Prayer

PRAYER

I felt it may prove helpful to believers who pray regularly for their "own" Assembly fellowship to use a simple "prayer trigger." It is likely to be only of benefit to Assemblies where there is a fewness of number in the company.

Intelligent, consistent and considered prayer is invaluable in our walk individually and collectively.

As I enjoy fellowship in a "small" Assembly gathering I have observed that we tend to occupy the same seat on every occasion, I mean generally speaking of course. If this is your experience perhaps you could adopt this approach in prayer for your fellow believers.

In my minds eye I scan the gathered saints and move along the rows of seats calling each one to mind in order to hold them up before the Throne of Grace, thus none is missed.

It may be possible to extend this practice in our entreaties for the lost; mentally listing the neighbours we know as we "traverse" our road or street using the same approach. It may be extended to other areas during our times set aside for prayer. Perhaps embracing our extended families or our work colleagues. I leave it to your wisdom before the Lord, trusting that our resorting to prayer will prove to fervent and effectual.  

Brethren, please bear with my simplicity in this important matter. 

Some Thoughts on Psalm 119

Some Underlying Thoughts in the Longest Psalm

I have in my possession a little booklet bearing the above title. It is a commentary on every verse of Psalm 119. The "underlying thoughts" of each verse are very brief but beautifully succinct, containing rich spiritual insight. Each verse receives just one line of teaching, made up of two phrases. The phrases are generally antithetical of

one another.

The remainder of this little missive comprises two more exceedingly brief addresses to the saints: "Some Searching Thoughts from Psalm 119," and "An Earnest Plea for Loving, Learning, and Living Psalm 119."

I have no knowledge of the author, nor can I trace it on "Stem Publishers," or in the comprehensive index of the "Bible Treasury." 

The only "evidence" regarding its author is his address in London  from doubtless MANY years ago!

If any dear believer can help me to discover the writer I would be most grateful. the address, and rather quaint telephone number on the booklet, is as follows:

61 Upton Lane

Forest Gate

London E7

Tel. Maryland 2196

I would love to have it reprinted and "bound" securely so as other believers might find its spiritual wealth. It is lovely!

Answered Prayer

Answered Prayer

We love the thought of our God being One who ever hearkens to and answers the prayers of His own people. (The answers are not always what we desire or expect, but He EVER answers!)

A little town in the Ewenny Valley in South Wales U.K. is the "home" of a small company of believers gathered to the Name of our Lord Jesus alone. A little faithful testimony has been borne there for many decades.

A number of years ago their hall had to be demolished, leaving them to find other accommodation so as the witness for the Lord could continue there, should it please Him.

The Assembly has been forced to remove to different premises over the years, mainly renting "denominational" buildings. Now they have been informed that the building they presently use is to be sold and they must vacate it by "Christmas."

Cast upon the Lord for yet another premises they also sought the prayers of a number of believers who happily responded.

The Lord graciously overruled and undertook for them! A building has been made ready for their use without any of the restrictions placed upon them as experienced previously. (e.g. only being available for the Lords' Day,) indeed they have exclusive use of it! It is a much better site in every way and the rent is less too, and includes lighting, heating and water!

There is no "evangelical" witness there in the town whose population exceeds 9,200!

How gracious is our God and in providing a place of gathering for His own especially to remember His lovely Son; and to grant in His long suffering a longer period of gospel testimony to the precious, but perishing, souls of that town.

I am sure you will join with me in giving thanks to our "great God and Saviour" for this another token of His unceasing care for us, and for the encouragement of our hearts too.

Welcome Visitors

 Welcome Visitors

Yesterday, Lords' Day afternoon, I was privileged to be responsible for the preaching of the Gospel at an Assembly gathering in Weston -s- Mare in Somerset, S.W. England.

A good number attended, (numerically "good" in this part of the Country,) including a few unsaved ones which was encouraging.

