If I have asked anything of God and received His answer, I then act with assurance, with the
conviction that I am in the path of His will:I am happy and satisfied. If I meet with a difficulty, it
does not stop me; it is only an obstacle for faith to overcome.

But if I have not this assurance, I am uncertain, and know not what to do. Maybe it is a trial for
my faith, or may be a direction which tells me not to do what I am doing. I am in suspense, I
hesitate. Even if I do the will of God, I am not sure as to that will, and I am not happy. I have
need, therefore, of being assured that it is the will of God before I begin to act.

Let us notice, in passing, that God disposes all, according to the desire of Eliezer; and this will
necessarily be the case with them who find their joy in the Lord. All the wheels of the providence
of God will move in the course of His will which I am doing. The Holy Spirit, by His Word,
gives me the will of God. That is all I need. God will see that everything contributes to the
accomplishment of His will. If, through spiritual intelligence, we walk with God, He helps us in
the accomplishment of His will and purposes. We have need of this spiritual discernment, that
we may abound in all wisdom and spiritual intelligence. "If thine eye be single, thy whole body
will be full of light" (Matt. 6). I cannot tell where this will lead me, but this is the step I have now
to take in the path I am called to tread.

The servant of Abraham came into the house. "And there was set meat before him to eat; but he
said, I will not eat until I have told mine errand;” and Laban said, “Speak on." What firmness of
character there is with the servant! Look at the man who is not decided:he consults with this one
and with that one when it is a question of knowing how he is to act; and even when he desires to
do his ova will, he will seek the counsel of those who have less faith than himself. Paul advised
not with flesh sad blood (Gal. 1). He saw it was Christ calling him, and he went ahead.

Eliezer, occupied with his mission, does not accept the food presented him. He does what he ‘has
to do. One of the secrets of the Christian’s life, as soon as he knows the will of God, is to do it, to
occupy himself with his work, to allow nothing to interpose, not even the question of the needs
of his body. That is the effect and the sign of the work of the Spirit. Eliezer must attend to his
mission.

And what was in question? The interests and the honor of Abraham his master.; Abraham had
intrusted him with the interests of his son Isaac, and God has intrusted us, here below, with the
glory of His Son Jesus; and that glory occupies us by the Holy Spirit given us _ that is, where
the eye is single and there is a spiritual discernment according to the place God has set us in. If
we are there, there will be no hesitation; being in our place, we will act freely and with joy.

If I think of my convenience, of my interests, of what concerns me, of my family (and there are a
thousand things contrary to prompt obedience), it is advising with flesh and blood; but if I ask,
What are the interests of Christ, the thing is clear at once. If I think of any other thing, whatever it
be, I have not at heart that glory intrusted to me, and I have not confidence in Him who put me
there.

"If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world,
are ye subject to ordinances?" (Col. 2:20).

"Why, as though living in the world," is a most remarkable expression. It shows that we are not
true to our standing, as well as to Christ, if we are as men alive in the world. We have a new life,
which is the life of Him who is dead and risen; and this had now brought us into the condition of
death to all that is of the world. Hence as to the religion of the world, the Christian has in
principle as really done with it as Christ Himself had after His death. What had our Lord from
His cross to do with the fasts and feasts of the Jews? Absolutely nothing, neither ought we; and
by "we" I mean every real Christian.

I admit that the great mass of Christians will not hear of such a breach with the world; and thus
comes one severe trial of those who see it thus a foundation truth of Christ… The taking up the
rudiments of the world, is then a fiat practical contradiction to our death with Christ.

The Colossians wanted to hold on to the truth of Christ, but to keep up, or adopt along with it,
religious forms which had been observed in olden times. No, says the apostle, it is Christ who is
all our good, and nothing but Christ:we need nothing else. Christ is all. Nothing was so
exclusive as Christ and the cross; as yet what was so large? "in Him dwelleth all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily." But He was rejected."

