Correspondence
1. “Ε. S.,” Blackheath. We do not exactly like the expressions to which you call our attention; though we can quite believe the person who used them meant what was right. It is important, on the one hand, to keep close to scripture; and, on the other hand, to avoid hair-splitting, or making a man an offender for a word. As to the first of the two expressions, we all know that nothing that men or devils have done could ever tarnish or sully the glory of God; it shines in its own undimmed luster, spite of earth and hell. As to the second expression, we should prefer leaving out the adjective, which certainly does not occur in Luke 12:50.
2. “W. I.,” Dudley. It was essentially necessary that our blessed Lord should be legally, the son of Joseph; virtually, the son of Mary; really, the Son of God; and all three meet in Matt. 1:18, in such a way as to evoke from our souls accents of wonder, love, and praise. We can only exclaim, as we read such a record, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” If our Lord were not legally the son of Joseph, He could not claim the throne of David. If He were really his son, He could claim nothing at all.
3. “Η. I. Α.,” Reading. We take those charming passages in Isaiah in their full force and beauty, as setting forth the ineffable blessedness of that time when our beloved Lord shall reign from pole to pole and from the river to the ends of the earth. How the heart longs for that time as we toil along through this sin-stricken world, where all is so contrary to the spirit and mind of Christ.
4. “Η. H.,” Hobart Town, Tasmania. Your truly kind and encouraging letter came duly to hand. We beg you will accept our warmest acknowledgments. We trust you will receive the volume safely. It was sent as you directed, at least we forwarded your instructions to our publisher. Pressure of work prevents our noticing your interesting letter in detail. The claims of public service leave little time for either reading or writing, beyond what is absolutely indispensable.
5. “Ellen.” We must not expect to find in poetry all the accuracy of systematic theology. We have no objection to the expression to which you call our attention. It simply sets forth, in poetic language, the completeness of the work of redemption. We must not split hairs.
6. “C. C. F. A.,” London. You had better apply to our publisher, Mr. Morrish.
7. “A reader of Τ. N. O.” You will never know what true peace is until you get done with yourself as an utterly ruined, good-for-nothing thing, and rest on Christ’s finished work and God’s faithful word. Self-occupation is your special disease. You want to look off unto Jesus, for this is the divine remedy.
8. “D.,” Cornwall. Your one grand aim should be to ascertain what the mind of the Lord is, as to your path, and to follow that at all cost. Do not sanction, for an hour, what you know to be contrary to the word of God. Study the New Testament, with a single eye. Ask the Lord to teach you, and then follow on where He leads. You have our deepest sympathy; and we can only say, May God Himself guide and sustain you! It might help you, if you could procure a copy of a little book entitled “A Scriptural Inquiry into the true nature of the Sabbath, the Law, and the Christian Ministry.” Also, “The Assembly of God; or the All-sufficiency of the, Name of Jesus.” You can get them by enclosing seven postage stamps to “Mr. George Morrish, 24, Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row, London, E. C.” God bless and keep you!
9. “T. J.,” East Harptree. We must refer you to Vol. X. of “ Things New and Old,” in which you will find a paper on the subject on which you desire light. See page 201.
10. “G. B.,” Essex. Scripture does, most certainly, teach that the unconverted shall stand before the judgment-seat. 2 Cor. 5:10 takes in all, both believers and unbelievers, though not of course at the same time, or on the same ground. The expression “we all,” in chapter v. 10, differs materially from the “we all,” in chapter 3:18. (See Greek.) The latter refers only to believers; the former to both. Our Lord Christ will judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and kingdom. In Matt. 25:31, we have the judgment of the living nations. Rev. 20:11 gives the judgment of the wicked dead. In the former, not one will have passed through death; in the latter, all will have done so. In neither scene have we the Church or Israel as the subjects of judgment. We are somewhat surprised at your question; we have never met with anyone who called in question the judgment of the unconverted.
