In Answer to Questions raised by Correspondents

Dear Brother :… The things and conditions of which you speak and deplore have but too often been experienced among the people of God, and the cause is manifest, if only our eyes are open to it. The Lord's first reproach to a Christian assembly was, "I have against thee that thou hast left thy first love." If other things supplant Him in the hearts of His own, it opens the door for the flesh and the world and Satan to come in. Self-occupation takes the place of self-denial, grace is lacking, the Holy Spirit is grieved, and saints make the sad experience of Gal. 5:15 instead of verse 22.

The Lord has left us here on earth to be witnesses of His mercy and salvation to a world of perishing men, as Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8 direct us to do. Our Lord's own life and that of His apostles were marked examples of this evangelistic spirit and activity. When saints are self-denying and earnestly seek after the perishing, there will be far-less trouble between themselves, whilst endeavoring to maintain God's order in the assembly. Let us remember and practice Jude 20-23, for we have no time to lose-the close of this dispensation is in view; our Lord is coming, then our opportunities for labor and self-denial will cease.-T. O. L.

(Left by our departed brother among papers intended for Help and Food.)