At the close of the meeting I was able to shake hands with many there and hold little conversations, but mainly with the saints. I approached a young man who smiled as I drew near making me feel comfortable in speaking to him. His English was poor, but we were able to converse. He informed me that he was Kurdish! Seeing the open door to the Gospel Hall he just decided to come in. Standing next to him was another young man whom I had met a few times before when ministering the Word on a Thursday morning there at Waterloo Gospel Hall. He is saved, but is afflicted in his mind and spends periods in some sort of care facility. Rob, this young believer had a further talk with the Kurdish youth and informed me to my amazement that he was a Muslim! I imagined that when the Word of God was opened and publicly read, that he would have exited the Hall more quickly than he had entered! But he stayed to the end and lingered afterwards too.

Please pray for him, he told me his name, but being partially deaf and the name being "strange" I feel unhappy at hazarding an effort at spelling it; but the Lord knows him in infinite fullness. Please pray for Rob too, as these gravely difficult seasons take a hold upon his mind. 

Neither young man were there last night by coincidence, nor indeed any who came along; so please with us "roll" this burden upon the Lord, the faithful, unchanging God of the impossible. 

Another Recent Home-Call: Edward Jaminson

Another recent "Home-call."

Edward Jaminson

I only learnt of the "home-call" of our beloved brother in Christ, Edward Jaminson, yesterday. He "departed to be with Christ" on June 19th of this year.

He bore a faithful and consistent testimony to His Saviour, and served Him well too.

His ministries for the Lord included serving in Bolivia, reaching out to Spanish speaking peoples, printing and distributing various publications, especially "The Word." He was a constant hospital visitor , a ministry appreciated by the many and practised by the few.

I never had the privilege of meeting him, or indeed speaking to him over the phone, but I appreciated his kindness in sending a copy of each edition of "The Word," and the annual little card calendars he produced. I know his telephone ministry was also greatly appreciated.

The saints who were enriched by him remember him with thanksgiving, and seek the Lords' nearness and comfort to those "left behind."

May everyone of us who belong to Christ seek to serve Him as faithfully as our dear departed brother.

Strongs' Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

 

I, with an innumerable multitude of other believers, owe a considerable debt to the compiler of the above mentioned magnificent labour of love for Christ and His own people. It is ever the main human " reference tool" for so many preachers and teachers of Gods' Word.

Just today, as I continued to study the Word, to use on Thursday, if the Lord will, in ministering (serving) to a little Assembly in Somerset, I discovered a sublimely simple fact. No doubt, the vast majority of the saints who give themselves to the study of the Scriptures, will have anticipated me!! But in case there is just one who loves the Saviour, and has not noticed this fact, I would like to share it.

 

You will appreciate that the number appended to the leading word in any given passage, corresponds with the number found in the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries in the latter part of the book.

Preciously, I discovered that "Father" has the very first number ("1") assigned to it in the Hebrew, while Father in Aramaic has the numeral "2." I understand of course, that it is alphabetical, but refuse to believe that it is not of Divine design, or without an infinite significance. Brethren and sisters, how precious is our relationship with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! We who have the unsurpassed privilege to address Him as "Abba, Father."

May we ever revel in our position of sonship, afforded to us by the only-begotten Son of God, the Son of His love.

A Little Additional Revelation

 

Last Lords' Day as I perused and meditated upon the Scripture passage I purposed to use a the basis for a Gospel address, a new thought, (new to me that is,) gripped me. I had written my notes and added addenda in the margins, with some scripture references connected to the main thrust of the message.

One verse stood out in a peculiar way, and I felt it to be an addition to my limited understanding of the Word. I cannot think there are but a few who already apprehended the two simple thoughts that formed in my mind.

The reference was to verse 28 of Matthew chapter 10:

"And be not afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear rather Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." J.N.D. Trans. {Darbys' footnote on the word "of" is of fine instruction here.}

Well brethren, to the simplicity of my thought, and you may certainly expand it beyond the my feeble way of expression!

In this verse, (a parallel passage is found in Luke 12:4.), it seems to me that, with the dawn of eternity for those who died in their sins, to be in possession of a "body" necessitates resurrection; and the continuance of their "soul" in the eternal state demands an eternal existence on their part! Death is not the cessation of being, only that of "well-being!"

