Greatly, beloved, do I long that all the Lord's people—especially that we in New Zealand-may learn and, be able to give account to ourselves and God, as to the objects and motives; which we are acting upon; and as to those, too, which led us, into our present positions. Many, I know, came hither before they were converted, and many came as children, and many were horn here. These things will affect the inquiry, with each one, I grant: but even then we do well to compare our objects in life, the motives, and habits, and desires, and ways, with God's standard, raised in the acts and epistles, of what the believers should be;—and to see how far we walk as the blessed Lord walked when he was on the earth (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)). That is the measure for all saints to measure themselves withal. And wheresoever there have been changes for the which we are responsible, as from England to New Zealand, or to Australia or Tasmania, and thence hither; or from one province or part of a province to another, how far have human mind and will, how far has the thought of bettering ourselves in life and circumstances taken a place in the movement? And how far can we say: the Lord was first in the movement? He moved and we moved, consciously in obedience, after Him.
Unbending decision, or pusillanimous fickleness are of the flesh,-they live and act in the material world, and aim at self-exaltation, or self-preservation. Dependent obedience upon ' God, faith in Christ, and the guidance of the Spirit, give both humble firmness and meekness, like Christ's. These things lead heart and mind above, and forward to glory, in self-denying devotedness and in the patience of hope.
I have been much struck with the confessions of many in this hemisphere, when giving me the details of their past days and experience. Many have said that had they taken up their case soberly and earnestly before the Lord, ere they left the first spot, they would not have been where they are. Many, too, have confessed how on their arrival they did not seek the guidance of His eye, and so had to be held in with bit and bridle like the horse and the mule that have no understanding. (Psa. 32) To depart from God is seed of a bitter crop. It was mixed motives which led. Lot, and lead many now-a-days, into places of sorrow, and conflict, and chastening. It is the first step in any course which is the greatest mistake of all, and leads us on to all the rest. I doubt much whether we who are out here are living as dwellers in heaven, and in the vision of the gospel of the glory of Christ, as our common Lord desires us to be. The power of things material and present is what we have to contend with, and the battle of life is strong with many of us: but, if we abide in Christ, and walk in the Spirit, we shall find the power of spiritual things and things to come stronger still, and able to buoy us up and enable us always and at all times to abide under the banner of the Lord, where He is and when! His own are hidden and sheltered. Lot moved at first under, and according to, Abram's measure of faith; and with him left the old country. Abram's faith became clearer and clearer, for his trust was in Jehovah, and if in mind and desire he had renounced everything to trust in Jehovah alone, his faith grew: he left himself and circumstances to the Lord. Lot trusted for himself to Jehovah, but thought too habitually of himself bettering his circumstances. God's thought was to better Lot's self, and He used Lot's circumstances to show him the folly of planning for himself in his circumstances-he lost all but his own soul, even confidence in God. Abraham gave, up everything to trust in the Lord, and prospered: Lot sought his own and lost all. Poor Jacob was another instance; he, Jacob, planned how to help God to make good promises which He had given. What a scene that is at Jabbok! ere he lost the name of Jacob and became, as one praying, Israel. A prince with God and not a tripper up, or supplanter.
B. " I fear," (said one B. to me, V.); "you find us immigrants very self righteous."
V. " That did not strike me as the distinctive peculiarity. What has struck me with, surprise is-as a new comer among you, How little do these realize and present to my soul the spiritual perception and power of the presence of God. But I think I can account for it. If I had been wrecked coming out here, and but just escaped to shore, I suppose I should have felt and said Thank God.; if all else is lost, He is left to me (even the God. and Father of our Lord. Jesus Christ). But when it came to my having to face the difficulties of my new circumstances, the energy required might make me soon lost amid my material circumstances." Having food and raiment let us therewith be content.
If my energy is drawn from within myself, it will bring with it worldliness and selfishness, and leave the door ajar for Satan. Thus I (the creature) get a large place. If, on the other hand,
I draw energy from inside of Christ crucified and risen (as had Paul to do, 2 Cor. 12:8-108For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8‑10), and 1:8-10), then heaven and Christ and a Father's love fill me; but I know how very little I myself am: and I mind heavenly things and care for them alone.
