I do not believe that the Brethren are the church of God, but they are on the ground of the church of God. But as to our conduct on that ground, we can only put our faces in the dust. The position is divine, but as to our condition, we have ever to humble ourselves before our God.
A friend once said to me, “Do you know that the Rev. Mr. ____ is delivering a course of lectures against the Brethren?”
“Tell him,” I said, “with my kind regards, that I am doing the very same just now. But there is a difference between us. He is lecturing against their principles, while I am lecturing against their practices. He is attacking the ground; I, the conduct on the ground.”
It is not that I consider the Brethren any worse than their neighbors. But, when I consider the high ground we take, our conduct and character ought to be correspondingly high. This alas! is not the case. Our spiritual tone, both in private life and in our public reunions, is sorrowfully low. There is a sad lack of depth and power in our assemblies. There is excessive feebleness in worship and ministry.
I believe the vast increase in our numbers, within the last twenty years [written in 1874-1875], is by no means an index of an increase of power. No doubt, we have to be thankful for every soul brought into what we believe to be a right position.
But the enemy is ever vigilant, seeking to discredit the ground and dishonor the Lord. In denominations, inconsistencies of individuals are in a measure hidden behind the bulwarks of the system. But Brethren stand fully exposed, and their failures are ever used against them.
The grand point for us all is to be humble, lowly, dependent and watchful. May we be kept very little in our own eyes, clinging to Christ, confessing His name, keeping His Word, serving His cause, and waiting for His coming!
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted from Fifteen Letters to a Friend)