Brethren, I leave it with you for your discernment and perhaps if the Lord so designs, it may prove to be of benefit to your souls.

Philip Mauro

Philip Mauro 1859-1952

I am in process of reading "The Number of Man-The Climax of Civilisation," by Philip Mauro. Now that I am well through the book I realise that I have not read it before as I

believed.

               It is very interesting, and I feel, of some spiritual profit. One drawback is its constant repetition, and lengthy quotations, some of which are justified though, I admit. A considerable shock for me was how much credence Mauro gives to the "Encyclical" of Pope (self-styled) Pius X!

                                                                      In his earlier writings Mauro was a great proponent of dispensationalism, pre-millennism  having found his fellowship among the Assemblies of the Lords' people; (That is not to suggest they alone held these truths, or that all of them did so, my words are intended to be much more general.) But in his later writings from 1922  onwards, Mauro made it absolutely clear that he repudiated these things categorically and vehemently. He became an arch-adversary, a vociferous opponent of the faith he once proclaimed with equal zeal. 

                                                                                                 I would encourage my fellow brethren and sisters to read his earlier works, but to studiously avoid his latter writings. To assist in this exercise I have listed below Philip Mauros' later volumes.

Life in the Word

Reason to Revelation

The Number of Man

Gods' Pilgrims

Eugenics: A New Movement

The path of the Just

The Lords' Supper

After This or The Church, The Kingdom and the Glory

The House of God

The only title I have apart from "The Number of Man" id "Gods' Pilgrims," but although my knowledge of Mauros' writings is so limited, I am certain of the above facts regarding his rejection of the truths he once held tenaciously, and the nature of his later writings. My purpose here is just to assist my fellow believers who may be interested in this servant of God.



Disappointments

Disappointments!

In a previous "Post" I referred to the sad decline in the Assemblies in connection with the introduction of shorter meetings. This gives those who serve in the Gospel and in ministry less opportunity to express what the Spirit of God has laid upon their hearts; and it is frustrating! When contention is the "short attention span" of visitor to the various gatherings. This is invariably a reference to the "lost" who attend a Gospel service. But it appears to me more often than not that it is the saints who want to shorten the meetings! Latterly I was asked to speak for a shorter time as there was to be a cup of tea after the meeting! This is not an isolated case in my experience; at least five Assemblies where I have the privilege to preach/teach have cut the length of their meetings, particularly in connection with the Gospel preaching.

                                                                                                                                       But this is not all that disappoints. I received a reminder from a "corresponding" brother that I am responsible for the preaching of the Gospel on an approaching Lords' Day. Please allow me to quote, "the temporary ban on the prodigal son, good Samaritan and serpents on poles has not yet been lifted," his exact words!

                                                                                                      Thirdly and finally, at least for now D.V., it breaks my heart to hear of the closure of more of the Assemblies, and with it the absence of any assembly testimony in various districts, some covering huge areas saturated with lost souls and needy saints. In addition, so many who maintained by the grace of God,a witness for the Lord Jesus as gathered to His name alone, have resorted to changing their peculiar character; opting for an evangelical church stance, with a paid pastor! How a believer who has enjoyed days of heaven on earth as "calling Him to mind" Lords' Day by Lords' Day, can give up this infinite privilege and portion is beyond the limits of my understanding. I know that in past times, both latterly and recently, saints have confessed their great loss at having abandoned the position that once occupied.

                                                                                         It is of little account to disappoint a mere believer like me; perhaps a little more grievous to disappoint many of the saints; but how much more is it a grief to the One who requested "this do in remembrance of ME!"

Germany Beware!

GERMANY BEWARE!!

It seems that Germany has joined the growing ranks of those nations who stand in bold refusal of the counsels of God regarding the abomination of homosexuality! Make no mistake, God is not mocked, and those who are "in authority," the "powers that be are appointed by God," and directly answerable to Him for their administration in the affairs of their fellow citizens. God will surely and perhaps speedily bring judgement to bear upon your nation.

                                                                                        My fellow-believers in that favoured land, beseech the Lord to have mercy, repent on behalf of the nation, and throw yourselves, and cause those whom you love, to cast themselves upon the grace of God. Plead His lovely Son as overshadowing you, a remnant company in the midst of that nation.