I should not say as you do, "self righteousness”: but too large development of creature (or of the first Adam) character; at the expense of Christ's having us, through resurrection-life, as. His witnesses in all self mistrust, gentleness, moderation, love, brotherly love and pity toward the world around us.
So far as to ourselves and difficulties from around arising man's things; a word now as to difficulties as to worship.
The first distinguishing feature of the Church of God is her oneness.
As one wrote lately: When I was bowed down (with the subject of the many churches now on earth), and distracted in mind—a truth (new to me, yet taught in Scripture) first burst, in upon my mind, viz. that " the Church of God is one and but one-in whatever place, at whatever time found, from Pentecost when she was formed, till her removal from the earth (to make way for the root and offspring of David's kingdom) the church is but one. The truth seemed full of light and glory."
This is, I suppose, what is meant by the old term " Catholic [that is, universal] Church." Another truth followed thereupon,—that God's Church is His House, (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15); Heb. 3:66But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6); 1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)); His dwelling place, (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17); Rom. 8:1111But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11); 1 Cor. 3:1616Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16); 2 Cor. 6:1616And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Corinthians 6:16); Eph. 3:1717That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17); 2 Tim. 1:1414That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)); His habitation (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22).) upon earth, from Pentecost, until she be removed by God to Heaven. God the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost to abide as the Paraclete (or Comforter) church (John 14:16-1816And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16‑18)) and He remains on earth-as we see (Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)) when the Lord's voice says " I am the root and offspring of David,-the bright and morning star." Then, "the Spirit and the Bride say, Come." This is still future.
I am startled and often surprised to find how many therefore' who would admit and own that God, dwelling between the Cherubim, made the tabernacle in the wilderness-journey Israel to be a very holy place and to be greatly, honored; and how God, dwelling afterward in the temple, when Israel dwelt in the land, gave it, too, a peculiar sanctity-who yet think little of how God, dwelling among His people in the church, gives dignity, and should fill the soul with awe before Him when we are met in this His habitation. Alas! I must further add, How many of us are there of whom this is true, that we do recognize ourselves as His company, and therefore as those whose souls, (if not our hearts) are living, through faith, in the Lord Jesus up there on the throne of the Majesty in the highest; and through faith in the Spirit sent down from the Lord on high to among us, as those who are living with God and so to Jesus Christ? He is the living and true God, and we are in the light of His presence.
To return for a moment. I am not surprised at the delight produced in the soul of a believer by the first ray of light-of the oneness of God's church, the fullness or complement of that-.body' of which. Christ is already the glorified head (Eph. 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)) in heaven. Spoken of and first predicted by Christ in Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18), and 18:17-20, it was formed first of all, brought into being by the coming down from heaven, on the day of Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit, to make the disciples whom Jesus loved; and who in love to Him waited for the promise of the Father, His abode. In various aspects is it looked at in Scripture as—
1. "The habitation of God, through the Spirit." (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22).) A holy temple in the Lord (v. 21). See also the same truth referred to in connection with His indwelling in apostles and saints: John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)-He dwelleth with you and shall be in: you; and Rom. 8:1111But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11)-His Spirit that dwells in you, 9, 10, 14; and 1 Cor. 3:1616Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)-You are the temple of God, and' the Spirit dwells in you; and 2 Tim. 1:1414That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)-Keep by the Holy Spirit which dwells in you; 1 John 4:1212No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)-God dwells in us; and 16, and God in him; and 15, God dwelleth in him; Heb. 3:66But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)-Whose house are we; so also John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)-Comforter; that he may abide with you forever; and 1 John 3:2424And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:24)-We, know that he abides in us, &c., &c.
2. It is spoken of as the body of Christ, 1 Cor. 6:1818Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18). Your body [i.e. of any believer as an individual] is the temple of the Holy spirit; and 12:12-27, as the [human] body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if' the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they may members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these, we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. See also Eph. 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23): the church, which is His body; and 4:16: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love; and v. 23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body; and Col. 2:1919And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19): And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
3. As the family of the Father-wherein the Son is first-born among many [adopted] children of His Father-Heb. 2:10-1410For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:10‑14), the sanctifier and the sanctified are all [not one but] of one [` Spirit,' or perhaps ' set,' i.e. sons]; note that they are not any where said to be children of the Lord Jesus, but of His Father, and so, through grace, His brethren. The gospel of John and the epistle look at us in the light of children rather than as the church. See John 17 and the three unities referred to in v. 11,21,22.
