SPIRITUAL QUALITY (9)

SPIRITUAL QUALITY (9)

Numbers 7: 1 - 5; Numbers 10: 33 - 36; Numbers 21: 16 - 18

SMcC I was thinking of the work of God in the saints as equal to the light that may be presented at any given moment in relation to divine thoughts. The passages that we have read give us several free responsive movements that are not prescribed, they seem to come voluntarily at the moment. The book of Numbers gives us a lot that is prescribed and a lot of governing light as to particular circumstances; such as the law of the Nazarite and other things, but there are certain movements in these passages which seem to come spontaneously at the moment, in regard to the scope of the divine mind as it is coming before the saints. We are particularly tested by light from God as it comes to us at any given time. The more that the work of God is in liberty in our souls, unhindered by things that the enemy would use to hinder it, the more free and responsive we will be to light as it comes from God. You will note that in the verses read in the chapter the princes were not instructed as to what they were to do at this given time. Moses had completed the setting up of the tabernacle - a wonderful type of the assembly - and had anointed it and hallowed it and all the furniture thereof, and the altar and all its utensils, and had anointed them. We are in the presence of great thoughts in this passage, the whole idea as to the divine mind in the tabernacle. We are not to lose sight of whole thoughts in our part and place in the testimony. The princes are particularly affected by them, and it says of them that “the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, the princes of the tribes, they that were over them that had been numbered, offered; and they brought their offering before Jehovah,” showing an immediate, responsive movement that has not been prescribed in the law, but comes in answer to what is presented in the setting up of the tabernacle, and all the furniture, and the altar and its utensils; as if it represents a movement through the work of God in the saints that is prepared to commit itself fully to the scope of the truth, as typified in these opening verses. Then in Numbers 10, we get another movement that has not been prescribed, for Moses had been a little bit off the line in the earlier verses in what he said to Reuel, the Midianite, his father-in-law, when he had said, “Thou wilt be to us for eyes,” that is, he was putting this man in the place of guiding them and leading them through the wilderness, and immediately we get the 33rd verse in which there is the remarkable movement of the ark, as if there is an immediate movement from the divine side to counteract what was said in these previous verses. And we see how the work of God, as seen in Moses, typifying what there may be with us as God’s people, is equal to the movement and gets the full gain of what is involved in the movement and the fresh phase of light involved in it. So that immediately we get the ark moving Moses says, “Rise up, Jehovah, and let thine enemies be scattered: and let them that hate thee flee before thy face. And when it rested, he said, Return, Jehovah, unto the myriads of the thousands of Israel.” And then in Numbers 21, we get the wonderful responsive movement suggested in regard to the word, “Spring up, O well, sing ye unto it; at a particular juncture of the wilderness when the people were tested by the circumstances that are contemplated in that section, we find how the work of God is viewed as asserting itself, in regard to the light which governs the position at the moment, because the word of the law-giver is brought into the matter, which would represent certain light which is shining in upon the position. I thought that these suggestions might form a basis for a profitable enquiry tonight.

AKH Do you have in mind the first scripture that what is described in Exodus 40, is what is summarised in the first two verses of Numbers 7?

SMcC Exactly. In chapter 40 we get a wonderful presentation of the finished work of Moses in setting up the tabernacle, and the glory comes in and fills the position. It is a very interesting thing that Numbers 7 compresses it into a matter of two verses, and then extends the chapter to 89 verses to make way for the wealth of the princes, in responding to the light of the position into which God had come and was claiming for Himself. I think Numbers 6 gives us a kind of background to all this, which I think should encourage our hearts. The matter of Nazariteship is an important background in responding to the full thought of God in regard to the assembly as typified in this section in the tabernacle.

HLH What is offered here by these princes in Israel is to be used, according to what God said to Moses, for the performance of the service of the tent of meeting. Is it not the suggestion that the way things are maintained in regard of what is for the pleasure of God is substantially supported by the work of God in us?

SMcC I think it is an important thing to see that, and what you now refer to in that section, for the “performance” of the service. That is, it is not just a question of admiring light objectively, the scope of the divine mind objectively; what these princes have in mind (and note that God is interpreting what they are doing), what they have in mind according to God’s interpretation of it is the performance of the service, that is, the carrying out of the service of God in relation to the assembly in the type.

VB Did you have in mind to say something about Nazariteship in the chapter before as underlying what we have here?