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11. “S. C,” Islington. 1 Cor. 8:10, 11 teaches us the very solemn truth that if we, by a false use of our liberty, embolden a weak brother to act against his conscience, we, as far as in us lies, cause him to perish, by destroying the action of his conscience toward God. It is of the utmost importance to allow scripture to have its full play upon the soul, and not to blunt its edge by the dogmas of systematic divinity. It is a good thing to open all the chambers of the heart and have them ventilated by the pure air of scripture. We constantly find theology acting as a barrier to interrupt the rays of heavenly light, and hinder their shining in upon the soul. The same authority that says “My sheep shall never perish” warns its against causing a weak brother to perish by a self-indulgent uncharitable use of our liberty; and it will be our wisdom, as it most assuredly is for our moral security, to hearken to the one as well as to the other.
12. “Alpha,” Teignmouth. It would be premature to introduce the idea of the Church, body or bride of Christ, into Matt. 22:1-14. Our Lord gives us in this parable, a similitude, not of the Church, but of “the kingdom of heaven.” To confound these things is to mar the integrity of the truth of God, and involve our minds in much confusion and perplexity. In order to read aright our Lord’s sayings in the gospels we must bear in mind the standpoint of those to whom He was speaking. The time had not arrived for unfolding the doctrine of the Church. It seems to us that your difficulty arises from confounding the Church and the kingdom.
13. “E. J.,” Norwich. We do not believe that Mal. 3:8-10 refers to christian liberality at all. It is our high privilege to consider all we have and all we are as belonging to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. Oh that we realized this more fully, that the streams of christian liberality might flow forth more abundantly to the praise of Him whose we are and whom we are called to serve.
14. “M. J.,” Ryde. The birthright involved all that should have come to Esau as the eldest son: the blessing was something additional. Both had reference to earth.
15. “I. H. S.,” Blackheath. Your note, with the accompanying lines, has come to hand.
16. “An Inquirer.” (1.) We are to believe—even though we cannot understand—that the Holy Ghost dwells in the body of the believer (1 Cor. 6:19), as He also dwells in the body of Christ, which is the Church (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; Eph. 2:21, 22); (2.) 1 Cor. 11:10 teaches that the woman, when praying or prophesying, should have her head covered, as the apt expression of her being in subjection—the Church’s true place. (3.) Most surely, our blessed and adorable Lord Jesus Christ, when He hung on the cross, endured all that was due to us. He endured the wrath of God, which to us would have involved an eternity in the flames of hell.
17. “A Miner,” W. Your letter has interested and encouraged us greatly. Accept our warmest thanks. We can only praise the Lord with a full heart for all you can tell us of His goodness to you. If you will send us your full address, we shall forward you some tracts, with very great pleasure.
18. “A. M.,” London. I am glad you have called my attention to my little book, “Thou and thy House.” I am aware of the use which has been made of it in a recent tract on the subject of “Baptism”—a use which I consider to be aught but disingenuous. With the theory of that tract I have no sympathy whatever; still less with its monstrous statements. I believe the course of some of our friends, in urging on this question of baptism will, unless God in His mercy interpose, lead to most disastrous results. I complain not of any who conscientiously hold this or that view on the subject; but I do complain of those, who instead of preaching and teaching Jesus Christ, are disturbing the minds of God’s people by pressing infant baptism upon them. For my own part—seeing the question has been thus forced upon me—I can only say I have for thirty-two years been asking, in vain, for a single line of scripture for baptizing any save believers or those who professed to believe. Reasonings I have had, inferences, conclusions, and deductions; but of direct scripture authority not one tittle.
I may further add that there is not a word about baptism from beginning to end of my book, “Thou and thy House.”
C.H.M., Ed. “T.N. &O.”
Bristol, Dec. 22nd., 1871.
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19. “Ε.,” Norwich. We should say that the precious word “mercy” would be a most excellent substitute for any or all the words you name.
20. “W. E.,” Wem. According to the New Testament, the Jewish night was divided into four periods, which are described either numerically, as first, second, third, or fourth watch, or by the terms, “even, midnight, cock crowing, and morning.” (Compare Matt. 14:25; Mark 13:35.) These periods terminated respectively at 9 p. m.; midnight; 3 a.m.; and 6 a.m. The reckoning of the hours of the day began at 6 a. m. Thus the third hour would be 9 a. m. and so on.
21. “An Inquher,” Exeter. The Holy Ghost dwells in all those who truly believe in a risen and glorified Christ. Scripture is most distinct as to this.
