of restitu- 
 tion of all things, spoken of by all of the prophets since 
 the world began. 
 
 I Thes. 3:13 Be faithful, unblamable, "at the com- 
 ing of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." 
 
 I Thess. 4:13-18 "We which are alive and remain 
 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to 
 meet the Lord in the air." 
 
 I Thess. 5:1-10 "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, 
 that that day should overtake you as a thief." 
 
 1 Thess. 5:23 "Be preserved blameless unto the 
 coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 2 Thess. 1:7-10 "Shall be revealed from heaven 
 with his mighty angels." 
 
 2 Thess. 2:1-12 That wicked destroyed with the 
 brightness of his coming. 
 
 1 Tim. 6:13-15 Keep the commandment "until the 
 appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 2 Tim. 4:1 He will judge the people at his appear- 
 ing. 
 
 2 Tim. 4:8 A crown for all that love his appearing. 
 
 Titus 2:11-15 His coming is our blessed hope. 
 
 Heb. 9 :24-28 "Them that look for him shall he 
 appear the second time", unto salvation. 
 
 Heb. 10:22-25 Exhort one another to love and 
 good works, so much the more as ye see the day ap- 
 proaching. 
 
 Rev. 16:15 He will come as a thief to the wicked, 
 but blessed are the righteous who watch and wait for 
 him. 
 
 Rev. 22 :20 "Even so, come Lord Jesus." 
 
 The last words in the Bible are these: "Even so, 
 come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
 be with you all. Amen." 
 
 Do you not see, dear reader, how important it is for 
 us to look forward to this blessed hope of the coming 
 of our Lord to establish peace and righteousness on the 
 earth, when wars, sin and wickedness will cease? Broth- 
 er, are you ready for his coming? 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 7 
 
 THE APOSTOLIC OFFICE IS 
 PERPECTUAL IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 
 
 In the Church of Christ we teach that the Apostolic 
 Office was intended to be perpetual. The Apostolic 
 Office comes first; the Prophetic Office, next; the 
 Teaching Office, next. The Church of Christ cannot be 
 Christian, and cannot be universal, unless it is Apostolic. 
 It is our duty to declare that the Church shall be so 
 organized. We have nothing to do with consequences. 
 God will call His Apostles in His Own time and way, by 
 the Holy Spirit, through the Elders in His Church. 
 
 We have the names of the first twelve apostles: 
 Matthew 10:2-4 James, the son of Zebedee, and John 
 his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and 
 Matthew the publican ; James, the son of Alphaeus, and 
 Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the 
 Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 
 
 The thirteenth Apostle was Matthias; (Acts 1:26.) 
 
 The fourteenth Apostle was James, the brother of 
 the Lord. Paul says, in Galatians 1:19: "But of the 
 other apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's broth- 
 er." James, the brother of the Lord, was a new Apostle, 
 because, in the Apostolic Band there were two named 
 James, and neither of them was a son of Mary ; because 
 one was James, the son of Alphaeus, and the other was 
 James, the brother of John; and both James and John 
 were sons of Zebedee. Therefore, neither of the two 
 named James in the Apostolic Band, while Christ was 
 living, was the brother of the Lord. On the contrary, 
 we have the statement in Scripture that after He called 
 the first twelve (Mark 3:21), Jesus' brothers did not 
 believe in Him. He had four brothers (Mark 6:3), 
 James, Joses, Judas (or Jude), and Simon, sons of Mary; 
 and also sisters. These four brothers of our Lord were 
 not believers in Him, apparently, until after His death, or 
 thereabout, when they became believers in Him and were 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 among His diciples in the upper room on the day of Pen- 
 tecost. (Acts 1:14). Paul came up to Jerusalem about 
 four years after that time and found that James, the 
 brother of the Lord, was an apostle. So that the four- 
 teenth Apostle is James, the brother of the Lord. 
 
