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it not seem, to some, like attempting to build up a sect? ("Abstain from all appearance of evil.") 2. Ought not the sheep to be kept cast upon the Lord alone for such fellowship with saints as He sees best for them and most to His own glory f ("We walk by faith, not by sight.") 3. Might not such lists be used by "false brethren," by the aid of which to creep from one assembly to another, and fleece the flock? (“Be ye, therefore wise as serpents.")

MY JESUS.

I love when I am weary, and faint, and worn, and sad,
To spend an hour with Jesus, whose presence makes me glad.
I love, when tried and tempted, beset with doubts and fears,
To cust my care on Jesus, He wipes away my tears.

And when oppressed with sorrow, my heart within me dies,
When tempests round me gather, and waves of trouble rise:
When all things seem against me, in this dark vale of tears,
Oh! how one glimpse of Jesus will dissipate my fears.
I love to walk with Jesus, to lean upon his breast,
And hear him sweetly whisper, I—I will give thee rest.
Oh! what to me are trials with Jesus for my friend?
Tho' all things else are fleeting, His love can never end.

R. C.-"Jesus and His disciples were together, and they said unto Him, Lord, show us the Father. Jesus said, He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. Now, it is written in God's word, No man hath seen God at any time. Can you tell me how this is ?"

[May you ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you through the following or other Scriptures

"Without controversy, great is the mystery of godlinessGod was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Tim. iii. 16.)

"Who [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God." (Col. i. 15.)

"The express image of his person." (Heb. i.)

From these passages may we not learn that Jesus meant that he who had seen Him had seen the image of the invisible Father. The strong form of speech, to which you refer, was a peculiarity of the Jewish language. Do we not see another instance of it when the Lord says "This is my body." Surely He meant an image or representation of His body, which was about to be given for the life of the world. Is not this made clear by that other Scripture-" As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do show forth the Lord's death." An

Should earthly friends prove faithless, and leave me one by one, image shows forth, or pictures something else. Does it not?

I know my precious Jesus will ne'er forsake His own;
But gently bear me onward through trials yet to come,
Until he lands me safely in heaven, my promised home.
Jesus, my only glory, low at thy feet I fall,

My Saviour, Friend, and Brother, nay more-my all in all.
[Copied from a cottage wall, Feb. 1866, author unknown.

"WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS."

(2 TIM. iv.)

DEAR BROTHER,-The little word "all" makes this exhortation apply to everything connected with our pilgrimage here. Are we all as watchful as we ought to be to keep up, what I would call,-fellowship-unity? This is, perhaps, more needful now than ever. Many dear souls have "come out"-separated themselves-from all that honours man and detracts from the honour due to Christ only, as the Head of the Church. Andblessed be God!—many are being "born again” in separation from this evil.

Now, what is the special hindrance to this precious testimony? Is it not our "fallings-out by the way"-both as fellowships and as individuals? We forget the Saviour's prayer-"That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: [to be a light, or testimony,] that the world might believe that Thou hast sent me." (John xvii.)

The Lord, when He became man, presented to man's view, as in a picture, all the glories and excellences of God. Therefore, in a sense, those who saw Jesus saw the Father,—they saw the Father morally, not personally.

May you and I sit at His feet, and not at man's, and learn of Him, by the Holy Spirit, through the Word; then will our "profiting appear unto all."

W. R. H., Montreal.-Upon further consideration, before the Lord, we would just suggest to you, dear brother, one Are not thought in respect to excommunicating for error. even those who "deny that Christ has come in the flesh" thus dealt with in the Word. In 2 John 9-11 we are exhorted them out of God's house-the church. In the first epistle by not to receive such in our house, but that is no power to put the same apostle, he assures us that if we are spiritual they will go out. The Lord "will purge His floor."

A Brother writes:-"I think that the Lord's people, in a great measure, fail to distinguish that Christ, in His future dealings with nations and the world, will receive names and titles, according to the offices which he may then sustain. When Jesus sits upon the Judgment Seat, then He will be called the Judge-named according to the work He is doing. Now He is interceding, and is, therefore, called an Advocate. Now He is called Jesus, because He is a Saviour. But who would It is to be feared-by so many painful manifestations in the think of calling Christ the Advocate when the days of longpresent day-that though we have come out, we have brought suffering and grace are ended, and He comes to take venwith us" bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and geance? It is strange so many see Him as a reigning King now, evil speaking," which so fearfully hinder that sweet fellow-before He takes to Himself His great power!-Yours, J. H." ship, for which we inwardly sigh.