SMcC I think it is very important that we should see the place that Nazariteship has in the book of Numbers. It is not in Leviticus, it is not in Exodus, it is divinely placed in the book of Numbers where things are so difficult but where full light as to the assembly in the opening chapters is shining in the wilderness position, because the first few chapters are giving us light as to the position in relation to the assembly in the wilderness. And if you do not have Nazariteship, if you do not have the principle of devotion and consecration to God, well, the question is as to whether you will have these free, liberal, responsive movements that come into view in this section.

AKH Is what is moral linked up with the idea of Nazariteship?

SMcC Well, it certainly is because Nazariteship will have no bearing exactly in eternity, it stands related to the scene where sin has entered, that is, there are certain things that have to be abstained from and the like, in order that we might hold ourselves entirely devoted to God and to His interests here.

AT The princes here were not told what was to be done, and yet they do the right thing?

SMcC Well, that is what we are stressing, you see, the performance, that they were not merely admiring the light of the system objectively but they were concerned about the performance of the service, and God sees that and takes account of it, and He comes right into the position immediately without Moses going to enquire of God. There are certain sections of this book, in different parts of it where matters arise, and they are held in abeyance for the moment while Moses goes near to enquire of Jehovah,

but in this particular matter God comes immediately into the position and says to Moses, “Take it of them, and they shall be for the performance of the service of the tent of meeting, and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to each according to his service,” verse 5.

NM Would you say that everything has been provided by God that He should be served? Would true Nazariteship be a qualification for the service of God?

SMcC Well, Nazariteship underlies it, but what we are trying to stress and to emphasise, is what is provided from our side; that we have the light of the divine mind in the tabernacle set up and anointed, and the glory that filled it, but then what are we doing? What about our side, and the wealth that is latent by the work of God in the saints, on our side? It is coming into view in practical committal here in support of the whole system of light typified in the tabernacle.

VB Is that what you meant by the work of God being equal to the light given at any particular time?

SMcC Exactly, it is not just a question of merely admiring the wonderful wealth of the ministry, which has come to us in the last 50 to 100 years in these days of revival, but we are always tested, in all our gatherings, as to the practical preparation on our side to commit ourselves to the whole scope of the divine mind, especially on the line of supporting it and carrying it on.

HEB Do I understand that you are carrying forward the thought of Nazariteship to that of the princes?

SMcC I think morally you would have a continuation of the thought in the princes, that chapter 6 in Nazariteship proves a wonderful background for this free, responsive movement of the princes.

HEB Is that suggested in the thought of the waggons being covered?

SMcC Well, it is interesting to note in this book what is covered. That in itself is a very interesting study in the book of Numbers. For instance, in chapter 19 where we get unusual light brought into the book of Numbers (you would think it belonged to Leviticus), as to the red heifer, we get the idea of every vessel that has a cover bound upon it is free from defilement. A very important thing that our children in our tents, in our houses, should be covered, the covering bound upon them, as is going to be done this week in the matter of baptism, our brother is in principle going to bind the covering. Of course, it does not only involve the formal act of baptism but the teaching of baptism, as the binding of the covering of the vessel so that it is held free from defilement. Then we get the covering of the different vessels, articles of furniture; and the princes have got the idea. That is, there is a certain suggestion in the covering that the princes have taken on, and it is coming in in their contributions.

HAL There are twelve princes and they all move, but would you help us as to the six covered waggons?

SMcC Well, I think the idea of the “twelve” is a delightful suggestion, because it is a matter of love entering into these great responsive movements. The twelve is the great love number and also sets out the ability to work with one another in relation to the light that the Lord is giving. Instead of pulling away from one another, the number twelve suggests that we are merging together in love, in responsive movement to the light that may be given at any given moment.

WH Speaking of the princes, they were not only those that were separated but they were willing-hearted, and intelligent in their offerings?

SMcC They were very intelligent with what they had, and the thought of unity in the offering is stressed throughout the chapter.

HAL Do you think the idea is that there were two princes to one waggon?

SMcC Well, I think so, I think the thought of unity is stressed in the chapter and the ability to work with one another. That is, if there are six waggons it does not mean that every one is given a waggon, there is the matter of their ability to work with one another in support of this system of light that is represented in the first two verses.

HLH It is a feature of mutuality, is it not?

SMcC Exactly.

RS So it says “an ox,” they pull together just as one man.

