80. “J. B” Manchester. We could not think of inserting such an article in our pages. We presume you are aware that we are not responsible to return rejected MSS.
81. “G.,” Belfast. It would not be for edification to discuss your question in our pages. Ever since we commenced to issue this Magazine we have confined ourselves to articles bearing upon the conversion and edification of precious souls; and by the grace of God nothing shall induce us to swerve from these objects. Hence, therefore, our friends will oblige us by refraining altogether from sending us questions of a controversial nature, as we shall, most certainly, leave them wholly unnoticed. No doubt, controversy has its value, but we do not feel ourselves called to it.
82. “G. R.,” London, Your lines have come to hand. They do not suit us exactly.
88. “One Deaf,” Woolwich. Your deafness is no hindrance to your being at the table of your Lord. You can show forth His death, although you are unable to hear a human voice. “As oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” As to the subject of baptism, we should recommend you to study the New Testament on the subject, and ask the Lord to teach you His mind in the matter; and the moment you see His mind, arise and do it.
84. J. B.,” Toronto. It is always well to watch our treacherous hearts, even in right things, lest they betray us. But, in the matter to which you refer, we would remind you, beloved, of the exceeding goodness and tenderness of our God. He most graciously allows us to pour out our hearts to Him in the freest manner. He perfectly understands our every feeling, and He knows all about our relationships and the right affections which flow out of them. It would be unnatural not to feel peculiar earnestness in reference to the salvation of our kinsmen according to the flesh. Unquestionably, we should seek to be ruled, in all things, by the glory of God. But oh! let us ever abide in the sweet sense of His love, and let us beware of a morbid analyzing of our poor thoughts and feelings. God bless you and keep you!
85. “J. D.,” Cathcart. We most fully enter into your feelings on the subject to which you call our attention: but we must beg of you to excuse our discussing the question. So many of God’s beloved saints differ so widely in their views of this subject that great modesty and moderation become us, how decided soever we may feel in our own minds.
80. “A Brother,” Worcestershire. In Phil. 1:2222But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (Philippians 1:22), we understand the apostle to mean that the longer he remained down here the more fruit of his labors he should have. There must be some mistake in your second question, there is nothing about an instrument of death in Luke 22:2525And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. (Luke 22:25) to which you refer. As to your third query, which is too long to transcribe, we can truly answer hi the affirmative.
87. “J. H.” We cannot see the force of your question at all. God made man upright. He created him in innocence. He made him after His own image. But man sinned, and was driven out of Paradise, and the way was barred against his return that way. Adam became the head of a race after his fall. He was the fallen head of a fallen race. But Christ, the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, the Last Adam, has become in resurrection the Head of a new race. Scripture speaks of these two men—two heads; and teaches that, by nature, we stand connected with the first man; by grace, we stand connected with the Second. We are born into this world as members of the first head: we are born again, by the word and Spirit of God, as members of the Second. As to the distinction between the soul and the body we cannot see the sense of it.
88. “F. B” Brantford, Ontario. We can see no objection to a sister’s asking a question in such a meeting as you describe, That a woman is not to teach in the assembly, or to usurp authority over the man, scripture most distinctly and unequivocally declares. But the meeting you describe is not a meeting of the assembly; and asking a question, if it be merely to obtain information, and not indirectly to impart it, is not teaching or usurping authority. Accept our warmest thanks for your truly kind letter. May the Lord abundantly bless you both and all His people, His servants, and His work around you!
80. “Τ. B.,” Donegal. Your letter has reached us in the midst of much pressure. We can merely acknowledge the receipt of it in this month’s issue, and hope to notice it more fully in our next. In the meantime, we commend you earnestly and affectionately to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. May He keep you in the blessed shelter of His own presence, and lead you into a plain path for His Name and glory’s sake!