Redemption sets us at rest and in peace in the presence of God. The whole character of Christian
life flows from being brought back to God, and thus we are called to walk with God. To believe
that we are brought back to God is not presumption; it is faith. It is presumption to think we can
be saved in any other way. It should always be remembered, that Christ is not our life, without
being our righteousness; and that neither is He our righteousness without being our life. If this be
surely grasped, it will enable the soul to look at the judgment seat of Christ with perfect
calmness. Confidence is founded on His being made our righteousness, who was made sin for us.

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is
the head of all principality and power" (Col. 2:8-10).

How good to sing "How vast, how full, how free, the mercy of our God!"; also "COMPLETE in
Thee!"; and continue on, ever singing_"A FULLNESS resides in Jesus our Head, a FULLNESS
abides to answer all need."

When Jesus had compassion on the multitude, did He not say "Give ye them to eat" (Mark 6:37),
at which time "Philip answered Him, two hundred pennyworth of bread IS NOT SUFFICIENT
for them…. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him, there is a lad here, which had five
barley loaves, and two small fishes:but where are they among so many?" (John 6:7-9). See what
happens! "And they did all eat, and were FILLED:and they took up of the fragments that
remained twelve baskets full." (Mat 14:20).

Look at Paul who could say, "But I HAVE ALL and ABOUND:I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus…. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus" (Phil. 4:18,19).

"And gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of
Him th filleth ALL IN ALL" (Eph. l:22,23). Just notice that we are His fullness. How precious to
know th we are so much to Christ who so needs us and includes us as His complement. "My
beloved is mine, and I am His."

Tine touching story of Mary in John 20 is familiar to almost every one. It is a striking instance of
ignorant, yet genuine affection. She might have known His glorious resurrection. She ought to
have remembered His words, "After three days I will rise again." But though her faith and
intelligence were defective, her heart beat true to it’s object and her treasurer. Contrast her with
Peter sad John, and does she not stand on a platform far above them? They can return to their
home, satisfied that Jesus’ body was set in the tomb, though they knew not where He was. This
was not enough for Mary; her loyal heart pants to know where He is, and finding Him not, is
ready to break with grief. She stands without at the sepulcher weeping, stooping to gaze at the
spot where they laid Him. Unperturbed by the angels, disconcerted in no wise, there she lingers,
and there her heart most be_beautiful instance of genuine though ignorant affection, and the
amazing power of one object when the affections are governed thereby. They have taken away
my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him…. Sir, if thou have born Hm hence, tell me
where thou hast laid him, and I will take Him away.”

How was she rewarded? Most surely according to the desires of her heart towards Himself. First,
He allows her to hear her own name on His risen lips. Wonderful moment for Mary! Wonderful
moment for Jesus! Was not every pulsation of her devoted heart met, and more than satisfied,
when His blessed voice caused her to look into His own ace, her Master and her Lord? I am bold
to say that two hearts were made glad that daybreak_hers who could find no home where He
was not, and His who gave His life for worthless rebels like us. And I am bold to say further, that
it gave Him greater joy to own her as His sheep, calling her by name, Mary! than it did her to be
so owned and called. But this was not all, for He commissions her now to carry the most
wonderful message ever entrusted to human lips, (see verse . 17)_“Go to my brethren, and say I
ascend, unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." He sends her forth to
proclaim the victory of His love, not only that He had triumphed so gloriously, that every enemy
was under His feet, but that He, the risen man, was Head of a new race, that, "both He that
sanctified” and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause He is not ashamed to call
them brethren, saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren" (Heb. 2:11,12). He sends her
forth out of the second garden, where the mournful history of the first garden (Eden) had been
more than wiped out by the glories of His triumph, to say to poor trembling hearts like ours, that
He Himself had not only won a new place for them, but that he had positively brought them into
it in Himself:“He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one,” which does not
mean that He was degraded to their level, but that He, by His death, His glorious triumph and
victory, had elevated then to the heights of His own new place before His Father and God.

What grace I wondrous grace! He passes by angels that excel in strength, and comes down to a
poor weak woman upon the earth, owns her as His sheep, and then sends her forth to wipe the
tearful eyes, and comfort the trembling hearts of His own, by announcing unto them the
conquests of His love. Who can say now that Jesus does not delight to reward the devoted heart?
And who can deny that in thus rewarding it, He gratifies His own changeless affections?

