In taking our readers into confidence, by opening private letters before them, it may be well to give a word of explanation. It will easily be seen that at the time of writing, on both sides, there could not possibly have been any thought of these letters ever being seen by other eyes. But the deep spirit of inquiry, on the part of the beloved brother, so lately called away to the Lord, it is believed, is shared by many in various places, and he may prove to be the exponent of their thoughts and longings. And the answers given, though in the midst of incessant labor with the intention of meeting as best could be done, the need of the inquirer, yet have been used of God in helping one into the line of His will for Him, and may be used still further by infinite grace that asks not for great instrumentalities to carry out His precious purposes.
There are some portions of the correspondence that bear very intimately and tenderly on personal matters; but it is felt that these so serve to exhibit the progress, and even maturity, of apprehension of the mind of the Lord, on the part of the brother, that none can he left out without loss. His growth was very rapid, because conscience from the first question till the last expression of triumph, seemed to be in the presence of God. Everything was weighed there.. What made God happy was the prevailing thought. And surely in a day of looseness as to God's will, this is of immense value.
The Lord was pleased to use for a second time, as far as known, a series of papers on " God's Unity and Man's Union," published last year in this magazine, in bringing out the latent desire, and starting, the inquiry with which the series begins. During the course of these letters sorrow came to both breasts with its lessons and its blessings, and finally joy in the presence of the Lord to him who began them, thus making what seemed only a correspondence to become a history.
In thinking of that which is " far better," having so soon come to him, the knowledge of how feeble and meager these answers are to what he found at once "with Christ" in person, is accompanied with the confidence that the same word to which he was subject here, is found true there, and that the body for which, finding himself a member here, he gave up all affiliations of men, is that of which he is still a member, and is to be forever-the church of God, the body of Christ.
It will be understood that the publication of these letters is not made to give credit to man, but rather to tell to others how God's grace and God's word will lead to God's ground, to that in which He takes delight. And He will doubtless so use it, taking it to those who need a word in this matter, for He knows all about it.
Richmond, Ind., June 5, 1876.
DEAR BROTHER: I venture to inquire of you concerning the assemblies of believers to whom reference is made in recent articles in SOUND WORDS, as having come out from denominations, and meeting upon the simple basis of being one with Christ. I have not the SOUND WORDS with me to refer to, and can not give the exact heading of the article. Some assemblies are mentioned as in New York. Are there any in the West?
I am a member of the Society of Friends at present, but have for several years been exercised in regard to the sad divisions among those who claim to be members of one body; but have not as yet seen a clear way for me to proceed. Will you kindly give me some information as to these assemblies? How often do they meet? What are the exercises, if any? Is there any system of discipline? What are the safe-guards to prevent these assemblies from being forced into the position of a new sect I long for freedom from sectarianism, yet hesitate to leave a position of comparative freedom from its grosser evils, and one, I trust of some usefulness, until I am fully satisfied that the Lord is leading me into a way that shall be closer to Him, though it may seem to be one which would cut me off, in a measure, from some fields of labor and from some privileges now enjoyed.
Your reply will be lovingly esteemed, and with many prayers for you as editor of; and for the increased usefulness of SOUND WORDS,
I am your brother in Christ,
A. B.
Brooklyn, N. Y., June 14, 1876.
BELOVED BROTHER-The pressure upon me has pushed the reply to your letter on a few days, and I fear now I shall not have time to give you what is in my heart on the matter you ask about, as I must gather out a few moments, here and there only, for correspondents. But it is a great joy to me that you have been thus far led of the Holy Spirit into His mind concerning the evils of this day, and the evils of man's system.
The meetings of which you speak, of the children of God in various places through the land, are the result of having learned the sad departure from that which was set up in the beginning, when the Holy Spirit came, upon Christ's ascension to the Father. Those composing them have, in most cases, come out of that which was seen as dishonoring the Head, and denying the Holy Spirit His place in gathering the saints and distributing the gifts as He wills, by the presidency of man. This is felt to be " iniquity," from which we are told in 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19), to "depart." Obeying this, they have been told further, to follow righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those "who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart,” that is, having only the Lord and His word before them.'
They meet, then first of all, with the acknowledgment of the headship of Christ to His body, which is the Church, giving all diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit, and thereby confessing the unity of the body, in the midst of the divisions of this day. Confessing this unity, they meet on God's ground, the ground on which every member of the body is before God, and, of course, where all the members of Christ, as such, are welcome.
