LETTERS TO J.N.D. 1835.
[p. 200] LETTERS TO J.N.D. 1835.
I am very thankful to you for all the trouble you have taken about the books.... I hope you do not cease remembering me in your prayers. I feel happy in thinking that others in communion with the Lord are naming me before my Father. I believe we little know how the Spirit communicates with one another. Indeed, most truly I can thank you for all your love to me in this matter, and though you said some hard things you had ground for saying them — from non-acquaintance with the circumstances. The Lord’s will I respect in His mercy at any cost, but human opinion about this profession or that I have no respect for, unless it interferes with the Lord’s name. I am sure we ought to be contented in our path here, knowing how to sing ‘We are bound for the kingdom’. We had a very nice preaching last night in the school house. There were too many people to fit in the school house. It was very cheering; the heaven above us reminding us that God, not a roof, was over us, and the confession was out manfully in the face of the world. I think it was very profitable. We are going to begin to study Irish. Perhaps you will let me trouble you (much will have more) to get us some two or three Irish grammars — those used in the society. We have some very nice visiting. I try to read a little Hebrew almost every day. You taught me the letters. I am glad to see that it sometimes occurs to you to visit us. I should like to see my substance — -as you must have been if I was the ‘shadow!’ I have not had time to examine to my satisfaction the answers to my queries which you kindly sent me. I want to know, Could the Holy Ghost be in any one who is not testifying of Jesus, or could He testify in any one and that person be but a professor, as Hebrews 6? I satisfy
† A large number of letters from J.B.S. were found among Mr. Darby’s papers after his death, most of which were of too private a nature for publication. It is thought that extracts from a few of them here given may be read with interest. When No. 1 of this series was written the writer was in his 20th year.
[p. 201] myself by knowing that God is love, and if I am led to love God, God must have loved me before, but I cannot answer the questions to others.
There is no reading at ———— but of clergymen. Now, desiring to think in love of all saints, afflicted and rejoicing with you, I am in the Lord’s abounding mercy, my very dear brother in Him, your very grateful and loving brother.
PS. — John L. sends his blessing to you. I am sure I shall like the books you recommend.
1859.
I must write you one line of thanks for your letter respecting the revival work in Ireland. I have had so much exercise about it. Since I left the Establishment I have not been more pressed for a clear and assured line of acting. In the Plymouth controversy I saw my path clearly. But to reconcile the work now going on in Ireland, or rather the means employed in it, has painfully engaged me. I did more than once think of writing to you to help me with your judgment as to it, but I felt that I must wait and learn. You see I am very solitary here. I hear what is passing. The effect of it on ———— is discouraging. I think and feel your letter sets forth the truth distinctly, but yet I must confess that I do not go with the means. The little I know of Christ’s love and of what it is to be a member of His body, makes me desire for His sake that every saint knew it. I learned it from you, through His grace, and in many a wearied hour, when broken and humbled, what comfort and restoration have I derived from it. Dare I say (what some say at Kingstown) that they never knew christian communion until now!
I feel the Lord is working at ————, and also a little here with reproach and persecution of a certain order.
May every strength be vouchsafed to you, dearest brother, to maintain the truth so precious to the heart of Christ. He loved the church, and gave Himself for it.
Ever in happy and grateful remembrance of old and present services, etc.
PS. — When I look abroad in Christendom, I see every religious man is evangelical according to his light, and [p. 202] there he thinks his responsibility ends; and among brethren how many also there have been who have sought to escape church responsibility under the cloak of preaching the gospel.... ‘The Times’ can be evangelical for serving the world. One can be evangelical and still entirely in the spirit of the world. I feel brethren ought to be evangelical in the true sense; but more, they ought to be the nurses and guardians of every lamb in Christ’s flock because they are dear to Him.
1860.
It is grateful to me to write to you — you were so loved by my beloved son — and I am sure he owed you much, for unless he learned truth when he was staying with you, I know not where he had the opportunity, for I had seen very little of him since his conversion. His knowledge of truth was so clear and simple; we found in his desk letters written to several, and an elaborate essay on the mystery of the church, in answer to some one who contended with him at Plymouth. His interest for the church and for the Lord personally was very striking, and his ideas of service embodied in a long letter, bearing evidence of being intended for a Mrs. ———— there, shewed very clearly that the Lord was first with him, and service secondary. It strikes me as so different from young Christians in general. Surely this dear one delighted himself in sitting at the feet of Jesus, and now he is beside Him. I could not wish him back; yet I must feel the blank his absence causes. It was great blessing to myself to witness such a tranquil departure.... Blessed be God, He knows how to lead us on, and we ought at this time of day to be able to rely on His love.... May my heart rejoice in all your service, and the Lord cheer you in it, dearest brother. — Yours affectionately and gratefully.
