GREENWICH, MAY 3RD, 1901
GREENWICH, MAY 3RD, 1901
Dr. van Someren.
My Dear Brother, — I had your letter of February 27th, and have been waiting an opportunity of answering [p. 170] it. I am very sorry if I am a letter in your debt, but was unconscious of it, nevertheless I am glad to be brought to the point of writing to you now. The matter of Australia has been brought somewhat prominently before me of late through a certain amount of pressure put upon me to promise to pay a visit over there. A good deal was said as to it by a brother named Patterson of Melbourne, who was over here for a visit, he even wanted me to go back with him. But I could not undertake the matter in such haste. You know in some way how I am situated over here, with a large family, all at home and I am unwilling to leave my wife with an undue burden on her shoulders. I have heard from Patterson since his return to Melbourne, saying that it is the general wish of the brothers that I should pay them a visit. I have written back to the effect that I cannot possibly think of it this year, but if I should at all see the way clear in the coming year I would write him again. I am not anxious at my time of life to undertake such a trip, but on the other hand if it were the mind of the Lord, and this came to me in the way of a general expression of desire on the part of the saints, I should be hardly ready to take the responsibility of an absolute refusal. I have written to Glenny in regard to it to ask his advice, and I just wait to see the mind of the Lord, as one is at His disposal. If you have any thought as to it I should be very glad to hear. I am interested to hear what you tell about the various labourers. I learn that Stewart has an idea of going over at the end of the year, or the beginning of the next. Mace is, I suppose, on his way, but his stay in America is uncertain, as there seems to be considerable interest in the preaching. Mr. Oliphant has gone for a short visit to Chicago. We are going on quietly in England, but there is not that energy of the Spirit that one would desire to see. I feel more and more that in any condition of things down here there is the necessity of being [p. 171] an overcomer, or one will be overcome. The current here is strong against Christ, and the influences of the world are so subtle and seductive. People are not prepared for the reproach of Christ, and there is a widespread idea that saints are not to be denied the best things of this world. I do not see much of the faith of Moses. The fact is the system of which Christ is the Head and Sun, in its breadth and length and depth and height, is not in the view of many, hence they are not delivered from the system of this world. But one has to go on patiently in season or out of season. It may be that the Lord may allow something to come in some of these days to test us. We have just had a large meeting at Bristol, and it passed off without any painful element, and many were helped. We took at the readings the steps from the gospel, in the first faith of it, to the holiest, and this as preparation for efficiency when we are gathered in assembly. I am glad that you have raised the question as to James. I have had it before me and am putting out something as to it, I will send you a copy when it is out. The point to me is that James is teaching christianity, and in his first chapter I see the system of the world to come, of which the church is a kind of firstfruits, and in the second, in principle, the unity of Jew and gentile in Abraham and Rahab, and in the third, in principle, the old man, in the tongue, and the new, in the wisdom which is from above. But you will see it at more length in the paper. I regard the epistle as being most important in making life essential to faith. I am thankful to say that we are all in fair health through mercy, though we have not been without exercise in this respect. I hope that Mrs. van Someren and your boy and self are all well. I note your kind invitation to stay with you in the event of my coming over, but it would be premature to say anything as to it at this stage.
With kind love in the Lord, believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.