As to "exercises," the whole is under the presidency of the Holy Spirit, Christ Himself being present according to His word: "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am in the midst" (Matt. 18;20). All is left to him, therefore. The meeting is distinctly to Christ, as our Lord and Head. On His resurrection, He met His own on the first day of the week, the meeting being distinctly for them, the doors being shut (John xx, 19-23). It is for worship, and we find in 1 Cor., 11:18-34, that the coming together is for breaking bread, and though they abused it, so as to have it denied that it was the Lord's Supper, this only shows us what the Lord's Supper is. " The loaf we break (1 Cor. 10:16-1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17)) is the communion of the body of Christ, and we, being many members, are all one loaf, one body, and are all partakers of that one loaf." The one loaf shows this, instead of the many loaves (the Cephas loaf, the Paul loaf, Apollos loaf, &c). Here is the scene, then, of the gathering for breaking the loaf, itself showing the Lord's death until He come, showing to God that we enter into His mind on that matter, that the death of Christ is all. It is a scene of praise and thanksgiving, on the ground of what is already done, by which we are brought into the holiest, perfected forever. The Holy Spirit known as presiding leads as He will, one to give out a hymn of praise, or to express thanksgiving, and another to give thanks over the bread and cup. Each one is before the Lord, for Him to use whom He will. The freedom is the freedom of the Holy Spirit, not man's. Sometimes many may be used, sometimes few men- just as He will. Singing, and sometimes reading portions of the Scriptures, and whatever is according to His purpose in gathering, are the exercises. We find in Acts, 20:7, that Paul being present at the breaking of bread, discoursed also (not "preached" the gospel as there would be no occasion). He simply told out the truth pertaining to the saints, and of the Lord Jesus risen. The object of gathering was not to hear Paul, but to break bread. So now, if the Lord lead any one to speak, it is accepted as from Him, though in 1 Cor. 14:2929Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29) the rest are to judge whether it is according to the Spirit.
The whole must be according to the real place we are in, as dear to God and standing in Christ, in the holiest, worshipers. It will be solemn and yet joyous, the heart occupied with Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.
In receiving others who come as children of God, the word is, " receive one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Rom. 15:77Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)). They must, first, be His, and second, it must be to the glory of God. This would bear upon evil either doctrinal or moral. The word judges both, as contrary to Christ, and His own must not allow what denies Him. Hence, if one holds doctrine denying His work or person, such an one could not be received, and if one were breaking bread holding such things, he must be judged and put away. This is discipline-a receiving and putting away and restoring simply according to directions in the Word. So under the guidance alone of the Holy Spirit can any be kept from running into system. Man's tendencies are that way; he likes to be active, to make his own things. It is only as there is subjection to Him, therefore, that any can be guarded against making a sect: meeting alone to the person of Christ keeps from this.
There are other meetings for reading and study of the Word, and others for prayer-a constant dependence on Him for everything. The word alone is allowed, nothing of man, or there will be an end of testimony; the word is allowed its full force, no system of man binding it.
There are little meetings of this kind in various parts of the country-eight in and around New York, in Boston, Cleveland (O.), Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago, Springfield and Greenville ( Ill.), Philadelphia, Baltimore, and others. I know of none in Indiana. There will be a meeting for the study of the word of God on the 22nd of this month, at Vinton, Is., at which many from different parts of the country will be. This you will find profitable and cheering, I doubt not, and if you can go, I strongly advise it. All will be provided for together during the meeting. I am very happy you have written. I send you a few pamphlets on the matter you ask about and others, and I shall be most glad to hear from you again, and often. Rejoicing in the grace of God that has made you His, I. am yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, M. T.
Richmond, Ind., Aug. 19, 1876.
DEAR BROTHER T.—Your very kind and full letter of June 14 was duly received and highly valued. I have read it several times over, and also read, 1 Think, all the tracts you sent, and some of them over and over again; I have also read the scriptures referred to as supporting the various propositions, and have reflected and prayed over the matter a great deal. As a result I find myself rapidly settling into the belief that I must take part with you.
However, I find a few questions still to be asked before the final steps are taken. As a "Friend" I am familiar with the doctrine of the leadership of the Holy Spirit in meetings for worship, and am not altogether unfamiliar with it as an experience; but as a " Friend " I am also more or less strongly imbued with a belief in the non-necessity of outward observances, as baptism, the Lord's supper, etc. As for the latter, your tracts and the reading of the Word have largely changed my views. But I would like to ask for a particular account of the method of its observance. Is ordinary bread used? How much to a person? How is it spread and how distributed? Is fermented wine used? How much, etc., as before Having in my early manhood used more wine than was best, and having a deadly horror of its use in any way, I should hesitate even to use it on such an occasion as the above.
I believe I have yet seen nothing indicating what you receive and practice as the teaching of the Word on the subject of baptism by water. Please give me full particulars. I have not considered, and I do not at present consider, it as at all essential, or even best, for Christians in these days to use it, as tending to cause many to trust in observances instead of in the sacrifice of Christ. However, I hold all my opinions and education free, and only desire to reach the truth. So far as I now know I hold nothing that I can not give up at once with pleasure, when seen to be not in accordance with the truth.
Since thinking so definitely about these matters as I have done lately, I find there is in many minds a deep-seated conviction that in the present condition of sects there is something wrong, though they are ignorant of the means of escape. I have had a special illustration of this within a few weeks.