22. “Inquirer,” Walworth. You will kindly excuse our unwillingness to introduce the subject of your letter into our pages. We have endeavored for the last fourteen years to confine the pages of our magazine to simple truth bearing upon the conversion or edification of souls. To this course, we purpose, by the grace of God, to adhere. If you wait on the Lord, with a single eye, He will most assuredly guide you as to your path.
23. “Ε. T.,” Heytesbury. None but the Lord Himself can guide you. It is far too solemn and sacred a matter for any human interference. Take it into the sanctuary, and there you will get light as to your path. We dare not attempt to give a judgment pro or con. May the Lord guide you most distinctly!
24. “Carrie,” Glastonbury. We would all readily say that it is not a question of bodily attitude in prayer, but rather of the state of the heart—the true attitude of the soul. At the same time, we must confess we like to see people kneel down, when they can. We say “when they can,” because, in many cases, it is utterly impossible when people are so packed together as to be hardly able to move. There is no attitude which so aptly expresses prostration of soul as kneeling. It looks lazy and irreverent to see people always sitting while praying. But we must not judge one another in this matter. Many things have to be taken into account. The Lord looks upon the heart. May He ever find our hearts in the right attitude before Him! This is the grand point.
25. “G. G.,” Warren County, Pennsylvania. Your very interesting communication did not reach us in time for our February issue. It is remarkable that our leading article for this month, though written before the receipt of your letter, should contain so explicit an answer to many of your queries and remarks. We shall only add here that we do not, by any means, believe that, “The mystery of God “ spoken of in Rev. 10 is the same as the mystery referred to in Ephesians and Colossians. We do not see the Church in the four living creatures. These latter are the heads of creation, and they are ever seen in immediate connection with the government of God. We believe that the Church and the Old Testament saints are seen in the twenty-four crowned elders in chapter 4. Not in their distinctive places which is not the object, until we reach the close of the book, when the Church reappears as the bride, and the elders disappear. The 144,000 of Rev. 7 represent the saved remnant of Israel; and the unnumbered multitude are saved Gentiles. Both these companies will come on the scene after the rapture of the saints, which is not formally or distinctly presented at all in the Apocalypse. We deem it a most serious error to place the Church on earth during the apocalyptic judgments. We are exceedingly interested in your letter, it shows a mind much engaged with the things of God. May we inquire in the temple! May we drink into the spirit while we study the letter of scripture! May our studies be carried on in the spirit of worship!
26. “Emma,” Brixton. If you will let us have your full address, we shall send you some papers which may help you.
27. “A Perplexed Inquirer.” What you need is a hearty acceptance of a full Christ, and a thorough surrender of yourself to Him. This we believe to be the true secret of solid peace and joyful liberty—Christ for the heart and the heart for Christ. May all perplexed inquirers know this!
28. “A Brother.” It is but a small thing to say you have our prayers and hearty sympathy. May the gracious Lord strengthen and comfort your precious soul, by His own direct and powerful ministry!
29. “H. W.” The subjects you name have been referred to in our back volumes. Thank you, most heartily, for your encouraging note.
Correspondence
30. “Ζ. Α. Β.,” London. It is remarkable that two of our correspondents, for this month, have called our attention to the same subject, namely, a periodical devoted mainly, if not exclusively, to Sunday school work. We cannot but look upon such a thing as a desideratum—a positive want, at this moment, and we should heartily rejoice to see such a work undertaken by a competent hand. It would, we doubt not, be immensely useful. Sunday school workers could, through such a medium, communicate with one another. Questions might be asked and answered; interesting cases might be recorded; scenes from real life presented; actual experiences given; hints and suggestions furnished as to the best method of teaching the dear children. In short, in a thousand ways, a Magazine of this kind would, we believe, prove most helpful, interesting, and instructive to thousands engaged in this most blessed field of christian labor. As to a title, we should suggest the following, “The Sunday School Worker. A magazine designed for the help and encouragement of all who are engaged in this branch of christian service.” [Communications may be sent, care of Mr. Morrish, 24, Warwick Lane.]
31. “A Christian,” Swansea. All you say is most true, both as to the evil and the remedy; but your communication is too local and personal to appear in a magazine for general circulation.
