75. “Ε.,” Somerset. We do not see how you could sit in the presence of God and write fiction. “ Speak every man truth with his neighbor.” (Eph. 4:2525Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25).) Now, fiction is not truth, and hence we judge that a Christian should neither speak it nor write it. True, you might be able to earn money by writing works of fiction, and to spend that money for the Lord; but does the Lord want money earned by writing what is not true? Are we to do evil that good may come? It is very evident, dear friend, that you have misgivings in your own mind, and we do not wonder. We fully enter into your remark as to the numbers who are neglecting their Bibles for worthless and worse than worthless fiction. Indeed not only is the Bible neglected, but even works of solid information are laid aside for fight and corrupting literature which is only fit to be thrown into the fire. We deeply feel the need of vigilance, on the part of christian parents, guardians, and teachers, in order to guard our young people from the demoralizing influence of much of the literature of the present day. We should feel bound to preserve our children s bodies from poisonous drugs; ought we not to preserve their minds from poisonous books?
76. “An Aged One,” Underbill Cottage. In 1 Corinthians 13 the apostle sets forth the great motive spring of all true and effectual ministry — that motive spring is love. In chapter 12 you have the ground of ministry; in chapter 13 the motive spring; and in chapter 14 the object. 1St, membership in the body; 2ndly, love; 3rdly, edification. We cannot, of course, attempt to enter upon a detailed exposition of such a portion.
77. “J. H. S., Swindon. 1 Thess. 3:88For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:8) furnishes a most vivid and touching proof of the way in which the apostle felt himself identified with those who were his children in the faith. “Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” We need hardly say it was no question of his eternal life in Christ; but where is the true servant of Christ that does not know something of the spirit breathed in this exquisite passage? Accept our warmest thanks, dear friend, for your loving note.
78. “T. F. G.,” Swindon. Your MS. has come to hand. We do not know that we have any remark to offer.
79. “A Seeker after Truth,” Bridport. John 15:22Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2) refers to the Father’s work as the husbandman looking after the vine, removing some branches and purifying others. The whole scene is laid on the earth. We do not think of a vine in heaven. It is no question of eternal life or of the believer’s security, but simply of fruit bearing. As to the expression, in Rom. 8 “Who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit,” it should be omitted in the first verse. It occurs properly in the fourth, and refers of course to believers. Alas! dear friend, it is too true that Christians are liable, if not vigilant, to walk after the flesh. It ought not so to be. It is our high and holy privilege to walk ever and only in the Spirit. This is the proper path of a Christian.
80. “G. H.,” Stoke Pogis. 1 Tim. 2:1515Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1 Timothy 2:15) sets forth the efficacy of faith, in the moment of nature’s anguish. That anguish is the fruit of sin, but grace has come in, and wrought redemption, and faith takes hold of this and triumphs.
81. “A Feeble One,” Wakefield. Would it not be better to speak a loving word to those persons to whom you refer? We utterly condemn the practice of Christians traveling on business on the Lord’s day; we think it very wrong indeed. But we have already had occasion to protest against the habit of writing to the editor of a Magazine in order to get him to denounce errors and evils which ought to be made a matter of loving brotherly admonition in private. It does seem to us a cowardly mode of acting, quite unworthy of a Christian man. We ought to be more faithful with one another.
82. “W. B.,” Aberford. We are of opinion that you would be happier as a Christian, and safer as a man of business, to work your present trade on sound principles, than to get into a large thing such as you describe which can only be carried on by a system of credit. We are fully convinced of the possibility of carrying on trade without going in debt, and we strongly urge ad our friends to do so. Why cannot a man in trade pay for what he buys as well as a private individual? True, he might not cover so large a surface, but he would have a more solid foundation. His trade might be small, but it would be safe, and his mind would be in peace. “ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Phil. 4:55Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5).) This is a seasonable word for Christians in this day of busy speculation, and restless ambition. There is urgent need, dear friend, for watchfulness lest we be ensnared by the money-loving spirit of the day. The devil is seeking to blind the eyes of professing Christians, in various ways. He furnishes them with a thousand plausible reasons why they should push, and grasp, and scrape together. He will even misquote and misapply the word of God, in order to furnish a plea for money-making to those whose hearts are secretly set upon that object. But oh! the wretchedness of having before the heart such an object as to “make money.” Surely, surely as is the object so is the character. Only think of a saint of God, an heir of glory, hoarding up this world’s miserable riches! Think of this, too, in the face of hundreds of God’s people in want, and in the knowledge of the claims of the Lord’s work, at home and abroad! How can we suppose the existence of the life of Christ or the love of God in a soul that can lay by his hundreds and see Ids brother in need? Impossible. Oh I for a large heart!
83. “A. J. G.,” Exmouth. Thanks for your note and the accompanying lines. You will find in our next, an answer to your question as to Hebrew 12:23.
84. “F. W.,” Evesham. You ask, “ May not the action of the Holy Ghost in giving trouble be often known for a long time previous to the belief of the gospel of God’s salvation through Christ? And is it not to the reception of the latter the Spirit gives His seal and presence?” We fully believe there is a material difference between being quickened and sealed by the Holy Ghost. The latter stands connected with believing in a risen and glorified Christ. (See John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39) compared with Acts 19:1-61And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:1‑6).) The Holy Ghost is Himself the seal — God’s seal put upon the soul that believes in a dead, risen, and glorified Christ. But there are many of the children of God who do not know themselves sealed, who have not peace, who do not enter into the truth that God, as the Justifier, raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. They are little if at all beyond the condition of Old Testament saints, looking forward to the time when they shall be saved, but not knowing that they are saved — they are, in a certain way, looking to Christ to do something for them with God, but they do not see what God has done for them with Christ —they think of Christ as befriending them (and surely so he does), but they have a secret dread of God — they are looking to the cross for deliverance, but they do not know the power of the resurrection — they are safe, but they do not know themselves saved. In a word, they do not know “the gospel of God” — they do not know their union with Christ— they do not enjoy the indwelling of the Holy Ghost —they do not enter into the power of the relationship as sons of God. May God send out His light and His truth!
8δ. “E. S. Y,” Sudbury. It will entirely remove your difficulty if you will notice that in 1 Cor. 11 The apostle does not speak of the public assembly until the 17th verse.
Twelve Communications stand over.