Let us now turn to Mark 14. It is the only instance recorded in Scripture of any one having
intelligent sympathy with Christ:It is a wonderful scene; every one is thinking of death. Jesus has

the vision of death before His spirit. How must the passover, with its lamb whose blood was
shed, have brought forward death, before every mind? There were the type and antitype face to
face as it were_the chief priests and scribes, with a hatred to Christ which nothing but his death
could appease, seeking how they might take Him by craft, and put Him to death. Thus we see
bow death filled all thoughts; but there was present one, a poor weak woman, too, whose heart
kept company with all that was passing through His; she alone was in full sympathy with His
feelings at the moment, and entered into the thoughts of God concerning the beloved Son.

It has been remarked that the account with which Mark furnishes us of the close of His blessed
mission of love, presents Jesus more solitary in it than any other; incidents and circumstances
which are recorded more or less in all the other gospels, are absent from Mark. If this be so, how
strikingly significant is the record of this act of Mary’s in the house of Simon the leper! Her heart
and her affections, in true and genuine sympathy, traversing with Him the dreariness and
loneliness of His path, as well as marking her sense of the utter worthlessness of all around in
view of His agony and death; on one side intelligently apprehending not only who and what He
was in Himself, but likewise His value in the eyes of His Father; on the other, making use of His
comb as a burying place for every valuable thing of helps on earth. For her, if Jesus dies, He
carries all of hers down in the grave with Himself!

In Matthew and Mark, the blessed Lord is consciously in man’s hand, in the closing hours of His
life. This indeed characterizes these gospels in their record of His death, His cross; which was
both the fruit of the counsel of God in view of redemption, as well as the fruit of Jewish enmity,
and man’s revolted, reprobate, heart. How blessed it is then to see Mary here at such a moment,
marking her sense of the glories of His person in the face of the accumulated hatred of both devil
and man! ft is a blessed sight, in the intelligent apprehension of faith, the homage of one willing,
loving heart, thus laid at His feet one solitary soul in that rebellious land owning Him Lord of ail.
All this sheds its light on His own words, "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout
the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

Let us now look at the facts, as they are here recorded, a little more in detail. Mary’s affection, net
intelligent sympathy, takes the precedence of the treachery of Judas. Her love to Jesus was of that
order and character, that it secured for Him that which was suitable to Himself at such a moment,
and that which entirely met His heart and thoughts. "The box of ointment of spikenard very
precious," answered to all that was around Jesus, in the hatred and malignity of man, in that hour,
but it also coincided with all that filled His soul; and it was, as well as, community of thought
with the Father concerning the Son of His bosom. It is a sight of surpassing blessedness to gaze
at Him as He sits there; to see Him accepting, and vindicating, too, the affection and sympathy
which His own Person had created and called forth; to see her, too, fruit as she was of His grace,
expending on Him to whom she showed her all_that all, as another has touchingly and blessedly
expressed it. Mary, as it were, says by this action of hers, “While the King sitteth at His table, my
spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.”

There is another point of solemn interest in this affecting scene, namely, how opposite the
thoughts of men are to what suits the mind of God and His Christ; the most that some could say
concerning Mary’s act was, that it was marked by waste. Oh, how little He was in their eyes, who

measured the service rendered to Him after this fashion! For it is the person to whom the service
is rendered, that is the true measure of its value.

Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father; Jesus, the spotless and perfect Son of God; Jesus, the willing
and ready friend of need, and want and sorrow, stood so low in their estimate, as to call forth the
expression of waste in regard to that which was voluntarily expended upon Him. It is the same
today; the present is but the offspring of the past; the family character is not wanting in either; the
heir-loom of indifference to God’s Christ, and no sense of who he is or what He is, passes on
from generation to generation; and today, with all its boasted light, superiority and advance, the
poor, the perishing, the destitute, and the oppressed, have their friends and allies, but Jesus, the
precious, blessed, wondrous Saviour, is forgotten and neglected only remembered to be slighted
and despised.