SMcC Very good, it says, “The princes of the tribes, they that were over them that had been numbered” (that in itself is a very interesting thought, that is, it is a question of those that had been taken account of in relation to the tabernacle system) “offered; and they brought their offering before Jehovah, six covered waggons, and twelve oxen; a waggon for two princes, and an ox for each.” It is very interesting that, six covered waggons, twelve oxen, a waggon for two princes and an ox for each: the ability to work with one another and yet the distinctive personality of each, as it says, “an ox for each.”

HEB Have you in mind the characteristics of the ox as linked with the service of the princes?

SMcC Well, the ox suggests that there is hard work involved in the matter, and the work of the ministry involves hard work. Anybody reading 2 Corinthians will be impressed with that, the need of the ox feature, ox-like strength and character, as Paul delineates chapter after chapter of sufferings.

He says, “The sufferings of the Christ abound toward us,” in the first chapter.

LAC Have you in mind that what we have here in the beginning of this chapter is really a ready response to the way that God is presented in the end of the previous chapter in the poetical section connected with blessing?

SMcC I think so, the remarkable thing is that God is before us in the end of the Nazarite chapter, and He comes into the end of the chapter of the princes. He comes into the beginning of the chapter of the princes and He comes in at the end, you will notice, in the matter of giving a word. Where you get Nazariteship among the saints you may count on a fresh accession of light. As we come together in our gatherings, where there is devotedness and the desire to hold ourselves free from all natural and worldly influences, you will find that the brethren will get fresh accessions of light, and that is what these verses that you referred to bring out - “Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying...”, and we have this wonderful touch as to His favour shining upon His people.

LAC I was noticing also that the other two sections read in chapters 10 and 21, are set in connection with poetical sections, I was wondering whether it is not a feature that is outstanding in the book of Numbers, all associated with the idea of ready response to God?

SMcC I think it is. There are the three poetical sections in the book of Numbers. It is interesting to note that, because when you get poetical contributions the matter of feeling is entering into them, and richness, it is not just ordinary perfunctory remarks, but the matter of feeling lies behind poetical utterances. And it is interesting that over against the dark background that Numbers presents in regard to the wilderness, we should have these suggestions as to feeling and spiritual emotions in the presence of it all. Moses displays remarkable intelligence in the distribution of what was brought, and instead of dividing it equally among the three levitical families, he puts it where it is most needed. That is a great thing in the matter of the testimony, that we should put things where they are needed most.

HAL “According to their service.” Would that be in keeping with that?

SMcC That is it, according to their service, it is a matter of the carrying on of things, and the princes are giving a lead. That is, there are those that give a lead in regard to committing themselves to the full position as outlined in the first two verses, or the first verse.

LAC What exactly do you mean by putting things where they are needed most? How is this scripture applicable to our day?

SMcC Well, it shows how gift is taken account of, and ability to serve is taken account of, and it is supported in the way that the service would call for it to be supported, whatever service is being carried on in any of the gatherings. It says in verse 6, “And Moses took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. Two waggons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service; and four waggons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari.” Now notice that it takes a lot more waggons for the levitical side as caring for the persons, than it does for the levitical side - as caring for the principles. It says, “Four waggons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service,” whereas in regard to Gershon it is two waggons and four oxen, it is just half what was needed for Merari. As we know, Gershon represents the side of service that maintains and carries the principles forward, whereas Merari represents the great matter of carrying the persons that are alluded to, the boards. Gershon has the hangings, what goes around the courts, the principles.

NM Would this be diversity of gifts as seen in the assembly?

SMcC Well, it might be applied that way, I suppose. There are different applications to it in that relation. I think it is an important matter to see that the carrying of the persons is well provided for.

HLH Referring back to chapter 3, where it says the charge of Merari “consisted in the oversight of the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its bases, and all its furniture, and all that belongs to its service,” that is connected with the persons you say?

SMcC Exactly, the boards are typical of persons, believers who have been set up in relation to God in this world, on the basis of righteousness; whereas Gershon has to do with the soft materials, as it says in verse 25, “And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting was: the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, and the curtain of the entrance to the tent of meeting. And the hangings of the court, and the curtain of the entrance to the court, which surrounds the tabernacle, and the altar” - that is, they are concerned about the principles that govern the whole position, the soft materials that surround the whole position.

HAL The most precious things were committed to Kohath, the ark, as our brother referred to, being borne on their shoulders, I wondered why they were left out?

SMcC I think their service takes on a much higher and refined kind of feature in relation to the tabernacle, and we might say, that the Kohathites merge in the idea of the priesthood, that is it merges into a kind of a priestly service, carrying things in prayer.

