Correspondence

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 6
62. “Pater.” We can assure you of our hearty sympathy and interest in the subject of your letter. Your path is very simple. You have only to train your dear children for God, and count on God for your children. The Spirit of God alone can make a child understand divine things; and it is not for us to fix a limit as to the precise age at which a child can take in the truth of God. It is the Spirit’s work, and He can make babes as well as sages understand. A little child is the very model on which everyone must be formed who will enter the kingdom of God.
63. “Emma,” Bow. It would seem from John 13:30,30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. (John 13:30) and Acts 20:7, 8,7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Acts 20:7‑8) that the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in the evening. But we cannot see that there is any principle involved, whether it be morning, noon, or eventide. We should feel happy in breaking bread at any time. It seems to us that the Holy Ghost has left the question open; and our ordinary habit of breaking bread in the forenoon has the advantage of being most convenient to the generality of Christians.
64. “D. S. J,” York. We do not consider that John 9:3131Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (John 9:31) has anything to do with the matter to which you refer. The Holy Ghost records what the blind man said to the Pharisees; but we believe that God is ever ready to hear the cry of any poor needy soul that looks to Him through Jesus. We are, each day, more and more convinced of the vast differences between the cold dogmas of theology and the loving heart of a Savior-God. There is a rigid, repulsive manner of using the letter of certain texts of scripture, with which we have no sort of sympathy; we believe it to be contrary to the spirit of the gospel, and the mind of Christ. “God is love.” Precious words! True, He has His counsels and purposes; but the activity of His nature is love, and therefore all are welcome to come. He is a Savior-God; and “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Go on, therefore, beloved, to press upon your fellow-sinners, with all possible earnestness, their solemn responsibility to flee, now, from the wrath to come, and lay hold upon eternal life.
65. “G. D. S.,” Ipswich. We do not, at present, know any book to recommend you on the subject.
67. “J. V.,” Cardiff. Your letter has come to hand. Wait on the Lord. He will guide you, most assuredly. To Him we commend you.
68. “W. K.,” Kent. Rom. 3:3030Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (Romans 3:30) presents the difference between the Jew and the Gentile in this way; the Jew had been tried on the principle of works of law: the Gentile had never been on this ground at all; hence it was necessary to bring out this distinction, which the apostle does by the two words “by” and “through.” The passage may be rendered as follows, “Seeing it is one God who shall justify the circumcision on the principle of faith” (εκ πιστιως)—in contrast with the principle of works— “and the uncircumcision through faith” (βια πιστίως). The latter clause simply sets forth faith as the instrument without any reference to the contrast between the two principles. It would be a great mistake to suppose that there is no difference between the words “by” and “through”—tic and δια. The former expresses the ground or principle; the latter merely the instrument.
69. “Îœ. M.” We heartily thank you for your kind and interesting note and the accompanying lines.
70. “L.” Study 1 Cor. 1:18-3118For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:18‑31). It contains a divine reply to your query.
71. “C. C. F. A.” Thanks for the books, which came safely to hand.
73. “Ε. T.” Your letter has affected us deeply. The testimony of the dear departed one was truly precious. The Lord be praised for its clearness, fullness, and simplicity! May He comfort you, beloved, by His own direct ministry! May He pour the rich consolations of His love into your stricken heart! We do most heartily commend you to Him. He alone can heal the wound which has been made in your heart. He turns the valley of Baca into a well.