SCARBOROUGH, AUGUST 24TH, 1900

SCARBOROUGH, AUGUST 24TH, 1900

Letter by F.E.R. to a young brother — a London bank clerk (Mr. A. N. Walker, now of New York) — who enquired of him as to what his judgment was in connection with the young brother’s exercise to go out to India (Bangalore) under an evangelistic impulse!

Home Address: 10, Crooms Hill, GREENWICH.

My Dear Brother, — In answer to your letter I send a line to give you my impression on the rather serious matter on which you write. I say ‘serious’ because I imagine that the carrying out of your desire will involve the giving up the ordinary way of obtaining a living in the world. I think you will have in the first place to discern whether your desire is a sentiment, or a call from the Lord — Samuel was a child given in answer to prayer, and devoted of his parents to God — but he had to receive a call from the Lord for his service. Peter and Paul, and even Timothy and Titus,

^[p. 162] were very distinctly called. Epaphras had received a ministry from the Lord. Now one thing is attendant on a man being called of the Lord — and that is that call is recognised by the spiritual — Eli perceived the call of Samuel — Barnabas recognised the call of Saul — Paul recognised that of Timothy and Titus and Epaphras. It seems to me that this principle is important, and hangs on the presence and fellowship of the Spirit. May the Lord guide you aright in the matter — that you may be here for His pleasure.

Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.