AKH Is it so then that we can count on what the work of God will produce in any given place to help in every matter that may come up, whether it be in regard to principles or in regard to persons?

SMcC I think so. Fresh features of the truth come out in regard to divine service in the assembly, and there are those in whom the work of God would express itself in a dignified way in giving a lead, committing themselves to the position in view of the performing of the service. Take the matter as to the Spirit, light was given as to it, but then what about the performance of the service? It is a question of those who can give a lead in regard to the performance of the service.

HLH So the more development, the more evidence there is of the work of God, the more it is going to call for intelligence in regard to how things are taken on, as Moses here is marked by intelligence in the way he disposes of what is brought. There is a constant stream of exercise proceeding.

SMcC Well, exactly, and when light is given in regard to the divine mind for the moment, we may be tested as to what we shall do and how we shall do it, as these princes were, but the work of God was equal to it and God honours it immediately, He comes right in immediately and He says, Take it of them. How important it is that in relation to the mind of God as revealed to us, the scope of the truth as in the first verse of this chapter (for that is what is in mind, the scope of the truth as we are viewing it in the tabernacle system) there should be the preparedness to commit ourselves fully to it in view of the support of it, not just objectively but on the line of performance.

EMe Does the “tent of meeting” suggest our present position, the recovered state of things?

SMcC The tent of meeting suggests the idea of the assembly, where God’s presence is known, where God has taken up His abode. In Leviticus He called out of the tent of meeting.

HLH So the principles that you referred to would be connected with the light that God gives to us, in connection with what is prescribed, but the persons, the material in which the work of God comes to light is not confined or prescribed, it is something living in itself, is it not?

SMcC Well, that is the point, that the work of God is equal to the moment, there is nothing prescribed in the way of a law describing what they were to bring. Leviticus abounds with prescriptions as to what they were to bring, but not in this relation, and we are always tested as to how we shall act and what we shall do, and how we shall take part in regard to the truth at any given time.

HLH In Simeon and Anna we saw that very same thing, did we not, in the section where much is made of what is connected with the law of Jehovah, yet we see features that are not provided for in that law.

SMcC Exactly, so that Christianity is a living system of things, not just a system of ritual where you have to consult a book as to what you should do and how you should proceed. How many of us in regard to this matter of the Spirit would have liked a book to just tell us when to speak to the Spirit, the exact time, the exact moment, and the exact terms to use, but we are to make room for the work of God in us as being equal to the light presented to us.

HLH New Wine in new bottles.

SMcC Exactly, a living state of it.

RS Would not the six covered waggons also imply that? That the thing is not opened out right away, so that you can see all of it, and think of it all in a moment and get on to it by heart?

SMcC Very good, I think that is a very good suggestion, because it is interesting to note in different types of the Spirit in the Old Testament how the thought of the covering appears. You will remember how it appeared in regard to Rebecca, as in the servant’s presence when Isaac came forward, but in the Psalms, Psalm 68, where we get a wonderful touch as to the Spirit, the Lord says, “Though ye have lain among the sheepfolds, ye shall be as wings of a dove covered with silver.” It is a reference to the idea of the Spirit and what the saints are as characterised by the Spirit, that they are covered with this thought, whatever the silver suggests. Then in the book of Nehemiah where the gate of the fountain is referred to, the fountain gate (we might just look at that in the third chapter of the book of Nehemiah, because there is an interesting suggestion there, it does not appear in relation to any of the other gates), in verse 15, it says, “And the fountain-gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the chief of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it,” now you do not get that allusion to any of the other gates, and I think in what you have referred to there is something suggested in that that the idea of what is hidden, what is covered, is linked with the present light as to the Spirit.

RS Is not that suggested too in the place that the Spirit Himself has taken in the economy? We cannot see the Spirit and yet we know Him?

SMcC That is it, and in 1 Corinthians 2, Paul enlarges on the matter, that it is not a question of the mind of man, it is not something that he can take account of and look into, it is a question of what is hidden, as that chapter brings out, the Spirit searching even the depths of God. Now in regard to Numbers 10, again we see in a chapter that brings before us fresh light in the testimony, because the chapter opens with the two trumpets of silver, it is a question of the ministry and fresh calls to rally to it in the light of the assembly. The trumpets of silver have that in mind, the clarion notes that may be sounded at any time in the ministry as to different features of light that divine Persons may be calling attention to. And it is in this chapter that Moses seems to fail somewhat in his appeal to Reuel the Midianite, and yet God graciously comes in, we might say, in what transpires in the closing of the chapter in that the ark immediately moves forward without any reference to its being carried or the like, and then Moses immediately recovers himself to the blessedness of the position and sees just what has happened, and he says, “Rise up, Jehovah, and let thine enemies be scattered.”