                                        May the "Father of compassions" (mercies) prove Himself                                     merciful to the people of Germany!

"This Mystery is Great"

"This Mystery is Great"

Ephesians 5:32 [J.N.D. trans.]

"This mystery is great, but I speak as to Christ, and as to the assembly."





Quite a little while ago I contacted a "Brethren" author for information about the condition of Assembly testimony is his native country. He replied briefly and I thought honestly, when he told me he had no idea as to the state of "Brethren" there as he had left the local assembly for a "denominational" (my wording,) church.

                                                                                       Last year a sister from his natal country visited the local Assembly here in the U.K. and in conversation his name came up. This sister told me that he had left the "Brethren" as he was a practising homosexual. I felt that he had deceived me, and thereby implied he knew his way of life was shameful, why else would he withhold the full truth?

                                                                                                              Sadly and tragically there are many, many calling the Name of Christ upon themselves, professing allegiance to Him, yet engaging in that which is abhorrent to Him, and to God the Father and to the Holy Spirit!

                                                                                          The Scripture quoted above took hold upon me of late. By the Spirit of God through the apostle Paul, God has made clear how wonderful and holy the marriage between a man and wife is in His purposes. And further, that He should use that sanctified union to express this "great mystery" to unfold in fullest disclosure the "the marriage of the Lamb,"of the heavenly Bridegroom to His heavenly bride, the assembly is profoundly beautiful!

                                                                                                                   Any other "relationship" in which love is to be expressed as "becoming one," is a flagrant denial, act of rebellion, and gross disobedience to the revealed Word of God; it is an abominable caricature of "Christ and the church!" This being so, no practising homosexual can be "received" into any form of fellowship, and the permitting and/or promoting of such a heinous sin in a company of the Lords' people, will only serve to leaven the whole lump! 

Throughout the world this sin is being paraded as something of which to be proud! What defiant effrontery to God and His Word! No wonder that over, and over again, the nations allowing these things, and defending the perpetrators of such ungodly deeds, are coming under the judgement of God! And be reminded brethren and sisters in Christ, "for the time of having the judgement begin from the house of God is come; but if first from us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the glad tidings of God? " 1 Peter 4:17.



Brethren Authors

Brethren Authors

I have managed to purchase two books at very low prices in the last few days, both written by "Brethren," neither of whom I have read before. It is a delight because it is proving more difficult and considerably more expensive to find and purchase such works. The two writers are F.A. Perigo and J.C.M. Dawson; their books are "The Story of the Cross," and "Present Day Problems," respectively.

                                                                                                 Perhaps I will be able to furnish an intelligent review of them in the near future, if the Lord will. If you have read either or indeed both books, would you be kind enough to advise me of your own opinion please? You may email directly if you prefer. Many thanks in anticipation and my love in the Lord to any and all of His own who kindly take time to read my humble attempts at fellowshipping, (is that a word?) with them in Him.

A Rebuke To The Nations

A REBUKE TO THE NATIONS

If ever there was a pertinent Scripture for the state of the nations, perhaps this is it! View it in the light of that which is being promoted in almost every country in the world! Vileness, that which is an abomination to the Lord flourishes unchecked and without repentance.                                     

Psalm 12:8.

"The WICKED walk about on every side, when

 VILENESS is EXALTED among the children of men."

In addition the headship of man is flouted in every walk of life, contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God! Women have places of authority in Governments, Police Forces, Political Parties, Education and Legal Services, etc. Men are thus subject to them, and the purposes of God inverted.

The first of these rejections and refusals to obey the Scriptures, are defended by the attempt to silence anyone morally or spiritually opposed to it. The accusation is levelled at them as being "homophobic." This word is NOT found in the English Dictionary! Its parts are formed by "homo" and "phobia". "Homo," i.e. man, the genus of which man is the only species (Latin); or, same, noting likeness or sameness, (Greek). "Phobia" i.e. fear.