1861.
I rejoice to find that you are so happily and usefully employed. The accounts which come from various quarters are very interesting. It has, I feel, quite a confirmatory effect on oneself to hear and know of the power of the self-same grace in a, country [America] where one has been [p. 203] accustomed to think that the inhabitants had but the one object for which they had broken up old ties and associations, in fact, sacrificed every national feeling in order to acquire property in the world — Zacchaeus-like; but like him their success does not meet the necessity of the heart, and here we all have our own note of praise. What you tell speaks well for the sincerity of the clergymen. I suppose the national system does not obtain there as it does here.
It is curious to see, as in India, where there is very little organised system, how naturally Christians get disentangled from it.
I have read your answer to Dr. Colenso. I had no idea that his objections were so insignificant, though I know many will make his book an excuse for openly avowing an infidelity, active already in their hearts, and only wanting a good excuse, like a broken-down merchant, to take the benefit of the act. These kind of people never seek the moral of any scripture — it is all criticism and discovery — nothing whatever for the conscience. The ‘Essays and Reviews’ will carry away the thinking and intellectual, but Dr. Colenso will carry the thoughtless and immoral.
I am now reading the Psalms, and find that I derive a breadth of feeling which is peculiar in accompanying in any degree the remnant, and the Lord sharing its trials, great and many, and how the mercy and succour of God are learned. The man of earth escaping from the evil and violence of his own confreres, and finding refuge in and help from God. And to think of the Son of God having walked through the burning fiery furnace in order to deliver one of them! One gets such a different impression respecting the earth from reading one of the psalms, at least I do now — the godly man in it emerging, I might say, out of the mire....
Baptism, I feel, is properly the expression of where man must now begin with God. Before the death of Christ, man, so to speak, was on the ground of trial, he might try to recover himself; the law addressed him on this ground, and John’s testimony had not set it aside, but the death of Christ did. All was now ended judicially, and there was salvation to him who believed, but judgment on him who [p. 204] refused this salvation. Man could not come before God at all now but through the death of Christ, where he — man himself — is ended, for as Christ died for all, all were dead. There is no locus standi now for man, the death of Christ established man in the place of death, therefore in being baptised I own that man is at an end as to all hope or ability before God. Faith, through the operation of God, raises me into newness of life — quickened together with Him who is risen out of the dead. I, as a believer, could not present my children to God on any other ground — nor is there any other ground to come before God now. I see that Peter and the apostles were enjoined to baptise. Paul says he was not sent to baptise. Peter called on his people to own their lost condition and accept the sure mercies of David. Paul was a minister and a witness of the things he had seen, and he uses baptism as expressive of a condition morally realised, for if I am risen with Christ, then my place as dead in the old man follows as a necessary consequence.
May the light and joy and strength of every truth given to you be richly experienced in your own soul, and may the gratitude of us who are blessed be known to you through the grace of our blessed Lord in your own increased blessing.
1862.
I hope you will find time to write a paper for ‘The Girdle’ on Divine Spirituality in order to correct and preserve the minds of saints from the subtle notion now spreading, that there is a spiritual nature in every man, and apart from the animal, and that when this dominates man is spiritual, and sowing to it he reaps everlasting life, etc. I do not propose to you to examine the error, which is very like the ancient gnosticism, but to state the truth, and I want Mr. ———— to give the character of setting forth the truth to ‘The Girdle’, more than simply, or altogether papers for comfort, etc.
I trust you are not much moved by ————’s publications. He had the bad taste to send me an advertisement of it, and I wrote him a few lines stating that the impotency of his attempt relieved me as far as you were concerned, but that [p. 205] I was shocked and alarmed for himself because of the dishonesty of his papers, I am sure the great suffering for Christ in the present day more than ever, is reproach and disparagement from those who profess His name, because one stands forth to maintain the truth in its integrity and fulness.