Thus the Father and the Son and the Spirit each, severally, has a special connection with it. And how wondrously glorious that time to come when instead of the mystery of Babylon, the great, the mother of Harlots, and city of iniquity down here",: filled by Satan for the world, with the lust of the flesh, the lust, of the eye, and the pride of life, the mystery the church will be the Bride the Lamb's wife and dwelling place of God and of the Lamb in heaven. When Abba's house shall have become the home of Abba's children; no voice but that of the beloved Son; regulating anything; no Spirit but that of the, Father and the Son pervading all. What unity in doctrine and in fellowship, in, action and in praise! Wonderful and signal the exceeding, riches of grace, and all these to the praise and the glory of it.
What a difference between all this and a modern " independent church!”
All this glory to come was part of the counsel and plan of the Father for the glory of the Son, who became a man and died; on Calvary, that the throne of God might become the mercy-seat and Himself, alive on it, be the fountain of eternal life and blessing to us through the Spirit. God makes it good to His own people. The light of it shined down at Pentecost, and was entrusted dispensationally to man as true that so, if man, believing, walked softly, and humbly laid hold of God's strength, there might be a feeble and imperfect, but not untrue, representation of it through faith and by the Spirit on earth before men down here. But man betrayed the trust, and failure set in.
Look through Scripture and you will find 1st, that it has ever been so with men; 2ndly, that God has never once restored Man to what he has failed in; 3rdly, He has been long-suffering and, patient; but one failure, and that as to which man failed in, is forfeited.
Observe, too, that at Pentecost there was such a perfect unity that there was but one rule and doctrine, and fellowship and. practice and character-for there was but one Spirit, and He wrought through His own chosen vessels. In Jerusalem, the 5000 men, besides women and young people, may have met in twenty places; so in Judea and Samaria, when the work spread thither; and so among the Gentiles when they were visited and blessed. But the Ruler was one Spirit every where, and the relationship of Father and Son the same to each part blessed.
If any one was not in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, he was not a saved man, and the saved were all therein. Young men, youths, fathers, might know various measures of the truth; but the Truth was one, and the. Spirit one. It might vary in its mode of approach in grace to a Jew, or to a Samaritan, or to a Gentile; but it was one and the same truth, though God only knew its full measure, and yet the feeblest mind might get a ray of it suited to its own littleness. It might look upon obedient children and rebellious children variously, and act differently, because it was guided by the Father, according to the glory of the Son and the mind of the Spirit, as to these children. Known unity with the mind of God and of Christ, through the Spirit came out in perfect purity in the New Scriptures.
At Corinth, when evil came in, there were four or five sects; but inside the one church; for there still was but one church, and one rule, and one body. Now, there are sects out of all number, each one thinking itself right and others wrong; but none of them (save Rome and the Irvingites) venturing to say "We are the Church of God, and the saved are all with us, and none any where else." This involves really the confession (by all save Rome and the Irvingites) of there being no one church displaying divine unity. How came this about?
Unity in principle and practice there was of a divine character at Pentecost. Unity in principle and practice there was to be of a Satanic worldly character-the Mystery Babylon, &c. At, the Reformation, what was it which really took place? God, through grace and in His providence, gave back the Scriptures to men out of the hands of the priesthood, and gave, too, a certain action by His Spirit to some consciences. What was this book but the Record and Standard of revealed truth-God's own written Word. " It is written " is a simple text and powerful (see, for instance, Matt. 4:7, 107Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7)
10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10)) when rightly understood and rightly applied in spirit and purpose. Verse 6 shows that, if otherwise, it has no power, and can be used by Satan with a view to mislead. Man needs not the Bible only-that is, in itself, God's standard of truth (John 5:4747But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:47)), but also to be taught of God, (6:45) that he may understand God's mind and thoughts and ways as presented in it, and, purged in himself by' it through faith, may see its applications to what went before, or is around him, or is to come.
