GREENWICH, DECEMBER 16TH, 1901
GREENWICH, DECEMBER 16TH, 1901
Dr. van Someren.
My Dear Brother, — I received your letter of October 4th but my absence in Scotland prevented my giving you a speedy answer. I am always interested in hearing anything of things in the Colonies. I was at a meeting two nights ago for commending George Stewart to the Lord on his return to Australia. I believe that he starts on the 20th. I understand that he is going to Sydney. I hear, too, that by this time Mace will have arrived in New Zealand. I suppose that it will not be long before he finds his way to New South Wales. I have no doubt that he will be very popular in the Colonies. And I feel that the present is hardly the moment for me to be attempting anything over there. So that I shall let matters rest for the present, unless I should get some unexpected light. I am interested in what you say as to the meeting of difficulties in Sydney. There are many that would take up the working of an ecclesiastical system, which does not call for spirituality. And I think that this is to be dreaded. Many efforts have been made to set brethren on this line, but all have ended in failure. I fully admit that if a few of us have been brought near to one another by the power of the truth, we have no course but to seek to order our ways in the light of the church. But it is of all importance that [p. 180] we should be kept simple and free of all thought of forming any kind of organisation here. I see the justice of seeking to act on the principle of one assembly in a city, but the simpler this can be maintained the better. The Saturday meeting in London has been beset with dangers, especially when the minds of brethren have been agitated about any pressing question. The meeting is then in danger of being turned into an occasion of discussing difficulties. Thus it departs from its only proper character, that is of a purely business meeting, to means of intercommunication. Mr. Darby was very jealous of the meeting assuming any other function than this. But brothers go up to this meeting, and are often well satisfied that the meeting should be invested with a little importance. In a simple way it is almost a matter of necessity in a large town where there are several meetings. But it will set nothing right, or compensate for the want of spirituality of those in the various meetings. As regards gospel effort, I am not sure that this is not an accompaniment of a low state in the saints. It is perfectly certain that often when saints are very much in the world they will be prepared to make great efforts in gospel work, and I should think for the reason that it does not rebuke their worldliness. And I am afraid that some of the preachers are content to accept countenance on these terms. As things are, it appears to be impossible to expect great things in gospel work, but there is no doubt that if brethren are content to go quietly with gospel work there will be result, but then I think the presentation of the gospel should be of a different character from that which is around. The painful thing to me is the disposition in many to copy the modes that are around. If we claim to have the truth, we should be prepared to show the way, and not to take an example from others. We do not want to see the truth of the church, in that which it is to Christ, swamped in revivalism.
[p. 181] I trust that the time may come when you may seethe way clear for a meeting nearer to where you live. It is a great thing when it is possible for saints to go to the meeting without any very great labour. One has to consider the weak, and those that have not their time at their disposal. I do not know that I have much to say as to things in England. Outwardly we are going on peaceably, but I feel that we are always in danger of being swamped by a number of people that have come into fellowship for various reasons, but who have no faith for the path. This is true in regard to many of the children of those already in. It is very nice to see the children there, but I do not know that one is prepared to help to keep a system going for people that have not faith for themselves. However one could not readily desert things, for this would be cowardly. We must wait on the Lord, who is able to make a way. I hope that you are all well, through mercy I can say this as to ourselves, though we have had the usual autumn colds, and so on. With our love in the Lord to Mrs. van Someren and yourself, believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.