HAL It is marvellous that he should have failed and then have been recovered so quickly.

SMcC Well, that is the point in the passage, showing that men that are with God, like Moses, a priestly man like he was, if he should make a mistake he quickly recovers himself. Take David, how quickly David always recovered himself. The very fact that we do not recover ourselves quickly when we do something out of the way shows that we are not morally as great as we should be.

RS That is the characteristic of a spiritual man, the quickness of his recovery, he catches up to the position although he could not see it at first.

SMcC Exactly.

VB It is the work of God asserting itself in a believer, would you say?

SMcC I would say that, in this wonderful touch, “Rise up Jehovah, let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thy face.” A remarkable word this as to the position, because Moses must have been taking a tremendously extended view when he said this, because where were the enemies and where were those that hated God at that particular moment? And then when it rested he says (notice that the stress is on Moses - not the people said, but Moses said) “Return, Jehovah, unto the myriads of the thousands of Israel,” verse 36.

LAC The previous section is connected with service as we have been seeing, but this is connected with the finding out of a resting place, have you anything in mind as to that?

SMcC Well, I think it is suggestive in regard to the progress of the testimony in the wilderness, that there are resting places in which the light that has been vouchsafed to us, the light that has come to us, can be worked out, and move responsively in relation to it, do you not think?

MSS In regard to chapter 7, is it not the local position, the working out of the truth in localities suggested in the twelve princes being named separately day by day, whereas in chapter 10 now we have rather the whole position of the testimony, the whole assembly moving together universally?

SMcC What we have been impressed with of late has been the unity of the saints in regard to the matter of the sisters, how quickly throughout the world the brethren responded to the fresh feature of light, so that the sisters immediately came into all the care meetings, in response to it.

RS I was going to ask just now if in the movement of the testimony in the early days Saul of Tarsus did not act as an enemy, and then the ark acted in challenging him, by way of bringing him into blessing, coming in in that way so that the testimony might go on; and then it says that the assemblies had rest.

SMcC I think that is the idea, because in the beginning of the Acts we see the progress of the ark going forward in relation to the testimony, and the overthrow of God’s enemies. It is interesting in this passage how the mountain of Jehovah is brought in because it is not really mentioned much in Numbers at all, but yet it is brought into this section, “and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went before them in the three days’ journey,” as if we get certain spiritual touches that appear over against verses 29 to 32.

HLH You mean Moses had dropped in his thoughts to a lower level than what the mountain would suggest?

SMcC Exactly. When you come to Deuteronomy he certainly has not dropped there, the mountain in all its blessedness is before him, suggesting an expression of the rights of God in His holy love in relation to the people. But he had dropped in these verses 29 - 32, he forgot that they were God’s property, he says to this man in verse 31, “Leave me not I pray thee” - leave me not! This is not God he is speaking to, it is Reuel the Midianite. He says to him, “Leave me not, I pray thee, because thou knowest where we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou wilt be to us for eyes,” he forgot that the mountain of Jehovah suggests God’s rights to the people, that He in the covenant has pledged Himself to see them through, in principle, into the land, the realm of His own choice thoughts, but Moses dropped from that, therefore the mountain of Jehovah is immediately moved on to our view in verse 33, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah is moved into the position in verse 33 to remind us of God as faithful to His committals.

HLH “If we are unfaithful God abides faithful, he cannot deny himself.”

SMcC That is it, that is the point.

FHP And in verse 34 we get the cloud.

SMcC Exactly, following on the mountain of Jehovah, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, we then get the cloud of Jehovah. The public protecting side surrounding the movement, “was over them (notice) by day when they set forward out of the camp.”

WH The ark setting forward is the thought of recovery?

SMcC Well, it is a remarkable thing the way it is put, it says, “And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went before them,” as if there is a kind of holy resentment of what took place in verses 29 - 32, and divine love enters into the matter and goes forward.

AT Does the camp represent the place of protection?

SMcC It says, “and the cloud of Jehovah was over them by day when they set forward out of the camp.” I suppose the allusion would be to the encampment in that matter, and God, of course, protected them in every encampment.