32. “A. H. F.,” Boyle. It is greatly to be feared that very many mistake their own inclinations for the movings of the Spirit of God—a terrible mistake! It needs much brokenness, self-emptiness, and singleness of eye to discern and follow the precious leadings of the Holy Ghost. As a general rule, we should say that where the glory of Christ is the exclusive object of any act to which we feel led, we may conclude that it is the Spirit that moves us. The Lord is so gracious that we can fully count upon Him to guide, and keep, and use us, where the heart is simple.
33. “L. Μ. Y.” We could not recommend the publication of your lines.
Note.—Want of space compels us to leave a large number of letters unanswered. We have before us, at this moment, a mass of Correspondence which would demand an entire number for replies. We trust our friends will bear with us.
Correspondence
34. “A Young Disciple,” Surrey. Accept our warmest thanks for your truly kind and encouraging letter. The Lord be praised for all you can tell us of His goodness to you, and for the help and blessing you have received through the books.
35. “J. W. L.,” Peckham. Every person is made up of “spirit, soul, and body.” Thus, in 1 Thess. 5:23, the apostle prays for the saints that the whole man may be preserved blameless.
36. “J. H.,” Keswick. Rom. 14:13 is given quite correctly in our excellent Authorized Version, and it stands in fullest harmony with the glorious truth of an accomplished redemption. We must never forget that, while we stand in the free grace of God, we are called to walk in holy responsibility. The two things are most blessedly compatible. “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” And again, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Let us seek to keep these things ever in the remembrance of the thoughts of our hearts.
37. “J. L.,” Bishop Stortford. Most assuredly, all the saints, from the days of Adam downward, shall have part in the first resurrection. We believe that both the Old Testament saints and the Church are seen in Rev. 4; 5, under the figure of the twenty-four elders. They are not distinguished, however, until the close of the book when the elders disappear and the Church is seen as “the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” It will help you immensely in your study of the book of Revelation, to see the transitional character of chapters 4, 5. They show us, most distinctly, where the Church will be during the opening of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, and the pouring out of the vials. There is no mention of the Church on the earth, after chapter 3. We have a numbered company of Jews, and a countless multitude of Gentiles saved, in chapter 7. But the very fact of their being distinguished as Jews and Gentiles proves that they do not belong to the Church at all; for in this latter, as every intelligent Christian knows, all such distinctions vanish.
38. “S. E. S.” Your two poems contain much precious truth, and breathe a very sweet spirit; but they are rather too long for our limited space. Accept our thanks for your truly kind note.
39. “Quartus,” Cheltenham. Acts 10:35 teaches, most clearly, that God accepts all who work righteousness, whether Jew or Gentile. See Rom. 1.
40. “Τ. B. D.,” Exeter. The expression in Heb. 9:28 does not at all apply to the world; but only to believers. It is never said in scripture that Christ bore the sins of the world. “He put away sin.” “The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29.) “He is the propitiation for... the whole world.” (1 John 2) But the moment you speak of sins, it becomes a question of persons, and then we have to do with the counsels of God, and the work of the Holy Ghost in the soul, producing repentance and faith. If Christ bore the sins of the whole world, then the whole world must be saved apart from all question of repentance and faith. In a word, this would involve the heresy of universal redemption. We must carefully distinguish between universal purchase and universal redemption. The former is a most weighty truth; the latter is a fatal heresy. Christ has bought the whole world, and every man, woman, and child therein. Hence the apostle Peter speaks of false teachers, “bringing in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.” He does not say, “that redeemed them.” But this is a wide and a weighty subject, and cannot be gone into here. If you can lay your hand on a little volume entitled, “Notes on Leviticus,” and read chapter 16 it will help you.
41. “A. R.,” Notting Hill. Jer. 3:22 furnishes a precious answer to your question. May the Holy Spirit apply it to your heart!
42. “T. S.,” Otley. Thanks for your kind note and the accompanying card.
43. “Alpha,” Teignmouth. It will help you in your study of the parable in Matt. 22 if you bear in mind the difference between Christians looked at individually, and the Church in its corporate character. Most surely, the guests are gathered in now by the gospel; but the object of the parable is not to set forth the Church, but a certain similitude of the kingdom of heaven. We are truly thankful for the large measure of light which the Lord has vouchsafed to you.
