EXTRACTS

It is an important point that in assembly we meet one another. Coming together in a formal way at a certain place and time does not secure the Lord’s presence. But if we come together as the children of God in the unity of the Spirit, and in spiritual affection, we meet the Lord.

If it is only a question of coming at an appointed hour on Lord’s day morning, you may as well go to a chapel. Many have the idea that it is a more scriptural way of meeting, and do not apprehend that we meet in the light of Christ’s assembly. If people have strife and envy amongst themselves, how can they have the presence of the Lord? The coming together to break bread is a great test as to our relations one to another. The obligation lies on each one to judge himself. If we came together in that way the Lord would draw nigh to us. If there is a difference we are to forgive as Christ forgave us, and that is pretty absolute! The secret of these personal differences is that people are unspiritual.

F. E. Raven (Vol. 15, p.111)

I would earnestly commend the precious Scriptures, especially to the children and young men and women. How many of us regret with all our hearts that we have not given more time to the Scriptures, that we do not know them better! The apostle Paul said to Timothy, “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures”, 2 Timothy 3: 15. Let me earnestly entreat the young under no circumstances to neglect the Scriptures; even if you do not understand them, know them. Timothy knew them, if he did not fully understand them, from his childhood.

J. Taylor (Vol. 89, p.443)

I have sometimes seen upon a mountain that there is but one path which is simple and right; and a comfort indeed it is to know it, though there are ever so many crooked ones going over the heath. That is just where we are now. If a person has the right path, he does not need to inquire about the fifty wrong ones. “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee”. If I look on, I see Christ, and then all is easy, and with my eyes on Him, I go straight. A broad path means a broad conscience, not a broad heart. We have a narrow path, but it is a known path, and a straight one.

J. N. Darby (‘Notes and Jottings’, pp.289, 290)

Then he (Jonah) goes on to say, “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord”. The fish vomited him out. This is a very searching word. A Christian is not worth a name that has not vowed. The point is not that you have not vowed but have you paid your vows? Some may not have identified themselves with the Lord and His people, but have put it off. The Lord is calling upon you now to pay your vows … Why should we leave Him out of all our reckonings, why not look into the ledger and see what is due? Much will happen but it is waiting the state of the saints.

What God is looking for is state, an answering recompense so that it is time to wake up and see if God is not speaking to me; has He not a voice to me? I may perhaps see His hand delivering as soon as I pay my vows so that I will say, “Salvation is of Jehovah”.

J. Taylor (Vol. 89, pp.356, 357)

The cross is not only to be taken up, but to be borne all the way through. It is well to cultivate and cherish high desires; but be assured the more genuine they are, the more the will must be broken, in order to make room for the manifestation of them in living power. The light that is in the earthen pitcher does not shine forth until the pitcher is broken. May you and I submit to be broken, that the true happy desires, which we at times have loved to give expression to, may find no impediment to their full manifestation; and thus that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh, to His praise and glory.

J. B. Stoney (Vol. 12, p.258)

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