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.