Oh, may we be led to watch, jealously wATCH, in these things, that we may detect where they exist, first, in ourselves, then in our fellow members, and seek earnestly-un weariedly

by prayer and supplication for the grace and wisdom needed,

to "put them away from us, with all malice." What gracious tenderness, patient skill, firm wisdom, and inexhaustible love, we need, that we do not put ourselves, or others, away from sweet and precious fellowship, when we speak the truth, endeavouring to "be KIND one to another, TENDER-HEARTED, FORGIVING one another, even as GOD for CHRIST'S SAKE hath FORGIVEN us." (Eph. iv.)

Islington, March, 1868.

C. D.

Address Letters for the Proprietor, to 335a, Strand, London, W.C.

J. B., Salisbury-In our next.

K. L., Glasgow, thinks that Acts ii. 47, might read-" The Lord added unto the church such as were being saved," implying a présent progressive deliverance from sin,

New Edition, Revised, Improved Type,
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PRECIOUS TRUTH.

(Rev. ii.)

"He that hath an Ear to Hear, let Him Hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.” Published by J. B. BATEMAN, 22, Paternoster Row, and SMART & ALLEN, 2, Londonhouse-yard, Paternoster-row.

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MAY 1, 1868.

"Behold, the Bridegroom cometh" (Matt. xxv. 6.) THE Church, as a Betrothed Woman, expects her Beloved. How natural and proper is this attitude of spirit! and how unnatural and improper is the reverse! To cherish the expectancy of seeing Him "whom not having seen we love," who "first loved us, and gave Himself for us," is at once to secure the purest joy-indeed, draughts of the bliss of eternity while we tarry in time.

And how it must please Him whose the Church is -to hear her singing in her heart

"FOR EVER WITH THE LORD!"

Oh, that the dear Church of God-you, beloved, and I, and all believers-may thus continually

"abide in Him"! Then "shall we not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John, ii.): shall we? But, if we be found with the face turned towards the World-oh, no! far be it from us-we tremble at the thought of the shame that might well fill us at being found not abiding in Him at His coming.

And, beloved, we know not any moment "when He shall appear.' He is with us now:

"Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the age." "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

[One Halfpenny.

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1. In name.

Our "brother and companion" John strikingly represents the Church of God in these respects(1) in name, (2) in experience, (3) in attitude, and (4) beloved. "John "" means "the gift, or grace of God." First, we are the subjects of grace, unmerited favour, and that from everlasting. In due time we received the "gift of God, eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." In the sight of angels, how marvellously we poor ransomed sinners show forth the grace of God! We have, indeed, individually, received favour of God! And also collectively. For

Secondly, let us remember that gift of God, even Jesus-which the Church has received. God has given Him (Head over all things) to the Church" (Eph. i.) How identified is this second gift of the "Jesus" — with the first giftof God "eternal life;" for "Christ is our life" (Col. iii.) We have received eternal life in Him and all things with Him!

grace

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” (2 Cor. ix.) "Love so amazing, so divine,

Deserves my life, my soul, my all."

Then, thirdly, while we are the subjects of grace, we are also the means of grace; for we are the gift, or grace, of God to the earth, inasmuch as we

"hold

"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, forth the Word of life," God "not willing [or wish

there am I in the midst of them."

The first of these assurances is for the comfort of the servant; the second has reference to our individual walk; the third, to the assembly. But all show one thing "God with us," our Jesus; our Emmanuel, "God with us." How blessed! Jesus with us!

But He does not appear-appear to us. Faith apprehends Him-and Faith only-and "rejoices with joy unspeakable and full of glory." He is "walking in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks;" and at any moment, in the "twinkling of an eye," He will appear. Oh, how blessed to be found at that moment "abiding in Him!" Now, we "abide in Him" both when " our affections are set

on things above," where He is, and also when, by faith, we realise Him down here.

And so, beloved, we may one moment be "sitting at Jesus' feet," and the next-looking in His face!

"And so shall we be for ever with the Lord!"
"The Spirit and the Bride say, Come."
"Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly."

ing] that any should perish." (1 Tim. iii.)

2. And this leads to another respect in which "John" sets forth the Church: not only in name, but in experience, as the rejected of the earth. Behold John in the isle of Patmos, rejected of the world, "for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus." And this is, more or less, the experience of all. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. iii. 12).

"Exhorting them [the disciples] to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts, xiv. 22).

Some of us may be feeling this bitterly. All of us who are spiritual "do groan - pent-up in Patmos, cut off from the delights of earth. Well, what is our resource as shut up to the Lord-shut out from the world? Is it not," Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" Blessed trials that intensify our expectancy of the Beloved! And so, like John, our spirits are taken up with the Lord's Day-the great day of the Lord which draweth nigh.

