QUES. 31.-If there is known sin in the assembly and it is unjudged by them, can the assembly count on Christ being in their midst?

ANS.-Such an assembly will not be much concerned whether Christ is in their midst or not. All Christians know that Christ abhors sin; that He had to go through untold suffering to put it away; if they are not concerned therefore about its being practiced among them, neither will they be concerned about having Christ in their midst. The two stand or fall together:unconcern about sin is unconcern about Christ, and this is Laodicea-a state of things at whose door Christ stands calling upon His own who may yet have an ear to hear.

But we apprehend that your question goes farther than this, and that it asks if other Christians, outside such an assembly, can consider it as having no more the presence of Christ in their midst. To this we reply that we do not believe any man has the power to pronounce on such a matter. It belongs fo the Lord alone. He never asks us therefore in His word to leave an assembly because Christ is no more in the midst of it, but because unrighteousness is there, and there in power. To judge that Christ is not there is assumption-a dangerous thing to say the least. As it cannot be proved, it cannot control the conscience. To "depart from unrighteousness," which is God's word and way (2 Tim. 2:19), is obedience-the true Christian mind; and this controls the real conscience, for unrighteousness can always be proved.

In such presumptive mind some have professed to decide which among the various parties of Christians has the Lord's table, and which has the exclusive right to ecclesiastical recognition. All this has unholy ends, for it is born of pride and destroys the sense of right or wrong, so frightfully illustrated in the church of Rome. The spirit of obedience is not so. It can give "Thus saith the Lord " for every step it takes.

QUES. 32.-1 Cor. 14 gives, I believe, the order of God in the assembly of His people, and verse 31 makes it evident that order is not a one-man ministry since "all may prophesy one by one." In the use of this God-given liberty may there not be abuse ? May not some forward brother (and such are not always the most able to edify) take advantage of the liberty and oppress the assembly to the grief of the Holy Spirit?

ANS.-Most assuredly. There is not one privilege which man has not abused, and the high privilege of freedom of ministry is no exception. Where the true character and purposes of ministry is realized, however, men will not think of its freedom; they will think of its responsibility, and see to it that they minister in communion with God. It any one does not, but abuses the privilege to the detriment of the assembly, in kindness and love let the assembly tell him so.

Rev. 2:2 plainly shows that the assembly is responsible to prove if what ministry comes to them is really sent by the Lord. It is responsible therefore to judge of the character of what is ministered among them. A man who ministers in communion with God always edifies.

QUES. 33.-Are the "Dunkards" or "Tunkers " sound in the faith? We are much among them and can find out little about what they hold, save that they seem very strong on baptism and taking no medicine. A little information would be gratefully received.

ANS.-As far as we know they hold to the fundamentals of Christianity. They are little occupied with truth however, but much with externals, especially the manner of baptism, washing of feet, peculiar dress, etc. From what we have heard among themselves the burden of their preaching is against pride, but it seems to be limited to the pride of dress and like external things.

The salvation which God's grace has provided in Christ for lost man, when possessed, is that which alone reaches and breaks up all pride. As elsewhere generally, one hears very little of Christ among them. In the world of eternal things it will matter little in what manner we have been baptized, or what has been the shape of our garments, but it will matter greatly what place the Lord Jesus Christ has occupied in our hearts. The more fully He dwells there the less legal or taken up with externals we are, though it will regulate our life through and through, for "We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the game image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord " (2 Cor. 3:18).

QUES. 34.-Are men possessed with demons to-day as in the time of Christ, and spoken of in Malt. 8:28, or has His death and resurrection changed that condition of things in any way ?

ANS.-Yes, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the descent of the Holy Ghost and the introducing of a dispensation of heavenly things has made a great change. It has changed the sphere and character of Satan's work, as it has changed the sphere and character of God's work. When God's work and blessing were of an earthly and material nature, the opposition of Satan was in the same things. Now that God's work and blessing are of a heavenly and spiritual nature, the opposition of Satan follows there too. Eph. 6 :12 plainly shows this, and 1 Tim. 4 tells the character of the present working of demons.

Blessed are they who are under the entire control of the word of God that they may escape the deadly snares of the "perilous times" in which we are.

Other questions for future Nos., (D. V.)