 The fifteenth and sixteenth Apostles are Barnabas 
 and Saul. "Now there were in the church that was at 
 Antioch certain prophets and teachers ; as Barnabas, and 
 Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucious of Gyrene, 
 and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod, the 
 Tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and 
 fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and 
 Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And 
 when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands 
 on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3.) From 
 that moment they became Apostles. They were sent 
 away as Apostles, and they were called Apostles 
 throughout the whole of the Acts of the Apostles. Bar- 
 nabas is called an Apostle just as much as Paul. Saul's 
 name was changed to Paul. Barnabas and Saul were 
 not elected at Jerusalem to be Apostles; they were 
 chosen by God, and were ordained by Him, through the 
 Elders (Prophets) and Teachers, eleven years after 
 Christ's resurrection, Saul was only a teacher and 
 prophet for ten years after his conversion, and eleven 
 years after Christ's reascension he became an Apostle by 
 the Act of the Holy Spirit calling him out from the second 
 and third ranks of the first three offices of the Church, 
 the Elders and Teachers. Now we have Matthias, and 
 James the brother of the Lord, and Barnabas and Saul 
 four new Apostles who took places vacated by death in 
 the Apostolic Order. 
 
 The seventeenth Apostle was Apollos. In 1 Corin- 
 thians, Fourth Chapter, and sixth to ninth verses, Paul 
 says: "And these things, brethren, I have in a figure 
 transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; 
 that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that 
 which is written ; that no one of you be puffed up for one 
 against another. For who maketh thee to differ from 
 another? and what hast thou that thou didst not re- 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 ceive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, 
 as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now 
 ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I 
 would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with 
 you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles 
 last, as it were appointed to death; for we are made a 
 spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." 
 
 The eighteenth and nineteenth Apostles were An- 
 dronicus and Junias. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my 
 kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note 
 among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 
 (Romans 16:7.) 
 
 The twentieth Apostle was Epaphroditus (Philip- 
 pians) 2:25) : "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to 
 you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, 
 and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he who min- 
 istered to my wants." The word "messenger", in the 
 margin of the revised version, is translated "Apostle", 
 and it ought to have been put in the text. 
 
 The twenty-first Apostle was Jude "the servant of 
 Jesus, the Christ, and the brother of James." He is gen- 
 erally considered to be one of the brothers of our Lord, 
 and is the writer of one of the Epistles in the New Testa- 
 ment, which would have no claim to infallible authority 
 if it were not the writing of an Apostle. 
 
 1st Thessalonians 2:6 unquestionably mentions Sil- 
 vanus and Timotheus as Apostl es of Christ. If you will 
 read the first verse of 1st Thessalonians, the first chap- 
 ter, you will observe that it begins : "Paul and Silvanus, 
 and Timotheus," and then in the sixth verse of the second 
 chapter we have the expression "We (meaning Paul, 
 Silvanus, and Timotheus) might have been burdensome, 
 as the Apostles of Christ." These two would, therefore, 
 make the number twenty-three. 
 
 There is still another Apostle mentioned, namely, 
 Titus in 11 Corinthians 8:23: "Whether any do in- 
 quire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper con- 
 cerning you ; or our brethren be inquired of, they are the 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 messengers (Apostles) of the churches, and the glory of 
 Christ." 
 
 From the above quotations of Scripture, you will 
 observe that TWENTY-FOUR APOSTLES are men- 
 tioned in the New Testament. 
 
 I have given the above information for the purpose 
 of showing unto all those who are interested in the cause 
 of right, and to further verify the fact, that there can 
 be no higher office in the Church of Christ on earth than 
 the twelve apostles. And furthermore, it has been dem- 
 onstrated by fact that the proper manner of choosing is 
 by the casting of lots from among the Elders in the 
 Church of Christ at a general Conference or Assembly 
 of the body. And any church builded upon any other 
 foundation is not the church that was instituted by Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 20 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 CHAPTER 8 
 
 Melchisedek was ordained a Priest (or Elder) after 
 the Son of God, not by decent from father and mother. 
 And all those that are ordained unto this Priesthood are 
 like unto the Son of God, abiding a Priest continually. 
 (See Heb. 7-3). Acts 14-23: "And when they had or- 
 dained them elders in every church, and had prayed with 
 fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom 
 they believed." Titus 1-5 : "For this cause left I three 
 in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that 
 are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had ap- 
 pointed thee." In the above we believe anyone can un- 
 derstand that the office of Elder is the highest order in 
 the Melchisedek priesthood and there is equal authority 
 with the elders, no one having predominance one over 
 another. "And he, Christ, is the head of the body of the 
 church: Who is the beginning, the first born from the 
 dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. 
 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness 
 dwell." Col. 1-18-19.) There can be no other head to 
 the body ; the Church of Christ in Him alone can we have 
 that safeguard to direct us in the right way for many 
 men have devised ways to lead those that do not trust 
 in Him. We must be sure that we are called of God be- 
 fore we assume the authority to represent Him in the 
 things that pertain to our salvation. "But I certify you, 
 brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is 
 not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither 
 received I it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 
 1-11). "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which 
 knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these 
 two Thou hast chosen." (Acts 1-24), and they gave 
 forth their lots : (cast lots) and the lot (vote) fell upon 
 Matthias ; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 
 "And God hath set some in the Church first, apostles, 
 secondarily prophets." (1 Cor. 12-28.) Go ye therefore, 
 and teach all nations, teaching them to observe all things 
 whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you 
 