I wish, also, to ask, have the assemblies already existing found the exercise of discipline, etc., to be carried out with about the same degree of vigor and uniformity as to parallel cases in different places? Do the assemblies really maintain the unity of the Spirit and of doctrine and practice? I know the answers to the last questions have no bearing upon the truth of the basis of their establishment necessarily, but only prove or disprove their faithfulness to their principles; but I do need such information for the sake of objectors.
I hope, dear brother, you will not think I am asking questions for the sake of it. To leave the Society of Friends, the society of my ancestors on one side for more than three hundred years, and, in a certain sense, to subject myself to ostracism, is not a step to taken without first being fully persuaded, especially when the further step of announcing myself as free from all denominations and condemning them is. considered. I could readily be excused for going to the Methodists or Presbyterians, but for this other step, hardly, by many. Still, I mind not these things when compared with doing the Lord's will. I have given them up, but I have read a heathen town clerk's advice-" Do nothing rashly; " and it is Quaker policy also.
I should have been rejoiced to go to Vinton, but could not. I was in Cincinnati lately, and saw fares to New York marked very low, and thought how much I should like to run over and spend a Lord's Day with you, and learn all that I have asked about; and, no doubt, much more. I have now scarcely any doubt that I shall cast in my lot with you, and desire to be well posted on all points, as the pioneer, as it were, in this great State should be. I have suffered much for nearly two years by having been less engaged in Christian work than it sometimes seems I ought to be. However, I trust that if I make this change, it will be the means of throwing me right into an active work. For three years now I have been a member of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox) Executive Committee on First Day Schools, and have acted as statistical secretary, having in a large degree originated the present system of reports. Of course this has given me much work of a certain class, and made me more or less prominent and correspondingly more strong will be the reaction on me if I recede. The Committee will, in all probability, be reappointed next October, and I am anxious to make up my mind completely before Oct. 1, so that I may resign my position and let the Y. M. appoint a successor.
If I go with you, I trust the way will be open for me to come to New York, and be more perfectly instructed, for I cannot consent to be an idle professor, nor would I desire to rush unprepared into such a conflict, for conflict I know it will be from incidental remarks made by others where I have simply broached the idea that perhaps denominations were not perfectly in the mind of the Lord. " Crooked," " queer," " cross-grained," " notional," " ready to embrace new-fangled ideas," "visionary," and such, will be freely used. Still I believe my action will not be delayed a moment by these considerations; but I do want to have wherewith to answer.
My only apology for so long a letter is the importance of the topic and the desire to make this one letter suffice to give you the basis for giving me all the help I ought to need from a brother. I trust you will be able to write to me early, so that I may have all possible time to think before Oct. 1, for I shall, in courtesy to my companions on the Committee, be obliged to give a reason for resigning, as they have from their action, evidently much confidence in me, and will much regret to lose me, and I, in turn; have learned to esteem them during our association.
With much love for you and the brethren, I am Yours very truly, A. B.
Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1876.
BELOVED BROTHER-Your letter has given me great joy in seeing the way the Lord, in grace, is leading you as His own. I am quite sure He will guide you, step by step, to His own glory. So unused have we been to look first at His things, that now, in these last hours, as He calls our attention to these, we find that what ought to be most easy to us is hardest. We need to be more simple all the time, having nothing but His word before us. It is a blessed thing that He has recovered the ground and the truth so long lost, though given into the hands of those who are nothing in themselves. Our confession is of ruin and weakness, keeping His word and not denying His name.
It would be a joy to us all could you be with us here, that we might show that fellowship which the Lord gives us with Himself at His table. I quite understand the practical nature of your questions, from never having seen the breaking of bread. You will notice that it was " after supper" that it was instituted by Christ, and that Paul, in 1 Cor. 11, rebukes the thought of satisfying hunger there; so the amount would be but a little piece broken by -the one who partakes, for we are all members of the one body-one loaf- and are all partakers of that one loaf. So also with the wine-a single sip may be the expression of our individual association with Christ.
Whatever bread or wine can be procured, that which is used in common, is quite suitable. To be occupied with the character or quality of either, would savor of ritualism, and the form, that which in Colos. 2:16-23, is rebuked as of flesh, the " touch not, taste not, handle not" character, which is done away with in the cross.
Of course we try to get the juice of the grape, as being really wine, rather than the drugged material so commonly sold, though not with any legal feeling about it. The Lord will keep His own who are walking in fellowship with Him from thinking of the taste of the wine by occupying them with Himself.
I enter less into these particulars on this matter, since I mean to introduce you to a very dear brother, R. S. S., who has but lately gone out to Indianapolis from among us, whom you may see, or to whom you can write, and appoint a meeting with him, though I judge he will be most glad to seek you out when he is informed by me or others of you. I commend him to you and rejoice that he is so near you. I hope to hear that you have broken bread together. I think, too, he would gladly run over and have a reading meeting, or preaching, if there were an opening.