44. “Ε. B.,” London. It must be entirely a question of individual faith. The word is plain, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” If any one says you ought to lay up, he must settle the matter with the Lord Christ. Eph. 4:28 teaches us that the object for which a man is to work with his hands is, not to lay up, but that he may have to give to him that needeth. It is a fine question to put to the heart, namely, which would you rather have, a hoard of money or the living God? A genuine faith will not hesitate long about giving an answer.
45. “E. W.,” Ramsgate. Scripture is totally silent on the point. It seems to us a very unprofitable question. We believe the Spirit in the intermediate state is in the enjoyment of unhindered communion with Christ. It is utterly useless for us to offer conjectures or imagination where scripture maintains an impenetrable reserve. We most fully agree with your mode of putting this subject.
46. “Ν. N.,” Ivy House. Most gladly would we go into your questions were it not that they would carry us into a line of things quite unsuited to our pages.
47. “A Lamb in the Fold,” York. If you apply to our publisher, “ Mr. Morrish, 24, Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row, London, e.c.” he will give you the desired information and supply you with the proper books and tracts.
48. “Bartholomew,” Manchester. The subject to which you call our attention is, no doubt, one of deep interest and real practical value; but it hardly comes within the scope of this magazine.
49. “J. B.,” Huddersfield. Acts 5:30 is perfectly correct as rendered in our excellent Authorized Version. Most clearly, it refers to resurrection. How could it be applied to incarnation, in the face of the words, “whom ye slew and hanged on a tree?”
50. “S. Ε. H.” The Old Testament saints looked forward to a promised Savior. As to Israel, after the flesh, they went through the ordinances and ceremonies of the Mosaic ritual without any spiritual insight into their deep significance. You must distinguish between carnal Jews and true believers.
51. “W. E.,” Wem. We have replied to your question as to the watches of the night. As to your second question, the holy scriptures were buried, as it were, in the cloisters of Rome, in dead languages, until God, in His great mercy, gave them forth in the vernacular tongue. There were MSS in various monasteries and libraries, preserved by the good hand of God until the due time came, and competent hands were found, to make use of them for the blessing of the Church.
Correspondence
52. “Ε. Β.,” Gosport. We judge that a sister might modestly serve in the circumstances which you describe. But, as a general rule, we should prefer having the service discharged by a brother.
53. “E.,” Folkestone. 1 Cor. 3:16 speaks of the Church collectively as the temple of the Holy Ghost. In chapter 6:19, we have the body of the individual believer, as the temple likewise. As to the difference between “the temple” and “the body” compare Eph. 1:22, 23 with chapter 2:19-22.
54. “L. D.,” Ramsgate. It is wholly a question of individual faith.
55. “D. W.,” Norwich. Two correspondents have written on the same point. We judge that the integrity of the figure is duly maintained if an unmutilated loaf, or mass, of bread be laid on the table.
56. “J. Α. Ο. B.” Dublin. It simplifies the matter of the collection immensely to bear in mind that it is for the Lord—that He hath need of it, whether it be to pay for a room for His people to meet in; or for His poor; or for His workmen. It is the Lord’s collection. Marvelous grace on His part, to permit us to be co-workers with Him!
57. “W. L.” John 16:8 refers to the world, as a whole, and not to the work wrought in individual souls. The very presence of the Holy Ghost proved the world guilty of rejecting the Son of God. Many thanks for your most kind and encouraging letter. May the Lord bless you, very abundantly, is our earnest prayer.
58. “A Constant Reader,” Windsor. The sentence which you quote gives a very fair idea of the sense of Gal. 4:4. We are very thankful for the benefit you have received. How good of the Lord to make use of us in helping one another! Oh! that we may ever be vessels fit for His use!
59. “H.,” Ottawa. Both your letters have come to hand, and we beg that you will accept our best thanks for them. It would be impossible, in our limited space, to enter upon the various subjects to which you call our attention. Indeed we should very much prefer sending you a private reply. May the Lord Himself be your teacher and guide in all things! To Him we would very earnestly and lovingly commend you and yours.
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60. “An Unsettled One.” What you want, dear friend, is to look off, entirely, from yourself—your feelings, your exercises, your repentance, yea, and your faith—in a word, from all that has to do with yourself, and rest in a divine work—a work finished on the cross and accepted on the throne. God is satisfied with Christ. Are you? Do you want something more than Christ? Do you want to throw into the scale something of your own to make Christ of full weight? This is the question. The true secret of rest and peace is to be satisfied with Christ. So long as ever you are occupied with yourself, you. will have to subscribe yourself, “An unsettled one.”
