Ques. 11.-Is the Injunction as to women asking questions, in 1 Cor. 14:35, applicable to the reading meeting?

Ans.-The spirit of the scripture is to be taken, and this is clear. In any meeting of a public character, woman’s place- even as nature would teach-is one of retirement. Thus where-ever a meeting ceases to be private,-we will say in a private house, for instance, or in a meeting specially for the sisters- the scripture would apply. It is difficult to lay down hard and fast rules, in fact, they are to be deprecated.

In general we would say, that when a meeting has an assembly character, the place of the woman is clearly defined. But where a few of the Lord’s people are studying the Scripture together, it would be a mistake to close the lips of any who desire to ask questions. Then again, there are different kinds f questions, those which in reality are for teaching rather than information, and those whose object is to get light. Perhaps the injunction, " I suffer not a woman to teach " might be considered with profit, by those inclined to ask questions of the first character.

Ques. 12.-How was king David justified in putting on a priestly garment, when the ark was brought from the house of Obed Edom to Zion (2 Sam. 6:), when he was not one of Aaron’s sons, or even a Levite? Uzzah had, just before, been smitten for unlawfully touching the ark of God; and, many years after, Uzziah the king, was smitten with leprosy for attempting to do the priestly work of burning incense in the temple of the Lord (2 Chron. 26:16-21).

Ans.-Two things seem clear:David’s act did not go to the length of burning incense, but seems to have been the spontaneous outburst of joyous worship. Secondly, faith is above all forms, where it is God-given, and lays hold of Him, in a day of ruin. David ate the shew-bread which was not lawful but for the priests. Everything was in ruins, and David, type of Christ, was a fugitive. Indeed in both these cases we see the type rather than the individual. It was the Priest and King, in the first case in rejection, and in the second establishing the throne in Zion who is before us-David’s Lord rather than himself.

In the case of Uzzah, doubtless a Levite, it was simply un-belief in all concerned. The ark was in the cart and therefore liable to be shaken. God’s judgment falls upon the whole proceeding, and Uzzah, as prominent in the sacrilege, is singled out for the visitation.

King Uzziah attempted to intrude into the priests’ office. "His heart was lifted up to his destruction." So instead of being a type of Christ, he was, in that particular, rather a type of the wilful king, "who opposeth and exalteth himself."

Ques. 13.-When we gather around the Lord’s table, and engage in worship, is it proper to kneel at prayer, or should we sit? Some think that to kneel would be turning the back upon the Lord, who is at His table.
Ans.-It would be a very harsh, precise following the letter to apply such a precious scripture, as "there am I in the midst of them," in the way suggested by some. We need hardly say that our Lord is not physically, bodily present. The thought that He is locally at the table savors of Rome’s altar-superstition. In kneeling we bow to Him, and therefore there can be no thought of " turning the back." As said, the thought would take us back to external worship, according to the flesh.

We are fain to call attention to the tendency amongst many of the Lord’s people to sit during prayer. We are not under the law, nor under the letter, but reverence, even of posture and manner, surely becomes us. In the epistle which speaks of our highest position-in Christ in the heavenlies-the apostle writes, "For this cause, I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3:14). The same dear servant in commending the saints to God, kneeled with them upon the shore (Acts 20:36). Thus in public and private, he took the attitude of supplication. Surely this is becoming, and should be followed even at the slight inconvenience it may cost. In the act of breaking bread, it is needless to say that what is prominent before us is not prayer, nor even prolonged giving of thanks, but rather "do this," and therefore order and quiet would suggest remaining seated, with bowed heads, as with adoring hearts we partake. But in all other acts of worship we may well imitate the apostle, either by kneeling in prayer or standing in thanksgiving.