Cobbled together the words literally would mean having a fear of men, i.e. mankind! But corrupted it is used to promote and defend homosexuality by pressurising legislators and media into making it a title of a criminal offence. 

I do not agree with any government but a Theocratic one, in a coming day to be realised universally. But this Nation purports to democracy, which includes freedom of religious belief and of speech. But I am in some fear of repercussions regarding this "Post." That does not equate with the spirit of democracy!!

As to the latter question of headship, the flagrant disobedience to it uses the "equality of the sexes" as an in alienable right!

I have NO political opinions or affiliations, and have never voted in any election or referendum. My understanding of these things are founded upon the inerrant, unchangeable and sacred Scriptures.

Remember, the foundation of our National legislative was based upon the same Word of God.







Founded or Floundering?

Founded or Floundering?

A dear departed brother in Christ, (French, I believe has proved most helpful over many years of reading his Bible notes. I had a problem with one statement from his note on Psalm 8. Much of what he had penned was really beautiful and Christ-exalting. But I was arrested by these words, "Yes, the Creator has taken upon Himself the body He had created." (Italics are mine.)

I felt there lurked under the surface, a suggestion that the Son had become a creature! Perhaps thereby affording a handhold to some of the cults who deny Christs' intrinsic deity!Although I feel certain our brother never meant to convey such a thought. 

Both Darbys' version and the R.V. agree with the A.V. rendering "prepared." So I went a little further and traced it in Strongs' concordance, noting any derivatives within the meaning of the word, and found NO suggestion of "creating!"  

My purpose was not to make my brother an offender for a word, but to satisfy my concern in regard to the truth of the Person of Christ.

At the close of Romans chapter nine, I was recently struck by thoughts conveyed by the "stone of stumbling," and "Rock of offence." Without detailing my apprehension of this verse, I nevertheless felt compelled to coin a truism, I mean a self-evident truth.

The entire written Word of God, His recorded revelation to man, stands or falls upon the reception or rejection of the truths concerning Christ! One is either "Founded upon" or "Floundering upon" these revealed truths. The Person of the Son is pivotal regarding all, and everything, of any divine and eternal worth. If one is wrong about Christ, he is wrong about all and everything of ant moment, for time and eternity!

Brief Responses Regarding I.T.D.D.

SOME BRIEF RESPONSES FROM THE SAINTS REGARDING

INTERNATIONAL TRACT DISTRIBUTION DAY

I am "posting" some lovely messages received from some of the many (countless, I hope!) saints who contributed to the above exercise on April 18. The only purpose for this "posting" is to encourage the people of God in their endeavours to reach the lost for His Son; and for the glory of Him who is our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I am not aware of the location of a number of saints who replied to me, but one sister (Daniela) wrote from Inverness Florida U.S.A.

"Yesterday I left a grocery store, I saw a tract sitting there and prayed that the right person would pick it up!" She added most pertinently, "Each one, reach one."

A faithful brother (Edward) located in Newfoundland wrote very humbly of his consistent exercise in tract distribution. He also said, "I print quarterly double sided 8.5x11 gospel paper with local photos, short poems and gospel articles. It so happened that my purposed distribution this quarter falls on April 18." The day we proposed for the International effort!

Two messages were received from another godly sister (Marilyn) but I am sorry I do not know where she lives. One unusual suggestion was to carry tracts "in the pocket of your car door when going through a drive-thru for coffee!" But she also wrote that through GHF she had been in touch with relatives of a retired Hospice nurse working with missionaries. Marilyn was requesting that an article about a man in St. George in Sydney Australia, might be pulled from the archives and sent to her and them. She revealed that he "gave out at least one tract every day to passers-by," and there was "the resultant fallout because of his faithfulness."

Ros, a sister in Christ,now well known to my wife and I, who spends many months every year on the "mission field" in Zambia, told us that she "had shared the details of (your) commendable exercise with the local Assembly here in Wallingford (Oxfordshire U.K.) She added that the folk there in Zambia " distribute tracts regularly to the outpatients in the clinic line and to patients on the ward."

