FEBRUARY 22ND, 1935
FEBRUARY 22ND, 1935
BELOVED BROTHER, — I was interested to have your letter and to know of the exercise in —, as to having another room. I believe that the Lord has greatly encouraged the brethren in different places who have moved on the line of reducing the numbers who break bread in one place by opening up new rooms. The new meetings thus started have brought into happy service many who had not previously much opportunity, and it has been found that smaller companies have given liberty to many to take part whose voices were not heard in the larger meetings. This is surely a great gain to the dear brethren and also to the Lord. I trust you will be much cheered as you move in this way.
As to the age limits for levitical service, I think it is clear that these are to be taken in the way of what they suggest spiritually rather than as literally. No one would suppose that Peter or Paul or John finished their levitical work when they became 50 years old. How much the assembly would have lost if J.N.D. or J.B.S. or F.E.R. had retired from active service at that age!
The thought suggested by the levitical age limits is that the work of the Lord is to be carried on in spiritual maturity and in full spiritual efficiency. Some young men of 20 are marked by more gravity and competency for holy service than others of 50 or 60. “Let no one despise thy youth” was said to Timothy. That is, he was to act with such sobriety and discretion that no one could disregard him as a young man of no weight. It would be obviously out of keeping with all that becomes the house of God for a young man to take up service therein unless he were marked by qualities which commended him to the confidence of the brethren. But these would always be estimated by moral worth rather than by literal age. It is a good exercise for the younger [p. 236] brethren to give themselves to prayer that they may quickly qualify for service in the house of God. Our spiritual age is measured in a moral way by soul-history with God, and development in this way need not be delayed if there is purpose of heart to seek Him out.
At the other end of the scale it is for brothers to see to it that they do not get past 50. Elder brethren need to be preserved in continual watchfulness and prayer that no signs of spiritual weakening make their appearance. The “grey hairs” sometimes come unperceived by ourselves though others notice them. Renewing is a great element in Christianity, and so long as it has place actively — the inward man renewed day by day — we shall not get past 50.
I hope you will be much helped in the apportionment of the services in the new meeting, and that there will be a great development of spiritual qualifications amongst you, so that all may have reason to be thankful for the move which you are making.
With much love in the Lord to yourself and your dear wife,
Yours affectionately in Him,
February 22nd, 1935.