 21 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 always even unto the end of the world. Matt. 
 (28-19-20). 
 
 In the Church of Christ there are twelve elders 
 chosen by the membership at each annual conference, or 
 sustained if the conference desires, to act as a governing 
 head looking after the church in a general way, giving 
 council and advice. But at any time anyone of said 
 elders would not be approved of by the body in annual 
 conference they would take their regular place among 
 the elders. In Matthew 10-1-4 it is plain that Christ 
 chose twelve men to act at the head of the body and in 
 Acts 1-23-26 and Heb. 3-1 the reference is made pertain- 
 ing to an apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ 
 Jesus; for this man was counted worthy of more glory 
 than Moses, inasmuch as he builded the house, and is the 
 only direct head of the body or the house or church, 
 whose house or church we are, if we hold fast the confi- 
 dence and the rejoicing of the firm hope unto the end. 
 
 Luke 10-1-2. "After these things the Lord ap- 
 pointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two 
 before His face into every city and place, whither He 
 Himself would come." "Therefore said He unto them, 
 The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; 
 pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would 
 send forth labourers into His harvest." Elders may be 
 chosen as seventies, or Evangelists; at each annual con- 
 ference to do missionary work, but when this mission is 
 performed they again take their place among the elders 
 in local work. 
 
 Priests. (Luke 1-5). Men may be chosen to act as 
 priests, to be assistants and associates of the elders; but 
 not to preside, neither to administer in the ordinances of 
 the gospel, except as assistance in teaching, administer- 
 ing the sacrament, or doing pastoral work, as wisdom 
 may direct by the elder or pastor in charge of any 
 branch of the Church of Christ. 
 
 Teachers. In Hebrew 4-11 we find that teachers 
 are provided for in the Church of Christ and we believe 
 that teachers are chosen and set aside both from among 
 competent men and women in the various churches for 
 
 22 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 the teaching of Bible study classes, music or other vari- 
 ous matters pertaining to the work of Christ. They 
 also have charge and oversight of amusements both for 
 the physical good and for the spiritual uplift of the 
 young of the church. 
 
 Bishops. 1 Tim. 3-1-4. "This is a true saying: If 
 a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good 
 work." "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband 
 of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given 
 to hospitality, apt to teach ; Not given to wine, no striker, 
 not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, 
 not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, hav- 
 ing his children in subjection with all gravity." 
 
 You will also notice in Acts 6-1-3 that seven men 
 were chosen and set aside which are to have the finan- 
 cial oversight of the Church of Christ and we believe 
 seven bishops should be chosen who would counsel and 
 direct the material affairs of the church. 
 
 1 Tim. 3-8-13. "Likewise must the deacons be 
 grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not 
 greedy of filthy lucre ; Holding the mystery of the faith 
 in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved ; 
 then let them use the office of a deacon, being found 
 blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slan- 
 derers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be 
 the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their 
 own houses well. For they that have used the office of 
 a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and 
 great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 
 
 We hold that wise men in every church should be 
 chosen, to have charge of the finances and to look after 
 the church property and to make monthly statements 
 and reports to the bishops of all financial matters; and 
 also to see after the poor and needy, and to see that 
 there is no suffering among the membership and to help 
 the bishops in carrying out the order of equality in the 
 church as a whole. Neither bishops nor deacons are 
 chosen as ministers or to look after the spiritual affairs 
 of the church, as their duty is only pertaining to the 
 material and to the business affairs of the Church of 
 
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THE OLD PATHS 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Heb. 5-4-6. "And no man taketh this honour unto 
 himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." 
 "So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high 
 priest." Romans 10-14-15. "How then shall they call 
 on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall 
 they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and 
 how shall they hear without a preacher? And how 
 shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, 
 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the 
 gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." 
 All elders are to be called of God by spiritual manifesta- 
 tion through other elders; but no elder can serve unless 
 there has been a vote of the church in which he holds 
 his membership, and by final approval of the quorum of 
 twelve. 
 