61. “Omicron.” Your best plan would be to apply directly to the author himself for an explanation of his meaning.
62. “G. T.” All the leading editors agree in omitting Acts 8:37.
63 “Μ. M.” We do not know of any work to recommend you. May the Holy Spirit Himself open the contents of that precious portion to your soul!
64. “C.” Near Stonehouse. We should know all the facts of the case in order to give an opinion.
65. “J. B.,” Dublin. Your communication, and the answer, had quite escaped our memory. We remember receiving a suggestion as to the subject of the Lord’s coming, and our acknowledging its immense importance; but we do not remember any reference to the subject you name. Pray excuse us in this.
66. “Τ. M. J.,” Boston. We do not believe anything of the kind. We hold it to be fatally false doctrine. We believe that all who die in their sins shall suffer eternal punishment in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Oh! dear friend, beware of reasonings, and let your soul drink in the teachings of holy scripture. Human thoughts are vain. The word of the Lord shall endure forever. To Him and His living ministry we commend you. May He shield you from the fiery darts of the wicked.
67. “Η. T.,” Valence. We can see no connection whatever between Eph. 5:14 and Phil. 3:11. In the latter we have the blessed hope of the Christian ardently set forth by one who was living in the power of it. In the former, we have a solemn call to any who may have sunk down into a dead, sleepy condition.
68. “Ο. Ε. B.” The June number was in print and the proof sheets corrected when we received your communication. As the occasion is passed, it is useless to offer an opinion. We may, however, simply add that all such matters must be left very much to individual conscience before the Lord.
69. “C. C. F. Α.,” Kensington. Your kind package has come to hand.
70. “J. Η. Y.,” Durham. We consider 2 Cor. 6:14-18 a conclusive answer to your question. If that scripture does not govern a man’s conscience, reasoning is worse than useless.
71. “J. T. C,” Pentonville. We quite agree with you; but the subject hardly comes within our range.
72. “S. J. L.,” Shooters Hill. We do not know of any.
73. “H. W.” We could hardly give an opinion without hearing the other side of the story. “Audi alteram partem” is a very excellent motto.
74. “T. D. Ο.,” Newport, Mon. There are four passages of holy scripture which furnish a distinct and definite answer to your question: namely, first, Luke 23:43, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This is as clear as it is precious: “With me in paradise.” That is where “the spirit is during the intermediate state.” Secondly, Acts 7:59, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Here we learn that the spirit will be in the keeping of Jesus during the intermediate state. Safe and blessed place! With Jesus, and kept by Jesus. How precious! Thirdly, 2 Cor. 5:8, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” And fourthly, Phil. 1:23, “To depart and to be with Christ which is far better.”
If it be a question respecting those who die in their sins, Luke 16:22, 23 gives the solemn answer, in our Lord’s own words, “The rich man died and was buried: and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment.” How awful! How truly appalling! What a contrast between the two states! Oh! dear friend, may we be solemnly in earnest in dealing with souls!
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75. “Ε. Τ. L.,” Lake Huron, Ontario. Your first two questions we cannot discuss in these pages; we must leave them entirely with your own conscience in the presence of God. We would merely say, Be consistent—be thorough— be out and out. If a thing is right, be in it and support it, with your whole heart and soul. If it is wrong, be out of it, once and forever. With respect to your third question, we hold the eternal Sonship of Christ to be a great cardinal and fundamental truth of Christianity. Our Lord Jesus Christ only became Son of man at His incarnation; He was Son of God from all eternity. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” He must have had Him, else He could not have given Him, and this proves, at least, His Sonship previous to incarnation. Study Pro. 8. Thanks for your kind suggestions as to the answers to correspondents. If we were to insert all the questions, we should, not infrequently, require a double number for that department alone. Sometimes we are obliged to reply, in a line or two, to questions filling three or four pages.
