I was glad to hear-was encouraged in his work. May the Lord be with him and keep him near Himself! That is our great affair, and our spring of joy too. I always get happy when I get here, a little more alone with Him, though my work in different parts has been very happy.
The churches, so-called, are flooded with infidelity: the times are most marked: the brethren, on the whole, are getting on happily—increasing plenty, as far as that goes, but in the main godlily. In two places there is confusion, but what I dread is the world. As a body in -, they are certainly a godly set, and many with whom one can have real communion, and desiring to get on in the word. Mere Bethesda gatherings are, I think, losing any definite place, and a general looseness taking the place of it. Now that people have the idea they can meet thus, it in some respects increases the difficulty, it is so indefinite; but it may lessen it in result, everybody being on his own hook. But there is such looseness of doctrine, one has to be more than ever on the watch....
Soon, dear brother, Christ will be all fully. May He be all to us in the time of faith!
London
[1877].