OCTOBER, 1940

OCTOBER, 1940

BELOVED BROTHER, — I very much appreciate your kindness in writing, and I, and others here, value every bit of knowledge that comes to us with reference to the severe trials and testings which are coming upon our beloved brethren. We have you all in our hearts continually, and day and night prayers go up that all needed support may be given, and that the enemy may not be allowed to gain any advantage by reason of the weakness that is inseparable from the earthen vessels. We give thanks to God for what we hear of the confidence in Himself which is marking so many at a time of unprecedented disturbance of all our normal conditions of life. He is glorified in this, I am sure. But I feel constrained to seek His mercy in some modification of the pressure. For it is evident that assembly privileges and services are seriously affected in some localities, and one earnestly seeks that there may be that on our side which will entitle us to experience the reality of the promise to Philadelphia. There are many dark parts, probably, which the Lord means to remove, and dross which needs the crucible to purge it away from the precious metal. But the Refiner sits over the process, and deliberately considers how the process is going on. He knows how to preserve what is precious to Him while dealing effectively with what is otherwise. With love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,

October, 1940.