I think it is as nothing to be cut off and despised by the world; but to be accounted heretical by Christians when you are seeking to preserve and to present the simple truth to them, is to my mind the bitterest suffering. Though on the other hand I feel that it binds the heart of every true disciple (however weak) the more to any such suffering one valiant for the truth. It could not be otherwise. What an eclipse to the soul would it be to surrender or be deprived of a particle of the truth which in mercy has been given to us! There is a desperate effort going forward to swamp or mar the truth. The Lord increase wisdom and strength to you to encounter it in all the beauty and majesty of truth and for His sake. I had a very agreeable time with the brethren in London, and am here again in the old routine as if I had not been in scenes so different and so interesting. It is a great rest to feel that the Lord’s will is to be our aim and nothing else.
1862.
I have no publication worthy of the name to send you. I have noticed the taint where I had expected better things, and from one who had studied largely and carefully, but if truth be slighted and there be no sincere seeking to walk according to it, it seems to me that it only prepares the mind for sophisticated perversion. I should be truly sorry if you were to appear as discussing ————’s commentaries. I believe the subject of the Lord’s sufferings in their threefold nature as you have presented them very important. I see the beauty and the order of the truth therein, but I do not touch on them. The Lord’s person and experiences are most sacred subjects, and I never feel happy in speaking on any subject that I have not in some measure known in relation to myself. I often wish I could get into prophecy or higher subjects, but I am not sufficiently up in them to speak of them. I am not sensible of personal affinity with [p. 206] them, though, thank God, I can appreciate their fitness and order. I believe the soul is often, and by degrees, introduced into wider scenes and views, though it practically be only engaged with the object in the foreground, which determines the perspective. I am so convinced of what you say, that evil is increasingly dangerous to individuals. I have been seeking comfort and support in my own soul from 1 John 4, which to me is a most wondrous chapter, so deep, and yet to know what is the unfailing testimony of the Holy Ghost, and what distinguishes it from every other, is very reassuring to the heart. Now our backwardness of apprehension and our exposure to many false spiritual agencies, ought, I think, to be your call to give a simple emphatic denial to ————.
I desire to save the truth and yourself from any reproach, and while I believe one should be very slow to vindicate oneself, I think one cannot be too ready to disabuse minds of any misapprehension about truth.
1863.
I have not been free to give myself with the necessary attention to your correction of my ‘Thoughts on Baptism’. As to Colossians 2 I do not feel that the apostle is teaching baptism there, he is arguing from baptism that we must be dead. Circumcision was only, so to speak, a reforming of man, a cutting off of the evil of the flesh; but baptism was a total end of it in the death of Christ. Through that death life reached us, and the action and power of this life in the Spirit asserts dominion over our flesh and silences its activities while we walk in the power of it. “Dead to sin” is only known as life acts in us through the Spirit — though through grace we are set in the life which is above all our evil nature. As to the Philippian jailer I think “all his” is most important and authoritative for the baptism of our children, and he believing, rejoicing in God “with all his house” — housewise — appears to me to give the opponents little or nothing. It seems to me that ‘the Baptists’ as a sect never get beyond John Baptist. The Romish churches assumed the ground of the twelve. The adult baptists among the brethren skipped over the twelve altogether and only linked themselves with Paul, whereas I believe that I [p. 207] must see the twelve flow into Paul like the Rhone into Lac Leman.
1865.
... I think they get on faithfully and happily at ————. Might we not expect that the Lord would raise up more ministry in the word among them if they were more truly eager to know His mind and to follow it? I hope you have had a good time at Geneva. I have heard of the Lord’s goodness in France and Italy. The Lord keep you in our hearts in full remembrance before Him, which is joy to ourselves, and strength also, because His grace has given us this interest.
Yours, beloved brother, in the deep, true bonds of His love, very gratefully.
I am very glad to get your paper. I trust your visit will be very helpful to the saints and tend to establish them in purpose of heart in following the Lord. At ———— our brother raised the question as to the character of the Sunday morning meeting, and whether it was the time for confessing sins. Mr. Wigram dwelt on the importance of being real. I suggested that knowing the right character of the meeting could not alter the state of soul, and that in the liberty to minister it was overlooked that one must be fit to minister as well as be gifted to minister. Otherwise the low state of the one who takes part lowers the tone of the meeting. ———— was very strong on the claim and concentration the Lord Himself had on our hearts at the Lord’s supper, and that depression or confession arose from coming there weighed down with cares and trials instead of getting up at five o’clock in the morning and settling all with the Lord before they came.
