93. “G. Τ. Η.,” Blackheath. We understand 2 Pet. 3:1212Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:12) to refer to the attitude of the believer’s heart in reference to the coming of the day of God. He should not only be looking for it, but longing that it may be hastened. Would that the language of our hearts and of our daily life were, “Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?” “Come Lord Jesus; come quickly!”
94. “A. G.” We most thoroughly agree with every line you have penned on the interesting subject of Sunday School teaching. We have seen the truth of your remarks illustrated in numberless instances. The want of order in many of our schools is truly deplorable, and ought to exercise the hearts and consciences of superintendents and teachers, very deeply, before the Lord. We feel persuaded that very much more might be done to correct this flagrant evil. The plan you suggest is admirable, namely, to insist on each child entering the room quietly and taking his seat; and, further, that each teacher should insist on silence ere he begins to teach. The habit of loud speaking on the part of the teachers is most reprehensible. Were each to speak in a low soft tone, he could be distinctly heard by the members of his class without disturbing his fellow-teachers; but it has often seemed to us as though it were the aim and object of each teacher to be heard by the whole school. It may, perhaps, be said, in reply, that one is almost obliged to shout in order to be heard above the universal din and uproar in the school; but this could be corrected by all the teachers agreeing together to speak softly and gently, which, in our judgment, would add immensely to the solemnity and effectiveness of their teaching. Nothing can be more offensive to good taste than to hear sacred themes handled in a loud and boisterous style more befitting criers in a market than teachers in a Sunday School. Your remarks upon the inefficiency of teachers are most pertinent. We greatly fear that many of those who take the place of teachers ought themselves to become pupils. It is the bounden duty of superintendents to look well to the qualification of all who offer themselves for the work. We consider it an essential qualification that the teacher should be well acquainted with the letter of holy scripture. But besides this, there is great need of tact in dealing with the young, as also of moral power to win their confidence and gain their attention. The converted members of our Bible Classes ought to furnish some efficient teachers for the Sunday School. It is our firm persuasion that all these matters imperatively demand the prayerful attention of all who are engaged in the precious and blessed work of Sunday School teaching. There ought to be more conference together, more united prayer, more joint study of the word with specific reference to the work of teaching. We are deeply thankful for your valuable letter, and we trust that our brief reference to its leading points may be used to stir up many to a solemn review of the whole subject, that thus an effort may be made to correct the abuses which you have pointed out. May the Lord pour out His blessing on all Sunday Schools throughout the world!
95. “J. T.,” Northampton. Thanks for the lines. They are marked by great freshness and fervor.
97. “Η. S.,” Southgate. The grand cure for doubts is to take God at His word.
98. “T. S. W.,” Leamington. We cannot quite go with you in your punctuation of Heb. 10:1212But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12). If you will kindly turn to Bagster’s “Large print Greek Testament,” which gives all the improved readings, you will find that the comma is placed after “sins,” and not after “ever.” Our Lord Christ has taken His seat forever, so far as His atoning work is concerned. He will never again have to rise to address Himself to that work. His eternal session is put in contrast with the Levitical priest’s daily standing. It would be superfluous to speak of “a sacrifice for sins forever,” inasmuch as Christ’s sacrifice must of necessity be eternal in its efficacy. As to the fact that Stephen saw our Lord “standing,” it would seem to show that He had not definitively taken His seat, but was still lingering over His people Israel if haply they would repent. But seeing they resisted the Holy Ghost, and actually sent Stephen as a messenger after the King, to say, “We will not have this man to reign over us,” we see Him presented in Hebrews as “sitting” until His enemies be made His footstool.
99. “T. A. L.,” Bolton. We believe that the secret of Jacob’s “power over the angel” was the knowledge of his weakness. In Gen. 32 it is not said that Jacob wrestled with the man, but that the man wrestled with him—a very different thing. God’s object was to break Jacob down that He might know his utter weakness; and when Jacob was led to this point, he was constrained to say, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” That great principle must ever hold good, “out of weakness were made strong.” See also 2 Cor. 12:9, 109And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9‑10).
100. “A. B.,” Dublin. The unclothed state was not the apostle’s object, but the resurrection state.
101. “F. B.,” Bournemouth. You must be fully persuaded in your own mind. Your question does not fall in with our special line of things. This must also be our reply to “A Constant Header” at Exmouth.
102. “G. W. B.,” Pentonville. We must beg of you to excuse our reluctance to take up the subject to which you call our attention.
103. “Μ. H. G.,” Kent. Accept our warmest thanks for your interesting letter and the accompanying lines.
104. “An Anxious Mother.” You have only one question to ask yourself, namely, “Is the profession of arms one which a disciple of Christ can properly follow?” If not, your path is plain. You, surely, cannot think of placing your son in a position which he must abandon in order to follow a rejected Christ. No doubt, there are many of the Lord’s beloved people in the army; but the question is not, Can I be saved and yet be in the army? Thousands have gone to heaven who had lived and died in that profession. But the real question for every loyal heart is, Can I follow the footsteps of my Lord while I remain in a position in which, at any moment, I may be called to take the life of my fellow and send a soul into eternity unprepared? This, dear friend, must be your one question. I cannot place my son, be he converted or unconverted, where I could not be myself. As for the discipline of the army being good for the purpose of bracing up the character, we must confess we have not much faith in it. The mess-room is not just the place to which we should like to send a youth for discipline or training of any sort.