As to baptism, the word is very simple and clear, that believers were immersed in water. In Rom. 6, this is referred to, as expressive of their death unto Christ, the fundamental fact of Christianity, that Christ died for us, and we have died with Him. Thus our burial in water has meaning as setting forth that we are done with the old ground, as sinners, and are introduced into the new " in Christ." I think you will see that Christ, after He had risen, sent out his apostles to preach and baptize those who believed; that, at Pentecost, the thousands were baptized ' that those who believed at Samaria (Acts 8) were baptized- and so the Eunuch from Ethiopia-in water. So, also, Paul, in Acts 9, and then he baptized the twelve at Ephesus who had been baptized by John-in water, for he baptized in Salem near Elim, because there was much water there. In I Pet. 3:20, you will find baptism is the answer or demand of a good conscience, made good by the resurrection of Christ. It sets forth death and burial, thus telling of Christ's own death. We get to Christ, not by nature, as in Adam, but through death, and here we show it. He instituted baptism and gave it to His apostles to observe. Membership of the body of Christ is by the baptism of the Spirit, which is another thing.
I am glad you are exercised as to the question of the practical unity of the assemblies in discipline. It is in cases of discipline that we learn practically the value and meaning of the truth of the Church. In cases of separation of a brother from fellowship, in one place, all judge the case, the world over. He is separated from all till be shall be restored. In the midst of great weakness, faithfulness has been manifested in this respect. Those who are led to see the ruin of the professing thing in the world, and have been gathered to Christ alone, have found Him a resource and the Holy Spirit a reality, and evil has been judged by Him, and by them, for His sake. Meeting alone to- Him is the only condition in which true discipline can be maintained, and is possible, indeed. What standard is there for discipline in the systems of men except their own system, which is their own, and not God's-else why leave them? All they can say is, I am not a good Methodist, or Friend, or Presbyterian, etc., besides not being a good Christian, according to their standard, which is often quite low and worldly.
I know you will be brought into a place of rejection. In recovering the truth of the place, we recover all the circumstances, the persecution, the grief, the trial, the rejection. These are sweet tokens of sonship, and the realty of all. But you are cast into precious company, with Himself. Now, are we sons of God; "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."
I can understand your desire to be posted, as you say, to meet objectors, etc. But do not forget that you are with a living Lord, who can teach you moment by moment. Meeting the objections of others is not of us, or our wisdom, but wholly of Him, and it magnifies Him to confess our ignorance and nothingness, and we are safest cast entirely upon Him. What you need is His own truth, bringing you more and more closely into, fellowship with Himself, and let Him answer for you in all the freshness of His word. What you find clearly in His word is the thing to do. These brethren you ask about ought to do what is there, and I believe they do generally. The presence of the Lord Himself saves everything from form or custom or plan. There is always a freshness in His presence.
I can easily see how you will withdraw from affiliation with the Committee with which you have been acting. The Lord will direct it all. Do not delay when conscience says do, and do not go on the faith of others. Trade on your own, enlightened by the word, and it will be more clear on every use of it. I commend you to God and the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up. Many are being stirred up all around. I shall be glad to hear often from you.
Yours in the Risen Lord Jesus,
M. T.
Richmond, Ind., Oct. 22, 1876.
MY BELOVED BROTHER-I trust you will not consider me negligent in not having replied earlier to your kind favor of September 6. Festina lente (hasten slowly) is a good motto, believed in by me, though not always acted upon.
I must first thank you for your very explicit answers to my queries, and may I not say that I propounded them with a two fold purpose-first, for information; and second, to prove you. I had my convictions on these matters, and I wished to discover whether you, brethren, were controlled by ritualism or by the Spirit of the Lord, who raises above forms or ceremonies, so that no form can be stated as absolute in the details thereof. I rejoice that your exposition leaves me no doubt upon these points.
Chiefly am I thankful that on the matter of discipline is faithfulness found. Of course I could see that if brethren were united and were humbly willing to be guided by the Holy Spirit, conclusions could easily be reached, and the discipline in regard to parallel cases would be the same, whether administered in New York or Japan. The fact that it is the case is proof enough to me that the brethren of whom you write are in the truth. You will readily understand that it is one thing to recognize the truth of God, and that I must make a confession of it in a different or more full manner than heretofore, and, in so doing, dissociate myself from existing or present connections because they are a sect, and another thing to do this and associate myself with others, because I might then only exchange one form of sect for another. It is for the purpose of steering clear of this misfortune that I have been so pointed and minute in my inquiries.
I now say cordially and thankfully that I can and do extend the hand of fellowship to all who confess the truth as you have written it, and as expounded in the tracts you sent me; that the Holy Spirit seals it to my heart as the truth, and that I desire to be called " brother" by you and the brethren everywhere. I have resigned my position on the committee I told you of, and gave as my reason that I should soon resign my membership in the denomination. This I I shall do shortly, unless some great change comes over me. My beloved wife m ill go with me. Thus we shall have the two for whom the promise was made. Please give me some hints as to how to proceed further.