1866.
... I am cheered by your calm reliance on the Lord. I may say that on the whole everything here justifies the course you have observed. For myself the only thing I fear is the unskilful attempting to explain your exposition of scripture. The animus of the opposed is apparent enough, and [p. 208] carries no weight with it to the mind of any who are sincerely walking with the Lord.
Your brother charged me with others of accepting your doctrine as a truth no more to be discussed. I said to him that ‘those who get up to judge it were not qualified to do so. They had each of them retired from service from one cause or another. They could not say that they were walking in the light. They might be reputable as men taking care of their families and themselves, but they were not walking where only they could have fellowship with the Spirit, and thus be qualified to judge’. I do not know of one really devoted servant of Christ who has been turned aside. I heard that ———— was troubled, but he is more occupied with his business than with such subjects. No doubt those who desired occasion have found occasion, affording as they thought great and popular plausibility, the thing so much desired. But, thank God, there is nothing to discourage, but everything the other way, if there be faithfulness. All we want, I feel for myself, is to be more in the mind and spirit of the three hundred who followed Gideon. It is “the water” (the mercies of earth) which is diverting the mass of believers from the true and happy walk of faith and service in this day.... The rest of the babe in the Father’s forgiveness is the utmost goal of the teaching at M. H., and the consequence is there is none of the life of Christ practically seen. Souls cultivate rest of conscience, and go on as usual. I said openly, ‘You do not preach the life of Christ. You preach peace, so far so good; but do you preach the life of Him who gives peace? Do you “never thirst”?’... A sermon was preached against us at the College Chapel, but it did not do much mischief, for, for the first time, I saw three or four students at the room in the evening of the same day! There is a nice, earnest spirit of inquiry and no cavil.... One thing I find is, that other ignorances are exposed in the opposition to this truth of the Lord’s sufferings; and for my own part, I believe that misapprehension on this subject is traceable to some imperfection as to foundation truth in souls. I think it would cheer your heart to see how nicely and faithfully the dear brethren get on at ————. The ———— are making money — bad air for Christianity — but it is the knowledge of what [p. 209] Christ is, in His strength and joy, which they need, and not ‘whipping’ merely. I have seen none of the young in ———— so truly and earnestly set for Christ as ———— is — it does one’s heart good.
1868.
My first and chief thought in writing now is to assure your heart, and cheer you, for surely you must have been deeply tried by all you passed through here before you left, respecting the minds of the saints in general touching the sufferings of Christ.
I find — and this I have sought to meet — that souls need Christ for their own relief and strength, and that practically there is very little of that deliverance from present things which is known when the heart is resting in Christ as its resource. In one class of saints it is more an effort to get through the difficulties here, while others are swamped in trying how to get on here. I have such a sense of the wretchedness of nature in myself, and this helps me through grace to insist on the greatness of God’s love in righteousness, and that in Christ I am set above every difficulty and want here. I am looking to rise superior to things here rather than to expect circumstances to be altered to suit me. I have found these two subjects (very elementary as they are in one sense), thank the Lord, most useful to the saints — the very truth they want. Many are not prepared to enter into the sufferings of Christ. I say to some ‘Accept the truth and lay it up in your heart, some day it will speak to you’. It is now more than eight years since you first mentioned it to me at ————. It was new to me then, but I saw clearly that there was space, so to speak, for it, and that there was a period in the life of our blessed Lord little known to me then. I believe, as I look back, there was order in the way truth came out to me, and I feel that I accepted truths many years before I knew the good of them, and that I fretted and fumed, had my feet over the traces continually, until I was subdued to the use of the truth. I believe what first came out to me was what Christ is to us. Before ever I was with the brethren, when almost a boy, I heard you preach on ‘Accepted in the beloved’. I had peace of a kind then, but I was greatly struck with that [p. 210] truth, for you said it was at the beginning of our course. That was in 1833 or 1834. You showed how our own gain from Christ comes out first. Next at Plymouth in 1846 Christ’s personal glory came out to me in power, and now the deepest of all, it is what He Himself went through in humiliation. I do not omit in this survey that the church as the body of Christ came first in another line, and the discipline becoming the house of God came next, and it is a fact that every one now who does not understand the church as Christ’s body is sure to display his ignorance, and generally stumble there, respecting the discipline, and that which becomes and suits the habitation of God. You may ask — What is all this leading to? It is this, I am persuaded before the Lord that I and many others have got distinct blessing from entering even a little into the sufferings of our Lord; and hence I feel that you, † most beloved brother — and I say it with the deference due from a son to an esteemed father — ought not to think of carrying on the conflict alone and by yourself. If the Lord has given you the truth, why should you not allow us, however feeble, to be in company with you? and on what principle could you stand apart from us if we are ready to follow? I believe it to be a signal interposition from the Lord that you were prevented from standing outside on your return from Italy. The minister of the truth stands on the eminence of the truth itself, while he is the servant in communicating it. Paul did not stand outside the churches in Galatia, nor in Corinth, nor any of the churches in Asia who had all turned away from him. The minister of the truth is surely the angel, and the angel does not stand apart from any who would accept the truth, or at least who would not reject it. I believe many souls are already greatly deepened by the very contemplation of this truth. I see on every side truth pared down in order to sanction the entrance of the world. I may say I fear the world more than bad doctrine, but all bad doctrine opens a door to the world. The world so insinuates itself, and one helps another into the spirit of it, and then the resource and joy of the soul in Christ are lost.
