JANUARY 5TH, 1928

JANUARY 5TH, 1928

MY DEAR BROTHER, — ... I am sure you are right in thinking that it is not generally profitable to add details to Scripture which are not contained therein. However well-intentioned it may be, there is always the danger of obscuring what the Spirit of God would convey in any particular instance.

In preaching the gospel, and seeking to exercise consciences, there is perhaps a certain latitude to be allowed, for the preacher ^[p. 163] is not exactly teaching, but appealing to souls on moral grounds. Of course it would not be right to apply things in a way that was contrary to the general terms of Scripture.

The thought that many may have helped to build the ark who were never saved by it, has often been suggested by many generations of preachers, and I believe the appeal has been used to awaken unconverted Sunday School teachers, and others. I do not know that I should particularly object; but it is well to remember that Noah preparing the ark for the saving of his house is really a type of Christ. If we use any Scripture out of the setting in which the Spirit has put it, we may succeed in our present object, but at the same time put something into the mind which may hinder the spiritual apprehension of the divine mind in that Scripture. I may drive a screw home with a chisel. I succeed in my present object, but at the cost of probably spoiling the chisel for its own work later on!

With much love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,

January 5th, 1928.