There is a bright spot in this dark cloud; turn your eye upon it for a moment:Jesus vindicates her.
How blessed! The eye under which this act was performed discerned its value, and the heart that
had caused to spring up affections so suited to Himself her Lord, measures out its appreciation of
all that was expended on Himself; and He lets every one know what he felt and thought of this
manifestation of her devotedness to His Person.“Let her alone, she hath wrought a good work on
me; she hath done what she could; she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily, I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world,
this also that she hath done, shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." Oh, the joy of being
vindicated by Jesus, and the satisfaction of knowing that, however feebly, we have truly
ministered to the longings of His heart?

The Lord gave His saints in these last days more genuine affection for, and true sympathy with,
our Lord Jesus Christ, and His interests, that nothing may be able to divert their hearts from Him,
engage their powers but Him, satisfy their souls but Him!

The letter continued, “brethren don’t believe in governments or rulers in the church, but Rom.
12:8 and 1 Tim. 5:17 tells of ‘He that ruleth’ and in 1 Cor. 12:28 it tells us that there should be
governments, someone to administer the decrees of the church.” One cannot speak for others, but
insofar as I know, brethren acknowledge those gifts which are manifested among the people of
god today, including the gift of rule. 1 Cor. 12:28 does the decrees of the church” nor does
scripture speak of decrees of the church at all. Acts 16:4 says “they delivered them the decrees
for to keep; that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.”

It is evident from the portion of the letter quoted above, and also in later parts, that the writer
confuses “elders”and gifts”. Rom. 12:8 is treating the subject of gift and 1 Tim. 5:17 speaks of
elders, but these are not the same. Ephesians 4 shows that the ascended Christ “gave gifts unto
men”. Elders were appointed by apostles (“And when they had ordained them elders in every
church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed”
(Acts 14:23), or by those who were designated by the apostles to appoint elders, such as Timothy
or Titus. God set those who were gifted in “the church” 1 Cor. 12:28; elders were ordained “in
every city, as I (that is Paul) had appointed thee:(Titus 1:5).One who was a teacher at Ephesus –
elders had a local charge only.

The letter claims that the Bible Church is more scriptural because it gives the title of elders,
bishops and deacons to certain men as well as the office. Acts 6:3, 15:22, and 1 Cor. 16:3 are
cited to prove the church has authority to choose men or these offices. In none of the texts above
ate deacons or elders mentioned. (bishop, in scripture, is the office held by an elder). In Acts 6
the multitude chose seven men to serve tables, who were perhaps deacons although scripture
does not say so, but they were appointed by the apostles. Nowhere in scripture is the church
given authority to choose or appoint elders. In every case this was done by apostles or those
commissioned by the apostles to act in their stead. Accordingly, if we are subject to the word of
God, we cannot have elders in their precise official form because there is no competent authority
now to appoint them. However, those brethren who have the qualities mentioned in 1 Tim. 3 are
highly esteemed for their works’ sake, and are acknowledged as those who ate over the rest of
their brethren in the Lord.

Beloved brethren, permit me to take this occasion to emphasize aa important principle that
"oversight" was in the local assembly. Oversight of a fellowship is foreign to scripture but there
is ever the danger of such a practice, although perhaps not recognized by many, arising among
us. The following quotation illustrates what I refer to:"In a scene like this, the church, as it seeks
to walk faithfully to that which is committed into its hands by God, becomes increasingly the
object of Satan’s interest, and we cannot hope to avoid being beset by things that constantly test
us.” To this, I believe, we all agree. The quotation continues:“In a multitude of counselors there
is safety” (Prov. 11:14; 26:6). Only by thus counseling together are we able to meet the problems
that inevitably arise. Because of geographic distance, we cannot, it is apparent, come together
always to discuss such problems; letter-writing thus becomes a poor substitute for face to face
counsel, but is our only recourse.”The “letter-writing” referred to were letters written among
certain leading brothers concerning problems that arose in various assemblies and it is stated:

