All those who know the character of the ministry, both written and spoken, which God in grace has given and committed to us as a people, must surely realize that it is a most gracious and precious privilege, and that with it is connected a weighty responsibility.

It is simply the recognition of a fact that those gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus are, in these closing days, practically the only part of the Church of God which, as a body, are standing unitedly for the truth as taught in the Scriptures. And this we recognize, not in a spirit of boasting- God forbid-but that, in grace, God has committed to as a great deposit of truth, which is both a wondrous privilege and a grave responsibility to minister it to others.

This ministry is of two kinds:first, the oral ministry, preached and taught by those whom God has gifted as evangelists, or pastors and teachers, "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;" and, second, the written ministry by those to whom
God has given ability to put His truth in this more permanent form, which may be multiplied by the press and widely circulated.

What spiritual riches have thus been accumulated ! What variety is thus made ready to our hand!

Again, let us say, this is not boasting, but the simple recognition of a fact, which should bring home to the heart and conscience both our privilege and responsibility in connection with the trust. Do we realize our responsibility to make this precious truth known ?

The word of God says that " the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3, 4). Do we not see this very thing now on every hand, and in the very places where, within our remembrance, the Scriptures were owned as the word of God ? When orthodoxy is giving way, when old – time faith is capitulating to Satan, when creeds based on Scripture are giving place to "new thought" and "up-to-date" theology, what a privilege it is to have men of God holding the truth with pure conscience, going from place to place preaching the word of life to all that will hear, or teaching the word of truth to enlighten and bless the people of God! And what joy it is to see our children, our friends and neighbors, brought to the Lord Jesus; the feeble strengthened, the faint cheered, and the saints edified ! What a privilege to have the truth of God thus ministered, when so many of God's people have but very partial truth presented to them, if not positive error.

But let us remember that these privileges have their responsibilities. In the first place, no gathering should put its stamp of approval upon any brother desirous of going forth to preach or teach until it is evident that God has called such an one to this work. No doubt many in the fresh joy of salvation are desirous to give up their ordinary labor and devote all their time to Christian service. The desire is good, but it is not needful to leave our regular occupation to engage in Christian work according to our God-given measure. If the Lord has called to leave all for His service, it will be made manifest in due time to God's people. All else is bound to end in failure and confusion. The Lord will give the necessary wisdom and ability to one whom He calls, and make it plain to his brethren. Until the Spirit of God clearly designates and qualifies for this work, let us be slow to urge or encourage one beyond what the Lord has qualified him for. Trial and confusion have resulted in times past by our lack of attention to our responsibility in this matter.

But when the Lord has gifted and fitted one for His service, it is our responsibility to aid such an one in every possible way-by prayer, by earnest fellowship, by financial support, that we may share with him in the joy and blessing of service to the Lord in ministering to precious souls.

Then as to our written ministry:How much the Lord has given in this way! Year by year this large treasure has been increasing, both in the rich and varied presentations of a pure gospel-in little booklets, tracts, pamphlets and books; and for the believer, what an unfolding of the riches of God's word-in doctrine, in exposition, in prophecy, in rightly dividing the word of truth, in dispensational teaching, in refutation of errors, etc., etc.

What a privilege is ours to see to its circulation. And what a simple and ready way to spread the precious gospel and comfort souls is thus made ready to our hand. We cannot tell short of eternity what untold blessing comes from the circulation of such literature. How easily we may buy a package of tracts, give them away, with prayer to God for His blessing upon them. A few cents each day or each week will in the course of a year enable one to give out a fair quantity of these precious publications; and those who cannot speak in public may thus very well present tire pure gospel to their fellow-men, and bring the glad tidings of God's salvation to perishing souls who do not otherwise hear it.

Each individual Christian should realize the precious privilege God has thus given us of scattering His truth broadcast. Each gathering should feel its responsibility to encourage and support such distribution, by having a tract case where a constant supply of gospel literature is alway attainable, and let the prayers of the saints uphold those who write and those who distribute.

Brethren, this privilege is ours, and its responsibility also. Let us enjoy the one dnd bear the other, to the glory of God. And it will be not only for blessing to others, but it shall be for our own blessing as well. The time is short. "The night cometh, when no man can work " (John 9:4). F.