41. “ J. D.” The first line of your fourth stanza we deem objectionable.
42. “ Ebenezer.” It is impossible to lay down a rule on the subject of books for children. Parents and teachers have to exercise godly care in the matter. It is very difficult to find suitable books for young people You cannot, as you truly remark, get young children to love solid reading; and they must have something to read. The Lord will guide and help you to a right judgment. We think the Lending Library is a most interesting and valuable adjunct to the Sunday school; but of course it requires care in the matter of supplying the books. May the Lord guide, help, and bless you!
44. “J. F.,” Castlefin. Thanks for your letter. You are on right ground, dear friend, in looking only to the living God to meet your every need. He never fails a trusting heart. Accept as a little motto for yourself Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
45. “ G.,” Bromley. We have more than once explained 1 Pet. 3:1919By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1 Peter 3:19); but it may be you have not met with the exposition. We believe that the passage teaches that the Spirit of Christ in Noah preached to the people before the flood, whose spirits are now in prison because they rejected the preaching. We heartily thank God for any blessing to your precious soul through our pages.
46. “ A. L.,” Ashwell Thorpe. All the leading editors agree in rejecting the last clause of Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1). It is, without doubt, an interpolation. One might arrive at this conclusion, apart from mere criticism, from the fact that the same words occur, in their proper connection, at the close of verse 4. To have them in both places would involve redundancy, which is incompatible with the idea of divine inspiration.