10, Correspondence.

F.F. —The presence of children at the breaking of bread. Has Joshua 4:66That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? (Joshua 4:6) any bearing? The stones of Gilgal were a memorial of the passage of the Israelites over Jordan (Josh. 4:66That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? (Joshua 4:6)). Like the feast of the pass-over (Ex. 12:2626And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? (Exodus 12:26)) it was to be a sign to future generations of what Jehovah had done. The parents were to explain these signs to their children. Psalms 78:3-83Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. (Psalm 78:3‑8) refers to instruction in the general principles of the law, and not in the meaning of these signs particularly (See Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:197And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
19And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 11:19)). As the breaking of bread is not the season for instructing onlookers as to its meaning, Joshua 4:66That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? (Joshua 4:6) does not apply. At the same time, there seems no scriptural reason whatever for excluding children or any persons from witnessing the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, except such as create disorder or disturbance. The sheaving (or, announcing) the Lord’s death (1 Cor. 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26)) is the testimony thus given to such as do not partake of the Supper.
G.S.M. —Manifestation and reward (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)). The brief reply to A. S, (B.M.M. for June, p. 143) was carefully worded, and any lack of definiteness was caused by the effort to be concise. It seems apparent enough that the passage in question (We must all appear [be manifested] before the judgment seat of Christ) is most general in its bearing, and applies to believer and unbeliever alike (Everyone will receive). The thought of his own manifestation made Paul a faithful servant, while the thought of the manifestation of the ungodly made him an earnest preacher, since he knew it would result in their everlasting punishment. This passage ought not to be confounded with 1 Corinthians 3:12-1512Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑15) which expressly refers to the servant’s work and to that only. “Manifestation” has a much wider scope. It is blessedly true, as you say, that not the slightest act of true service for the Lord will lose its reward; but surely we learn here that at the tribunal of Christ all the motives of man’s heart will be displayed, not only those which resulted in acts of service, but also those which animated the general Christian life (See Philippians 1:10, 1:1); not only in the “cup of cold water,” but in love, joy, meekness, etc. To restrict this passage, therefore, to the service of believers is to rob it of a great deal of its force and meaning; for while it includes that, it also embraces the whole history of every man’s life in the body.
E.R. —Women riding bicycles. Bicycle-riding is not dealt with in so many words in scripture; and, like many other practical questions it really involves further questions. Instead of stating any judgment of our own, it will be better for you if we mention the chief points for your consideration before the Lord that your own conscience may be exercised to approve the thing that is excellent. (1) Is there anything unseemly in this mode of recreation for a woman? Scripture is clear (1 Cor. 11) that woman has her own functions and sphere of action in distinction from man; and it is certainly opposed to her getting out of her own peculiar sphere (1 Tim. 2:9-129In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:9‑12)). You must therefore consider whether there is anything in bicycle-riding contrary to a proper spirit of Christian modesty, especially bearing in mind that the great tendency of the present age is to undervalue the soft and delicate qualities which belong to woman alone and to seek in preference attainments of a more robust nature. (2) Will it bring you into worldly associations? (3) Will it injure your Christian testimony? Will persons you are seeking to help be in any way hindered by seeing you ride? (4) In most circumstances, it would be well to ask whether there is sufficient justification for the expense involved. Our money is not our own, and we should be careful how we spend it. Before buying a bicycle, you ought at least to face the above questions. If you are not clear before the Lord as to them, wait, Ask yourself what is your reason for wishing to ride. That most of your friends ride is not a good reason. We must not do all our friends do, nor all that our friends say is right. We trust you may be guided in this as in every matter.
G.S. —Will you kindly explain 2 Timothy 2:20, 2120But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20‑21)? To what does the word “these” refer in verse 21? These two verses embody instructions of the utmost moment for the believer as to his association with others who profess faith in Christ. Verse 20 describes the condition of Christendom at the time the apostle was writing — a condition which is unaltered today, save for the worse. God’s house which was the assembly (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)), the home of divine truth upon earth, was invaded by forms and principles of evil. Evil men were found among the saints (Acts 20:29, 3029For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30)) and false doctrine was taught along with true (2 Peter 2:11But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)). Thus, the great house, as the apostle speaks, contained vessels of wood and earth as well as vessels of gold and silver; vessels to dishonor as well as to honor. This is exactly the present state of things — an indescribable mixture of truth and error under the name of the Lord. Verse 21 affords direction for the believer under such circumstances. He is to purge himself from “these” (i.e., the vessels to dishonor), and by so separating himself he becomes a vessel unto honor himself, “sanctified and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” This command is the converse of 1 Cor. 5:77Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7). There the assembly are called to purge out the wicked person that they may be a new lump. Here it is individual: the majority are on the side of evil. Hence we read, “If a man” (not the assembly) “purge himself from these” (not the offender being put away). It is a matter for the most serious consideration that things are now in such a ruinous condition that, if a man wants to be a “vessel unto honor,” he must get clear away from the vessels unto dishonor.
T.P. —Husband and wife breaking bread together. Where there is positive inability to have fellowship with other saints, the presence of the Lord may surely be counted on (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). You meet not as husband and wife (Gal. 3:2828There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)), but as co-members of Christ’s body, and if on scriptural ground this represents the assembly of God in that place.