76. “Τ. B.,” Ventnor. The Holy Ghost has given us the three grand distinguishing titles, namely, “The Jew, the Gentile, and the Church of God.” Alas! that which calls itself the Church of God has become a corrupt thing— a vast mass of baptized profession. But clearly that which is called Christendom is no longer viewed as being on Jewish, or Gentile ground, nor will it be judged as such, but according to the profession which it takes up. Hence the appalling solemnity of Christendom’s position. We believe it, beloved friend, to be the most terrible moral blot in the wide universe of God—the master-piece of Satan and the destroyer of souls. Oh! the awfulness of Christendom’s condition—the awfulness of its doom! No human language can set it forth. May all who truly belong to the Church of God be enabled to yield a calm, clear, decided, and consistent testimony against the spirit, and principles and ways of that terrible thing called Christendom.
77. “E. F. G., Cheltenham. Thanks for your note and the accompanying lines. Your second communication is also to hand. It is not in our power to insert the twentieth part of the poetry sent to us. Our friends must not be offended, therefore, when their verses are omitted.
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78. “Μ. Η.,” Twickenham. The speaker in Zech. 13:6 represents the Messiah. He, truly, was “wounded in the house of his friends.”
79. “M. C,” Canada. If you can pursue the calling with a good conscience—if you can practice it to the glory of Christ—if you can ask God’s blessing upon it, then, by all means, go on with it; if not, give it up. It must be a matter between your own soul and the Lord. It. could, in no wise, touch the real merits of the case, or adjust the moral balance of the question for your soul, were we to answer in the affirmative, or in the negative. The grand question would still have to be asked and answered, “What is the mind of my Lord?” Oh! when will Christians learn the precious secret of taking all their questions into the sanctuary of God to get them answered there?
80. “G. I.,” Wandsworth. It does not fall in with our line of things to enter upon such questions as you propose. We are not aware of any “rule” on the subject.
81. “L. W.,” Poole. Thanks for your interesting letter. The Lord be praised for all you can say of His goodness. We do praise Him with you, dear Mend, and pray that He may sustain your spirit.
82. “M.,” London. You have our full sympathy in your exercises. May the Lord lead you into His own blessed peace. If you can lay your hand on a little book entitled “Peace in Believing,” by our late beloved and valued friend William Trotter, we feel sure it will help you as it has helped many. We should be delighted to send it to you, if we knew your address; but you can get it at our publisher’s for two pence.
83. “A. M.” Your MS has come duly to hand.
84. “J. A. S.,” Oxford. The two expressions give us two distinct aspects of one and the same thing. 2 Corinthians 8 refers to the collection for the poor saints which has to be so ordered that no occasion might be given to any who might seek it. It is of the utmost importance that Christians should manage all their money matters in a clear, straightforward, upright manner, so as not to cause any reproach to be cast on that holy Name by which they are called. May we all exercise ourselves to have always a conscience void of offense both toward God and man.
85. “L. Η. E.” We must refer you to our answer given above to “ M,” London. May God’s Spirit work true faith in your soul! Oh! how simple it is when He does it! Faith is believing what God says, because He says it. 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, and Rom. 10:9, 10, tell you what and how to believe in order to be saved.
86. “G. Ε. T.,” Hoddesdon. We are expressly told, in Matt. 25 that the condemned nation “should go away into everlasting punishment.” This is as plain as it is solemn.
87. “Ε. Β. B.,” Stratford, Connecticut. Accept our best thanks for your kind note and the accompanying little book. The latter we have not yet had time to peruse; but we doubt not it will prove helpful to all engaged in the blessed work of teaching the young, whether in Sunday schools or day schools. May God bless you and make you a blessing!
88. “J. K. or B.,” Toronto. I am not quite sure of your second initial. Scripture is silent on the subject you name. Heb. 12:1, does not refer to disembodied spirits as being now “ witnesses “ of our ways, but to the various old testament saints referred to in chapter 11. As to Revelation 2:9, we apprehend there must be some mistake, inasmuch as there is no allusion whatever to disembodied spirits in the passage. We most surely believe that we shall know each other in the resurrection-state, but as to spirits, recognizing one another, the word is silent. It seems to us to be more a matter of pious sentimentality than of solid christian faith. Accept our warmest thanks for your most kind, interesting and encouraging letter.