3. This attitude of our spirits is just that in which

In continuation of Papers in Nos. for August and September, 1867; the Lord put John. As we read

viz.-1. As Dependent; 2, As Veiled; 3. As Modestly Attired.

34

"If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" (John, xxi. 22).

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Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end" (John. xiii. 7.)

4. This being so, beloved, may you and I know the place of nearness-like John, on Jesus' breast, as one

Who is Jezebel of this dispensation? Is she not And so we are tarrying-not for death, but till He-not a mere principle-because the Lord says, "I the unconverted who havo, by collegiate process, got come, in bodily presence, from the highest heavens gave her space to repent, and she repented not." into the place of teachers? Mark you, she is a person down into the air, the lower heavens, and we are "caught up to meet the Lord in the air;" wo are tarrying till He appear-appear to sight-who really theological professors and ministers. All, who are going with academical machinery will is always with us, blessed be His name! have unconverted men (more or less) in the place of unconverted men out. But an academical course cansome of the sects take more care than others to keep Of course, exposed to the evil. We were recently shocked at not be held as of prime consequence without ALL being hearing of the appointment to the position of a colknown by his father, family, and friends to be not lege professor of a clever young tutor who was well in the faith! If you hold Hebrew, Greek, and Mathematics as prime requisites, you cannot keep out of the (so-called) ministry naturally able, but to it, and trained for it, as a living, without any unregenerate men. Indeed, how many are destined question of a change of heart! Thus, the mere booktaught (i.e. Jezebel) have supplanted the Holy Spirit! Remember, that sins against the Holy Ghost are specially condemned in the Word. threatened "tribulation." Hence this

whom Jesus loves.

Each of us, as individuals, oh, how dear to the Lord! and all of us, as the Church-oh, how dear to the Lord!

"Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it" (Eph. v.) Thus is the Church like John the Beloved-stamped, or named, Grace-rejected-waiting-beloved. Even so.

THE "HOUR OF TRIAL"

COMETH.

"I will cast them into great tribulation." (Rev ii.)

To the Editor of PRECIOUS TRUTH. "DEAR BROTHER, -While I can speak of the joy your journal has afforded me and others, I must also mention (not for myself only, but for many of the Lord's dear people I am acquainted with)-that there have been recently some statements hard to be understood in the light of Scripture. You speak of adulterous Christians being CAST into the TRIBULATION, while those who are found faithful and blameless at Christ's coming will enter uninterrupted [unimpeded, unopposed] into the presence of the Lord.

Oh, that dear ones, everywhere, may become enlightened as to this abomination of adultery with present in the midst, as their All-in-all! to teach Jezebel, and turn unto the Lord, cleaving unto Him, them by the Holy Ghost, "whom God hath given unto all them that obey Him." (Acts v.)

understood the tribulation of the Jewish Remnant, It was not said-Adulterous Christians will be cast into "the tribulation;" by this term is usually referred to by our Lord (Mark xiii. 19,20), and pictured

"I cannot say you are wrong, but the Apostle Paul says-forth (further on in the Revelation) as the Woman We (which I understand to mean ALL) which are alive and remain shall be caught up at the Lord's coming.

"As the remarks you made are so searching almost alarming-I pray that the Lord will guide you in the matter, so that if your meaning has been mistaken, you may make it plainer. Yours in Him, even Jesus our Lord, W. J. C."

DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD,-The truth is indeed "searching"-" quick and powerful, as any twoedged sword." We were startled, as much as you, by the truth which flashed from the sword in the presence of the Lord. But woe to any withhold the truth through fear of man! of us, if Dear ones, alas! to the testimony of man, but none can wipe out the may shut their eyes and ears words of God.

we

"I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat

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things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds" (Rev. iii. 20-22). These last referred to are the Lord's "servants called so by Him, and therefore true believers engaged, more or less, in work for Him. But they are also living in adultery with Jezebel. In the January number we were much led out concerning Jezebel.

whom the Dragon tries to overwhelm with a flood [of persecution]. (Rev. xii.) The Church will be with the Lord while that is going on upon the earth.

Nevertheless, if the Lord Jesus Christ solemnly threatens tribulation, let us receive, as little children, dition, and that condition is-"unless they repent." what He says. But then the threat is uttered on a con

Now let us, dear brother, think of Nineveh. The Lord's word by Jonah was

"Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown" (Jonah iii.)
Surely this was no unreal threat.
and was again threatened through the prophet
But Nineveh repented, and God stayed His hand.
Of course not.
It is true, Nineveh relapsed into great iniquity;
Jonah's time.
Nahum, and subsequently destroyed, 300 years after
judgment was completely avoided by a timely
repentance, to the praise of the mercy of God.
Nevertheless the first threatened

Shall She be impenitent in view of the Gentile City
Now, shall the Church do less than Nineveh?
in sackcloth ? Nay!