May I ask you also whether you unite at all with the Young Men's Christian Association? It seems to me we can not. Sometimes when I see all the accustomed avenues of labor closed, it is a temptation to say, " Cui bono?" (What is the use?) But, praise the Lord! I have learned that the only thing for me to decide is what I ought to do, and to rest the remainder with Him. Other avenues will open up, I doubt not, in which I can bear a testimony for Him and Him alone.
In contemplating this severance, I have been forcibly reminded of our Lord's remark, " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man bath not where to lay his head; " and as regards this life, why should I fare better than He?
I have been obliged to withdraw from political strife, even to the extent of not voting, for it is plain that no party honors the Lord as Head, and they would resist any attempts to install Him as such. To my natural man this was quite a cross, and in a heated canvass, such as we have had here a po- sition that entailed many unkind remarks; but I have been preserved in peace, and with but little wavering on the matter. I know nothing how brethren act in this matter. If I have followed a false guide I shall be much surprised and grieved. (I have not!)
We trust that some of the brethren will pass this way soon and instruct us farther, catechize us, and correct us, so that we may properly meet as an assembly of God's children on His ground and in unity with his assembly. I have received a very nice letter from brother R. S. S., and have to-day answered him. I thank you for introducing us. Please write soon. Yours in the risen Lord, A. B.
Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1876.
BELOVED BROTHER-Your letter, received after your card on Saturday, has given us all great joy, as we discern in it the mark of the Holy Spirit's action, and rejoice in the way He is leading you. The question I so often ask those who desire fellowship, and to take their place at the Lord's table, whether they are coming to a sect or a nice religious meeting for their own comfort or anything of man's making up, you have answered clearly. It is blessed to be clear in the matter of our testimony. The Lord has judged the condition of the whole professing church-Christendom-and we have been judged with it. We have been led out from the evil to Him simply to be according to His mind, and thus to bear a remnant testimony in a day of evil. And that is our work. By taking a position against all that dishonors Him in this day, you have already done more than all the activities of so-called service, efforts, work, etc., combined. What are God's children busy at? Building up that which is contrary to Him. Jeremiah (Chapter 15,) it was said, "If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth."
We are to be more thoroughly judged and sifted by the World and to take the place of confession before Him who is so greviously dishonored, in behalf of all. If they do not confess, we must for them. Surely here is a work. Your " avenues" will open soon. Meanwhile quietness and brokenness before the Lord are of great price.
I am glad you have been led to see your separation from all associations of men-political, social, and religious. Those meeting to Him have long ago ceased to be of any nation here and of any citizenship, because our citizenship is in heaven alone. We are simply to pass along as strangers and pilgrims, not of the world at all, though subject to the authorities. We have not been able to go on with the Y. M. C. A., finding it is not on the ground of the body of which Christ is the head.
I saw brother R. S. S. lately in New York. He is now at home in Indianapolis, and I hope be may be able to be with you next Lord's day to break bread with you and your wife. I have written to him suggesting it. tie will teat you other things that the Word gives us concerning the conduct of the assembly, but it will be what is already in the Word; see if you can find out the Lord's way there. The Holy Spirit is present, and that becomes the characteristic thing. Reliance is alone on Him to lead. Two or three gathered in the Lord's name are gathered by Him alone, and He must guide when to speak, read, praise, or give thanks. It is simplicity in itself, because is of Him.
We reciprocate most heartily your greeting and fellowship. I am glad your wife is with you; this is sweet indeed. She and you will find many a cold word, possibly a bitter one, from without, those who are nearest sometimes saying the sharpest. But the joy of the Lord is your strength. You fall into company with the despised and outcast, for such was He, and you fall heirs of the sorrows as well as the joys. It is enough that you are with Him, and He is coming soon!
Love from all. I hope to hear from you very soon again. When it is the Lord's will I shall see you. Yours ever in Him, M. T.
Richmond, Ind., Dec. 17, 1876.
DEAR BROTHER T.-I have for some time been burdened because I could not answer your last letter. Business matters have pressed me very much of late, so that I seemed to have little time outside my necessary duties. I hope you have heard through Brother R. S. S. of our precious meeting together to break bread in the name of the Lord Jesus two weeks ago this day. Last Lord's- day and to-day my dear wife and I have remembered the Lord's death in the breaking of bread, and have found His precious promise realized to us, " There am I in the midst." We do, indeed, find that we enjoy closer communion with Him than ever before, and that He is far richer and more to be desired than all the systems of men. We ask that all those with you who call upon Him out of pure hearts will pray that even by such feeble folk as we are the Word may be faithfully spoken, and others added to bear testimony to the headship of Christ.