LAC I am wondering if the idea of consolidation is suggested in this section, whether as fresh light comes from God, as you have been referring to it, in relation to the light as to the Holy Spirit, and such, whether there is not need for the consolidation of every advancement in our own souls.

SMcC I think that is the teaching in all the passages, I think the princes represent that idea in the beginning of chapter 7. They are prepared to see the consolidation of the position in their movements to support the whole position in relation to what they bring. And again we see in Numbers 10, the movement to consolidate the position on the part of divine Persons Themselves, but then Moses recovering quickly to the matter he comes into it in verse 35. So nothing is lost, you might say, it is enriched, in fact, and the whole position is consolidated as the chapter ends.

HEB While all the truth is to be maintained in relation to all the people of God, still there are those persons who stand out, as was the case with Moses here. You were referring first of all to the work of God being equal to the position, but it is on the part of the people, would you say?

SMcC That is right. And I think it is important, this matter of the consolidating of the gains in any fresh accessions of light, because if the gain is not consolidated the enemy might follow it closely and steal the gains. The great matter in any military movement such as Numbers contemplates in relation to the wars of the Lord, is that gains secured should be consolidated.

RS Is not that to take place during each encampment?

SMcC Exactly.

RS We are to consolidate what ground we have taken.

SMcC Well, that is what we are thinking of in referring to the end of the chapter, when it rested, he said, “Return Jehovah, unto the myriads of the thousands of Israel.” It is a matter of resting now, and the working out and the consolidating of the gain that has come from the fresh movement forward.

HEB Is that suggested in the thought when the Lord called the disciples apart to rest awhile? There was so much coming and going that they could not even eat bread.

SMcC I suppose you get the same idea there. Now the time is gone and we should just refer to Numbers 21, because we cannot finish without a reference to this wonderful section here where we get this free, responsive movement in verse 17, “Then Israel sang this song, Rise up, well, sing unto it: Well which princes digged, which the nobles of the people hollowed out at the word of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah.” It says in verse 16, “And from thence to Beer: that is the well of which Jehovah spoke to Moses, Assemble the people, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song.” I think it is remarkable in these circumstances, how the work of God in the saints, typified in Israel here, is equal to the light that is entering into the position, because reference is made to the light, “the well of which Jehovah spoke to Moses.” You get “the book of the wars of Jehovah” referred to in verse 14, and then you get “the well of which Jehovah spoke to Moses,” and then you get this: “Then Israel sang this song, Rise up well; sing unto it.”

HEB How does the thought of spontaneity, that un-prescribed movement you referred to at the beginning, link with the word of the lawgiver?

SMcC Well, it says in verse 18, “Well, which princes digged, which the nobles of the people hollowed out at the word of the lawgiver, with their staves.” That is, the well itself was drawn attention to by the word of the lawgiver, through the exercise of the princes; but the singing to it, the word to Rise up, sing to it, is from the people, it is spontaneous from them: so in the matter of the ministry as to the Spirit, we get the Lord superintending matters and the princes and the nobles bringing the well before the people, bringing the well to light in its proper dignity and glory, but when it was a question of what the saints would do. So it was often wondered why Mr. Taylor did not speak to the Spirit when he was first drawing attention to it, but said he was waiting for the saints to move, that is the point here.

RS That is a prince, patience, digging with staves - slow work, and yet doing great work all the time.

SMcC That is it, going on quietly and drawing attention to the well, bringing it into view - the digging, and then the word of the lawgiver - the authority of Christ superintending the whole matter.

HEB The accession of light in relation to this matter is a very distinct help.

SMcC Well, the question is the performance. What do they do here? Have the brethren got the liberty to speak to the Spirit in the performance of the service? That is the great matter that these free, responsive movements have in mind, that the light presented objectively is being responded to through the work of God in the saints, in a living way, not in a ritualistic way, or in a studied way out of a text book, in the living movements that these scriptures refer to.

HAL I was wondering whether the question of the singing does not count largely now, calling for a revision of the hymn-book in connection with the light?

SMcC Well, I think so, I think that is what it amounts to.

RS I do not think that there is anything more helpful than the remark, that the work of God in the saints makes them capable of taking on any light that is given them by God. It relieves us from effort and worry and wondering what we are to do, and we get to be restful and rely on God’s own work in us. It is commensurate with the light.

SMcC That is it.

EMe So that not only Moses sang, but the children of Israel.

SMcC That is it, they responded to a good lead.

Oistins Town, Christchurch, Barbados.