"The times of this ignorance God winked at; and now com-
mandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts xvii. 30).

see-if these things are so! And oh! if it be so, may
Oh, that dear ones will search the Scriptures, and
we raise the Jonah-cry-yea, it has gone forth-and

shrink not, for the Lord delighteth in mercy, and has uttered this and similar threatenings that His people may be spared-the ordeal of fire!

"The fire shall try every man's work" (1 Cor. iii. 13).

The truth ministered from the Scriptures by the Lord Jesus now, before He comes, is water. (Oh, what a shocking sign when the application of water is uncomfortable! and is repelled!)

"Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephes. v. 25, 26, 27). This is what He is doing continually-"cleansing and sanctifying the church with the washing of water by the word." Now the words of a threat are like a dash of cold water-startling, but not hurtful. Being startled, shall we run from the water? Nay.

Now, dear brother, "washing" can only be done with the will of the one washed. And suppose

some of us will not be washed? or when we are washed, we turn again to the mire of men's traditions? or worldliness? or wilful adultery with Jezebel? What then?

Fire!

Purged we must be-by one process or the other? Which shall it be? Water or Fire?

The Water of the Word or the Fire of Tribulation? In the desperate wickedness of that old heart which "is deceitful above all things," we may choose the mire-may build up "wood, hay, stubble"-may feel it uncomfortable to be deprived of our much-loved surroundings-creeds, systems of worship, religious machinery, man-ministry, and, worst of all, that woman Jezebel" painted syren ! But in God's sight these surroundings are-filth. "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Luke xvi.)

may be changed in a moment, and yet, having to pass upward, through the Great Red Dragon and his hosts, woe to us, if they find anything in us, unrepented of, unconfessed down here!

Lord's presence that Satan is cast out from the It is not till after the Church has arrived in the heavens; for he continues to be the Accuser of the Jewish Remnant till overcome by Michael, the "prince," or guardian angel of the Jewish nation. See Daniel x. 20 and Rev. xii. 10, 11.

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. xii. 7, 8, 9).

Then, consider, dear brother, the Lord's word to Philadelphia-(precious assurance!)

will keep thee from the hour of temptation [trial], which "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev. iii. 10).

You and I are anxiously desirous, are we not, dear brother, that the Philadelphian state of things shall prevail all around us-why? That all dear ones may be "kept from the hour of trial." Then to which ALL who are not found in Philadelphian there is an "hour of trial"—only, as it were, an "hour" simplicity and purity will be exposed! If not, where is the meaning of language? We cannot be "kept from" something of which there is no danger! Oh, this is a sweet assurance of immediate joy at His appearing! May we earnestly labour and pray for the whole Church of God!

As to Satan and his hosts being used in the "hour of trial," to afflict any who are found in adultery with Jezebel at the Lord's coming-we would ask, Who have always been God's instruments of judgto His own people?—The Wicked.

Purged off it must be. Then let it be by water-ment the "washing of water by the word." When we are purged we are responsible to go on and keep so. "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Rev. iii.)

But you have a difficulty, dear brother, in holding this Scripture concerning "tribulation" at the Lord's coming, because of 1st Thessalonians which says "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air." Now when Paul wrote to the Thessalonians there was no such evil in their midst as there was at Thyatira; on the contrary, he is full of praise and thankfulness at their walk. He says they were "ensamples unto all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." We do not hold the rod over good children; do we? Therefore is it that we do not read in this epistle of "tribulation" concerning the Church.

It is true, in the 1st epistle to the Corinthians we are assured we shall be "changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;" but, then, Paul also speaks of a sinful one, desiring that his "spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Saved from what-if there is nothing to be saved from? We

"The Wicked, which is Thy Sword." (Ps. xvii.) And so, when Jesus took our sin and was "smitten for our transgressions"-who was the Sword? was it not the Wicked One and those who were "of their father the Devil?" It was their "hour and the of darkness."

power

"Awake, O Sword, against my Shepherd, against the Man which is my fellow." (Zech. xiii.)

Now where evil is held not practically-but only doctrinally-as in Pergamos, the Lord does not threaten tribulation; his word of warning is

"Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them [the individuals who hold the evil doctrines] with the sword of my mouth"-the word of God used piercingly. (Rev. ii.)

But where there is evil-this dreadful evil of adultery with Jezebel-then "the wicked is Thy sword."