“Only by thus counseling together are we able to meet the problems that inevitably arise.”This, in
principle, establishes an oversight of the fellowship. While I own the fullest liberty for those in
the local assembly to seek counsel from any brother or brethren concerning problems that arise,
where in scripture is it taught that the inevitable problems that arise among the people of God are
to be solved by leading brethren from various local assemblies? Scripture shows that problems
which arose were settled locally whether they were matters that were predominantly local in
nature, such as 1 Cor. 5, or those in immediate connection with the whole church of God, such as
Acts 15.The seed of the suggestion advocated in the quotation (I am sure without intention), can
be seen in full flower in the Church of Rome. Principles governing the church of God are not
found in Proverbs but in the Epistles of Paul; particularly 1 Corinthians.

The following quotations are from Bro. Ridout’s book, "The Church”. "There has therefore
arisen, in a gradual way, the practice of a kind of oversight by leading and gifted non-resident
brethren, who in this way seek to guide, and in some measure review the actions of the local
assemblies." "It is practically a form of Presbyterian oversight, in which little or no room is left
for the individual conscience, save of the leaders. With the best motives, this fails to exercise the
whole assembly, and leads saints to look for some decision from without rather than to the Lord
alone. The effect will eventually be seen in a in a general legislation, rather than the simplicity of
each assembly acting in the fear of God and in the unity of the spirit. Room is given for private
influence rather than public exercise, and leaders have an undue prominence, which savors of
clerisy.” (To be continued, D.V.)

FRAGMENT. No doubt God’s Spirit is really and largely working; but His end and man’s
thought are diverse, in that, while He is converting souls to “deliver them out of this present evil
world,:man’s thought is an improved world, a Christian world:the effect of which is, to
amalgamate Christians and the world, and spoil the scriptural character of Christianity altogether.

I am sure we all remember Jonathan, who was not willing to share David’s rejection. Onesiphorus
is a name th will live to all eternity, as one who not only was willing to share the rejection and
reproach of Christ, but who very diligently sought out Paul, and found him, when he was the
prisoner of Nero, chained in a Roman dungeon. From that dungeon h e writes:"This thou
knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me." (2 Tim. 1:15). At his first
answer before Nero, no man stood with him:"but all forsook me", the apostle writes. Only Luke
was with him of all his beloved fellow-laborers. They were dark days indeed.

It was in these dark days that Onesiphorus came to Rome from Ephesus. The apostle writes:"he
sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of
the Lord in that day:and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest
very well." (2 Tim. l:l6-l8), How refreshing it is to find one whose love and loyalty stood the test:
one who was willing to share the rejection and danger of the old apostle; and as he shared Paul’s
rejection, he was also sharing the rejection and reproach of Christ.

Let us now consider the Household of Onesiphorus. The Apostle writes:"The Lord give mercy
unto the house of Onesiphorus" (2 Tim. 1:16), and again, "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the
household of Onesiphorus" (2 Tim.4:19).The whole household is linked up with the loyalty of its
head:the whole household is especially commended to the mercy of the Lord for Onesiphorus’
loyal and loving heart. Like Ittai of old, the whole household shared the rejection with its head.
May it be so indeed in our households!

The children of the saints_
How oft they chafe and fret,
Within the bonds of love and grace,
Which God has round them set.

Some have in childhood’s years,
Confessed Christ as their own,
But later on they oft rebel,
And dare to walk alone.

They find the path too straight,
They want a wider sphere,
And as they from the fold do stray,
Give cause for many a tear.

The world attractive seems,
They would its pleasures share,
Their youthful lusts they would indulge,
And shun parental care.

But God is ever near,
He slumbers not nor sleeps,
And over His rebellious ones,
A watchful eye He keeps.

He hears our every prayer,
He shares our deep concern,
And in His own good time and way,
Will back their footsteps turn.

He’d speak in tender love,
Ere He would use His rod,
He’s worthy of our perfect trust,
Our faithful Father-God.