In connection with the above, I received another reply, totally independent of that one, from Zambia. (Margie) a dear sister there wrote, "My mother in Canada forwarded your email from GHF about the Tract Day, great idea! I give out Gospel literature regularly at the clinics I do. Will give out DOUBLE (my emphasis) on the 18th."

Finally I have copied and pasted this lovely message: "Dear Brother, To encourage you in your admirable effort to promote tract distribution, I would like to communicate to you that here in the little Chilean cities of San Felipe and Santa Maria, we are joining the effort to encourage each one to give out at least one tract on April 18. 

Yours in the service of our Lord Jesus,

Margaret."



Closure and Re-Opening

A CLOSURE AND A RE-OPENING

As very many of the Lords' people will testify, He lays a burden of care for His own Assemblies upon us. Not that He has no care for them Himself, (far be the thought,) for they are His Assemblies, but He loves us to love them and feel for them in all their varying needs.

I try to supplicate the "Throne" for a handful or more of Assemblies that have become dear to me, by His grace.

My purpose in this "post" is to seek the fellowship in prayer for just two little Assemblies in the County of Gloucestershire in the U.K.

An Assembly in Tetbury has decided to close! This causes me great sadness. There is no other Assembly witness there in that popular little town. Please pray, that if it please Him, He will not allow them to shut, for He openeth and no man shutteth! They purpose closing at the end of this month of April! If this proves to be the case, please pray that some of those saints will join themselves to the little Assembly at Dursley, which Assembly I would like to speak of next.

There is then this little company of saints who meet at Bethany Hall in Dursley. I am very well acquainted with each of them, having been privileged to preach the Gospel there are many, many occasions of a good number of years. The Hall is in very bad repair and not at all "attractive" for visitors, rather the reverse. It is not a failure of "house-keeping" but the fact that it has stood there for many years and appears to have been built as a temporary structure.

Being so numerically few it is very difficult indeed for them to venture great improvements; and the financial element is also formidable. (This is NOT an appeal for funds!) This is a cry for fervent prayer that the Lord will not only over-rule, but undertake.

The Assembly, (and I am not "representing" them, they know nothing of this posting,) met for prayer to discuss whether to close or not. Humanly speaking I feared the worse, but the Lord encouraged them to continue a testimony for Him there in Dursley!

They go out and distribute literature around the town and invite people to come to their gatherings including a "coffee morning."

Recently a lady was brought to trust in the Lord Jesus as her own personal Saviour and has continued to regularly attend the meetings. A brother from the "denominations" has been attending too, fairly regularly.

Such indications of the Lords' presence in the midst is surely deserved of our interest and care for this little remnant testimony.

I have just realised that it is not clear what I mean by "A Re-Opening;" but the Dursley Assembly have not been using their hall while they have been attempting to decorate it externally and refurbish inside.   

Gentle reminder

 

Now that the month of April has begun in the long-suffering goodness and grace of God, beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, please permit me to "stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance." 2 Peter 3:1.

TUESDAY 18th APRIL

(is designated to be in the will of the Lord,)

INTERNATIONAL TRACT DISTRIBUTION DAY

 

Please, if you are able, try to deliver/distribute at least ONE Gospel tract, magazine, or similar, bearing the written Word of God, on the above day.

We are hoping, praying, and longing for, a universal outreach to sinners with the Word of life resulting in salvation blessing to multitudes, and redounding to the glory of Gods' lovely Son and our Saviour.

We are exultant and thrilled by the response of saints from different parts of the world and hope that many others will join in this simple task for the Lord of the harvest.

Please support this humble service for Him!  Only ONE tract or one hundred and one, and any number in between or above, please beloved!

 

In HIM, Tom.

Esther and Mordecai

ESTHER and MORDECAI

In my morning devotion today I read, along with other Scriptures, a little portion from the beautiful Book of Esther. Two phrases lodged in my heart and called for a little meditation on my part.

Beloved brethren and sisters in Christ we have a responsibility for our children throughout our life-time. Not an exclusive one of course, because when they attain to independence and leave the family home, their personal accountability becomes much greater. But our responsibility for them is never fully discharged in this scene.

Mordecais' attitude most surely and clearly demonstrates this aspect of truth.
Esther 2:11.