Pray the Lord, dear brother, over this matter, and search the Scriptures for yourself. Who am I? only a "brother and companion in tribulation."

Let us abide in Jesus; then shall we find Him a "strong tower" through "the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world." Amen.

[The following letter has been addressed to a brother in London who a short time ago "accepted a call" to preside over a church, as its pastor. May the Lord accept the effort as a labour of love to His dear Name.]

"A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST."
(1 Tim. iv.)

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister [Greek, deacon] of Jesus Christ,

nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine." DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD,—

FROM this passage we learn that if a believer is nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine," and "puts the brethren in remembrance of these things," he is "a good minister of Jesus Christ." I need not tell you, dear brother, that the word "MINISTER" Simply simply means servant serves another. DEACON, primarily, means the same as "minister," that is, servant; as we read

in John ii.

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one who

"His mother said unto the servants (deacons), Whatsoever he saith unto you, do."

Thus, in a general sense, all of us who believe may cherish the desire to be "good deacons [that is, ministers, or servants] of Jesus Christ." At home, abroad; in business, in the assembly; writing a letter, eating and drinking, speaking to sinners, and lying down to rest-it is sweet to cherish the sentiment-Jesus my Master.

"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do."

You may say, dear brother,-But some brethren are more gifted for one thing than another, and does not this constitute them teachers, or preachers, or pastors, as the case may be?

I cannot admit the assertion or the inference. I do recognise differences of natural ability; but I cannot limit the operation of the Spirit to the bounds of call these differences spiritual gifts, and I dare not natural ability! (If you feel interested in this subject of "gifts," I would take the liberty of suggesting your perusal of the last seven numbers of a little monthly periodical called "Precious Truth." It is "gifts" does land us in discriminatible ministries; an important question. The ordinary doctrine of that is, visibly-pastors, preachers, teachers; and if if we have them, you and others might well say-Why not call them so? But, dear brother, in the numbers mentioned the Scriptures are referred to to show that in this, "the last time," the only ministry is that of the Spirit through the Word under the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head.)

between you and me just now, dear brother, which However, to resume the thread of the subject is this-that all service is carried on in communion with the One Master, whose will, being perceived, is fulfilled by us, with His all-sufficient grace, and that the church has nothing to do with appointing or calling to His service.

That all of us are called to be servants, may be a certain place to a certain people, exposes "a good also evident from that other word

"One is your Master, even Christ." (Matt. xi.)

From this it follows, that while we are all brethren with regard to each other, we may well feel that, as regards the one Master, we are all servants.

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." (John xiii.)

May you and I feel ourselves servants of the One Master, and desire to be "good deacons of Jesus Christ," prepared for every good work.

Now if we be, all of us, at the Lord's disposal, He may call us at one time to one thing, and at another time to some other thing. Thus I may be called at one time to preach the Gospel; at another time, to visit saints; at another time, to speak in the assembly. In the first case, I shall be doing preaching-work (work of an evangelist); in the second, elder-work (or pastor-work); and in the third, leading (in prayer or praise) or teaching (in the Word).

morrow.

It may be that I am more frequently called to one kind of work than another say, for instance, preaching; but that does not make me an evangelist, because the Lord may call me to other work toBut if I accept a position to preach the Gospel, I may be sometimes so engaged when the Lord would have me teach saints. We know many brethren, but we know of none who have not, or may not, be taken up of the Lord, or called, at some time or other, to do each of the three different kinds of work referred to above-preaching, shepherding, teaching or leading in worship.

The acceptance of a position to preach or teach in minister of Jesus Christ" to a second evil also. He is not only limited to certain work when perhaps the Lord would have him doing other work-but he is also bound to a certain place when perhaps the Lord would send him to another! Now, if the angel of the Lord say to Philip, "Arise, and go toward the south," how can he if he has engaged to meet the people of Samaria? So, now-a-days, if a servant have a sudden call, or perceive it to be his Lord's will that he should go somewhere, how can he, when the people in the big building will be looking for him?

With regard to evangelist-work, or preaching the Gospel, the word of God simply says—“ How shall he preach unless he be sent ?" If a brother among us is very frequently sent with a word from the Lord to the unsaved, God be thanked; let him have the special sympathy, presence, and prayers of his brethren. But let him not feel wholly bound to a certain place,

a

for then he will not be free to serve the Lord elsewhere on an hour's notice. And let him not accept position to preach regularly, for if he do, the people will reckon on hearing him, and man-homage will be the result. But, on the contrary, let him be careful to leave the way clear for the Spirit to use other members of the body to the glory of God, remembering that "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; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to

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