At ———— they are nice and earnest, but few know Christ
†It will be remembered that Mr. Darby proposed to discontinue, breaking bread for a time.
[p. 211] as the resource of the heart, as well as Saviour of the soul. Many desire to know Him thus, and some are indifferent about it!
I was glad to hear you were so happy in your work; there is fulness of joy when one is really seeking and doing the Lord’s will here. It is not murmuring and complaining or running into corners to escape difficulties. I am so happy to feel you and others labouring in the Lord’s service are before me in His presence.
May He be so continually with you that you may know He is your strength and solace in your service and walk here for Him.
1868.
... I hardly like adding to your labours, but if you could make time to write a short paper on ‘Forgiveness and Life’ I think it would be useful to many. It is plain enough that many need that truth. I have been surprised to find some along with us ignorant of it at ———— . Mrs. ———— said, ‘I knew I wanted something,’ and ———— expressed something similar.... The little spring or power of rising above present things — trials or mercies, of itself is evidence of the ignorance of this great truth.
I have been to many places. Dear ———— is working away. I spent an evening with young ————. He, in a measure, reminds me of dear ————, the simplicity of his habits and ways, and his acceptance with the population around, who feed and take care of him. It is a grave thing — I trust I feel it more daily — to be a minister of the truth revealed to us. To me it is an unspeakable comfort to be able to look to Him to repair all one’s defects.
I hope I may be permitted to see you before you leave for the West Indies. The faithfulness in one promotes faithfulness in others; and hence I rejoice in your going.... In truest love which is His, beloved brother, etc.
1869.
I rejoice to hear of your health and prosperity in the Lord’s work. Your paper which you kindly sent I have sent to the printers. I trust it will not be considered confused. I did not quite catch it on the first reading, but I think with a [p. 212] little attention it explains itself. I like it much and think the subject so suitable for the time. For myself I only wonder that the old man is tolerated now that I know in any measure these truths, or how I could have expected to walk aright without them — without seeing Christ’s full place. One longs to be able to present them clearly and fully. Surely as the Lord has had such patience with me I may well have great patience with others; and it may be often my fault in presenting the truth. Thank God, I see many rejoicing in Christ glorified, and gladly accepting, that in Christ crucified there is an end before God for them of that which is offensive and at enmity. What I feel is that few really understand the atonement. It is their conduct they see Christ answering for and not for the life. They seek to be justified only — not constituted righteous in His life.
I must try to give you an account of the different places I have been at lately. At — Mr. ———— had left the Independents, he did not seem to me sufficiently taken up with the Lord, he was too much taken up with the step he had taken. We had a reading at ———— and on his pleading for the retention of natural status because God had called people differently, I replied that the rich are given more that they may have more to give up for Him. This had a great effect on him and he pressed me to stay with him. I preached in the village — about 100 artisans present. I spoke also at ———— on the ‘start’ and ‘the race’. I thought ———— avoided me; but two evenings afterwards I spoke on Christ being glorified (John 17) and we here on all sides surrounded by the man for whom He was crucified — and where are we? — with it or with Him? he came up afterwards most cordially and would take no excuse but that I must stay with him. I trust he will break with things here. † I spent ten days at ————. From what I had heard of the saints there I feared that I should find little acceptance, but in the Lord’s mercy there was great eagerness to hear. There are some truly earnest souls; there were cases of interest constantly while I was there, not connected with my visit but the fruit of former ministrations coming to light. At ———— souls are brighter and more advanced; ————
†Allusions of this sort are always to those who are now with the Lord.