Man might say, in reading it, What a beautiful thing the Church was under Peter and Paul, and how was it the very contrast of that which we called the church down here on earth, in Rome and in Greece, and have sought to escape from. If any one who had got so far, sought further, he would have found that man was to blame for all the change, and that he had to eat of the fruit of man's doings, and of God's judgments on the quenching of the Spirit and dishonor done to Christ therein. Each one might have said, how blind have we been and are we, and how incompetent we on whom the judgment has come, to make that which is crooked straight (Ecc. 1:15), or to bring a clean thing out of an unclean. To own the failure and be ashamed of it, and of our connection with it, to admire what had been, was all right, and is all right now. But when the word is studied further, I find that the word of God has a word for me in these circumstances as to God. He will not restore man in ruin by human instrumentality to what divine power and goodness did set up; but He gives it all over to His Son, that He will bring those who, amid the failure, trust in God and obey His word addressed to them in these circumstances, into something far better, even the fulfillment of the antitype when the type has melted away. I do not, then, on the one hand despair as to God and His grace, because all has failed in myself and in man; nor do I go on in wickedness as though there were no hope.
If I was bankrupt in intelligence, affection, and purpose, as to God and His word; the mind, too, pre-occupied with human thoughts and desires as to what should be; I had been born and nurtured in the pit (Eph. 2:1-31And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:1‑3)). But God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have known no ruin, no change in them. I hid to venture all upon them and them alone.
Others might say, the church which was at Pentecost we have set up again. I could only say: " I trust I have a mark as one that sighs and that cries for all the abominations that are done in the Lord's name, and among those that profess to be His" (Ezek. 9:44And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4), read the chapter and the sixth of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel). But when I looked, I found the forms they bad set up were without power. And they that had pretended to have authority and power had lifeless forms. They had taken it for granted that they were to do something, and were authorized and able to do it, and God would do the rest and restore what was life. But for this they can show no word. Nonconformity has piously multiplied forms of so-called churches out of all number. The sheep have been called to choose shepherds, and the uninstructed flocks to appoint elders to rule over them, and deacons to do other work. Who required this at their hands? Not God, whose word said He would not set up again what had fallen down since Pentecost, but pass it on to judgment, and yet care for His own whose faith and hope were in Himself. And not only said that of this fallen thing (see Rom. 11), but shown in His word that such has ever been His way, whose thoughts are not our thoughts, neither our ways His ways (Isa. 55:88For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)). Occupied with forms and practically acting as if they were possessed of power [a thing the imitation of which is sure to recoil with disgrace upon the imitator], the churches (so called) have let slip the truth of the one holy catholic church of Pentecost, and know not what they are about. That God may bless the preaching of the gospel, and build up souls into Christ by means of many so placed, is true; and I pray that it may be so. But as to communion of saints, may God graciously help them.
What, then, are we to do? The written word says: " Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).)
Again, "Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (v. 22).
At Corinth, there were no pastors or elders, that is, when Paul wrote, only simple disciples.
So again as to holiness in doctrine, morality, and walk, &c. Give me intelligence, directions, authority, and power by the Holy Ghost, and I can, through grace, obey the word either as to my own individual self, or as to saints round about me.
How ought you to judge and act (it may be asked) when a condition of things, plainly set forth in the word of God, no longer exists?
My answer is, Listen to Scripture and follow its instructions out, as they apply to such a state of declension and failure as you are in. If any child of Adam tried to create anew his primitive state of innocency, or (as Jew or Gentile), tried to be perfectly obedient to the law of Moses, neither of them would know how to meet God's mind. The both of them pretend to an intelligence and power which they possess not. Let them confess and be humbled before God for the state they are in, and trust and hope in God, and walk before Him in obedience. Just so as to the believer now, amid the failure round about us. Reader, if my address No. 1 ought to humble the soul of every believer, as an individual, ought not No. 2 and 3 to humble us as members of Christ's body and of His church, to wean us from man and strengthen us in God?