I hope that if any brother that you know travels this way, we may be favored with a call, for it would be sweet to hold fellowship with such. We hope the assemblies will sustain us by prayer and sympathy. It is our precious privilege frequently to present all who are standing out to Him. Of course we by no means neglect to present those who are still bound up in systems, but we are deeply exercised that many among them may see the truth. We sent in our resignation to "Friends" a month ago, and have been visited by a committee from them. We suppose they will soon report their opinion on the case. Whatever they do, whether they accept our resignations or not, we feel that we have thoroughly put all such things behind us, and look only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us. Hoping to hear from you soon, and to be able to write again soon to you, We are, yours in Him, A. B. AND WIFE.
Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1877.
BELOVED BROTHER-Your letter of fellowship was received duly. I have been greatly occupied and could not answer. God has pleased to bring near to me His precious Word, and make true his title as " the God of all comfort" by ministering to my heart on the departure of my darling wife to Himself on the 18th of January. I have made my boast in Him in times past, and surely by opening new avenues for His love to enter, He will make me still to boast in Him.
But, oh! what she was to me, to the children, and to His own in many places. Peculiarly intelligent in the truth, she was most thoroughly with me in all my work, so that she seemed to do all that I did, and more. My meetings taking me out almost every evening, she tied the family together, gathering and keeping them while I was away, and her power was sweetly for the Lord and from Him. Our house has been an open one for the saints for years, and she was happy, though with a poor, broken body, to be used in service for them. In all ways her life seems to have been like a sweet poem, precious and complete in all relations, and this simply through her absolute dependence on the Lord and His Word. It was His wisdom, His love and grace she was showing. And so she was independent of man, walking before Him. I always felt she was the practical expression of the sweetest truth I was teaching. I thank God for the twenty-one years of life with her, and now find Him turning my eyes more toward the resurrection and His coming and the glory. That is everything.
In the beginning of her sickness neither she nor I believed it would come to death. We rather thought, as we had taken our lessons together so long, so we should gather the deeper teaching together from sickness rather than death. But it was to be the infinite rest for her, and the waiting for me. And now I can see how kind it was of Him not to let my mind sink to that thought, but to allow my poor heart to get adjusted to the great fact, and consent to it, under His handling.
God has cast much upon Himself to make up all to me, to us. But I know Him and He loves us. I know, too, all about her. I know the company she keeps-forever with the Lord. It is enough. He is true. And so I go on, "always confident," waiting the "little while, and then-!
It may be the Lord is closing me up from going outside of New York to the many places both east and west I have had on my heart, as I have to be both father and mother to my children. But there is plenty in this neighborhood to be done, and one can keep very busy all the time.
I hope you have renewed opportunities of meeting dear brother S., and whether you have or not, you and your wife have been breaking bread. The Lord will honor those who honor Him in this, making a testimony through the quiet going on of that which is according to His mind, more than by much attempt at talking.
Much love to you both, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yours in Him,
M. T.
Richmond, Ind., Feb. 18, 1877.
MY BELOVED BROTHER IN CHRIST-Your most touching letter, telling us of the going home of your beloved wife, reached us on this day two weeks ago, and while we could not but sorrow with you, yet we thanked God for the sweet testimony to His all-sufficiency in every trial, and were enabled in a small measure to share, as it were, her joy in being with the Lord. It was a great privilege to receive your letter just on the day it came, as brethren R. S. S. and Dr. A. were here to spend the day with us. They had told us before your letter came from the office of your bereavement, and Dr. A. had given us some account of the gracious comfort given by God at the funeral. To the eyes of men you have indeed a severe trial, and indeed to your own soul the grief must be more intense than any who have not been through the like can tell. But, oh! bow the wonderful sufficiency of God's grace is manifested in such trials, and how they intensify the preciousness of our fellowship with the Father and with His Son. How God uses such opportunities to show, not only to the stricken one, but to all His saints, what a sustainer and provider He is. We pray for you often that God will cause all these things to work out to His own glory, and that you may be supported, strengthened, and instructed in all, and only made the more useful.
How joyfully the heart can rest on the precious certainty that the time of our separation from Him is not long. As I contemplate the possibility of His coming soon, I often feel everything within me stirred up to the necessity there is for being diligent in what He gives us to do, and I long for opportunities to present the gracious invitation to "come" once more.
We have been made glad to-day by a letter from Brother S., enclosing a letter written in Oct., 1876, to Brother P. J. L., by Brother and Sister Brown, of Fairfield, 0. They are standing out of men's things for God alone. They are but fifteen miles from here, and we hope God will bring us together before long. Brother P. J. L. is now in New York, I suppose; please give my love to him, and tell him my house is open for him to share with me what I have if God bring him here. Yours in the risen Lord, A. B.
