In these days the unity of Christ’s body by the Holy Ghost, and separation from evil, are vital points of testimony for Christians. One is the original and abiding condition of the Church’s existence: the other, faithfulness to its nature and characteristic of that faithfulness in a special manner in the last days. To me it is that (both) or nothing. One is the special purpose of God as to us connected with Christ; the other, His nature. The notion that we can be wittingly associated with evil and be undefiled is an unholy notion—a denial of the nature of holiness,—and in the world, the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth. The character of Christ with Philadelphia is, “He that is holy, He that is true.” The keeping His word, and the word of His patience, is what is commended in the saints. An open door, and only a little strength, but special association with Christ the Holy One, and the truth, in the midst of a degenerate people.
Things are going on so rapidly in these last days that Christians will be cast on their own ground, and we shall need the Word to be an authority, and it is a divine one.
I have been struck lately with the evidence of antagonist powers in the Acts. We know it, hut it came out then distinctly. Apostolic power of the Spirit might overcome, and be greater than what was in the world. So it was, and it delivered, but the power was there; and when masses seemed anxious for the word of grace, they rose up and drove the truth away; and remained in possession of the world, at least, all who did not overcome by personal faith. When this ceased to be the case, the Church itself became corrupt—Satan would cast some into prison—Antipas, a faithful witness, be slain where Satan dwelt, and there the witness was. Soon it became Thyatira, and Jezebel, the mother of children, and then the remnant had to abide the Lord’s coming; and (ecclesiastical blessing) being replaced by the kingdom, and the —Morning Star ours.
I have no doubt that in the present breaking up of what did seem steadfast to man, and in the rapid progress of evil, a testimony to the truth, however simple, by those who are not shaken when all around is, and who have, in the midst of acknowledged weakness in themselves, found peace and rest and stability by the truth, is of the greatest value, and may be a help to thousands. Hence, I rejoice in the wide dissemination of writings which proclaim the truth and unfold and lead to the study of the Word; and I can say this, though some of them should not be without defect in judgment, and should be deficient in exactitude of expression.