89. “E. J. T.,” Melbourne. Will you kindly accept this mode of acknowledging your most welcome letter? We are unusually pressed just now; but we long to assure you of our deep and hearty interest in all you tell us, both as to yourself, beloved brother, and as to the Lord’s work around you. His holy Name be praised! Give our warmest love in Christ to all the beloved friends in Melbourne and Adelaide. May His richest blessings rest upon you all!
90. “G. K.,” Hull. We had so fully gone into the subject of 2 Cor. 5:10, in a series of articles in volume x. on “the ministry of reconciliation,” that we hardly deemed it needful to refer to it again. We believe that that weighty passage sets forth the broad fact that all, both believers and unbelievers, shall be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ; but not at the same time. But see the article named above.
Correspondence
91. “An Enquirer, “Newbury. We cannot at all agree with you in your remark that, “It appears a yea and nay gospel” to call upon men to believe. Our blessed Master called upon men to “repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15.) And when asked by the men of His time, “What shall we do that we might work the works of God?” His reply was, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28, 29.) Again, He challenges the Jews with this pungent, question, “ If I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” (John 8:46.) Then, when we turn to the Acts of the Apostles we find Peter calling upon the Jews to repent and be converted. We find Paul telling the Philippian jailor to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He tells the Athenians that “God commandeth all men, everywhere to repent.” We read in 2 Thessalonians that our Lord Jesus Christ will take vengeance on them that obey not the gospel, and further that “God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth.”
Now, we must confess it seems to us a very serious thing, in the face of all these passages, to call it, “ a yea and nay gospel” to press upon men their responsibility to believe. But the fact is, dear friend, your difficulty is occasioned by the influence of a one-sided theology—a system which we can only compare to a bird with one wing or a boat with one oar. When we turn to the sacred page of God’s word, we find the truth, not one side of truth, but the whole truth in all its bearings. We find, lying side by side, the truth of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Are we called to reconcile them? Nay, they are reconciled already because they are both set forth in the word. We are to believe and obey. It is a fatal mistake for men to frame systems of divinity. You can no more systematize the truth of God than you can systematize God Himself. Let us abandon, therefore, all systems of theology and schools of divinity, and take the truth. There is not a single theological system under the sun that contains the truth. All may contain some truth, not one contains all. And very often you find that whatever little truth the system contains is misplaced and turned the wrong way, to the serious damage of truth as a whole, and the stumbling and injury of souls. Every day we live we are more and more struck with the vast difference between the dogmas of divinity and the heart—the word—the Christ of God.
Correspondence
92. “Τεχνίτης.” If you can undertake such things as you name, to the glory of God, and in the name of Jesus, then by all means go on with them. Christ is the one grand touchstone for everything, and if we could only use Him as such, it would solve a thousand difficulties, and answer a thousand questions. Oh! to be able to say, “To me to live is Christ.”
93. “Sherborne.” Though agreeing in the main with your view of the subject, we do not judge it advisable to insert your paper. It would not promote the object we desire ever to keep before us in this work.
94. “ J. R. H.” The various passages you refer to, seem to show that the Lord’s supper was celebrated in the evening; but we do not see any principle involved in the matter.
95. “J. E.,” Canada. Your questions hardly fall in with our line of things. They would be more suitable for a private communication.
96. “Η. H,” Halifax. 1 Peter in. 19, refers to the preaching of Noah. The Spirit of Christ, in Noah, preached to the people whose “spirits” are now “in prison” because they did not believe the testimony.
97. “M. A. W.,” Peckham. Your affecting little narrative is hardly suitable for us; but if you wish, we can forward it to the publisher of “Good News.” From a sentence in your note, we rather judge you intended your paper for that publication. However, we shall await your instructions.
98. “A. B. C,” Teignmouth. Sins are atoned for. Persons or things are redeemed. Christ has atoned for our sins. He has redeemed us; and He has redeemed the inheritance. He has done both by the same precious bloodshedding, blessed forever be His holy Name!
99. “G. F.,” Brighton. If you could procure a copy of “Lectures on the New Testament Doctrine of the Holy Spirit,” by W. Kelly, it will help you much. It is published by W. H. Broom, Paternoster Row, London.
100. “M. J.,” Dublin. The four leading editors, Griesbach, Scholz, Lachmann, and Tischendorf, agree in omitting Acts 8:37. This is a simple fact. You ask us, “Why do they?” We reply, Because, no doubt, they judged it ought not to be inserted.