GREENWICH, MAY 2ND, 1896

^[p. 117] GREENWICH, MAY 2ND, 1896

Mr. G. J. Stewart.

My Dear Brother, — I return you the paper you sent in your letter of March 2nd which I duly received. I have read it and (though I am not much of a critic) it seems to me sound and good. The only thing that struck me in any other way was that it was perhaps necessary to guard a little more carefully the proper divine relationship of the Son and the Father — for though the relationship into which in christianity we are brought has its character from that which was eternal, it is not identical, since in order that this relationship might subsist for us the Son emptied Himself — in mind took a place lower than that of God in which He could say “My Father is greater than I” — but the taking of this place could not set aside the truth and reality of His eternal relations with the Father, hence we have “no one knows the Son but the Father” — and yet it was that emptying Himself which alone could make the relationship of sons a possibility for men. Thus I should hardly be prepared to go so far as to say ‘it is the eternal relationship of Father, Son and Spirit’ and then that men might be brought into this relationship. There is one other point that I will refer to. I hardly care for the expression ‘He took human nature into union with Himself’. I do not like the term ‘union’ in this connection. It is hardly the scriptural way of speaking of the incarnation. There it is “became flesh”, “took part of the same”, “took upon him the form of a servant”, etc., etc., none of these passages convey the thought of union, but rather identification of a Person with a state or form assumed. I have merely noted the above as points which struck me. Things go on in the main quietly in England. There is fellowship, and I think that confidence is gaining ground. The brothers who have been disaffected remain much where they were. W. Turpin has not been to any meeting for some weeks, but has not, I ^[p. 118] believe formally withdrawn. Those most intimately acquainted with him do not believe that doctrine is the real cause of his disaffection. J.S.O. is much the same — not happy but finding himself without support among those in fellowship. I fancy that brethren are tired of the matter of Hull. I hear nothing at all of it. J.B.S. is for the time revived and quite himself in mind though still feeble in body. I have not yet found an opportunity of talking to Morrish about your projected periodical — but will do so, and will see if I can find time to give you a paper, but I am fairly hard worked one way and another. Reynolds is for the time looking after the Voice, and I try to give him a little help in it. I am very sorry about Capper. His going off into this notion shakes confidence in one who should be a father. I do not much like the term ‘testimony’ for a title — it is hackneyed and has become conventional. I should prefer some such simple title as ‘A word for the moment’, anything unpretentious. I am sorry for the trouble with regard to the room and trust that some way may be found out of the difficulty. Is there no brother that could put up a room? It is such a gain and comfort to have a room for yourselves. I have much repugnance to a room used for all sorts of purposes. It becomes in a sort of way unclean. I am glad to hear what you say of your boy George; I trust that he and your and their children are well and may be a comfort to Mrs. Stewart and yourself. Children are as arrows in the hand of a mighty man. They are his strength. I have comfort through God’s mercy in my children. My eldest boy is in fellowship — and there is nothing in any of the remainder that would disqualify me for being an elder, but I can take no credit. It belongs under God to the wife.

With kind love in the Lord,
Believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.