Shortly After This a Card Was Received From Another, Telling of the Death of a Little Child of Bro. B., and a Word of Fellowship and Consolation Was Sent to Which Reference Is Made in the Following Letter: RICHMOND, Ind., May 31, 1877. MY BELOVED BROTHER-Your Kind Letter of Remembrance Came to Hand at a Time When Its Loving Words Were Doubly Acceptable, on the Day When Our Only and Precious Little Girl Would Have Been a Year Old Had She Been Left Us. I Had Been Wishing to Write to You to Tell You of Her Departure to Be With the Lord on April 24th, but Have Been Both Very Much Pressed With Work and in Poor Health. Our Babe Was Only Seriously Ill for About Ten Days, With Typhoid Pneumonia. She Was a Peculiarly Sweet and Precious Babe, and Had Endeared Herself to Our Hearts Exceedingly, and Also to All Our Friends, and We Were so Glad to Have Her As a Companion to Her Brother, Who Was but Sixteen or Seventeen Months Older. He Seemed to Be so Good to Her, and She to Be Delighted With Everything He Did. We Therefore Felt the Separation Deeply, and You Know Far More Than We How Much Grief to the Poor Human Heart These Trials Can Give, and, Bless the Name of Our God! You Also Know the Depths of Consolation There Are in Him, and, How We Are Enabled to Triumph and Rejoice in His Doings, Even When They Come so Close.
Dear S., whom I suppose you will see about this time, came over to the funeral and God gave him precious words for us and those assembled, so that many acknowledged that they had never heard such consoling words before. Truly He must have given them. Dear S. has indeed been used of God to comfort and strengthen us, and we have been favored to have many times of sweet fellowship. We have also Brother and Sister B. at Fair Haven, Ohio. They spent a Lord's day with us two or three weeks ago. None have, as yet, manifested much inclination to examine the ground we have been brought into, but seem to have mostly settled that it is a new fangled idea that will only lead to disaster. However, we have proved the ground and daily become more rooted and grounded in the blessedness of the place, and learn the truths of God, to the consolation of our souls. My wife has been most encouragingly and happily blessed in fully seeing the truth of the place. We know we occupy in weakness, but God deals with us after His grace, and not after our failures. I am hoping to go to Canada, about 35 miles east of Port Huron, Mich., with my wife, in order to recruit my health, in about three weeks, and write now in part to ask if you could give me a letter of introduction to any saint in Detroit with whom we might stay a night. It would, I think, be a convenience to us. To this query an early reply will be a favor. The tracts on the office of the Holy Spirit were very acceptable and made the matter clear. I think I had reached nearly the same mind before receiving them. Yours in Him, A. B.
Answer was made to this as requested, and a letter sent to Detroit, upon which a letter was addressed to him from there-inviting him to a temporary home on the journey. In this letter allusion was made to God leading His own into the deeper things by His dealings in sorrow that they might know and own the exceeding strength of His own arm for them, and rejoicing that this dear brother was being made more acquainted with Him, and accepting the fact that whom He loved He chastened. To this, answer was made as follows, the last received from him, before he left us for the presence of the Lord.
Richmond, Ind., June 6, 1877.
MY DEAR BROTHER-Your kind letter is at hand and I thank you much for its contents. I trust that in the " depths" to which you refer as being the portion of God's people there will be an honoring of Him in all, and a willingness to come into judgment as may be necessary. May we all be kept in meekness and fear, so that the deliverance may be manifestly of God, that some may believe.
As for myself, since I wrote you I have been brought into circumstances that may quite probably prevent our going to Canada, viz., my employer deems it necessary to dispense with my services in order to reduce expenses. In this I am sure there is the hand of a tender Father, and my prayer is to be kept before Him that my movements may be in His will. The condition of my health seems to demand a change of air and climate, and I hope events will be so ordered as to secure these.
For a long while, some years, my mind has much dwelt upon the joyfulness there would be in being altogether in God's work, but my own spiritual feebleness, and being so tied to business, have seemed to stand in the way. Many things have occurred to bring our minds into a closer dependence on Him, so that, even now, I seem at liberty to make but little effort on my own behalf. Should He permit you to suggest any course, or throw any opening for employment before your view, I should be glad to receive it in that way. In the meantime a place of trust and dependence becomes us, in which it is our desire to be kept by God's grace. We hope brethren do not forget us before His throne, in their petitions, as we often remember you.
In much love, Your brother, A. B.
The following letter will tell what closes up this precious history. The telegram referred to was received on Friday, July 28, announcing that dear A. B. was passing away to the Lord and asking if it was possible for the receiver of it to get out there. The railroad troubles caused delay, and when the journey was taken the dearly beloved one had passed away already three days, and his body was in the grave. It was exceedingly blessed, however, to see the grace of God manifested in supporting the bereaved survivor, knowing more deeply than ever the abysmal depth of her loss by the richer fellowship into which they had lately come, now closed and checked until we shall all be together at the coming of our Lord. And it was delightful, also, to learn of the full testimony of late months, and especially the last days, that had been borne by this beloved saint and borne witness to by so many in his city. The writer of this letter was of course, ignorant, at the time, of this visit, but that ignorance served to bring out this account, which is surely most welcome to all our readers.
Indianapolis, July 31, 1877.
MY BELOVED BROTHER T.-You were, I doubt not, little prepared for the contents of my telegram of last Friday. I should ere this have written in confirmation of it, but you can readily understand how much occupied the past few days have been.
