EXTRACTS

JT We acquire sensibilities as in assembly which tend to guide the mind as to the Lord’s coming. As our sensibilities are developed in the assembly, we get instinctively to know He is near, there is no doubt about it with us as a general expectation. You can gather up from inside conditions that He is near. There are waiting voices—the Spirit and the bride say, Come. There is something going on all the time in what is current and we get it by instinct. Such do not pretend to know the date of His coming. That makes the great difference, I think, between those who are spiritual and subject, and those who study prophecy, and try to work out public events as corresponding. They do not get very far; it is the person in the assembly in a characteristic sense acquiring instinctive feelings from the Lord, who has reliable discernment as to this great and blessed matter.

J. Taylor (New Series Vol. 48, p.305)

F.E.R.

Saints who are hindered by social links do not get the benefit of ministry ... I am certain that if people are not free in regard to associations they will make no progress in divine things.

I.S.O.

You cannot help getting on the level of people you associate with.

F.E.R.

You cannot help being affected by them. Separation may appear hard with some people, but down here it is an absolute necessity for any one who is going on with God. The fact is this, I think God knows the world and the effect of influences upon His people better than we do, and he is wiser than we are, and so it is better to take the path He has indicated.

F. E. Raven (Letters New Series, p.297)

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