Correspondence

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19. “W. J. B.,” Islington. The word “Dives” is Latin adjective signifying “rich,” and is a brief way of expressing, “ the rich man.”
20. “F. E. D.,” Lurgan. There is a difference between the parables of Matt. 25:14-30,14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14‑30) and Luke 19:12-2712He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:12‑27) —a difference appearing upon the very surface of the scripture. In Matthew, the master gives “to every man according to his several ability.” In Luke, all receive alike. The former illustrates divine sovereignty; the latter, human responsibility.
21. “E. R.,” Near Epsom. You will find the information you desire in a small pamphlet entitled, “A Scriptural Inquiry into the true nature of the Sabbath, the Law, and the Christian Ministry.” You can get it by sending three postage stamps to our Publisher, Mr. Morrish, Warwick Lane; or to Mr. Broom, Paternoster Bow, e.c. We feel assured the Lord will guide you into His own truth. He has said, “If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” Precious promise! And again, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” Give yourself to the prayerful study of the holy scriptures; and, as light breaks in upon your soul, act upon it at once, with firm decision. Hesitate not. Look not at consequences. “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” There is nothing more dangerous than to play fast and loose with the truth of God; it is almost sure to be followed by judicial blindness and hardness of heart. And remember, dear friend, God never gives light for two steps at a time. Say not, “What shall I do next? or whither shall I go?” The word is, “Cease to do evil,” and then you will “learn to do well.” But so long as we are mixed up with evil and error, we are surrounded by a moral haze which hinders our seeing what is good and right and true. May God guide you and bless you! This is our earnest prayer for you.
22. “Î’. T. S.,” Barbados. Accept our best thanks for your interesting letter. May the Lord greatly bless your work!
23. “S. E. L. O.” Thanks for your precious lines. They breathe just such a spirit as we greatly covet. God bless you!