About five weeks ago I went over to Richmond and spent a happy Lord's day with our dear Brother Arthur Belsham and his, wife. His health was then a good deal run down, caused possibly by very close confinement to work for years, but it was thought a trip through the lakes, which he contemplated taking, and a visit to a friend's house in Canada would entirely restore his strength.
With the exception of a few lines written from Chicago, just after starting, I did not hear from him,. but attributed it to the possibility of a letter written in reply having gone astray, or the difficulty of writing when traveling. But a letter from a friend of Arthur received last Thursday gave the true reason. It was to say that he had returned from the journey much worse; that its effects had proved to be very different from what was expected, and that two or three days were the most he could possibly live. I had little anticipated such news, but lost no time in going over to Richmond, especially as it was feared that his mind toward the last might grow lethargic. Owning to the railroad troubles it was early Friday morning before I succeeded in getting a train, and in going up to the house it was with much apprehension that he might have already departed, or that he might not know me. But I was most happily disappointed. When I came into his room he was sitting half upright on the bed with his dear wife supporting him on one side. He signed for me to come to the other, and tried to hold out his baud to me, but its deathly coldness told me the end was near.
He looked up into my face and said, "Robert, I am going home; I think I'll go to-day." It was enough; it told me all in a moment. The doctors were just then in consultation, and one of them came over and said, "Arthur, you asked me a question a little while ago, and I think you want it answered. You may last a day or two, but this coldness which has come over you in the last hour is the beginning of the end." Instead of being the least moved at hearing this-"Oh," he said, "I'll be soon in the glory. Doctor, it is the only place that amounts to anything after all," to which the doctor assented, but with an apparent unwillingness which told that though in life and health he was not the happy man our precious brother was In weakness and death. I learned afterward that he was somewhat skeptical, but I trust that what he witnessed shook him a little, for, coming in about fifteen minutes before dear A. fell asleep, A. said to him the moment he entered, "Oh, doctor, this is the morning of the glory!" To hear such an expression from a man just going into eternity seemed to affect him much, for he turned round and said to some one next to him, "The more I visit this patient the more I am convinced of the truth of Christianity."
I was obliged to return home at half-past ten next morning, and as he had fallen asleep, I feared I should be obliged to come away without saying goodbye. I waited till the last moment, and just then he awoke. Our parting was a deeply affecting one, the memory of which can never leave me. In an hour afterward he was with the Lord. All were around his bed when he departed, and his mind was perfectly clear till the last. He had a word for every one, and his departure was such a happy, peaceful, and triumphant one that its effect was deeply felt by many.
Some of his last words I am sure you would desire to hear. A gentleman who came in asked him if he could do anything for him. To which he replied, "Thank you, nothing; Jesus has done it all! " Though a terrible sufferer at times, he was a most uncomplaining one. His sister told him the last morning how patient he had been, but he Would not allow it to be attributed to him, but "all to Christ." Often when awaking out of sleep he would ask "Is the Lord happy?" which many thought was done when he was not conscious. Once his wife answered affirmatively. "Ah well," he said, "then I am happy, for I am in Him."
And so our dear brother is gone. His consistent, earnest life was a bright testimony for the Lord, to which his departure is a brilliant crown. You were one whom, though he had never seen, he loved much, and the last day he said to me, " You will write to Brother T." When the meeting comes it will be a happy one, and I shall share in that joy. I know I can count on your sympathy, my dear brother, and that of the beloved saints with you in this almost irreparable loss. If alone before, how alone now. But our blessed Lord is in it all, and I would know Him but little could I not praise and thank him for this also.
But my sorrow is now for his dear wife, our beloved sister. How hard it, is for a man to stand out alone I too well have proven; but for a woman, and one, too, who has had such an arm to lean upon and a heart to share all with. Truly she demands the earnest prayers and sympathy of all. She bore up nobly all the week. And what a calm, decided testimony she bore on Monday-that most trying day of all-at the funeral. May God enable her to stand firmly and faithfully for Him. He has a large place now to fill, and surely He will fill it. If the Lord will, I hope to return on Saturday and spend Lord's day with her. These are circumstances under which the breaking of bread in remembrance of the Lord's death becomes very real to us. Will you remember us in prayer on that day? How glad it would have made us to have had you with us even on the day of the funeral, but it seemed not to be the Lord's will.
I was able to say little, but the Lord used the words, of others I feel sure for His own glory. Our brother has borne a true witness for the Lord in Richmond, to which the manner of his death has added peculiar weight.
I forgot to mention that the first time Arthur and his wife were in an assembly larger than the actual "two or three" was the last Lord's day he was on earth. It was at Detroit, where". the kindness they met was a great source of joy and thankfulness. He spoke much of the thoughtfulness of the brother with whom they stayed. I think the grace of our Lord Jesus was manifested very sweetly in this little circumstance.
With much love, I am your attached brother in Christ, R. S. S.