Elder Moses D. Denman On Means

Elder Moses Denman was born in Georgia but labored mostly in Texas. He had other writings that I have not been able to find on the Internet.

Here is what Denman wrote (see here), showing his belief in Gospel means, the original view of the first "Primitive Baptists" (emphasis mine):

"LED BY THE CARNAL MIND, some misrepresent Election by supposing two young men trained by the same parents under the same influences; and that one of them is wicked and dies in unbelief cursing God, yet being one of the elect he is seated in heaven. Now this is a very unfair or unscriptural view of Election. For the Bible plainly teaches that “the wicked shall be cast into hell,” and that God has chosen us “that we should be holy.” Thus, you see, none of the elect ever die while unchanged or wicked, for they have been chosen to holiness. Hence, Election or God’s choice includes the New Birth and belief of the truth. II Thess. ii. 13. So instead of the elect dying in unbelief cursing God as unfairly supposed, we here find that God has chosen them to be changed and to walk in good works. Yes, poor, trembling one grieved by sin, though you feel unworthy, God has chosen you to be brought by the Spirit, through sanctification and belief of the truth of salvation. With like unfairness the natural mind supposes that the other boy lives righteously, believes and loves God, and dies praying to the Lord for mercy; and yet not being one of the elect, he is sent to hell. But this as in the other case, contradicts the word of God. For instead of loving, praying believers being sent to hell, the Bible plainly declares that “Every one that believeth is born of God,” I John iv. 7; and “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life,” John iii. 36; and “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. x. 13. Here we see, all who believe and love God and beg Him for mercy have everlasting life, are born of God, and shall be saved in heaven according to the election of grace." (Elder Moses D. Denman, “Election” (late 1800s), published posthumously in Religious Writings of Moses D. Denman (1907)