39. “C. Μ. Η.” We most thoroughly agree with you in judging that “the Lord’s table is not the place for cymbals”—that is, we presume, for exuberant manifestations of joy. We remember a Christ dead for us—we recall His cross and passion—His blessed body bruised—His agony—all the attendant circumstances of His last hours—all the ingredients of His bitter cup—all the horrors of that closing scene—we show forth His death. It is the most solemn and deeply affecting mystery which it is possible for the soul to contemplate; and hence we do not, and cannot, believe that a quantity of hilarious hymn-singing is in moral keeping with such an occasion. True it is, blessed be God, we show forth His death in the happy consciousness that it is a thing of the past—that “His travail all is o’er”—that that terrible night can never return—that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more. And, further, we celebrate the feast in the deep and blessed sense of His ineffable love in dying for us. But, admitting all this, we feel persuaded that the Lord’s supper, as setting forth the Lord’s death, is not the occasion for a quantity of desultory hymn-singing—often, alas! a wearisome bodily exercise, as devoid of spiritual intelligence as of moral propriety, and demonstrative only of the ignorance, shallowness, and restlessness, of unsubdued nature. What we long for, on each fresh occasion of surrounding the table of our Lord, is that hush of true spiritual communion and worship, too deep for utterance—that earnest gazing—that profound musing—that devout meditation, which the Holy Ghost alone can produce in our souls. And then, seeing that in the same night in which the supper was instituted, our blessed Lord, and the little band that surrounded Him, sang a hymn ere they went forth to the mount of Olives, we, too, can enjoy a hymn which, in some little measure at least, embodies the feelings and sentiments proper to such a solemn, holy, and soul-subduing occasion.
Beloved friend, let us unite in entreating our God to grant us all more true devoutness of spirit in all our meetings, but especially at that meeting which takes precedence of all meetings—when we come together to show forth the Lord’s death until He come.
40. “A.H.F.” 2 John 1:1010If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2 John 10) is not confined to teachers. It says, “If there come any unto you,” teacher or else. It is a most solemn statement, setting forth the responsibility, even of a Christian lady, to arise and shut the door against any who bring not the doctrine of Christ, lest, by receiving such, or bidding him God speed, she be a partaker of his evil deeds. It is a fine wholesome word for this day of laxity and cool indifference.
41. “J. Η. H.” If you can lay your hand on volume 10 of “Things New and Old,” you will find a series of papers on 2 Cor. 5 which will help you. As to Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27), it does not say “It is appointed unto all men once to die.” “It is appointed unto men.” But the believer is delivered from death and judgment, and brought into a new position altogether, to which death and judgment cannot apply. He has died in Christ, and been judged in Christ, and cannot therefore die and be judged again. True, he may fall asleep, and go to be with Jesus; but this is not death. Christ has abolished death, and brought life and incorruptibility to light by the gospel.
42. “C. M.,” Milltown, Dublin. Thanks for the packages of tracts. Had you sent them by book post, with the ends open, they would have come for less than half the postage. We merely mention this for your future guidance.
43. “Ε. H. C.,” Eaton Rise. Procure a copy of “Lectures on the New Testament Doctrine of the Holy Spirit,” by W. Kelly. (London: Broom, Paternoster Row.) It can be had also of our publisher, Mr. Morrish, or through any bookseller.