[p. 213] interested me though working a little too much. The fasting etc. reminded me of our Carhue days. I hope they are not too anxious for large audiences. The “house” is worth sweeping for one “silverpiece”.
The thing I fear is lest brethren should satisfy themselves with simply separation instead of renunciation. Do you not think that occupation with outward good conduct often indicates an effete state of things — not the vigour of resisting unto blood, striving against sin, when the weight and the sin would both be laid aside.
I believe now I have put together everything of interest that your heart would like to know of concerning the flock of God as known to me.
———— laments that there is not more gospel work in the city. ———— writes from Down: ‘There is a most interesting field of labour all round here, as yet quite unformed; but souls are getting free; of course there is great opposition, and no end of tracts circulated.’ ———— writes to tell me that he has given up his secular business to devote himself to the work. I replied that if he gave up his business really to labour and not to find ease, nature would be corrected, otherwise there was danger.... There is no doubt great opposition and rancour in many saints outside, but I think you have every reason to be cheered by the assured and deepening feeling of esteem and love which the brethren generally have for you as the Lord’s servant. Nothing to my mind speaks so well for themselves. They have also good remembrance of you always. There is a far deeper respect for the truth now than there was two years ago. The breaking out of disloyalty has given a vigour to loyalty. Still, I sometimes fear that if the true type of devotedness were reached that there would be a falling away of many and that something will arise to test the reality of the profession made. Blessed be the Lord, He will keep us if we look to Him. Grateful, truly, for your love and services, beloved brother.
1870.
... To my mind neither has suffered so in his service that he makes himself of no reputation, and I see that servants have not moral weight, however much they may know, who [p. 214] have not suffered in their service, not offering to the Lord that which costs them nothing. They feel that they are not, as I may say, in power, and while they have no one with moral weight among them to take the lead according to God, they, like republicans, desire to overturn and subvert what is in being. I have expressed to ———— my fears....
I hear of your incessant labours. I have feared at times that you were risking your health, but I must not deprecate this if I desire you to be a greater servant, and more pleasing to the Lord. Your presence in London is a great favour to the saints there, and will test the effect of the truth on them. I can rejoice in their gain, though personally I am not at present at liberty to share in it. I hope to reach London in three weeks, and possibly you may be still there. There is need everywhere, but when one attempts to meet it, how conscious one becomes that it is “by my spirit, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 4: 6), and thus what makes nothing of oneself is the abiding cheer of the heart. I am, thank the Lord, very happy myself; as to service, I rejoice in it, though I can, I may say, never speak of results; but His favour is better than life, and there I rest. Though I seldom see you, it is unfeigned cheer to remember you before the Lord as His servant, as much, if not more, to me than to any one, and I am, beloved brother, yours most affectionately in Him.
1871.
... I got on beyond my expectations, keeping two subjects before me. The preparation of heart for the Lord’s coming, and that the gospel gives, not only assurance as to the future, but also starts one in a new life down here.... Safety hereafter and earthly favours now seem to be the summum bonum of Christianity with many. ———— said over and over again that the truth I was seeking to inculcate was the only truth to keep the saints afloat, and yet I could not say that he knows it himself. They seem so burdened with present care. I told him, as I had practically learned it, that the true place was to take no thought, but to cast all one’s care on Him who careth for us, and that he will never rise above his care until he has learned the rest of heart there is in this.... I hear that ———— never prays about his [p. 215] circumstances. How simple and bright he is! ... I feel that what is needed is self-denial, and to know Christ is above everything. With increased intelligence there is, I fear, a losing of the sense of the need of self-denial and death to the world. There was more of this when we had less light.
1871.
