A Simple Exercise Continued 

Unfortunately  I am not able to trace the commencement of the simple exercise I am still engaged in. I am aware that it was some years ago, but I would li8ke to remind those who read the communication back then, and anyone who might read this "Post" now, what this exercise of heart entails.

Well, I often received unsolicited mail at home, with prepayment envelopes enclosed for my response. For a long time I quickly discarded them as "junk mail." But a fellow believer suggested it would be a great idea to return these unwelcome mailings with a tract placed i9n the prepayment envelope. I must emphasise that ONLY the unsolicited mail that one receives may be thus utilised.

The amount of such mailings has declined considerably, but I returned one envelope with a tract inserted only today. I keep a record of how many I send, and after this long period of time I have returned 131 envelopes.

I fully understand reticence on the part of any believer, and only request that this particular exercise might be considered. It would be unrighteous to use any prepaid envelopes where the mailing was requested.

My prayer is that more than 131 individuals have received "the implanted word, which is able to save their souls. " James 1:21.  

T.W.

U.K. Whither Bound? 

In 1965 Britain suspended Capital Punishment for murder, for five years. In 1969 it was suspended permanently, and it was finally abolished for all crimes in 1998. This course of action was taken in flagrant rejection of the Divine Principle of retribution for capital crimes. With that ultimate deterrent being removed murder has become commonplace in this Country. I doubt that a day passes without at least one murder! Indeed, in 2022/23 in England and Wales alone, there were 602 homicides recorded; and 697 the previous year! Thus my estimation falls far short of the actual figures,

Just this week there has been an outcry for corporal punishment to be abolished in England and N. Ireland. It is based on cases of domestic abuse, (which can never be tolerated), and upon reports by so-called "experts" telling us of the dire consequences arising from discipline used in the home. Experts who appear to be able to read minds, assess situations of which they do not have the full details, and dwell on cases of child cruelty to the entire disregard of any other form of evidence.

I totally abhor cruelty to children, adults, and even animals. I endured cruelty for many years as a child and so I feel entitled to question this alarming view that will further diminish any kind of obedience, politeness, and respect in the home, at school, on the streets, and in the workplace. 

But this is yet another example of the flagrant rejection of the clear teaching of the Holy Scriptures and of that is which is an immutable command from God.

Anyone who has no hidden agenda, and has an open mind, cannot gainsay the indisputable evidence of the dreadful lack of discipline in all walks of life in this Land, and indeed throughout the world.

Thus saith the Lord: "Whoso sheddethy man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man." Genesis 9:6. This verse carries us back to the Creation, and obviously pre-dates the Law. It remains a divine command, it has never been abrogated.

DEFILEMENT BY ASSOCIATION

DEFILEMENT BY ASSOCIATION.
I must confess to writing this "post" with some trepidation. This "peculiar" phrase was used more often in past decades and is seldom heard at all today. Perhaps this is because separation is largely untaught in the Assemblies of Gods' people now.
I suspect this phrase may well be unacceptable to many, even offensive. Please believe me I mean no offence, but I am much perturbed by what is allowed in "our" meetings.
Many of the local Assemblies are happy to permit believers from the denominations to preach and even teach in the meetings. We are quite ignorant of what is taught and practised in these denominations, and we would be, (or should be,) horrified if we were to learn what transpires at some of their gatherings. Where possible a brief "visit" to their websites are all that is necessary to make a discerning judgment as to their teaching and practices.
If, or rather, as we seem content to allow these men such inestimable privileges in our meetings, are we not then "defiled by association." If it is suggested that certain individuals do not "hold" the teaching and practices of their "church," (their word, not mine,) why do they remain in an unscriptural position? To suggest it is to be "a good, or purifying influence" is tantamount to saying they know better than the Lord! He still pleads with them to come out and be separate. Furthermore, many of these men condone and even promote these false teachings and unscriptural practices. Some even "left" assembly fellowship, and others went as far as to bring disrepute and division into the assembly while in fellowship. If we receive such do we not become partakers, have fellowship, in their sins? If so, then we do become defiled because of such association!
It is to be regretted that many Assemblies have given up the practice of announcing the visitng speaker with reference to his "home" Assembly, only his name and location is given out; thus the meeting is left in ignorance as to his spiritual "home," and an opportunity is lost to think, (if but briefly,) with affection toward another Assembly with which we may be familiar.
A further thought: the buildings in which we gather are of no great account, I mean they are only convenient places for us to meet. (I am not implying that our halls should be neglected in any way.) What does trouble me is the use to which they are sometimes permitted. To "hire them out" in any way seems to me to attract an element of danger in connection with defilement by association. We may well be identified, however tenuously, with those who use the premises. How would we answer such a suggestion or even allegation? We claim our citizenship is in heaven, and then we allow our buildings to be used as polling stations! We pride ourselves on taking nothing from the Gentiles, and then hire out our halls for profit!