APRIL 21ST, 1929

APRIL 21ST, 1929

MY DEAR SISTER, — ... I enjoyed the reading on Wednesday and thought that there was help from the Lord. We read chapter 2 (Ruth) again, and went again over the truth of Christ as Kinsman with the right of redemption. I trust it came out a little clearly for our hearts. It was pretty much on the same lines as the previous week, but developed more in detail. There was a general desire to have it opened out a little more, and I think the Lord answered the exercise. It is not good to hurry over scriptures which appeal to personal affections as Ruth does. I think we saw more clearly the stock to which Christ can be Kinsman; not the fallen and sinful stock, but those called of God, and marked by the love of righteousness and the hatred of lawlessness. Such can be His “companions”, and to such He is Kinsman. Repentance and the confession of sin are the first moves on the line of righteousness, and where these are found there is something morally kindred to Christ. “Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness”. When one truly says, “God be merciful to me the sinner” he is one of the “excellent” in whom Christ can delight, and to whom He can be Kinsman to secure through the right of redemption the whole inheritance. To come under the notice of Christ as having moral qualities like ^[p. 179] His own is a very blessed thing. All that is in His allotment is made available for such in pure and unmerited favour.

I enjoyed the thought of “parched corn” as something directly from His hand, expressive of His personal interest in me, if I am at all moving on Ruth’s line. The general fellowship is good, but there are personal communications which have a peculiar sweetness. I fear there is a tendency to go on with what is generally enjoyed, but perhaps to miss one’s own individual experience of personal favour. True affection would covet both....

Yours very affectionately,

April 21st, 1929.