... I was very glad to get the two papers on Matthew’s gospel, and the account of your labours in the new and hitherto unopened sphere was very interesting and also encouraging.... Here there is much readiness to hear, and I trust many are progressing; but it is, as I may say, as units. With clear views of the ministry of the Spirit, there is less practical care for one another than almost anywhere. They seem to say, You mind your soul, and I mind mine! They would meet the wants of one another, but they do not seem to care to know or to be burdened with the state of one another. The social tendency of the national character bars and hinders the real bond. There is no pastoral care. Leadership or rights occupy their attention more than their responsibilities; yet, as I said, many are really progressing, with the eye of their souls set on Him who is at the right hand of God.
When servants want to be masters they lose all the value of their calling.
I hope you continue in your usual health, rejoicing in serving Him who cheers you in it. Your zeal and labour provoke us.
In remembrance before the Lord, beloved brother, of your service and love,
Yours most affectionately in Him.
1874.
... It was very interesting at ————, apparently very little to hold them together, and yet there was the sense of true earnestness in the meetings — several preachings in the suburbs on Sunday evenings. My subject, in different phases, I might say was, “Without me ye can do nothing”. I hope the force and claim of truth are gaining ground [p. 216] at ————, though the elements there are not the most manageable. They are learning dependence, and I trust patience. There is a very nice meeting of simple, hearty country people at ————. It was cheering at ———— to see them valuing and comprehending the truth though there was no one among them very enlightened. I lectured in the school house at ————, they enjoyed it, but they are satisfied to be sure of heaven, and are not awakened to what is due to Christ on earth. I was interested in Cork — the memories of now 40 years ago came often before me there, while my heart silently acknowledged the mercy I had received through you.
There is a nice company there. Moody and Sankey had come to Dublin the day before, but the Lord was gracious to me, and I trust the right truth came out in various forms. ‘Without holiness no man can see the Lord.’ It is dreadful to say that God is with them in a singular way as they do, and their followers to assert, and in the same breath — ‘Separation from the evil in Christendom is not necessary.’ I brought the subject before the brethren last Tuesday; ———— spoke well. He said that we require two things — not to give up an inch of the position which God had led us into, but on the other hand to acknowledge the work of God wherever it is. There seemed to me to be a godly determination in the company to stand fast as the Lord had taught us, though the high-sounding work attracts many, and those who have been edging up to it for years will, I fear, be carried away by it. I should not mind an ordinary clergyman warning his congregation against us, but here are men assuming to be sent of God in a remarkable way challenging the fundamental principle of holiness in the house of God.
If you could send me a paper for the present time I should value it very much.
1876.
I have received your paper On Rule † I did not intend to dissociate love from rule. I see your point, that the service now is from love, not from appointment, to which I cordially assent.
†See Collected Writings, J.N.D. Volume 27.
[p. 217] I have been at most of the gatherings in England and Ireland during the last year, and though there is not an increase of power in testimony, I am sure there are many who are deepening in personal affection to Christ....
I do not think the Brethren have the same moral influence now that they are so numerous (1000 to 1) as they had some years ago, but I believe many are looking eagerly and heartily for the Lord, like the widow in Luke 21. Many a one who maintains distinctly the indwelling of the Holy Ghost for individual comfort has not, in my judgment, a real sense of the Holy Ghost here in testimony. I see that there is an effort like the returned captives to retain the advantages of a position for oneself, without insisting on the responsibility in testimony to the Lord connected with that position.
We had a good ‘brothers’ meeting’ last evening. The subject was, What is a Philadelphian? It was very solemn and searching. It would tire you were I to write all I should wish to pass in review before you. It is very good of the Lord that you are so well.
1879.
You say that there are worse cases in scripture than with us.... What damages us to my mind is the attempt to copy the power which we have not. The wren may see what the eagle has done, but it is disastrous if it imitates it. † It is marvellous the way the Lord helps when there is waiting upon Him. Samuel and the Nazarite were the subjects at the last brothers’ meeting. The removal of beloved Mr. Wigram has in a varied way affected us all. I feel as if he had been gone from us for nearly three years.
There is an attempt made by some to prove that the designation ‘heavenly man’ is not warranted by scripture. They want to substitute ‘Christ-like’ for it. I have objected because the latter is character, the former what we are through God’s favour. If you could spare the time, a short paper on the subject would be useful.... I have been at
†This is an allusion to the fable of the wren and the eagle used as an illustration.
———— [p. 218] lately. They were not only much interested, but amazed to hear that they could not only be sure of safety, but so happy now as to “never thirst”.