EXTRACTS

The testimony of the Lord brings the Lord Himself before men. Paul said to the Corinthians,

“We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’

sake”. We make, as a rule, too much of the vessel. Paul brought the Lord before men, and where the Lord is received He confirms the word by the gift of Holy Spirit. It is a mistake to make too much of the instrument; the instrument is our bondman, and the Lord should be the great reality to us, both as the source and subject of the testimony.

F. E. Raven (N.S. Vol. 9, p.13)

God is love, and His love impelled Him to make Himself known, and so we get many sons brought to glory. The privilege of sons is that they know God as revealed in love. To Adam He was known as a beneficent Creator, but we have now the revelation of God in love. The glory of God is in the accomplishment of His purpose. Nothing thwarts Him. We rejoice in hope of the glory of

God; glory is the complete satisfaction of God in the accomplishment of His purposes in Christ.

F. E. Raven (N.S. Vol. 9, p.411)

Evil arises, and one has painfully to admit that in the gatherings there are current issues unsolved; evil raising up its head, and, in some instances, inability to meet it; participation in worldly associations, radios, and mixed marriages. These are decoys of the devil to distract and defile the brethren; and God would call upon us to gird up our loins, and face these things with others like them; and what is needed, among other things, is positive balance; positive things that will maintain us in balance. “For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble ... just ... pure … amiable ... of good report; if there be any virtue and if any praise, think on these things”. They furnish balance.

J. Taylor (N.S. Vol. 46, p.389)

A man who prays has power with God, and if with God he will have power with men, so that to preach with power you must pray. We should be much humbled if we do not influence men. If you have not power with the saints, the secret is that you do not pray, because if you have power with God you will have power with men.

J. Taylor (N.S. Vol. 5, p.403)

“Without me ye can do nothing”. Neglect of this is the secret of all failure. It is the cause in every instance … This is the only secret of power—to see Christ taken up.

J. B. Stoney (N.S. Vol. 7, p.279)

Published by F. C. Mutton, 22 Christchurch Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QY, England Printed by C. Ellis, Billericay, Essex, England