Q 16. —-is not an exhortation needed as regards a reverential posture in prayer and worship? Formality we all desire to avoid, but is not the too prevalent custom of remaining seated during prayer a hindrance to simplicity, and itself a formality, which tends to chill the hearts of the worshipers? Certain forms are the natural expression of certain feelings, and their absence is an inconsistency and a loss. A few passages are added, as affording examples we may well take heed to. "And Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, …. and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees, and spread forth his hands toward heaven." (2 Chron. 6:13.) "O come, let us worship and bow down:let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." (Ps. 95:6.) "And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed." (Luke 22:41.) " And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all." (Acts 20:36.)

A. Though put in the form of a question, our brother's words need no answer, and should need but little enforcement for souls before God. Scripture is surely clear, and all that is needed is subjection to it. Such as we are, body and soul react upon one another; and although we can become familiarized with an irreverential habit until we cease to feel the irreverence of it, it will and must have its effect. It is a subject on which a word of exhortation is quite timely, and many will thank our brother for it.

Q. 17.-Do not Luke 3:38, Acts 17:28, 29, and Eph. 4:6 teach that in a certain broad sense God is the Father of all men?

A. Assuredly; and Hebrews 12:9 explains how. He is the "Father of spirits," as He is the "God" also "of spirits." (Num. 16:22.) God is a Spirit, and man by his spirit (which is his highest part, and that which knows human things-1 Cor. 2:11) is His offspring, as the beast is not. Genesis 2:7, although in a way suited to a primitive revelation, shows us man in his creation receiving thus something peculiarly from God. This is his link naturally with immortality.

Q. 18.-Is angelic ministry a feature of this age ? Who are "those who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14.)?

A. The epistle to Jewish believers, partakers of the heavenly calling-Christiana therefore, of course; although there are passages in which, as has been said by another, the branches seem to hang over the wall, for the Israelitish remnant of a future day. The passage in question certainly applies to the present time, though "those who shall be heirs" might mislead one to suppose those of a future time intended. It should read, "those who are about to inherit salvation."

Q. 19.-Kindly explain 1 John 3:9.

A. The middle clause of the verse is the key to it.-"His seed abideth in him." He is born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23.); has thus a new nature from Him, with no principle of evil in it, but wholly at war with it. He cannot practice sin (the true force of the word), nor "be sinning," as he once was. He cannot go back to the old condition, out of which God's grace has once for all brought him.

Q. 20.-Is not the Lord's supper a memorial of His death ? and therefore should we not be occupied wholly with what was the other side of resurrection ? and should not the scriptures and hymns used be in harmony with this thought ? or is it proper to think of Christ in any relation whatever, as is commonly done?

A. Of course we " show forth the Lord's death," and it is of this the bread" and the cup speak-the blood and the body separate,-the blood shed. But while this is true, and should be the central thought, there are other things to be considered. Must we not think of and celebrate who it is that has thus died ? It is the first day of the Week-the resurrection-day, and we have the Lord risen with us leading our praise. How then can we forget resurrection, which tells of the value and acceptance of that work in death ? Doubtless it should be the central thought, but to strip it of all that really sets forth its blessedness and value would not exalt it or give it its right character for our souls.