And though our hearts may grieve,
That chastening they may see,
We know whatever He may do,
‘Twill for their blessing be.

So casting them on Him,
Each day from morn till night,
Our hearts may know His perfect peace,

Till faith be changed to sight.

We have a growing reverence for the aged. It ever was characteristic of Jewish religious life to
honor the aged. It is a touching and beautiful sight to view one in the sunset of life waiting with
delight for the "Home” call_whether it be their Saviour’s shout in the air or for the spirit’s
release_to be ushered into His blessed presence. The heart is yet brave; the love is as fervent as
in early days, though more matured; the purpose of the heart and the calm unshaken confidence
in the Lord are unchanged; the growth of many years is reflected on the wrinkled, suffering, yet
patient countenance. How chastened! How mellowed! How useful the ripe experience! "They
shall still bring forth fruit in old age" (Psa. 92:14).

The physical vigor of youth may give way, but there is a power outside the domain of nature:
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:31).

Think of the spirit of brave Caleb who, when 85 years of age said, “As yet I am as strong this day
as I was in the day that Moses sent me [40 years previously]; as my strength was then, even so is
my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in” (Josh. 14:11). Caleb was not tired of
the conflict. He drew his spiritual strength from God. The source of his courage was in God
Himself.

For ourselves, and for all our beloved aged pilgrims, we long and pray for spiritual energy. Press
on with increasing desire. The heavenly manna is needed equally for your closing hours as in the
springtide of earlier days. So feed on Christ, fathers and mothers in Israel. Where, of course,
there is a collapse of the physical powers, one can only wait in patience the joyful summons,
“Come Home!”A few more struggles and then Eternal Rest above, in the sunshine of His love.

"They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:they
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented." (Heb. 11:37).

Such is the description of many believers in times past. God has not yet asked us to make such
sacrifices as these. He has graciously spared us most of these things, and then we complain when
He asks us to surrender our bodies to His service, separate ourselves from the world, and abstain
from sinful pleasures. He asks its to witness for Him, without being stoned for out witness. He
asks us to study His Word, without being imprisoned for it. He asks us "not to forsake the
assembling of ourselves together" without having the meeting broken up by the police. And then
we complain and refuse to yield our all to Him. Oh, shame on us for our unwillingness to make
such small sacrifices for Him. Instead of heeding the admonition, "Be not conformed to this
world", we just go along with it in its extremes of dress, in its pleasures and amusements. Oh, if
we could only visualize what we are losing in the end for not daring to stand without fear or
compromise for Christ! My God help us to keep our eyes upon the One Who suffered and died
on the cross, for the joy of saving us.

A. A Christian should never willingly be where there is no room for his Saviour.

B. Beauty is best when plainly dressed.

C. Christ became a Man for you; be a man for Christ.

D. Dignity does not lose by lowliness in any.

E. Earth is growing poorer; heaven is growing richer.

F. Faith sees God, and God sees faith.

G. Gentle answers kill growling speeches.

H. Hope is never ill when faith is well.

I. If you’ve no Scriptural reason for doing a thing, you’ve one good reason for leaving it alone.

J. Jesus eternally saves us sinners.

K. Keep such company as God keeps.

L. Look up for God looks down.

Faith circles around the cross.

Hope circles around His coming.

Love fills up the little while between.

Answer. This is entirely a question between the heart and the Lord. If one cannot fully trust the
Lord for the future, both for himself and for his family_if one has not such a sense of what God
is, and what the life of faith is, as to lift the heart entirely above the range of creature confidence,
human hopes, and earthly expectations, he can, of course, only lay up money, or insure his life. In
the case of a mere man of the world, it is very laudable to deny himself in order to lay up for his
wife and children; but the man of God steads on different ground altogether. We believe it is
better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in a store of money, or in an insurance policy.
"Leave thy fatherless children to me, and let thy widows trust in me." We have often seen the
truth of the old proverb:"If you lay up for a rainy day, God will send you a rainy day." And as to
children, the best provision you can make for them is, to teach them to provide for themselves by
honest industry.