64. “Β. Y.” We truly sympathize with you in your present state of soul; but can hardly attempt to enter upon it in a brief reply. One thing we must say, namely this, you want to come as an utterly lost one—a complete bankrupt, to the Savior; your reasonings will drive you to distraction. Come, like a little child, to Jesus; rest in Him and in His finished work. In Him you will find salvation, strength, and victory. Do come!
65. “C. II. K,” Faversham. 2 Cor. 12 gives the positive standing and the possible state of a Christian. His positive standing is that of “a man in Christ.” His possible state is, either to be in paradise with Christ, or sunk in all the wretchedness presented in the last two verses. Flesh is incurable; even the third heavens cannot mend it. Thank God, we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. May we walk in the Spirit! May we remember that, at any moment, our place may be paradise with Christ! May we mortify our members!
66. “Η. Η. H.” We can see no sort of sense or meaning in a person breaking bread by himself. Where is there the expression of the unity of the body? Where is the fellowship? We can hardly imagine such an idea entering into the mind.
67. “G. K,” Sydenham. The parable of the unjust steward, in Luke 16, has nothing whatever to do with salvation, forgiveness, or eternal life. Its object is to press upon those who are saved the importance of using the present with their eye on the future—of using the things of time with a view to eternity. Compare 1 Tim. 6:17-19. We have lately gone into this subject in our “Correspondence.”
68. “J. R.,” Stratford. The term “angel” in Revelation 2, 3. refers to the mystic representative of the church before God. The angel and the church are sometimes used interchangeably. For instance, “Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write.... behold, the devil will cast some of you.” He passes from the angel to the church as though they were one and the same. In short, the term “star” or “angel” is the church mystically represented above; the “candlestick” is the church responsible below.
70. “J. M. and “ Τ. M.,” Bradford. We believe there are two evils involved in such membership as you name. In the first place, you are unequally yoked together with unbelievers, which you are expressly told not to be. (2 Cor. 6:14.) In the second place, you surrender your individual responsibility, and become merged in an organization for whose every act you are morally responsible.
70. “J. C,” Tunbridge Wells. The subject of your letter is deeply interesting: but it is, as you will doubtless admit, hardly in our line.
71. “L. L.,” Malvern. We commend you to God and the word of His grace. May He keep you close to Himself!
72. “H. S. Α.,” Reading. Some copies read Rev. 22:14 thus, “Blessed are they that have washed their robes.” We do not presume to judge as to the correctness of this reading; but it would quite remove your difficulty. If the reading in our authorized version be correct, we should quite accept your interpretation.
73. “J. W.,” Forest Hill. Assuredly we all need to watch against the creeping in of a Laodicean spirit. May the Lord keep us!
74. “W. H. J.,” Cambridge. Your acrostic is interesting; and, owing to the occasion of it, most touching; but it would not do for insertion.
75. “A Sister,” Cheltenham. We refer you to — for an answer to your inquiry.
70. “S. G.,” Chipping Sodbury. It is perfectly useless for anyone to send us such questions, we are fully determined that nothing shall induce us to discuss them in the pages of “Things New and Old.”
77. “C. L. E.,” We should think that Peter’s case furnishes a very distinct answer to your question. Did not he fall, and that grievously? And was not he restored both to communion and to service—yea deeper communion and higher service than ever? Read John 21:1-19.
78. “J.B.M.D.,” Blackrock. We consider the two statements perfectly compatible; but we cannot enter upon the matter just now. A few words of conversation would be more effectual than pages of writing. God bless you!
79. “Ε. B.,” Hurst. Accept our best thanks for your kind letter. We feel assured the Lord will be better to you than all your fears. Seek to get very close to Him in the spirit of your mind. Give Him the full confidence of your heart. Then will your peace flow as a river, and your lips and your life speak His worthy praise.