27. “A Sunday School Teacher,” Bradford. You ask, “If you found a young person who gave you the fullest assurance he was saved, enjoyed peace with God, enjoyed fellowship about the things of Christ, and whose conduct at home showed the power of it—if such an one expressed a desire to come to the Lord’s table, would you receive him? or would you keep him outside for a length of time, if he were only 13 or 14 years old?” Most assuredly, we should gladly receive such an one, and not keep him outside for a single hour. What has the question of years to do with the divine life? How old was Samuel, when he first knew the Lord? or Josiah? or Timothy?
28. “A. G.” We would affectionately suggest to you and the “many others” who feel with you in reference to those habits which you name, whether it would not be better to make them a matter of earnest prayer, than to write about them to the editor of a magazine. Christ is the master of the assembly. Appeal to Him, He never fails. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” Is not He sufficient? Cannot He keep order? What should I say if one of my sons were to apply to the editor of some periodical, to correct some disorderly conduct at my table? I should feel disposed to say to him, “What! my son, am not I competent to keep order at my own table? Must you needs apply to a stranger to regulate my family?” Do we believe that the Lord presides in the assembly? If so, we should look to Him to correct all abuses. If this were better understood, it would save a vast amount of trouble—avert a multitude of “cases”—bring much glory to Christ, and yield a rich harvest of blessing to our own souls.
29. “M. B.,” Tetbury. Accept our best thanks for your sweet lines, we like them much. Their tone and spirit are truly excellent.
30. “J. C.,” Gosport. As to whether teaching should precede or follow the Lord’s supper, or whether there should be any teaching at all, seems an open question. Scripture lays down no rule; and the Holy Ghost will, if He gets His right place in the assembly, guide in this as in all beside. We must add, however, that we do not think the Lord’s table is the place for long sermons.
31. “Halifax, N. S.” We do not fool it to be our province to give a judgment in such a matter.
32. “H. M.,” Chelmsford. The course named in the postscript to your letter is the right one. Such matters are hardly in our line.
33. “A Sister,” Hampshire. In volume 4 of “Things New and Old,” page 25, you will find an exposition of Heb. 6:1-10,1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit. 4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:1‑10) which may help your friend.
34. “A. M. H.,” Canterbury. If you will send us your full address, we shall be happy to let you have some little books that may help you. May the Lord Himself be your teacher and guide! To Him we commend you.
35. “G. A. S.,” Chelsea. Your question is rather out of our province,