Next we have the subjection and obedience of the orphaned Esther. It is exquisite, and reminds one of the Lord Jesus as a boy, when seen in lowly subjection to His mother and adoptive father. What divine condescension! What moral perfection!
Esther 2:20; Luke 2:51.

Finally there is the commendation of the parental role assumed by Mordecai. For his godly uninterrupted care and concern for his charge was rewarded by Esthers' subsequent appropriate behaviour and modest deportment in the palace of Shushan. Esther 2:9,15. 
She was a credit to her benefactor, and an evidence of the masterly way he had brought her up, his influence still holding sway in her manner of life; unlike that of the profligate son! Luke 15.

Would that all the children of believers enjoyed such an upbringing that it would be reflected in their lives after leaving the family home. Would that every believer had their children ever upon their hearts and always in their prayers!  



The Psalms: A New Version by Lord Congleton

The Psalms: A New Version by Lord Congleton

Some years ago I foolishly sold a considerable part of my "library" consisting  mainly of Brethren works; I think I mentioned this in an earlier "post" on this Blog. I have regretted it ever since. I decided to try and replace as many of my books as possible. It has proved to be almost impossible, certainly very difficult and expensive. Works written by Brethren, and those written from similar points of interpretation have become very desirable and inflated the cost beyond reasonable measure. Almost any book of a dispensational, pre-millennial and/or pre-tribulation character are now very collectible and expensive. I have no real idea why; but it has made purchasing of any of them, if, and when found, in many cases well beyond my finances.

Recently a copy of the above very rare title became available at auction. It was an extremely poor copy and as such really did not interest me other than to see how much it was valued at by the eventual buyer. It was ridiculously over-valued I felt as being at best in "acceptable" condition, however "rare."

Now I am in possession of a really nice copy, perhaps even slightly better than the previous one I owned! It is the same 1875 edition as the other two I have written about, i.e. my earlier copy and the auctioned one.

Nowadays it is nigh impossible to share such "finds" with anyone, as there is so little interest in these writings, certainly when it comes to "physical" books! But as I am so elated, and only paid a fraction of the cost realised by the poor copy, I had to unburden myself on Blogger.

I trust that some of you who read this will understand the thrill of such a find!



International Tract Distribution Day (1)

National/International Tract Distribution Day

TUESDAY 18th APRIL 2017

Today, as I moved along from door to door posting "Via Magazine," I began to muse, as believers are apt to do! I felt an exercise that became clearer the longer I dwelt upon it. "What if every believer who was physically able,"pledged" to distribute at least one, (if only one,) tract or magazine, or indeed any divine "missive" on the same chosen day all over the world? What if those who use "social media," those who have access to various means of publicising events, those who "give out the notices" in their local Assembly or congregation, what if they all agreed to nominate a particular day as "International Tract Distribution Day?" How many souls would be given the opportunity to believe the Gospel of the grace of God concerning His Son, and thus come into all the blessings of salvation. I dare to suggest it would be an unnumbered multitude! And what if we knew it would be a "day"which pleased our God, and was to be etched upon records kept in Heaven, and that for eternity! Would you not, would I not, love to be associated with such a privilege?

Today is the 16th day of March 2017; if we arranged such an "exploit" for our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,"giving ourselves one calendar month from now to organise it, if He will, we could announce the 18th day of April, just two days after the universal celebration of Christs' resurrection, to be the marked out "Day."

If the Lord will, I will begin to proclaim this personal exercise to all with whom I have "links," and would lovingly request others to do the same, please.

May God be pleased to bless this effort for His own glory, and for the glory of His only-begotten Son; may there prove to be such satisfaction for Him in answer to the travail of His soul.

"Poundland"

"POUNDLAND"

A strange subject for a "Brethren blog" no doubt! A little light-hearted too!

Yesterday I "shopped" in Poundland: for those overseas, it is a retail "chain" selling (basically) everything for one pound per item. As a poverty-stricken "brother" it is a boon, and I frequent these stores.