 A general secretary shall be chosen by the annual 
 conference to have charge of the general office of the 
 church. It shall be his duty to keep a general record 
 of the membership, also to keep a historical record of 
 the general church, and to keep a complete file of all 
 matters pertaining to the church as a whole. He shall 
 choose such assistance as is necessary to do his work. 
 
 A church may be organized where twelve or more 
 members exist in one place over 8 years of age. Each 
 church shall choose an elder as their pastor, to have the 
 spiritual oversight of said church; and shall choose a 
 deacon to have charge of the material affairs. Other 
 assistants, as priests and teachers, may be chosen as 
 wisdom may direct. 
 
 The first duty of the various branches shall be to 
 provide homes for each of its members, in order to elim- 
 inate the question of the poor and needy, so equality 
 may be carried out in the common law as fast as pos- 
 sible. The deacon of each church chosen shall make a 
 complete monthly report to the general bishops. The 
 pastor of each church shall make a complete report of 
 the spiritual affairs of the church to the Twelve. Such 
 reports to be made on the first of each month, and to 
 be filed at the general office of the church, as a whole 
 
 24 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 for record. Reports for the Twelve and Bishops to be 
 mailed to the general office. Anyone may become a 
 member of the church by making application to the pas- 
 tor of the church, which shall be sent to the general 
 secretary for approval, and to be passed upon by the 
 twelve. Members will be required to comply with the 
 gospel ordinances, and who believe in the atonement of 
 Christ, and are willing to part with their substance in 
 helping to provide a home for each member of the 
 Church of Christ. Each member must place and keep 
 his membership with the nearest church to his or her 
 place of residence. 
 
 Annual conference shall be held of the general or- 
 ganization once each year, beginning with the first 
 Tuesday in September. Each church shall send one 
 delegate from their membership whose expenses shall 
 be paid by said church. All elders are ex-officio mem- 
 bers of the conference, and may attend and have a right 
 and vote in each annual conference if they so desire. 
 
 Acts 4-32. "And the multitude of them that be- 
 lieved were of one heart and of one soul; neither said 
 any of them that ought of the things which he possessed 
 was his own; but they had all things in common." In 
 order to carry out the common law of equality in the 
 church, the first duty of the membership of each church 
 is providing a home for each member. If in a city, the 
 membership should live in one locality as near as pos- 
 sible, so that their property could best be cared for. 
 The church may provide storehouses or transact any 
 other business that may be for the common good of the 
 church. Each church shall contribute to the general 
 bishops of the church, for the purpose of building up a 
 central locality and in providing for such general church 
 institutions that will work for the good of the whole; 
 for the erecting of homes for the aged, for the widows 
 and orphans, for those that are disabled, for general 
 educational purposes. 
 
 As we have been asked for an outline in bringing 
 together the membership in one body in the Church of 
 Christ, we have submitted the above and ask everyone 
 
 25 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 to join us in carrying out the work of Christ to the end 
 that all may be led to believe and see aright, That the 
 material law and the spiritual law may be one in com- 
 mon. In order to end the autocracy in designing men, 
 who for selfish interests and desires, are moved upon 
 by the impulse of the moment in carrying out a work 
 that is not in harmony with the law taught by Christ. 
 In order to help we ask each member and friend to 
 order and distribute this book as widely as possible and 
 also to help in getting applications for membership, so 
 that the organization may be advanced as rapidly as 
 possible. Trusting and hoping for the final triumph of 
 the gospel law where that unison love and the common 
 brotherhood of men may exist, we send these greetings. 
 Address all communications to 
 
 JOHN ZAHND, Secretary 
 P. O. Box 1022. Kansas City, Missouri. 
 
 26 
 
THE OLD PATHS 
 
 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE 
 CHURCH OF CHRIST 
 
 Date 19 
 
 Your full name 
 
 Kesidence address 
 
 Your age Date of birth 
 
 Are you married? Children, how many? 
 
 Full name of your husband or wife 
 
 What is your occupation or trade? 
 
 What nationality? 
 
 What language do you speak? 
 
 What Church have you been a member of? 
 
 What political affiliation? 
 
 Remarks: . 
 
 Signed 
 
 Town Street No 
 
 County of State of. 
 
 27