MAY 16TH, 1935

MAY 16TH, 1935

MY DEAR MR. —, — I thank you for your further letter, and also for sending me the copy of the notes to which you refer, and which I now return herewith. I have looked at the sentence to which you have called my attention, and I do not see anything in it that seems to be particularly likely to be misunderstood. But perhaps I do not quite apprehend what you have in your mind about it?

I thought it was important to see that human “systems” as viewed in the light of the truth are really complete disorder, for they are contrary to what has been made known as the mind of God. But Scripture gives us much instruction as to an order of things which is according to God’s mind, and a great part of this is found typically in Exodus and Numbers. It is because we are learning the features of the divine system ^[p. 239] that we have been constrained to leave what is manifestly inconsistent with it. The order of God’s assembly is a beautiful order, for His glory and wisdom appear in it, but it is utterly unknown in the religious organisations of men. It can only be known where place is given to the Spirit of God, and where the regulation of divine principles is accepted. It may be said, of course, that this is only true in measure of those who walk in separation from the systems of men. But I trust the faces of many are definitely set in that direction, and there can be no doubt that much help has been given from on high, so that the true character of the “divine system” is much better known, and practically entered into, than it was. But we all need to enter into it more fully and spiritually that God may increasingly have glory in the assembly.

With reference to the young sister who wishes to be baptised and to take her place with the saints in fellowship, I should suppose that she has already told her parents of her exercise, and of the step she proposes to take. She would no doubt be able to tell you what their attitude in regard to the matter is, and if they were in measure sympathetic, as I should expect them to be in regard to the baptism at any rate, as they would look upon this as a right thing to be done, though they might not much care about our way of doing it, it would be nice to give them the opportunity of being present if they desired.

Of course the young sister is not under responsibility to her parents in this matter, but to the Lord, but as honouring her parents she would certainly communicate to them the step she intended to take. This would be a comely confession, which the Lord might use in blessing to them.

With much love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,

May 16th, 1935.