MAY 10TH, 1945

MAY 10TH, 1945

BELOVED BROTHER, — I thank you for your letter of April 22nd, which raises a question of much interest, which has come up in my own mind.

It is not easy to see exactly what application can be given to assembly service of the fact that the spouse speaks of the Bridegroom’s perfections but not to Him. When the spouse speaks of the Bridegroom it is in each case when she is not conscious of His presence or nearness. When she is conscious that He is near she has less to say; His love and embrace satisfy her.

One thing is certain, that J.N.D. (see “Synopsis”, Volume 2, on Song of Solomon) could never have intended to suggest that we must not speak to the Lord in the assembly. He constantly did so himself, and we may say that he does so still in his many precious hymns which we sing continually.

^[p. 345] In the assembly all is on the ground of the Lord’s death, and the love expressed there which has secured us for a place of blessed association with Him. When in spirit we touch that place we do not dwell on particular features of worth which we have perceived in Him. Our hearts are well assured of them — indeed, we regard them as having come out supremely in His death — but He Himself is now before us in the new place which He has taken beyond death, and in which His love has given us to have part with Him. We speak to Him now in the intelligence of the new position which we have as associated with Him risen and glorified. Our hearts are possessed of His perfections.

“No trait is lost, each beauteous grace is found,
All brought through death to resurrection ground”.

But we think of His Person as comprising all, who is now Head of His body the assembly....

With much love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,

May 10th, 1945.