So then, what of yesterday? Well, I espied a wooden plaque bearing this inscription:

"The best

   memories 

  are made

   gathered

around

 the table"

It immediately caused me a wry smile and a definite desire to purchase one! It only needs some artist to "burn" a little picture of a "loaf" and a "cup" in the respective top corners of the plaque and it would be complete! 

I warned you it would be light-hearted, but go on rush out and buy one for yourself!

Zaph-Nath-Paaneah

ZAPH-NATH-PAANEAH

Genesis 41:45. 

Recently I had the privilege of giving two addresses on the earliest verse of the Epistle to the Hebrews, necessarily dwelling upon the glories of the SON! Our meditation was particularly given over to those seven-fold glories found there. On a subsequent Lords' Day morning, bowed in remembrance of HIM, I realised a correspondence, (I believed it to have been of the Spirit,) between three of those glories and the three-fold meaning of "Zaph-nath-paaneah. This was of course the name given by Pharaoh to Joseph, himself a lovely O.T. type of Christ. The first two meanings are in the Egyptian language.

Simply and briefly, Zaphnathpaaneah meant firstly, "The Reaveler of Secrets," answering to the SON as "being the exact expression of His (i.e. Gods') subsistence;" the One who "declared," that is literally, "told out" God! 

Secondly, it meant "Sustainer of Life," and the SON was the "upholder of all things, all worlds, the universe," and that by the "word of His power," whether in the manger, or asleep in the boat, or prostrate in the Gethsemane or nailed to the accursed tree at Golgotha!

Thirdly, in the Hebrew tongue it meant, "Saviour of the World! It is instructive to see how the Samaritans progressed in their appreciation of the Person of the SON; from The Christ through to the Saviour of the world. For "the Father sent the Son AS Saviour of the World!"

May these simple thoughts in relation to some of the glories of the SON, lead us on to glorify Him, as individual believers and in our corporate worship of Him.



What is an Atheist?

WHAT IS AN ATHEIST?

Just a little while ago, a recent Lords' Day evening, my wife and I went to support the preaching of the Gospel at an Assembly not too distant from us. I was not engaged in the Lords' service on that day and our Assembly Gospel service is held shortly after the "Morning Meeting" when we "Break Bread" and call to mind our lovely Saviour as we proclaim His death.

The preacher on that occasion was at pains and went to great lengths to explain what an atheist is in essence. He overwhelmed us with the magnitude of faith an atheist would need to actually be constituted such.

I was quite despondent when he seemed to invest an atheist with greater faith than any believer possessed! I an sure he did not mean anyone to feel like that, but I did!

Reading J.N. Darbys' translation of the Scriptures, I discovered the briefest, yet the fullest explanation as to the definition of an atheist. "Having no hope, and without God in the world," or "atheists." Ephesians 2:12. 

J.N. Darbys' "Adieu."

J.N.DARBYS' "ADIEU"

As many dear brethren and sisters in Christ I read the Word of God daily. My reading is consecutive , three portions, more brief than quite some years ago when I felt quantity was as important as quality. by that I mean I found I read much more but with less care and understanding. I am happier reading less but very, very carefully.

I read each passage in two versions; first the A.V and then Darbys' New Translation. Cultivating this habit has proved to be very greatly blessed to my soul.

Recently reading Marks' account of the feeding of the 5000, I was struck by the phrase in verse 46, "And when He had sent them away." My thought was that it was not quite in keeping with my compassionate Saviour. Turning to Darbys' version I was more deeply perplexed, in his text he has, "And, having dismissed them." But he had a footnote, "as "bid adieu." 

Now this French word is more akin to "farewell" in English; but furthermore it expresses a fond farewell, and directs the one addressed to God, while suggesting it may be a very long time before the two parties meet again; perhaps never, or maybe in heaven ! I felt that was so much more like the Lord Jesus. 

Where Darby uses it in his text in Luke 9:61, both the fondness of the farewell, and the uncertainty of a renewed acquaintance are obvious. I think these thoughts are borne out in his other use of "adieu" in 2 Corinthians 2:13 also.

Please forgive the simplicity of thought, but a childlike approach to Scripture is no poor thing, and often yields a beauteous reward.