As to Gifts, we are built upon the foundation of New Testament apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)), Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. So that I have the full benefit (so far as to-day. admits of it,) of the Scriptures of the New Testament prophets, and of the service, and conduct, and ensample of the apostles in planting and ruling. Besides these, evangelists, and pastors and teachers are spoken of (Eph. 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)) as persons given to the church. That there may be such given now-a-days I have often prayed, and earnestly, of God. I am sure we much want the service of such. But I confess I am stumbled at the way many think of themselves, and speak of themselves, and. of others, as being such gifts given. It would be more humble and lowly, methinks, for them to work more, and to put forward their thoughts about themselves less: and to let others find out that they are gifts given, if so they really are. Any child of God may care for his Father's children; and may, so far as he has learned the truth, teach it; and persecution scattered abroad the first who went every where preaching the word (Acts 8:1-41And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:1‑4)). Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak: I do not deny that consciousness of power ought to lay the conscience under a sense of responsibility. But those who work most, and by whom God has wrought most these last forty years, are those who think and. speak least of their being or having gifts.
I am sometimes astonished, too, I confess it, at the questions about what gift each one of us has-by those in whom I can see none. Many of them possessed, truly, of eternal life and the Holy Spirit, and a place in the body of Christ, and serving, too, through grace in faith and love and hope; yet thinking nothing' of that or of the Spirit indwelling, or of their place in the body of Christ, in comparison of some gift or gifts they are anxious to discover in themselves. A few, too, have thoughts about offices and duties, (and would like to be recognized in them,) of which the New Testament says nothing.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians-the church is presented as God's Portion for Christ,-in, of and for Himself. The gifts are of persons, (evangelists, pastors, teachers. c. 4:11) and of functionaries in the life of the body (v. 16).
In the first to the Corinthians, the church is looked at as being God's witness for Himself versus false religions which were of Satan (12 and 14). And what sign gifts has the Witness, which has failed through Unfaithfulness, retained for herself now?
Apostles and prophets (v. 11)-were the foundation (c. 2: 20).
I would close with suggesting to my brethren a few considerations.
In man's world-church all is ruled and regulated by man: and, not believing that the church is the place in which the Spirit abides and acts, man had had and has to arrange everything. “If the meetings for worship and for breaking of bread are Consciously and conscientiously held under the eye and in the presence of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit being present, we may look for deep reverence and a certain spiritual awe being over the assembly—which will make us swifter to hear than to speak. A large measure of self-judgment, too, is supposed to be in us (1 Cor. 11:27-3427Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. (1 Corinthians 11:27‑34)). As to pre-arrangement there can be none. Though, in honor, we may prefer others to ourselves. All I have asked, and I do ask it again, is that the manifested presence of the Father and the Son may be brought by each of us to the table (see John 14:21, 2321He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)); and that the Spirit may make what is referred to (1 Cor. 14:21, 2521In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:21)
25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1 Corinthians 14:25)) manifest—" he is convinced of' all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart manifest; and so falling down on his face he [that comes in] will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."
The Lord's Supper we observe as His bidden guests; and if the company were wholly made up of those so completely of different parts of the earth as that no two of them understood the same language, it might happily be kept and the primary object of it be answered. Over and beyond that, whatever else takes place, is for the intelligent and intelligible edification- of those that are guests. This necessarily calls the mind of each that may take a part from the liberty they assuredly have, and from the inclination they may feel-to speak-to the question of building up those present.:- We have power over ourselves (so Paul says); and " Let all things be done unto edifying " (1 Cor. 14:2626How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26), an Eph. 4:12, 15, 1612For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12)
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15‑16)). I know, nothing happier than an evening spent in singing hymns, and prayers, and reading chapters. But that is hardly "unto edifying" at a worship meeting or at the table of the Lord, when the assembly is met together. Certain gravity and sobriety and collectedness of manner, and the more aged of the place and not the younger bearing any responsibility which may arise, would surely be worthy of God, as not the God of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. But nature teaches these things
(11:14), and I do not speak of them now. Reverence before God present in Spirit with us, and from the objects of faith and hope then before us,—past, present, and to come; self-girdedness in that presence of each one all and building up of the souls before the Lord in all that is done, are the three desire of my heart and my prayer for the Saints.
G. V. W.
P.S.-For myself, seeing that the Church of God, originally was the assembly, or company, of all the believers upon earth, who were walking by the Spirit in the faith, I do not give the name to any company anywhere now that this has ceased to be the case. To use it is to pretend to be more than we are; we have no warrant from the word to do so. "We are of the Church," if really acting upon what those principles were when the unity existed. This is as far as I can admit to be correct.
Christchurch, 26th May, 1874.