DEVOTEDNESS IS TESTIMONY
DEVOTEDNESS IS TESTIMONY
I am thankful for your account of the work at ————, ‘a work of smaller dimensions on a firmer and sounder basis,’ sounds like something truly Philadelphian. I believe that sentence uttered and written by you possibly without any preparation, comprises the principles of a present true position, and because it is so true, there is always an effort (I believe of the flesh) to be connected with a work of large dimensions on an uncertain and loose basis. We are only a remnant, but we seek to be true to our original constitution. It is not that we surrender our constitution, but as a remnant, we are set, I trust, to maintain our constitution — to be, notwithstanding the ruin, in the truth of the church — the body of Christ, in the place where He has been rejected. The remnant in every age especially contended for and maintained the [p. 23] constitution of that order of things of which it was the remnant. ‘No surrender’ was the cry and testimony to the last.
I suppose the first remnant was Noah, then Joseph, then Caleb and Joshua, and so on, down to Simeon and Anna in our Lord’s day, and the widow with the two mites when His day here had closed. One and all, however, weak and single-handed, by their faithfulness, rose superior to the difficulties and perplexities of their times; for God especially succours those who stand for Him in an evil day. Nay, He distinguishes them pre-eminently: “Them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2: 30); so that the remnant is always helped and cheered, and that in a higher and greater way than were their fellows, in the brightest days of their dispensation; that is, the Lord is more known to them in nearness of interest and thought about them, than when His power was more manifestly with them. No saint can meet with or receive higher favour than a Philadelphian.
And here I may allude to another subject in your letter, namely, how to reach the saints outside. There is nothing more deeply interesting to me than this question; and the more I think of it, the more assured I am that it is not so much instruction that is needed, as faith. You may retort, “Faith cometh by hearing” (Romans 10: 17); I admit it; but the truth cannot be presented in power but as there is faith in him who presents it; and what I increasingly feel is, that the power to reach those outside must spring from inside. If the truth we know and admit has so little power on those who hold it, how can you expect it to have greater power on those who as yet do not see it? You do not want to make dissenters of the saints; you wish to lead them into the spot where Christ can meet them, and walk with them, in this day. Now, if we who hold the truth which leads to and provides this spot do not reach to and maintain this spot, it appears to me that we are beginning at the wrong end in seeking to lead others into truth which as yet has not had its true effect on ourselves.
In a word (do not let me surprise you), I think all outside meetings incongruous and inconsistent. I do not say that we should not seek for and minister to individual saints; but the display of seeking those outside while we [p. 24] are so feeble inside is to me incongruous and like the legs of the lame which are not equal!
Both at Thessalonica and at Corinth it was faith that “sounded out” from inside, and not instruction merely. I do not see power in any place to lead on souls, but as there is power in those led out, and where there is devotedness (the true character of the remnant) in those who seek to be the remnant, there is always an attraction, a real, vital attraction, for the godly ones outside. The only chance of recovering from paralysis is by strengthening the constitution. It is little use for paralytic members to call on paralytic members to be in tone and up to their true place. Do not suppose I plead for inaction; no such thing. The mouse in the fable nibbled the knots of the net, and what the lion could not break as a whole, the patient toil of the little mouse accomplished; work, work, work, nibble, nibble, nibble; but let us not assume the place of apostles, but simply that of a remnant true to the original. My greatest grief, I may honestly say, is the little sense there is among us “in assembly” of the presence of Christ. Thank God, I am daily more assured of the principle, but principles are nothing if not maintained in power, and I feel we are feeble and inadequate in reaching our brethren outside because of our lack of personal devotedness (the only trait of beauty left to the once beautiful but now paralysed “wife”, if I may so say). Hence we work in the shade. Charity must begin at home. “Having hope, your faith increasing, to be enlarged amongst you” (2 Corinthians 10: 15). I feel we cannot be too unpretending on the one hand, and on the other too uncompromising or too exclusive, or too earnest in seeking to deliver souls — able to offer the best of fare, but poor accommodation, and not always the best of company. I never should have a placard for any meeting, however extreme this may be thought; we are a feeble folk, “spiders”, if you will, but they reach to “high places”.
May we, dear brother, so rejoice in the Lord and so find our portion in Him, that devotedness — this only trait of beauty left us, may be largely ours.